Halloween Dance Tonight

Nightmare on Longwood! The Class of 2025 Halloween Dance is tonight in the school cafeteria. All 8th-grade students should meet at St. Barnabas Park at 6:45pm for a group picture before heading to the Main Building. A reminder that all students should be picked up by an adult at the 10pm conclusion; students are not permitted to walk alone when leaving the dance.

Concert at Church

The quarterly music series returns at 7pm tonight to St. Barnabas Church featuring Christopher Ferrer, the principal cellist of Camerata Chicago and pianist and Parish Music Director Sandro Tsomaia. They will perform classical masterpieces by Tchaikovsky, Schumann, Rachmaninov, and Beethoven. Christopher Ferrer has toured, recorded, and performed internationally. His recording credits include the soundtrack for Spike Lee's Chi-Raq, and he has performed with My Morning Jacket and Chance the Rapper. We are honored to present this extraordinary music series at St. Barnabas Church. Learn more.

After Care Reminder

Today, pick-up for After Care students will take place at the school’s Main Entry doors on Longwood. When you arrive for pickup, please ring the main doorbell or call the After Care number at 773-474-6474 .

Calendar Reminders

Wednesday, October 30, the students will dismiss at 1:30pm; After Care is available until 6pm.

Friday, November 8, there is NO school as our staff participates in a professional development day.

The yearly calendar overview of early dismissal, extended vacation, and professional development can be found here.

School Board Open Forum

Each school year, the School Advisory Board holds two Open Forum meetings at their regularly scheduled board meetings. The Open Forum represents an opportunity for St. Barnabas community members to share their ideas and thoughts with the Board and the school administration. The first Open Forum of the school year will be on Monday, November 18, at 7pm. 

If you would like to address the School Advisory Board during the Open Forum, please:

• Email the School Advisory Board no later than Friday, November 8, 2024, at schoolboard@stbarnabasparish.org and indicate that you would like to speak. Within your email, please state the topic you would like to address.
• The first four people (adults only) who respond will be placed on the Agenda. Each speaker will be given a maximum of 5 minutes to address the Board.
• If selected to speak, please provide a written copy of your address to the Board (schoolboard@stbarnabasparish.org) no later than Wednesday, November 13.

Comments about individual employees or students of St. Barnabas school or parish are prohibited at the Open Forum.

Art to Remember

Art to Remember is here, and our students have created some incredible and unique art pieces. You can enjoy the complete creative collection HERE. Keepsake art gifts can be purchased to enjoy in your home or make a memorable gift. Proceeds help to purchase supplies for the art room. Order by November 8 to ensure delivery by Christmas. Please email Ms. Abby Graeber at agraeber@stbarnabasparish.org with any questions!

Scholastic Book Fair

The FSA is hosting the Scholastic Book Fair, an annual highlight and an event favorite of many students. Students will visit with their class on Wednesday, November 13, or Thursday, November 14, in the Church Hall. Learn more about the Book Fair and how to volunteer here!

Turkey Trot Team

The 16th Annual Beverly Hills Turkey Trot returns to the streets of north Beverly on Saturday, November 30. St. Barnabas School has partnered with Run Like a Cheetah to coordinate a team. Learn more and register here.

Kids Heart Challenge

We experienced a truly extraordinary effort by those students who participated in this year’s Kids Heart Challenge, benefiting the American Heart Association. A fun afternoon was had by the many student jumpers, and almost $9,000 was raised for the AHA. Thank you to all, and a special note of thanks to our top fundraisers: Maura Kreiter, Lily Gruszeczki, and Cecelia Hurd! And to our courageous heart warrior, Declan O'Kelly, for sharing his story. In addition to creating awareness and raising funds for the American Heart Association, the AHA has donated some new gym equipment to the school for our students to use! Thank you families, and thank you to PE teacher Mrs. Beth Cruz! 

Catholic Family Survey

The Archdiocese of Chicago is seeking ways to support and engage young families. To help with this mission, we encourage all Catholic families within our school to answer a survey. We are grateful to you for sharing your insights. Begin the survey.

Halloween is an exciting time at St. Barnabas School. We ask you all to take a few moments to review the Halloween details. View the printable overview.

PUMPKIN DECORATING - The Student Council is hosting its annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Pumpkins may be decorated using paint, glue, paper, fabric, etc. Please do NOT carve pumpkins. Decorated pumpkins can be brought to school October 28-31 for display in the Main Hall. Learn more.

FUN FOOD - Halloween is also Fun Food with Barraco's, coordinated by our FSA. The ordering window has now closed. There will be no traditional hot lunch from Gilhooley's Country House available on this day; please remember to send a bagged lunch if you did not order Barracos.

COSTUMES - All students are invited to dress up in school-appropriate costumes on Thursday, October 31. No masks, weapons, or political themes will be permitted. Children with inflatable costumes may only wear them during the parade; inflatables must be off and deflated during the school day. Be mindful, especially with younger children, that all students must be comfortable and self-sufficient in their costumes throughout the day.

PARADE - All kindergarten - 8th grade students will be walking in the costume parade (see below for notes on a special PK parade). The parade steps off from the school’s Main Entrance around 1:30pm (weather permitting). Students walk west up 101st Place, turn north on Seeley, and return down 101st Street hill towards the school. Parents/guardians, grandparents, younger siblings, and friends are encouraged to clap, cheer, and take pictures along the route.  

PRESCHOOL - Our youngest Buckeyes follow a different structure to their day, and parents are welcome to share in many of the day's activities, including Halloween stations in the classroom, a parade through the big building, and a children's storyteller. View the full PK Halloween Activities here.

CLASS PARTIES & TREATS - We have some severe food allergies in our school, and we ask all families to take great care in respecting our no-treat policy. Candy or edible treats are NOT allowed. Small items to share with classmates (stickers, pencils, playdough, etc.) are permitted (and optional). Students who send candy will not be permitted to distribute it. If you plan to distribute treats, please confirm the number of students in your child’s homeroom with the classroom liaison or teacher.

Classroom parties are at the discretion of homeroom teachers, with the help of classroom liaisons. Details about individual class parties will be shared in the teacher’s Google Classroom. 

TEAL PUMPKIN PARTNERSHIP - Thank you to The Student Council for educating our students on how they can help to create an inclusive and safe environment. All families are encouraged to take part in The Teal Pumpkin Project by offering allergy-friendly treats to trick-or-treaters. Download a FLYER to print and display in your home window.

Breast Cancer Donations - Thank you to the families who contributed to our pink dress down on Wednesday. Over $1,200 was donated in support of breast cancer research and awareness! We remember all those in our school, community, and world who are impacted, and we will continue to pray and hold you in our hearts.

Witch Ride - Thank you to the many parents who joined in for a lively ride through the neighborhood, and a huge thank you to the Parent Foundation for organizing another year of riders to raise funds and awareness for the SB Parent Foundation.

Pack the House - Thank you to our Girls Basketball athletes for serving as a wonderful example of athleticism and sportsmanship - it was an awesome evening watching you shine on the court. We also thank the Hilburgers for organizing another successful Pack the House, and the countless parents, grandparents, friends, teachers, and classmates that came out to cheer on the Buckeyes!