Dear Palombi Families,
This month, students will take the ELA Illinois Assessment for Readiness (IAR) on Tuesday and Thursday (March 11–13). The following week, they will take the Math IAR on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (March 17–19). Additionally, our eighth graders will complete the Illinois Science Assessment on April 2. In the coming weeks, we will conduct makeup testing for any students who miss these important assessments.
With the start of a new trimester, students have a fresh opportunity to develop positive habits that will contribute to their success—both this term and in the future. To help them stay on track, students will review their Wildly Important Goals and focus on reaching their highest potential. We encourage you to continue checking PowerSchool to monitor their progress and support their learning.
In celebration of our students’ hard work, Palombi will be sending out Trimester 2 Honor Roll certificates soon. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and want to recognize their dedication and effort.
Thank you for your continued support!
Mrs. Angela Sisi
Principal
5 Essentials Parent Survey
Until March 28th, students, parents, and teachers across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the eleventh annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent/guardian, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school. Parents, please click here to take the 5 Essential Survey. Padres, hagan clic aquí para realizar la encuesta 5 Essential Survey.
6th Grade Orientation
Please join us on Wednesday, April 30th from 6pm-7pm for our incoming 6th grade orientation. Along with a presentation from administration there will be an activity/athletic fair and self guided tours.
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!
From the Dean’s Desk
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.
Leader In Me
This month we are focusing on Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood. This habit teaches students the importance of listening with empathy before expressing their own thoughts. Middle schoolers often want to be heard, but true leadership starts with understanding others first. By practicing active listening—making eye contact, avoiding interruptions, and asking thoughtful questions—students build stronger friendships, resolve conflicts peacefully, and create a positive school community. Encourage your student to practice Habit 5 at home by truly listening before responding in conversations.
Student Action Team Spotlights
This month we are highlighting the Book Club Action Team and the Beautification Action Team. The Book Club Action Team recently ran a book drive for Bernie’s Book Bank and donated 1,380 books! The Beautification Action Team planted floors and added a new garbage can outside. Thank you for all you do for our school!
PTO
A READING ROAD TRIP: READ ACROSS AMERICA
Mark your Calendars: The Reading Road Trip begins on March 3rd and ends on March 21st.
Signing Up: Parents can log in to our fundraiser website and create accounts. There, you can track the number of minutes your students have read and how much money they’ve fundraised. The more signups we have, the higher the projection for participation and fundraising!
Notes from the Office: Front Door Protocol
Our main entrance doors are locked for security reasons. There are two doorbells: one for the Palombi Office and one for the District Office. Please ring the appropriate doorbell 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 in keeping our school safe.
Attendance
Now that we are in 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
Spring Picture Day - April 15th
ED Clark will be taking Spring pictures for 6th & 7th grade on April 15th at Palombi Middle School. Order forms will be going home with the students the week before.
Health Office
Parents of 6th grade students: Please remember to turn in your student’s Dental Exam form by Monday, May 15th.
If your student is planning on participating in Track and Field, please make sure they have a current physical on file in the nurse’s office. Physicals are due by 1p.m. on Friday, March 21st.
During 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.
Music Department News
Congratulations to our Band & Choir students who participated in the annual Northern Illinois Music Conference Solo & Ensemble Festival on Saturday 2/22 at Lake Zurich Middle School Northl in Lake Zurich! Collectively, they earned 3 Perfect Scores, 17 Division 1, 16 Division 2, and 3 Division 3 Ratings. They all worked hard & we are proud of their performances.
Band students: Novalee Ayala, Caroline Boulett, Sydney Brady, Genesis Castellanos, Carlie Cichon, Sophia Connor, Paige Cook, Alex Del-Angel, Cameron Eckman, Sofie Gallegos, Jonas Hoover, Kennedy Hoover, Gianna Knapcik, Daniel Kumpula, Ethan Kumpula, Lucy Legare, Layla Luedtke, Wyatt Merrell, Grant Mikes, Malcolm Parsons, Eddie Plese, Dominique Romero, Elena Romero, Noah Stochmal, Declan Sweeney, Spencer Wallace, & Charlotte Wetter
Choir students: Nadia Akanbi, Imogene Cangialosi, Addison Fitzpatrick, Makenna Galek, Sophia Guadarrama, Amelia Kmiec, Makena Lujan, Molly Macrum, Elsy Mojica, Sophia Navarrette, Madeline Partlo, Peter Scholtens, Leah Smiles, Ayden Thomas, Aliyah Vazquez, and Ally Wilson
Jazz Night hosted by District 117 will take place on Wednesday March 19th at Lakes High School. Our Advanced & After School Jazz Bands will both be performing at 6:00.
8th Graders
Holocaust Museum Mobile VR Devices
During the month of April, the eighth graders at Palombi are fortunate enough to get the opportunity to experience the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center’s new mobile virtual reality teaching trunk. Students will discover the power of virtual reality to enhance their Holocaust education through 360-degree immersive technology. They will “walk” with Holocaust Survivors through childhood hometowns and concentration camps as they share their stories of survival, creating an unforgettable experience. An agreement that must be signed by each eighth grader and their parent or guardian will be sent home on Monday, March 10th. This must be turned in to their social studies teacher by Friday, April 4th!
Activities
Track and Field
2025 Track and Field signups are open March 3rd! Click here to sign your student up- sign ups close Friday, March 21 at 1 pm. Track and Field is a no-cut sport that is open to all 6th-8th grade students. There is an informational meeting on March 3rd at 2:30 pm for all parents and students. Click here to join the meet. A current physical MUST be on file in the nurse’s office by Friday, March 21 at 1:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact the head coach, Ms. Horn (ashley.horn@district41.org).
After School Enrichments
School EnrichmentsThe sign-up form for session 4 enrichments will be available on the Palombi website from Thursday, March 21st - Friday, April 5th. Session 4 enrichments will begin the week of April 8th and end the week of May 13th! Sign-up forms and payment are due Friday, April 5th! Please reach out to Ms. Kaplan with any questions.
Fairy Tale Forest Dance
The Fairy Tale Forest Dance is Friday March 14. Students are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite fairy tale creature, whether that be a magical fairy or a scary ogre! The 6th grade portion of the dance is from 5:00 to 6:30 and the 7th and 8th grade dance will be from 7:00 to 8:30. Tickets will be sold during lunches on March 11, 12, and 13 $5. Tickets will be sold at the door of the dance on Friday, March 14 for $7. Make sure to purchase your tickets early for a discounted price! We hope to see you at the dance!
PE Skating Unit
All students (even those in Health trimester 3) have the option to participate in the skating unit sponsored by Skatetime during the month of April/May. Each grade level is designated a week to skate and permission slips will be sent home March 3rd. Students are able to bring their own skates to participate as long as they complete the personal skate form. Below are the skating dates for each grade level and a PDF skating form for rental skates and personal skates that can be printed and returned to school. Permission slip forms are due April 1, 2025.
6th grade: week of May 12-16
7th grade: week of May 5-9
8th grade: week of April 28 - May 3
IMPORTANT DATES
Links to all dates can be found here: Palombi Full Calendar of Events
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
Apr 7 Lake Villa 41 Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
Apr 15 Spring Picture Day for 6th and 7th Grade
Apr 19 Lighthouse Vendor Fair
Apr 21 Lake Villa 41 Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
Apr 30 Incoming 6th Grade Orientation - 6:00p.m.- 7:00p.m.