It’s cold. It’s winter. Mornings are harder. We get it. But this is also the season where character gets built. Getting through hard times matters. Showing up even when you don’t feel like it matters. Working hard and giving your best even when the reward isn’t right in front of you matters. Thank you for teaching your students grit keeping students coming to school, staying engaged, and moving forward.

✅ Attendance Still Matters – Every Day
Being in school every day is one of the biggest predictors of student success. Missing school quickly turns into missing learning.

We have implemented a new Open Gate walkthrough system in the mornings to eliminate long lines and help students move directly to class. With this system in place, students are expected to arrive earlier and go straight to 1st hour.

How families can help:
Make sure students arrive on time
Encourage students to move directly to class upon arrival
Call the school when a student is absent
Help establish consistent morning and bedtime routines

Our goal is to improve attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism so students stay connected and on track.

📅 Progress Report 3 Ends Friday, February 6
PR3 is an important checkpoint in the quarter.
Passing all classes keeps students on track for graduation.

How families can support grades at home:
Ask your student to show you their Skyward grades
Talk about missing work and low grades
Encourage students to ask teachers for help
Support time at home for homework and studying
Create a quiet space with phones put away during study time

No surprises. Just clear communication and steady progress.

🌟 Academic Shoutout – 3.0 GPA & Above
Be sure to check out our latest Facebook post highlighting students who earned a 3.0 GPA or higher. We believe in celebrating students who are showing up, putting in the work, and staying consistent.

Why this matters:
Strong grades keep students on track for graduation, open doors for college and career opportunities, and build confidence.

How students can get on this list:
Attend school consistently
Turn in assignments on time
Ask for help when needed
Use tutoring and support opportunities
Monitor grades regularly in Skyward

We want to see even more Lions on this list next time!

⏳ ACT Countdown
April 14 – ACT (9th & 10th Grade) | 79 days away
April 22 – ACT (11th Grade) | 87 days away

Our ACT focus right now is strengthening academic vocabulary and deep reading comprehension.

ACT Focus for This Week:
Pay attention to unfamiliar academic vocabulary and use context clues
Ask: What does the text say? What does it mean? Why does it matter?
Use evidence from the passage to support answers
Slow down and read with purpose

These habits show up in ACT reading, English, science, and math.

💙 7 Mindsets – Thank It Forward
This week students are focusing on Thank It Forward, centered on gratitude and recognizing the people who support them. Students will reflect on who has helped them and how small actions of appreciation can strengthen relationships.

Family conversation starter:
Who are you thankful for, and how can you show it?

📝 Panorama Survey & Course Planner
Students are completing:
Panorama Student Survey
School Links Course Planner (4-year plan)

English classes are assisting with Panorama completion, and additional students may be called to the library as needed. These tools help us better understand student needs and plan for the future.

📚 Tutoring After School
Tuesday: Gashaw & Garrett (Room 714) – 2:45 PM
Thursday: Tagabuen & Felix (Room 228) – 2:45 PM

Encourage your student to attend if extra support is needed.

🧭 Behavior & Building Expectations
Students are expected to be in class, on time, and engaged in learning.
To protect instructional time, there will be limited passes issued this week unless it is a true emergency.

Your support in reinforcing school expectations at home is appreciated.

🔁 Assistant Principal Assignment Update
Moving forward, 10th Grade students with last names A–K will be supported by Dr. Tate, and 11th Grade students with last names L–Z will be supported by Mr. Laird. This adjustment helps us balance caseloads and ensure students and families receive timely support. Please reach out to the appropriate assistant principal with questions or concerns.

🏆 Lions Shoutouts
Wrestling – Big 12 Conference Tournament
JV Team placed 3rd overall
Adrian Soto – 1st Place
Ladiarius Smallwood – 2nd
Noah Wellman – 2nd
Sincere Humphreys – 2nd
Ty’sean Barnett – 3rd
Trevion Hanson – 3rd
Dyrice Williams – 3rd
Kencey Purdle (Varsity) – 3rd
Kevin Williams – 4th
Detaurus Harper – 4th

Boys Basketball
Peoria 66 – PND 39
Fenix Foy led the Lions with 15 points
Lions improve to 15–5 overall, 6–0 in Big 12 play

Great work, Lions!

1615: Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.

Monday
• US Army at Lunches

Tuesday
• Access Testing – Complex Gym
• Tutoring: Gashaw & Garrett (Room 714) – 2:45 PM]

Thursday
• ILMEA Orchestra
• PRIDE Team Event – 12:30 PM
• Tutoring: Tagabuen & Felix (Room 228) – 2:45 PM
• Swimming vs Notre Dame – 5:00 PM
• Freshman Boys Basketball vs Normal West – 5:00 PM

Friday
• Boys & Girls Basketball vs Normal West – 5:30 PM

Saturday
• Wrestling Regionals – 8:00 AM
• Cheerleading Sectionals – 9:00 AM
• Varsity Boys Basketball @ Normal West Shootout – 11:00 AM

Student of the Month Breakfast – February 6
College Colors Day – February 6
Progress Report 3 Ends – February 6
School Counselor Appreciation Week – February 2–6
AVID Valentine’s Day Sales – February 9
Staff Meeting – February 9
SEL Team Meeting – February 10
AVID Site Team Meeting – February 10
PPTO Meeting – February 10
National Guard at Lunches – February 11
Black History Month Activities – Calendar Coming Soon

Show up at a game or concert this semester. It means more than you know.

🗓️ Athletic schedules: https://schools.snap.app/peoriahs

🎟️ Grab Your Game Tickets Here
All tickets for Peoria High home athletic events can be purchased through GoFan.
Click the link below for quick, easy, cashless entry:
👉 GoFan Link: https://gofan.co/app/school/IL21469

📺 Can’t Make It to the Game?
If you’re unable to attend a Peoria High School athletic event in person, many of our games are streamed live on the NFHS Network. This allows families and community members to support our students from anywhere.
👉 Peoria High School’s NFHS channel https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/peoria-high-school-peoria-il

✅ Reduce Chronic Absenteeism
Every day matters. We can’t teach students who aren’t here.

✅ Increase Freshman On-Track & Graduation Rate
We’re building stronger foundations and finishing strong.

✅ Increase Student Proficiency on the ACT
We’re sharpening skills and expanding opportunity.

📊 Data Snapshot

• Freshman On Track: 93% (Goal 88%)

• Seniors On Track: 90% (Goal 80%)

• Schoolwide Attendance: 87% (Goal 95%)

• Chronic Absenteeism: 42% (Goal 36% or less)

Attendance is one of the biggest factors in success. Every day matters. Show up, pick up a pencil, and create the best version of you.

• Doors open at 7:00 AM

• Buses will drop off at the foyer doors on North Street.

• Car riders should be dropped off at the back Atrium entrance.

• All students must pass through a security check each morning.

• After 7:30 AM, the Atrium entrance is the only one open for student entry.

All students must now use clear bags on campus.

• Students in extracurriculars can check in their bags each morning with their coach.

• Bags will be secured in the coach’s room or locker room office.

• Non-clear bags must be checked in and picked up after school in the auditorium.

• Clear bags are available for $20 from Ms. Hart in the Main Office.

🔗 Link to Clear Bag Policy

The 2025–26 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is now open, allowing students and parents to apply for financial aid for the upcoming academic year. Completing the FAFSA is essential for accessing federal grants, work-study opportunities, and loans.

How to Get Started:

Create a StudentAid.gov Account: Both students and parents need individual accounts to sign and submit the FAFSA form.

Gather Required Documents: You'll need your 2023 tax returns, W-2s, bank statements, and records of untaxed income.

Complete the FAFSA Form: Visit fafsa.gov to start a new application. Students should initiate the form and invite parents as contributors if necessary.

Submit Before Deadlines: The FAFSA is a graduation requirement in Illinois.

Completing the FAFSA early increases your chances of receiving the maximum financial aid available. For more information and to begin the application, visit fafsa.gov.

Peoria High is a cell phone free school during the day. All students are expected to secure their phones in a Yondr pouch.

• Putting their phone in a Yondr pouch at arrival, or handing it over to be secured for the day.

• If a phone is hidden in their bag or later found at arrival, it will be a parent pick up.

• Any phone seen after arrival will also be a parent pick up.

• Headphones and iPads must stay in bookbags. If they’re seen during the day, they will be collected.

If your student needs a new Yonder Pouch they need to see our Treasurer Ms. GINA.DAILEY@PSD150.ORG to pay $30 for the replacement. Then Ms. AMY.DENSON@PSD150.ORG will then issue them a new pouch.

This is about opportunity. Students have the chance to start the day making the right choice so the focus stays on learning. Every minute in class matters.

🔗Yondr Pouch Info Sheet

Please contact your students counselor:

• Mr. Patrick Klimaszewski → Students with last names A–E

• Miss Tammy Collier → Students with last names F–K

• Miss Paula Webb → Students with last names L–R

• Ms. Casey Stone → Students with last names S–Z

📈 Tutoring & ACT Support
Tutoring is open to all students and takes place after school on Tuesdays in Room 714 and Thursdays in Room 228. Students can attend for help with classwork or to focus on ACT preparation. Practicing for the ACT matters. It builds familiarity with the test, strengthens reading and math skills, and builds confidence. Consistent practice leads to better outcomes and more options after high school.

Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who want to work on ACT skills during tutoring will be enrolled in ACT-focused Edgenuity strands and supported by after-school tutors. We are also working on incentives for students who complete ACT strands. We know the best incentives come from student voice, so students are encouraged to share what motivates them by reaching out to Mr. Laird.

All our policies—from dress code to behavior expectations—are available in the Student Handbook. Please take time to review it with your student. We will also discuss expectations, eligibility and more at our class meetings.
👉 Student Handbook

✅ Eligibility
All-School Eligibility is determined by the following behavior, attendance, and/or grade criteria (BAG):

• Students with Ds or Fs in 2 or more classes on most recent grade report.

• Students with 2 or more unexcused absences within the last 30 days. 

• No more than 20 tardies to class within the last 30 days

• Students suspended for fighting or reckless conduct are ineligible for the remainder of the semester.

•  

😷 Medical Mask
Students should not be wearing medical masks at school without a note from a parent or doctor. If your student has a note, they should see Nurse Maggie so she can notify all of their teachers.

🚫 Disruptions & Fights
Major disruptions, including fights, will be addressed seriously and can lead to significant consequences. We focus on resolving conflicts through restorative conversations and interventions first, but ongoing or severe issues may result in alternative learning settings. We have over 150 adults in the building ready to help students work through conflicts. If your student is having an issue with someone, they must seek out an adult immediately instead of trying to handle it themselves.

Principal, Mr. Shaun McGinnes

Shaun.McGinnes@psd150.org

9th Grade Principal, Dr. Ilethea Suggs

ILETHEA.SUGGS@PSD150.ORG

10th L-Z + 11th Grade Principal, Mr. Trey Laird

TREY.LAIRD@PSD150.ORG

10th A-K + 12th + POP Grade Principal, Dr. Nahreisha Tate

NAHREISHA.TATE@PSD150.ORG

Athletic Director(s), Ben Mahan

BEN.MAHAN@PSD150.ORG

If you have any general academic, attendance, athletic, or other student concerns, please contact the school at 309-672-6630 or at peoriahigh@psd150.org. You can also find answers to general questions in our Student Handbook. Parents, please continue check your email, our Peoria High Website and/or our Facebook for important announcements.