As we wrap up the final week of September and embark on the official beginning of fall, let us pause to take in the joy, sights and sounds of the beginning of the school year, the season shifting, and all the beauty that comes with it.
Thank you to everyone who celebrated Fall Fest this past weekend. It’s always wonderful to come together as a community. We look forward to the Sunday 10am Mass as we bless our 2nd and 8th grade students on their sacramental journey and we also honor St. Phoebe and the women who impact our Catholic faith lives.
Buckeyes Forever ~ Mr. Jonathan Stack and Ms. Grace Sadowski
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Saturday, September 30 | Mum Flower Pick-up, 9am - 12pm, Convent Lawn | Sunday, October 1 | Pack the Pews - Mass Honoring St. Phoebe and 2nd Grade & 8th Grade Sacraments, 10am at Church | Monday, October 2 | Preschool Field Trip to Konow's Corn Maze, Homer Glen | Tuesday, October 3 | School Mass, led by Mr. Rank’s 7th Grade, 8:45am at Church | Tuesday, October 3 | 8th Grade Confirmation Candidate & Sponsor Night, 7pm at Church | Wednesday, October 4 | Feast Day of St. Francis - Pet Blessing, 4pm outside the Church | Wednesday, October 4 | Parent Teacher Conferences, 4pm - 7 pm at School | Thursday, October 5 | 11:50am Student Dismissal, No After Care | Thursday, October 5 | Parent Teacher Conferences, 1pm - 6pm | Friday, October 6 | No School | LOOKING AHEAD |
| Monday, October 9 | No School | Tuesday, October 10 | School Mass, led by Ms. Carr's 7th Grade, 8:45am at Church | Thursday, October 12 | FSA Meeting, 7:30pm, Innovation Center | Friday, October 13 | Hispanic Heritage Assembly, student-only | | |
Early Dismissal & Days Off
Next week, due to Parent-Teacher Conferences and heading into the holiday weekend, we have a few early dismissals and days off:
- Thursday, October 5 - 11:50am Dismissal, no After Care
- Friday, October 6 - No School
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Monday, October 9 - No School, Columbus Day & Indigenous People’s Day
We hope you all enjoy the extended weekend, and we look forward to welcoming the students back on Tuesday, October 10.
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Web Maintenance
Next week, we anticipate our school website will be down for a few days for maintenance. Should you have any questions please call the Main Office at 773-445-7711. Or use the Who to Contact GUIDE.
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Parent-Teacher Conferences Next Week
If you have not already, we invite you to REGISTER for the upcoming October Parent-Teacher Conferences.
Conferences will be held on Wednesday, October 4, from 4pm - 7pm and Thursday, October 5, from 1pm - 6pm.
A few scheduling notes:
- Parents may register for up to two conferences per child.
- Conferences last 10 minutes. We encourage you to plan a 10-minute gap between meetings to allow time to travel between scheduled meetings.
- Students in grades 6 - 8 are encouraged to attend conferences with their parents/guardians.
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Basketball & Volleyball Registration
Registration for winter sports, Boys Basketball (Grades 3 - 8) and Girls Volleyball (Grades 4 -8), is now open through October 9th.
Boys Basketball runs from mid-November through early March. Teams typically practice twice weekly, with approximately 15 games per season for 3rd grade and 25 games per season for all other grades. Contact Jim Jennings, Basketball Coordinator, at stbarnabasbasketball@gmail.com with questions.
Girls Volleyball games start the first week of December and run through February. Teams practice twice a week with games on weekends. Upper grades usually have one additional game during the week. Contact Gianna Burklow, Volleyball Coordinator, at gburklow@yahoo.com with questions.
Register today at REGISTRATION BUZZ.
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Learn About Scrip
An easy way to help with tuition, consider Raise Right - Scrip!
Join HERE and use the enrollment code L2551L2F21192
Raise Right (known as Scrip) is a gift card program. Families can purchase gift cards from approved vendors and earn credit toward their St. Barnabas tuition. Scrip has changed quite a bit in recent years and is simple to use (most purchasing can be done through an app). Whether you are a family new to the school or have been at St. Barnabas for years but are not using Scrip - we encourage you to take a few minutes to learn about the program. Example credit earnings - 14% at Gap & Old Navy, 10% at Chipotle, Barraco’s, Roseangelas, and Beverly Bakery, and 8% at Tranquility Salon.
Reach out to Julie McGrath at scrip@stbarnabasparish.org for more information.
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School Directory
Don't forget to set up Directory Spot - the new online school directory. The directory allows for quick and easy access to the school community, including parents' email and phone contact information. If you missed the introductory email that was sent out last week from Directory Spot, try these two steps:
- Download the Directory Spot app for your phone. Apple Users; Android Users.
- Open the app, enter your email address as the username, and click on "Reset Password." An email will be sent to you with a link to set your password. Then, relaunch the DirectorySpot app, and log in with your username and password.
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Uniform Reminders
On cooler days, when the temperature is expected to be below 75 degrees, students in Grades K - 8 should be in their regular uniform. Gym short uniforms are only permitted on students' scheduled PE days. Students' full schedule, including their PE day(s), may be found in PowerSchool in the "schedule" tab.
The complete dress code standards, as detailed in the Parent-Student Handbook, may be found HERE.
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Craft Club
After School Enrichment is introducing a new opportunity for students in grades 3 - 5. A 4-week Craft Club session on Monday afternoons begins October 16. Spots are limited. Register today on MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT.
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HSPT Preparation
8th Grade Families
We previously shared registration details for the upcoming HSPT preparation course being offered this November at St. Barnabas. The in-person course is now full, but Redwood Prep is also offering a two-day online course on October 28 and 29, 12pm to 4pm. Registration for the online course may be found HERE.
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Bitty Buckeyes
REGISTER TODAY! Bitty Buckeye sessions begin next Tuesday, October 3!
Bitty Buckeyes is our weekly, one-hour session for young children (18 months to age 3) accompanied by their adult companion. Children are exposed to language and motor skill development and religious instruction through fun, age-appropriate activities, including interactive stories, songs, crafts, and exploratory play.
Help spread the word; please share the Bitty Buckeyes information with your friends and neighbors. We love welcoming new families to our school through Bitty Buckeyes. Contact Mrs. Katelynn Gill with questions at bittybuckeyes@stbarnabasparish.org.
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Tax Credit Scholarship
In 2017, in Illinois, a Tax Credit Scholarship Program was created as a pilot program. St. Barnabas students, along with students at almost all Catholic high schools and grammar schools throughout Illinois, have benefitted from this program, known as Empower Illinois or TCS (Tax Credit Scholarship). The program, which enjoys bipartisan voter support, is set to expire or “sunset.”
We invite you all to send a quick message, HERE, to our legislators to encourage the continuation of the Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Click HERE to learn more about what sunsetting means.
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Big Bucks
Congratulations to the winners of the Big Bucks Raffle! It was another outstanding year of Big Bucks support, and we thank each of you!
Congrats to the winners -
$50,000 - The LaGiglia Family; $20,000 - Susan Leyden; $10,000 - Mario Caruso
And many, many thanks to the ticket captains Martin & Jessie Carroll, Melissa Kreikemeier, Gena O’Malley, Lisa & Dan Payne, Eileen & Joe Stoiber, and to our dedicated staff Mrs. Geri Doherty, Mrs. Lia Goyer, Ms. Jeanne Reilly, and Ms. Grace Sadowski for helping to facilitate this important fundraising event.
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Lost & Found
Our lost and found collection is quite large! If your child is missing anything, encourage them to visit the table and search for their items. We also invite parents/guardians to visit the table inside our school during Parent-Teacher Conferences next week.
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School Board News
Equity and Inclusion Committee
The E&I Committee, in partnership with our Student Culture Club, has a number of engaging and educational activities planned as we honor Hispanic Heritage Month. Learn more HERE.
Academic Excellence Committee
We are seeking parents of diverse learners to form a peer-led community in association with the Academic Excellence Committee, which will offer support, educational opportunities, and advocacy. Please email Kathleen McShane with interest - mcshane.k.m@gmail.com.
Open Forum Meeting
Save the Date for the first Open Forum School Advisory Board Meeting of the year - Monday, November 27.
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Men's Club News
Progressive - Saturday, December 2
The Annual Progressive Mixer needs host homes. As previous hosts will share, hosting this lively night is great fun! Welcoming people into your home with the stellar support of the Men's Club can be an incredible way to enjoy the Progressive.
Reach out to the Men's Club members below to learn more about hosting.
Purchase your individual event tickets today on GIVE CENTRAL.
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FSA News
Fall Mums
Pick-up for Fall Mums is this Saturday from 9am - 12pm on the Convent Lawn. Thank you to all for supporting this beneficial (and beautiful) event! For questions, please contact Kathleen Hogan, FSA Chair, at hogan621@gmail.com.
Fun Food - Tuesday, October 31
Celebrate Halloween with Buona Fun Food at school on Tuesday, October 31. Student lunch orders are due by Friday, October 27. Order today (and register to volunteer!) in your MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT account.
There will be NO hot lunch or milk served on this day. Students not ordering Buona should bring a bagged lunch.
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Pet Blessing on the Feast of St. Francis
Wednesday, October 4
The unconditional love we give to and receive from our pets draws us into the circle of life with our Creator. Let us celebrate the bond of creation together! All are invited to bring their furry, feathered, or finned friends to our annual Pet Blessing on Wednesday, October 4, at 4pm outside the Church. If your pet is no longer with you or is unable to attend, feel free to bring a picture, their leash, or even their bowl.
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Honoring St. Phoebe
Join us on Sunday, October 1, for 10am Mass. The mass offers a special blessing to our 2nd-grade and 8th-grade at the Sacrament Promises mass. At this same mass, we also celebrate and honor St. Phoebe and women’s gifts to the Church.
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ONE Barnabas - We are called to nurture the mind, body, and spirit.
Questions, Comments - Email us.
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