Dear Palombi families:
Trimester Two begins on Monday, November 11th. Students will start fresh with new exploratory classes and a clean slate for their grades. Punctuality and attendance are crucial. Did you know that being just two minutes late every day adds up to six hours of missed school time over the year? These small delays can significantly impact learning. Please ensure your student arrives on time.
First-trimester grades will be released on Friday, November 15th through PowerSchool. Staying informed about your child’s progress is essential for their success and will help them reach their key goals.
Looking ahead, Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Monday, November 25th (in-person) and Tuesday, November 26th (virtual). More details, including sign-up links, can be found here: Conference Information/Signup Links
We look forward to seeing you at the conferences and wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Your partner in education,
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.
Procedures/Policies
Snack Policy
Please remind your students that Lake Villa 41 has a snack policy to protect students with allergies and limit the amount of cleanup in our classrooms. Students should adhere to the following list if teachers permit a snack in the classroom: Lake Villa 41 Approved Snack List
Outside Beverages
Please remind students that no fast food drinks are allowed in school during school hours (Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, McDonald’s, etc.). Reusable water bottles are encouraged.
Activities
Leader in Me
Our Student Action Teams are hard at work during our LEAD days, and we’re excited to kick off our monthly Leaders Who Brunch next week! Leaders Who Brunch is an opportunity for students to engage in conversations with community members about their career paths, goals, and future. We’re thrilled about the variety of experiences our guest speakers will bring to Palombi this year!
This month’s Friday Focus lessons are centered around Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind, which emphasizes the importance of personal vision. This habit is about having a clear vision, staying committed, and finding purpose. Students have already completed their Math and ELA WIGs (Wildly Important Goals) and are now working on creating their personal mission statements.
Here are a few ways you can support Habit 2 at home with your student(s):
Set a family goal for the week.
Create a family mission statement. What words would inspire and guide your family?
Discuss with your student(s) how you’ll know they've had a successful school year, and capture those thoughts for reflection throughout the year.
Talk as a family about the expectations you have for one another.
Palombi Alumni Wall
Palombi proudly recognizes alumni who have gone on to demonstrate leadership in their careers and beyond. Our “Leaders of Today and Tomorrow” Wall celebrates these individuals who have made a positive impact in various fields, showcasing their achievements as an inspiration to current students.
We are always looking to grow this recognition and would love your help! If you know a former Palombi student who has shown exceptional leadership—whether in their profession, community, or personal endeavors—please take a moment to share with us by submitting a nomination with this form.
Help us honor the incredible contributions of our alumni and inspire the next generation of leaders!
After School Enrichments
Session 2 enrichments sign-ups are due November 1st, but late sign-ups will be accepted until Monday, November 4th. You may still sign up your student using this Google Form and paying online through MySchoolBucks.com or with cash or a check. Session 2 enrichments begin the week of November 4th and end the week of December 16th, unless otherwise specified! Each enrichment meets once a week. Unless an enrichment is canceled due to low enrollment, refunds will not be provided once a student has been signed up and payment has been made. You will be emailed and sent a refund if an enrichment is canceled.
If you have a question about a specific enrichment that your student is signed up for, please email the staff member/s sponsoring it:
Coding Club: celena.martensen@district41.org
Gaming Club: jwalton@district41.org
Gay-Straight/Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA): chagy@district41.org and hailey.kobeski@district41.org
Art Club: hailey.kobeski@district41.org
Chess Club: michelle.lawniczak@district41.org
Guitar and Piano Club: john.eifert@district41.org
Mural Painting Club: natalia.brozandreou@district41.org
Sewing Club: lynn.grosclaude@district41.org
National Junior Honor Society Toy Drive
Every year Palombi's Lancer Chapter of National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) participates in donating toys to the Lake Villa Township toy drive. Thanks to all of you, last year our toy donation drive was WILDLY successful!
We want to make this year even better with more donations reaching more people! This year we are collecting monetary donations for toys for those in need. This is where you come in! Please join NJHS in brightening the holiday season for folks in our own community by making a donation online at MySchoolBucks.com. 100% of the donations will be used to purchase toys for those in need in Lake Villa.
If you donated last year, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your donation. We are asking that you please consider increasing your donation by one dollar (or more) this year, if you are able. Please donate as soon as you can! Thank you for your generosity!
National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Applications
National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) applications will be emailed to all 7th and 8th grade students with a cumulative middle school GPA of 3.8 or higher the week after trimester one report cards are posted. All instructions regarding the application process will be included in the email. All NJHS applications are due by 2:30 PM on Monday, December 2nd! All students who apply will be emailed on Friday, December 6th regarding whether or not they have been selected to join. Please note that applying to NJHS does not guarantee membership and no late applications will be accepted!
About NJHS - The purpose of the Lancer Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society at Palombi is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulate a desire to render service, promote leadership, develop character, and encourage citizenship. This student-led organization is run by elected officers and overseen by faculty advisors. Meetings are typically held twice a month until 3:30 PM Members are required to complete community service hours, participate in fundraisers, maintain excellent grades, and be positive role models at Palombi.
Wrestling Sign ups
Wrestling Season starts soon! Wrestling is a no-cut sport open to all students, no experience needed. There is one co-ed wrestling team. Boys and girls will compete with and against each other, separated into specific weight classes. If your student is interested in participating please complete and submit this form by Friday, November 8th. NOTE: students currently participating in Basketball or Palombi Players can still participate in Wrestling IF they are signed up by November 8th.
Forms must be submitted from a parent/guardian email account. Submissions from student email accounts will not be accepted.
Practice begins on Monday, December 2nd
Our late bus only picks up at 4:00pm, parents will need to pick up their students at the Activity Entrance after practice
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT A CURRENT SPORTS PHYSICAL (DATED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF END OF SEASON) MUST BE ON FILE IN THE HEALTH COORDINATOR'S OFFICE BY NOVEMBER 13 AT 2pm.
It is the parent's responsibility to confirm with the health coordinator that your student is eligible to compete.
If you have any questions, please contact coaches nathan.pereira@district41.org, Timothy.Kramer@district41.org or cecilia.gamamendoza@district41.org
Volleyball Tryouts
Volleyball season will be starting soon! There are 2 girls volleyball teams; 6th/7th grade girls and 8th grade girls. Tryouts are Tuesday, January 7 and Wednesday, January 8, and possibly Thursday, January 9 from 2:30pm -4:30pm. Attendance is required on all days. Our late bus only picks up at 4:00pm, parents will need to pick up their students at the Activity Entrance after tryouts
If your student is interested in participating please complete and submit this form by Monday, January 6 by 2:30pm.
A parent must fill out the tryout form. The email address the form is recording MUST match the parent email address. Submissions from student email accounts will NOT be accepted.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT A COMPLETED CURRENT SPORTS PHYSICAL (DATED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF END OF SEASON) MUST BE ON FILE IN THE HEALTH COORDINATOR'S OFFICE BY JANUARY 6th AT 2:30pm.It is the parent's responsibility to confirm with the health coordinator that your student is eligible to tryout.
There are also 2 boys volleyball teams; 6th/7th grade boys and 8th grade boys. Tryouts for Boys Volleyball are Tuesday, January 14 and Wednesday January15 and possibly Thursday. January 16. Tryouts are from 2:30pm -4:30pm. Attendance is required on all days. Our late bus only picks up at 4:00pm, parents will need to pick up their students at the Activity Entrance after tryouts. If your student is interested in participating please complete and submit this form by Monday, January 13th by 2:30pm.
A parent must fill out the tryout form. The email address the form is recording MUST match the parent email address. Submissions from student email accounts will NOT be accepted.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT A COMPLETED CURRENT SPORTS PHYSICAL (DATED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF END OF SEASON) MUST BE ON FILE IN THE HEALTH COORDINATOR'S OFFICE BY JANUARY 13th AT 2:30pm. It is the parent's responsibility to confirm with the health coordinator that your student is eligible to tryout.
Other
Health Office
Friendly reminder to follow up and/or turn in any pending documentation for your student’s healthcare compliance. Documents can be faxed, emailed, or sent in with your student. If your student has a fever or is vomiting, they are required to stay home for 24 hours, free of fever/vomiting (without medication) before returning to school.
Please remember that if your child is not feeling well at school, the student should ask to go to the Health Office and speak with the nurse. Students should not be texting a parent/guardian to come pick them up when not feeling well. The nurse will call parents if the student is too sick to stay at school and must be picked up.
As flu season begins, research shows that the best way to protect yourself is to get a flu shot. Please review important information regarding the Flu Vaccine. Additionally, all children aged 11 or older should get vaccines to protect against meningococcal disease. The attached infographic provides important facts about meningococcal disease and the vaccine that protects against this disease.
Resource Guide
Please check out this resource guide from ISBE.
https://www.isbe.net/Documents/Faiths-Law-Resource-Guide.pdf
Washington, D.C!
7th Grade Families! If you would like to sign your current 7th grade student up for the 2026 Washington D.C trip, please enroll at this link here. Please reach out to Miss Koenig at kaitlin.koenig@district41.org for more information.
8th Grade Families! There is still time to sign your current 8th grade student up for the 2025 Washington D.C trip! If interested, please click here for more information. Please reach out to Miss Koenig at kaitlin.koenig@district41.org for more information.
Attendance
As we get into the colder season, we receive more calls on the attendance line and entries on the online absence form. Please give the office staff time to listen to calls in the morning to update your child’s absence. The online absence form is not automatic, it also takes time to update your student’s attendance with the information provided. Reminder, that you need to call each day your student is absent for sickness. Also, please make sure to give the reason for the absence when leaving the phone message. 847-356-2118 choice #1 or online absence form
Yearbook
The 2024 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, order today!
Any questions? Please contact Lauren Hollander via email at lauren.hollander@district41.org.
Band & Choir Updates
Best of luck at the concerts Nov. 4 (band) and Nov. 12 (choir)
Solo & Ensemble Festival sign-up is now! Mrs. Brown & Ms. Dahowski will be sending information .
After School Jazz Band: The next session will begin January 16th, and the Jazz Band meets most Thursdays after school until 4:00.
Team Collaboration Day
On Friday, November 22nd, students will participate in the first Team Collaboration Day of the year. The Team Collaboration action team has been planning an afternoon of activities for classes to participate in to develop team-building skills, leadership, and relationships.
IMPORTANT DATES
FOR ALL DATES (including sports) please visit our calendar here: Palombi Website Calendar
Nov 4 Band Concert
Nov 5 Election Day - No School
Nov 8 First Trimester Ends
Nov 8 Wrestling Sign Up Closes
Nov 12 D41 Choir Festival
Nov 13 Fall Picture Retake Day
Nov 13 Deadline For Physicals to participate in Wrestling
Nov.15 Report Cards Viewable on PowerSchool
Nov 18 School Board Meeting 7:00pm
Nov 25-26 Parent-Teacher Conferences
Nov 27-29 Thanksgiving Break