Dear Parents, Guardians, and Palombi Students,
Welcome to the 2024-2025 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 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
August is a big month for our staff and students! We can’t wait to see everyone on Curiosity Day, Friday August 16, 2024. 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 found 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 your tenth period teacher.
ALL locker numbers and combinations can be picked up in your tenth period class where you will also drop off your common supplies (kleenex, paper towels, wipes, etc) as well as your Leader In Me binders. If you can’t make it, students will receive their lockers and combinations on another day.
You will get your locker combination from your tenth period teacher, but your locker will be located near your advisory classroom.
Please do not affix 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.
Cell Phones and Airpods/wireless headsets
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 student will bring the phone to the office, and the student will pick up the phone at the end of the school day. In addition, earbuds/airpods are also NOT allowed in classes and will be brought to the office as well. If your student needs headphones, please send them with a wired set. Please see the detailed Parent-Student Handbook here: 2024 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, Monday, August 19th, 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 5th, 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. Please contact Kaitlin Koenig at kaitlin.koenig@district41.org with any schedule questions.
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 bilingual teacher and two paraprofessionals. 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 provides free and reduced meals for students who qualify. Paid Lunch is $3.45 and reduced lunch is $.40. To apply for Free/Reduced Lunch visit our website under Food Service. Click here for information on how to create an account for food purchases.
School Breakfast
This year we are happy to announce we are offering breakfast to students. Paid breakfast is $1.90 and reduced rate breakfast is $0.30. To apply for Free/Reduced Lunch visit our website under Food Service. Click here for information on how to create an account for food 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. Click here to register for tryouts for fall sports or participate in cross country. You must register by August 19th at 3:00pm. Tryouts for soccer and softball will be taking place as follows:
Boys Soccer: August 21st & 22nd, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Girls Soccer: August 21st & 22nd, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Girls Softball: August 21st & 22nd, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Coed Cross Country (no cut sport): practice begins August 21st, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
We look forward to beginning the new school year with you and your child/ren on August 19th. If any of us can be of any assistance, please reach out. Please mark your calendars for Curiosity Day on Friday, August 16th: 1pm-2pm 6th grade, 2pm-3pm 7th grade, and 3pm-4pm 8th grade. Please also join us for Curriculum Night on August 27th from 6:00-7:30, and if you are new to the district or missed incoming 6th grade night, please join the Palombi administration in the gym at 5:40 for a presentation.
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 x51006
Kaitlin Koenig - Dean of Students 847-356-2118 x51007
Julie Pozezinski (Poe) - Dean of Student Services 847-356-2118 x51005
Melissa Rhodes - Dean of Culture 847-356-2118 x53220
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, August 16th - 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.
Monday, August 19th - 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 27th - Curriculum Night - 6:00-7:28
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 28th.
5:40-5:55
New families meet with administration
Period 1: 6:00-6:07
Period 2: 6:09-6:16
Period 3: 6:18-6:25
Period 4: 6:27-6:34
Period 5: 6:36-6:43
Period 6: 6:45-6:52
Period 7: 6:54-7:01
Period 8: 7:03-7:10
Period 9: 7:12-7:19
Period 10: 7:21-7:28
September 2nd - Labor Day - No School