Merry Christmas from St. Barnabas School

We have been blessed to share so many cheerful moments over the past few weeks as we prepare for Christmas. Our students, staff, and families have poured their hearts into celebrating and honoring Christmas. We are blessed to share our faith together, and it is with true Buckeye spirit that we come together as a community to share in these events. This week’s School News is a slightly different format - a letter of love and appreciation for the past two weeks (with a bit of January news to help with your 2023 planning!).  We hope you enjoy the picture albums from each event as much as we do!

We wish you all a beautiful Christmas filled with Christ’s enduring love.

- Mr. Jonathan Stack & Ms. Grace Sadowski 

SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Our School Christmas Pageant is built from the gift of time, care, and courage. There was not a dry eye in the house when our first-grade students sang "Were You There on That Christmas Night?"; thank you, students, for sharing your beautiful voices. Thank you to the first grade teachers, Ms. Cruz, Mrs. Sims, and Mrs. Cotter, for your patience and kind-hearted support of your students and Mrs. Aleman for lending your years of expertise. The voices of our 5th-grade choir were magnificent and filled the entire audience with the Spirit of Christmas. Thank you to Mr. Folliard and Mrs. Folliard for guiding your students and adjusting your school days to ensure our students continued to thrive academically in the midst of rehearsing their carols. A special note of thanks to Mr. Hannigan for leading the choir, your musical talents and energy are a gift to the school. And to our 7th graders, your dedication to the production truly brought it to life, and your maturity serves as a wonderful example to all our students. Thank you to the junior high teachers for supporting and accommodating the students' schedules, Mr. McGowan for organizing all of the costumes, and Mr. Rank - the show simply would not have been possible without your talents and enthusiasm.

CLICK to view the complete School Pageant Album.

PRESCHOOL PAGEANT

Nothing touches the heart and brings a smile like the Preschool Pageant. Thank you to Mrs. Cimarolli, Mrs. Esselman, Mrs. Urchell and Ms. Burklow, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. O’Keefe, Mrs. Jendra, and Ms. Malinowski for your care and attention - your unyielding support allows this endearing tradition to continue and creates a memorable experience for our preschool families. Thank you to our preschool students for being brave, dedicated, and - most important - for sharing the Story of the First Christmas with our school and your families. VIEW the Preschool Pageant Album.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD

A new event this year, Christmas Around the World, was presented by The Student Culture Club. A huge thank you to Ms. Malinowski, who gave her entire heart and soul to this project, her selfless giving of time fills us with admiration. Our Student Culture Club is passionate about spreading awareness about the importance of cultural diversity and celebrating all that makes our school, neighborhood, city, country, and world so beautiful. Thank you to Kruz Smith, Culture Club founder, and all the Culture Club members that spent hours after school and during their recess time preparing to share this experience with our school. VIEW the Christmas Around the World Album..

SENIOR LUNCHEON

A beloved tradition that we have missed these past few years due to COVID, the senior luncheon made a brilliant return. Parish senior friends and grandparents were welcomed to a special luncheon hosted by our 8th-grade students. Thank you to our students for honoring our seniors in such a special way. We were in awe of the beauty of the day and extend a warm thank you to our lead parent coordinators for sharing your time and talents. Thank you to Lisa Barraco, Bernadette Barsch, Jill Dennihan, Kathleen Herber, Patty Hughes, Jodie O’Boyle, and Maureen Gainer Reilly! VIEW the Senior Luncheon Album.

CHRISTMAS LUMINARIES 

A few years ago, a little idea began, luminaries to light our path home from Christmas Eve Mass. Love of community, commitment, and planning has allowed this project to blossom throughout our entire parish. Many people worked behind the scenes to make this beautiful project successful. Thank you to Mrs. McGowan for guiding the 8th-grade students and teaching the important message that service is at the heart of what we do as a Catholic School. Thank you to Katie O’Connell Morgan for leading the way, your countless hours of commitment allowed this project to happen; many thanks to Larry Morgan for hand-delivering a number of luminary kits. Thank you to school parent Carolynn Zidek for the incredibly generous donations of boxes and tape. Thank you to our Administration and Parish team - Lisa Sarcinella, Shannon Griffin, Geri Doherty, and Lia Goyer for sharing your organization and communication talents. To our 8th-grade students and parent volunteers - thank you for your energy and good cheer! Your efforts to count and sort candles, fold bags, lift heavy sand and brave the cold temperatures truly unite us as a community and solidifies that we are ONE Barnabas. VIEW the Luminary Album and view the Luminary Map for Christmas Eve HERE.

THE JOLLY TROLLY

Through the creativity and enthusiasm of Ms. Malinowski and Mrs. Connolly, The Jolly Trolly came to be. A means to celebrate and thank our teachers and staff as we lead into Christmas break. Our Administrative team joined to create little gifts to share, and our Student Council leaders pushed the trolly, sharing Christmas carols, thank yous, and good cheer with the staff. VIEW the Jolly Trolly Album

STUDENT BAND 

Bravo to our band students for performing at their Christmas Concert earlier this week. We have 24 talented musicians on flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, percussion, and bass guitar. These dedicated students arrive early and stay late on Thursdays to practice their skills under the guidance of the extraordinary Band Director, Mr. Phil Enns. It was an absolute delight to hear them at their Christmas Concert - a combined performance with St. Cletus, St. Francis Xavier, and St. Christopher. Watch the concert HERE.

CHRISTMAS DRESS DOWN

Thank you to our Student Council for creating a fun and festive schedule. And a big thank you to all our parents/guardians for supporting your children with their outfits and accessories! Seeing The 12 Days of Christmas Dress Down brings delight to us all.

VIEW the Dress Down Album

STOCKING STUFFER

As a staff, we are humbled and grateful for the generosity of our families. Through the combined effort of The Men’s Club Progressive and the FSA Stocking Stuffer, we are blessed to allow a Christmas bonus for our hardworking staff. Thank you to Rachel Groth and Sarah Peterson for coordinating, and thank you to the many generous families for contributing. VIEW the list of contributors.

SWEETHEART SOIREE

Purchase your tickets today for the Sweetheart Soiree! Daughters and their date, bring your dad, uncle, or any special guest to celebrate this special night on Friday, January 20, 7pm - 10pm in the school gym. $35 for a pair of tickets (1 daughter + date), additional guests ticket for $5 each. ORDER on Membership toolkit.

OPEN HOUSE

Our St. Barnabas Families are our best advocates and marketers of our vibrant school - help us spread the word for our upcoming Open House on Sunday, January 29!