Every day at St. Barnabas is a great day to be a Buckeye, and this week has been no different. Our students, staff, and community gave us numerous reasons to be incredibly proud. This week we celebrated the 100th day of school. Our littlest Buckeyes had a blast celebrating this day with fun activities and dressing up as 100 year olds. Our Culture Club led a beautiful and inspirational liturgy on Tuesday to kick off Black History Month. Their creativity and love poured over the entire congregation. Watching and hearing the beginning buzz of “Seussical the Musical” has been fun as auditions were this week. We are always in awe of our talented cast and crew. Kindergarten and 1st grade enjoyed their field trip to Moraine Valley to see the play, Charlotte’s Web. 6th grade strengthened their bond as classmates on Thursday at their class retreat with Deacon Andy. Our 7th & 8th grade students beautifully modeled our root belief, “We are the Hands of Christ”, as they volunteered their time and talents at the soccer competitions for the Special Olympics of Chicago. The joy and smiles were contagious and everyone had a blast! We hope to see everyone tonight and tomorrow at Pack the House and wish all our student athletes, especially our 8th graders, the best of luck this weekend! We are proud of you! Go Buckeyes! ~ Mr. Stack and Ms. Sadowski

NO SCHOOL - Monday, March 13 

There is no school on Monday, March 13. This day was not indicated on the original school calendar released at the beginning of the year. Click to view an updated CALENDAR.

VALENTINE’S DAY

This Tuesday, February 14, is Valentine’s Day. It is a mass day, and we ask all students to wear their regular Tuesday uniform (gym or traditional). Students may wear a small Valentine's accessory, such as socks, a hairbow, or a pin. Bringing a small Valentine's card or gift for classmates is optional; if bringing Valentines to share, please ensure every student in the homeroom receives one. If you are unsure, you may confirm the number of students in the class with the homeroom teacher. Absolutely NO edible treats are permitted. Per our handbook, we are an allergy-friendly school and do not allow edible treats to be handed out by students. Thank you for your cooperation.

ATHLETICS

VIEW the Grade 4-8 Boys' Basketball and Girls' Volleyball Schedule for the Week.



Junior Basketball and Soccer Registration is Open

Registration is now 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.

Pack the House Weekend begins tonight!  

Cheer on our Girls’ Volleyball tonight and the Boys’ Basketball on Saturday night at the school gym. St. Barnanas spirit wear is always welcome, but you may also opt to dress for the themes of the night -  “Cowboys and Country Club” for tonight and “Hawaiian Night” on Saturday.  A reminder to all fans, please show your Buckeye pride by demonstrating your best behavior. CLICK for the Pack the House expectations that were emailed to all families yesterday.

FSA UPCOMING EVENTS

There are a few upcoming events coordinated by our FSA, which we hope you will mark on your calendar.

• Sunday, March 12: Walk (or ride) with the St. Barnabas float in the Southside Irish Parade
• Wednesday, March 23 - Thursday, March 24: The Scholastic Book Fair, held in the Church Hall and open to all students to visit during the school day.
• Friday, March 31: Notre Dame Jazz Band concert in partnership with the St. Barnabas School Band, 7pm in the Gym

FABRIC WANTED

The Art Room is in need of fabric for a quilt project. If you have any unwanted fabric scraps please send them to the Main Office labeled Art Room, Mrs. Bachler.  

BEFORE AND AFTERCARE IS HIRING

Before and Aftercare is looking to add to their support staff, Mondays-Fridays from 6am - 7:45 or 3pm - 6pm. This could be a wonderful after-school job for high school students. Interested candidates may email Ms. Jan, Before and Aftercare Program Director, at [email protected].

SUPPORT FOR CHARITIES AND FOUNDATIONS

As we live out our theme for the year, ONE Barnabas - We Belong to Each Other, we are inspired by kindness, community, and connectedness. Detailed below are a few upcoming charitable causes the St. Barnabas School community supports. We believe deeply in all of these causes - Get Behind the Vest, Parker’s Party & the Special Olympics, St. Baldricks, Pat Mac’s Pack, and the new St. Barnabas Parent Foundation. We are thankful to the parents and staff that work tirelessly to make these organizations a part of our school. We are also grateful for the continued day-to-day generosity of our families in stocking the staff snack area and helping support Maple Morgan Park Food Pantry.  

Acts of charity are not always tied to monetary contributions. Mother Teresa said it best, “Do small things with great love.” Volunteering for the day with the Special Olympics, a thank you note to a police officer or teacher, a quiet prayer for a stranger or friend, a listening ear, and a hug to a family dealing with cancer can be just as impactful as a financial contribution. 

We encourage families to support in the way that suits their household and are incredibly thankful for the generosity, love, and support of our amazing community. We are truly proud to be a Buckeye. 

PARKER’S PARTY POLAR PLUNGE

A heartfelt and huge thank you goes out to everyone who supported Parker's Party Kickoff event last Friday. It was a fun-filled night, and fun to see so many current and former Buckeyes out to support our team. We are looking forward to the Plunge in less than a month! 

ORDER your Parker's Party Gear by this Sunday, February 12!

Parker’s Party is a group of inspired and fun-loving students and families who will take the annual plunge into Lake Michigan on Sunday, March 5, 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 or support the charity. Join the team or contribute HERE.  Help spread the word by sharing the link with your friends, family, and social media. Questions, please connect with Ms. Sadowski at [email protected].

PAT MAC’S PACK & ST. BALDRICK'S DAY 

Friday, March 3rd, is known as “Pat Mac Day” and will include our fundraiser for the Pat Mac’s Pack Foundation and the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. It is a day to honor the life of our beloved St. Barnabas student Patrick McNamara who 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. We honor and continue that tradition and invite our families to participate:

SPIRIT WEAR: Proceeds from Pat Mac spirit wear sales are donated directly to the Pat Mac’s Pack Foundation. There are two ways to support spirit wear: 

• Order apparel HERE by this Sunday, February 12. Pat Mac’s Pack apparel may be worn to school on Friday, March 3.
• There is a $5 bracelet option in the spirit wear shop.  Bracelets were generously donated, and 100% of the contributions will be given to the foundation. Bracelets will be sold online through March 3 - buy one for everyone in your family to show your Pat Mac Spirit!

ST. BALDRICK’S FOUNDATION: Consider being part of the St. Barnabas-St.Baldrick’s team and JOIN as a fundraising participant. Fundraising participants shave their heads or cut at least 8” off long hair. There is a minimum fundraising requirement of $50 per participant. Each student that plans to participate as a shavee or long hair trim must have their own unique St. Baldrick’s registration link (that is automatically generated by

joining as a fundraising participant); families cannot share registration links between multiple children. Please note: shaving heads or trimming long hair are both classified as “shavee participants”.

PAT MAC’S PACK PARTY: The foundation is again hosting its annual St. Patrick’s Day Party at the school gym on the evening of March 3. Adults only. Purchase event tickets HERE.  

CLICK HERE for the complete guide to supporting St. Baldricks and the Pat Mac’s Pack Foundation. Questions may be directed to Jessica McCarihan, [email protected], or Colleen Cooney, [email protected].

GET BEHIND THE VEST

We are grateful for the dedication and protection of the Chicago police officers. On Tuesday, February 14, join us in spreading love to our police officers with a special 8:45am Mass. On Thursday, February 16, we will host a dress-down day to raise funds supporting the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s Get Behind the Vest campaign. All students who donate $3 via MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT may dress down in school-appropriate blue clothing on Thursday, Feb 16. Since 2015, St. Barnabas School has raised over $8,500 in support of the Get Behind the Vest initiative! 

SB PARENT FOUNDATION

On Friday, March 24, the St. Barnabas Parent Foundation will host their inaugural fundraising event, “Bet on the Buckeyes,” at Ridge Country Club. Event tickets may be purchased HERE. Thank you to the generous DONORS who have already contributed to the event as sponsors and auction donors.  

The St. Barnabas Parent Foundation, established earlier this school year, is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Their primary goal is to raise funds to provide an annual monetary gift to teachers and academic staff and to fund professional advancement. Learn more about the foundation HERE.