Average vs. ELITE 🔥

We’re heading into the halfway point of Quarter 4 and Progress Report 4 ends this Friday. This is it. The stretch that matters. We’ve got just over a month left, and how we finish is everything. We’re not here to coast — we’re here to close.

The 7 Mindsets theme this week is The Time is Now — and that couldn’t be more real. Not next week. Not after prom. Right now. We’ve been pushing kids to flip that switch from average to elite. Show up. Handle business. Do what needs to be done even when you don’t feel like it. Appreciate you all backing that message up at home. Let’s keep it moving.

📌 PreACT – Tuesday, April 22
Freshmen and sophomores will test during 1st–4th hour.
Juniors and seniors will be:

Completing FAFSA (required for graduation)
Updating SchooLinks
Getting missing work turned in and grades up

⏰ End of Progress Report 4 – THIS FRIDAY, April 25
It’s time to check Skyward and see what’s missing. We’re halfway through the quarter. Let’s make sure we finish the year with options — not regrets.

🌟 PROM – A Night in Dubai
🗓 Saturday, April 26 | ⏰ 8–11 PM | 📍 Trailside Event Center
🎟️ $35 tickets sold during lunch through April 25
🚪 Doors close at 8:45 PM – once you leave, you’re out

🎒 Class Trips – Juniors & Seniors

Junior Class Cruise: Final payments are due! If your student is attending the Junior Cruise, please make sure payments are turned in to Dr. Tate or Ms. Dailey as soon as possible.

Senior Trip to Six Flags: Tickets are on sale now! Seniors can pick up a permission slip from Ms. Dailey. Let’s celebrate the end of the year the right way — roller coasters and all!

💭 7 Mindsets – The Time is Now - Embrace Every Moment

This week’s mindset is all about embracing the moment and understanding that The Time is Now — not later, not next week, not when it’s easier. We’re reminding students that every decision they make matters right now. Showing up, turning something in, speaking up, asking for help — it all adds up.

At home, you can help by encouraging your student to be present and intentional. Talk to them about making the most of each day. Ask, “What’s one thing you’re trying to get better at this week?” or “What’s something you did today that moved you forward?” These small moments build momentum — and that’s exactly what we need to finish strong.

Onward. Forward. 🐾

🗳️ Student Board Member Applications Now Open

Know a current junior who’s a leader and ready to represent Peoria High next year? Applications are now open for the 2025–2026 Student Board Member for Peoria Public Schools.

To apply, students must:

Be a senior during the 2025–26 school year
Have a 2.5 GPA or higher (attach transcript)
Submit a 1-page bio (double-spaced) explaining their goals and why they’d be a great rep
Include 2 written references from teachers, admin, or community members
Include full contact info (phone + email)

📌 All materials are due to Mr. McGinnes by May 1, 2025
Anything missing = automatic return. So double check the packet before submitting!

Graduation Corner 🎓

Please see Peoria Public Schools Graduation Website for up-to-date information on Graduation.

The FAFSA Application is open! REQUIRED TO GRADUATE! To begin this process Senior students and their parents will need to create an FSA ID that will be used to log in to the FAFSA application and sign once complete. You will need your Social Security Number in order to create your ID. You will visit https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch If you do not have your Social Security number, you will not be able to begin this process.

Student News

🔥 LAST WEEK IN THE LIONS DEN 🔥

💫 Officer O'Neal Receives Remarkable Spirit Award
Officer O’Neal was honored for his ability to connect, defuse, and inspire—making him a true heartbeat of Peoria High..

👟 Girls Track Team Ready to Fly
Led by state-qualifier Symone Jackson, the girls track team is stacked with young talent ready to break out when the weather clears.

💪 Boys Track Brings the Heat
With two returning state qualifiers and a growing list of PRs, the Runnin’ Lions are locked in for a big season—don’t miss our home meet this Thursday at 3:30!

🏀 Alum Aaliyah Guyton Comes Home
PHS basketball star Aaliyah Guyton is transferring from Iowa to play at the University of Illinois—still repping the Pride on the big stage.

⚽ This Week in Sports
It was a tough week for girls soccer, baseball, and softball, but we keep showing up, learning, and grinding every day.

👉 Peoria High School Sports and Announcements

OUR NEXT PRIDE Parent Teacher Organization (PPTO) is May 13th

If interested please email our PPTO President Ms. Patricia Davis.

If your student will be absent from school, kindly contact at 309-672-6630 x40096 or via email at peoriahigh@psd150.org A friendly reminder: Unexcused absences may impact eligibility for school events and activities. Absences can be excused for the following reasons (as outlined in Board Policy):

illness
observance of religious holiday (with 48 hours' notice requested)
death in the immediate family
family emergency
visits to college campuses and job interviews (with 48 hours prior written notice) to a maximum of five days
situations beyond the student's control as determined by the Board of Education
other circumstances which cause reasonable concern to the parent of the safety or health of the student
high school students serving as Election Judges

The daily school hours are 7:00 am – 2:30 pm. The building opens daily for students at 7:00 a.m. Breakfast is available in the cafeteria until 7:30 a.m. Students are expected to be inside their classroom when the 7:30 a.m. bell rings. Students arriving after 7:30 a.m. must enter through the atrium doors (rear parking lot).

At the end of the day, students must leave the building if they are not with an adult sponsor/coach. Buses leave 10 minutes after school dismissal.

Students are allowed limited hall passes (restrooms & the school nurse). Please speak with your student about the importance of classroom instructional time and the safety of always having adult supervision.

All Peoria Public Schools have a closed campus which means students cannot leave the building throughout the school day for food or other errands. No outside food/beverages (for example, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Polar Pops, etc.) are allowed in the building. Students may bring a “cold” lunch to be eaten during their lunch period. We do have microwaves available for cold lunches.

Please note - All PPS high school boys and girls Spring sporting events are only open to eligible* students who attend the home school. Eligibility is based on monthly academics, attendance, and behavior. See the Student Handbook page 9.

When PPS high schools are playing each other (MHS, PHS, RHS), only eligible* students from the two competing schools may attend.

Adults are welcome to attend all PHS events. Primary/middle school students can attend with a parent/guardian and must remain with the adult(s) the entire game.

*Students will need to check with their school administrators for eligibility status.

📅 THIS WEEK AT THE PRIDE

Tuesday – PreACT | AVID Visit | Baseball @ Manual | Softball vs. Peoria Heights | Soccer vs. Normal Community
Wednesday – Admin Assistant Day ❤️ | Class Meetings | Baseball DH vs. Champaign Central | Softball @ Monmouth | Middle School Soccer
Thursday – Soccer vs. Manual | Track Meet @ Decatur | 🎉 Happy B-Day Mr. Gomez Walker!
Friday – End of PR4 = Halfway Point of Q4 | 🎉 Happy B-Day Ms. Wuthrich!
Saturday – Softball @ Urbana | PROM Night!

🔜 COMING UP

April 29 – Parent University Block Party @ Woodruff
April 29 – Freshman Trip to Chiefs Game
May 2 – College Colors Day
May 2 – Lunch Hero Day
May 2 – Student of the Month Breakfast
May 2 – Senior Trip to Six Flags
Week of May 4 – Senior Check-Out (books, tech, Yondr)
Week of May 4 – Teacher Appreciation Week

Principal, Mr. Shaun McGinnes

Shaun.McGinnes@psd150.org

9th Grade Principal, Ms. Kari Wuthrich

Kari.Wuthrich@psd150.org

10th Grade Principal, Ms. Ilethea Suggs

Ilethea.Suggs@psd150.org

11th Grade Principal, Dr. Nahreisha Tate

Nahreisha.Tate@psd150.org

12th Grade Principal, Ms. Moiria Scott

Moiria.Scott@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.

PRIDE of the CITY Newsletter