First Communion

Tomorrow, our 2nd-grade students will make their 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.

Ribbon & Communicant Mass

This Sunday, May 5, our 8th-grade students are invited to the altar during the 10am parish mass to receive a blessing and commemorative Class of 2024 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.

iReady Diagnostic Next Week

Next week is our End of Year iReady Diagnostic Testing Week. All students in Kindergarten-Grade 8 must have wired headphones for the testing. Thank you for your attention.

School Board: Reminder

JOIN THE BOARD: The School Board is now accepting applicants for three open positions for the June 2024 through June 2027 term. Learn more HERE and apply online by Monday, May 13. 

OPEN FORUM: The School Board is also accepting requests to speak at the Open Forum Meeting. We welcome all school families to attend the Open Forum on Monday, May 13 at 7pm. The forum represents an opportunity to share your ideas and thoughts on how things are progressing thus far or what could be done to make improvements. The first four people who submit a request will be placed on the agenda. Learn more HERE.  

Summer Camp

In addition to our already stellar lineup, we have a new class offering - Math + Card Tricks with Dr. O'Keefe. Open to rising 6th - 8th grade students. Tuesday, June 25 - Thursday, June 27; 10am - 12:30pm. Details and registration for Math + Card Tricks, along with Art Camp, Buckeye Bridge, Loving Literature, Read to Lead, and Young Authors, can be found on our website Activities > Summer Opportunities and linked HERE.

Student Council

Any student who would like to run for next year's Student Council should attend a mandatory informational meeting after school next Tuesday, May 7, from 3 pm - 3:30 pm in Room 207. Students who are currently in grades 5 - 7 are eligible to run. Students will receive detailed information about candidate requirements and the campaigning timeline at this meeting. Please reach out to Mrs. McGowan (mmcgowan@stbarnabasparish.org) or Ms. O'Neill (moneill@stbarnabasparish.org) with any questions.

Parents/Guardians: Save the date for Student Council Election Speeches! Students will share their candidate speeches on Tuesday, May 21, immediately following our weekly school mass. Families are welcome to attend the speeches, which are expected to begin around 9:30am.

Girls Basketball Tryouts Continue

Thank you to those who attended the Girls' basketball tryouts last Sunday. It was a wonderful effort by all. Day 2 of tryouts continues this Sunday, May 5.

Athletes in (rising) grades 7th-8th must attend at least one session (last week or this week) but are not required to attend both days. Parents and coaches are not permitted in the gym during tryouts and assessments are completed by independent evaluators. 

St. Barnabas School Gym:

• Rising 7th graders - 3:15pm - 4:15pm
• Rising 8th graders - 4:15pm - 5:15pm
• Rising 6th graders - no tryouts at this time. Once the registration process opens, the number of registered participants will be assessed. If two teams are required, tryouts will be scheduled at a later date.

Questions regarding basketball tryouts may be directed to Basketball Coordinator Mike Berry - michaelberry6@gmail.com.

Confirmation Meeting for 7th Grade

All 7th-grade students who plan to receive the sacrament of Confirmation next year should attend an important informational meeting on Tuesday, May 7th, at 7pm in the Church.  Students should be joined by a parent or guardian. Please reach out to Patrick McGowan (pmcgowan@stbarnabasparish.org) or Molly McGowan (mmcgowan@stbarnabasparish.org) with any questions.

Service Day Request for Shoes & Food

In support of our upcoming School Service Day, we are seeking donations of gently used shoes for Share Your Soles and non-perishable food staples for Pro Labore Dei. A collection box is in the Main Hall. Please help us support these wonderful organizations - the final day to contribute is Wednesday, May 15. 

May Crowning: Friday, May 10

On Friday, May 10, 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 for the 1:45pm Procession and Prayer Service. 

Our 2nd and 8th grade students have a special part in the prayer service. 2nd Grade families, click here for DETAILS. 8th-grade families may review May Crowning details on the Graduation EVENTS PAGE.

Preschool Families - we invite you to share in this day with the “big school”, and also remember to save the date for Preschool’s very own May Crowning on Thursday, May 23.

Our FSA hosts many of our school's great events, and they need your help!!

• MAY 17 - 19, ART FAIR - Art teacher Mrs. Bachler has led the school to create an incredible piece of art from every student, and we need parent help for Art Fair set-up, during the event, and break down! SIGN UP HERE

• MAY 24, SPIRIT DAY - Many of the students' favorite day of the school year - Spirit Day! Be part of this memorable day. SIGN UP HERE

• ONGOING, YEARBOOK - The yearbook is making a comeback, and FSA Yearbook Coordinator Cortney Harris needs more hands to help with this massive production! Contact Cortney flyncort@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer.

Also, all are welcome to join our end-of-the-year party at Barraco's - Beverly at 7:30pm on Thursday, May 9. We look forward to celebrating the dedication of our FSA Volunteers.

Last week’s performances of High School Musical were extraordinary! 

Thank you to all of the local businesses who supported our show through purchasing ads in the playbill. We want to give a special thanks to both Begin Within Therapy and Mathnasium of Evergreen Park, who contributed as sponsors. All of these funds help us bring this production to our St Barnabas community and a wonderful experience for all of these students.

We are in awe of our students' courage, dedication, and talent. We thank them for bringing the arts to center stage at St. Barnabas.

To the school parents who gave countless hours of their time to this production - Kristin and Jim Hilburger, Mike Groth, Kathleen McShane, Erin Shea Smith, Michelle Bauman, LaToya Trotter, and Jessica Scheller thank you for sharing your time and talent with our students.

Last but certainly not least, to the lead production team: St. Barnabas teachers Ms. Bachler and Ms. Green; St. Barnabas Choir Director Ms. Anslee Rainwater; and school parent Lynn DeHoyos. You have selflessly given your time and shared your joy, enthusiasm, creativity, and organization with our students. We are incredibly proud to have you in the St. Barnabas community. THANK YOU!

GODSPELL - Please join us this Sunday, May 5 for Godspell-2012 Revival at the Baer Theater at Morgan Park Academy. $18 tickets available for purchase at the Rectory with cash or check. Full details here.

BLOCK PARTY JUNE 8 - Tickets are on sale now for the upcoming St. Barnabas 100th Anniversary Parish & All Alumni Block Party. Purchase Tickets Today!