We can't wait to welcome our new and returning families to school in just a few short weeks. The Church restoration project is almost complete, and we look forward to the St. Barnabas community celebrating mass together at Information Sunday. This summer, our parking lot received a new coat of asphalt and freshly painted lines, along with the addition of painted four-square and hopscotch games for the students to enjoy during recess. This week, teachers have started to ready their classrooms, and it feels wonderful to have them in the building again.

This issue of School News is jam-packed with details about Information Sunday, school policies, and upcoming events. Last week's issue, with links for Summer to-do, Extended Day registration, and staff hiring announcement, can be viewed here: August 1 - Issue 1.

As this is a lengthier issue, some devices will truncate the message and show a few dots mid-way through the message ..... Please tap the dots to read more.

Family Authorization - Due Before the First Day!

Prior to the first day of school, all families are required to acknowledge the terms outlined in the Family Authorization. Your authorization is due no later than Tuesday, August 19, 2025.

The Family Authorization is an agreement between the school and all parents/guardians and students and authorizes your acknowledgment of Parent-Student Handbook along with many other essential school policies. One authorization form is required per family. 

Please be aware that any student without an authorization form will not be given access to an iPad for classroom curriculum (both Jr. High iPads and school-owned iPads for PK - 5), nor will they be able to complete the required concussion screening (grades 3- 8). We appreciate your prompt attention.

Parent-Student Handbook

The Parent-Student Handbook is linked above in the Family Authorization and is also available on our website > Family Resources. The handbook is a cornerstone of managing a safe, effective, and successful school. Please take time to familiarize yourself with the handbook. It details our established policies and protocols and can help guide our students, families, and staff in making appropriate and consistent decisions.

Each year, we make modifications to our handbook. In this year's book, some notable amendments include:

• Updated Behavior Expectation and Discipline (p. 9), including an online Incident Reporting Form (p. 11) and Action Steps for Suspected Bullying (p. 11).
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Philosophy and Practice (p. 27).
• Extra Curricular Athletics and Activities Academic and Behavior Requirements (p. 33).

There are additional handbook components that we are frequently asked about. While these policies have not changed from last year, we highlight a few key points for your understanding:

• Cell phones and smart watches may not be used by students at any point during the school day (including morning and afternoon advisory time, recess, lunch, and Extended Day). Phones must be off and placed in the student's backpack (p. 24).
• Students may wear gym shorts and tshirts (or navy-uniform style shorts) when the expected weather is 75 degrees or warmer (p. 16).
• A student is considered tardy if they are not in the building by 7:55am. After a student’s third tardy per trimester, each additional tardy will be assessed a processing fee of $3 (p. 14).
• All adult volunteers must be Virtus trained and compliant on an annual basis (p. 34). Detailed information about Virtus can be found on our website > Family Resources. (Additional Virtus details can also be found further down in this newsletter.)

Sunday, August 17

Information Sunday is just around the corner on Sunday, August 17. Please join us for 10am mass in the Church as we celebrate together in our newly renovated worship space. 

The Information Sunday school event begins after mass (at approximately 11:20am - 11:30am). All staff will be at mass; the school's doors will not open until all teachers are in the school building. Families are welcome to arrive at school in a staggered manner between 11:30am - 12pm. Please enter via the Main Entrance. The event will conclude by 1pm.

School Supplies

GRADES K - 8: Your first Info Sunday stop after entering the school is to drop off the shared communal school supplies. Paper towels, tissues, wipes, and plastic bags can be dropped off in the Innovation Center. There is no need to label these supplies with the student's name. All other supplies should be labeled with the student's name and can be brought to homerooms after you check-in at the registration tables.

PRESCHOOL FAMILIES: Please begin at the Main Hall registration check-in tables. You can then take all your PK supplies to the Early Childhood Building (please don't drop off in the Innovation Center). 

View the supply lists for each grade. 

Registration Check-in

After dropping off your shared school supplies, please check in at the Main Hall with a School Board member to receive your Family Packet. This packet contains homeroom teacher assignments, your Big Bucks Raffle Tickets, and helpful details about the school year. Lines can occasionally be a little long, but they are also buzzing with excitement as students eagerly await their homeroom assignments and families chat with one another.

Families who have not yet finalized their FACTS Tuition Management account for the 2025-2026 school year, or those who hold an outstanding balance from last year, will not be given their Family Packet at Information Sunday. Please reach out to Mrs. Jeanne Reilly at reilly@stbarnabasparish.org if you have any questions.

Submit Medical Forms

Medical forms are due no later than Info Sunday. Turn in forms at the registration check-in tables while receiving your Family Packet. Please carefully review your forms to ensure all information, including students' grade levels and all required signatures are complete before turning in.

Important Note: all Fall Sport Athletes - Soccer, Girls Basketball, Football, and Cheer are required to have a new sports physical on file. Students who are not in compliance by August 17, will be prevented from participating with their team until proper documentation has been submitted.

View required Medical Forms for each student.

Big Bucks Raffle

The Big Bucks Raffle is the school’s largest annual fundraising event, generating $100,000 for the school!  This year's event is now underway, and the $50,000 Grand Prize drawing will take place at the Parish Fall Fest on September 27, 2025.

Each family is required to buy or sell three tickets. These three tickets are automatically assigned to each family and are distributed in the Family Packets you receive at Information Sunday. The $300 cost (3 tickets X $100 each) is added to your tuition statement.  

You have two options for the three tickets that have been issued to your family:

• KEEP - Opt to keep the tickets in your family name and return the completed stubs to the school's Main Office.
• SELL - If you wish to transfer your three required tickets to someone else, you have that option. You can sell them (or gift them) to a family member or friend. If you sell these tickets, please keep the cash; you have already paid for these tickets via your tuition. Please remember to return the stubs with the new ticket owner’s contact info clearly marked on them.

Learn more about the Big Bucks Raffle, including important dates, and additional ways you can support the event.

Volunteer Forms and Training

Any adult who spends time with our students is required to complete yearly Virtus training and verification. This includes field trip chaperones, parent readers, lunch duty volunteers, homeroom party helpers, team coaches, and more.

NEW FAMILIES - please learn about the process and how to begin.

RETURNING FAMILIES - Each year, every volunteer is required to turn in CANTS 22 and CANTS 689. We encourage you to print, complete, and turn in these forms at check-in. Each volunteer has different due dates and requirements depending on when you set up your initial account. For some, these items expire mid-year. Please log into the Virtus account periodically throughout the year (or every time you register to volunteer) so you can quickly check your status and complete the required steps. Learn more and access login links.

Important Note: all Fall Sport Coaches - Soccer, Girls Basketball, Football, and Cheer are required to be up to date with all Virtus requirements. Coaches who are not in compliance will be prevented from coaching their team until proper documentation has been submitted.

iPads for 6th Graders

After check-in, all 6th-grade students should visit the Media Center to pick up their new iPads. Please note, you must submit your Family Authorization before iPads can be released.

A protective case is required throughout the year. While an integrated keyboard is not required, the vast majority of Junior High students find a keyboard to be useful. This year’s new 6th Grade iPads are: Apple iPad, A6 - 11th Generation (model number: A3354).

Homeroom Visits

After check-in and supply drop, you can visit your child's new homeroom! Drop off individual supplies, greet the teacher, and say hello to classmates.

Visit the Gym

After your homeroom visit(s), stop by the school gym! Free, gently used uniforms are available on a first-come, first-served basis (unfortunately, at this time, there is limited availability for our smallest Buckeyes).

School clubs, Extended Day, hot lunch, parent organization leaders, and faith & formation will be on hand to answer your questions about life at St. Barnabas.

Beginning of the Year Schedule

Wednesday, August 20 - All students, parents, guardians (and younger siblings) are invited to the Parking Lot at 7:45am on the first day!! Teachers will be situated throughout the lot holding a sign with their name. Students should gather with their homeroom teacher and classmates. Parents, students, and staff will share in prayer and hear brief remarks from our Administrators.  

• Preschool Orientation: 7:45am - 9am. After the all-school greeting, Preschool parents will attend an orientation with the teachers, and PK students will be dismissed at 9am.
• Kindergarten - Grade 8: 7:45am - 10:50am. After the all-school greeting, students in grades K - 8 will proceed into school and be dismissed at 10:50am.  
• Parent Coffee - 8:15am. Parents, guardians (and younger siblings) are invited to the Rectory Porch at 8:15am for coffee, breakfast treats, and shared conversation. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow parents. Preschool parents, be sure to stop by after your orientation wraps at 9am!
• All students should wear their uniform and bring a water bottle.

Thursday, August 21 & Friday, August 22

• Preschool: 7:45am - 10:50am. Students should bring a snack and water bottle.
• Kindergarten - Grade 8: 7:45am - 1:30pm. Students should bring a lunch and water bottle; students in grades K - 2 should also bring a snack.

Monday, August 25 - Regular schedule begins: 7:45am - 3pm (2:50pm for full-day PK). All students should bring a daily water bottle and lunch (+ two snacks for PK and one snack for K - 2). Optional Hot Lunch service for K - 8 begins after Labor Day. Please note that each school day, the doors open at 7:45am and the tardy bell rings at 7:55am. Please allow ample time in the morning for students to be comfortably situated in the building and ready to start the school day.

Extended Day (Before and After Care) also begins on August 25. Students MUST be pre-registered to utilize this additional service. Registration for Extended Day is accepted anytime throughout the year, and is now open for enrollment. Register here.

We hope you can join us at the following activities as we come together to meet and connect with school families.

Ice Cream Social - Thursday, August 14, 6pm at St. Barnabas Park: ALL students, siblings, parents, and guardians - come play at St. Barnabas Park (near the Early Child Building/Convent Lawn). Meet new and long-time families and enjoy some ice cream treats!

Wedding Bells & Blessings for Ms. Burklow - Saturday, August 16, 2pm at the Church: Preschool teacher Ms. Burklow is soon to become Mrs. Pinkston! Ms. Burklow's wedding will be held in St. Barnabas Church next Saturday, and she extends a heartfelt invitation to her current and former students to attend to her 2pm wedding mass.

New Parent Night - Monday, August 18, 6pm in Main Hall: Families new to school (adults only) are invited to learn about life at St. Barnabas. You'll hear from our school leadership and some of our auxiliary group members. Then mix and mingle with other new parents. Multiple parents per household are welcome (and encouraged) to attend, but as this is a parent-only event, and we know finding babysitters can be tricky, only one adult is required to attend.

Welcome Coffee - Wednesday, August 20, 8:15am Rectory Porch & Yard: The rectory staff at the parish invites all parents, guardians, and younger siblings to a Welcome Coffee on the first day of school. This is a lovely opportunity to connect with fellow parents. Preschool parents, be sure to stop by after your orientation wraps at 9am!

8th Grade Parent Night - Thursday, August 28, 6pm in Outdoor Classroom: 8th grade parents, it's here! Time to roll out an extraordinary year for the Class of 2026. Come and learn about the calendar outline for the year, student expectations, and how you can help out.

Back to School Night - Thursday, September 4, 7pm in the Church: Parent/Guardian evening. Begin in the Church and hear the vision and goals for the year from school leadership, then transition to your child's classroom to learn more about class expectations, PowerSchool vs. Google Classroom, and get a taste of the academic year ahead. The evening concludes with a parent gathering in the gym and the Early Bird Drawing of the Big Bucks Raffle!