It was business (or schoolwork) as usual at Sowams School and Hampden Meadows School on Thursday morning, Oct. 17, despite the loss of electricity. 

A fast-moving and hard-hitting storm knocked out power for both Barrington elementary schools, but teachers, administrators and students adjusted quickly to the situation. Sowams School Principal Jim Callahan said a generator at his school provided some limited lighting. 

"We made a couple modifications," Mr. Callahan said. "Other than that, things were normal."

Mr. Callahan said a couple of the restrooms at the school were closed off, and technology devices were not available. Chartwells, the food service provider for the Barrington School Department, brought in a new delivery of milk and changed some of the lunch offerings, as the kitchen at Sowams School did not have electricity. 

Text messages went out early on Thursday morning to parents of Barrington students. At 6:50 a.m., school officials wrote "BPS schools are in session today without delay. Please drive carefully. We look forward to a wonderful school day!"

A slew of texts followed, alerting parents to potential delays in the bus routes and the loss of electricity at Hampden Meadows and Sowams Schools. But by about 11 a.m., National Grid had restored power to the schools. 

"Students and teachers are engaged in all daily activities and lunch will be provided at the normally scheduled time," stated a text.