Report Card Day

We wrap our first trimester with gratitude to our incredible teachers and students for their hard work and dedication. Today, students bring home their report cards. You may keep the printed report card for your records. Please sign and return the envelope to acknowledge your receipt. 

Regular Uniforms on Tuesday

On Tuesday, November 26, we will be celebrating mass as a school before we break for Thanksgiving. We ask all students to please wear their traditional uniform (no gym uniforms or gym class this day). There will be a photographer on-site to take a few marketing pictures. We also invite all parents and family members to join us in the church for the 8:45am mass.

Thanksgiving

Food Donations - We are extending the contribution deadline until Monday for our ongoing Food Drive to benefit the Maple Morgan Park Food Pantry. Thank you to the many families who have already contributed. The need is great at the pantry, and we appreciate your generosity. View the list of contribution ideas.

Extended School Break - We will dismiss for Thanksgiving break at 11:50am (11:40 for PK) on Tuesday, November 26. After Care is not available. The school will be closed for the remainder of the week, and class resumes on Monday, December 2. If you anticipate a student's absence, please report here.

Thanksgiving Day Mass - All are welcome to gather for Thanksgiving Day Mass on Thursday, November 28, at 10am in the Church. We invite you to bring a non-perishable food item to add to the Offertory Procession. All food collected will be used to replenish the shelves at three local food pantries. Learn more.

100th Anniversary Raffle and Auction

This Saturday is the parish's 100th Anniversary Gala. If you're not attending, you can still join the auction bidding and raffle from home! 

BUY RAFFLE TICKETS! You don't want to miss this opportunity for a chance at free tuition for the year. Only 250 raffle tickets will be sold ($75 each). The drawing will take place on Monday, November 25.

BID ON THE AUCTION from home with opportunities for Breakfast with Santa, a Core Fitness package, and more!

Charity Dress Down on Monday

On Monday, November 25, we invite all students to contribute $3 and dress down to support the Christmas Without Cancer organization. Christmas Without Cancer brightens the holidays of local families impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Contribute online, or bring $3 cash to school.

Lost and Found

A reminder to please search the lost and found table for any missing items - water bottles, lunch bags, pencil cases, coats, and clothing! It is overflowing with nice-quality items that have been misplaced. Weather permitting, the table will be outside our Main Entrance until Thanksgiving break. All remaining items will be donated on Tuesday, November 26.

Christmas at St. Barnabas

On Tuesday, we shared an email detailing all things Christmas at St. Barnabas School. This was a lengthy and detailed message, and the goal was to allow you an opportunity to plan and prioritize which school events and initiatives are the most important to your family. We will continue to share more details and reminders as each event draws near. The email is linked below and can also be found in the Calendar section of our website.

Advent Wreath Workshop

Gather for a family-friendly Advent wreath-building workshop immediately following the 10am mass on Sunday, December 1. All supplies will be provided to create a wreath to be enjoyed in your home. Advance registration is encouraged as spots are limited. Learn more.

We could use a few volunteers on Saturday, November 30 for event set-up from 3pm - 5pm. Help out with decorating tables, cutting greens, and setting up the supply stations. We are also looking for donations of cookies and hot chocolate. Email Patrick McGowan at pmcgowan@stbarnabasparish.org if you're able to help out.

Santa's Secret Shop

Did your school have a Secret Santa Shop when you were a child!? Many of us have fond memories of browsing and shopping for Christmas gifts at school during an annual Christmas shopping event. The FSA brings the tradition to St. Barnabas when we return from Thanksgiving break! View all the details about the December 4 and 5 event, including how to purchase items, special after-school hours for all, and how you can volunteer to make this fun event happen! For questions, please contact Tricia Wirtz at patriciamary11@gmail.com.

Stocking Stuffer

Each year, through the generous contributions of our school families, our staff is awarded a Christmas bonus. Please consider showing your appreciation to our staff through the annual Christmas Stocking Stuffer. Contribute in Membership Toolkit by Monday, December 9. Contact Rachel Groth at rachel.frankergroth@gmail.com with questions.

Winter Sessions After School

Sign-up is now open for After School winter sessions for Yoga, Chess, and Run Like a Cheetah.

Chess - Tuesday afternoons from 3pm - 4pm 

Yoga - Tuesday OR Thursday afternoons from 3pm - 4pm

Run Like a Cheetah - Tuesday OR Thursday afternoons from 3pm - 4pm

There is still time to register for the Run Like a Cheetah Beverly Hills Turkey Trot 5k team. All ages and abilities are welcome! 

Saints Wax Museum

Thank you to the Archdiocese for featuring our 4th Grade Saints in the Chicago Catholic Newspaper. Check out the beautiful photographs! Chicago Catholic.

Head Lice Protocol

Head lice can be a common occurrence in childhood and can be an extremely frustrating nuisance. If you detect lice, please notify the school so we may track cases. We also ask you to notify any close contacts so other families may proactively screen their households.

We do not exclude students nor implement checks for head lice at school. However, if there are more than three cases clustered within a grade, we now share a notice with parents/guardians so you can be on the lookout for lice in your home. In the past month, two grades have received a notice of head lice clustered with their grade. Please read more about what you can do to help prevent the spread of head lice.

Trivia Night

Start to gather your teams and save the date for Trivia Night - Friday, January 31, 2025! Tickets will be on sale in January. This is an adult-only event hosted by the St. Barnabas School Advisory Board.

Hiring! Gym Supervisor

The Athletic Board is seeking a part-time, paid gym supervisor. Responsibilities include opening and closing the gym for athletic events, managing concessions inventory, and coordinating parent volunteers and teen scorekeepers. Interested candidates should contact the Parish Business Manager, Elisabeth McNamara, at emcnamara@stbarnabasparish.org.

School Musical Annoucement!

Registration for the School Musical and Theater Workshop is now open!

Rock of Ages is open to cast members in grades 6 - 8 and crew members in grades 5 - 8. Cast auditions will be held January 8 and 9. Rehearsals will be January - March on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3pm - 5pm.

Students in Grades 4 and 5 are invited to begin their St. Barnabas theater experience with a workshop featuring the songs and scenes from Hercules. Rehearsals will be in January and February, on Tuesdays after school, with a performance on Thursday, February 13.

Check out all the details HERE and REGISTER for Hercules and Rock of Ages (Cast and Crew) by December 16.

Junior High Presentation - Thank you to the many junior high students and parents who came to the Church Hall on Tuesday night for an engaging and important discussion, "Navigating the Teenage Years," by Sarah Kolkmeyer. We also extend a big thanks to school parent Mark Piper for bringing this important message to St. Barnabas.