Black History Month Assembly Today!

As we close out Black History Month, our students will gather for an assembly at 1:30pm this afternoon. Due to capacity limits in our school gym, we can only permit parents/guardians of our featured student dancers and speakers. Guests should enter the building at the Gym's main doors.

Thank you to all who dressed down today. The donation link will remain open throughout the weekend Contribute online!

Report Card Day

Today, students will bring home their Trimester 2 Report Cards. We are grateful to our teachers and students for their hard work and dedication. You may keep the printed report card for your records. Please sign and return the envelope to acknowledge your receipt. 

Save the Date

As we enter the third trimester of the school year, we want to ensure you have the following dates on your calendar:

• Easter Break - Wednesday, April 1, 11:50am Dismissal. Monday, April 13, Classes Resume
• 8th Grade Confirmation - Friday, April 17, 7pm
• Mother Son Bowling - Sunday, April 19, 5pm
• Sister Act Musical - Thursday, April 23 - Saturday, April 25
• First Communion - Saturday, May 2, 10am
• 7th Grade Springfield Trip - Tuesday, May 5
• School May Crowning - Friday, May 8, 1:30pm
• Spirit Day - Friday, May 22, 11:50am Dismissal
• 8th Grade Graduation - Friday, May 29, 7pm
• Kindergarten Graduation - Wednesday, June 3, 9:30am
• Last Day of School PK and Kindergarten - Wednesday, June 3, 10:50am
• Last Day of School Grades 1- 7 - Thursday, June 4, 10:50am
• 8th Grade Families > look for an update by mid-March for a full calendar of Grad Events!!

ASE Sessions

ASE Spring Session classes begin next week (Yoga begins the following week). Spots are still available in Tuesday Chess and Thursday Salsa Dancing > Register today!

Summer Camp

Save the Date for June summer camps offered by St. Barnabas teachers, the perfect way to ease into the summer routine. Registration will launch in a few weeks, and camps will be held the weeks of June 8 and June 15. View the offerings.

5Essentials Parent Survey

Please take a few moments to complete the 5Essentials Parent Survey, administered by the Archdiocese of Chicago in partnership with the University of Chicago. This survey is a valuable resource for our school. Begin the 5Essentials Survey.

Pat Mac Day Next Week!!

Friday, March 6, is an 11:50am student dismissal and Pat Mac Day. To date, we have raised almost $14,000 for our joint mission of supporting the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Pat Mac’s Pack! Let’s work together to reach our goal!

Next Wednesday is an important deadline for most events. Please don't delay. In order for us to run a smooth and successful event, late registration for tattoos, hair dye, head shaves, and hair cuts will not be accepted.

Face Tattoos and Hair Dye

This is a fun and easy way to make an impact, and every dollar goes directly to Pat Mac’s Pack. We currently have over 100 students signed up to receive a temporary tattoo or green hair dye! We would love to see more smiling faces sporting a Pat Mac’s Pack tattoo or green hair dye! Register by Wednesday

Head Shave and Hair Cut

We currently have around 30 students (and one dad!) registered to shave their heads or cut their hair to support the St. Baldrick's Foundation. Shout out to our current lead fundraisers!! As of this morning, our top five individual fundraisers were: 5th Grader Cecilia Hurd, 1st Grader James White, 7th Grader Craig McShane, 8th Grader Olive Reichard, and 1st Grader Colin Kloeppel. The current top family fundraiser is the O'Connor sisters - Molly & Olivia! 

There is still time to sign up! Please register to participate by Wednesday > St. Baldricks Participant

Reminder to all those participating - the minimum fundraising amount for head shave or hair cut is $75. All participants are required to have a signed waiver. Print, complete, and return the waiver to school attn: Main Office by Wednesday, March 5 at 8am. View and Print Waiver

$3 Dress Down

A lower-cost way to support our mission. Next Friday, students can dress down in Pat Mac gear, green, or any Irish-inspired apparel. We currently have contributions from about 15% of the students - let's make it a 100% participation day! Contribute $3 online or bring cash to school next Friday. Contribute $3 online

Evening St. Pat's Party

Eat, drink, and be Irish! The Pat Mac's Pack Foundation welcomes guests from all over Chicagoland to an epic St. Pat's Party in our school gym. St. Barnabas families receive a special discount code of $40 per person! Valid for online ticket sales only. Use Code: BUCKEYE. Purchase tickets

Volunteer

Pat Mac Day is bustling with excitement, and we simply could not host this extraordinary day without parent volunteers! This is a truly special day and a great way to feel the impact and connection of our student body. Volunteer Sign Up

Cheer on the Buckeyes!

This Saturday, 8B heads to the Boys Basketball Championship. The Buckeyes take on St. Cajetan at 2:30pm at Brother Rice for the SCC Championship.  

This Sunday, 8A heads to the Girls Volleyball Championship to also take on St. Cajetan at 8:30pm at Marist HS. Come support them at the St. Al’s League Championship.

We still have four basketball teams competing in the South Suburban play-off series. Let’s Go Buckeyes!!

Sports Registration

Registration is open for several spring sports. Please take note, as deadlines are quickly approaching!

Girls Flag Football (Grades 5 - 8) 
The deadline to register for Girls Flag Football has been extended until end of day today. For questions, contact the coordinator, Matt Kreiter, at m_kreiter@hotmail.com. Register for Girl Flag Football.

Co-Ed Soccer(Grades K - 8) 
The deadline to register for Spring Soccer is Sunday, March 8. For questions, contact the coordinator, Mike Hohenadel, at saintbarnabassoccer@gmail.com. Register for Soccer.

Co-Ed Golf (Grades 8) 
The deadline to register for 8th Grade Golf is Friday, March 13. For questions, contact the coordinator, Brendan O'Malley, at brendan.omalley@compass.com. Register for Golf.

Co-Ed Junior Basketball (Grades K - 2) 
The deadline to register for Junior Basketball Sunday, March 15. For questions, contact the coordinator, Patrick Doig, at phdoig@gmail.com. Register for Junior Basketball.

Volleyball Tryouts - 7th Grade

Tryouts for 7th Grade Boys Volleyball will be held next week - Tuesday, March 3, at 7:30pm in the gym. Based on enrollment numbers, 7th grade is the only grade that will require tryouts for A and B team placement. For questions, contact the coordinator, Andrea Crowley, at atgcrowley@gmail.com.

CRS Rice Bowl

Our students learned about the Catholic Relief Services' Rice Bowl this Tuesday at our weekly school mass. We encourage you to enter Lent in a meaningful way by participating in the annual “Operation Rice Bowl” to assist the work of Catholic Relief Services. Learn more about CRS Rice Bowl.

Collection for St. Mary Magdalene Parish

We are collecting diapers (all sizes), toiletries, and feminine products for our sister parish, St. Mary Magdalene. They had a recent fire in their rectory, which has temporarily halted their collection process, and we are looking to help support their community efforts. Donations may be dropped off in our Main Hall or the Church vestibule.

Upcoming Events

There are several upcoming events this Lenten Season, coordinated by the Parish. Be sure to check out the parish eBlast that is emailed every Friday morning to all parishioners.

• Lenten Missions Series continues this Sunday at the 10am Mass
• SPR Lenten Reconciliation Service, March 9 at 6:30pm
• St. Patrick’s Day Mass & Reception, March 14 at 4pm
• SPR Adoration, March 19 at 7pm
• St. Joseph's Day Event March 21 at 3pm

African American Heritage Prayer Service - thank you to the group of students from Junior High who attended the 48th Annual African American Heritage Prayer Service along with Ms. Sadowski, Mrs. McGowan, Mr. McGowan, Deacon Neu, and Ms. Wegrzyn. It was a beautiful opportunity to reflect at Holy Name Cathedral alongside students from many other grammar and high schools in the Chicago area.

Horse Thief Hollow - Many thanks to all those who participated in the Eat and Earn Week at Horse Thief Hollow - we raised $325 through your dining experience! We are grateful for your support of both the St. Barnabas FSA and Horse Thief. We also extend our gratitude to Kacey Kelly and the FSA for coordinating a successful Eat and Earn.

Pack the House - Thank you to Alecia Burton, Tara Miles, and all the 8th-grade parents involved with the planning and preparation for the Girls Volleyball Pack the House, a lasting and special memory for our 8th-grade athletes. Thank you to our VB Coordinator Trish McGill, our coaches Ed & Nola O’Keefe, Lisa Barraco, John Chatz, Josh Hurd, Jim McGill, and Jeff Collado for all your time and talent this season. We also thank all the fans - students, siblings, alumni, parents, grandparents, and extended family for their support and enthusiasm. Lastly, to our Class of 2026 Girls Volleyball athletes, thank you for making us proud. Your sportsmanship, talent, and dedication throughout your years on the court have been a true highlight for our school.

Polar Plunge - This Sunday is the Chicago Polar Plunge, which has been a beloved, fun, freezing, and memorable day for the past 10 years as Parker's Party. We are grateful for the hundreds of plungers and supporters who have joined us for this incredible day and fundraiser to support the Special Olympics of Chicago over the years. We are so proud to say Parker's Party has raised over $164,000 over the past decade and created memories that will last forever. One of our favorite sayings is "Once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye." Parker will forever be a Buckeye, but he decided this year he will be plunging with his friends and classmates at Brother Rice and Mother McAuley on "Best of Both Worlds." If you would like to donate to his page, click Parker's Polar Plunge Page. Thank you to Parker, the Baudo Family, and all of Parker's Party for a legendary run! It's the end of an era, but one that is carved on our hearts forever! Love, Ms. Sadowski 

• 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