Christmas Pageant - Today!

Please join us this afternoon at 1:45pm in the Church for a student-led telling of the Nativity story. 

Due to the high volume of students in the pageant (grades 1st, 5th, and 7th), we ask families not to request early pick-up today. All students will return to school after the pageant and be dismissed, as usual, at the end of the day.

Staff Stocking Stuffer - please contribute by end of day

We invite you to contribute to this year’s Staff Stocking Stuffer. Our collection numbers are a bit lower than in previous years, and we would love to gift the staff an amount similar to previous years; we hope you'll consider making a donation by end of day today! This Christmas bonus means the world to our school staff, and many use it to purchase gifts for their own families or to help offset the increased holiday expenses.

Each contribution helps to say thank you for the countless ways the staff nurture, guide, and inspire our students. The Stocking Stuffer tradition ensures that every staff member, including specials teachers and those without homerooms, receives a Christmas gift from our school community. There is no need for parents to shop for individual presents!

Donations will be accepted through the end of the day, and contributors' names will be listed on the Stocking Stuffer Thank You Page. Contribute today.

Christmas Luminaries

There is still time to order a luminary kit for Christmas Eve. Luminaries may be picked up this Sunday, December 14, from 11am - 1pm in the parking lot (near the rear gym door, by Walden). Remember to light your luminaries before Christmas Eve mass, and email any pictures to mmcgowan@stbarnaparish.org. Thank you to our 8th-grade students and parents who volunteered their time for the luminaries. This year’s luminary proceeds will benefit The Sheridan Fund, which supports St. Barnabas families experiencing hardship by offering financial assistance, comfort, and strength. Purchase a luminary kit for your house or entire block.

Dress Down Week

Monday begins our Christmas-themed dress-down week, leading into Christmas break. Thank you to our dedicated Student Council for organizing our Christmas dress-downs. These days are optional, and students are always welcome to wear their uniform as an alternative. All attire should be school-appropriate and keep with the chosen theme for the day. No slippers or slide-style footwear, please! Download the schedule.

• Monday, December 15 "Cozy Christmas" - Christmas or winter pajamas
• Tuesday, December 16 "Classy Christmas" - dress up for school mass
• Wednesday, December 17 "Christmas Characters" - character apparel from a movie, song, or book
• Thursday, December 18 "Fa-La-La-La" - flannel clothing
• Friday, December 19 " Crazy Christmas" - festive sweaters, accessories, hats

Christmas Around the World

Visit the Church Hall on Tuesday, December 16, between 10am - 12pm for Christmas Around the World. Families are invited to see the wonders of Christmas as shared by our school Culture Club.

Preschool Christmas Pageant

Join us in the Church on Thursday, December 18, for a heartfelt retelling of the Christmas story by our preschool students. The 10am school day performance has limited seating for adults. The 6:30pm evening performance has ample seating and viewing.


All preschool students dismiss from school at 10:50am and will return for the evening performance.

After School Enrichment Winter Session

Next Friday, December 19, we will launch registration for the After School Enrichment Winter Sessions! Classes will begin the week of January 12 and will continue through the end of February. Chess Club, Craft Club, Legos, Public Speaking, Salsa Dancing, Sign Language, Yoga, and Young Engineers.


Keep an eye on next Friday's newsletter for the registration link!

Preschool Shadow Day - Jan 14

Future Buckeyes are invited to spend the morning shadowing in a Preschool classroom, as their parents gather with preschool staff for a question-and-answer session. Registration details coming next week.

Sweetheart Soirée - Jan 16

Save the Date for the Sweetheart Soirée (Father-Daughter Dance), Friday evening, January 16. Details and ticket purchase link coming next week!

School Open House - Jan 25

To kick-off Catholic School Week, we will celebrate 10am mass as a parish, then welcome prospective families to our School Open House from 11:30am - 1pm. We encourage you to invite friends and neighbors to explore St. Barnabas. We will begin accepting 2026-2027 school year applications for new students on this day.

Trivia Night - Jan 30

Gather your team of six and start studying your facts! The School Board is hosting its annual Trivia Night on Friday, January 30, in the school gym. Tickets for this fun, age-21+ event are now on sale. Purchase a table.

Christmas Concert - The magnificent sounds of the City Lights Orchestra are coming to St. Barnabas Church! All are welcome on Sunday evening, December 14. Doors open at 5:30pm, and the concert begins at 6:30pm. Learn more.

Red Tag - the final day to contribute to the Parish Red Tag Christmas Gift Collection is Monday, December 15. There are still many tags remaining. Stop by the church to select a tag or make a contribution in Give Central. Red Tag Details.

Advent Taize - Please join for an hour of prayer, chant, and quiet reflection on Tuesday, December 16, at 6:30pm in the Holy Spirit Chapel.

Progressive - Thank you to the four families for graciously opening their homes (and club) as hosts of this year’s Progressive Mixer. Rachel and Mike Groth, Anne and Matt Lunkes, Colleen and Joe Power, and Jeana and Patrick Reichard, your efforts and generosity are greatly appreciated by our entire community. We also thank the Men’s Club leaders - Pat Doig, Matt Kreiter, and Pat Wirtz for coordinating another successful year, and lastly, to the many parents who purchased event tickets - thank you for supporting our community (and the Staff Stocking Stuffer). We hope you had an incredible evening!

8th Grade Parents - To our 8th grade parents, it has been a whirlwind of activities over the past few weeks for our Class of 2026, and it has truly defined “it takes a village”. We thank each of you for the special role you have played.

Christmas Luncheon - Welcoming grandparents and senior friends made for a remarkable afternoon. To Jill Dennihan and the entire team of volunteers, your endless creativity, kindness, graciousness, and generosity made it a perfect day. To Lisa and Nick Barraco, for your continued support of our community, the event would not have been possible without your abundant generosity (and enthusiasm and spirit). Our hearts were so full as we watched all the smiles and special moments unfold. View the Christmas Luncheon photo album.

Bowling Party - to EJ Jones and the Bowling team, it was just the fun-filled afternoon our awesome 8th graders needed. Despite all being a touch tired after their long HSPT exam, they came alive together, and it's certain to be a lasting 8th-grade memory.

Luminaries - to Molly McGowan, Tiffany and Glen Polanek, and all the parents (and students) who braved the cold to build and assemble the luminaries for distribution, thank you! Your enthusiasm and support go a long way and feel extra special as this year’s proceeds benefit The Sheridan Fund, which supports fellow St. Barnabas families.

Downtown Experience - to all chaperones who braved the elements and volunteered their time for the epic- Downtown Christmas Experience - thank you for your attention, patience, and time - we simply could not do it without you.

Supporting your Child - to all the parents who offered encouragement, helped calm nerves, prepared a favorite meal, encouraged extra studying leading into the HSPT, or came to the prayer service - thank you for supporting your child and wrapping them in love and care.

• 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