No School Monday

We wish you all a wonderful Labor Day weekend, and send a reminder that there is no school on Monday. We look forward to our students’ return on Tuesday.

Green Sheets Due Today

The Student Data “green sheet” from your Information Sunday Family Packet is due today, Friday, August 29. If you forgot to return it, please send it on Tuesday.

This information is vital to ensure we have accurate contact information for each child. Please review and verify that all details are correct, then sign and return to school - Attention: Mrs. Sue Connolly, Main Office.

iReady Diagnostic Begins Tuesday

The i-Ready Diagnostic is a standardized assessment required in all Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic grammar schools. A student's i-Ready Diagnostic score and growth throughout the year are important factors for placement in our Math and ELA courses. Students' 7th and 8th-grade i-Ready results are also part of the application process to most Catholic High Schools.

The beginning-of-the-year assessment will take place next week for all Kindergarten - Grade 8 students. Testing lasts for around 60 - 75 minutes each morning, with Math testing on Tuesday and Wednesday and ELA on Thursday and Friday. All other classes will meet as regular sessions throughout the day.

IMPORTANT: All 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students should update their school-issued iPads this weekend to the latest iOS software. ALL students (Kindergarten - Grade 8) are required to have corded headphones for the test. Airpods/bluetooth earbuds are not permitted. 

Crossing Guard Update

As you have likely noticed, we have recently implemented new crossing guards at the posts that were eliminated by CPS this summer. We have now employed two guards who were both former CPS crossing guards. Mrs. Paholke, mom to 1st grade teacher Ms. Paholke, and Dr. Walsh, a parishioner and alumni parent. Jim Smith, parishioner and alumni parent, has generously volunteered his time to work five days per week at the 101st Place Church crossing. In an ever-involving situation, on Wednesday, we received notice from CPS that they are working to reinstate the post at 103rd and Longwood and hope to have the position in place after Labor Day.

Safety Procedures When Traveling to School

As we settle into the school year, we urge each family to familiarize themselves with walking, biking, and driving procedures when traveling to and from school. A few key points we want to highlight:

Biking: Bikes must be walked along the sidewalks surrounding school property and when accessing the bike racks. Bikes must also be walked when crossing streets with designated crossing guards. 

Walking in the Parking Lot: Please do not walk diagonally across the parking lot. Utilize the designated yellow lines when crossing the middle of the lot and use the sidewalk when walking near the perimeter. For families traveling between Early Childhood and the Main Building, please utilize the sidewalk or the yellow lines.

Parking Lot Guidelines: If parking, when entering from Walden, use the middle two lanes for entry. Use the last lane, closest to the playground, for exit.

Parking Lot Drop-Off Lane: The first lane closest to the school is primarily dedicated to drop-off. Enter from Walden, and pull all the way up to the front of the school for drop off.

Vehicles in the Lot: All cars, whether parking or using the drop-off lane, must travel at a very slow speed. Be aware and alert at all times. Absolutely no cell phone use in the lot.

Big Bucks News

Return Stubs: Thank you to all school families who have already returned their Big Bucks ticket stubs to school. To be eligible for the Early Bird Drawing (five chances to win $1,000), stubs must be returned no later than Wednesday, September 3, at 3pm.

Support Staff: The Ticket Captains are coordinating a collection to purchase Big Bucks tickets for the teachers and staff. We are so appreciative of this initiative, and it's easy to contribute. Learn more about contributing via cash, check, Venmo, or online Membership Toolkit.

Share the Link: Help us reach our 2,000-ticket goal by sharing the Give Central purchase link. Please text it, email it, or share it via social media!  

Sell 10: Anyone who sells at least ten tickets (including your required three assigned tickets) will be invited to our Sellers Reception and entered into an additional Sellers Raffle with an opportunity to win $2,000. 

Back to School Night for Parents - Next Thursday

Our annual Back to School Night is next Thursday, September 4! This is a parent-guardian only event.

The evening begins at 7pm in the Church with a presentation from school leadership. Parents/guardians will transition to the school for two 25-minute sessions with teachers. Junior High (Grades 6 - 8) will gather in the Media Center; all other teachers will present in their classrooms. If you have more than two children at St. Barnabas, you may wish to have two parents/guardians attend so you can meet with all/most of the teachers. The agenda for the evening is linked above.

Google Classroom is the primary means of communicating assignments, upcoming tests and quizzes, and class notices. Accessing and utilizing GC will be reviewed with all parents at Back to School Night.

The evening concludes with an adults-only gathering in the gym and the Early Bird Bucks Buck Drawing.

Skating Party, Next Friday

The Back to School Skating Party is next Friday, September 5 at 5:30pm in the parking lot. Celebrate the start of the year, have fun with classmates, and connect with other parents at this annual event. Families are invited to enjoy an evening of roller skates, roller blades, and kick scooters. For the safety of all, traditional bikes, electric bikes, electric scooters, and hoverboards are not permitted on the parking lot grounds during the event. Helmets are strongly encouraged. Please bring cash for hot dogs, snacks, and ice cream.

Social-Emotional Learning Parent Seminar

Wednesday, September 10 at 7pm, parents and guardians of all ages, but especially Grades 4 - 8, are invited to a Social-Emotional Learning Seminar led by Julie Schultz, owner and counselor at Align, along with school counselor Ms. Jeanne Miller and Ms. Grace Sadowski. The evening will focus on techniques that foster empathy, effective communication, and build connection in the home.

Annual Mums Sale

Pre-order beautiful 9" potted mums for only $11! The annual mum sales will be held on Saturday, September 27 (the morning of Fall Fest). Mums may be picked up 9am-12pm at St. Barnabas Convent Lawn. Pre-ordering is highly encouraged as this event often sells out. There will be a variety of colors to choose from, and you may select your colors on a first come, first serve basis at pick-up. Learn more, and pre-order online.

Service Day Registration

Engaging students in hands-on service experiences opens their hearts and minds to how they can best help those in need, and we ask all students to participate in our all-school Service Day on Friday, October 3. Thanks to the many, many school families who eagerly registered during our Service Day launch on Tuesday. If you have not yet completed your registration, please do so promptly. A number of the sites for Grades 4 - 8 have reached capacity are now closed to additional participants. Questions about Service Day registration can be sent to Mrs. Shannon Griffin at sgriffin@stbarnaparish.org. Learn more and complete the required registration.

Picture Day

Picture Day for Preschool - Grade 7 is Friday, September 12! VanGogh photographers will be on-site during the school day to photograph each student. Students should wear dressy attire (collared shirt, sweater, simple dress, etc). Families are encouraged to pre-order for timely delivery. Order at ordervgil.com and use School Event Code 20051501. Learn more about Pictures Day here. 

PK 4-day students - Please contact your homeroom teacher directly to discuss the option that best suits your family. Students are welcome to stop by and have their picture taken on September 12 or have it taken on October 28 "retake day."

Diverse Learners High School Panel

Parents and guardians of 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students with Student Support Plans/IEPs are invited to attend a High School Panel discussion hosted by St. Barnabas on Wednesday, September 24 at 7pm in the Church Hall

Representatives from area Catholic high schools will share details about learning support services at their schools. This is a community-wide event. Families from all area grammar schools are welcome to this info session. Students are welcome, but not required to attend this parent/guardian event. Learn more and help spread the word about this informational evening.

Become a Room Parent!

We are looking for volunteers to serve as Room Parents (revamp of the former Class Liaison). Room parents will work throughout the school year to offer support to the teachers by coordinating parent volunteers for class parties, coordinating gifts for teachers at holidays, teacher appreciation, or birthdays, and helping to spread the news on important items. This is a great opportunity to support the teachers and connect with classmates parents. The time commitment is minimal, and can be done largely from home. If interested, please complete the form by Monday, September 8. School administrators will review all responses, and appoint leaders in mid September. Complete the Room Parent interest form.

FSA - Looking for Members

Thank you to the many thoughtful parents who expressed interest in getting involved with the FSA. We will be in touch next week with details on an upcoming September meeting! The FSA is a great way to connect with other school families and help the school! Complete the FSA Interest Form to get involved!

Activities

After School Enrichment - As shared last week, there are several student activities now open for enrollment. We share details and registration links on the Activities page of our website, and you can also follow along with our Student Activities Calendar.

• Run Like a Cheetah (Kindergarten - Grade 4)
• Irish Dance (Kindergarten - Grade 8)
• Parish Children's Choir (Grades 3 - 8)
• School Mass Choir (Grades 6 - 8)
• Registration coming soon for: Yoga, Chess, Social-Emotional Learning for Girls (Grades 4 - 7), Academic Team (Grades 6 - 8), and Public Speaking (Grades 6 - 8).

Adventure Guides and Blackhawk Princesses - All families are invited to join the Adventure Guides Father-Son group or Blackhawk Princesses Father-Daughter group. Learn more.

Cub Scouts and BSA - Families are also invited to learn more about Cub Scouts and BSA. Learn more about the Scouts or contact school parent, Amy Ogrin at amyward4@gmail.com.

Beverly Catholic Knights The inaugural season of the newly formed Football and Cheer partnership between St. Barnabas and Christ the King kicked off this week. Competing under the team name Beverly Catholic Knights the parent-coaches, and football and cheer athletes put in a tremendous effort to kick off this program. Show off your spirit by purchasing some team merchandise before the shop closes on Tuesday! Beverly Catholic Knights Apparel Shop.

Preschool & Kindergarten Soccer - There is still time to register for Saturday morning soccer for Preschool and Kindergarten students. This fun program aims to introduce our youngest Buckeyes to soccer and provides parents a chance to connect with other school families. Registration will close on Labor Day, Monday, September 1. Learn more and register.