| Friday, January 9 | Register for Sister Act, Jr. | | Monday, January 12 | i-Ready Diagnostic Testing Week | | Monday, January 12 | Monthly Athletic Board Meeting, 7pm at Innovation Center | | Monday, January 12 | Monthly School Board Meeting, 7pm in Media Center | | Tuesday, January 13 | Weekly School Mass, 8:45am at Church | | Tuesday, January 13 | FSA Meeting, 7pm at Innovation Center | | Wednesday, January 14 | Preschool Shadow, 8:15am at Preschool | | Wednesday, January 14 | Fun Food Orders Due Online by 3pm | | Thursday, January 15 | Volunteer Set-up for Sweetheart Soiree, at Gym | | Friday, January 16 | Sweetheart Soiree Dance, 7pm at the Gym | | Friday, January 16 | Student Band lessons resume, school day activity | | Monday, January 19 | NO School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | | Tuesday, January 20 | Weekly School Mass, 8:45am at Church | | Friday, January 23 | $3 Charitable Dress Down Day: Get Behind the Vest | | Sunday, January 25 | Start of Catholic Schools Week & Open House | | |
Welcome Back
Welcome back Buckeyes! We are excited to begin 2026 at St. Barnabas School. Outlined below are some key events for the 2nd half of the school year:
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Pat Mac Day - Friday, March 6, 11:50am Dismissal
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Easter Break - Wednesday, April 1, 11:50am Dismissal; Class Resumes Monday, April 13
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First Communion - Saturday, May 2, 10am Mass
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May Crowning - Friday, May 8, 1:30pm Prayer Service
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8th Grade Graduation - Friday, May 29, 7pm Liturgy
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PK and K Last Day of School - Wednesday, June 3, 10:50am Dismissal
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Gr. 1 - 7 Last Day of School - Thursday, June 4, 10:50am Dismissal
The yearly calendar overview with 1:30pm Dismissals and Professional Development Days is linked here >> Calendar Overview
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i-Ready Diagnostic Next Week
Next week, all students in Kindergarten - Grade 8 will complete the mid-year i-Ready Diagnostic Test. Math testing will be held on Monday and Tuesday morning, and the ELA testing on Wednesday and Thursday morning. Friday will be a makeup/testing completion day. The week of January 20, students will take the SAVVAS/HMH curriculum and writing assessments.
All students must have wired headphones/earbuds to complete the test correctly. Please ensure your child is adequately prepared. Wireless Bluetooth devices (such as AirPods or Beats) are prohibited.
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Sister Act Auditions Next Week
Sister Act, Jr. is coming to the St. Barnabas stage! All students in grades 6 - 8 are invited to join the cast, and we welcome grades 5 - 8 to the crew. Cast auditions will be held next week, on Monday and Tuesday after school; please register in advance. The complete details about the upcoming musical, including the registration link and audition sign-up, are available here > Sister Act Details.
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Sweetheart Soirée Next Week
The annual Sweetheart Soirée, hosted by the FSA is Friday, January 16 at 7pm in the Gym. Girls in Preschool - Grade 8 are invited to bring their favorite date - father, grandfather, or any special adult. The evening includes dancing and desserts, and a photographer will be on hand to capture special moments.
ADVANCE TICKETS REQUIRED - Tickets are $35 for a pair (one student + one adult guest) and $5 for each additional student ticket. Order your tickets in Membership Toolkit.
VOLUNTEER & CONTRIBUTE DESSERTS OR DRINKS - Seeking volunteers for Thursday evening set-up, Friday afternoon set-up, and Friday night (event) volunteers and contributions of dessert and bottled water. Sign up to Volunteer or Contribute.
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Fun Food - Order by Jan 14
On Friday, January 30, the FSA will host Fun Food with Home Run Inn Pizza. Options include pizza (regular and GF) and chicken dippers. Volunteers to help with food distribution are greatly appreciated! As a reminder, Country House hot lunch is not available on Fun Food days. Place your order and register to volunteer by January 14
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ASE Winter Session - Begins Monday
After School Enrichment (ASE) Winter Session begin on Monday. The majority of classes are held from 3pm - 4pm. Students will be dismissed from the Main Entry doors at 4pm, or escorted to After Care (if pre-arranged). Registration spots still remain for:
Tuesdays - Chess Club (Gr. 1 - 8)
Wednesdays - American Sign Language (Gr. 4 - 8)
Thursdays - Public Speaking (morning class Gr. 7 - 8), Salsa Dancing (Gr. 3 - 8)
Questions about classes and enrollment can be directed to Ms. Anna Guerra, ASE Coordinator, at aguerra@stbarnabasparish.org. The Student Activities calendar is available on our website, Calendar & News > Student Activities.
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Charity Dress Down - Jan 23
Every year, many of the schools in the 19th Ward come together to raise money for Get Behind the Vest, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation's initiative to supply replacement bulletproof vests to Chicago Police Officers (and their K9 companions).
On Friday, January 23, all students are encouraged to contribute $3 and dress down in blue to show appreciation for our St. Barnabas police families and to support all members of the Chicago Police Department for their dedication. Contribute online or bring $3 cash to school.
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Enrollment for Current Families
As we prepare to launch our 2026-2027 enrollment application for new students, it is important for us to understand each current family's intent for the next school year so we can manage our enrollment capacity effectively.
Sibling Enrollment: If you have an additional child in your household that you hope to enroll at St. Barnabas School next year, please indicate their information in the New Family Member Section of the Enrollment Commitment form. You will then be sent additional enrollment documents to complete before your child is officially accepted and enrolled.
Financial: All families must be up to date with their tuition and fees for the re-enrollment to be accepted. The School Advisory Board, in partnership with the Parish Finance Board, evaluates and approves the annual tuition rate. We will share that information with families this spring via our Tuition Commitment Agreement.
Please take just a few moments to complete your Enrollment Commitment. Your response is due by Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Families that have not completed the form cannot be guaranteed a spot for the next school year.
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Enrollment for New Families
Sunday, January 25, is the first official day we begin accepting new student applications for the 2026-2027 school year. A strong, vibrant school benefits each and every one of us, and our current families play an essential role in promoting St. Barnabas School. We invite you to think of your local friends or neighbors who are not part of our school, and please invite them to explore St. Barnabas.
Preschool Shadow
On Wednesday, January 14, we welcome our youngest prospective Buckeyes to the school. Parents/Guardians will have the opportunity to meet with Mr. Stack, Ms. Sadowski, and preschool teacher Mrs. Kate Urchell as the young children explore a PK Classroom. Learn more and spread the word!
School Open House
On Sunday, January 25, please gather as a parish and school community for the 10am Mass. This mass is a beautiful opportunity to reflect on why we choose Catholic education. We encourage all families to attend.
After mass, current school families are invited to the school. See your child’s homeroom, chat with classmates and parent friends, and visit the information (and treats) tables in the gym. At that same time, prospective families will be touring the building. Learn more and help share Open House details!
Invite to Events
Trivia Night, Basketball and Volleyball Games, and Tuesday School Masses are easy ways to glimpse life within our St. Barnabas community. Invite a friend or neighbor who is not part of the school to join you!
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The last week of January is Catholic Schools Week. CSW is a time-honored tradition and a national celebration of Catholic education and shared faith. Within the Archdiocese of Chicago, it also marks the start of enrollment for the next school year.
Our students will celebrate numerous exciting and memorable events throughout the week, including a few dress-down days, Fun Food, entertainment, and time with their buddies. We invite grandparents to join us for Mass and welcome parents to serve as Fun Food volunteers, Vocation Panel presenters, and Trivia Night guests. Thank you for choosing Catholic education - we are grateful for each of you.
A few Catholic Schools Week To Dos and Details:
Desserts for Open House - Sunday, January 25
Please consider making a contribution of homemade or store-bought treats to share - cookies, small cupcakes, donuts, candies, brownies, etc. that can be shared with all current and prospective families at our Open House. Learn more and sign-up here to help out.
Grandparents Mass - Tuesday, January 27. Please invite grandparents to join the school community for our weekly 8:45am mass. Following the mass, grandparent guests are invited to a coffee reception in the school's Main Hall. Note - students will have an opportunity for a quick hello, but will not be seated with their grandparents during mass.
Honoring Veterans. As part of CSW, we honor our loved ones who have served in the Armed Forces with our Hall of Heroes. If you have a family member who has served or is currently serving in the military, please send in a photo along with this brief description sheet so we may honor them on our Hall of Heroes wall.
Vocation Panel - Friday, January 30. Each year, we host a panel of professionals to speak to our students about their careers. If you (or a friend or family member) are passionate about your job and interested in speaking with the students on Friday morning (~ 8:45am - 9:45am) please fill out the interest form.
Fun Food - Friday, January 30.
Friday, January 30, the FSA is coordinating Fun Food with Home Run Inn. On Fun Food days, our normal Country House Hot Lunch service is not available. All students must have a Fun Food order or bring a bagged lunch from home. Order Fun Food and sign up to volunteer by the Wednesday, January 14, 3pm deadline.
Trivia Night - Friday, January 30.
Friday, January 30, the School Board will host their annual Trivia Night in the Gym! Team Tickets are now available for purchase. Gather a team of six and order tickets today; limited quantity available! Order Tickets.
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We are a community of unique learners, always growing and learning.
Questions, Comments - Email us.
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