Dear Parent and/or Guardian:
Our school is implementing a whole-school transformational process called the Leader in Me, which teaches 21st-century leadership and life skills to students and creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader.
Our school will be conducting surveys to learn more about key areas of strength and areas of needed growth in our school. In order for us to have a holistic picture of what is going on in our school, we are asking all full-time staff members, parents/guardians, and students in Grade 4 and up to participate.
Parent Participation
If you decide to participate, you will be asked to complete a survey (without sharing your name or other identifying information) that will be available through the web link below. The survey is completely voluntary, but we do hope to get feedback from one member of every household.
The parent/guardian survey takes about 12 minutes to complete and will ask questions about your child and about his or her experience in our school. If you have more than one child attending the school, you will be asked to think about the oldest child's experiences as you answer questions related to his or her growth.
Please take this survey by May 11: https://www.leaderinme.com/s/peter-j-palombi-il/families
Student Participation
95% of our student population took the MRA during our week of IAR and ISA testing. We are pleased to see positive results in each student category from the previous year:
As you can see, our students are feeling an increased feeling of belonging to Palombi despite the behavioral challenges that typical middle school students exhibit. We aim to create steps to improve upon this year in and year out. We look forward to your participation in the MRA survey.
In Partnership,
Dr. Vic Wight, Mrs. Angela Sisi, Mrs. Julie Pozezinski Principal, Dean of Students, Dean of Student Services
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/frEKEExzJaVB...
Palombi Alumni Nominations
Palombi Leaders Today and Tomorrow Wall of Fame
Palombi has a Wall of Fame in our building! Currently, we acknowledge past students: Officer Mike Lill, Class of 1988, Professional BMX Racer Felicia Stancil, Class of 2009, NFL Player TJ Edwards, Class of 2010, Leader Meghan Butler, Class of 2015, and Bluecoat (Band) World Champion Christina Duffy, Class of 2008. We would love to add to these outstanding past students. If you know of another past alumni, please complete the following form to nominate Palombi alumni who have demonstrated leadership qualities throughout the community and beyond to be displayed on a wall in the school. Leaders of Today and Tomorrow Nomination Form
Notes from the Office
Artificial Intelligence Chatbot
Our world keeps getting more complex and our students more crafty. We have noticed an uptick in students using a site called ChatGPT. Please be aware that students who utilize ChatGPT are considered to be plagiarizing their work, will receive consequences, and will be required to make up the work they didn’t complete.
LEADER in Me Parent Information Video
A few weeks ago, we attempted to have a Google Meet session with parent participation. Unfortunately, our Meet didn’t open to the public. However, our Student Lighthouse recorded a video to present our Leader in Me update to parents. Please access that video here: Student Lighthouse Presents LIM
Health Office
Parents of 6th graders- dental exam forms are due May 15th.
Activities
National Junior Honor Society
Congratulations to newly elected National Junior Honor Society officers for the 2023-2024 school year!
President - Lucas Woyat
Vice President - Ashley Marshall
Secretary - Ella Egmer
Treasurer - Seamus Ladenburger
Leadership Expo
Please join us for our Leadership Expo on Wednesday, May 24, 3-4 pm to see how our Action Teams have been making an impact on our community this year. Please enter through the activity entrance.
7th Grade Field Trip
7th grade field trip permission slip and payment window is now closed. We are working to finalize details that will be communicated shortly.
Color Run
The Community Action Team would like to invite everyone to the Color Run on Saturday, June 3rd at 10 AM! This family walk/run event is for Palombi students, staff as well as 5th grade families. Check-in, the start and end of the race will all be in Palombi's bus parking with the run/walk occurring in the neighborhood next to Palombi. The run/walk will start with a color celebration. The route will be marked as well as volunteers throughout the race to continually throw color at participants. All students will be bringing home a registration sheet for families to complete if they would like to participate. Regular registration ends on 5/12 and payment can be made with cash, check (made out to District 41) or online. We are very excited to bring this event back to Palombi and hope to see you there!
Palombi Players
Palombi Players have been hard at work preparing for “A Night of One Acts” on Friday, May 12th at 7 pm and Saturday, May 13th at 2 pm and 5 pm. Tickets will be available for purchase at the end of April. Please reach out to Ms. Dahowski (emily.dahowski@district41.org) with any questions.
IMPORTANT DATES Links to all dates can be found here: Palombi Full Calendar of Events
Apr 14 Spring Picture Day for 6th and 7th Grade
Apr 18 PTO Meeting - Palombi Library 5:15 p.m.
Apr 26 LEAD Day - Students eat according to Friday Schedule
Apr 27 D117 Choir Festival
Apr 28 D117 Band Festival
May 16 7th Grade Field Trip Group 1
May 17 LEAD Day - Students eat accordingly to Friday Schedule
May 17 7th Grade Field Trip Group 2
May 18 7th Grade Field Trip Group 3
May 24 LEAD Day - Students eat accordingly to Friday Schedule
May 24 Leadership Expo - 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
May 29 Memorial Day - No School
Jun 2 8th Grade Dinner Dance
Jun 3 Color Run
Jun 6 8th Grade Picnic
Jun 7 6th Grade Picnic
Jun 7 Graduation Practice @ Lakes H.S. 9:15 - 11:15
Jun 7 Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony - 7:00 p.m. @ Lakes H.S.
Jun 8 7th Grade Picnic
Jun 8 Move-up Day
Jun 9 Last Day of School