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Summer Guide for Families

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING everyone to school in August. Below are details about summer action items and school-year details as you prepare for the upcoming year.

STAY CONNECTED

Feel free to contact the school's main office at 773-445-7711 at any point throughout the summer should you wish to make an appointment to meet with a member of our Administrative Team.

 
If you’re on Facebook, make sure to join the private group St. Barnabas School Buckeyes.  This is a private forum for parents/guardians of current school families.  All members are welcomed and encouraged to ask questions, respond to inquiries, and share information.  The page administrators are school staff who respond in a timely and accurate manner.
 

CALENDAR

A calendar outline for the year is linked HERE. This calendar includes key dates, early dismissals, days off for staff development, and extended holiday vacations. A detailed school year calendar is available on the main page of our website and in the Calendar section. The detailed calendar is updated regularly throughout the year and includes details on school masses, sacraments, field trips, and student and parent activities.

 

IMPORTANT DATES TO START THE YEAR
  • Sunday, August 18 at 10am - Information Sunday:
    This is our exciting kickoff to the school year and a required attendance day for all families.   Join us for 10am mass, then visit the school from 11am - 12:30pm for all the 2024-25 school year details.  You’ll receive homeroom teacher assignments, turn in all medical forms, drop off your school supplies, and enjoy a teacher meet and greet.
  • Monday, August 19 at 6pm - 8th Grade Parent Night:
    8th-grade parents/guardians will meet with the school administration in the Outdoor Classroom. We will outline the exciting year ahead for the Class of 2025, including expectations, event details, and an 8th-grade calendar. One adult from each family is required to attend.
  • Tuesday, August 20 at 6pm - New Parent Night:
    All parents/guardians new to St. Barnabas School are invited to our New Parent Night in the Main Hall.  You’ll have the opportunity to hear from our school administration about school policies, procedures, and settling into St. Barnabas.  Members of our parent volunteer boards will also be available to share details.  After the meeting, stay for a reception to connect with other new parents.  This is an adult-only evening from 6pm - 7:30pm.
  • Thursday, August 22 - First Day of School:
    The day begins at 7:45am with a blessing of all families in the parking lot.  Students in grades Kindergarten - Grade 8 will dismiss at 10:50am. Preschool students and their parents will attend PK orientation from 7:45am - 9am and dismiss a little earlier than the rest of our student body.
  • Friday, August 23 - Second Day of School, shortened schedule:
    Preschool students 7:45am - 10:50am. Kindergarten - Grade 8 students 7:45am - 1:30pm.

SCHOOL DAY SCHEDULE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR regular schedule, including extended day care, begins Monday, August 26
  • Morning Arrival - Each school day, the doors open at 7:45am and the tardy bell rings at 7:55am.
  • Afternoon Dismissal - Full-day preschool students dismiss each day at 2:50pm (half-day PK at 10:50am). Students in Kindergarten - Grade 8 dismiss in a staggered manner from 2:55 - 3pm.
  • Extended Day - provides before and after-school child care for an additional fee. Enrollment opens in August and is accepted continuously throughout the year. Before Care is available from 6:30am - 7:45am and After Care is available from 3pm - 6pm. After Care is NOT available on 10:50am and 11:50am early dismissal days.

NEW STUDENT REQUIRED EMERGENCY CONTACT INFO

All students are required to have accurate emergency contact information on file. A separate form is required for each child in your family who will be attending Saint Barnabas. NEWLY ENROLLED students, please complete this FORM.


SCHOOL SUPPLIES

School supply lists for the upcoming school year are linked HERE. All supplies should be brought to school on Information Sunday - August 18, 2024. Families are welcome to buy their supplies at any retailer. As a convenience, supplies are available for online purchase through EPI School Supplies. If utilizing EPI, orders must be placed by June 30, with anticipated delivery to your home on August 12. Use School ID Code: STB019 to access the St. Barnabas shopping lists through EPI.


TUITION

TUITION and incidental billings are paid online through FACTS Tuition Management beginning in July. Families will receive an email from FACTS with information on setting up their payment plan in late June/early July. Enrolling in a FACTS payment plan allows you to select a payment schedule that best suits your financial needs. All invoices must be paid in full by April 30, 2025. Any questions regarding tuition may be sent to Mrs. Jeanne Reilly, School Business Manager, at [email protected].

 

MEDICAL FORMS
Medical documentation is required for each student at St. Barnabas School. Forms may be mailed to the school throughout the summer Attention: Medical Forms or submitted on August 18 at Information Sunday. Questions about medical documentation may be sent to Mrs. Sue Connnolly at [email protected].

SPORTS PHYSICALS - All students participating in St. Barnabas sports teams must submit an annual SPORTS PHYSICAL or MEDICAL FORM (that authorizes sports participation).

REQUIREMENTS BY GRADE - Certain grades require medical forms; specifics are detailed below.

ADDITIONAL FORMS - Students who require medication during the school day or have a medical action plan for allergies, asthma, and seizure disorders should submit forms annually. Those forms can be found HERE.


SCHOOL UNIFORMS

All students wear a daily school uniform.  The complete uniform guide can be found HERE.

A few notes about uniforms:  

  • Gym Uniforms: Students should wear their gym uniform on their designated PE day.  Kindergarten-Grade 2 students have PE class twice per week, and Preschool and Grades 3 - 8 have PE once per week.
  • Warm Weather: Students can wear gym shorts and t-shirts OR navy uniform-style shorts and collared shirts when the expected temperature is 75 degrees or greater. Many students choose to dress in this style during the warmer days of September.
  • Preschool: PK students have more flexibility in their uniform choice, prioritizing comfort and self-sufficiency.  PK students are welcome to wear a gym uniform every day if they prefer. 
  • Purchasing: Plaid jumpers, skirts, and gym uniforms are available for purchase at Schools Are Us - 3146 W 111th St, Chicago, IL 60655.  The Schools Are Us pricing guide can be found HERE. All other items, including navy pants, shorts, and collared shirts, may be purchased at any retailer, such as Target, Old Navy, or Land's End.  
  • Spirit Wear: A new option for the upcoming school year, students may wear St. Barnabas spirit wear tops with uniform bottoms every Friday. Spirit wear tops should display St. Barnabas School, Parish, or Team/Activity branding. Uniform bottoms are required on Friday Spirit Days.

On Sunday, August 18, at Information Sunday, families can "shop" the Uniform Exchange for free, gently used uniform apparel. This is a great option for adding backup items to your collection; sizes may be limited. 

 

SUMMER ENRICHMENT
We hope all students enjoy plenty of summer relaxation, rest, and outdoor play!  If you wish to explore some optional summer academic suggestions for Kindergarten-Grade 8 students, our teachers have created some enrichment to explore.  Summer READING Enrichment and Summer MATH Enrichment.

 

REGISTERING FOR SPORTS

In the Fall, St. Barnabas offers Co-Ed Soccer for PK - Grade 8, Girls Basketball for Grades 3 - 8, Boys Football for Grades 5 - 8, and Cheerleading for Grades 4 - 8.  Register HERE if your child is interested in participating this fall.
- FOOTBALL registration is due by Friday, June 28.
- CHEER and GIRLS BASKETBALL registration is due by Friday, July 19.
- SOCCER registration will remain open until the start of the school year.
- GOLF (Grades 5 - 8 ) registration is launching soon.

 

Registration for additional fall activities, including After-School Enrichment classes, Choir, and Band, will take place at the start of the school year.

Calendar