Happy Friday, Buckeyes! 

The Lenten season is a special time of year that allows us to reflect on becoming the best version of ourselves and remember the love and sacrifices Jesus made for us.  We had a beautiful Ash Wednesday Liturgy earlier this week to begin our Lenten journey, and the 8th-grade students had the opportunity to meet with Father Donovan to reflect and prepare for their upcoming Confirmation. 

We look forward to next week with many rewarding and fun events: our Black History Month Assembly on Monday, planned by Culture Club, remembering Pat Mac on St. Baldrick’s Day on Friday, and The Polar Plunge for Parker’s Party on Sunday! We are incredibly proud of our students, staff, and families for their love, creativity, and dedication.

We will keep you and your families in our prayers this Lenten season; please do the same for our St. Barnabas Community. ~ Mr. Stack and Ms. Sadowski

NEWSLETTER TIPS

Listed above, you’ll find a number of quick links - Lunch Info, Staff Snack Contributions, Scrip Tuition Savings, Absence Reporting, and the FSA’s Membership toolkit. Towards the top, we also link the Stay in the Know QR poster that is displayed in the school’s front window. Should you wish to access previous issues of School News, they can be found on our WEBSITE.

STAFF ANNOUNCEMENT

We are pleased to share that Ms. Megan Nooonan will be stepping into the 5th Grade Room 201 teacher position. Ms. Noonan is a beloved and integral part of the St. Barnabas teaching team, and we feel privileged to welcome her to a full-time role at St. Barnabas. She began working at St. Barnabas as a student teacher in Mr. Folliard’s Room 202 5th Grade homeroom at the start of the school year and has played an active role in educating the 5th-grade students.  

Ms. Noonan will replace Mrs. Patrice Folliard, who will leave from her position at St. Barnabas at the end of the trimester. We thank Mrs. Folliard for her service. Her enthusiasm, joyful personality, and dedication to the students will be missed. We wish Mrs. Folliard well as she transitions to her new role of caring for her grandchild. 

We also say goodbye to Mrs. Kerry Esselman. Mrs. Esselman is a dedicated parishioner, school parent, and educator, and we thank her for the love and care she shares with the school and community. Mrs. Esselman is departing to address and prioritize her medical health. We invite you all to keep Mrs. Esselman in your prayers.

ARCHDIOCESE PARENT SURVEY

Each year, the Archdiocese of Chicago conducts a survey that measures school climate and culture. It takes just a few minutes to complete, and we invite all parents/guardians to take the survey by Friday, March 17. We value all insights, and sharing your thoughts on areas of strength for St. Barnabas and areas of growth are greatly appreciated. Click HERE to complete the survey.

TAX INFO - SCHOOL TUITION

Families may log into their FACTS tuition payment account to obtain their 2022 tax information. Once in your account, please click “View Details” then “View Payment Summary” and select the year 2022. Access your account HERE.

REQUEST FOR SUPPLIES

The St. Barnabas production of Seussical, Jr needs your help. The Crew Department is in need of art supplies as they prepare to build and design the gorgeous sets. The team is hoping to secure donations of supplies and materials before March 5th. Items may be dropped off to Tricia Szczytowski at 10257 S. Leavitt Street, or text 773-484-9439 to coordinate a March 3 pick up. Home Depot and Menards gift cards, in any amount, large or small, are also welcome! Gift cards may be sent to school, ATTN: Mrs. Bachler, Suessical Crew

LENT

This week begins the season of Lent. It is a time to reflect on who we are, whom we want to be, and the areas of our life we want to adjust.  The complete schedule of the Parish Lenten events may be found HERE.

ATHLETICS

Season wrap-up 

Congrats to the boys’ basketball and girls’ volleyball teams on wrapping up their regular seasons. We wish to thank the coaches for being generous with their time and talent in supporting our student-athletes. And thank you to Jim Jennings for coordinating the boys’ basketball and Gianna Burklow for coordinating girls’ volleyball; we are so grateful for your expertise and organization. Best of luck to all teams continuing through the playoff series - Go Buckeyes!  



Junior Basketball and Soccer Registration

Registration is open for Spring Soccer, grades K-8 and Junior Basketball, grades K-3.  Junior Basketball runs from late March through early May on Sunday afternoons in the school gym. Soccer also runs from late March through early May; expect one weekly game (various days of the week and locations) and one-two practices per week. Enroll on REGISTRATION BUZZ.

PAT MAC’S PACK & ST. BALDRICK'S DAY - Friday, March 3 

St. Baldricks: All students are invited to sign up to shave their heads or cut 8" of their long hair. If at least 50 people sign up to shave or cut their hair, Mr. Stack will shave his head! We currently have around 20 participants. Join in the fun and help us meet our goal. If your child wants to participate, they must register for the St. Barnabas team on the St. Baldrick's site, and then they can start fundraising. A $50 minimum fundraising contribution is required to be a St. Baldrick’s participant. REGISTER HERE. 

Bracelet & Dress Down: All students are welcome to dress down on March 3 - current or previous years Pat Mac’s apparel, green, or anything celebratory of the inspirational life of Pat Mac is encouraged. There is not a dress-down fee this year, but we invite all families to contribute by purchasing a $5 bracelet to wear on March 3. 100% of the proceeds go to Pat Mac’s Pack Foundation. Student Council will sell bracelets next week during lunch (cash contributions only) or PURCHASE ONLINE.

Pat’s Legacy: St. Barnabas student, Patrick McNamara, passed away from cancer in 2011. Pat’s 7th-grade classmates and friends began the first St. Baldrick’s event at St. Barnabas, and to date, we have raised over $200,000 to donate to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in memory of Patrick McNamara. Today's St. Barnabas students did not have the chance to meet the real Pat Mac, but we feel it's important to remember why our kids shave, cut off 8" of hair, and celebrate Pat's life. Watch a VIDEO created by the original Pat Mack's Pac.

Questions: may be directed to Jessica McCarihan, jmccarihan@gmail.com, or Colleen Cooney, colcooney@yahoo.com.

POLAR PLUNGE WITH PARKER’S PARTY

Sunday, March 5

Just one more week until Parker’s Party plunges into Lake Michigan in support of Special Olympics and 7th-grade student Parker Baudo. Over the last six years, Parker’s Party has raised over $100,000 for Special Olympics. All are welcome to take the plunge on Sunday, March 5. Join the team or contribute HERE. Please help spread the word by sharing the link with your friends, family, and social media. Questions, please connect with Ms. Sadowski at gsadowski@stbarnabasparish.org.

SOUTHSIDE IRISH PARADE

All are invited to be part of the St. Barnabas float in the Southside Irish Parade.  A southside tradition since 1979, we encourage all families to help honor St. Barnabas School & Parish. Thank you to the FSA for coordinating.

CASINO NIGHT 

On Friday, March 24, The St. Barnabas Parent Foundation will host their inaugural fundraising event, “Bet on the Buckeyes,” at Ridge Country Club. Tickets for the casino-theme event may be purchased HERE. 

Student Spirit Day - Friday, May 26. The FSA needs a few more volunteers for the Spirit Day Committee to help plan games and events for students. The committee role includes 3-5 meetings this spring, a walk-through of the Spirit Day course, and purchases (and reimbursed) event supplies. Volunteers are also needed on event day to help with the stations. Details and volunteer signup can be found on MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT.  

Notre Dame Jazz Band Concert - Friday, March 31. The Fighting Irish are coming to St. Barnabas and will play alongside our very own student band in what promises to be an incredible night. Doors open at 6:30pm.

Scholastic Student Book Fair - Wednesday, March 22 & Thursday, March 23. All students will have the opportunity and browse and shop at the book fair with their class. Details about purchasing books or volunteering for the event will be shared in March.