Issue Date: Tuesday, August 15, 2023

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CALENDAR

Tuesday, August 15

Snow Cone Social: Family Meet & Greet, 6pm St. Barnabas Park

Sunday, August 20

Info Sunday, 10am Mass and 11:30am - 1:00pm Information Pick-up

Wednesday, August 23

First Day of School, 7:45am - 10:50am

Wednesday, August 23

Preschool Student & Parent Orientation, 7:45am - 9am

Wednesday, August 23

Parent Welcome Coffee, 8:15am at Rectory Porch

Thursday, August 24

1:30pm dismissal Grades K-8, 10:50am dismissal for Preschool

Friday, August 25

1:30pm dismissal Grades K-8, 10:50am dismissal for Preschool

Tuesday, August 29

First School Mass, 8:45am at Church

Tuesday, August 29

New Family Night, 6pm at School

Monday, September 4

No School, Labor Day

Thursday, September 7

Back to School Night, all parents, 7pm at Church

Friday, September 8

FSA Skating Party, 5:30pm - 7:30pm at Parking Lot

Tuesday, September 12

8th Grade Parent Meeting, 7pm at School

Saturday, September 16

Homecoming

Saturday, September 23

Fall Fest, 4pm -10pm, Church and Parking Lot


Snow Cone Social

Join us tonight, Tuesday, August 15, from 6pm - 8pm at St. Barnabas Park (on the south end of campus). We thank our FSA for coordinating this fun family event.

Parent Resources

Back to school is a busy time! Please be sure to use the Parent Resources section on our WEBSITE as a guide throughout the school year.

Required Authorization Forms

We have streamlined most of our authorization forms into one online form. Topics for review include Handbook Agreement, Technology Responsible Use Policy, Asbestos Release, School Directory Agreement, Concussion screening, and the Universal Permission Form.


One authorization submission is required per household, and all families are required to complete the form by Wednesday, August 30, 2023. Families that have not submitted their form on time may be asked to withdraw their child(ren) from the school until authorization documentation is complete. 

Complete the Required Authorization Forms

Info Sunday - August 20

There is much buzz and excitement in the air at Information Sunday, please take a moment to review the steps for the day that are outlined below. A reminder that Information Sunday is a required event. If you are not able to attend, please notify Mrs. Connolly at sconnolly@stbarnabasparish.org.


MASS, 10am at the Church:

Join in celebrating mass as a Parish.  After mass, enjoy some treats from the hospitality committee before heading over to the school.


SCHOOL, 11:30am - 1pm, - Please enter through the Main Doors:

PACKET PICKUP, Main Hallway - Check in with our School Board Members at the packet pick-up table to receive students’ homeroom assignments, some essential administration forms, and your Big Bucks tickets.


SUPPLY DROP OFF, Innovation Center & Homerooms - 

No need to label shared supplies (paper towels, tissues, wipes, and ziploc bags); these items may be dropped off in the Innovation Center when you arrive at Information Sunday. The student’s individual supplies (folders, notebooks, writing materials, pencils case, etc) should be labeled with their names and brought to their homeroom during Homeroom Greeting.


All 6th-grade students and 7th-grade transfer students should visit the Media Center to receive their new iPad from Mrs. Davies.


MEDICAL FORMS, Main Hallway - All forms should be turned in today at the medical table. Sports Physicals are required for ALL students.


Some students require additional Medical, Dental, Vision, and Medication Authorization. Additional details about medical forms maybe be found further in this newsletter and on our website.


VOLUNTEER FORMS, Main Hallway - All volunteers are required to complete CANTS forms annually. We recommend that all parents/guardians complete these two forms at the start of every year and submit them at the Volunteer table at Info Sunday.


Some people may require additional steps for Virtus Compliance. Please review the Virtus process on our website or reach out to Mrs. Connolly, sconnolly@stbarnabasparish.org with questions.


HOMEROOM GREETING - After completing the steps outlined above, proceed to the student(s) homeroom to drop off the remaining supplies and greet the teacher. Preschool families may prefer to visit the gym before heading to the Early Childhood Building to greet their teachers.


GYM - Visit the school gym for Spirit Wear purchases and Uniform Exchange, and the opportunities to connect with various groups - Faith & Formation, Before & After Care, School Board, FSA, Men’s Club, Parent Foundation, and more!

Start to the Year

This year we begin on a Wednesday, with a shortened schedule for our first week. View the schedule HERE.


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 lunches via Meal Manage will be emailed to parents/guardians during the first week of school.  


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. REGISTER HERE for Extended Day.

Teacher Staffing

We are still working to fill a role in Jr. High Math. While actively interviewing, we have yet to hire for the position. Selecting a high-quality teacher is still our top priority. We ask for your help; please consider contacting your network of friends and families. Should you know a potential candidate (either part-time or full-time) for the Jr. High math role, please have them contact Mr. Jonathan Stack - jstack@stbarnabasparish.org and Ms. Grace Sadowski - gsadowski@stbarnabasparish.org.


We also share that Ms. Uribe will not be returning to St. Barnabas; we wish her luck in her new teaching position in a suburban school district.

Medical Forms

All medical forms are due at Information Sunday.


Please remember to sign all medical forms. On some of the forms, the signature field can be easy to miss. Please ensure you have signed all required fields before submitting your documents. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. Families that have not submitted their forms on time may be asked to withdraw their child(ren) from the school until medical documentation is complete. 


Per guidelines from the ISBE and IESA, we now require all students to submit an annual sports physical. Sports physicals may be completed by your child’s pediatrician or at any clinic such as CVS, Walgreens, or St. Xavier Health Clinic. Download the Sports Physical form HERE.  


Annual medical forms for transfer students and some grade levels, along with allergy action plans and medication authorization, are also required.  Forms may be accessed HERE.

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

Uniform Exchange

If you have uniforms (gym or regular) that no longer fit your household, please feel free to drop them off at school before 9am this Friday.


There will be a limited number of free, gently used uniforms available on a first-come, first-served basis in the School Gym during Information Sunday.

Student Support Meetings

Students with a Support Plan are required to have a family meeting with Case Manager Mrs. Maureen O'Donnell. Meetings are currently being scheduled between now and August 25. Questions and/or updated evaluations may be sent to Mrs. O'Donnell at modonnell@stbarnabasparish.org.

Soccer Registration

Registration is still open for soccer. Registration closes on Friday, August 25, for Grades 1- 8 Competitive League Soccer, and registration will close on Saturday, September 9, for Grades PK - 4 In-House Saturday Soccer.


Register for either option on REGISTRATION BUZZ.


Questions to Soccer Coordinator Kevin O'Kelly at saintbarnabassoccer@gmail.com.

Golf Registration

Registration is open through September 1 for Fall Golf, Co-Ed, Grades 5 - 8.


Practice at The Meadows Golf Club in Blue Island. Tuesdays 5:30 - 6:30 for Grades 5-6; and Thursdays 5:30 - 6:30 for Grades 7-8. Matches at Silver Lakes Country Club. Held on 9/10, 9/16, 9/24, 10/1, 10/15, & 10/22; times TBD each week. The $160 registration fee includes a golf shirt, hat, practice & match fees. REGISTER HERE.


Questions to Golf Coordinator PJ McGrath at pjmcgrathiv@gmail.com.

FSA Mum's Sale

Pre-order beautiful 9" potted flower mums for $11 each to benefit the FSA. A limited number of flowers will be available for same-day purchase; pre-ordering is highly encouraged.


Mums may be picked up on the Convent Lawn on Saturday, September 30, from 9am - 12pm. Order today on MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT.


Questions to FSA Chair, Kathleen Hogan at hogan621@gmail.com.

Enrichment

We are in the process of making plans for Afterschool Enrichment, School Band, and both of our Student Choirs. We anticipate these programs kicking off in mid-September. Registration information will be shared asap.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Standing Strong with Team Danny

This Saturday, August 19, come out to Bourbon Street to support St. Barnabas School parent Danny DeHoyos. Danny is a husband, father, law enforcement officer, cancer fighter, and a true friend to many. Purchase your tickets HERE.


Questions to Lis Pennix at pennixlaw@gmail.com.

Great America Fright Fest

The Miles Family is sharing an opportunity for Great America Fright Fest tickets. Friday, September 22, from 6pm - 11pm, $47 per person. Order tickets online HERE.


Questions to Jay Miles at JMiles@pntn.com.

Fall Fest & Big Bucks

Bigs Bucks Raffle Drawing is officially open! All families will receive their three required family tickets at Information Sunday. Big Bucks is an important fundraiser for our school, raising $100,000 annually. Help spread the word, ordering tickets on GIVE CENTRAL is easy, share the link with all you know.  


If you are interested in qualifying as a ticket seller (eligible for additional seller prizes), you can contact one of our Ticket Captains listed on our website.


The $50 Grand Prize drawing will take place at our annual Fall Fest on Saturday, September 23.

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ONE Barnabas - We are called to nurture the mind, body, and spirit.

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