We have two weeks before Spring Break, and this is an important time for our students. Our focus right now is simple: attendance, strong academics, and pushing for excellence every day.

Students cannot improve their grades if they are not in school. Families can help by making sure students show up daily, get to class on time, and stay focused on their work.

Report cards were sent home Friday, so this is a great time to sit down with your student and check Skyward together. Talk about their grades, their goals, and what they need to do to keep improving.

Keep it simple:

Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.

🌈 Chase the Rainbow Attendance Challenge
Our Chase the Rainbow Attendance Challenge continues through March.

Students who earn 95% attendance or higher this month will receive Rainbow Ice cups at lunch on March 27.

We are also recognizing students improving their attendance by giving out Skittles and Starburst daily to students showing progress.

In addition, the PRIDE Team is planning an ACT Easter Egg Hunt on March 27. Students must meet eligibility expectations to participate, so attendance from now until then is important.

Students cannot improve grades or prepare for the ACT if they are not in class.

🎓 Senior Updates
Several important senior events are happening this week.

Senior Pictures – Wednesday, March 18

Jostens Graduation Order Pickup – Thursday, March 19
7:00 AM – 1:00 PM in the foyer

Seniors who still have a balance should bring payment to pick up their items. Seniors who have not placed an order should also stop by.

Lock-In payments are due Friday, March 20.
Senior trip deposits have been extended.

Students should check Microsoft Teams or speak with Dr. Tate or Mrs. Beam-Axline for details.

🎓 Graduation Information
Peoria High School’s Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony will take place:

Saturday, May 16
10:00 AM
Peoria Civic Center

More information about tickets, arrival times, and ceremony expectations will be shared soon.

🌼 Spring Intersession
Peoria High School will host Spring Intersession during the first week of Spring Break.

March 30 – April 2
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Our focus will be supporting:
Freshmen working to stay Freshman on Track
Seniors completing Edgenuity courses needed for graduation

Sophomores and juniors with Edgenuity classes are also welcome to attend for a quiet and focused work environment.

✔ Breakfast and lunch will be provided
✔ CityLink bus passes can be provided if transportation is needed

Families who want their student to attend should complete the survey below.

➡ Spring Intersession Sign-Up Survey:
#PRIDEoftheCITY Spring Intersession 2026

Targeted families will also receive emails and text messages this week with additional information.

📝 ACT Testing Countdown
ACT testing is approaching quickly at Peoria High.

PreACT (Freshmen & Sophomores)
📅 April 14
⏳ 29 days away

ACT (Juniors)
📅 April 22
⏳ 37 days away

Our teachers are building practice questions and timed opportunities into lessons to help students feel confident and ready for test day.

Students should focus on showing up, staying engaged, and doing their best work every day.

Peoria High is proud of the effort our students and staff put in every day.

Let’s keep pushing forward and hunt excellence.

1615: Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.

📅 This Week at Peoria High

Monday, March 16
Freshman Career Exploration Trip to Woodruff
Peoria Park District visiting during lunches
Girls Track vs Normal West – Illinois Wesleyan – 4:00 PM

Tuesday, March 17
PPTO Meeting – 6:00 PM
Data Day in English Classes
Boys Track vs Bloomington – Illinois Wesleyan – 4:00 PM

Wednesday, March 18
Senior Pictures

Thursday, March 19
Jostens Graduation Order Pickup – 7:00 AM (Foyer)
Baseball vs Manual – 4:00 PM
Softball at Manual – 4:00 PM
Boys Track vs Pontiac – Illinois Wesleyan – 4:00 PM

Friday, March 20
SIUE College Visit during lunches

Saturday, March 21
Girls Track at Bloomington – 9:00 AM
Baseball vs Decatur MacArthur – TBA
Softball vs Decatur MacArthur – TBA

Don’t Start Initiative – March 24
Bradley University Visit – March 26
Sophomore Brownies – March 27
Chase the Rainbow Attendance Celebration – March 27
ACT Easter Egg Hunt – March 27
Spring Break – March 30 – April 10

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: 84% (Goal 88%)

• Seniors On Track: 80% (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.