The last School News of the 2025-2026 school year! Thank you for reading each week and for the care and attention you give to your child’s education. To our graduating families, thank you for the meaningful impact you have had on our school; we will cherish you always. Please do not be a stranger – remember, once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye. To our returning families, thank you for your continuing support and commitment. The year ahead brings much change, and we look ahead with great anticipation for all good things to come.

Meghan Jones is a school parent, Director of Extended Day, and a gifted photographer. From our first day to our last days of the school year, Meghan has captured countless beautiful memories. Please take time to view and download your favorites from the numerous events albums. Password: Buckeyes. View the Photo Gallery.

There is still time to make your plans! Tomorrow night is The Parent Foundation’s Boots and Buckeyes party at Cork & Kerry. Tickets will be available at the door, so secure your babysitters and head out for a fun night in the neighborhood in support of the teachers of St. Barnabas. Boots & Buckeyes.

Our Catholic faith is the foundation of our school community, and our active faith helps us flourish year-round. Our Mission & Ministry Committee has pulled together a wealth of resources to help families practice their faith during the summer months and connect you with meaningful justice and service opportunities. Learn more.

Principal Hiring

As shared through email earlier this week, Mr. Stack has accepted a new leadership role within the Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Catholic Schools. Mr. Stack will be finishing his time at St. Barnabas at the end of June. We thank him for serving our school over the past five years and wish him all the best in his new role recruiting, developing, and supporting school principals.

With a new pastor and new principal for the school year ahead, this is a time of transition for St. Barnabas. While we know change brings uncertainty, change also bring growth and energy. We have full confidence in our school and parish leadership team and the School Advisory Board. We assure you, the team will dedicate its full resources to hiring a strong leader. We will continue to share progress updates throughout the summer months.

This issue is jam-packed with details for the upcoming school year. We will continue to send reminder emails throughout the summer, but we wanted to outline all the summer to-dos for when you’re ready to begin your plans. 

The details mentioned below are also easy to find on our website in Family Resources > Prepare for the 2026-2027 School Year

Summer Hours

Our Administrative Office is open throughout the summer: Tuesday - Thursday from 9am - 12pm. 

Stop by to say hello or drop off forms. If you would like to schedule an appointment to meet with a member of our Administrative team, please call the school's Main Office at 773-445-7711. Our teachers are off throughout the summer. If you have an urgent question for one of our teachers, please contact Ms. Grace Sadowski.

Tuition

Tuition payments begin in July. Please be sure to complete your 2026-2027 tuition commitment contract (one contract per child) and set up your payment plan within FACTS. If you have any questions regarding the FACTS process, please reach out to Mrs. Jeanne Reilly at reilly@stbarnabasparish.org. Tuition 2026-2027

School Uniform & Buckeye Shop

Uniform Regulations - the school uniform guidelines are detailed on our website > School Uniforms. 

A few key points we want to highlight:
Our Preschool students wear full uniforms. The uniform policy is more relaxed for PK students, and students can wear a uniform of their choice - gym or traditional - on any day of the week.


Sweatshirt layers - In an effort to streamline things for our teachers and school families and to reduce frequent uniform infractions, the only uniform-approved sweatshirt layers are the crewneck or quarter-zip sweatshirts (in dark grey, black, or red) available for purchase through our St. Barnabas School Buckeye Shop. Older-style sweatshirts, fleeces, and performance layers are always permitted for the walk to and from school, at recess, and on Spirit Wear Fridays, but may not be worn inside the classroom or at school mass. Navy and red cardigan-style sweaters are also permitted. We appreciate your attention and cooperation.


Warm Weather - Students are welcome to wear gym uniforms (or navy-uniform style shorts) on days when the temperature is 75 degrees or warmer. Gym uniforms can be purchased through our St. Barnabas School Buckeye Shop, Schools Are Us, or secure extras at the upcoming free Uniform Exchange.


Spirit Wear - Students may wear St. Barnabas spirit wear t-shirts or sweatshirts (hoodie-style or crewneck) paired with uniform bottoms every Friday. Tops should display St. Barnabas School, Parish, Team/Activity, or charity events coordinated by St. Barnabas. Students may also wear gym uniform t-shirts on Spirit Wear Fridays. 

The Buckeye Shop - Our online store, launched earlier this year, has been a great success. We are currently closed for a little update and will reopen soon. You’ll be able to order uniform-approved sweatshirts, gym uniforms, and spirit wear for delivery before the start of school. Thanks to the abundant generosity of Marathon Sportswear, 100% of the profits of uniform and spirit wear sales are donated back to the school and auxiliary groups. This is a huge benefit to our community - so remember to support The Buckeye Shop. 

Schools Are Us - Join us in welcoming Laura and Amy, the new owners of Schools Are Us. Laura and Amy, who have done incredible things as owners of the Shops at Church 103, will bring great new energy to local school uniform shopping.

Medical Forms & Sports Physicals

Please be sure to book all medical appointments (sports physicals/wellness, dental, and vision) in a timely manner this summer so you are prepared for the start of the school year. Medical Forms are due Sunday, August 16 (or drop off at school throughout the summer).

IMPORTANT - Every student who plays sports at St. Barnabas, including Preschool and Kindergarten students in soccer or flag football, must have an annual sports physical or medical form (that authorizes sports participation). 

Additional medical forms are also required for students in Preschool, Kindergarten, Grades 2 and 6, and transfer students. Students with additional medical needs (in-school medication, allergies, asthma, and seizure disorders) have additional forms that must be submitted on an annual basis.

View all the medical requirements, along with details on a convenient, lower-cost clinic at St. Xavier Health Center. View medical requirements. 

School Supplies & EPI

We ask students to start each school year with a specific list of supplies. Supplies for the year should be brought to school on August 16 - Information Sunday. Families may opt to buy their supplies at any retailer they choose. For your convenience, you can order online through EPI School Supplies for delivery to your home. View the supply lists.

Register for Fall Sports

Registration for all Fall 2026 sports is held prior to the start of the next school year. If your child is interested in participating, prompt registration is encouraged! Details about each sport - including age, fees, and season overview are included within the link. Register for Fall 2026 Sports

• Girls Basketball > rising grades 3 - 8 (registration has closed)
• Cheer > rising grades 4 - 8
• Football > rising grades 4 - 8
• Jr. Flag Football > rising grades K - 3
• Soccer > rising grades PK - 8

Calendar

• Save the Dates - some of the big events of the year, including extended vacation, First Communion, and 8th Grade Graduation, are highlighted here > Save The Dates!
• Start the Year - Specific details on the start of the school year, including Information Sunday and the first week’s schedule, can be found here > Start the Year
• Calendar Overview - the outline for the 2026-2027 school year, which includes all early dismissals and days off, is linked here for easy download > 2026-2027 Calendar

Newly Elected Student Council

We are so proud of our 33 Student Council candidates. They each exhibited hard work, determination, and respect throughout the campaign. They showed great courage and preparation in their speeches yesterday. We recognize all of them as leaders and appreciate their willingness to represent our student body.

We also thank Mrs. McGowan and Ms. Sadowski for guiding the election process, our current 8th-grade Student Council members for moderating the speeches, and all of our Grade 4 - 7 students for respectfully and attentively listening to the candidate speeches. 

We congratulate our newly elected 2026-2027 Student Council:

• Commissioner General: Dottie Lunkes
• Assistant Commissioner General: Brendan Connolly
• Commissioner of Religious Affairs: Abby Page
• Commissioner of Finance and Charitable Affairs: Bobby Jackson
• Commissioner of Athletics: Jimmy Fitzpatrick
• Commissioner of Diversity and Cultural Inclusion: Nick Page
• Secretary: Ivon Blas
• Commissioner of Spirit: Tess VanHootegem
• Commissioner of Assemblies and Activities: Danny Covotsos
• Commissioner of Safety: Aidan Youpel
• Commissioner of Publicity: Lucy Hohenadel
• Commissioner of Ecology and Environment: Madeline Vinezeano

Buckeyes, have a happy and healthy summer. Sending much love to all of you!