This week marks an important checkpoint for our students and families. Progress Report 3 closed on Friday, February 6, which means we are now at the halfway point to the end of Quarter 3. Progress Reports will go home on Wednesday, and this is a great opportunity to pause, reflect, and reset.

We are encouraged by the improvement we are seeing in grades across the building. That said, we want to be clear — we are still not meeting the academic standards we set at the beginning of the year. The good news is we have time, and the habits students build right now will determine how strong they finish the quarter.

📊 Academics and Support
To support students academically, we continue to offer Tutoring, Edgenuity Support, and ACT Prep after school every Tuesday and Thursday. These supports are there for students who need help catching up, staying on track, or pushing themselves further.

Families can support this work by:
Reviewing Progress Reports together
Checking grades weekly
Encouraging students to attend after-school supports
Talking with students about effort, responsibility, and follow-through

🎯 ACT Focus and Countdown
ACT season is here, and preparation starts now, not the week before the test.
Freshmen and Sophomores test on April 14
⏳ 65 days away
Juniors test on April 22
⏳ 73 days away
This month, our focus is helping students slow down, read carefully, and explain their thinking. The ACT rewards students who understand what a question says, what it means, and why the answer matters.

What families can do now:
Encourage consistent attendance
Make sure students are getting rest and eating well
Ask students to explain their thinking when working on homework
Reinforce effort over rushing

🧠 7 Mindsets Focus: Stretch Yourself
This week, students are working on 7 Mindsets Lesson 6.1: Stretch Yourself. This lesson focuses on perseverance, goal-setting, and pushing through challenges.

🎉 Black History Month Spirit Week
We continue celebrating Black History Month with daily learning moments and spirit days throughout the week.

Spirit Days:
Monday: HBCU Day – Wear college gear or school pride
Tuesday: 90’s Culture Day – Fresh Prince style
Wednesday: Soul & Funk Day – 70’s inspired
Thursday: Spotlight Day (Inventors Day)
Freshmen – Black
Sophomores – Red
Juniors – Yellow
Seniors – Green
Friday: Black-Owned Business Day – Dress to impress

📸 Be sure to check out Peoria High School’s Facebook page for photos and highlights from Black History Month activities across the building.

🏀 Basketball Celebration + Fan Bus
It was a great week for Lions basketball. Our boys basketball team picked up a big win Tuesday versus our rival Manual and a Senior Night win, continuing an outstanding season and keeping championship momentum rolling. Seniors Fenix Foy, Cam Gunn, Jaylen Rayford, and Stevyn Williams were honored, and the team delivered a strong performance led by Daniel Ruffin III.

We also want to celebrate our Lady Lions, who picked up their first win of the season. This moment reflects perseverance, growth, and continued commitment to improvement. We are proud of this group.

We will have a Fan Bus traveling to Champaign Central for the upcoming boys game. This would clinch an Undefeated Conference Championship. Students must be eligible to ride and should see Ms. Young for details.

🤼‍♂️ Wrestling Pride
Our wrestlers represented #1615 with pride over the weekend.
At the Freshman/Sophomore Bloomington Invite:
Adrian Soto – 2nd place
Jaylen Thomas – 3rd place
Kevin Williams – 5th place
Ladarius Smallwood – 5th place

We also want to recognize Tarees Alexander and Jaliyah Gaines, who became the first female wrestlers in Peoria High School history to compete in a Regional Wrestling Tournament. Their effort, toughness, and representation made school history.

🧊 Attendance Still Matters
Attendance continues to be one of our biggest focus areas. We are in the middle of our Frozen Lions Attendance Challenge, recognizing students who show up consistently and providing additional support for those who need it. Every day in class matters.

🎓 College and Career Resources: ISAC
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is hosting free YouTube Live sessions in English and Spanish to support families with financial aid, college planning, and preparing for senior year. We encourage families to take advantage of these resources.

❤️ Key Club / Interact Blood Drive
Peoria High School will be hosting a community blood drive soon. Eligible students, staff, and community members are encouraged to participate. Donors may receive gift card incentives, and sign up at https://login.bloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/143866

Thank you for your continued partnership. When families and schools work together, students win.

1615: Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.

Monday, February 9
HBCU Day (Black History Month Spirit Day)
AVID Valentine’s Day Sales during lunches

Tuesday, February 10
90’s Culture Day (Fresh Prince Spirit Day
Tutoring, Edgenuity Support, and ACT Prep after school Room 228
Boys & Girls Basketball at Champaign Central
🚌 Fan Bus available – eligible students should see Ms. Young for details

Wednesday, February 11
Soul & Funk Day (Good Times Spirit Day)
National Guard Visit during lunches
PROGRESS REPORTS GO HOME

Thursday, February 12
Spotlight Day (Inventors Day) – Class Colors:
Freshmen: Black
Sophomores: Red
Juniors: Yellow
Seniors: Green
Extended 3rd Hour for 7 Mindsets and survey make-ups
Tutoring, Edgenuity Support, and ACT Prep after school

Friday, February 13
Black-Owned Business Day (Dress to Impress)
Sweetheart Dance during 6th & 7th Hour (Complex Gym, $2 cash)
Boys Wrestling Sectionals

Monday, February 16 – No School (Presidents Day)
Tuesday, February 17 – Freshman Movie Buyout
February 23–24 – Fine Arts Showcase
ACT Testing
Freshmen & Sophomores: April 14
Juniors: April 22

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: 79% (Goal 88%)

• Seniors On Track: 70% (Goal 80%)

• Schoolwide Attendance: 87% (Goal 95%)

• Chronic Absenteeism: 43% (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.