Dear Palombi Families!
Palombi would like to celebrate some great news with you!
After reviewing our NWEA/MAP Winter data, ALL of our grade levels made significant growth in both ELA and Math. As a matter of fact, every grade level met their winter goal in both reading and math.
This growth is from hard work, developing individual goals for each content area, and our entire community understanding how important education can be for their future success. We will have the IAR in March and hope we can have that same level of importance taken for those assessments. Let’s rise to the occasion and show the community what our kids can do!
Mrs. Angela Sisi
Principal
Teacher Shout-Out
What is a Teacher Shout-Out?
A Teacher Shout-Out is an unsolicited special recognition that acknowledges a Palombi staff member who has really helped you or your student or has been highly effective and motivating. Our staff takes great pride in helping students achieve their potential. Take a few minutes and let a staff member know how much you appreciate their work by clicking this link.
Palombi Leaders Today and Tomorrow Wall of Fame
Palombi has a Wall of Fame in our building! Currently, we acknowledge past students: Officer Mike Lill, Class of 1988, Professional BMX Racer Felicia Stancil, Class of 2009, NFL Player TJ Edwards, Class of 2010, Leader Meghan Butler, Class of 2015, and Bluecoat (Band) World Champion Christina Duffy, Class of 2008. We would love to add to these outstanding past students. If you know of another past alumni, please complete the following form to nominate Palombi alumni who have demonstrated leadership qualities throughout the community and beyond to be displayed on a wall in the school. Leaders of Today and Tomorrow Nomination
February Habit of the Month
Students are focusing on Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood this month for their Friday Focus. This is the habit of empathic communication and it focuses on respect, empathy, mutual understanding, and respect. You can discuss this habit with your student(s) by having conversations around the following bullet points:
Before I say something, I think about how it will make my friend feel.
I listen with my eyes by looking at the person who is talking.
I listen with my heart by caring about what they are saying.
I listen to understand, not to reply.
NOTES FROM THE OFFICE
Spring Conferences
Each year, Lake Villa 41 holds spring parent/teacher conferences based on invitation only. On March 7th, we will be holding conferences for parents that are sent an invite by a teacher. On this day, we operate on a Friday schedule. School lets out at 1:00 p.m. on March 7th.
Front Door Protocol
Our main entrance doors are locked for security reasons. Please ring the bell and wait for the office staff to respond to you to determine the nature of your visit. You will then be buzzed into the foyer. Please do not let other visitors in while you are entering or exiting the foyer. This is to ensure the safety of our students and staff. We appreciate your cooperation with keeping our school safe.
5 Essentials Parent Survey
Until March 29th, students, parents, and teachers across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the eleventh annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent/guardian, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school. Parents, please click here to take the 5 Essential Survey. Padres, hagan clic aquí para realizar la encuesta 5 Essential Survey.
Lighthouse Review
Palombi is applying for a Lighthouse certification because of our effective implementation of Leader in Me. This will take place on Tuesday, April 30th during the school day. Part of the agenda for our Lighthouse Review is to interview a parent panel. The parent panel will meet with two reviewers to discuss the impact of the 7 Habits on their child(ren) and speak to the aspects of implementation here at Palombi, such as Student Lighthouse, student action teams, and Leadership Portfolios. If you are interested in participating in this parent panel or have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Melissa Rhodes at mrhodes@district41.org.
Trimester Three Contracts
All students will be given a contract that must be signed in order to participate in their end of the year activities. Contracts are due February 23rd.
For 6th and 8th grades there will also be a digital version of the form emailed. Either form can be filled out, but if you choose to complete the physical form, it must be returned to your student’s lunch advisor.
Click here for the digital 6th grade contract.
Click here for the paper form of the 6th grade contract.
Health Office
During the winter weather, please do your part to help us keep students and staff healthy by keeping your student/s home until they are fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea free for 24hrs, without the use of medications. Please remind your child that it is important for them to visit the nurse if they are not feeling well. Students should not be texting/calling parents to be picked up from school.
Parents of 6th graders: Please remember to turn in your student’s up-to-date dental exam by May 15th.
Class Selection for 2024-2025
Course selection will happen for your 6th and/or 7th grade student in their ELA class between February 26th-March 15th. A packet of exploratory options will be emailed home next week for you and your child to look over to prepare. Please contact Kaitlin Koenig, kaitlin.koenig@district41.org for any questions.
ACTIVITIES
Yearbook
The 2023 Yearbook is on sale for $35. Buy your yearbook now! Reserve your copy only online at jostensyearbooks.com or call 1-877-767-5217 to place your order. Don't delay, the final day to order is 2/16/2024! Only a limited number of yearbooks will be available to purchase after this deadline and will not be guaranteed. Any questions…Please contact Amanda Foy (amanda.scheltensfoy@district41.org) or Stephanie Horne (stephanie.horne@district41.org).
Advanced Art 2024-2025
Attention families of current 6th and 7th grade students! If your student has taken an introductory Art course at Palombi, and loves Art, and would want to be challenged and further develop their artistic skills, they are encouraged to apply for Advanced Art - a year-long exploratory class! Interested students can pick up an information flyer outside Mrs. Broz-Andreou’s room 107, and submit their portfolio (per directions on the flyer) to Mrs. Broz-Andreou (natalia.brozandreou@district41.org) by February 22nd, 2024, to be considered for the 2024-2025 Advanced Art class.
Track and Field
The signup for Track and Field will be live in March! Please be on the lookout if your student would like to sign up to be on the team. Track and Field is a no cut sport for any 6th-8th grade student and will start at the beginning of April. Stay tuned for further updates. A current physical must be on file in the nurse’s office in order to participate.
Band & Choir Concerts and NIMCon Festivals
Bands will perform Tuesday Feb 27 and Choirs will perform Thursday Feb 29 at 6:30 pm in the Palombi Gym. These performances will showcase music to be performed at the Northern Illinois Music Conference Large Group Festival on Saturday March 9th. Best of luck to our musicians performing at the Northern Illinois Music Conference Solo and Ensemble Festival on Saturday February 24th.
St. Baldrick’s
Palombi is hosting our first ever St. Baldrick’s event on Thursday, March 21st! If you missed the informational meeting on how your student can fundraise or even get their head shaved at the assembly, watch the recording of it here!
Hollywood Dance/ Spring Dance
Feed My Starving Children Night
Please join us for a family volunteer night at Feed My Starving Children in Libertyville. The Future Leaders team and NJHS encourage all students and families to sign up to help pack food for the less fortunate on Friday, March 1st from 7-8:30 pm. There are only a few spots left so please use the link below to sign up now.
http://www.fmsc.org/join-group?joincode=LDLZV7
IMPORTANT DATES
Links to all dates can be found here: Palombi Full Calendar of Events
Feb 12 School Board Meeting, 7 pm
Feb 16 No School - Institute Day
Feb 19 President’s Day - No School
Feb 23 End of 2nd Trimester
Feb 24 Solo & Ensemble Festival
Feb 26 Lake Villa 41 Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Feb 27 Band Concert, 6:30-8:00
Feb 29 Choir Concert, 6:30-8:00
Mar 1 2nd Trimester Grade Posted in PowerSchool
Mar 12 & 14 IAR (Illinois Assessment for Readiness) ELA Testing, 6th - 8th grades
Mar 18,19,20 IAR (Illinois Assessment for Readiness) Math Testing, 6th-8th grades
Mar 7 Spring Conferences 1:45 - 7:00 p.m. (Invite only)
Mar 9 Large Group Festival
Mar 15 6th Grade Dance 5-6:30 pm and 7th/8th grade dance 7-8:30 pm
Mar 18 Lake Villa 41 Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
Mar 25 - 29 Spring Break - No School
April 2 ISA (Illinois Science Assessment) Testing, 8th Grade