THANK YOU…Two little words that hold so much meaning!  

To our extraordinary students, teachers, staff, and families at St. Barnabas, THANK YOU! 

Thank you for your love, commitment, and partnership this entire school year. It has been a year of learning, friendship, laughter, and memories. We were so proud of all that has been accomplished this year, and we are looking forward to learning, growing, and planning in the coming summer months for the 2023-2024 school year.  

We hope this summer is filled with rest, relaxation, and fun with your family and friends! We look forward to seeing you around the neighborhood this summer, and we will see everyone in August! May God bless you and your families this summer and always! 

 ~ Mr. Stack and Ms. Sadowski.

SUMMER HOURS

Our Administrative team will be working throughout the summer. Visitor office hours are Tuesday - Thursday from 9am - 12pm by appointment. Should you wish to schedule an appointment, please call the Main Office at 773-445-7711. We look forward to seeing some friendly faces throughout the summer!

SUMMER ENRICHMENT

We look forward to summer relaxation, rest, and outdoor play. We also know all our Buckeyes have worked incredibly hard this year and have demonstrated tremendous growth. Here, we share enrichment opportunities to prevent learning loss that can creep in over the summer months. We encourage all families to be thoughtful in their academic summer goals but keep learning light and low-stress. We hope all Buckeyes experience the joy of getting lost in a book and have some fun with math this summer!

WE'RE HIRING!

We are searching for the ideal candidates to join our team. Should you know of any qualified teaching candidates, please encourage them to explore St. Barnabas. Reach out to Mr. Stack at jstack@stbarnabasparish.org and Ms. Sadowski at gsadowski@stbarnabasparish.org.

UNIFORM EXCHANGE

Our 7th-grade students are organizing a uniform exchange! Donated uniforms (gym and regular), in good condition, may be dropped off at the Main Entrance during summer hours next week and picked up the following two weeks. For questions, please contact Mrs. Molly McGowan at mmcgowan@stbarnabasparish.org.  

iREADY & 5 ESSENTIALS

We are pleased to have recently received the results of the 5 Essentials Survey that the University of Chicago completed in partnership with the Archdiocese of Chicago. We are also currently analyzing the results of the school-wide iReady Diagnostic. St. Barnabas showed exciting growth in both metrics, and we look forward to disseminating the information to all school families later this summer!

CONGRATS TO THE GRADUATES!

Our Kindergarten students had a heartwarming and jubilant graduation ceremony on Thursday. Thank you to kindergarten teachers Mrs. Emily LaDuke and Ms. Michaela Mariotti and kindergarten aides Mrs. Judy Fleming and Mrs. Michele Mariotti for your compassion, knowledge, and expertise throughout the year. We wish our Buckeyes all the best in their achievement and in their upcoming first-grade school year!

8th GRADE IMAGES!

Thank you to Megan Jones, our music substitute teacher and also the event photographer for the 8th Grade Awards and Graduation ceremonies. Meghan captured countless beautiful images we hope you’ll enjoy HERE. 8th-grade families may download for free or purchase prints through the online gallery.

HOWL AT THE MOON TOMORROW NIGHT

Gather with friends to start the summer and celebrate the Feast of St. Barnabas as you enjoy the dueling pianos of Howl at the Moon. Bring blankets or chairs to enjoy a beautiful evening on the convent lawn. Tickets are available at the door for $40. For questions, contact Anita Snow at anitamsnow@gmail.com.

INFO SUNDAY

Sunday, August 20 - Mark your calendar for the exciting kickoff to the school year! Join us for 10am mass, and then visit the school for all the 2023-24 school year details - turn in all medical forms, drop off school supplies, receive homeroom teacher assignments, pick up Big Bucks tickets, and enjoy a teacher meet and greet.

KEY DATES FOR NEXT YEAR

Key dates for next year, including the first and last day of school and holiday vacations are listed below. At Information Sunday, we will release the complete calendar of the year, including early dismissals and professional development days.

UNIFORMS

View all uniform details and standards for all grades HERE.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

School supply lists are linked below. As always, you are welcome to buy your supplies at any retailer. As a convenience, supplies are again available for purchase through SCHOOL TOOLBOX (please allow 2-3 weeks for processing and shipping of items ordered via School Tool Box).  All supplies should be brought to school on Sunday, August 20, for Information Sunday.

CLICK EACH GRADE TO VIEW THE SUPPLY LIST:

• Preschool Half Day
• Preschool Full Day
• Kindergarten
• Grade 1
• Grade 2
• Grade 3
• Grace 4
• Grade 5
• Grades 6 - 8

SACRAMENTS

Rising 8th-grade families, please save the date for 8th Grade Confirmation which will take place on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 7pm. And rising 2nd-grade families, please save the date for First Holy Communion, which will take place on Saturday, May 4, at 10am. Questions regarding the sacraments may be sent to Mr. Patrick McGowan, Director of Faith Formation, at pmcgowan@stbarnabasparish.org.

STUDENT SUPPORT MEETINGS

Students with a Student Support Plan should expect a family email from Mrs. Maureen O'Donnell in early August to schedule your child's Student Support meeting. Meetings will be held the week of August 14th through August 25th. Throughout the summer, please email any new or updated evaluations to Mrs. O'Donnell at modonnell@stbarnabasparish.org and CC Mr. Stack at jstack@stbarnabasparish.org.

SPORTS REGISTRATION

Registration continues for Fall 2023 sports; based on league guidelines, registration due dates vary by sport; please see below for specifics and register on REGISTRATION BUZZ.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

• REGISTRATION DEADLINE - Thursday, June 15 for rising grades 3-5; closed for grades 6-8
• Coordinator: George Carson - georgecarson7788@outlook.com

FOOTBALL

• REGISTRATION DEADLINE - Thursday, June 15
• Coordinator: Brian Murrihy - stbfootball@gmail.com
• Open to rising 4th - 8th grade students

CHEER

• REGISTRATION DEADLINE - Friday, July 7
• Coordinators: Lucy Hubbird, Tara Miles, and Katrina Murrihy -stbarnabas.buckeyescheer@gmail.com
• Open to rising 4 - 8

SOCCER

• REGISTRATION DEADLINE - enrollment accepted throughout the summer
• Coordinator: Kevin O’Kelly - saintbarnabassoccer@gmail.com
• Saturday Soccer League open to rising PK - 4
• League Soccer open to rising 1- 8

SPORTS PHYSICALS FOR ALL

Per guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Elementary School Association, ALL St. Barnabas students must have an annual sports physical on file next school year. Sports physicals may be completed by your child’s pediatrician or at any clinic such as CVS, Walgreens, or St. Xavier Health Clinic. Sports physicals are due at Information Sunday, August 20, 2023. Students will not be permitted to participate in practice or games next year without a physical on file. Download the Sports Physical form HERE.  

MEDICAL FORMS FOR NEXT YEAR

In addition to sports physicals for all, annual medical forms are due for some grades. Students with an allergy action plan or who require medication must complete authorization forms annually. Medical forms and authorization forms are due at Information Sunday, August 20, 2023. Forms may be accessed HERE.

• Preschool - Medical Form
• Kindergarten - Medical Form, Dental Form, Vision Form, 
• 2nd Grade - Dental Form
• 6th Grade - Medical Form, Dental Form

This morning, at our final school mass, our incoming Commissioner General of The Student Council, Abby Hilburger, shared some parting advice with all of us…

"Every time you come upon a service opportunity, try and take it.  You may not want to at first, but doing something to benefit our community and even our world will really make you feel good about yourself.  And don’t just do it because you have to do it.  Do it because you want to do it, because you have a reason to do it, and because God is calling you to do it."

Thank you, Abby, for reminding us of the importance of service to others. May God Bless our Buckeyes and know that the angels are always watching over us. Have a wonderful summer, and we will see you in August!