Palumbo Updates - Students/Parents

* New/updated info.

Monday, October 20, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule

Tuesday, October 21, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule

• Open House 9AM - 2PM
• Financial Literacy Special Presentation - 1:45 PM
• Home & School Meeting - 7PM

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule

• SAC Meeting 8:30 AM
• PSAT MAKE-UPS
• SASA Bake Sale

Thursday, October 23, 2025 - 1 Hour Advisory Bell Schedule

• Sophomore Town Hall 8:00 AM
• XELLO Tasks 9th & 11th

Friday, October 24, 2025 - 1 Hour Advisory Bell Schedule

• Junior Town Hall/Elections
• XELLO Tasks 10th & 12

We’re looking for a new HSA Vice-President to join our dedicated team! Email palumbogriffinshsa@gmail.com for more info

Attend Our Next General Meeting (Virtual)

Tuesday, October 21, 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/88664428003?pwd=ywv2qnHpqSqwaWO3hMsqA6ias25xDh.1

Meeting ID: 886 6442 8003

Passcode: 029920

Fundraising for 20th Anniversary School Transformation!

Your HSA helped give Palumbo a vibrant makeover over the summer. Check out the photos and make a donation here!

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: Oct. 21, Nov. 18, Jan. 21, Feb. 18, April 21, May 20

Gran Trabajo to Ms. Mararita and the Hispanos y Latinos Unidos Club (HYLUC) for spearheading a fabulous Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly! All of the individuals and groups who performed did a great job of entertaining and informing us about Hispanic & Latine culture and the contributions of Afro-Latine people.

One of the highlights during the first show occurred when there were technical difficulties during the K-Pop performance, but they kept on dancing. The super-supportive audience sang the rest of song and K-Pop didn't miss a beat! It was a true showing of Griffin Pride!

The SHPE Greater Philadelphia Chapter is excited to host our Equipando Padres virtual workshop designed to support parents, caregivers, family members, and friends of precollege students interested in STEM careers!

Join us on Wednesday, October 29th from 6-8:30 PM via Google Meets for one engaging session!

This workshop will provide valuable guidance on topics such as:
1. Why College,
2. How to choose a College,
3. Preparing for College visits,
4. Applying for College, Paying for College.
5. Paying for College

Hosted by engineering students and professionals, this session will equip families with the knowledge and tools they need to support their students’ academic and career journeys.

Register now: https://lnkd.in/ezEDdK69

DON'T MISS OUT! PALUMBO CURRENTLY HAS THE MOST REGISTRATIONS OF ANY SCHOOL. Our school has partnered with Financial Scholars to offer personal finance education to our students and families!

Are you looking to take charge of your finances?

Could you benefit from financial education?

Want to learn more about Budgeting, Borrowing / Credit, Insurance, Real Estate & Building Equity, Paying for College, and Investing?*

Join us for a FREE, six-week virtual financial empowerment workshop for school staff, parents, and caregivers!

The virtual workshops will be held on Monday evenings from October 20th – November 24th from 6:30PM – 7:30PM on Zoom.

The first 20 people who register will receive a $250 contribution to their child’s 529 or other qualifying education savings account once they have attended all six sessions! (Only one contribution will be made for each qualifying registrant caregiver/parent)

CLICK HERE TO RSVP TODAY!

For 9th–10th Grade Girls: The VIEW Program

The VIEW Program is designed for talented young women who are preparing for college admission and long-term academic success. This STREAM-based program fosters both academic readiness and personal development.

Highlights include:

• SAT Prep, College Essay Writing, and Personal Development Workshops

• Partnership with Villanova School of Business & College of Engineering

• 2-week Summer Residential Program with a robust academic curriculum

• Exposure to Advanced Computer & Informational Skills

• A focus on fostering Caritas within a supportive community

Registration for VIEW opens at the end of October and closes at the end of November.
Students may complete an Interest Form here: VIEW Interest Form

For 11th–12th Grade Girls: The Legacy of Grace Program

The Legacy of Grace Program is designed to inspire, educate, and uplift academically strong young women as they prepare for life beyond high school.

Through mentorship, skill-building, and creative expression, participants will:

• Strengthen self-esteem, leadership, and professional skills

• Engage in personal and professional development workshops

• Build awareness of mental health and wellness

• Develop a strong sense of identity and purpose

• Participate in meaningful community service projects to foster compassion and connection

Registration for Legacy of Grace is currently open and will close at the end of October.
Students may register here: Legacy of Grace Registration

NAMI Philadelphia is excited to announce the return of our Adolescent Support Group, now offered in-person at Ellie Mental Health. Starting Wednesday, October 22, teens ages 13 to 17 are invited to join us every Wednesday from 6–7 PM for a supportive space to connect with peers and talk about mental health.

Ellie Mental Health, 255 S. 17th St, Floor 9, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Register here

The Philadelphia School Board is currently seeking two new Student Board Representatives to serve during 2026 (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026). Applications are now open and will close on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 5:00 PM. This position was previously held by Palumbo graduate, Doha Gassem, Class of 2025.

Serving as a Student Board Representative is an incredible chance for students to:

• Advise the Board on issues impacting Philadelphia students.

• Serve as leaders for their peers, ensuring the student voice is represented in Board decisions.

• Gain hands-on experience with policy, advocacy, and leadership at the citywide level.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a Philadelphia resident enrolled in a District or Charter high school.

• Hold a minimum 2.5 GPA and be in good standing.

• Be active in their school community and committed to representing their peers.

Applications can be submitted online, and the printable application can be accessed here. For questions, students may contact schoolboard@philasd.org or studentleaders@philasd.org.

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

Save the Date–Malcolm Bernard HBCU Fair: The Office of Postsecondary Readiness will be hosting the 27th Annual Malcolm Bernard HBCU Fair on Wednesday, 11/19 from 3:30-7:00 at Martin Luther King High School. Students should bring copies of their transcripts, as some schools may be doing instant decisions. Student registration is REQUIRED at this link.

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.