Dear 8th Grade Families, 

The last chapter of your child’s journey as a student at St. Barnabas is quickly approaching. Watching them grow, learn, and lead over the years has been the greatest blessing. We are so honored to be part of their journey. One of our favorite quotes is, “It’s not how you start, but how you finish.” We want to see our 8th-grade students end strong. We encourage all parents/guardians to join us in reminding our students of the importance of being positive role models and leaders in the final weeks of their time at St. Barnabas so they can enjoy all the celebrations planned for them. 

Below is an outline of the remaining events for our 8th-grade students. Each event includes a description along with the date, time, attire, and contact information should you have event-specific questions. You’ll also find a link to a May and early June calendar; we encourage you to print or save the calendar to a device. We have also included attire guidelines. With 13 events ahead for our 8th-grade students, we want to stress a unique outfit is not required for each event. We invite students to reuse, remix, or swap apparel with a friend!  

We will continue to share 8th-grade news and reminders, and you can also expect to continue to hear from the dedicated 8th-Grade Parent Committee. But we wanted to share the details of dates, times, and attire as you continue to make your plans and preparations for the graduates. We recognize this is a lengthy email, but we hope you will find value in the content.

The class of 2023 will forever hold a special place in our hearts. We wish you a Happy Easter and a restful spring break. We look forward to welcoming back our students on Monday, April 17. 

Mr. Stack and Ms. Sadowski.

RIBBON CEREMONY & MASS - Sunday, May 7

Hosted by St. Barnabas School - Join us for 10am mass, celebrated as a parish. Students will receive a ribbon for classmates to sign. The signed ribbon is intended as a fun keepsake and does not need to be worn at the graduation ceremony. A second ribbon will be provided to each student at the June graduation ceremony to be worn on their graduation gown.

• Time: 10am
• Location: St. Barnabas Church
• Attendees: students, parents/guardians, and extended family welcome
• Attire: church attire
• Contact: Mr. Patrick McGowan - [email protected]

TRIP TO SPRINGFIELD - Tuesday, May 9

Hosted by The 8th-Grade Parent Committee - Optional off-campus day trip for students. This event is parent-coordinated and not on the school-approved calendar; students making the trip will need to contact the school to report an absence.  

• Fee: $175 per student, includes coach bus round-trip transportation, a tour guide, and a group dinner. Vennmo to Bernadette Barsch (@Bernadette-Barsch, 708-431-0544) or send a check, payable to Bernadette Barsch, c/o Danny Barsch, to school. 
• Contact: Bernadette Barsch - [email protected]

ARTS & ATHLETIC BANQUET - Thursday, May 11

Hosted by The St. Barnabas Athletic Board - Optional Dinner and Awards banquet honoring students for their achievements over the years in St. Barnabas arts (band and theater) and athletics. An additional fee for attendees, collected by the host, includes the cost of dinner.

• Time: 6:30pm
• Location: Ridge Country Club
• Attendees: students and parents/guardians
• Attire: dress casual
• Contact: email RSVP to Joe Herber - [email protected]
• Fee: $35 per attendee; venmo Joe Herber @joe-herber-2

MAY CROWNING - Friday, May 12

Hosted by St. Barnabas School - Prayer service honoring the Blessed Mother. The 2nd-grade and 8th-grade students participate in the all-school service, and the 8th-grade Commissioner of Religious Affairs will crown Mother Mary.

• Time: 1:45pm, procession from the school into Church
• Location: St. Barnabas Church
• Attendees: students, parents/guardians, and extended family welcome
• Attire: church attire. New this year, students will not wear graduation gowns as they have in years past. For girls, a white dress is NOT required. We do ask for a modest, knee-length (or longer) dress or jumpsuit in keeping with the reverence of the occasion.
• Contact: Ms. Grace Sadowski - [email protected] and Mrs. Molly McGowan - [email protected]

DINNER DANCE - Saturday, May 20

Hosted by The 8th-Grade Parent Committee - An off-campus evening of dinner and dancing for students. A permission slip will be sent home after spring break.

• Time: 6:30pm arrival for professional 8th-grade photo, event time 7pm -10pm
• Location: The Vineyard, 95th Street
• Attendees: students, dance committee chaperones 
• Attire: semi-formal attire
• Contact: Lisa Barraco - [email protected]

CLASS TRIP TO THE FORGE - Monday, May 22

Hosted by The 8th-Grade Parent Committee - Class trip to The Forge in Lemont includes outdoor sports and activities. Students should bring a refillable water bottle and bagged lunch. All attendees are required to complete a waiver for the trip, complete HERE. 

• Time: 7:45am - 5pm. The return bus departs The Forge at 4pm; we anticipate a 5pm arrival back to school.
• Location: Bus will depart from and return to St. Barnabas School, transport to The Forge in Lemont.
• Attendees: students, approved chaperones
• Attire: spirit wear 
• Contact: Eileen Towe - [email protected] and Kieran Towe - [email protected]

CLAP OUT - Thursday, May 25

Hosted by St. Barnabas School - Last full day of school for 8th-grade students. Students walk the halls and are “clapped out” by the younger students. Parents/Guardians are welcome to join us at the Main Entrance as students exit the building.

• Time: 2:45pm
• Location: St. Barnabas School Main Entrance
• Attendees: students and parents/guardians, and extended family welcome 
• Attire: 8th-grade class t-shirt with uniform bottoms (skirt or navy pants)
• Contact: Ms. Sue Connolly - [email protected]

SPIRIT DAY - Friday, May 26

Hosted by The St. Barnabas School FSA - Annual day of student games. All grade levels attend.

• Time: during the school day, 7:45am - 11:50am
• Location: St. Barnabas School 
• Attendees: all grade levels of students, parent volunteers
• Attire: spirit wear
• Contact: Mrs. Sue Connolly, [email protected]

MASS & RETREAT - Tuesday, May 30

Hosted by St. Barnabas School - Final 8:45am School Mass (parents/guardians welcome). After mass, 8th-grade students will gather in the Church Hall for a student retreat led by Deacon Andy Neu. Light lunch will be provided.

• Time: 8:15am student check-in at the Church. 1:30pm dismissal
• Location: St. Barnabas Church
• Attendees: students
• Attire: high school t-shirt with uniform bottoms (skirt or navy pants)
• Contact: Ms. Grace Sadowski - [email protected]

GRADUATION PRACTICE & PICNIC - Wednesday, May 31 

Hosted by St. Barnabas School - Student graduation practice at the Church, followed by a student picnic and games on the convent lawn. Students should bring a bagged lunch and drink. 

• Time: 9:30am student check-in at the Church. 1:30pm dismissal
• Location: check in at St. Barnabas Church, dismissal from the convent lawn.
• Attendees: students
• Attire: spirit wear
• Contact: Mrs. Molly McGowan - [email protected] and Mrs. Kerry Baudo - [email protected]

AWARDS CEREMONY - Thursday, June 1

Hosted by St. Barnabas School - Student achievements are celebrated, and a few area clubs and high schools will be present to award scholarship achievements.

• Time: Students should be seated by 9:45am; the ceremony begins at 10am.
• Location: St. Barnabas Church
• Attendees: students, parents/guardians, and extended family welcome
• Attire: church attire
• Contact: Ms. Grace Sadowski - [email protected] 

CAR PARADE - Thursday, June 1

Hosted by The 8th-Grade Parent Committee - 8th-grade students and parents/guardians will gather in the St. Barnabas parking lot at 6pm to decorate vehicles. Graduate family vehicles will depart from the parking lot and proceed through the parish (map provided at a later date). After the parade route is released, families are encouraged to decorate their house or block and welcome neighbors to come out and cheer on the graduates. 

• Time: meet at 6pm; parade kicks off at 7pm from the parking lot
• Location: St. Barnabas School
• Attendees: students, parents/guardians
• Attire: spirit wear
• Contact: Ann McNamara - [email protected] and Katie Morgan - [email protected]

GRADUATION CEREMONY & LITURGY - Friday, June 2

Hosted by St. Barnabas School - Students should arrive in cap and gown. The graduation is a liturgy and ceremony; no balloons are allowed in the Church. Seating is open throughout the Church and is not assigned or reserved in advance. Extended family members are welcome. Church doors open at 6:30pm.

• Time: 6:30pm student arrival, 7pm - 8:30pm ceremony. Legacy (alum) parents and students are invited for a photo on the rectory porch at 6:15pm
• Location: St. Barnabas Church
• Attendees: students, parents/guardians, and extended family welcome
• Attire: church attire
• Contact: Ms. Grace Sadowski - [email protected] 

STUDENT & PARENT GRADUATION PARTY - Friday, June 2

Hosted by The 8th-Grade Parent Committee - Optional post-graduation party for students and parents. This event is not coordinated through the school and is an off-campus event. An additional fee will be collected by the committee.

• Time: after the ceremony, around 9pm
• Host: 8th-grade Parent Committee
• Location: The Barsch Family Home, 10051 S. Hoyne Ave.
• Attendees: students and parents/guardians
• Attire: personal preference, casual or graduation attire. Most attendees choose to change at home prior to arriving at the party.
• Contact: Bernadette Barsch - [email protected]

Attire guidelines for graduation events are detailed below. We encourage students to reuse and remix apparel; students do not need a unique outfit for each event.

Church Attire (Ribbon Ceremony, May Crowning, Awards Ceremony, Graduation)

Modesty, respect, and reverence should guide student appearance. Boys: dress pants, dress shirt, and tie; sport coats or suits are optional. Girls: dresses or jumpsuits; the length and neckline should be suitable for Church.

May Crowning attire - New this year, students will not wear graduation gowns as they have in years past. Boys should wear a shirt and tie; a sport coat or suit is optional. For girls, a white dress is NOT required. We do ask for a modest, knee-length (or longer) dress or jumpsuit in keeping with the reverence of the occasion.

Spirit Wear (Class trip to The Forge, Graduation Practice & Class Picnic, Car Parade)

Weather-appropriate casual/active clothing. St. Barnabas branded t-shirts, sweatshirts, or plain red or white clothing. Bottoms: jeans, joggers, yoga pants, or shorts (of modest length). Students should wear closed-toe athletic shoes.

Dress Casual (Arts & Athletic Banquet)

Boys: dress pants and a collared shirt (polo-style or button-down). Girls: skirts, sundresses, jumpsuits, or pants. No jeans. 

Graduation Ceremony Attire

Students should wear Church attire under their graduation gown ensemble at the ceremony. To have a unified color for the entire class, all students will wear red graduation gowns; gowns do not have collars. All students will bring home their cap, tassel, and gown in late April. 

A Note from the 8th-Grade Parent Committee

The committee has worked thoughtfully to control event costs, and they appreciate every committee leader's efforts to stretch their budget. However, rising costs have made it challenging to cover all the expenses within the original graduation budget. Therefore, the committee is requesting an additional voluntary donation of $30 from each family to cover the budget difference. Please donate to Ann McNamara: Venmo @Ann-McNamara-1 (last four digits of phone 4766) or Zelle 773-771-4766.