The first month of school has flown by and we are off to a fantastic start! Our students have settled into the familiar routines of the school year and our staff have worked tirelessly to ensure a positive learning experience for every child. September was a fast-paced month for Barrington Public Schools, filled with many events, activities, and accomplishments. Exceptional teaching, learning, and leading was on display across our district!
As we look forward to all that October has in store, I would like to share with you some of the past month’s noteworthy accomplishments that represent our commitments to excellence, engagement, and community care.
Sowams School was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education for its academic rigor and excellence! RIDE Commissioner Infante-Green helped Principal Callahan make the exciting announcement to our Sowams community and we celebrated the award with the Commissioner, state and local leaders, and Sowams families!
The Primrose Hill School preschool program received a 5-star rating from BrightStars, the highest recognition possible under Rhode Island’s Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Congratulations, PHS! Learn more about the BrightStars rating here.
BPS educators had an inspiring and motivational start to the 2024-2025 school year. See pictures of the faculty's first day back from summer break.
Barrington Public Schools proudly recognized Heidi Brousseau, special educator at Nayatt School and K-3 emotional regulation specialist, as our district’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year! We look forward to the continued positive influence she will have on our community this year.
We welcomed thousands of excited students to (and back to!) our schools on August 28. Check out these fun pictures from the first day of school.
The Barrington High School Class of 2025 began their senior year with Senior Sunrise, a cherished Victory Field tradition! See photos of Senior Sunrise here.
The Activities Fair provided our high school students with an opportunity to learn about the dozens of student clubs and organizations at BHS and express their interest in participation. From Sailing Club to Naturalist Notebook Club, there’s something for everyone at BHS!
We celebrated National Arts in Education Week which recognizes the transformative power of music, theater, dance, media arts, and visual arts instruction in education. Thank you, BPS arts educators!
Students and staff at Nayatt School, Primrose Hill School, Sowams School, and Hampden Meadows School lined their school's hallways to participate in High-Fives for Heroes. They showed support for Barrington's first responders in observance of the twenty-third anniversary of September 11, 2001. See pictures of High Fives for Heroes here.
The Transition Academy at Barrington High School welcomed a special guest, Dr. Vickie Mitchell, who is a leading researcher and special education practitioner. It was a pleasure to meet with and learn from her.
Students at Hampden Meadows School learned how to be safe cyclists thanks to the Rhode to Bicycle Safety program. Check out these photos of our students learning the rules of road safety!
Barrington High School students attended a leadership conference in preparation for bringing the P2P mental health awareness program to BHS! See pictures of students at the conference here.
Many students from our district regularly volunteer in our community, helping organizations in and around Barrington support and serve others. Look at these familiar faces helping out at the St. John’s pumpkin patch!
School Construction Project Update
Barrington’s school building project is now in Stage III, the design and development phase. There will be many opportunities for community engagement over the next 18 months as Barrington progresses through Stage III. Join a Community Conversation with the School Building Committee and Tecton Architects next Tuesday, October 8, for a discussion on visioning the project and initial project concepts. The in-person conversation will take place from 6:00-7:00 PM in the John R. Gray Auditorium at Barrington High School. Here are more details about upcoming community conversations with the Building Committee.
Secure Gun Storage Policy
Evidence strongly suggests that secure firearm storage is an essential component to any effective strategy to keep schools and students safe. Please read the Barrington Public Schools Secure Gun Storage Policy to help us increase student and school safety in relation to the threat of gun violence.
October is already shaping up to be an exciting and busy month across our district. I look forward to seeing what our students and staff will accomplish this month and thank you for your continued support of Barrington Public Schools.
Wishing you an awesome autumn,
Rob Wargo
Superintendent
Barrington Public Schools