Dear Parent and/or Guardian:
Peter J. Palombi Middle School is pleased to inform you of a new and innovative method for presenting your student with the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) test results.
IAR Parent Portal – Introducing Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) Parent Portal, where you can access individual student results and resources to support everything you need to know about your child's performance on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness for English Language Arts and Math. This portal also allows you to add your student’s Spring 2022 test results to your user account and access them in the future.
Video Individual Score Reports (Video ISRs) – Video ISRs are personalized videos created specifically for your student that walk through the information presented on their student's score report. Delivered via the IAR Parent Portal, video ISRs combine student-specific animation and voiceovers to help you better understand your student’s assessment results and direct you to resources that are tailored to your student's needs. We encourage you to watch these videos with your child and discuss any questions with your student’s teacher.
As in the past, you will continue to receive paper copies of the Individual Student Reports (ISRs). However, new this year, including on the ISR, will be an individual claim code unique to your student. With this code, you will be able to securely access your student’s test results in the IAR Parent Portal.
The IAR Parent Portal and Video Individual Score Reports are NOW available, and we are excited about the opportunity to strengthen our efforts with you to effectively communicate your student’s performance on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 847.356.2118 x51006.
Educationally Yours,
Dr. Vic Wight
NWEA/MAP Results
In the coming weeks, your child will receive an Individual Student Progress Report, which is a summary of how your child is performing academically, as measured by the most recent MAP Growth test your child has taken. These tests and scores help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Teachers use results to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students.
MAP Growth tests are unique, and it adapts to your child’s responses to measure your child’s skill level. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. These results will provide a more complete picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level.
Since MAP Growth tests provide immediate and accurate information about your child’s learning, it’s easy for teachers to identify students with similar scores that are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics, and then plan instruction accordingly.
Your child’s MAP Growth results are represented as RIT scores. A RIT score is the overall score for a subject based on a Rasch Unit (RIT), and you’ll see it referenced in the Family Report your teacher will share with you.
I hope you find these reports informative.
For more information about MAP Growth, visit the NWEA website.
Activities
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week occurs each year and is a reminder that everyday Americans across the country make significant daily contributions to their communities by being the best they can be because they live Drug-Free! Palombi plans on bringing awareness to our students from October 24 - 28 with special dress-up days, talking points about being drug-free, and participating in a presentation about the dangers of drugs from the Drug Enforcement Agency on October 26th.
Student Action Teams - Leader in Me
Palombi will be starting our Student Action Teams soon. What are action teams? Action teams are created on suggestions from our student body and our staff. Here is a menu of our action teams: Action Team Menu
These action teams help foster leadership opportunities in our school and with our students. We are excited about getting these underway in a few weeks.
Washington D.C
7th-grade students! Enrollment has started for the 2024 Washington D.C & Charlottesville trip! If interested in more information, please RSVP for the information meeting that will be held on October 25th at 6 pm using this link. The meeting is virtual and will go over everything related to the trip! Click here to RSVP. If you cannot attend the meeting, you can register for additional information! If you have any questions, please contact Miss Koenig.
8th-grade students! There is still time to register for the 2023 trip! If you want more information, please email Miss Koenig.
NJHS
Applications for Palombi’s National Junior Honor Society will be sent to all eligible 7th and 8th graders via their school emails on November 22nd. Students must have a cumulative middle school GPA of 3.8 to be invited to join. Please note that not all applicants will be invited to join. Application responses and teacher ratings will be taken into consideration when determining which students will be asked to join.
About NJHS - The purpose of the Lancer Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society at Palombi is to create enthusiasm for scholarships, stimulate a desire to render service, promote leadership, develop character, and encourage citizenship. This student-led organization is run by elected officers and overseen by faculty advisors. Meetings are typically held twice a month on Fridays from 1:00-3:00 PM. Members are required to complete community service hours, maintain excellent grades, and be a positive role model at Palombi.
Palombi Players
Palombi Players rehearsals are off to a great start! Stage Crew members will begin meeting in the Auditorium on October 18th. Information about Ticket Sales will be released by the end of the month! Please continue to check the monthly calendars on Google Classroom.
Other
Health Office
Immunizations and physicals are due by October 15th, 2022, for all sixth graders and new students. Letters will be mailed home starting September 15th with missing requirements. Any student not up to date with these by October 15th are required to be sent home until an appointment has been made or records have been sent to us.
Yearbook
The 2023 Yearbook is on sale for $35. Buy your yearbook now! Reserve your copy only online at the Josten's website or call 1-877-767-5217 to place your order. Don't delay, order today!
Curriculum Advisory Council
Curriculum Advisory Council is being held on Monday, October 24, 2022, at 5:00 PM at Palombi School
Agenda:
Updated Science Resource
Computer Literacy Standards
Encore and Specials Curriculum Review
Math Committee
Special Education Resource Review
Math Exemplar Activity
Important Dates
Oct. 15 - All Immunizations Due
Oct. 24 - Curriculum Advisory Council
Oct. 24 - Lake Villa School District 41 BOE Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 24-28 - Red Ribbon Week - See Attached Flyer
Oct. 26th - Drug Awareness Presentation by the DEA
Nov. 1st - Truancy/Attendance Reports Reviewed
Nov. 8th - Election Day/No School
Nov. 11th - First Trimester Ends/Tentative School Dance
Nov. 14 - Lake Villa School District 41 BOE Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 21-22 - Parent Teacher Conferences - details to follow
Nov. 23-25 - Thanksgiving Break