Evening Parent Meeting on Discipline

Just a reminder that Palombi Middle School will be hosting a Parent Meeting on Thursday,  June 8^th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m in the Board Room for ALL parents interested in learning more about how student discipline is handled.

Participants will learn about the district’s referral system, the student discipline policies, the PBIS approach, bullying, the impact of social media and recent legislation impacting discipline decisions.  Parents will be provided strategies to help children feel safe and valued.

All parents across the district are invited to attend.

There will be time at the end for questions and answers.

Digging Down into Palombi’s Discipline Data

There has been a lot of chatter recently about the number of discipline referrals at Palombi Middle School.  In an effort to help parents better understand student discipline and have an opportunity to provide the school feedback, a meeting was held yesterday and almost 30 parents attended.  The meeting will be repeated on June 8 at 6:30 p.m. so working parents and interested others will be able to attend.

The attached letter details specific information regarding Palombi’s discipline and referral data.  This letter is being sent to all Palombi parents and 6th grade parents.  Not only does this letter breakdown the data, but it also outlines what staff, administration and parents can do to ensure that Palombi continues to be a positive learning environment for all children.       Parent Letter on Discipline Details

While 1,326 referrals seems like a lot, almost 80% of Palombi’s discipline referrals were issued for minor, not major infractions.  Almost half of these were for missing assignments.  Assignment completion is certainly an area that needs greater attention.

In August we will hold more parent workshops on understanding the teen brain and on technology safeguards for parents.  In the meantime, if you feel your child is struggling or is having peer problems, please reach out to your child’s teacher, principal, or social worker and make them aware so we can help.

A Fond Good-bye to LV41 Retirees

CONGRATULATIONS Len, Patty, Becky and Diana!!!

Just a quick shout-out to four tremendous teachers who will be retiring at the end of this school year.  Collectively, these four educators have contributed 95 years of service to our district!

We wish Thompson’s Speech and Language Therapist Patty Bohman, our District Instructional Coach Becky Stellwag, and Palombi’s 8th Grade teachers Len Benning and Diana Rogers all the best in their new journey.  They have positively touched so many lives during their tenure in Lake Villa 41 and they will be greatly missed!

 

Join Us!

Join Us for a Focus on Student Discipline

Palombi Middle School will be hosting a Parent Meeting on Thursday, May 18^th from 9 – 10 a.m. in the Board Room for ALL parents interested in learning more about how student discipline is handled.

Participants will learn about the district’s referral system, the PBIS approach, bullying, the impact of social media, the teen brain and recent legislation impacting discipline decisions.  Parents will be provided strategies to help children feel safe and valued. 

All parents across the district are invited to attend.

There will be time at the end for questions and answers.

Strategic Planning a Success!

On Saturday over 30 participants joined together for the day to actively plan for Lake Villa 41’s future.  The group was lead by Barb Toney from the Illinois Association of School Boards.  Happily, over half of the participants were parents and/or  community members.  This was especially important because the district improves when all stakeholders have a voice.

Throughout the day participants worked in small groups to identify core values and beliefs, articulate both the district’s mission and vision and create high-end district goals.  Participants also completed an analysis of the district’s strengths and weaknesses in the areas of student achievement, programs/services, curriculum, facilities, finances, and community relations.  A great deal of work was accomplished in a little under seven hours. The board will use all of this input in the upcoming months.

A special THANK YOU to all of those willing to give up their Saturday to help make our district even better for our students!  

We Need Your Help

We are looking for parents and community members help us with our district’s Strategic Planning on Saturday , February 11 from 8:30 – 3:30 PM.  Your input is vital in moving our district forward.  Please sign up using this link RSVP Strategic Planning

It is critical that all stakeholders in the district are represented and have a voice.   As it stands we are in need of a larger group of both parents and community members.  Your support of our district is greatly appreciated!

 

Please Join Us!

Every organization needs a road map to advance from where it is now to where it wants to be in the future.  Residents and community members now have a direct opportunity to shape Lake Villa 41’s future.  On Saturday, February 11th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. our board will be hosting a Strategic Planning Event at Palombi Middle School’s Library.  This event is aimed at engaging community members, business leaders, residents, recent graduates, and staff in planning the direction of the district.  It is a time for everyone’s voice to be heard. This meeting is open to the public.

The strategic plan is the driving force for the district’s actions. It guides all planning, fiscal decision-making and student achievement efforts.  A good strategic plan can improve student outcomes, keep great teachers and involve the community in the business of the schools.  If you are interested in joining us, please let the district know so we can be sure to have lunch for you and send you materials a week before the event.   Simply call the district office at 847-356-2385 or use this link to register   http://evite.me/u6CXxU7PQg

Hands-Only CPR Saves Lives

Did you know cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States?  Each year, over 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur and about 90% of the people experiencing such an event die.

Hands-only CPR, especially if done immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.  Please take 2 minutes to watch this short video to learn how.  Hands Only Training video – IHSA

Here is also a link to more information from the American Heart Association. 2016 Hands-Only Fact Sheet

(And for those of you who may be wondering, all Illinois public school districts are mandated to share this information with parents and staff.)

Remembering Those Who Served

 

Tomorrow is a day for our country to pause and remember the sacrifices made by those
who served in the Armed Forces.  Tomorrow also happens to be a day that school is in session.   Consequently, our schools have an excellent opportunity for our students to learn about service, citizenship and patriotism.  It is also an opportunity to demonstrate gratitude to those who have ensured our freedom.

Lake Villa 41 students will be observing Veteran’s Day tomorrow in a multitude of ways.  Students have already been busy preparing for tomorrow by designing cards and decorating bulletin boards.  Thompson School will be hosting a Veteran’s breakfast and a recognition assembly at 9:15 AM following which veterans will be visiting individual classrooms.  Martin School also has veterans visiting individual classrooms and grade levels throughout the day.  At 11 AM Hooper first graders will parade walk to the Lindenhurst Veterans Day Honor Service where they will be handing out cards thanking veterans for serving.  Hooper School also has an assembly this afternoon where students will be able to honor those who served.  Tomorrow at Palombi students will have a number of opportunities to interact with service men and women from the Airforce.

I know I am personally looking forward to attending some of these events. If you would like more information about what is happening in your child’s school, please contact your child’s teacher.

Strategic Planning Rescheduled

The board believes it is critical that all stakeholders have a voice in moving the district forward.  As many of you already know,  November 5th was a conflict for a number of our parents because of their involvement in our wonderful PTO Holiday Extravaganza that same day.  Rather than push forward with a small parent group, the board has elected to reschedule the Strategic Planning Event to encourage more participation.                                                                                                          

The new date is Saturday, February 11, 2017 from 8:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Please mark your calendars!   We hope you can join us!

Once again, thank you for your support and we will see you at

the Holiday Extravaganza!