Dear Palombi Families,
We are thrilled to share some exciting news with you!
After reviewing our NWEA/MAP Winter data, we are proud to report that all grade levels made significant growth in both ELA and Math. In fact, every grade level met their winter goal in both subjects! Even more impressive, our ELA scores across all grade levels exceeded the MAP national norm, meaning our students outperformed the national average reported by NWEA MAP.
This remarkable achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our students, staff, school, and community. By setting individual goals and recognizing the importance of education, we have created an environment that fosters success.
As we look ahead to the IAR assessments in March, let’s continue this momentum. With the same level of effort and commitment, we can showcase the incredible potential of our students once again!
Thank you for your continued support!
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 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!
February Habit of the Month
This month, we’re focusing on Habit 4: Think Win-Win, which teaches students the importance of finding solutions that benefit everyone. It’s about fostering cooperation, fairness, and mutual respect. By practicing this habit, students learn that life is not about competition or "winning" at the expense of others—it’s about creating opportunities where everyone feels valued and successful.
How can you support Habit 4 at home?
Model Win-Win Thinking: When resolving conflicts or making decisions as a family, involve your child in finding solutions that work for everyone. For example, if siblings disagree over a game or activity, ask, “How can we make this fair so everyone feels happy?”
Praise Collaboration: Highlight moments when your child works well with others, such as sharing responsibilities or compromising during play. Celebrate their efforts to create positive outcomes for everyone.
Practice Perspective-Taking: Encourage your child to consider other people's feelings and viewpoints. Ask questions like, “How do you think your friend felt about that?” or “What would you do if you were in their shoes?”
Use Real-Life Scenarios: Discuss win-win opportunities in everyday situations, like sharing chores or deciding on weekend plans.
By reinforcing Habit 4 at home, you’re helping your child develop strong relationships and problem-solving skills that will benefit them throughout life!
From the Dean’s Office: Trimester Three Behavioral Expectations
Below are the trimester three expectations for students as we head into their last trimester of the year. End of the year activities are a privilege for students to attend, not a right. To participate, students will be expected to demonstrate the leader within themselves, as these activities are being offered to students who demonstrate responsibility both in academics and behavior. Participation is earned and achievable for all students. A student may not be able to participate in end of the year activities if they do not conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at school and/or are not in good academic standing. Please review the document with your child so everyone understands the expectations for the students.
Spring Conferences
Each year, Lake Villa 41 holds spring parent/teacher conferences based on invitation only. On March 6th, 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 6th.
Notes from the Office: Front Door Protocol
Our main entrance doors are locked for security reasons. There are two door bells: one for the Palombi Office and one for the District Office. Please ring the appropriate door 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.
Health Office
During the winter weather, please do your part to help our staff and students stay healthy by keeping your child/ren 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 current dental exam by May 15th.
Hearing and Vision Screenings: During the school year, vision and/or hearing screenings are conducted for students. Please see the student/parent handbook for further information.
ACTIVITIES
Yearbook
The 2024 Yearbook is on sale for $35. Buy your yearbook now! Reserve your copy (CC only online) at jostensyearbooks.com or call 1-877-767-5217 to place your order. Don't delay, the final day to order is approaching! Yearbooks must be ordered by February 14, 2025. Only a limited number of yearbooks will be available to purchase after this deadline and will not be guaranteed. Any questions? Please contact Lauren Hollander at lauren.hollander@district41.org.
Advanced Art 2025-2026
Attention families of current 6th and 7th grade students! If your student has taken an introductory Art course at Palombi, 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 21st, 2025, to be considered for the 2025-2026 Advanced Art class.
Advanced Guitar 2025-2026
Hello Palombi guitar student families! We began offering Advanced Guitar as a full-year class last fall, and I am happy to tell you that we are offering this course again for the 2025-26 school year! This class is open to any student who has successfully completed the basic guitar course at Palombi. Also, students who did not take guitar at Palombi but have experience playing guitar or have taken private guitar lessons are also eligible to audition for the class. The course focuses on advanced guitar skills including advanced chords, solo guitar, duets and small ensembles, music theory, and song writing. Additionally, there are performance opportunities, and exposure to the piano, bass guitar, and drums. Most important though, it's a ton of fun! Advanced Guitar class runs the entire school year. It is important to consider this option for your student soon as course sign-up will take place later this school year and space is limited. If you have any questions, please have your student see me in school or send me an email at john.eifert@district34.org
.Track and Field
An informational meeting will be held via Google Meet on Monday, March 3, 2025 from 2:30-3:00 pm. Click here to join the meet.
The signup for Track and Field will be live in March! Please be on the lookout for the sign up form so you can sign your student up if they are interested in being on the team. Track and Field is a no cut sport for any 6th-8th grade student. The season begins Monday, March 31st when we return from spring break. A current physical must be on file in the nurse’s office by the deadline in order to participate.
Band & Choir
The 6th Grade Band and Choir students will be performing our joint concert on February 11th at 6:30 pm in PJP Gym. The 7th and 8th Band and Choir students will be performing at the Grant Music In Our Schools Festival on March 5th. Best of luck to our musicians performing at the Northern Illinois Music Conference Solo and Ensemble Festival on Saturday February 22nd.
Fairytale Forest Dance
Our spring dance is approaching soon! Do you want to dress like a whimsical fairy or is a creature from Shrek more your speed? Dress like your favorite fairytale creature for our spring dance on March 14th. The 6th grade portion of the dance will be from 5-6:30 and the 7th & 8th grade portion of the dance will be from 7-8:30. Tickets will be sold during lunches on March 11, 12, and 13th for $5. Tickets will be sold at the door of the dance for $7. Reach out to Ms. Kobeski or Ms. Broz if you have any questions.
Feed My Starving Children Night
Please join us for a family volunteer night at Feed My Starving Children in Libertyville. The Future Leaders Action Team encourages all students and families to sign up to help pack food for the less fortunate on Friday, February 21st from 7:15 - 8:45 pm. Please use the link below to sign up.
http://www.fmsc.org/join-group?joincode=6LWZX2
Please see the information below about trying out for the Grant Junior Bulldogs Cheerleading Team.
IMPORTANT DATES
Links to all dates can be found here: Palombi Full Calendar of Events
Feb 11 6th Grade Band and Choir Concert
Feb 14 No School - Institute Day
Feb 17 President’s Day - No School
Lake Villa 41 Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Feb 21 Graduation Picture Retake Day (during school)
Feb 21 End of 2nd Trimester
Feb 22 Solo & Ensemble Festival
Feb 28 2nd Trimester Grade Posted in PowerSchool
Mar 3 Lake Villa 41 Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Mar 6 Spring Conferences 1:45 - 7:00 p.m. (Invite only)
Mar 7 No School - Non-attendance Day
Mar 11,12,13 IAR (Illinois Assessment for Readiness) ELA Testing, 6th - 8th grades
Mar 14 6th Grade Dance 5-6:30 pm and 7th/8th grade dance 7-8:30 pm
Mar 17 Lake Villa 41 Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
Mar 17,18,19 IAR (Illinois Assessment for Readiness) Math Testing, 6th-8th grades
Mar 24 - 28 Spring Break - No School
April 2 ISA (Illinois Science Assessment) Testing, 8th Grade