Mr. Stack Returns Next Week

Mr. Stack will return from his paternity leave on Tuesday, May 26. We look forward to welcoming him back for our end-of-year events. 

The school staff extends its heartfelt thank you to Ms. Sadowski for her leadership and dedication as Interim Principal over the past four months. Her motivation, prompt communication, and unwavering commitment have supported and empowered our staff and students, making a positive difference in our community. Thank you, Ms. Sadowski, for your endless hours of time, knowledge, and love - you are a true gift to our community.

Best Wishes for Father Donovan

Please join us in wishing Father Donovan a very Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary. Father's birthday was yesterday, and his ordination anniversary into the priesthood is tomorrow, May 23. Also, please save the date for the farewell mass and celebration of Father Donovan on Saturday, June 27 - more details to come.

Tuition Agreement

All families in good financial standing and eligible for re-enrollment received an email yesterday from FACTS requesting that you sign off on your 2026–2027 Tuition Commitment Form before completing the setup of your payment plan. Should you have any questions regarding the FACTS process, please reach out to Mrs. Jeanne Reilly at reilly@stbarnabasparish.org.

Forms are due Friday, May 29. Please complete one contract for each St. Barnabas student in your household.

Grad Week Begins!

Tuesday begins "Grad Week," a celebratory week that culminates with our Graduation Liturgy on Friday night at 7pm. Please join us in congratulating the Class of 2026 students as their time at St. Barnabas School draws to a close. At the Tuesday dismissal bell, we invite each of you to join us with claps and cheers as the 8th-grade class completes its last full day of academic classes.

Ridge Run on Monday

This Monday morning, Memorial Day, our neighborhood celebrates the annual BAPA Ridge Run & Parade!

St. Barnabas serves as a water station for thousands of runners participating in the day. We are looking for students and family volunteers to help with the water station in front of the school. It’s a fun morning cheering on our community and volunteering! We ask that all volunteers arrive at St. Barnabas at 7:30am, and we should be finished by 10am. If you can help, please email Ms. Sadowski. 

Good luck to all our Buckeye runners, especially the 33 St. Barnabas students running as part of Team Run Like a Cheetah. We’re rooting for you!

Student Council Elections

Students currently in grades 5 - 7, in good academic and behavioral standing, are eligible to run for the 2026-2027 Student Council. Yesterday, interested students attended an information meeting to review expectations for serving on the Student Council and to learn more about the election process. A few details we wanted to share with parents about the election timeline:

• Tuesday, May 26 - Signed commitment form due to Mrs. McGowan 
• Wednesday, May 27 - Campaigning officially begins
• Wednesday, June 3 - Speeches and Elections, parents are welcome to attend the speeches at 11:30am in the Gym. 

No Hot Lunch in June

Next Friday, May 29 is the last day of hot lunch service. During the final week of school, all students will need to bring a bagged lunch from home.

Boots and Buckeyes

Tickets are now on sale for the Parent Foundation's Boots and Buckeyes Party at Cork & Kerry. On Friday, June 5, celebrate the start of summer while making a difference for our teachers. Ticket sales and event sponsorship opportunities are available! Learn more and purchase tickets!

Next Week's Schedule

• Monday, May 25 - NO School, Memorial Day 
• Tuesday, May 26 - Friday, May 29 - Alternate Schedule for 8th Grade Students
• Wednesday, May 27 - 1:30pm Dismissal (1:20 PK), Staff Development 

We hope you all enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend. Let us pause, reflect, and pray for the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our nation.

Upcoming Field Trips

We have a number of end-of-year field trips coming up - be sure to mark your calendars!

• Preschool - Tuesday, June 2, Pizza Party at Barraco's - wear gym uniforms, lunch provided
• 2nd Grade - Thursday, May 28, Lunch at Horse Thief Hollow - wear gym uniforms, lunch provided
• 3rd Grade - Friday, May 29, at Lincoln Park Zoo - wear gym uniforms, bring bagged lunch
• 5th Grade - Friday, May 29, at Fair Oak Farms - wear gym uniforms, bring bagged lunch
• 8th Grade - Thursday, May 28, Lunch at Horse Thief Hollow - wear spirit wear, lunch provided

Last Week of School

Our 8th graders graduate on Friday, May 29. All other grades finish school the week of June 1. That last week of school has an alternate schedule. Please ensure all dates and times are properly logged for your child's grade level.

• Monday, June 1 - 1:30pm Dismissal K - 7, 1:20pm for PK
• Tuesday, June 2 - 1:30pm Dismissal K - 7, 1:20pm for PK (no school mass this Tuesday)
• Wednesday, June 3 - Kindergarten Graduation 9:30am - 10:30am; PK Dismissal at 10:50am; 1:30pm Dismissal for Grades 1 - 7
• Thursday, June 4 - Grades 1 - 7 only. Last School Mass at 8:45am, Dismissal at 10:50am.

Girls Flag Football

Congrats to our 5th & 6th Grade Flag Football Champions! It was a thrilling victory last Sunday against Christ the King. You made our entire community proud with an extraordinary start to the first season of 5th-6th grade Flag Football.

We also congratulate our 7th & 8th Grade Flag Football athletes. Ranked 3rd in the league, they had a tough loss to St. Al’s in the semi-final game.

A huge thank you to Matt Kreiter for coordinating the new girls league, and to all the coaches, athletes, and families. Way to Go Buckeyes! 

Fall 2026 Girls Basketball

The deadline to register for Fall 2026 Girls Basketball is fast approaching! Athletes must be registered prior to tryouts. Tryouts for 7th Grade A & B teams will be on Thursday, May 28, from 5pm - 6:30pm in the Gym. There are not currently enough registrants in rising grades 6 and 8 for multi-team tryouts.

Rising grades 3 - 5 must register by June 1, but there are no tryouts for the younger grades. Register for Girls Basketball.

Fall 2026 Football and Cheer

BC Knights Registration is also open for Fall 2026 Football (rising Gr. 4 - 8) and Cheer (rising Gr. 4 - 8). BC Knights, launched last year, is the new partnership with Christ the King. Students from both parishes play under the united team of BC Kights. Registration is due Monday, June 15. Register for BC Knights.

Fall 2026 Jr. Flag Football

Rising Kindergarten - Grade 3 students are invited to join the new Co-Ed Junior Flag Football league for the fall 2026 season! Games will be played indoors at the Marist Sportsplex. There will be around six games for the season, one game per week. Register for Jr. Flag Football.

Fall 2026 Soccer

St. Barnabas offers two Co-Ed Soccer programs in the fall season. Preschool - Kindergarten students are invited to participate in our casual Saturday morning "Coffee League". Grade 1 - 8 students are invited to participate in "League Soccer," which includes weekly practice and games. Register for Soccer.

May Crowning - Thank you to the many families that joined us for the beautiful May Crowning Procession and Prayer Service. It is a truly meaningful day, and we thank all the parents and staff who played a role. A special note of thanks to Ms. Sadowski, Mr. McGowan, and Mrs. McGowan for the planning and preparation. To our 2nd and 8th-grade teachers for supporting your students, to Ms. Montelongo for sharing your beautiful singing voice, and to all the parents who supported their 2nd and 8th-grade students on this memorable day. 

Talent Show - Thank you to our talented and brave Buckeyes who performed in our school talent show last week. We were beyond proud of the courage, talent, and creativity that burst from our stage. Shout out to the Student Council for coordinating the event!

8th Grade Parent Committee - The 8th-grade students have enjoyed a number of truly special events over the past few weeks because of the dedication of our school parents. Many thanks to all the parents who devoted countless hours of love and creativity to host the Dinner Dance, and to those parents who shared their time planning and chaperoning the class trip to Great America. Memories for a lifetime!

Art Fair - Thank you to Ms. Bachler for thoughtfully guiding and educating each student in the visual arts. It was a tremendous display of talent and creativity at last weekend's Art Fair. Thank you to all who attended and to all the volunteers.

• 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