Today's School Closing

We know last-minute changes can be stressful, and we apologize for the early morning transition in plans. Our goal is always to have school, and closing based on weather predictions is not something we take lightly. After making the 5:30am decision to continue with class, the snow immediately began to fall more rapidly, and we grew very concerned about safe travel throughout the school day. Thank you for your patience and understanding - stay safe and warm, and we will see you all when classes resume on Tuesday morning.

We are closely monitoring the weather and will announce the status of the Sweetheart Soiree at 2pm via text and email. 

Enrollment Commitment

On January 28, we will begin to accept new student enrollment applications for the 2024-25 school year. As we manage our enrollment capacity, it is important for us to understand each current family's intent for the next school year. On Wednesday, we emailed all families the ENROLLMENT COMMITMENT form. Thank you to the numerous families who promptly completed. If you still need to do so, please take a few moments to complete the form.

The form is due by Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Families that have not completed the form by that date cannot be guaranteed a spot for the next school year. Your prompt attention is requested and appreciated.  

No School on Monday

There is NO School this Monday in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  We hope you all take the opportunity to reflect on the life and work of this vital leader in the Civil Rights Movement.

If you wish, explore MLKDay.gov. an AmeriCorps site that allows you to search MLK Day virtual and in-person volunteer opportunities. 

Introducing Ms. Notter

We are incredibly honored to welcome Ms. Abby Notter to our 4th and 5th-grade teaching team. Ms. Notter is a December graduate of Trinity Christian College with a Bachelor of Arts in English Education. Ms. Notter was highly recommended to us by a long-time parishioner and school parent. After interviewing numerous candidates for the role, we are thrilled that Ms. Notter has joined the St. Barnabas community. In addition to her Bachelor’s in Education, Ms. Notter has her Paraprofessional Educator license. She spent two years working full-time at Stagg High School while being a full-time student at Trinity Christian. Ms. Notter is intelligent, thoughtful, and energetic, and with her work experience as a paraprofessional, she brings an adaptive and inclusive mindset to her teaching philosophy. 

iReady Diagnostic Testing

Next week, students in grades K - 8 will complete their mid-year iReady Diagnostic testing. The Math Diagnostic will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the ELA Diagnostic will take place on Thursday and Friday. Testing lasts approximately one hour per day.

Please confirm with your child they have functioning headphones to use on during the test.

The week of January 22, students will complete the curriculum-based Savvas/HMH assessments.

Lost & Found

Our lost and found table is quite full! If your household is missing items, please encourage your children to search the table. Parents/caregivers are welcome to stop by at morning arrival or afternoon dismissal; the table is set up inside our Main Entrance. Unclaimed items will be donated the week of January 22.

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. 

Career Panel

As part of Catholic Schools Week, we will celebrate vocations on Thursday, February 1. We are putting together a panel of professionals to speak to our students about their careers. If you are passionate about your job and interested in speaking with the students, please fill out the INTEREST FORM. 

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.

Christmas Luminaries

It was another beautiful year of Christmas Luminaries, and $1,527 was donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the charity selected by the 8th grade class! A special note of thanks to our 8th-grade students, Mrs. Molly McGowan, Ms. Jeanne Reilly, and the Polanek and Krabbe families for leading the efforts. And we thank all those who arranged luminaries for their home or block and made our parish a place of love and light on Christmas Eve.

Mark Your Calendars

We are highlighting some key dates for the second half of the school year; the complete calendar overview can be found on our school website. We are also sharing the key dates for the upcoming 100th Anniversary Parish Events.

Preschool & All-School Open House

In the coming weeks, we will host two admissions events. A smaller Preschool Admissions Info Session on Wednesday, January 24, at 8:15am, and our larger all-school Open House on Sunday, January 28. Both events are an opportunity to showcase the school to prospective families. Our current school families play a significant role in making our school community strong and vibrant, and we invite you to get involved.

Help Us Spread the Word

Do you have local friends or neighbors who are not part of our school? Please extend them an invitation to the Preschool Event or the Open House. If you are active on social media, we encourage you to share any of our posts in the coming weeks and help generate excitement and awareness about St. Barnabas School.

Additional Ways to Support our January 28 Open House

The 10am Mass, led by our Student Council, will feature an 8th-grade student speaker and our Children’s Choir. This Mass serves as a beautiful opportunity to reflect on why we choose Catholic education. We encourage all families to attend.

After Mass, current school families are invited to the school. See your child’s homeroom, chat with classmates and parent friends, and visit the gym for coffee and donuts. At that same time, prospective families will be touring the building. We love that our prospective families have the opportunity for a shared experience with current students and families.

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 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 begins again next week! 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. Questions regarding order placement may be sent to Elise Mayer at [email protected]

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!

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.