Good morning,
This week’s Backpack Express is ready for your reading pleasure:
Octoberfest Information: Our fun day is coming up in a few weeks. Here’s the latest update for you:
Octoberfest – We Need Your Help! The big day is almost here, and we’re counting on our Sowams families to help make sure it's a success.
Final Call for Sponsors
Know a local business that might support Octoberfest? Sponsorships close this Friday, 9/26. Click here for sponsorship opportunities and email sowamsoctoberfest@gmail.com right away.
Auction Items Still Needed
Our online auction is still growing, and every contribution makes a difference. We’re especially looking for tickets to a show or sports game, gift cards, services (like cleaning, photography, or landscaping), and new/unopened items of any kind.
Email sowamsoctoberfest@gmail.com if you’d like to donate.
Octoberfest event volunteers needed
We ask that each family volunteer at least 1 hour to help on the day of the event. Thank you to those who have already signed up!
We still need many volunteers from 10-3!!
Please click here to sign up to volunteer at the event on October 18th!
Class Raffle Baskets
Next week, your child will be coming home with a packet of raffle tickets to sell, including a flyer with basket descriptions and ticket prices. If you need additional tickets, they will be available in the front office. Sold tickets are due back by October 13th. Please make sure the name, phone number and basket number is clearly visible on each ticket sold.
Baked Goods, Snacks & Drink Donations Needed
Please consider donating cakes, baked goods, snacks, and drinks for the Octoberfest Café and Bake Walk
Click here to sign up to donate baked goods, snacks or drinks
Mystery Bags: Mystery bags will be distributed to kids’ in their take home folders on Oct 9. Decorated and filled bags need to be returned by Oct 16th
Follow Octoberfest on Social Media
Flu Shot Clinic: Sowams School is hosting a community flu shot clinic on October 22, 2025, from 3:30-6:30. You can make an appointment and find out more information here. This is open to everyone regardless of insurance.
Sowams Speedway: Our Speedway is looking for volunteers to assist on Speedway days. Sowams Speedway is our walking/running club. Students walk the interior of the baseball field on the playground. For every lap, they get a hole punched in a card; a full card indicates a child has walked five miles. Students get a small charm for every five miles they walk. If you are interested in volunteering and have a background check on file with our district, click here to sign up.
Picture Day: School picture day is coming up on October 6, 2025. If you are interested in ordering your child’s picture, click here for instructions and packages. All students will have their picture taken regardless if a parent orders or not. Photos are used for our yearbook.
No School: As a reminder, there is no school on Thursday, October 2, 2025, in honor of Yom Kippur.
PTO Information: Our PTO is up and running and we just had our first meeting this week. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend. Below is the latest information from our PTO:
School Directory: Each year, the PTO puts together a Sowams Directory of names and contact information for our students and families. Once complete, the directory information is then shared with only our school community. It is not used for any solicitation (except room parents for school related information) and should not be shared with non-school families. It is up to you to decide if you want your information put into this directory. If you would like to share your information with others in our school, please complete this form from the PTO.
Apple Picking: The PTO is sponsoring a morning of apple picking on September 28, 2025. Information about this fun, family event may be found here.
Special Education Advisory Committee: The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is a Local Education Committee run by parent volunteers. BPS SEAC is committed to serving Barrington families with children who are receiving educational services through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The overall mission is to create an environment within the school district that fosters open communication among parents, teachers, support staff, administrators, and the Barrington School Committee regarding special education supports and services provided to eligible students. SEAC Meetings are open to all. However, we are seeking a core group of people to serve on SEAC. If you are interested in serving on SEAC, complete the form below to be included in the selection process. SEAC will meet monthly during the school year, October through May, typically on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm at the Barrington Middle School with a virtual option. SEAC Application
Community Notices: There are a few notices this week: Cub Scouts, BYBA Basketball, and Barrington Public Library movie night.
Enjoy the soggy day.
Best,
Jim Callahan
Principal
Sowams School Mission: Everyone learns every day.
Sowams School Vision: Sowams School will engage students to be their best selves.