Happy Friday, Buckeyes! 

It has been an extraordinary week here at St. Barnabas. The busyness of our classrooms and halls brings us so much joy! It was wonderful to come together as a school community to celebrate our first school mass on Tuesday. We loved welcoming so many new faces at the New Parent Night. We are so thankful to all of you for inviting us on your child’s educational journey this year. Like our one book, one school selection, Maybe, taught us, this year is full of possibilities, and we are excited for all that is to come. We look forward to welcoming our parents/guardians for Back to School Night next Thursday! Have a safe, fun, and relaxing long weekend. We will see you all on Tuesday! 

Buckeyes Forever, 

Mr. Stack and Ms. Sadowski 

Staying Connected

Text YES to 67587 to receive text notifications from the school. Occasionally, we send text messages for helpful reminders about early dismissals, weather-related closings, and due dates. Text messaging may also be used in an emergency alert. Review the details HERE.

School Safety

On Thursday, we held our lockdown drill as part of school safety. We are so proud of our students and staff for their respectful, calm, and attentive manner during the drill. We also thank our consultants, Cook County Sheriff Officers Richard O'Brien and Danny DeHoyos, for contributing their time and expertise.

Google Classroom & Power School - 

At St. Barnabas, we believe in a strong partnership between parents, students, teachers, and administration. Checking Google Classroom (for assignments and notices) and PowerSchool (for grades) at least once per week can be pivotal to a successful academic experience for all.

Google Classroom - Google Classroom is the primary means of communicating assignments, upcoming tests and quizzes, and class notices. This week, you'll receive an email from Mrs. Kathleen Davies, Technology Directory, about login details for accessing Google Classroom. We encourage families to check Google Classroom at least once per week to stay connected to the student's curriculum. You’ll also learn more about Google Classroom at our upcoming Back to School Night on September 7.

PowerSchool - PowerSchool login information for each student was included in the Information Sunday packets. In PowerSchool, you’ll find the student's current academic standing, including homework, classwork, test, and quiz grades, along with their schedule and attendance record. The district code, occasionally required at login, is FCGG.  If you have misplaced your login, please contact Mrs. Connolly at [email protected].

Parents/Guardians: Back to School Night

Thursday, September 7 at 7pm

Our annual Back to School Night is Thursday, September 7, beginning at 7pm in the Church. You’ll first hear from the school administration before heading to the school to meet with the teachers. The evening concludes with a parent gathering and Early Bird Big Bucks drawing in the school gym.

MealManage

Hot Lunch service begins next week on Tuesday, September 5. 

Optional hot lunch for grades K-8 is available through Gilhooley's Country House. A school lunch (which includes milk) costs $6.25 per day; milk may be pre-ordered separately for $0.85. Hot lunch is not available for preschool students, but PK students may order milk. VIEW the September lunch menu.

Families pre-order lunch through the MealManage online account, and orders must be placed by Thursday night, the week before food service. Questions about hot lunch may be sent to Ms. Jeanne Reilly, School Business Manager, at [email protected]. Click HERE for FAQs from MealManage. 

iReady Diagnostic

The week of September 11, students in grades K - 8 will complete their beginning-of-the-year iReady Diagnostic testing. iReady is an assessment tool administered throughout all of the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic grammar schools. The diagnostic is completed three times per year: at the beginning of the year, in the middle, and at the year’s end. It is used as a component of Math and ELA placement, and in the upper grades, it can be part of a student’s high school application process. As with all tests, assignments, or schoolwork, please encourage your child to take their time and try their best! The week of September 18, students will complete the curriculum-based Savvas/HMH assessments.

Student Enrichment

We have a few upcoming opportunities for Student Enrichment. The offerings are coordinated and managed through a few different groups. Specifics, contact information, and registration details are outlined below:

Parish Children's Choir: Grades 3-8

Music Director, Mr. Alexandre Tsomaia, [email protected]

Registration is coordinated through Mr. Sandro Tsomaia

Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 3-4pm at the Church, beginning September 6. Students perform at various parish masses throughout the year, including Fall Fest, Christmas Eve, and First Communion. Registration details can be found HERE.

School Mass Choir: Grades 6-8

Director of Faith Formation, Mr. Patrick McGowan, [email protected]

Registration is coordinated through Mr. Patrick McGowan

Rehearsals are on Mondays from 3-3:45pm at the Church, and students perform at the Tuesday school masses.

Altar Serving: Grades 6-8

Deacon Andy Neu, [email protected]

Registration is coordinated through the Parish & Deacon Andy Neu

All interested Junior High students are encouraged to share in the wonderful ministry of altar serving. The initial training begins on September 7. Learn more HERE.

School Band: Grades 4-8

Band Director, Mr. Phil Enns, [email protected]

Registration is coordinated through Mr. Phil Enns

Students rehearse on Thursdays throughout the school year. Rehearsals are before, after, and during the school day. "Concert Band" rehearsals for students who have played in previous years will begin on September 14. Enrollment details for past students will be coming soon from Mr. Enns. "Cadet Band" for students new to band will begin in late September. Details will be shared in the coming weeks on how to become involved, including fees, expectations, and instrumental rental options.

Irish Dance: Beginner Level, Grades K-8, Co-Ed

Weber Irish Dance, Sheila O'Connor, [email protected]

Registration is coordinated through Ms. Sheila O'Connor

Classes begin on Monday, September 11, from 3 - 3:45 in the Church Hall. To register for the beginner class, please complete the registration FORM. If interested in a more advanced level, please reach out to Sheila O'Connor at [email protected]

Culture Club: Grades 6-8

Commissioner of Diversity and Cultural Inclusion Adoniah Irions, Ms. Stalla, [email protected], and Mrs. Bachler, [email protected]

Registration is coordinated through the Student Council Diversity and Cultural Inclusion Member in student homerooms.

Meetings are on Thursdays during lunch in the Art Room, beginning September 7. All members should also be available to meet on Thursdays after school if needed. Students in Culture Club are called to spread awareness and celebrate the cultural differences in our world and SB community. They create and implement various assemblies, activities, and info sessions throughout the year, including Christmas Around the World and the Black History Month Assembly. The club is completely student-led and encourages students to have a voice in celebrating all cultures here at St. Barnabas.

Chess: Grades K - 8

FSA Afterschool Enrichment, [email protected]

Registration is coordinated through the FSA.

Tuesdays from 3-4pm in the Innovation Center beginning September 12; Fall Session is $150. Students will be divided into groups according to their chess experience. At the end of this session, each student can participate in a mini-chess tournament. Register on MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT.

Yoga: Grades K - 8

FSA Afterschool Enrichment, [email protected]

Registration is coordinated through the FSA.

Thursdays from 3-4pm in the Innovation Center beginning September 7; Fall Session is $100. Namaste! Zen out with an instructor from The Studio Beverly; no yoga experience required. Register on MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT.

Class Liaison Sign-Up

An easy way to get involved and help out St. Barnabas - Class Liaisons!  Coordinated through the FSA and our school administration, Class Liaisons serve in a role similar to a traditional room parent. Click HERE to learn more and sign up to volunteer.

Big Bucks Raffle

Early Bird Drawing at Back to School Night!

The Big Bucks Raffle will take place on Saturday, September 23, and is our largest fundraiser, generating $100,000 for the school each year!  All school families automatically receive three tickets, and the cost is integrated into your tuition fees. Tickets were in the Information Sunday packets. Most school families prefer to keep these tickets in their name, allowing them three chances to win the $50,000 Grand Prize. You also have the option of reselling your tickets. If choosing this method, keep the $100 you collect for the ticket (as the ticket price has already been integrated into your tuition statements).

All ticket stubs should be returned to the school’s Main Office or Parish Rectory.  

We also ask for your help in selling tickets. Spread the word to family and friends by sharing the PURCHASE LINK, or contact one of the ticket sellers listed below to guide you through the selling process.

• Martin & Jessie Carroll: [email protected]
• Melissa Kreikemeier: [email protected]
• Gena O’Malley: [email protected]
• Lisa & Dan Payne: [email protected]
• Eileen & Joe Stoiber: [email protected] or [email protected]

School Board News

The School Advisory Board meetings generally occur on the fourth Monday of each month at 7pm in the Media Center. Visitors are welcome to attend any School Advisory Board Meeting to observe the meeting. The visitor policy for meetings may be found HERE.

The School Board also hosts two annual Open Forum meetings. The Open Forum represents an opportunity for community members to share ideas and thoughts on how things have progressed during the school year, suggestions for improvements, or other applicable topics. The first Open Forum of the year will be held on Monday, November 27. Details on the Open Forum will be shared in School News in early November.

St. Barnabas School parents/guardians may view meeting minutes on a password-protected portion of our website. Link HERE to utilize. Username: stbparent; password: BuckeyePride

Athletic Board News

Fall sports are in full swing! Girls Basketball, Football, Cheerleading, Soccer and Golf. We are in the process of coordinating a game calendar for all current sports and hope to have that posted to the school website by next week.

Homecoming - We look forward to honoring our student-athletes with a school pep rally on Friday, September 15, and celebrating our Buckeye Pride with football games and good cheer at Beverly Park on Saturday, September 16.

FSA News

Becoming involved with the FSA is a great opportunity to connect with the school and fellow community members. We encourage all families to get involved and play a role in volunteering with our FSA. 

Snack & Beverages for Staff - Drop off beverages (Diet Coke, Coke, Pepsi, or LaCroix) and simple snacks to help us stock the teacher's lounge. This is such a welcome treat and brings great joy to the teachers. Contributions may be dropped off anytime throughout the school day at the school's Main Entrance. Thank you!!

Back to School Skating Party - Friday, September 8, at 5:30pm in the parking lot. Students are welcome on rollerblades (or skates) and scooters. Helmets are strongly encouraged, and bikes, skateboards, hoverboards, and electric scooters are prohibited. VIEW all the details.

Mum Sale - Pre-order gorgeous fall flowers for pick-up on Saturday, September 30. 9” potted mums in assorted colors are available for $11 each. Same-day sales will be limited, and pre-ordering through MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT is recommended.

Spirit Wear - Thank you to all the families that helped to make the Info Sunday Spirit Wear sale a success. The BUCKEYE SHOP is open and ready to keep you equipped throughout the year; check out the new athletic socks!

Upcoming Meeting Dates - It takes a village, and more active volunteers are needed to help this incredible school auxiliary group. The vast majority of volunteer roles can be primarily managed at home. Get involved and help our community flourish!  Contact Kathleen Hogan, FSA Chair, at [email protected] to learn more.

FSA Meeting Dates:

• Thursday, September 14, 7:30pm on Rectory Porch
• Thursday, October 12, 7:30pm in Innovation Center
• Thursday, November 16, 7:30pm in Innovation Center 
• Thursday, December 14, Christmas Party - TBD location
• Thursday, November 16, 7:30pm in Innovation Center 
• Thursday, December 14, Christmas Party - TBD location
• Thursday, January 11, 7:30pm in Innovation Center
• Thursday, February 8, 7:30pm in Innovation Center
• Thursday, March 21, 7:30pm in Innovation Center
• Thursday, April 11, 7:30pm in Innovation Center
• Thursday, May 9, 7:30pm in Innovation Center

Commissioning Mass

Sunday, September 10 is Catechetical Sunday, and we invite you to join us for a special Commissioning Mass at 10am in the Church. The mass invites all who teach and lead in our school and parish. This includes all coaches, parent volunteers, auxiliary members, and eucharistic ministers. We are so grateful for the vital role each of you plays in our faith community.

Fall Fest

St. Barnabas Parish Fall Fest is Saturday, September 23. The all-ages fest begins with 4pm mass, followed by entertainment and dining. The Big Bucks Raffle Drawing is the showcase of the evening! Don’t miss this fantastic community event. If you’re interested in helping with planning or day-off volunteering, please contact Greg Liss at [email protected].

Speaker Series

In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of St. Barnabas, the Parish is hosting a Speaker Series. Join us for the next series on Tuesday, September 19, at 7pm in the Church Hall. Dr. Aaron Canty, Professor of Religious Studies and Theology at Saint Xavier University, will explore Fraelli Tutti, the letter sent out by Pope Francis in 2020. Learn more about the speaker series HERE.

Fright Fest at Great America

The Miles Family is sharing an opportunity for Great America Fright Fest tickets. Friday, September 22, from 6pm - 11pm, $47 per person. Order tickets HERE. Questions to Jay Miles at [email protected].