Palumbo Updates - Students/Parents

* New/updated info.

Monday, November 17, 2025 - 1 Hour Advisory Bell Schedule

• 9th Grade Elections
• Academy at Palumbo Familias Meeting 6:00 PM

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule

• Senior Portraits
• Home & School Meeting 7:00 PM

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule

• SAC Meeting 8:30 AM
• Senior Portraits

Thursday, November 20, 2025 - 1 Hour Advisory Bell Schedule

• Full Council Meeting
• Young Playwrights Trip (McGeehan)
• Senior Portraits

Friday November 21, 2025 - Special Bell Schedule

• FALL FEAST & SHOWCASE

Donations & Volunteers Needed for Fall Feast! (Please note time changes on the flyer)

We’re asking for your support for our annual gathering on Friday, Nov. 21. There are now three ways to help:

• Contribute to our GoFundMe. We’ve almost reached our goal – thanks to all who’ve contributed!
• Sign up to volunteer to bring food, set up, serve, or clean up on Friday, Nov. 21 here.
• IF YOU LIVE NEAR SCHOOL, can you help with heating up food on the 21st? We’d really appreciate it! Email palumbogriffinshsa@gmail.com for more info.

Looking forward to a wonderful day!

Attend Our Next General Meeting (Virtual)

Tuesday, November 18, 7–8 p.m.

Join us at our next meeting to hear updates from Principal Thompson and the HSA. All are welcome!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85672290734?pwd=f9WZuhL3uwj8pkq46ju8tfp1qLonE2.1

Meeting ID: 856 7229 0734

Passcode: 126968

Search for a new HSA Vice-President

Interested in making a big impact on our school community? Email palumbogriffinshsa@gmail.com for more info.

Academy at Palumbo Familias is our community-building initiative for Spanish-speaking families. Please email HSA Member-at-Large Edwin Mayorga to learn more edwin.mayorga@gmail.com

Stay Connected to the HSA

Follow us on Instagram @pgriffinsha and Facebook

Website

Questions, suggestions, or expertise to share? Email palumbogriffinshsa@gmail.com

Upcoming HSA Meetings: Nov. 18, Jan. 21, Feb. 18, April 21, May 20

Report Card Conferences will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 PM on November 24th & 25th. In person conferences will be on Monday, November 24th and virtual conferences will be on Tuesday, November 25th. Parents/guardians do not make appointments for in person conferences. For the virtual conferences, you will need to schedule 10 minute appointments. The sign-up link will be sent out later this week.

Juniors and seniors who are proficient in English and another language should apply for the Seal of Bilitercy. Application is open now until 12/16. Palumbo will set up language proficiency tests for all the applicants between January and March. See the attached flyer to join the Seal of Biliteracy Google classroom. Contact Ms. Chen if you have any questions or visit this website: https://sites.google.com/philasd.org/sdp-seal-of-biliteracy to learn more about the Seal.

As we wind down the Fall season, and gear up for the Winter season, please see this document for contact information and Google Classroom codes for Winter sports.

• College Essay Writing Support, Mighty Writers: Do your students have a complicated college essay draft they'd like reviewed by a fresh pair of eyes? Students can work with Mighty Writers in one-on-one coaching sessions to receive essay support. Students should fill out this form to be contacted by a Mighty Writers coach.
• Launchpad Foundations Program: Current 11th and 12th grade students can jumpstart a career with hands-on technical training, industry-based work experience, one-to-one coaching, and up to 30 college credits through the Launchpad Foundations program! This 3-stage program will help students build transferrable tech skills with a significant stipend at each stage. Check out the Launchpad website to learn more, click here to receive more information, and apply here by February 15th.
• Equitable Excellence Scholarship: The Equitable Excellence Scholarship (a $20,000 award) is now open through 12/18! "Equitable is committed to students who show potential: those with the courage to pursue what's possible; who display strength in managing challenges; who share wisdom with others." Students with a minimum 2.5 GPA can learn more about eligibility and apply HERE. Several SDP students received this award last school year.
• Get Schooled, November Resources: Get Schooled is a great age-appropriate resource for all things postsecondary preparation. Check out their November resource page with grade-specific activities HERE.
• City of Philadelphia Apprenticeship Guidebook: Please share this year's comprehensive Apprenticeship Guidebook with students interested in apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships in the City.

If your student is new to Palumbo, and has a 504 Plan please reach out to their counselor to ensure that we have a copy of the plan. This is especially important for students coming from non-school district schools. The 504 plans do not automatically transfer to us from outside of the district.

Counselors:

Last Name A-G - Thomas Shanks - tshanks@philasd.org

Last Name H-P - Chloe Gerbec - cgerbec@philasd.org

Last Name Q-Z - Qiana Pray - qpray@philasd.org

You may use this electronic form to submit an excuse for your child's absence from school within three days of the absence. A doctors note must be provided after three consecutive days of absence. After 9 parental excuses, a doctors note will be required. Be sure to complete each section below to ensure the excuse is accepted. Written notes are also accepted in the main office. All request are subject to administrative approval.