March Madness is coming early at the PRIDE of the CITY.

Our Boys Basketball Team heads to Regionals in Galesburg this week. They will take on Galesburg Wednesday at 7:30 PM, and if they advance, they will play again Friday at 6:00 PM.

We are calling on a Maroon Mob to show up strong. Students and families are encouraged to wear maroon on Wednesday and Friday to support our Lions throughout the city. We will have fan buses available for both games. Students must meet all-school eligibility expectations (outlined below in this newsletter) in order to ride.

Let’s pack the stands.

📚 Two Weeks Left in Quarter 3 – Make the Plan Now
We are two weeks away from the end of Quarter 3. This is not the time to wait. This is the time to act.

Right now:
Freshman On Track: 80%
Seniors On Track: 73%
Attendance Rate: 87%
Chronic Absenteeism: 43%

If students are not in class, they cannot improve their grades. Attendance matters every single day.

Families, here’s how you can help:
Log into Skyward and check attendance & grades weekly
Encourage your student to speak directly with their teachers
Email teachers using our staff directory 
Have your student attend after-school tutoring every Tuesday and Thursday
Small conversations this week can change the outcome of the quarter.

Students who are off track to graduate and do not take the PreACT or ACT will not be eligible for certain end-of-year events.

🎯 ACT & PreACT Preparation
We are 51 days away from the PreACT (April 14) and 59 days away from the ACT (April 22).

In this newsletter below, you will find free ACT preparation resources available to students. We also offer after-school tutoring on Tuesdays and Thursdays to provide additional support.

Preparation starts now. Consistency builds confidence.

🎢 Senior Class Trip – Six Flags Grad Nite
Seniors will attend Six Flags Great America Grad Nite on May 9. The cost is $120. Please see Mrs. Dailey for payment and permission slips.

If financial assistance is needed, please reach out. We want every eligible senior to celebrate this milestone.

🎭 Black History Month & Family Invitation
Fine Arts Showcase – Tuesday at 6:00 PM
Talent Show – Friday (6th & 7th Hour)

And this Saturday:

🔥 Welcome to the Cookout

Families, you are invited.
As part of our Black History Month celebration, join us from 12:00–3:00 PM on Saturday for food, fellowship, music, and community. This event is about bringing families together and celebrating the culture and PRIDE that define Peoria High School.

We truly hope to see you there.

Playoff energy is here. Let’s bring it in the classroom and in the stands.

1615: Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.

Tuesday – Fine Arts Showcase (6:00 PM)

Wednesday – Boys Basketball Regional @ Galesburg (7:30 PM)

Thursday – Black History Month Program (Juniors & Seniors)

Friday – Talent Show / Potential Regional Game (6:00 PM)

Saturday – Welcome to the Cookout (12:00–3:00 PM)

March 2–6 – School Social Worker Week
March 2–6 – 7 Mindsets Week
March 6 – Quarter 3 Ends
March 6 – Staff & Student of the Month Breakfast

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.