What does it mean to be a HBD Scholar?

Good Evening Raider Families,

This is your proud Principal Evans with a note on what it means to be a Dawson Scholar.

At Dawson, we believe there is an important difference between being a student and being a scholar. A student attends school and completes work. A scholar, however, goes beyond the basics—seeking understanding, thinking critically, and showing pride in their learning. Scholars are curious, responsible, and determined. They don’t just do the work; they aim to own their learning and use it to grow.

When our children aspire to be scholars, they develop skills that will serve them for life—self-discipline, curiosity, and resilience. These qualities not only help them succeed in middle school, but also prepare them for high school, college, and the future.

Here are three ways you can support your child in becoming a scholar at home:

Encourage Curiosity – Ask open-ended questions about what they are learning, and let them explain it in their own words.
Model Persistence – Share moments from your own life when effort and practice helped you succeed, so they see learning as a process.
Create a Scholar’s Space – Provide a quiet, organized area at home for study and reading to show that learning is a priority.

Together, let’s help our Raiders see themselves not only as students, but as scholars who strive for excellence every day.

With Raider Pride,
Principal Evans

HBD Staff is Rocking & Rolling for our Scholars.

Go Raiders!!

Please review the information at the following link:

Back to School Procedures 25 26 - digital.pdf

Arrival procedures:

Student will enter from the playground entrance.
Parents, please say your good-byes outside and direct you student to report to the staff members who are at door.
Buses drop students in front. Please, do not block buses area or staff parking.
Please respect the crossing-guard's directions.

Dismissal Procedures:

Students will exit from the playground doors.
Buses will be waiting on the playground, please do not block driveway.
Students who walk will exit from the front doors of the building.
Please respect the crossing-guard's directions.

Uniform Policy:

All Harold B. Dawson 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.

Some Exceptions May Apply: Birthdays, Spirit days, others TBA

HBD Attendance Percentage Goal: 100%

Week 8.03 - 90.50%

Week 8.10 - 90.80%

Week 8.16 - ________

Week 8.24 - _________

Shout out to . . .

The HBD Faculty and Staff for a successful kick-off to another school year. Creative approaches to learning are taking place in every corner of the building. Let's keep engaging, inspiring, and motivating students to learn.

Please Be Advised:

We at Harold B. Dawson will follow all Peoria Public Schools district policies regarding Yondr pouch and clear backpacks use.

Events At-A-Glance:

Around the Building . . .

Parents & Guardians,

Our scholars begin standardized testing this week. This process is necessary for our teachers to acquire baseline data for each of them. Please encourage students to get a good night sleep, have breakfast (available at school), attend school, and give the assessment their best effort.

Our teachers and staff will take care of the rest. Thank you for partnering with us in this process.

Principal Evans