We are officially in the 4th Quarter, and it is hard to believe we are already here. The finish line is in sight, but there is still a lot of great work to be done. This is the time to stay focused on showing up, staying on top of grades, and finishing strong. Our students have made great progress this year, and the energy we bring over these next few weeks will carry us through the end of the school year.

🔧 Fix It Week Success
Last week we focused on Fix It Week, giving students opportunities to complete missing work, connect with teachers, and bring their grades up. The results are already showing up in our numbers with fewer students failing classes across the building. That improvement is a direct result of students putting in the work and teachers creating the opportunities. We are proud of the effort our students showed and want to keep that momentum going as we move through the fourth quarter.

🦁 Welcome to the PRIDE of the CITY
Please join us in welcoming Sheffeia Zollicoffer to Peoria High School. Ms. Zollicoffer will be joining our administrative team and will be supporting our Sophomore Class as Assistant Principal for the remainder of the school year. She spent time in the building this week getting to know students, staff, and the Peoria High community. We are excited to have her join the team and look forward to the work ahead as we continue supporting our Lions.

🌈 Chase the Rainbow – Attendance Challenge
Attendance continues to be one of the most important pieces of student success. In March we are running our Chase the Rainbow attendance challenge. Students who earn 95% attendance or higher this month will receive Rainbow Ice during lunch on March 27. Showing up every day gives students the best chance to succeed in their classes and stay on track for graduation.

📝 ACT Countdown
ACT season is right around the corner at Peoria High.

📅 Freshmen and Sophomores will take the ACT on April 14
📅 Juniors will take the ACT on April 22

That means we are 36 days away from testing for Freshmen and Sophomores and 44 days away for Juniors. Every class between now and then matters. Our teachers are continuing to embed ACT-style questions, reading, writing, and problem solving into daily instruction so students feel confident and prepared on test day.

Parents can help by encouraging students to:
Get a good night’s sleep
Attend school consistently
Stay focused in class
Ask questions when they need help

We are excited to see our Lions SECURE THE BAG on the ACT this spring.

📬 Quarter 3 Report Cards
Quarter 3 report cards will be sent home on Friday.
This is a great opportunity to sit down with your student, review their grades, and make a plan for the final quarter.

🎓 Senior Updates
Seniors planning to attend the Senior Trip should see Mrs. Dailey to take care of their deposit and secure their spot.

Senior Pictures will take place next week, and any senior interested should connect with Mrs. Beam for more information and scheduling.

🏫 Student Leadership Opportunity
We are currently identifying students interested in serving as a Student Board Member for the 2026–2027 school year.

Students must:
Be a current junior
Have a 2.5 GPA or higher
Submit an application, transcript, references, and contact information

Our AVID classes are working on these applications, but if there is another junior you believe would represent Peoria High well, please have them connect with Mrs. Cannon in Room 216.

Applications are due to the main office by March 20.

🤝 PPTO Meeting
Our Peoria High Parent Teacher Organization (PPTO) will meet Tuesday at 6:00 PM. We encourage families to attend and stay connected with what is happening at Peoria High School. Your voice and partnership help make our school stronger.

1615: Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.

There is a lot happening around the PRIDE of the CITY this week.

Tuesday
Key Club Blood Drive
PPTO Meeting – 6:00 PM

Wednesday
Class Meetings
1st Hour – Seniors
2nd Hour – Sophomores
3rd Hour – Juniors
4th Hour – Freshmen

Thursday
Junior Class Skating Trip

Friday
Quarter 3 Report Cards Sent Home

Here are a few important dates families should have on their calendar:

Freshman Woodruff Trip – March 16
Senior Pictures – March 18
Jostens Order Delivery – March 19
SIU-Edwardsville College Visit – March 20
Don’t Start Initiative – March 24
ACT – Freshmen & Sophomores – April 14
ACT – 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)

• 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 Grade Principal, Ms. Sheffeia Zollicoffer

SHEFFEIA.ZOLLICOFFER@PSD150.ORG

11th Grade Principal, Mr. Trey Laird

TREY.LAIRD@PSD150.ORG

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.