Thank You for Your Understanding 

We thank our students and parents/guardians for their understanding and patience with our recent weather closings. Remaining open for instruction is always our goal, but there are many factors that we take into account to keep our students and staff safe. Traveling to and from school for all students, families, and staff, the temperature of the building, and partnership with surrounding schools and the Archdiocese.

iReady Testing Change

Our iReady Mid-Year Diagnostic was originally scheduled for January 15 - 19, but due to the weather-related closing, the diagnostic will now take place next week. Students in grades K-8 will take the math portion on Monday and Tuesday and the ELA portion on Wednesday and Thursday. 

Please ensure your child has functioning headphones at school; this is vital in ensuring all students are allowed to test in a distraction-free environment.

Get Behind the Vest Dress Down

On Friday, January 26, we will hold a $3 dress-down in blue to benefit Get Behind the Vest. Contributions can be made online via Membership Toolkit, or cash may be brought to school (exact change only, please). Proceeds support the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s work to replace outdated or damaged bulletproof vests for Chicago Police Officers. 

Upcoming Auditions for High School Musical

Registration is now open for this year’s musical - High School Musical, Jr.! All students in grades 5 - 8 are invited to be part of the cast or crew. Students should register in Membership Toolkit by January 31, and auditions will be held on February 7 and 8. CLICK HERE for the complete details about audition and rehearsal times, requirements, and registration link.

Valentine's Day & Ash Wednesday

This year, Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine’s Day. In observance of the start of Lent, a solemn and holy occasion, we will celebrate Valentine’s Day as a school on Tuesday, February 13. Our weekly school mass will also be held on Wednesday that week rather than our usual Tuesday.

Valentine's cards for classmates are welcome but not required, and edible treats are NOT permitted.

Parker's Party

Sunday, March 3, 2024 - Save the Date to take the plunge with Parker's Party for the annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Join the party or click to donate HERE!

Catholic Schools Week - What & Why

The last week of January kicks off Catholic Schools Week! CSW is a time-honored tradition organized by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). Many parents who attended Catholic school as a child have their own fond memories of Catholic Schools Week. It is a national celebration of Catholic education, and within the Archdiocese of Chicago, it also signals the kick-off to enrollment for the next school year. Our students will celebrate numerous events throughout the week, including a few dress-down days!  Thank you for choosing Catholic education - we are grateful for each of you! 

Enrollment for Next Year

Sunday, January 28, we begin accepting new student enrollment applications for the 2024-25 school year!

We have already received the RE-ENROLLMENT COMMITMENT from about ¾ of our families. Responses are due no later than next Wednesday, and late respondents cannot be guaranteed a spot for the 2024-25 school year. This is particularly important if a sibling in your household plans to enroll for the first time at St. Barnabas School, as we like to guarantee priority admission to siblings. For questions regarding re-enrollment, please get in touch with Mrs. Sue Connolly at [email protected] or 773-445-7711.

Open House January 28

Please plan to attend our January 28, 10am Mass, then join us at the school to visit with friends, classmates, and staff.  We encourage everyone to spread the word and invite a friend or neighbor to experience our wonderful school.  Prospective Family Registration HERE.

Open House Dessert Contributions

Life is sweet at St. Barnabas! We are seeking contributions of desserts for our Open House to support a "Sweets & Treats" table for all to enjoy. Drop-off is welcomed Sunday morning, January 28, from 8am - 10am at the school gym. CLICK HERE to help out.

Grandparents Mass

We will honor our grandparents on Tuesday, January 30, at the 8:45am school mass. We encourage students to extend an invitation to their grandparents, senior citizen family members, friends, or neighbors to join our weekly mass. Reserved seating will be available behind the student section. After mass, guests are invited to the school’s Main Hall for coffee and sweets.  

Hall of Heroes

We spend a day celebrating our nation as part of Catholic Schools Week. In honor of that day, we are creating a "Hall of Heroes." We invite you to send a photo of a current or retired military loved one to display. Use the attached TEMPLATE (or use an index card from home) to indicate the service member's name. Students should give the photo to their homeroom teacher by Thursday, January 25. 

Please only send copies of the original photo, as we cannot guarantee that images will be returned.

School Board: Trivia Night

Trivia Night is Friday, February 2. Doors open at 6pm, and trivia begins at 7pm. Gather together a team of six, or sign up as an individual and be placed on a team. Ticket available for purchase in Give Central! $20 for INDIVIDUAL or $120 for TABLE OF SIX.

FSA: Fun Food

The FSA is hosting a Catholic School’s Week Fun Food event with Barraco’s on Friday, February 2. Student lunch offerings include pizza, chicken tenders, burgers, and mostaccoli. Orders are due by next Friday, January 27, at 3pm; late orders will not be accepted. To place an order, log into your MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT account. Country House hot lunch is not available on Fun Food days. Questions regarding order placement may be sent to Elise Mayer at [email protected]

FSA: Chess Club

Afterschool Chess Club winter session registration is open! The class is open to all students in grades K - 8 and will be held Tuesdays from 3pm - 4pm in the Innovation Center. The fee is $140 for the 10-week session, and registration is available in Membership Toolkit.

Athletics: Pack the House

Save the Date for the upcoming Pack the House. Girls Volleyball is Friday evening, February 9, and Boys Basketball is Saturday evening, February 10. We look forward to a fun weekend celebrating the hard work and commitment of our Buckeyes!

Athletics: Spring Soccer

The St. Barnabas Soccer is gauging interest for this Spring. 5th - 8th-grade players are encouraged to complete this quick SURVEY. Please contact [email protected] with questions.

100th Anniversary Banners

Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of St. Barnabas Parish with a personalized banner on Longwood Drive. Learn more about the banner initiative HERE, and order your personalized banner HERE.

Men's CRHP Retreat

All men of St. Barnabas are invited and welcome to the Christ Renews His Parish Weekend February 3 - 4. More than 1,000 St. Barnabas parishioners have taken part in this overnight experience over the past 20 years. Learn more about the retreat weekend HERE. 

Share the Warmth

On Saturday, February 10, we hope you can join in two special events! Pack the House honoring Boys Basketball, and across the street, Pack the Pews Mass & Pot Luck celebration. After the 4pm mass, all are welcome to gather for a potluck in the Church Hall; sign up to RSVP and/or contribute HERE.