We are in an important stretch of the school year. February is about focus. Focus on attendance. Focus on grades. Focus on preparation. We are celebrating Black History Month, building momentum toward ACT season, and continuing to push students to be their best.

We are proud of the growth we are seeing. But we are not done. 

Let’s keep the main thing the main thing.

🖤 Black History Month Spirit Week #2
Our celebration continues this week:
Tuesday: Professional or Business Casual
Wednesday: Harlem Renaissance – 1920s Glam
Thursday: Civil Rights Day – Wear Black or White (60s inspired)
Friday: Black Athletes Day – Wear a Vintage or Favorite Jersey

We will host our Black History Month Assembly on Friday at 1:40 PM.

Huge shoutout to our Black History Month Committee for the leadership and organization behind this month. It has been meaningful and student-centered.

💃 Sweetheart Dance Success
Shoutout to the Sophomore Class for sponsoring the Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dance. The event went off with no hitches — safe, organized, and positive.

And shoutout to our student body. Our students represented Peoria High the right way. That matters.

👮 SRO Appreciation Day
Friday was School Resource Officer Appreciation Day. We are grateful for our SROs and the relationships they build with our students every day. Their presence and partnership help keep our school safe.

🎯 ACT Preparation – The Countdown Is On
Today is February 15th.
We have:
58 days until the Freshman/Sophomore PreACT on April 14th
66 days until the Junior ACT on April 22nd

This is not far away.
ACT and PreACT are required state assessments. They are also required for students to attend end-of-year field trips. Participation matters.

Students can practice using official tests here (no login required):
ACT Practice Test:
https://tn.actonline.act.org/client/index.html

PreACT Practice Test:
https://tn.preact.actonline.act.org/client/index.html

The more students practice now, the more confident they will be in April.

📊 Academics & Attendance
Here is where we currently stand:
Freshmen On Track: 81%
Seniors On Track: 70% (Please talk to your student about English Class!)
Attendance Rate: 87%
Chronic Absenteeism: 43%

Attendance is still our biggest lever. Students cannot grow if they are not here.

Show up daily. Stay on top of assignments. Reach out if support is needed.

📋 Cognia Parent Survey
We are in a good place with student and staff completion. Now we need our families.

Please take a 3-5 minutes to complete the Parent Survey:

👉 https://tinyurl.com/SY26PHSParentCog

Your voice helps us improve.

🔔 Important Reminders
Let’s keep the main thing the main thing:

Show up every day
Be on time
Pass all classes
Prepare for the ACT
Stay focused on behavior, attendance, and grades

This stretch matters. The finish line is coming, but we are not coasting.

1615: Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.

Monday: No School – Presidents Day

Tuesday:
Extended 3rd Hour
Data Day (Social Studies)
Boys Basketball vs. Chatham Glenwood – 5:00 PM

Wednesday:
Talent Show Auditions (After School)

Thursday:
Talent Show Auditions (7th Hour)
Boys Basketball vs. Limestone – 5:00 PM

Friday:
Black History Month Assembly – 1:40 PM

February 23 – US Army Lunch Visit
February 23 & 24 – Fine Arts Showcase
February 24 – STEM Speaker Jill Gostin
March 2–6 – School Social Worker Week
March 4 – SIP Day
March 5 – Erin’s Law Presentation
March 6 – Staff & Student of the Month Breakfast
March 6 – End of Quarter 3 Grading Period

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: 81% (Goal 88%)

• Seniors On Track: 70% (Goal 80%)

• Schoolwide Attendance: 87% (Goal 95%)

• Chronic Absenteeism: 43% (Goal 36% or less)

• 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.