Dear Palombi Families,
As we approach the end of the 2024–2025 school year, I want to take a moment to share how proud I am of our students. They’ve made incredible progress—both in their academic achievement and personal growth. It’s been a true privilege to serve as your principal this year, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds for our school community.
We have several exciting events planned to close out the year, and we hope every student will be able to participate. To ensure this, we encourage all students to continue focusing on their academics and maintaining positive behavior.
Please help us reinforce the importance of using respectful language, embracing one another’s differences, avoiding inappropriate use of social media, and keeping hands to themselves. When we work together to support these values, Palombi can continue to thrive as an exceptional school.
Thank you for your partnership and support.
Angela Sisi
Principal, Palombi Middle School
MRA
As part of our Leader in Me implementation process and drive for continuous improvement, our school will be conducting surveys to learn more about key areas of strength and areas of needed growth.
The survey is completely voluntary, but we do hope to get feedback from one member of every household. 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 this link.
The parent/guardian survey takes about 12 minutes to complete and will ask questions about your child and their 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 their growth. An email will also be sent out at a later date with the link.
Leadership Event
Join Us for Our First-Ever District-Wide Leadership Event!
Tuesday, May 13 | 6:00–7:30 PM
Location: Palombi Middle School
We are excited to invite you to our inaugural District-Wide Leadership Event—a celebration of student voice, leadership, and family connection!
The evening will kick off at 6:00 PM in the Palombi Middle School Gymnasium with a special presentation by student leaders from across the district. They’ll share how leadership principles and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People have impacted their schools and personal growth.
Following the presentation, families are invited to participate in a variety of interactive, family-friendly activities designed to highlight the 7 Habits and how these habits can be practiced at home. Activities will be suitable for all ages, and PTO will be offering snacks and drinks for concessions.
Come be inspired, have fun, and learn how the 7 Habits can help strengthen leadership skills and family bonds!
Palombi Parent Panel
On April 30th, the Palombi Parent Panel held its first meeting, focusing on school culture and climate. After reviewing current initiatives, parents shared valuable ideas for enhancing the school environment by boosting student, parent, and community involvement in events. Stay tuned—several of these ideas may be put into action during the 2025–2026 school year!
Anti-Bullying Committee
Over the past two school years, the Anti-Bullying Committee has been actively working on a variety of initiatives aimed at improving the school climate and promoting kindness. One of the committee’s key efforts has been identifying specific areas and times during the school day when unkind or bullying behaviors are most likely to occur.
Each year, the committee has included a different group of student participants, bringing fresh perspectives and energy to the work. Last year, the group played a major role in initiating the effort to bring Rachel’s Challenge to Palombi, which kicked off the 2024–25 school year.
To date, the committee’s efforts have included:
Developing a student-friendly definition of bullying
Consistently harming someone in a physical or emotional way
Clarifying the distinctions between mean, rude, and bullying behavior
Creating educational posters displayed throughout the school
Designing digital slides for the cafeteria TV
Morning announcements that promote kindness and inclusion
This school year, students also designed empathy-focused lessons for advisory teachers to implement and explored ways for staff to recognize and reinforce positive behaviors through the distribution of LEAD tickets.
For the remainder of the school year, the committee plans to:
Design a bulletin board in a high-traffic area to raise awareness about bullying and its emotional and social impact
Produce a short video, featuring student voices, to be shown during study hall periods. This video will offer peer-to-peer strategies on how to stand up to bullying and support others.
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 Leaders Today and Tomorrow Wall of Fame
We are looking to add outstanding past students to our Alumni wall. If you know of any past alumni who are demonstrating leadership in any capacity, please complete the following form to nominate them. We are looking for past students 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
May Habit of the Month
This month students will be focusing on Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw — the habit of renewal and balance. "Sharpening the saw" means taking time to care for ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially so we can be at our best. For our students, this could look like getting enough sleep, exercising, practicing mindfulness, reading for fun, spending time with friends and family, or trying a new hobby. We encourage our families to talk together about ways to sharpen the saw at home, so students can finish the year strong, energized, and ready for new challenges!
Notes from the Deans Desk
As we approach the end of the school year, it's more important than ever to focus on positive behavior and finish strong! Students are encouraged to continue showing respect, responsibility, and kindness both in and out of the classroom. Last week's discipline presentation reminded us all of the importance of making good choices and staying focused on our goals. Let's work together to end the year on a high note by supporting one another and maintaining the positive school environment we've built all year long!
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.
NOTES FROM THE OFFICE
Health Office
On Thursday, April 24, 2025, a confirmed case of measles was reported in Illinois. The measles virus spreads easily through contact respiratory droplets and via airborne spread. The virus can remain airborne for up to two hours after an infectious person leaves an area. Measles is highly contagious. Up to 90% of susceptible people who have contact with someone with measles will develop measles. Patients are contagious starting four days before through four days after rash onset (with rash onset date being day zero). Anyone with measles should isolate during that time except to seek necessary medical care. Vaccination is the best protection against measles. Those traveling internationally, especially to countries where there are known measles outbreaks, should ensure they are up to date on all their vaccinations. Those traveling within the U.S. to areas with measles outbreaks should ensure they are up to date on their measles vaccinations. MMR is a measles containing vaccine that is highly effective in providing measles immunity. The Illinois Department of Public Health, dictates that susceptible contacts who are not vaccinated and do not receive the vaccine within 72 hours of exposure will be excluded from school for 21 days after the onset of the last case. If your child is not vaccinated against MMR and is exposed to measles, they can be vaccinated within 3 days of exposure. If you'd like more information about Measles in Illinois, please visit the IDPH Measles Website.
Please remember to pick up all student medications by Monday, June 2nd at 10:00a.m. EpiPens and inhalers may be taken home by students, all others must be picked up by a parent/guardian. Any medication left behind will be disposed of per D41 policy.
Graduation Information
Graduation Caps and Gowns will be distributed to students on May 20. Graduation fees must be paid before students receive their gowns. Fees can be paid by check or exact cash. Graduation will be held at the Lakes High School Field House on May 27 at 7 pm. Graduates need to arrive at 6 pm. Each graduate can bring 6 guests, no tickets are required. The graduation will also be live-streamed for those who are unable to attend.
Graduation Day is the last day of school for 8th-grade students.
Awards Ceremony
Each year, Palombi holds an 8th grade awards ceremony. If your child is receiving an award, you will receive an email invite for Friday, May 23rd at 8:00 a.m. The ceremony will be livestreamed for anyone that cannot make it to the ceremony.
The 6th & 7th grade awards ceremony will be held on Friday, May 23rd at 11:30 a.m. This ceremony will only be livestreamed, and parents will be notified if their child is receiving an award to be able to view the ceremony.
ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETICS
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. You can complete the form at MySchoolBucks.com. 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)
Fall Sports 2025-2026
We are getting ready for Fall Sports at Palombi. If your student is interested in Soccer, Girls' Softball, or track. Please fill out Palombi Fall Sports 2025
The deadline for signing up for tryouts is Monday, August 25, at 2:30 p.m. A current physical must also be on file with the Health coordinator by that time.
Please get in touch with Steve Johnson, the athletic director, with questions.
8th Grade Families: The end of the year is coming fast and we don't want your child to miss out on the end of the year activities. Please see this flyer about the 8th Grade Dinner Dance. This will be a night of food and fun for your eighth grade student. There will be a DJ playing their favorite music, a photo booth to capture special memories, and good food to eat. Please use this link for payment. We hope they can join for a night to remember! Payment/permission is due no later than May 14th. Please reach out to Mrs. Steffen or Ms. Spaulding with any questions.
8th Grade Picnic and Ice Cream Truck
Attention 8th Grade Students: To celebrate the end of your time at Palombi, the 8th grade students will be able to attend a picnic on May 22nd. There will also be treats provided from an Ice Cream Truck at Palombi on May 27th. Each child will be sent home with a flyer about the upcoming events. Please use the links below for payment. Payments are due no later than May 16th. Please reach out to Mrs. Horne or Mrs. Doll with any questions.
NJHS
Congratulations to the newly elected National Junior Honor Society officers for the 2025-2026 school year!
President - Jana Ignatova
Vice President - Charlotte Wetter
Secretary - Spencer Wallace
Treasurer - Elizabeth Go
Congratulations to the Scholastic Bowl Team!
Congratulations to the Scholastic Bowl Team for placing second in the N.W.S.G.S.C. Conference Tournament. The team then went on to win the regional tournament to become the 2025 IESA Class AA Regional Champions. The team has a phenomenal record of 19-3. Way to go Scholastic Bowl Team! Good luck the IESA Sectional Tournament on Monday, May 5!
Photo Credits: Michelle Trayne
IMPORTANT DATES
Links to all dates can be found here: Palombi Full Calendar of Events
May 5 School Board Meeting 7:00 p.m
May 6 Spring Choir Concert 6:30 p.m.
May 7 Spring Band Concert 6:30 p.m.
May 8 Resource Fair 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
May 13 Districtwide Leadership Event - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m
May 13 7th Grade Zoo Field Trip - Group 1
May 15 7th Grade Zoo Field Trip - Group 2
May 16 All library books due
May 16 Palombi Players Spring Play 7:00 p.m
May 17 Palombi Players Spring Play 2:00 p.m and 5:00 p.m
May 17 Color Run 10:00 a.m.
May 19 School Board Meeting 7:00 p.m
May 20 8th Gr Graduation Gown Distribution to Students and chromebook turn-in
May 21 Spring Pop Show - 6:30 p.m.
May 22 8th Grade Picnic
May 22 5th Grade Band Concert - 6:30 p.m.
May 23 8th Grade Awards Ceremony 8:00 - 9:15 a.m. (Parents will be invited)
6th/7th Grade Virtual Awards Ceremony 11:30 a.m.
May 23 8th Grade Dinner Dance 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
May 26 Memorial Day - No School
May 27 Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony - 7:00 p.m. @ Lakes H.S.
May 27 Last attendance day for 8th Graders
May 28 6th Grade Picnic
May 29 6th Grade Skating Field Trip
May 29 7th Grade Picnic
May 30 Move-up Day
Jun 2 Last Day of School for 6th/7th Grade - 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.