We are back from Spring Break and jumping right into a big stretch. This is where everything starts to matter more. Attendance, grades, and daily habits will decide how this year finishes. We need every student showing up, staying focused, and finishing Quarter 4 strong. These next two months will go fast, so now is the time to lock in.

PREACT & ACT TESTING 🎯
This is a big testing stretch for our school. Freshmen and Sophomores will take the PreACT this week, and Juniors will take the ACT on April 22. THESE TESTS ARE NOT OPTIONAL. If students are absent, they will have to make them up.

Families, we need your help. Make sure your student gets good rest, shows up on time, and is ready to do their best.

Important reminders for test day:
No book bags will be allowed in testing rooms
Cell phones are not allowed and will be collected at the beginning of testing

The more serious we take this, the more serious they will.

PROM INFORMATION 🎭
Prom is on April 25th, and tickets will be sold during lunches from April 17th through April 24th (no sales on April 22nd). Tickets are $35, and students must be eligible.

Prom guest forms can be picked up from Mr. Laird, Mrs. Cannon, or the Main Office.

Students who want to run for Prom Court must turn in applications to Mrs. Cannon by April 14th.

SENIOR REMINDERS 🎓
We are getting close to the finish line for our seniors. The Senior Trip is due Friday, and students need to stay on top of their eligibility for Prom and graduation.

Jostens will be in the building during lunches on Friday for graduation items.

More information about Senior events is coming soon.

OPEN WEIGHTS 💪
We are opening up more opportunities for our students to get better. Open Weights will begin Tuesday, April 14th and will run every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30–6:30 PM. This is open to all incoming Peoria High students and is a great way to build strength, discipline, and consistency.

If your student is looking to improve, this is where it starts.

This is what #OpportunityHigh looks like.

PPTO RESTAURANT NIGHT 🍗
Support Peoria High on April 22nd from 4:30–8:00 PM at Rumberger’s Wings.

15% of all sales will go back to our school. It is a simple way to support our students and programs.

PEORIA SYMPHONY OPPORTUNITY 🎶
We have a great opportunity for students to attend a free Peoria Symphony concert on April 17th featuring Peoria native LiV Warfield.

This is open to band, orchestra, and choir students and their families. The deadline to sign up is April 14th.

Final Message
Stay focused on the goal.

This is the time of year where distractions pick up and the finish line gets closer. The students who stay locked in right now are the ones who finish strong.

Show up every day. Put in the work. Make the right choices.

Build the Best Version of Yourself.

1615: Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.

FREE PEORIA SYMPHONY TICKETS

Hello Students, Parents, and Guardians, 

I am delighted to invite you to attend the Peoria Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concert, Liv’n It Up With Liv Warfield, at the Peoria Civic Center Alliance Theatre on Friday, Apil 17th beginning at 7:00 PM. Raised in Peoria, LiV is uniquely her own artist with powerful vocals and enormous stage presence. She has delivered show-stopping performances on America’s Got Talent receiving the Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and The Late Show with David Letterman. Her latest television performance was on GMA where she performed the title track to her latest album, EDGE. She is a Soul Train Music Award winner, BET Best New Artist nominee, and NAACP Image Award’s Outstanding New Artist nominee. She has brought down the house with her electric performances at major festivals such as Montreux Jazz Festival, Nice Jazz Festival, Pleins Feux, and Essence Festival. She released the Live At Café Wha? album in January 2022, with the Star-Tribune making it one of the top 6 albums to listen to at the top of the year. Her highly anticipated studio album, The Edge, was released in September 2023 with rave reviews throughout North America and Europe. This album has a little something for everyone. Rolling Stone France says, “With The Edge, LiV Warfield follows her path while letting her creativity speak. It is therefore not limited to any musical niche.” 

This special opportunity is open to all Peoria Public Schools middle and high school band, orchestra, and choir students, along with their parents or guardians. Students who are 16 or older are welcome to attend on their own. There is no dress code, just come as you are. You will not want to miss this exciting experience. 

Maestro George Stelluto 

TO RESERVE TICKETS

Follow this link to reserve your tickets.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwJQMNGskQl_2fb2FmTEKya8-lcCS0JufHpif865J4LtRexw/viewform

Deadline to reserve for this concert is Tuesday, April 14th.  Questions contact pam@peoriasymphony.org. 

📅 This Week at Peoria High

Monday (April 13)
Varsity Baseball vs. Centennial (DH) – 4:00 PM
Varsity Softball @ Richwoods – 4:30 PM

Tuesday (April 14)
Freshmen & Sophomores PreACT
Tennis vs. Manual @ Bradley Park – 3:00 PM
Soccer vs. Normal West – 4:30 PM
PPTO Meeting – 6:00 PM (Foyer)

Wednesday (April 15)
Boys & Girls Track and Field @ Galva – 4:00 PM

Thursday (April 16)
(No scheduled events)

Friday (April 17)
Student & Staff of the Month Breakfast – 7:45 AM
Jostens Delivery – Lunches (Foyer)
Peoria Symphony Student Concert
Soccer @ Canton – 4:30 PM

Saturday (April 18)
Girls Track and Field @ Rock Island – 11:00 AM
Varsity Baseball vs. Urbana (DH) – 11:00 AM

Upcoming Events 📅
April 20–24 – Fix It Week
April 22 – ACT (Juniors)
April 22 – Administrative Professionals Day
April 22 – PPTO Restaurant Night (Rumberger’s)
April 23 – Peace Plays in Peoria Rehearsal
April 24 – Power Lunch
April 24 – End of Progress Report 4
April 25 – Athletic Hall of Fame
April 25 – Prom
April 27–May 8 – Panorama Screener
April 27 – Staff PD
April 28 – School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
April 28 – Sophomore Field Trip
April 28 – American College of Education Visit (Lunches – Room 277)
May 1 – Decision Day
May 16 – Graduation 🎓

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: 87% (Goal 88%)

• Seniors On Track: 87% (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.

🎓 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.

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.