End of Year

As the school year enters its final month, the calendar of events and to-do lists become lengthy. There are many moments of joy, but we know this can also bring stress in balancing household schedules and things to remember.

Please take time each week to read the newsletter. We do our best to capture most of the school-wide need-to-know items here. As always, Google Classroom and PowerSchool are the best resources for staying connected to student curriculum and grade-level specifics for Kindergarten - Grade 8.

The Calendar & News Section of our webpage is also a helpful resource:

• News: Stay in the Know - resource for quick links to some of our Main Events
• Calendar: School Events and Calendar: After-School Activities - are both beneficial checkpoints. 

First Communion Tomorrow

Tomorrow morning, many of our 2nd-grade students (along with a few older students!) will make their Sacrament of First Holy Communion. Please join us in praying for the students and their families on this momentous occasion. We invite our school community to share in this celebratory mass. The ceremony begins at 10am, and open seating is available behind our communicants and their parents/guardians.

Parish Mass on Sunday

This Sunday, May 4, our 8th-grade students are invited to the altar during the 10am parish mass to receive a blessing and commemorative Class of 2025 graduation ribbon. We also invite our 2nd-grade students to wear their communion attire and celebrate their first Sunday mass as new communicants. We encourage you all to join us for this parish-wide celebration of the dedication and commitment of our 2nd and 8th-grade students.

School Board, Apply by Sunday

We are seeking four new St. Barnabas School Advisory Board members to fulfill a 3-year term that will run from June 2025 through June 2028. Members are expected to attend monthly meetings, organize and facilitate functions and events, and actively participate in committees. Board members collaborate and support ongoing school initiatives, recommend and review policies, review and advise on the annual school budget, and represent all members of the St. Barnabas school community. The deadline to apply has been extended to end of day, Sunday May 4. Apply online.

Testing Week

Next week, year-end standardized testing will take place for all students in Kindergarten through Grade 8. We ask all students to arrive on time and well-rested. PLEASE make sure your child has wired headphones for the testing.

• Monday - iReady Math Diagnostic 8:20am - 9:30am
• Tuesday - HMH/Savvas Curriculum Assessment 9:45am - 10:45am
• Wednesday - iReady ELA Diagnostic 8:20am - 9:30am
• Students who do not complete their test within the defined time period will have ample time in a quiet setting to complete the exam in the days ahead.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week! The love, care, and commitment our teachers share with our students is the foundation of our school. Join us in extending well-wishes and thank yous for all they do. Please refer to the email shared earlier this week from the homeroom Class Liaisons with ideas and suggestions to make this a meaningful week of gratitude.

Hiring for Next Year!

We are seeking teachers for the 2025-2026 school year who desire to be among our engaging, intelligent, and inclusive school community. If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about working at St. Barnabas School, please reach out. Learn more, help spread the word, and submit a resume.

Summer Camp

There is still time to register for Summer Camps at St. Barnabas! School camps, held in June, are for students entering Preschool - Grade 8 for the 2025-2026 school year at St. Barnabas School. Learn more and register!

Spirit Day Details

Spirit Day is Friday, May 23 (an 11:50am dismissal day before the Memorial Day holiday weekend)! On this day, all grade levels come together for a day of outdoor fun, bonding, and school spirit. We extend a huge thank you to our FSA for running this momentous event. 

Thank you to every student who submitted their artwork for the Camp Barnabas Spirit Day T-Shirt Design Contest. We were blown away by the creativity and school spirit shown in each entry! We’re thrilled to announce that this year’s winning design is a collaboration between two amazing submissions. Congratulations to our talented student artists: Callie DeHoyos (Grade 8) and Kailey Klos (Grade 3).

Every student is invited to purchase a $15 t-shirt to wear on Spirit Day (and all future Spirit Wear Dress Down Fridays). As we did last year, each grade will wear a specific color. Order shirts by NEXT Thursday, May 8, in Membership Toolkit.

Additional parent/guardian Volunteers are needed to make this special day happen. Sign-up for a volunteer spot.  

May Crowning, next Friday

On Friday, May 9, we will gather for our annual May Crowning. This is an incredibly meaningful and reverent day, and we invite each of you to join us. The procession (weather permitting) from the school’s Main Entry to Church includes all Kindergarten - Grade 8 students. Parents, guardians, extended family and friends are welcome to line the sidewalk surrounding the school grounds beginning at 1:30pm to view the student procession, before proceeding into the Church for the 1:45pm Prayer Service. 

Students in Grades 2 and 8 should dress in their May Crowning attire (details here). We ask all other students to dress in their full school uniforms, no gym uniforms or spirit wear next Friday.

Preschool Families - We invite you to share this day with the “big school”, and also remember to save the date for the Preschool’s very own May Crowning on Thursday, May 22.

Student Talent Show

Calling all students...our annual Talent Show, hosted by The Student Council, is on Friday, May 16! Students in Grades K - 8 (individual or group acts) are eligible to participate. All students interested in participating must pre-register by Friday, May 9, and attend a mandatory run-through on Tuesday, May 13, from 3pm - 4pm. Full details can be found here.

Student Council Elections

Students who are currently in Grades 5 - 7 are invited to run for next year's Student Council. An informational meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 6, from 3pm - 3:30pm in Room 211. Details about available roles, campaign guidelines, and an election timeline will be shared at the meeting. Please contact Mrs. McGowan at mmcgowan@stbarnabasparish.org or Ms. O'Neill at moneill@stbarnabasparish.org with any questions.

Boots and Buckeyes, June 6!

Parent Foundation presents... Boots & Buckeyes, Friday, June 6! Celebrate the start of summer while making a difference for our teachers. Ticket sales and event sponsorship opportunities are now live! Learn more!

Sports Registration for Fall 2025

Registration for Football, Cheer, and Girls Basketball (Fall 2025 Season) is required for all interested athletes before the end of school year. Rosters are finalized in early summer, and practices begin before the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Fall Soccer registration is coming soon and will be open throughout the summer.

Football (Grades 4 - 8) and Cheer (Grades 5 - 8)

This is an exciting time for our Football and Cheer programs, with the launch of Beverly Catholic Knights, the new collaborative partnership between the St. Barnabas and Christ the King communities. Learn more and register. 

Girls Basketball (Grades 3 - 8)

Girls Basketball is open to all girls in (rising) grades 3 - 8. Tryouts for placement on A and B teams for Grades 6 - 8 athletes will take place in May (details coming soon). All grade 6 - 8 students are asked to complete their registration prior to tryouts. Tryouts are not required for grades 3 - 5. Learn more and register.

Boys Volleyball

Congrats to Boys Volleyball 6A and 8A for advancing to the Championship Game of the SCC League. They will both play on Wednesday night, May 7, at St. Laurence High School. Let's cheer on the teams as they compete for the Championship! 6th Grade plays at 6pm and 8th Grade at 8pm. Go Buckeyes!

Soccer Pack the Park, Next Weekend

Join us next Saturday, May 10 as we honor the commitment and dedication of our 8th-grade student-athletes. Bring your chairs, tents, and school spirit as we spend the day at Prairie Park "St. Walter's Field" 11625 S. Oakley. The 8th grade Varsity soccer game begins at 9am, then stay to enjoy a host of games from Kindergarten - Grade 7. Fat Tommy's will be on-site selling food. Learn more!

Preschool

PK 4 - "Big Bear” Moms are invited to a Mother's Day Celebration next Thursday, May 8, at 10am in the Church Hall. Learn more!

2nd Grade

First Communion: We look forward to welcoming everyone to Church tomorrow morning. Communicants should arrive fully dressed in their First Communion attire and line up in the designated waiting area by 9:40am. Pews will be marked with designated seating for communicants and parents/guardians. Open seating for extended family and friends is available behind the communicants' pews.

May Crowning: Our 2nd-grade students have a special part in the May Crowning Prayer Service next Friday, May 9. A copy of the event details is linked here, including apparel guidelines and parent volunteer opportunities.

7th Grade

The Field Trip to our state capital is next week. Students and chaperones should arrive to the school parking lot between 5:30am - 5:45am next Thursday, May 8. A copy of the event details is linked here, including apparel guidelines and what to bring.

8th Grade

Please join the 10am parish mass this Sunday, May 4 as the Class of 2025 receives a commemorative ribbon and a special blessing.

Next week, the students will share in the annual May Crowning on May 9 and Soccer Pack the Park on May 10.

Please familiarize yourself with the May Crowning apparel guidelines. Students who are not dressed appropriately for the Church event may be asked to call home for additional clothing.

As we approach the final chapter for the Class of 2025 we are jam-packed with excitement. Please continue to reference the Class of 2025 Activity page for event details.If you have not already, please be sure to:

1. Review May Crowning Apparel Guidelines
2. RSVP to Grad Events
3. RSVP to Arts and Athletics Banquet
4. Submit Payment for Grad Party
5. Share Student Recognition
6. Volunteer for the Dinner Dance

Thank you Mr. Stack!

National Principals' Day was earlier this week, and we want to thank and acknowledge Mr. Jonathan Stack! We are so thankful for all you do for our school community. Your steadfast commitment to being a school that embraces integrity, innovation, kindness, and always being fair sets us all up for success. Thank you for supporting the staff, students, and families of St. Barnabas School. We are so grateful to you.