Congratulations to Brooklynn M. for winning the 2026 Young Author's Contest for her story, "Echoes in the Pines".

She'll be recognized at the Board Meeting on Monday night! 

Raider Families,

HBD Raider Family 💙❤️

Thank you for your continued support of our efforts to provide a safe, engaging, and high-quality learning environment for our students. Your partnership truly makes a difference!

As a reminder, our doors open daily at 7:15 AM, and we warmly welcome our scholars for another day of learning, growth, and connection. Daily attendance matters, and we need every Raider present, focused, and ready to learn—especially as we approach Spring Break.

Last week, our students showed great determination during IAR testing—we are proud of their effort and focus. This week, we will focus on IAR Make-up testing. Thank you for encouraging your Raider to do their very best!

As we head into this final week before break, please help us maintain strong academic momentum:

Ensure your student attends school daily and arrives on time

Remind them to stay focused—school is still in full session

Leave Beats/headphones at home (school-provided headphones are available as needed)

We also have many exciting celebrations ahead:
✨ One of our Raiders, Brooklynn M., will be recognized at the Board Meeting for her Young Authors Award-Winning piece “Echoes in the Pines”

🚌 5th Grade Hult Center Field Trip
🏆 House Attendance Rewards
🥞 Honor Roll Breakfast (Friday)
🥧 PI Day Celebration

There is so much to celebrate at HBD, and we want every student here to be part of it! Stay tuned for upcoming Spring Break opportunities.

Let’s finish strong—LET’S GO RAIDERS! 💙❤️

Mrs. Mary Newman-Evans
Principal
Harold B. Dawson Middle School
Home of the Raiders

As a reminder, students are not allowed to use headphones from home during the school day. All headphones (and smartwatches) are to be locked in their lockers or turned into their teachers with their phones in the morning. 

HBD Raider Families,

Please take time to closely monitor your student’s use of social media. While social media can be useful, it can also expose students to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and unsafe interactions.

It is important to remember that colleges, scholarship programs, and potential employers often review social media accounts when evaluating applicants, so what students post today can impact future opportunities.

Helpful steps for parents:

Know which apps your child is using.

Set accounts to private and review followers.

Periodically check posts, messages, and activity.

Talk with your child about responsible online behavior.

Please note that inappropriate social media use during school hours that violates district or school policy may result in school consequences.

Thank you for helping us keep our HBD Raiders safe and focused on success.

We are focusing on our chronically absent students who have missed 10% or more of the school year. Parents, Please make sure that your student(s) attend school daily.

Students who are chronically absent are at risk of falling behind their peers academically. If you are unsure of your student's attendance or need assistance getting your student to school consistently, please contact the school at 309-672-6506.

Week 1.06.26 - 88.8%

Week of 1.12.26 - 85%

Week of 1.19.26 - 88%

Week of 1.25.26 - 88%

Week of 2.02..26 - 88%

Week of 2.09.26 - 89.3%

Week of 2.16.26 - 88%

Week of 2.23.26 - 87%

Week of 3.2.26 - 88.3%

Week of 3.9.26 - 88.5%

Week of 3.16.26 - 87%

Students continue to earn one jibbitz charm per week for being at school every day that week.*Bracelets will not be replaced, so students need to be responsible for them!

SOCCER AND TRACK PARTICIPANTS: You must have an up-to-date sports physical (dated within a year). 

Boys & Girls Soccer Try-Outs: Monday 2:45-3:45 p.m. & Tuesday 2:45-3:45 p.m. (only if you were trying out for track the previous days)

7th & 8th Grade Track Try-Outs: Monday 2:45-4:15 p.m. (meet in Ms. Dominguez's room)

Future Teacher Club: Monday 2:45-3:45 p.m. 

Art Club: Wednesday 2:45-3:45 p.m. 

Chess Club: Wednesday 2:45-3:45 p.m. 

Horizons Club: Thursday during lunch CANCELLED until after Spring Break

Students who receive zero major referrals between Monday, March 15th through Thursday, March 26th can earn a chance to pie a staff member in the face! This annual event is a fan favorite!

 A male mentoring opportunity that takes place during the school day and is facilitated by G.R.O. (GRO Community), a district-approved organization committed to the holistic growth and empowerment of young men. Selected students will receive a written notice and contact from a member of G.R.O.  

Through this program, students will work closely with positive mentors who support them in strengthening important life skills such as:

· Soft Skills: Building strong communication, leadership, and social-emotional awareness

· Behavioral Growth: Developing self-discipline, accountability, and positive decision-making habits

· Attendance & Academic Success: Encouraging consistent attendance and strategies that support strong academic performance

We thank you in advance for supporting our efforts to build supports around our youth.

School Counselor: Kelly Craig Edwards

Email: kelly.craig@psd150.org

All Students: 

--Cartwheel: Online counseling support. Ask Mrs. Craig if you have questions

--Wrap Around Center: Offers counseling, food, rent assistance, and other supports

6th-8th Graders:

Thinking about becoming an adult and planning for your future can be overwhelming! We are very excited to introduce your school’s college and career readiness platform, SchooLinks, to help you reduce that anxiety and fear about your future!  All of SchooLinks’ features are designed to step-by-step help you plan for your future plans (don’t forget to make back up plans too). SchooLinks has taken years of student feedback to make sure your experience using it is friendly, fun and most importantly helpful! SchooLinks can be accessed on your phone, tablet, or computer. 

SchooLinks allows you to: 

--Take swipeable surveys and quizzes to learn more about your interests and what careers might be right for you 🤳

--Research careers and watch mentor videos to help you navigate the college and career planning process 👨‍🔬

--Explore college profiles to learn information about campus life, the student body, and more 👨‍🎓

--Learn about financial literacy and how decisions you make can financially impact you after you graduate 💰

--Create course plans based on your career pathway 👩‍🏫

SchooLinks can be an amazing tool to help you decide and prepare for your path after high school even if you’re not 100% sure yet! We offer more than 80 experiences, such as career interest inventory assessments, college and career search, scholarship matching, college application tracking, and more. We look forward to getting started and helping you map your future!

🎶 This week, we celebrated Mr. A - our band and music director! He is incredibly passionate about music education, and the students thrive in his classroom! 🎶

Parent Message: Raider Sportsmanship Expectations  

Raider Families,

As we continue to support our students in athletics, clubs, and school activities, I want to take a moment to remind all families of the importance of good sportsmanship. Our goal is to create safe, positive, and encouraging environments where every student—whether on the court, in the stands, or performing on stage—feels valued and respected.

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) sets clear expectations for conduct during school-sponsored events. While HBD is a middle school, we proudly follow these same guidelines to model excellence for our scholars. Key IHSA expectations include:

Show respect for all players, coaches, officials, and spectators—at all times.

Cheer positively, avoiding negative comments, taunting, or distracting behaviors.

Allow officials to officiate. The use of abusive, harassing, or inappropriate language toward referees is strictly prohibited.

Promote a safe, family-friendly atmosphere where students can learn, compete, and grow.

Remember that school activities are extensions of the classroom, and the same standards of respect and responsibility apply.

Our students are watching us, learning from us, and modeling our actions. Thank you for helping us demonstrate what true Raider Pride looks like—respect, courtesy, and unity.

Together, we can ensure that every event reflects the strong character of our school community and supports the success of all students.

With appreciation,
Mrs. Evans
Principal, Harold B. Dawson Jr. Middle School

All students are required to remain in uniform on school grounds and while on the bus.

This includes after-school events unless performance attire is required.

See Student Handbook for details.

Exceptions: Birthdays, Spirit Days, Buy-Outs

The Village of West Peoria has asked us to remind our families that the north side of Rohmann is a no parking zone. Vehicles should only be parking on the school-side of the street.

Bus and school safety remain our top priority. Our bus drivers carry a critical responsibility and should not have to manage student misbehavior. Please remind your student to follow all bus safety rules and the driver’s directions at all times. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure every ride is safe.

🚶🏾‍♂️ Special Note for Parents of Student Walkers

As the weather begins to change and more students walk to and from school, we ask for your support in reinforcing safe walking habits.

Please remind your scholar to:

✔ Walk on sidewalks (not in the street)
✔ Respect our neighbors and local businesses
✔ Keep hands and objects to themselves (no throwing items)
✔ Avoid horseplay or physical play while walking
✔ Use respectful language at all times

Our Raider Scholars represent Harold B. Dawson Middle School everywhere they go. We want them safe, responsible, and showing Raider Pride in our community.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep all of our students safe before and after school. 💙

Please review the information at the following links:

• Back to School Procedures 25 26 - digital.pdf

• 2025-26_HBDawson_Handbook