Dear Parent and/or Guardian:
December is upon us, as is a change in weather and upcoming holidays! Please remember that students at Palombi participate in an outdoor recess three days per week when the wind chill is above 25 degrees. Students should be prepared with appropriate clothing to handle the inclement weather.
In addition to reminding students to dress for the weather, I wanted to share the information below, which outlines different weather predictions and district responses.
Cold Days - The National Weather Service predicts wind chills below -30 degrees.
Snow Days - The National Weather Service predicts heavy snow or icy conditions overnight or that worsen during the day.
Other Considerations - The National Weather Service predicts blowing snow, winds greater than 20 mph, heavy snow accumulations during travel times, hazardous driving conditions, or ice accumulation. Or there is a concern about the ability of buses to start due to extreme cold and power outages.
E-Learning Days - An E-Learning Day may be used as an alternative to being fully closed. These days do not need to be made up at the end of the year. Students and staff would be notified before the end of the preceding day to bring their Chromebooks home.
Parents - Please make sure your contact information is up to date. Parents may keep a child home if schools are open due to weather. They will be marked as excused, however remote learning is not an option under these circumstances.
If Schools are Closed - A district-wide alert will be sent out via phone and email as early as possible (hopefully the night before). Parents can also check the district’s website at www.district41.org.
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 at the following link: https://forms.gle/frEKEExzJaVBHayA8
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!
Leader in Me
Habit 3: Put First Things First
This month, we’re focusing on Habit 3: Put First Things First. This habit encourages students to prioritize their time by focusing on their most important tasks and responsibilities before moving on to less critical activities. It’s all about organization, self-discipline, and making choices that support long-term goals. At school, we’re practicing this by setting daily priorities and managing time effectively during learning activities.
At home, you can reinforce Habit 3 by helping your child create a weekly schedule, discussing what’s most important, and encouraging them to tackle homework or chores before diving into fun activities. Together, we can build skills that set them up for success now and in the future!
Notes from the Office
Forgotten Items
If your child forgets an item at home and you feel it is absolutely necessary to bring it to school, please know that we have a forgotten items rack in our office. Once you are in the office, please write your student’s full name on a label, place it on the correct grade level shelf, and we will try to deliver those items as soon as possible. Students aren’t able to use their phones during the day and shouldn’t be texted about missing items.
Honor Roll
First Trimester honor roll certificates are being created. They will be sent home within the next few weeks. Your student will receive a certificate if they earned a 4.0 GPA for High Honor Roll and 3.14 GPA for Honor Roll. Congratulations to all of the students who will receive a certificate and worked hard to earn this honor. We look forward to more students reaching their Wildly Important Goals and earning this for the second trimester.
Activities
Dance Competition
The Palombi dance team is competing in the IDTA Competition at Hawthorn Middle North (201 Hawthorn Parkway in Vernon Hills) on Saturday, December 14th. The competition will begin at 9:45 am with doors opening at 9 am. Admission is $6 per person, children under 3 are free, and cash or credit card is accepted. We look forward to seeing our Palombi community support the team!
Cheerleading Competitions
The Palombi Cheer team will be competing at two different competitions this year to show off their amazing competition routine. Our first competition will take place on Sunday, December 8th at Crystal Lake Central High School around 10:30 a.m. Admission is $10 and tickets can be purchased ahead of time through the GoFan link. The second competition will take place on Sunday, December 15th at Marian Catholic High School with more detailed information to follow. We would love to see a great turn out at the competitions to support all the hard work the team has put in over the season!
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.
National Junior Honor Society
National Junior Honor Society applications were emailed to 7th and 8th graders with a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher. NJHS Applications are due on Monday, December 2nd at 2:30 p.m. No exceptions will be made. Students will be notified of their application status via their district email on Friday, December 6th. There will be an induction ceremony for the accepted applicants and their families on Wednesday, December 18th in the auditorium at 5 p.m. More information will be emailed to the accepted applicants and their parents or guardians.
Library Information
Winter is on its way, bringing chilly temps and shorter days—perfect for a brisk outdoor adventure to shoo away those winter blues! When the frost nips at your nose, cozy up indoors with a good book—reading to a pet or younger sibling is a delightful way to bond. Need some digital fun? Flick on the Virtual T.V. with the library link for an engaging online adventure! Also included: How to Make Screen Time Safe and Positive
After School Enrichments
Be on the lookout for an email with the sign-up form for session 3 of enrichments in January! It will also be available on the district website. If your student has an idea for a new club that they would like to have offered, please have them email Ms. Kaplan at emily.kaplan@district41.org before Winter Break.
Palombi Players
Palombi Players is excited to present “The Princess Capers” on December 13th at 7 pm and 14th at 2 pm and 5 pm. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for Adults. Reserve your seats by following this link!
Jazz Band
The Jazz Band has been hard at work preparing for our upcoming performance on Wednesday, December 4th at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium.
Spelling Bee
Palombi’s initial school spelling bee will be held on Tuesday, January 21st. Students must be signed up to participate. The sign-up form can be found on your student’s ELA teacher’s Google Classroom. The deadline to sign up is Monday, January 6th at 2:30 p.m. The top ten contestants from Tuesday's spelling bee will participate in the second and final school spelling bee on Thursday, January 23rd. These students’ families will be invited to attend.
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
Message from Grant High School
Grant High School will use a blended model for the transition to high school. Student registration will be online, and will be open from January 6, 2025 - February 7, 2025. Families will receive individual letters the first full week of January communicating their specific Skyward Login information and how to register their student.
Enrollment night for Palombi students is in person on January 22, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., with doors opening at 6:00pm for ID pictures and campus exploration. Each feeder middle school is assigned a different night, which allows for more personalized conversations. This is an event for both incoming students and parents, and attendance is very highly recommended.
Finally, Grant High School will host an in person Activity and Athletics Fair Night on April 9, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m in Grant’s East and West gyms. All incoming freshmen and their parents are strongly encouraged to attend.
Please contact Grant High School for more information.
Message from Grayslake North High School
We are excited to meet with your student(s) at Palombi in January to select classes for your students' freshman year at Grayslake North. Recommendations will be made by Grayslake North's Department Chairs of English, Math, Science and Social Studies based on a number of factors, including but not limited to PSAT scores, MAP scores, etc. We will be sending you a list of appointment times in the next few weeks. Also, we look forward to seeing all of our 8th grade parents at our Welcome Knight on Tuesday, January 14, 2024 at 6:30pm. We will showcase Grayslake North, our clubs, sports, have classroom demonstrations and parents will get their students' course recommendations. More information will be sent to parents from Grayslake North in the next few weeks.
Please contact Grayslake High School for more information.
Message from Lakes High School
Please see this flier for information on the Open House for the class of 2029.
Please contact Lakes High School for more information.
IMPORTANT DATES
Links to all dates can be found here: Palombi Full Calendar of Events
Dec. 4 Jazz Band Performance- 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 13 Palombi Players Program - 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 14 Palombi Players Program - 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 16 Lake Villa District 41 Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 18 NJHS Induction Ceremony 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 23 Winter Break Begins
Jan. 6 School Resumes
Jan. 7 Girls Volleyball Tryouts
Jan. 8 Girls Volleyball Tryouts
Jan. 9 Girls Volleyball Tryouts, if needed
Jan 13 8th Grade Graduation Picture Day (during school hours)
Jan 13 Lake Villa District 41 Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
Jan. 14 Boys Volleyball Tryouts
Jan. 15 Boys Volleyball Tryouts
Jan. 16 Boys Volleyball Tryouts, if needed
Jan. 20 No, School, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Day