Schedule Reminder!

Next Wednesday, November 19, is a 1:30pm dismissal (1:20 PK). After Care is available until 6pm.

Trimester One

Trimester One ends next Friday, November 21. Please take time this weekend to partner with your child to check Power School for missing assignments or outstanding tests and quizzes. All late work is due by Friday, November 21. Power School will be temporarily shut down beginning Tuesday, November 25, as we prepare for the December 5 report card release.

We're Hiring

We have immediate openings we are looking to fill - Junior High Math teacher, Extended Day (Before or After Care) support staff, and substitute teachers.  If you are interested in a position or know someone who may be a qualified applicant, please complete the online application or connect with Mr. Stack and Ms. Sadowski.

School Board Open Forum

The upcoming School Board Open Forum will be held on Monday, November 17, at 7pm in the Media Center. The Open Forum represents an opportunity for St. Barnabas community members to share their ideas and thoughts with the Board and the school administration. If you would like to address the School Advisory Board during the Open Forum, please complete the Open Forum Interest Form no later than Monday, November 17, at 3pm. Requests will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Progressive Mixer

The Men's Club is hosting the annual Progressive Mixer on Saturday, December 6. This is an incredible adults-only night of community bonding and meeting new friends that helps to fund the Staff Stocking Stuffer Christmas Bonus. We hope you can all join in the fun! Tickets are now available for purchase. $90 per person, and advance tickets are required. Don't delay, this event often sells out. Learn more!

The Men’s Club is still looking for one more host house for the event. Please contact Pat Wirtz at pwirtz@alumni.nd.edu if you are interested in hosting or would like to learn more.

Athletics Update

Congrats to the 6th Grade Girls Basketball Red(A) Team on winning the Southside Catholic Championship last weekend! The girls had a nearly undefeated season. Check out the awesome Beverly Review article on their stellar season.

8th White(B) lost in a tough battle against MHR to earn a 2nd place spot in the Southside Catholic Championship White Division. We also congratulate 8th graders Gigi Barraco and Lilly Hurd for being selected for the All-Star team.

Congrats to all our athletes and coaches on a successful basketball season. We now move into the Boys Basketball and Girls Volleyball season.

Buckeye Shop News

Wow, thank you to the 114 families who placed orders for the first round of shopping in our new Buckeye Shop! We sold over 370 items and are so grateful for your support and enthusiasm. If you placed an order for shipment to your home, all merchandise was shipped out on Wednesday and should arrive at your doorstep shortly. Items sent to school will be brought home by students today or Monday.

The shop has been reopened for a new round of orders, and all orders placed by December 1 will be delivered before Christmas break. Spirit wear, gym uniforms, dress code-friendly sweatshirts! Check out the Buckeye Shop.

Season of Giving

Let us share love and care for those in need during this Season of Giving. A collection table is set up in our Main Hall, and donations are welcome through November 21. 

Stuffed Animals - Donate new or gently loved stuffed animals to support the Share a Bear Hug organization. Toys will be shared to provide comfort to migrant and refugee children arriving in Chicago. Learn more.

Food Drive - The need is great at the local Maple Morgan Park Food Pantry, and we hope each family can contribute non-perishable food items to our Thanksgiving food drive. In an effort to contribute a variety of items, we are requesting specific food items by grade level. Learn more and view the donation suggestions.

Sweetheart Soirée

Save the Date for the Sweetheart Soirée (Father-Daughter Dance), Friday evening, January 16. It’s a cherished tradition for 6th-grade families to “host” the Sweetheart Soirée in partnership with the FSA. A planning committee of 6th-grade parents is currently forming (parents of both boys and girls are welcome!). If you’re interested in joining the committee, please email Carolyn Burke at ckaymeyer@hotmail.com. Let’s make this year’s Soirée unforgettable!

Lost & Found

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. All remaining items will be donated on Tuesday, November 25.

SPR Mass on Saturday

Tomorrow evening, SPR welcomes parishioners from all SPR churches, St. Barnabas, Christ the King, St. Cajetan, and St. John Fisher, to 4pm on Saturday at Christ the King Church. After mass, light refreshments will be served. This 4pm mass will be the only Saturday Mass celebrated at the four SPR churches; 4pm Mass will not be held at St. Barnabas Church this weekend. Learn more.

Advent Wreath Making

Advent begins on Sunday, November 30, and the parish will once again host the meaningful and fun Advent Wreath making workshop. This is a family-friendly event in the Church Hall, beginning after the 10am mass. Advance reservations are recommended. Learn more about the family Advent Wreath crafting event.

In advance of the event, volunteers are needed to help with wreath prep. Join us Saturday, November 29, from 5–7pm in the Church Hall to help with event set-up. We especially need 4–5 parents to help trim larger bulk branches and prep the craft stations. Hot chocolate and pizza provided. Kids welcome to pitch in! Contact Mr. McGowan at pmcgowan@stbarnabasparish.org if you’re able to volunteer.

Scholastic Book Fair - A huge thank you to all the families who supported the annual FSA Scholastic Book Fair!! To the many students and families who purchased items, the 8th-grade volunteers who helped with set-up and break-down, the over 30 parent volunteers who helped with the event, and to our leaders, Catherine Ryan-Cassel and Nora Quartaro—we are so grateful to each of you. 

ASE, First Week Success - This week, we kicked off our first week of enrichment classes with over 100 students. Thank you to the families who enrolled their students in support of the program. Thank you to our teachers, Ms. Cruz, Ms. Guerra, Ms. Paholke, and Ms. Sanchez, and to school parents Matt Burke and Nick LoMaglio for creatively sharing your talents and putting thought and care into your classes. We also thank Ms. Guerra for stepping into the role of ASE coordinator. We look forward to launching a new wave of January classes; details coming soon! 

FSA Meeting - Many thanks to all who came out to the FSA monthly meeting on Tuesday night. Thank you to the new members who stepped in with ideas and enthusiasm, and to the returning members for continuing to support the many great FSA events. Thank you to our new FSA Executive Board leaders for guiding the evening: Amy Leahy, Karolyn Johnson, Patricia Lewis, and Gabrielle Dicianni! If you missed the meeting but would like to be on the FSA email distribution list, please complete the interest form.

Art to Remember - Thank you to all the families who supported the art program (and your young artists) by purchasing items from Art to Remember. All items purchased by November 10 will be delivered in time for Christmas, but orders can be placed at any time throughout the year. Visit Art to Remember.

Veterans Mass - Thank you to all veterans who joined us for mass on Sunday and Tuesday. We are forever grateful for your bravery, courage, and sacrifice. 

• 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