We hope you’re all enjoying your start to summer! 

To assist with your plans for the school year ahead, we are sharing a summer edition of School News. Outlined throughout the newsletter, you’ll see various details and calendar announcements about the upcoming school year. Should you have any questions - small or large - please call the School's Main Office 773-445-7711 or email us. Contact information for common questions is outlined below in the “Summer Hours section."

SUMMER HOURS

We will be closed July 4 - 6 in celebration of the 4th of July holiday.  Beginning July 11, our administrative team will resume our regular summer office hours: Tuesdays - Thursdays from 9am - 12pm.  Should you wish to schedule an appointment, please call the Main Office at 773-445-7711.

• ACADEMIC INQUIRIES: Mr. Stack at jstack@stbarnabasparish.org and Ms. Sadowski at gsadowski@stbarnabasparish.org

• TUITION INQUIRIES: Mr. Stack at jstack@stbarnabasparish.org

• STUDENT SUPPORT INQUIRIES: Mrs. O'Donnell at modonnell@stbarnabasparish.org and jstack@stbarnabasparish.org

• ADMISSION INQUIRIES: admissions@stbarnabasparish.org

• GENERAL INQUIRIES: please call the Main Office at 773-445-7711

STAFFING

We bid farewell to our Business Manager, Mrs. Lisa Sarcinella.  Lisa has been part of the St. Barnabas Community for over 30 years.  First as a school parent and then serving in an administrative role for over 20 years.  Lisa has supported and cared for countless St. Barnabas families with her thoughtful attention to managing logistics, tuition, student records, and business partnerships.  With her creative eye, she captured priceless moments through her camera lens and managed the school website.  She diligently planned and executed some of our busiest days, including Info Sunday and Open House.  Lisa will be greatly missed.  We thank her for all she has done for St. Barnabas. 

This summer, we also say goodbye to preschool aide Mrs. Lynne Murray. We wish Mrs. Murray a blessed year ahead as she enjoys more time with her family.  

We are searching for the ideal candidates to join our team in preschool, elementary, junior high science, and office administration. Should you know of any qualified candidates, please encourage them to explore St. Barnabas.  Resumes and inquiries may be sent to Mr. Stack at jstack@stbarnabasparish.org and Ms. Sadowski at gsadowski@stbarnabasparish.org.

START OF THE YEAR

This year we begin on a Wednesday, with a shortened schedule for our first week. A few important notes: 

UNIFORMS - Uniforms are required on the first day of school. On days when the temperature is 75 degrees or warmer, students may wear navy uniform-style shorts with a collared shirt OR gym uniforms.

HOT LUNCH - Optional hot lunch service begins after Labor Day.  All students should bring a bagged lunch and water bottle for the first two weeks of school.  Information about ordering hot lunch for the year will be provided at Information Sunday.  

EXTENDED DAY - Before and Aftercare is available to students beginning the week of August 28th. If planning to use Before or Aftercare, families must pre-register students. Registration will be available at Info Sunday. Beforecare is open on school days from 6:30am - 7:45am. Aftercare is available until 6pm on most days. On 1:30 dismissal days, Aftercare ends at 5:30pm and it is not available on 10:50am or 11:50am half days.

TUITION

The first tuition payment for the upcoming school year is due in July. 

In the coming week, new families will receive an email from FACTS Management about setting up their initial account and preferred payment methods, and monthly due dates. 

Existing families will receive notice from FACTS in early July when the payment details have been finalized. Questions regarding tuition may be sent to Mr. Stack at jstack@stbarnabasparish.org.

INFO SUNDAY

Mark your calendar for the exciting kickoff to the school year - Sunday, August 20! Information Sunday is a required event; if you can't attend, please inform Mrs. Sue Connolly at sconnolly@stbarnabasparish.org.

Join us for the 10am mass, then visit the school from 11:30am - 1pm for all the 2023-24 school year details. Turn in all medical forms, drop off school supplies, receive homeroom teacher assignments, pick up Big Bucks tickets, enjoy a teacher meet and greet, and more. 

SCHOOL UNIFORMS

Uniforms are required for all St. Barnabas students beginning on the first day of school. View all uniform details, standards, and purchase information for all grades HERE.

Our uniform exchange will wrap up tomorrow, Thursday, June 29 (9am - 12pm). Thank you to the 7th-grade student volunteers and Mrs. McGowan and Mrs. Connolly, for organizing the donations and to the many families that contributed.  If you haven't had the chance, please stop by the Main Office tomorrow to browse the exchange. All remaining items will be available for families to peruse at Info Sunday.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

School supply lists are linked below. As always, you are welcome to buy your supplies at any retailer. As a convenience, supplies are available for purchase through SCHOOL TOOLBOX (please allow 2-3 weeks for processing and shipping of items ordered via School Tool Box). All supplies should be brought to school on Sunday, August 20, for drop-off during Information Sunday.

CLICK EACH GRADE TO VIEW THE SUPPLY LIST:

• Preschool Half Day
• Preschool Full Day
• Kindergarten
• Grade 1
• Grade 2
• Grade 3
• Grace 4
• Grade 5
• Grades 6 - 8

MEDICAL FORMS

NEW for the upcoming school year: we require a standard sports physical for all students. Sports physicals may be completed by your child’s pediatrician or at any clinic such as CVS, Walgreens, or St. Xavier Health Clinic. Sports physicals are due at Information Sunday, August 20, 2023. Download the Sports Physical form HERE.  

In addition to sports physicals for all, annual medical forms are due for some grades. Students with an allergy action plan or who require medication must complete authorization forms annually. Medical forms and authorization forms are due at Information Sunday, August 20, 2023.  Forms may be accessed HERE.

• Preschool - Medical
• Kindergarten - Medical, Dental, Vision, 
• 2nd Grade - Dental
• 6th Grade - Medical, Dental

SUMMER ENRICHMENT

Some of the most important aspects of summer are relaxation and outdoor play, but there is also a great benefit to summer academic enrichment to stay on top of academic goals. As shared at the end of the year, attached here, please find optional suggestions for summer enrichment for Kindergarten - Grade 8 students.

STUDENT SUPPORT MEETINGS

Students with a Support Plan are required to have a family meeting with Case Manager Mrs. Maureen O'Donnell. Meeting with be scheduled in early August and held the week of August 14th through August 25th. Throughout the summer, please email any new or updated evaluations to both Mrs. O'Donnell at modonnell@stbarnabasparish.org and Mr. Stack at jstack@stbarnabasparish.org.

8TH GRADE

Rising 8th-grade students have the option of taking a High School Placement Test (HSPT) prep course this fall through Redwood Prep. The $250 four-week course will take place on Saturdays in November from 9:30am - 11:30am OR 12pm - 2pm at St. Barnabas School.

The course covers all five sections of the test: Verbal Skills, Reading, Mathematics, Quantitative Skills, and Language. The course begins with a comprehensive assessment exam, and the rest of the course focuses on learning content, tailored strategies, practice questions, and time management.  

Instructor Dr. Matt O’Keefe is a St. Barnabas alumnus, parishioner, and parent of alumni. Dr. O’Keefe has worked with Redwood Prep for over ten years and has a distinguished career as a high school math teacher. Register today for the REDWOOD course.

KEY DATES FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR

Key dates for next year, including the first and last day, holiday vacations, and sacraments, are listed below.  At Info Sunday, we will release the complete calendar of the year, including early dismissals and professional development days.