May Crowning This Afternoon

This afternoon, Friday, May 10, we will gather for our annual May Crowning. This is an incredibly meaningful and reverent day, presented by our 2nd and 8th-grade students, and we invite each of you to join us at the church for the procession and prayer service. The student procession will begin at 1:35pm into the 1:45pm service.

Pack the Park on Saturday

Join in our first-ever “Pack the Park” event as we celebrate our school soccer athletes! Games begin Saturday morning at 11am at Prarie Park on 116th and Oakley, with the Varsity Game at 12:45pm. Food, fun, and great soccer - come out and support our Buckeyes! Please note: car parking is available on the park side of the street only; please do not park on the “house side” of the street. FULL DETAILS HERE.

Mother's Day

This Sunday, let us celebrate mothers of all kinds - moms, aunts, grandmas, and all those who love like mothers. Thank you for loving, caring, and making sacrifices each and every day. You make our school community a better place. We see you, thank you, and ask for God’s blessing over you. Happy Mother’s Day!

Talent Show!

Do you have a special talent that you would like to show off to the rest of the school? If you can answer that with a big YES, then this is your chance to be part of the Talent Show presented by the Student Council! The annual school talent show is Wednesday, May 22. Students in grades K-8 (individual or group acts) are eligible to participate. All students must SIGN UP by May 17 and attend a mandatory run-through on Tuesday, May 21, from 3pm-4 pm. Full details HERE.

Arrival & Dismissal

Friday, May 17, is an 11:50am dismissal (11:40 PK), and After Care is not available. We encourage ALL students to arrive at school promptly at 7:45am so they have time to settle in with their homeroom before our Kick-off event begins in the Church at 8am. Let's make this a NO tardy slip day!

What To Wear & Bring

There are varying dress requirements for the day; please make sure your child has everything they need. 

BACKPACKS - are not needed today. School books and iPads are not necessary for the day. Most students will be dismissed directly from the Church at the end of the day, so leaving all materials at home is simplest.

SNACKS - Grades PK - 2 should bring a snack.

CELL PHONE - Students in grades 4 - 8 are NOT allowed to bring their cell phones to the off-campus service sites. All cell phones will be collected, securely stored, and returned prior to dismissal. You may prefer your child leave their phone at home for the day.

ATTIRE - all students should wear closed-toe shoes and socks.

Preschool - Grade 3: Predominately indoor; SB Spirit Wear or Gym Uniform

Grades 4 - 5: Predominately indoor; SB Spirit Wear or Gym Uniform

• Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange
• Smith Village

Grades 4 - 5 Indoor & Outdoor; work/garden gloves suggested; clothes may get a bit dirty. SB Spirit Wear or Gym Uniform is encouraged.

• Pullman National Monument

Grades 6 - 8: Predominately indoor; SB Spirit Wear or Gym Uniform

• Belhaven
• Mercy Circle

Grades 6 - 8: Indoor & Outdoor; work/garden gloves suggested; clothes may get a bit dirty. SB Spirit Wear or Gym Uniform is encouraged.

• Edna White Community Garden
• Friends of the Chicago River
• Growing Home
• Precious Blood
• Share Your Soles

If you are uncertain what 4 - 8 grade service site your child is attending or have any other attire questions, please connect with Mrs. Sue Connolly at sconnolly@stbarnabasparish.org or 773-445-7711

Chaperones

Thank you to the many generous parents for sharing their time and joining us for Service Day. If you volunteered to help, please keep an eye out for an email early next week with event details. For chaperone questions, please connect with Mrs. Sue Connolly at sconnolly@stbarnabasparish.org or 773-445-7711.

End of Day Reflection

We invite all community members (parents, younger siblings, caregivers, and friends) to join us in the Church at 11:15am. We will wrap up our day of service with prayer and reflection.

Request for Contributions

In support of two of our service organizations - Share Your Soles and Pro Labore Dei - we are seeking contributions of gently used shoes and food pantry staples. A collection bin in available in the school's Main Hall and the church vestibule.

SPORTS REGISTRATION - Registration for Football (Gr 4 - 8), Cheer (Gr 4 - 8), and Girls Basketball (Gr 3 - 8) is now open! Registration for Fall 2024 team sports is required in May to allow time for proper league registration and coaching assignments. Golf (Gr 5 - 8) and Soccer (PK - 8) details will be released soon. Prompt registration is highly appreciated! Linked HERE.

SUMMER CAMP - Lots of summer camp options at St. Barnabas this June. Details and registration are linked HERE.

KEY DATES - Check out some of the big dates for next year, including the first day, last day, and extended holiday vacation dates; linked HERE.

REQUIRED MEDICAL FORMS - Medical forms for next school year are due NO later than Sunday, August 18 at Information Sunday. Details found HERE.

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 "color wars" day. SIGN UP HERE

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

Join the School Board

We are seeking three new Board members to fulfill a 3-year term that will run from June 2024 through June 2027. Members are expected to attend monthly board meetings, organize and facilitate school board functions and events, and actively serve and participate in board committees. Board members collaborate and support ongoing initiatives, recommend and review policies, review and advise on the annual school budget, and represent all members of the St. Barnabas school community.

If you are interested in serving on the Board, please complete the applications HERE. Applications will be accepted through May 13, 2024. Once applications are received, the Selection Committee will set up interviews with interested candidates during the second two weeks of May. The roles and expectations for a School Advisory Board Member are linked HERE.

For questions, please contact Ms. Theresa Hemmer, St. Barnabas School Advisory Board Chair, schoolboard@stbarnabasparish.org.

Open Forum Reminder

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, and we are still accepting request for speakers. Learn more HERE.  

Support of Teacher Appreciation - Thank you to the many, many community members who made our teachers feel so loved and appreciated this week! Carly Hurd and the Class Liaisons - thank you for coordinating flowers, gifts, and collections for our homeroom teachers! And to the parents and students who made each day so special with your kind notes, thoughtful words, and gifts, we are so grateful. SB Parent Foundation, FSA, and School Board - your thoughtful meals were delicious and generous! To the McShane Family- the massage therapist visit at the school made for the BEST Wednesday!

First Communion - Thank you to the many hands and hearts that led to our beautiful First Holy Communion. Mr. Patrick McGowan, Director of Faith Formation, and 2nd-grade teachers Ms. Terese Cloonan and Ms. Molly ONeill, and Father Donovan and Deacon Andy Neu thank you for supporting the students on their year-long faith journey and for planning a beautiful mass.

To the parents, thank you for supporting your children both in their spiritual lives and coordinating all the details of this faithful and festive day! We have no doubt some truly special lifetime memories were created this past weekend.

PARISH SERVICE DAY - On Saturday, May 18 all ages are welcome to share in the Parish Day of Service. Details and volunteer registration linked 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!

VOLUNTEERS - The Block Party committee is looking for volunteers of all ages! 7th and 8th grade and high school students are encouraged to help with set up prior to the event and will receive service hours. Complete the Volunteer interest form HERE.