The Lancer Latest
November Edition
Veterans Day
We are proud to invite our parent veterans, active-duty/reserve service members, and service member volunteers to join us for a special celebration! We’ll kick off the morning with a light breakfast, followed by a welcome ceremony in the theater featuring performances of "This Land Is Your Land" and the "Star Spangled Banner" by our 8th-grade choir. Please complete this form if you plan to attend our morning celebration.
Afterward, our volunteers will transition to breakout rooms, where social studies classes will visit throughout the day to learn more about the armed forces and military service. We look forward to honoring your dedication and service!
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has served or is currently serving in the armed forces. Your courage, sacrifice, and dedication protect the freedoms we enjoy every single day. Thank you for your service.
Looking Ahead
Dear Palombi Students and Families,
We are already nearing the end of Trimester 1, it is hard to believe how quickly the first few months of the school year have flown by! As we enter the final stretch, this is a crucial window for all students to stay focused and finish strong, both academically and behaviorally.
Academic Excellence
The end of a grading period is an ideal time for students to solidify their growth, close learning gaps, and address any challenges. Students should regularly check PowerSchool and connect with their teachers to ensure all missing or incomplete assignments are submitted promptly. If your student is finding a subject challenging, please encourage them to advocate for themselves by reaching out to their teachers, who are always ready to provide targeted support and strategies.
Strong Behavioral Choices
Finishing strong is about more than just academics; it is rooted in respect, responsibility, and readiness. We expect all Lancers to stay actively engaged during lessons, arrive to class on time, use technology responsibly, and treat their peers, teachers, and school property with care. By choosing to be upstanders and positive contributors every day, our students help keep our classrooms safe, welcoming, and productive for everyone.
Looking Ahead
Our shared goal is for every student to head into Trimester 2 feeling confident, proud, and prepared. Please take a few moments at home to review PowerSchool together, discuss upcoming deadlines, and establish a clear plan for the final weeks. Thank you for your continued partnership and support; please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Go Lancers!
Ms. Delahunty, Mrs. Pozezinski, and Ms. Spaulding
From the Nurse's Desk
Friendly reminder to turn in any pending documentation for your student’s healthcare compliance. Documents can be faxed, emailed, or sent in with your student. If your student has a fever or is vomiting, they are required to stay home for 24 hours, free of fever/vomiting (without medication) before returning to school.
Please remember that if your child is not feeling well at school, the student should ask to go to the Health Office and speak with the nurse. Students should not be texting a parent/guardian to come pick them up when not feeling well. The nurse will call parents if the student is too sick to stay at school and must be picked up.
As flu season begins, research shows that the best way to protect yourself is to get a flu shot. Please review important information regarding the Flu Vaccine. Additionally, all children aged 11 or older should get vaccines to protect against meningococcal disease. The attached infographic provides important facts about meningococcal disease and the vaccine that protects against this disease.
Food Menus
Teacher Shoutout
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.
Report a Concern
We are committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment. The Report a Concern form offers students and parents a confidential way to report any issues or concerns. Submissions are reviewed by the appropriate school staff, who will investigate and respond as needed.
This process helps ensure all reports are taken seriously, documented properly, and addressed promptly. It also allows the school to identify behavior patterns and take preventive action when necessary.
🧠 Mental Health Minute: The Power of "Gentle Gratitude"
As we head into November and the upcoming holiday season, life can start to feel a bit overwhelming with projects, changing weather, and busy schedules. This month, our mental health focus is on building resilience through gratitude.
Practicing gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about noticing the small, good things that give our brains a break from stress. Studies show that regular gratitude practices improve sleep, boost emotional intelligence, and lower stress levels.
The November 3-to-1 Challenge
Try these simple check-ins this month:
Reflect on Three: Name three simple things you are grateful for today (e.g., a great song, a funny meme, or a warm lunch).
Reach out to One: Tell one person why you appreciate them. A quick text, a sticky note, or a simple "thanks for being a good friend" goes a long way.
Remember: Check in with your body, guard your sleep schedule, and never hesitate to reach out to a school counselor if the season feels a bit too heavy. Asking for help is a sign of strength!
Just like last year, cell phones will not be allowed during the school day, this means while they are on the school campus from arrival until dismissal. Students are required to leave their cell phones in their lockers and they should be turned off. If a student has their phone out in class, the student will bring the phone to the office, and the student will pick up the phone at the end of the school day. In addition, wireless headphones are not allowed (earbuds/airpods, etc) are also NOT allowed in classes and will be brought to the office as well. If your student needs headphones, please send them with a wired set.
Habit 3
This month, our students are learning about Habit 3: Put First Things First—focusing on what’s most important! Habit 3 teaches students to prioritize their time and energy by organizing tasks around what matters most, rather than what feels most urgent. At school, we talk about planning ahead, setting goals, and staying focused on learning before play.
You can reinforce this habit at home by:
Encouraging your child to create a simple to-do list or homework plan each day.
Talking about the difference between “important” vs. “urgent” tasks.
Celebrating when they show responsibility by getting big things done first.
When students “put first things first,” they learn valuable skills in time management, responsibility, and balance—habits that lead to success both in and out of school!
Military Writing Project from Mrs. Pavell’s and Mrs. Reilly’s Action Team
Our student action team is looking to brighten days and show their gratitude to those who have served or are serving in the military today. If you know a veteran or active service member that you would like to share with us, please complete this form: Military Member Writing Form
Just as we celebrate student accomplishments for school activities, we would love to celebrate our students for accomplishments outside of school. Please complete this google form if you would like the school to know about something amazing your child has accomplished (winning club/sport STATE championships, etc). We will add this information to our morning announcements. Also send a photo of the accomplishment to Heather Spaulding (heather.spaulding@district41.org), and we will post the photo on our bulletin board.
Wrestling
Wrestling Sign ups
Wrestling Season starts soon! Wrestling is a no-cut sport open to all students, no experience needed. There is one co-ed wrestling team. Boys and girls will compete with and against each other, separated into specific weight classes. If your student is interested in participating please complete and submit Wrestling Form by Monday, November 30th.
NOTE: Students currently participating in Basketball, Poms/Dance, Cheer, or Palombi Players can still participate in Wrestling IF they are signed up by November 30th.
Forms must be submitted from a parent/guardian email account. Submissions from student email accounts will not be accepted. Practice begins on Tuesday, December 1st.
Practice is from 2:30 - 4:30, and our late bus only picks up at 4:00pm. Parents will need to pick up their students at the Activity Entrance after practice at 4:30, or students can take the late bus, but will miss the last half hour of practice.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT A CURRENT SPORTS PHYSICAL (DATED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF END OF SEASON) MUST BE ON FILE IN THE HEALTH COORDINATOR'S OFFICE BY NOVEMBER 30TH AT 2:30pm.
It is the parent's responsibility to confirm with the health coordinator that your student is eligible to compete.
If you have any questions, please contact coaches nathan.pereira@district41.org or cecilia.gamamendoza@district41.org
Volleyball Tryouts
Volleyball season will be starting soon! There are 2 girls and 2 boys volleyball teams; 6th/7th grade girls/boys and 8th grade girls/boys. Tryouts for the girls are Tuesday, January 5th, Wednesday, January 6th and Thursday, January 7th, from 2:30pm -4:30pm. Boys Volleyball tryouts are Monday January 11th and Tuesday January 12th. Attendance is required on all days. Our late bus only picks up at 4:00pm, parents will need to pick up their students at the Activity Entrance after tryouts, or they may take the late bus but will miss a half hour of tryouts.
A parent must fill out the tryout form which will be coming in the December Newsletter. The email address the form is recording MUST match the parent email address. Submissions from student email accounts will NOT be accepted.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT A COMPLETED CURRENT SPORTS PHYSICAL (DATED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF END OF SEASON) MUST BE ON FILE IN THE HEALTH COORDINATOR'S OFFICE BY JANUARY 4th AT 2:30pm for girls and Friday, JANUARY 8th for boys. It is the parent's responsibility to confirm with the health coordinator that your student is eligible to try out.
Students can be picked up at the Activity Entrance at 4:30. Our late bus leaves at 4:00 pm.
Please contact the Athletic Director, Steve Johnson if you have any questions sjohnson@district41.org
8th Grade Recognition
Please join us for Palombi Middle School’s 8th Grade Recognition Night to celebrate our remarkable eighth grade student-athletes. We invite all parents and guardians to come honor these students for their exceptional dedication, hard work, and school spirit both on and off the court. The coaches will provide specific details later on in the season, but the dates for basketball, cheer, and dance are as follows:
Boys Basketball & Cheer: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Girls Basketball & Dance: Thursday, December 3, 2026
School Dance
We are excited to invite our students to the Northern Lights and Game Night Dance! Join us for a fun-filled evening of music, games, and spending time with friends. This dance is for all grade levels.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, November 6th
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Ticket & Pricing Options:
Preorder Ticket: $5
Meal Deal (Preorder): $10 (Includes admission, a slice of pizza, candy, chips, and a drink)
At the Door: $7
You can preorder tickets and meal deals online via MySchoolBucks.
Band
Solo & Ensemble Festival sign-up is now! Mrs. Brown & Ms. Dahowski will be sending information.
After School Jazz Band: Concert Wed. December 16. The next session will begin January 16th, and the Jazz Band meets most Thursdays after school until 4:00.
Choir
The District 41 Choir Festival will take place on Wednesday, November 18th at 6:30 pm in the Palombi Gym. Come see singers from every school in the district sing! Solo and Ensemble sign-ups are coming. Please see Ms. Dahowski with any questions.
ILMEA
ILMEA District 7 Honors Festival:
Kudos to our choir & band students who auditioned for this extra performance opportunity! A special congratulations to the students selected to represent Palombi: Sofie G., Annie C., McKenzie D., Kailani F., Rya G., Ari L., & Katelyn M. They will be rehearsing and performing on Sat. Nov 14. More information for the event can be found at https://ilmea.org/d7jrfestival.
Halloween Candy Donations
With Halloween right around the corner, are you wondering what to do with all that extra candy sitting around the house? Mrs. McGann’s Lead Group has you covered! The students will be collecting leftover Halloween candy from Monday, November 2 through Friday, November 6. Please drop off any donations to Room 408. All collected candy will be donated to The Avon Cares Food Pantry, where it will be packaged into sweet care packages for local families in need this holiday season. Thank you for helping us share a little extra joy with our community!
We are so grateful for the continued support and involvement of our amazing parents and guardians! As we plan for upcoming events and activities, we welcome volunteers to help make these experiences meaningful and memorable for our students.
In order to volunteer at Palombi, we ask that all interested individuals complete a Volunteer Information Form and Waiver of Liability. These forms help us ensure a safe and organized environment for everyone.
Some of the wonderful ways you can volunteer include:
Classroom Mystery Readers
Field Trip Chaperones
Athletic events helpers
Musical event assistants (Band, Choir, and Palombi Player events)
Classroom helpers
Please complete the form linked above if you are going to be volunteering at Palombi this school year, even if you previously filled it out.
Thank you for being a vital part of the Palombi Middle School community. We look forward to working together to create great memories for our students!
Palombi Players
Palombi Players:
Our rehearsals and performances are going wonderfully, and we are so proud of the hard work and dedication our cast and crew have shown! Ticket sales for our upcoming shows will open in November, so keep an eye out for more details soon If you have any questions please reach out to Ms. Dahowski (Emily.dahowski@district41.org) or Mrs. Neziri (gretchen.stellwagen@district41.org).
Washington DC
Attention 7th grade families: We will have our first informational meeting for the 2028 Washington DC trip via Google Meets on November 19th at 7pm. Register here to attend the meeting or to receive more information. If you have any questions contact Ms. Gama at cecilia.gamamendoza@district41.org
NJHS
Students who are eligible to apply to join the National Junior Honor Society will be emailed a candidate information form after the first trimester’s grades are finalized.
Who Can Apply?
Students are eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria:
They are currently in grades 7 or 8.
They have no standards scored below Level 3 (Proficient/Meets Standard) and have demonstrated at least one Level 4 (Exceeds Standard) score. This is based on cumulative standards data since enrolling at Palombi.
To be considered for membership, candidates must:
Complete the Candidate Information Form – This will be emailed to eligible students after Trimester 1 grades are finalized.
Secure a Teacher Recommendation Letter – Candidates are responsible for identifying and asking a teacher to write a letter verifying that they demonstrate the behaviors expected of NJHS members.
Meet the Leadership Requirement – Candidates must be able to document at least three leadership positions held since sixth grade.
Meet the Service Requirement – Candidates must be able to document at least three hours of community service completed since sixth grade.
NJHS Toy Drive
Every year Palombi's Lancer Chapter of National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) participates in donating toys to the Lake Villa Township toy drive. Thanks to all of you, last year our toy donation drive was WILDLY successful!
We want to make this year even better with more donations reaching more people! This year we are collecting monetary donations November 1st -30th for toys for those in need. This is where you come in! Please join NJHS in brightening the holiday season for folks in our own community by making a donation online at NJHS TOY DRIVE. One hundred percent of the donations we collect will be used to purchase toys for those in need in Lake Villa.
If you donated last year, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your donation. We are asking that you please consider increasing your donation by five dollars (or more) this year. Please donate as soon as you can! Thank you for your generosity!
Yearbook
Library
Book checkout is up and running! Students can keep books for 2 weeks before renewing or returning. Right now, graphic novels and realistic fiction are flying off the shelves. Ask your reader what genre they're diving into this week.
District 41 puts students and staff first. Our goal is always to have students at school, when we can do so safely. Therefore, the district considers several factors when determining whether to close schools due to extreme weather, including data provided by the National Weather Service, and the temperature, windchill, and warnings. Although we strive each and every time to make the best decision regarding in-person or remote learning, oftentimes, no perfect decision exists. If school is not canceled and a parent and/or guardian feels their child is safer at home, they may reserve the right to keep them home. Keeping a child home due to inclement weather will be recorded as an excused absence on the student's record as long as the parent and/or guardian report the absence to the school. Additionally, parents/guardians may choose to drop off/pick up their child at school.
The following are some criteria that are used when making school closure decisions. Invariably, there will be situations that do not fit into these guidelines, in which case the administration will do its best to provide cancellation information to families as soon as possible.
LATE START - School begins and bus pick-ups are approximately 90 minutes later than normal. (Monday - Thursday Only)
COLD DAYS - The National Weather Service predicts wind chills below -30 degrees, with other conditions considered.
SNOW DAYS - Heavy snow or icy conditions overnight or that worsen during the day.
E-LEARNING DAYS - An E-Learning Day may be an alternative to being fully closed. These days do not need to be made up at the end of the year. Students and staff would be notified before the end of the preceding day to bring their Chromebooks home. The e-Learning Plan is available on the District website under ‘Parents and Guardians Resources.’
Other Considerations
Multiple conditions that may include blowing snow, winds greater than 20 mph, heavy snow accumulations during travel times, hazardous driving conditions, ice accumulation, the ability of buses to start due to extreme cold, and power or phone outages.
A district-wide alert will be sent out via phone and email as early as possible. Parents can also check the district’s website. If schools are open due to weather, parents may keep a child home. They will be marked as excused.
If schools are closed...
District 41 Administration will do its best to provide cancellation information to families as soon as possible. District 41 will notify parents by 1:00 PM the previous school day of an e-Learning Day due to extreme weather. Parents will be notified by 5:30 AM if schools need to close entirely for the day. The district makes every effort to inform parents as soon as possible. If schools are closed for the day, all after-school activities in the district, including sports and evening events, will be canceled unless otherwise communicated.
If schools are not closed…
If school is not canceled and a parent and/or guardian feels their child is safer at home, they may reserve the right to keep them home. Keeping a child home due to inclement weather will be recorded as an excused absence on the student's record as long as the parent and/or guardian report the absence to the school in a timely manner. If school is already in session and conditions begin to worsen, the district will decide by 1:00 PM whether after-school activities will be canceled for that afternoon.
How is the decision to cancel school made?
Superintendents from area districts start communicating with each other as soon as the weather reports start to look threatening. District 41 collaborates with the Millburn, Emmons, Grass Lake, Lakes High School, Woodland, Grayslake Elementary, Grayslake High School, Gavin, Big Hollow, Fox Lake, and Grant High School superintendents. The superintendents generally attempt to reach a consensus on school closures. When area school districts make various decisions, the full District 41 administrative team finalizes the decision.
