Halloween Volunteers & Parade Details

It has brought us immense joy to see all of our costumed students at school today! A few reminders about this afternoon’s activities:
Costume Parade - Students in Kindergarten - Grade 8 will begin preparing to depart the building shortly after 1:30pm, with the parade starting around 1:40pm. We encourage all spectators (parents, grandparents, younger siblings, and friends!) to begin lining the sidewalks around 1:30pm. Students walk west up 101st Place, turn north on Seeley, and come back down 101st Street hill towards the school. You are welcome to stand anywhere along the route.
Volunteers - We look forward to having you join us for this fun and memorable afternoon. All parents helping with Fun Food or afternoon class parties should check in at the Main Office. Please ensure your Virtus is up to date!

Pictures - Please send any Halloween pictures from the school parade or classroom parties to Ms. Sadowski.

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable afternoon trick or treating! 

New After-School Enrichment!

We have some exciting new After School Enrichment classes rolling out in November! Chess Club, Craft Club, LEGO Superheroes, Public Speaking, Salsa Dancing, and Yoga will all kick off with 5-week sessions beginning the week of November 10. Spots are limited, and prompt registration is encouraged. Learn more and sign up today!

Photo Gallery

We have a new feature on our website, thanks to the creative gifts of school parent and professional photographer, Meghan Jones. Meghan makes time to capture many of our key events with her talented eye, including recent events Service Day, Homecoming, and Pack the House.

You can view Meghan's images on the website in the Calendar & News > Photo Gallery section. View the gallery. > Use password: Buckeyes.

Spirit Wear, Order by Saturday

Earlier this month, we launched the new school Buckeye Shop, an online store for spirit wear, gym uniforms, and dress code apparel. We thank the many families who have already placed orders for the new merchandise. All orders placed by November 1 will be delivered in mid-November. The online shop will continue accepting orders, with a second round of deliveries before Christmas. If you plan to order merchandise and would like to receive your items by mid-November, please order by Saturday, November 1. As a reminder, should you need a new gym uniform in a quicker time frame, gym t-shirts, sweats (and shorts), will continue to be available for same-day purchase at Schools Are Us. Visit the new online Buckeye Shop today!

FSA Meeting

We look forward to coming together, meeting new friends, and collaborating to make this a memorable and fun year for all. We hope you can come and bring some new friends to join us. 

This year, the monthly planning meetings for the FSA will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the school’s Main Hall. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 11 at 7pm. Upcoming initiatives include the Scholastic Book Fair, Santa’s Secret Workshop, and the Staff Stocking Stuffer. Learn more and get involved!

Scholastic Book Fair

The FSA is hosting the Scholastic Book Fair, an annual highlight and favorite event among our students. Students will visit the fair with their class on Wednesday, November 12, or Thursday, November 13. The event would not be possible without parent support, and we are looking for volunteers to help during the events and also with set-up and breakdown.

Everything you need to know, including the homeroom visit schedule, purchasing books, setting up a cashless eWallet, and signing up to volunteer, can be found here > Scholastic Book Fair.

Schedule Reminders & Save the Dates

Academic Reminders -

• Last Day of Trimester 1 - Friday, November 21
• Report Card Day - Friday, December 5

Schedule Notes -

• No School - Friday, November 7
• 1:30pm Dismissal - Wednesday, November 19
• Thanksgiving Break - begins Tuesday, November 25 at 11:50am, class resumes Monday, December 1
• Christmas Break - begins Friday, December 19 at 11:50am, class resumes Tuesday, January 6

Save the Date Christmas Events -

• Advent Wreath Making - Sunday, November 30 at 11am
• Progressive Mixer (adults only) - Saturday, December 6 at 6pm
• Santa's Secret Shop (student, school day event) - Wednesday, December 3 - Thursday, December 4
• School Christmas Pageant (featuring 1st, 5th, and 7th grade students) - Friday, December 12 at 1:45pm
• Christmas Luminary Kit Pickup - Sunday, December 14
• Preschool Pageant - Thursday, December 18, 10am School Performance, 6:30pm Friends and Family

School Board Open Forum

Save the Date for the upcoming School Board Open Forum on Monday, November 17, 7pm at the School. The Open Forum represents an opportunity for St. Barnabas community members to share their ideas and thoughts with the Board and the school administration. Details and procedures for speaking at the Open Forum will be shared next week.

Art to Remember

Order keepsake art through Art to Remember to benefit our school art program! In art class, students created artwork that has been produced as keepsake items. View art in the online St. Barnabas Gallery (sorted by homeroom) and place orders by November 10 to arrive in time for Christmas gifting! View the Gallery and Order.

Pumpkin Contest Winners

Wow, the creativity and talent in our annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest hosted by the Student Council was extraordinary. We thank each and every participant for making the display in our Main Hall festive, fun, and frightening! Congrats to the winners:

GRADES PK - 2

• Funniest: Camille Bozell, Gr 2 “Turkey Pumpkin”
• Scariest: Roman Walin, Gr K “Bat Pumpkin”
• Most Creative: Cate VanHootegem Gr 2 & Elle VanHootegem Gr K, “Popcorn Pumpkin” 
• Honorable Mention: Demi Cadichon, Gr K “Ice Cream Cone”

GRADES 3 - 5

• Funniest: George Piper, Gr 3, “Captain Underpants”
• Scariest: Ellie Fitzpatrick, Gr 3, “Scream Pumpkin”
• Most Creative: Annie Rao, Gr 3, “Spaghetti Pumpkin”
• Honorable Mention: Sydney Mayorga, Gr 3 ”Labubu”

GRADES 6 - 8

• Funniest: Lexi Reardon, Gr 8 ”Nemo”
• Scariest: Erin Miles, Gr 8 ”Jack Skeleton”
• Most Creative: Skylar Cadichon, Gr 6 “Rapunzel Castle Pumpkin”
• Honorable Mention: Carolyn Barry, Gr 8 “Corpse Bride”

Maple Morgan Park Food Drive

Join us in supporting the Maple Morgan Park Food Pantry during the month of November. Non-perishable food items may be brought to school and will be distributed at the pantry in time for Thanksgiving. In an effort to contribute a variety of items, we are requesting specific food items by grade level. Learn more

Share a Bear Hug

We invite you to bring in new and gently loved stuffed animals to support Share a Bear Hug. This wonderful organization collects stuffed animals to share with migrant and refugee children in Chicago. A collection bin is available in the hallway, and we invite each of you to share the comfort and love. Learn more.

If you would like to snap a picture of your child with their stuffed animal donation, please tag @shareabearhug on Instagram and/or send a picture to Ms. Sadowski so we can celebrate the love and generosity of our Buckyes. 

Turkey Trot

Join team “Run Like a Cheetah” as part of the annual Beverly Hills Turkey Trot. Run or walk the 5K through the beautiful streets of North Beverly on Saturday, November 29. School families and friends are welcome to participate in support of team Run Like a Cheetah. All proceeds benefit the 19th Ward Youth Community and the John McNicholas Brain Tumor Foundation. Learn more and register.

Breast Cancer Dress Down - Thank you to our students and families for so generously supporting a cause close to many of our hearts - Breast Cancer Awareness. Our pink dress down raised $ 1,419.28! The collection will be donated to the Ginger Rugai YMe Softball non-profit organization which support breast cancer research.

Halloween Dance - Thank you to Erin Whealan, Gia Spiotto, and the 8th Grade Parent Committee for planning a spectacular evening for the students. Dancing, fright, laughter, and camaraderie, it was an evening the students will never forget. Thank you for sharing your time and creativity.

Athletes Mass - Thank you to all the student athletes and their families who attended the Fall Athletics Mass on Sunday. It was wonderful to see our student-athletes coming together to pray. Thank you to our Mission and Ministry Committee for organizing this special Mass. 

All Saints Museum - Thank you to our 4th-grade students for presenting a beautiful All Saints Day tribute at our school mass and Wax Museum early this week. Your poise, bravery, and knowledge of your chosen saint brought joy to our entire community.

Walsh Family Support - thank you to the St. Barnabas community for the generous support of Dena, Andrew, and Elizabeth Walsh. Please continue to keep Dena, the kids, and all who knew and loved Kevin in your daily prayers.

• 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
• INCIDENT REPORT - Online Incident Reporting Form
• FAMILY RESOURCES - School Policies and Procedures
• 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