* = NEW/UPDATED INFO.

**=PLEASE REVIEW

*Dear Parents/Guardians,

Now that we're in the month of June I want to remind you that attendance is still be counted daily and school attendance is still required. If a student needs to be absent, please have your student return with a note so the absence can be excused.

Since there are so many amazing summer opportunities and scholarships available, I've created a separate resource to keep them from crowding the Weekly Updates. I will update them weekly as new opportunities become available.

Monday, June 9, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule

• Senior Awards Ceremony - 9:15 AM

Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - Special Bell Schedule

• Mandatory Graduation Practice
• Locker Cleanouts
• Diversity Day
• Olympics Day

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - Regular Bell Schedule

• Mandatory Graduation Practice
• Locker Cleanouts

Thursday, June 12, 2025 - 12:04 Dismissal

• GRADUATION -3:00 PM
• Locker Cleanouts

Friday, June 13, 2025 - 12:04 Dismissal

• LAST DAY FOR STUDENTS & STAFF!!!
• Locker Cleanouts

*CLASSES RESUME ON AUGUST 25, 2025.

The Philly School Experience Survey is now open for parents/guardians! We are aiming for a high percentage of participation this year. For each student whose parent/guardian completes the survey, 5 points will be added to their final Seminar grade. Please take a screenshot that verifies completion and complete this short form after completing the survey. SURVEY MUST BE COMPLETED BY JUNE 10 IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE BONUS POINTS!

Logan's Corner was dedicated on Wednesday with a beautiful painting created by Senior, Allison Jaworski, and a poem submitted by the family of Logan Israel. Thank you to the HSA for organizing the event and creating the space for the dedication. If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to take a look at it in the Counseling Suite.

The Class of 2026 had a great Junior Prom at the Camden County Boathouse on Thursday. Thanks to Mr. Kennedy for laying the foundation, then Mr. Sweigart for taking over in his absence.

Congratulations to Johann Cano-Sagardi, Madden Palestino, Candy Yang, Gretta Rogan, Katherine Lainez-Guardado, and Omairy Roman Castillo whose Personal Finance posters were selected as winners in a city-wide competition. They will each receive a $25 gift card and their poster designs will be turned into actual posters that will go in Personal Finance classrooms all over the city!

Palumbo students engaged civically this week by speaking publicly about two issues they are passionate about: public transportation and public spaces:

Jaylah Fitzgerald travelled to Harrisburg on June 4 at the invitation of PA Senator Nikil Saval and spoke at a rally in support of full funding of SEPTA and other public transportation, and its importance to Philadelphia students.

Aster Chau, Mahogany Johnson, Arianna Taing, Frank Moliina, and Ruhi Khan were recognized by City Councilmember Anthony Phillips for suggesting a piece of legislation that he passed on June 5 increasing teen voice in decision making around Parks and Recreation. Aster, MJ, Arianna, and Frank also spoke during public testimony at the meeting on Thursday, June 5.

Gianna Tran was honored as one of 14 School District of Philadelphia Seniors of the Month during a ceremony on Wednesday, June 4. Congratulations Gianna for your leadership and this wonderful accomplishment.

Congratulations to Ms.Steiner who was recognized on Thursday for receiving her National Board Certification!

Three members of the Class of 2025 had the honor of representing the class on Good Day Philadelphia on Thursday! We can't stop bragging about the success and accomplishments of this class!

Check out our Palumbo families on the news, and be sure to support their businesses!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Calling all Parents/Guardians, below are a few upcoming volunteer opportunities. Please consider volunteering!

June 5th Junior Prom Set up Volunteers

If you can help, please contact Palumbo's HSA at palumbogriffinshsa@gmail.com.

June 10th Olympic Day Volunteers

Palumbo’s Olympics Day is taking place at Academy at Palumbo and Palumbo Recreation Center on Tuesday, June 10 throughout the day! Palumbo staff are organizing this special day where students and staff participate in some fun activities that promote bonding, teamwork, movement, friendly competition, and fun. To make the day a success, volunteers are needed. Please review the volunteer opportunities and sign up here!

Palumbo 1st Floor Refresh - Stage 1 - Volunteers

As part of an ongoing effort to enhance the health and wellness of our school community, Palumbo's HSA will be giving the 1st floor hallways and conference room a makeover during the summer. To prep for this makeover, we will be meeting the week of June 9th to clear out the hallways and walls. The more volunteers we have, the more we can accomplish. Click HERE to review the time slots and sign up. Thank you!

Do you want to learn what it is like to serve as a diplomat debating some of the most pressing problems in the Americas? Consider applying for the Fall 2025 Penn Model Organization of American States (OAS) Program!

This program provides high school students the opportunity to work with Penn undergraduates in exploring solutions to some of the greatest challenges to democracy, security, human rights, economic development, and other issues in the region. Students write policy papers, research OAS member countries, and various issues, engage in public speaking, and interact with policy experts, public officials, and leading scholars in the field. Students will also travel to D.C. in late fall 2025 for a hemispheric wide simulation and to meet with policymakers. Importantly, students consider what it means to be a participatory global citizen.

Interested students should apply here by Monday, June 9th .

Please feel free to contact the PMOAS Director, Dr. Cathy Bartch, with any questions (bartch@sas.upenn.edu or 215-898-9919)

Application: https://bit.ly/PMOAS2025

PMOAS Info Sessions – Fri, May 23 and Wed, May 28, 4:30 PM - https://upenn.zoom.us/my/pmoa

Black Man, M.D.'s Desire to Inspire Scholarship is dedicated to recognizing young individuals from minority groups interested in a healthcare career. A one-time award of up to $2,500 could be awarded to rising 11th or 12th grade students. Interested students should check eligibility and apply HERE by Friday, 6/20.

The Young Scholars High School Program, is open to high school students attending 11th grade during the 2025–26 academic year.

Young Scholars courses are undergraduate-level classes taught by Penn faculty, staff, and visiting scholars, and are offered through the College of Liberal and Professional Studies. Students can choose from a variety of subjects, with most classes meeting two to three evenings a week, Monday through Friday. Coursework typically includes homework, research papers, exams, and required readings. Enrollment is based on admissions and eligibility guidelines and is subject to the approval of the program director.

Young Scholars High School Program students are evaluated by the same academic standards and procedures as Penn undergraduates. Students earn one course unit (the equivalent of four college credit hours) for each course taken. Upon successful completion of the program and coursework, students may request official transcripts from Penn’s Registrar (fee-based).

Applications for the fall 2025 Young Scholars High School Program are now open. The deadline to apply for the fall term is August 1, 2025. Applications for the spring 2026 term will open on October 1, 2025, with a deadline of December 1, 2025.

During the fall and spring semesters, students attending City of Philadelphia public and charter schools are eligible for tuition-free participation in the program. Once admitted to the program, students take one course in the fall and spring semesters tuition-free. Students outside of the School District of Philadelphia pay full tuition rates for courses. All students (regardless of the semester or school district) are responsible for any other fees associated with attending courses, which may include textbooks, laboratory fees, course materials, etc.

We would appreciate it if you could share this opportunity with eligible high school students. Additionally, we have attached our flyer for you to post in a space that would be visible to high school students. You can also download a digital version of the flyer. If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us on Instagram, email us at hsprogs@sas.upenn.edu, or visit us online.

Best,
Tiffany Clayton
Director, Penn SAS High School Programs
University of Pennsylvania
www.upenn.edu/highschool

Please see Dr. Watlington's January letter to families on maintaining safe & welcoming schools, available in multiple languages in the 2nd folder below.

*We are encouraging all parents and guardians to sign up for the Parent & Family Portal. This allows parents/guardians to have access to valuable information about your child's education. With the portal, you are able to view grades, track test scores, see attendance, view immunization records, set communication preferences, and access report cards.

You can visit https://www.philasd.org/face/#parentportal to register. If you have any questions, please contact the Main Office.

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.

Many families have been inquiring about purchasing Palumbo gear. Here's the link to our online store, where there's lots of selections, and personalization is available on some items. Click the picture to access the online store.