Dear Palombi families,
We are pleased to share that our students have successfully completed the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) testing. Their hard work, dedication, and perseverance throughout the testing process were commendable, and we appreciate your support in ensuring they were well-prepared each day.
As we enter the final two months of the school year, we remain committed to providing meaningful learning experiences for our students. This time of year is filled with exciting opportunities, including end-of-year projects, field trips, and celebrations to recognize student achievements. We encourage all students to stay engaged, continue putting forth their best effort, and finish the year strong.
Additionally, please take note of upcoming important dates and events, listed at the bottom of this newsletter. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. Let’s make these last months of the school year productive and memorable for our students!
Sincerely,
Angela Sisi
Principal
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!
6th Grade Orientation
We are looking very excited to meet our incoming 6th graders on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 starting at 6:00 p.m. Our administrative team will have a 10 minute presentation, and the rest of the night will be for families and students to tour the building and attend the activity/athletic fair.
Notes from the Office
From the Dean’s Desk
As a reminder, below are the trimester three expectations for students as we are in 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: April Habit of the Month
In April, students will be focusing on Habit 6: Synergize, we encourage students to embrace teamwork and collaboration. By valuing each other's differences, middle schoolers learn that working together often leads to better outcomes than working alone. This habit teaches the importance of listening, building on each other’s strengths, and finding creative solutions to problems.
Help your child understand the power of synergy by encouraging group activities, problem-solving with peers, and celebrating diverse perspectives.
Student Action Team Spotlights
This month we are highlighting the Team Collaboration Time Action Team and Future Leaders Action Team. The Team Collaboration Time Action Team’s mission is to be good role models through collaboration by being kind and respectful while engaging in activities and making new relationships. They are currently working on planning the final Team Collaboration Time for the school year. The Future Leaders Action Team’s mission is to help inspire leaders within Palombi to bring awareness to the community to better our world. They recently organized an event at Feed My Starving Children on February 21st with over 40 attendees, and are currently planning a canned food drive for the Lake Villa Food Pantry.
District-Wide Leadership Event
Save the date! We will be hosting our district-wide Leader in Me event on Tuesday, May 13, 6-7:30 pm in the Palombi gym. Please keep an eye out for the next newsletter for more information.
7th Grade Field Trips
The 7th grade team is planning some fun field trips for the month of May. We are working to finalize details and information will be communicated soon!
After School Enrichments
The sign-up form for session 4 of after school enrichments is now open. This last session of enrichments will begin the week of April 7th and end the week of May 12th. To register, complete this Google Form and pay online at MySchoolBucks.com or with cash/check by Friday, April 4th. The following enrichments will be offered during session 4:
- Mondays: Gaming Club, Garden Club
- Every Other Tuesday: Gay-Straight/Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
- Wednesdays: Art Club, Guitar & Piano Club, Mural Painting Club (Advanced Art students only!), Sewing Club
- Thursdays: Dance Club (participants MUST have a current physical on file with the nurse's office)
Health Office
Parents of 6th graders, please remember to turn in your student’s dental exam by May 15th.
Spring Vendor Fair
Palombi's Student Lighthouse is hosting their first annual Spring Vendor Fair on Saturday April 19th, 2025 from 10-3 in the Palombi Gym (enter through activity entrance). We will have over 30 crafters, bakers, vendors, and concessions! Every entrant will receive a raffle ticket as well and additional tickets will be available inside the event for purchase! We hope to see you there! Contact Ms. Sarcinelli or Ms. Gama at Palombi Middle School if you have any questions!
Palombi Players
Palombi Players have been hard at work preparing for “Seussical Jr.” on Friday, May 16th at 7 pm and Saturday, May 17th at 2 pm and 5 pm. Tickets will be available for purchase on My School Bucks for $6 starting April 21st. Presale tickets will close on May 15th! Tickets will also be sold at the door for $7. Please reach out to Ms. Dahowski (emily.dahowski@district41.org) with any questions.
Music News
On March 5th, Band and Choir students performed at the Grant Music in Our Schools Festival. It was a great day of music and community. Looking forward, the Band and Choir students will be participating in the D117 Fine Arts Festival on April 16th at Lakes Community High School. We cannot wait to perform with D117 Schools on this day!
Advanced Musical Theater Class
For the 2025-2026 school year, Palombi is offering a year-long class for Musical Theater. This class would require performance (both singing and acting) and expand on the knowledge learned in Musical Theater, including an end of the year performance for families and friends. You will expand your knowledge on acting, musical theater history, and stage crew. This class will be open to 7th and 8th grade students only. Please fill out this form if you are interested in joining Advanced Musical Theater. Must be in Palombi Players or have taken Musical Theater.
Color Run
The Palombi Student Lighthouse Team would like to invite everyone to the Color Run on Saturday, May 17th at 10 AM! This family walk/run event is for all District 41 students, families, and staff. Check-in will be in the bus parking lot which is where the race will begin. The run/walk will start with a color celebration. The route will be marked and there will be volunteers throughout the race to continually throw color at participants. Please complete the form at MySchoolBucks.com. Early registration ends on April 25th and payments can be made online at MySchoolBucks.com. We are very excited and hope to see you there! If you have any questions please email Ms. Sarcinelli (cecily.sarcinelli@district41.org) or Ms. Gama (cecilia.gamamendoza@district41.org)
8th Grade Dinner Dance
This year’s 8th Grade Dinner Dance is being held at the Valley Ridge Golf Course on May 23, 2025 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. There will be more details provided next month, however please reserve the date on your calendar so your child does not miss out on this memorable event.
IMPORTANT DATES
Links to all dates can be found here: Palombi Full Calendar of Events
Apr 7 School Board Meeting, 7:00pm
Apr 15 Picture Day for 6th and 7th Grade
Apr 19 Lighthouse Vendor Fair
Apr 21 School Board Meeting, 7:00pm
Apr 30 Incoming 6th Grade Orientation - 6:00pm- 7:00pm
May 1 8th Grade ELLs visit Grayslake North- 9:30am - 11:30am
May 5 School Board Meeting, 7:00pm
May 6 Spring Choir Concert 6:30pm-8:00pm
May 7 Spring Band Concert 6:30pm-8:00pm
May 13 7th Grade Field Trip - Milwaukee Zoo Part 1
May 13 LIM Event 6:00pm-7:30pm
May 15 7th Grade Field Trip - Milwaukee Zoo Part 2
May 16 Palombi Players Spring Play, 7:00pm
May 17 Color Run, 10:00am
May 17 Palombi Players Spring Play, 2:00pm and 5:00pm
May 19 School Board Meeting, 7:00pm
May 22 8th Grade Picnic
May 23 Awards Ceremony
May 23 8th Grade Dinner Dance 6:00pm-9:00pm
May 26 Memorial Day - No School
May 27 Graduation Practice @ Lakes H.S. 9:15 - 11:15
May 27 Class of 2024 Graduation Ceremony - 7:00 p.m. @ Lakes H.S.
May 28 6th Grade Picnic
May 29 7th Grade Picnic
May 29 6th Grade Skating Field Trip
May 30 Move-up Day
Jun 2 Last Day of School