Dear Parents, Guardians, and Palombi Students,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! We hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing summer. Please continue reading for important information and updates and also we would love it if you would follow our Facebook page Peter J Palombi School at https://www.facebook.com/Palombi.Middle.School/.
As was always the practice, all staff will be required to wear their id badges. In addition classroom doors will be locked at all times, we will increase the number of lockdown drills, and finally new staff will continue to be retrained on ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) procedures.
Curiosity Day
This week is a big week for our staff and students! We can’t wait to see everyone on Curiosity Day, Tuesday August 22, 2023. Curiosity Day (Hour) is a time for students to pick up their locker combination, try their locker and walk their schedule. Teachers for each grade level will be available to assist students and say hello. Parking can be had in our activity entrance lot and in our bus parking lot, as well as in adjacent side streets. The schedule is as follows:
- 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. - 6th grade students
- 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. - 7th grade students
- 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. - 8th grade students
We will have multiple entrances open for you to enter the building. Once you are in the building please take note of the guidelines below:
Please print out a new schedule to bring, as changes may have been made to balance classes. If you forget your child’s schedule, please see Mrs. Koenig in the cafeteria.
ALL locker numbers and combinations can be picked up in the gym. If you can’t make it, students will receive their lockers and combinations on another day.
If you are bringing your common supplies (kleenex, paper towels, wipes, etc.), please drop those off at your FIRST PERIOD CLASS.
Please do not fix any stickers to the outside or inside of the lockers.
If you have a problem with your locker please seek out a teacher who can assist you.
Finally, please return to your car promptly at the end of your time so that the next grade level has enough parking.
If you ordered First Day School Supply Kits, they will be available in the cafeteria for pickup.
Just like last year, cell phones will not be allowed during the school day. Students are required to leave their cell phones in their lockers. If a student has their phone out in class, the phone will be sent to the office, and the student will pick up the phone at the end of the school day. In addition, earbuds/airpods are ONLY allowed in classes at the discretion of the teacher. They are not allowed in the hallways, as this can become a safety issue. Please see the detailed Parent-Student Handbook here: 2023 Parent Student Handbook
We cannot begin to tell you how much we are looking forward to seeing all of you on the first day of school, Wednesday, August 23rd, which is a half day of school for all students. Classes start at 7:32am and will end at 10:30am.
Middle school hours Monday through Thursday are from 7:32am-2:17pm. Every Friday the schedule is 7:32am - 1:00pm.
Bus Changes
Durham Bus Service will be sending out bus routes and stops directly to families. If you are in need of information please call Durham at 847.356.6990
Reminder: Except in emergency situations, and with prior approval of the district office, students are not allowed to take a different bus to school or to another location after school.
Student Schedules
All schedules will be available the week of August 14th, via the desktop version of the PowerSchool Parent Portal, the app will be live on the first day of school. For those who are not registered, you may not be able to see your schedule until you are registered.
Gym Uniform If you haven't already done so, please visit Brooks-Allan and purchase a uniform. Brooks-Allan information can be found at the following website: www.brooks-allan.com
Gym Locks Both hallway locks and p.e. locks are supplied by Lake Villa SD 41. If a student loses a p.e. lock, the charge for a new lock will be $10.00.
Please visit our Student Handbook for any additional information you may need.
Looking for a Job? Palombi is looking for a school psychologist, a 6th grade ELA teacher, and an RtI Math Interventionist. If you have any interest please send an email to Mrs. Julie Pozezinski, Dean of Student Services, at jpozezinski@district41.org.
School Lunch Reminder that the District no longer provides free lunch for all students. Paid Lunch is $3.25. To apply for Free/Reduced Lunch visit our website under Food Service. Click here for information on how to create an account for lunch purchases.
Registration and Fees School Registration Fees are now due. The fees will increase after August 31. Payments can be made electronically on the District's website, via regular mail, or in- person at the school building.
Supplemental Insurance The district offers Voluntary Supplemental Student Accident Insurance. To enroll, please see information by clicking here. For more information on our accident insurance coverage, click here.
SPORTS & ACTIVITIES
A reminder for those students that plan to participate in Boys and Girls Soccer, Girls Softball, and/or Coed Cross Country: an up-to-date physical must be on file in the Health Coordinator’s office before a student will be allowed to try out for any given sport. ClickHere to register for tryouts for fall sports or participate in cross country. Tryouts for soccer and softball will be taking place as follows:
Boys Soccer: August 28th & 29th, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Girls Soccer: August 28th & 29th, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Girls Softball: August 28th & 29th, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Coed Cross Country (no cut sport): practice begins August 28th, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
We look forward to beginning the new school year with you and your child/ren on August 23rd. If any of us can be of any assistance, please reach out. Please mark your calendars for Curiosity Day on Wednesday, August 22nd: 1pm-2pm 6th grade, 2pm-3pm 7th grade, and 3pm-4pm 8th grade. Please also join us for Curriculum Night on August 29th from 6:30-7:55.
It is going to be an exciting new school year! Please feel free to call us with any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
| Angela Sisi | Principal | 847-356-2118 x 51006 |
| Julie Pozezinski (Poe) | Dean of Student Services | 847-356-2118 x 510065 |
| Kaitlin Koenig | Dean of Students | 847-356-2118 x 510067 |
| Melissa Rhodes | Dean of Culture and Student Discipline | 847-356-2118 x 53220 |
Important Dates
Monday, August 21st - Teacher Institute Day
Tuesday, August 22nd - Teacher Institute Day and Curiosity Day
Curiosity Day is divided by grade levels:
6th grade - 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
7th grade - 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
8th grade - 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 23rd - First Day of School - 7:32a.m. - 10:30a.m.
The first day is a half day of school. The students are to arrive by 7:32 a.m. and go directly to first period
Tuesday, August 29th - Curriculum Night - 6:30-7:58
Curriculum nights provide teachers an opportunity to talk with parents about the upcoming school year. Daily routines, classroom management systems, and class requirements are just a few items that can help parent-teacher communication at the start of the year. The schedule for the evening is below. If you cannot make it, teachers will have their presentation up on Google classroom the morning of Wednesday, August 30th.
Period 1: 6:30-6:37
Period 2: 6:39-6:46
Period 3: 6:48-6:55
Period 4: 6:57-7:04
Period 5: 7:06-7:13
Period 6: 7:15-7:22
Period 7: 7:24-7:31
Period 8: 7:33-7:40
Period 9: 7:42-7:49
Period 10: 7:51-7:58
September 4th - Labor Day - No School