No School Monday

We hope you enjoy the long Presidents' Day holiday weekend. Our school and administration offices will be closed on Monday, February 16. We look forward to welcoming the students back on Tuesday.

Parental Leave - Mr. Stack

Mr. Stack will begin his parental leave soon. As we prepare for the transition, as detailed in the email sent yesterday, Ms. Sadowski is stepping in as interim principal, supported by our school's current team. As a reference, the list of who to contact for specific projects, situations, and communication is detailed here > Who to Contact

If you’re not sure who to contact, please reach out to Mrs. Sue Connolly in our Main Office, and she will connect you with the right person - sconnolly@stbarnabasparish.org or 773-445-7711.

March 6 is Pat Mac Day

On March 6, we will come together in the school gym to raise funds for two incredible charities: Pat Mac’s Pack and St. Baldrick’s Foundation. We are thrilled to see registrants rolling in. As of this morning, we already have 12 brave students signed up to shave their heads or cut their long hair!

Head Shave or Hair Cut - to benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation

Students (parents and staff) interested in head shaving and hair cutting are encouraged to register and start fundraising as soon as possible! There is a $75 minimum fundraising requirement, and recognition awards will be presented to the top 10 students and the top family fundraisers. 

Temporary Tattoo & Hair Dye - to benefit Pat Mac’s Pack

Those not up for the shave or cut can still be part of the action. Students may opt for a temporary Pat Mac’s Pack tattoo or, new this year, temporary green hair dye! 

Spirit Wear & Dress Down - to benefit Pat Mac’s Pack

Those interested in purchasing Pat Mac’s Pack apparel should place their orders by February 17. Items will be delivered in time to wear to school on March 6, or on any Spirit Wear Friday throughout the year. Students are also invited to contribute $3 and dress down in Pat Mac apparel or any green, Irish-inspired clothing.

Volunteer

This is a truly special day and a great way to feel the impact and connection of our school community. Sign up to join us on March 6!

Evening Celebration

Eat, drink, and be Irish! The Pat Pack Foundation welcomes guests from all over Chicagoland to an epic St. Pat's Party in our school gym. Enjoy a night of drinks, food, dancing, raffle prizes, and games all supporting Pediatric Brain Cancer Research. The event is for ages 21+. St. Barnabas families receive a discounted ticket price of $40! Valid for online ticket sales only. Use Code: BUCKEYE

Visit the Pat Mac Day page to learn more and access the contribution links!

Ice Skating Party on Monday

On Monday, February 16, the FSA welcomes all school families to the Morgan Park Sports Center for the annual Presidents' Day Ice Skating Party. Free skate rental for all, compliments of the FSA, 10am - 12pm. Learn more.

Eat & Earn at Horse Thief

Enjoy a meal at Horse Thief Hollow! Beginning Monday and continuing through Sunday, February 22, mention "Buckeyes" when placing your dine-in order, and they'll donate 10% back to the St. Barnabas FSA! Treat the family to Horse Thief after the ice skating party or any time during the week. To build momentum, when you're at Horse Thief, share the "Buckeyes" promo with other patrons in the restaurant and encourage them to tell their server they'd like to support the SB Eat and Earn! Learn more.

Registration is Open for New ASE Sessions

Registration is now open for the new After School Enrichment (ASE) sessions beginning in March. Spots are limited, and your prompt registration is encouraged. Sign up today!

Mondays - Craft Club (Gr. 1 - 3) and Young Engineers Club (Gr. 3 -8)

Tuesdays - Chess Club (Gr. 1 - 8) and Yoga (Gr. PK - 8)

Wednesdays - LEGO Superheroes (Gr. PK - 2)

Thursdays - Salsa Dancing (Gr. 3 - 8), and Yoga (Gr. PK - 8)

Junior High Science Fair

Thank you to all our junior high students who thoughtfully and articulately presented their work to a panel of judges and guests earlier this week. We also thank Mrs. Sandra Gaytan for leading the students over the past few months with their topic selection, hypothesis, testing, and results. 
A huge congrats to everyone involved and to the winners:

7th & 8th GRADE WINNERS:

1st Place: Ailish McGill

2nd Place: Flannery McGowan and Katie Oswald

3rd Place: Vendela Feeney

6th GRADE WINNERS:

1st Place: Kieran Ogrin and Olivia Bradley

2nd Place: Aston Davis

3rd Place: Allison Burke and Tess VanHootegem


We also thank our panel of judges for sharing their time and expertise: Diadra Viz, Dave McGovern, Noel Gaytan, Mike Leveille, Tracy Burke, Matt O'Keefe, John McNamara , Amy Brady, Meghan Jankowski, Mary Ellen Clifford

Trimester 2 Ends Next Week

Trimester 2 ends next Friday, February 20. Please take time this weekend to partner with your child to check Power School for missing assignments or outstanding tests and quizzes. All late work is due by Friday, February 20. PowerSchool will be temporarily unavailable to families beginning Monday, February 23, as we prepare for the February 27 report card release.

Sports Coordinators Needed

There are open positions on the Athletic Board for the upcoming school year. Those interested in volunteering their time are encouraged to apply via Google Form on the Athletic Board Page. The Executive Board will then select from amongst the candidates who demonstrate organizational skills and exhibit experience and expertise in athletics. View the vacancies and submit a board application.

Girls Volleyball Pack the House

Next Friday, February 20, we celebrate Girls Volleyball with our 8th Grade Pack the House! Games begin at 6pm with 8B (White) vs. Christ the King, 8B (Gray) vs. St. Cajetan at 6:50pm, and 8A vs. St. Catherine at 7:40pm.

8th Grade Volleyball Parents - please sign up to volunteer at the event: crowd control, event cleanup, or contribute water and desserts! Volunteer Sign Up.

Sports Registration

Girls Flag Football (Grades 5 - 8) - Registration is now open for Girls Flag Football. Please register by February 23. > Girls Flag Football Registration

Co-Ed Spring Soccer (Grades K - 8) - The spring season begins in mid-March and runs through May. Learn more about specific program details and register > Soccer Registration.

Ash Wednesday Next Week

Please join our school community next Wednesday, February 18, at 8:45am for the Ash Wednesday Mass. If the 8:45am Mass does not work for your schedule, there will also be a 6:45am Mass and a 7pm Mass, as well as a brief Prayer Service at 3:15pm.

Lenten Mission Series

Next Sunday, February 22, marks the start of the Parish Lenten Mission series. This is a family-friendly event, and all are encouraged to join in. Child care is available after Mass for parents who wish to reflect more deeply on the message shared at Mass. Learn more.

Resources and Opportunities

Thank you to the school’s Mission & Ministry Committee: Theresa Hemmer, Erin Liebenauer, Mark Piper, and Jeana Reichard, who thoughtfully compiled a list of resources and opportunities families can participate in this Lenten season. Learn more.

Share Your Opinions

We are re-sharing two important surveys that help us to consider positive feedback and suggested areas for improvement from our parents and guardians. 

• Project Match - Please complete a separate survey for each child in your household, Grades 1-8 > Project Match Survey.
• Archdiocese Monthly Pulse Survey - Take a moment to share your thoughts in the February Pulse Survey.

Order SB Apparel

The Buckeye Shop is open through February 22 for a new round of orders. Items will be delivered in early March. Order gym uniforms, dress-code-approved sweatshirts, and Buckeye spirit wear, available in sizes for toddlers to adults! The Buckeye Shop

Mother Son Bowling

The Mother Son event is making its return! Sunday, April 19, from 5pm - 7pm at Arena Lanes for Cosmic Bowling! Learn more and purchase your tickets!

Tax Documents

In preparation for tax season, families are able to pull necessary tax documents directly from their FACTS Tuition Management Account to claim the Illinois Education Expense Credit. 

• sign in to FACTS
• at the FACTS Financial Home, click "View Details"
• select “Payment Summary”
• select the required year, then "Print"

• FAMILY RESOURCES - School Policies and Procedures
• STAY IN THE KNOW - Link to top news & events
• REPORT AN ABSENCE - Report illness or planned absence by 8am
• HOT LUNCH - Country House food service
• STAFF DIRECTORY - Staff emails
• FAMILY DIRECTORY - DirectorySpot Access
• ROOM PARENTS - Contact Info for each homeroom
• INCIDENT REPORT - Online Incident Reporting Form
• CLASS OF 2026 - 8th Grade Events Page
• VOLUNTEER - Get Involved!
• TREATS FOR TEACHERS - Donate drinks and snacks for staff
• BUCKEYE SHOP - Spirit Wear and Uniform Apparel
• SCHOOL NEWS ARCHIVE - Links to previous issues
• PHOTO GALLERY - Links to Meghan Jones images