Dear Lancer Parent/Guardian,
Thank you for your attendance at Curiosity Day and Curriculum Night!
It has been a busy two weeks at Palombi. During our first week of school we practiced our ALICE drills with teachers practicing locking down, discussing with students how to barricade rooms, how to prepare if someone were to access the room, and when it would be safe to evacuate the building. We also completed our first fire, tornado, and bus drills. Both the police department and fire department reviewed our ALICE drills and fire drills as well.
Students began MAP testing in their math classes last week and will continue this week in ELA classes, and we will be conducting MAP makeups next week. These assessments provide a baseline for creating our Wildly Important Goals for the year. Both our staff and students will be utilizing these goals to improve upon our performance.
Sincerely,
Angela Sisi
Principal
Leader in Me
As we dive into another exciting school year, we’re focusing on empowering our students with essential habits for success. This month, we're highlighting Habit 1: Be Proactive. You can support your child at home by
Encouraging them to take responsibility for their actions and choices.
Help them set personal goals and create a plan to achieve them, reinforcing the idea that they have the power to shape their own future.
Discuss the importance of focusing on what they can control, such as their attitude and effort, rather than reacting to external circumstances.
By fostering a proactive mindset, you’ll equip your child with the tools they need to navigate challenges with confidence and resilience. Let’s work together to build a foundation of proactive habits that will benefit them throughout their lives..
Tardies
Every year we have a grace period for students, so they can get acclimated to the school before we begin to count tardies. This week we have begun to hold students accountable for tardies, both to school as well as to individual classes.
Athletics
Boys and Girls Soccer, Softball and Cross Country are in full swing. Our fall sports pictures are scheduled for Monday September 9th. Sports schedules are posted on our website. Tryouts for Girls Basketball and Cheer are Wednesday, October 16 and Thursday, October 17 and tryouts for Boys Basketball and Poms are Monday, October 21 and Tuesday, October 22. Tryouts are from 2:30pm -4:30pm. Students need to attend all tryout days AND have a current physical on file prior to tryouts. Basketball, Cheer and Poms Tryout Form
Enrichment Clubs
Palombi Middle School offers a variety of enrichment clubs throughout the school year. Each is open to all interested Palombi students, unless otherwise specified. All enrichments meet from 2:20-4:00 p.m. for six weeks, unless otherwise specified. There is a $20 registration fee, and any enrichment that requires an additional fee is indicated in the description on the sign-up form. Late bus transportation is available for all enrichments for a fee of $5 per ride. All necessary payments must be made in order for a student to attend any enrichment!
Session 1 Enrichment Options:
- Mondays: Coding Club, Gaming Club, Garden Club, Paper Arts & Origami Club
- Tuesdays: Art Club, Book Lover's Club, CPR/AED/First Aid Certification
- Wednesdays: Dungeons & Dragons Club, Guitar & Piano Lab, Movie Club, Mural Painting Club (only available to students enrolled in Advanced Art)
Session 1 enrichments will begin the week of September 9th and end the week of October 14th, except for Monday's enrichments, which will end the week of October 21st to account for no school on October 14th for Columbus Day. Please see this flyer for more information. Sign up your student by completing the sign-up form and paying online through MySchoolBucks.com or with cash or check no later than Friday, September 6th! If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Kaplan at emily.kaplan@district41.org.
Student Lighthouse
Applications for Student Lighthouse are available via Google Form Please contact Cecilia Gama Mendoza at cecilia.gamamendoza@district41.org for more information.
NJHS
Applications for National Junior Honor Society will be emailed to all eligible 7th and 8th graders in November. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.8 or above during their time at Palombi to be invited to apply. Please contact Ms. Kaplan at emily.kaplan@district41.org or Mrs. Kilmer at jennifer.klimer@district41.org with any questions.
Palombi Players
Palombi Players had our first meeting on August 28th and had a great turn out. Auditions for “The Princess Capers” will be on Tuesday, September 3rd and Wednesday, September 4th until 4:30 pm. Please reach out to Ms. Dahowski (emily.dahowski@district41.org) or Ms. Stellwagen (gretchen.stellwagen@district41.org) with any questions.
Washington D.C
8th grade students interested in attending the Washington D.C trip over spring break please reach out to Miss Koenig! kaitlin.koenig@district41.org
OWLS Field Trip
Attention 8th grade parents and students! Our annual OWLS (Outdoor Wisconsin Leadership School) field trip still has spots available on either trip (Friday, September 27th and Friday, October 4th). Information packets have been sent home with students. If you are in need of one, please contact Mr. Eifert at john.eifert@district41.org. OWLS is a great way for 8th grade students to get to know other students in the grade level, build leadership and problem-solving skills, and have FUN!
Health Office
6th grade parents- please ensure that you have turned in all documentation required by the state of Illinois to the health office by October 15th. Your student will be excluded from school if these requirements are not completed. If your student is planning on signing up for sports/activities they must have a current physical on file before tryouts begin in order to participate. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Taylor francesca.taylor@district41.org
Attendance
We prefer that you report any absences using our online absence form.
Parents/guardians must report their child’s absence using the online form by 9:00 AM
on the day of the absence. The form will require the following information:
● Student’s Name
● Grade
● Date(s) of Absence
● Reason for Absence
● Parent/Guardian Contact Information
You can also call the school to report the student’s absence. (847) 356-2118 option 1. Please make sure to spell the student’s last name. Email Mrs. Harder with any questions jennifer.harder@district41.org
CAMP DUNCAN TRIP - 6th Grade
Sixth graders will be given the opportunity to participate in an all-day team building activity at Camp Duncan in Ingleside. They will attend with their advisory either on Oct. 15th or Oct. 23rd. Thanks to our PTO for covering the transportation cost. Palombi will be sending out permission slips to students soon. Permissions slips are due September 26th.
Yearbook Pictures
School picture day September 26th. Please click here for more information. Picture ordering will close at 8am on picture day.
Yearbook
The 2024-2025 Yearbook is on sale for $30. This is the lowest price of the year and includes free icons (when you add personalization)! Buy your yearbook now! Reserve your copy online at jostensyearbooks.com or call 1-877-767-5217. Don't delay, order today! This promotional sale ends October 10th. The cost of the book returns to the original price of $35 on October 11th. Flyers will be sent home with the students within the next couple of weeks.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Lauren Hollander (lauren.hollander@district41.org) for more information.
IMPORTANT DATES
Sept. 3/4 Palombi Players Fall Play Auditions
Sept. 9 BOE Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 9 Afterschool Enrichment Clubs Begin
Sept. 18 First LEAD Activity
Sept. 23 BOE Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 26 Picture Day
Sept. 27 OWLS 8th GradeField Trip #1
Oct. 4 OWLS 8th GradeField Trip #2
Oct. 7 BOE Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 11 Institute Day - No School
Oct. 14 Columbus Day - No School
Oct. 15 All immunizations and physicals due
Oct. 15 Camp Duncan 6th Grade Field Trip #1
Oct. 16 /17 Girls Basketball and Cheer Tryouts Start
Oct. 21 /22 Boys Basketball and Poms Tryouts Start
Oct. 23 Camp Duncan 6th Grade Field Trip #2
Oct. 28 BOE Meeting at 7:00 p.m.