This was a big week at Peoria High, and it showed.

We tested well over 90% of our students in the building, and more importantly, students walked out of those tests feeling prepared. That comes from the work our teachers have put in all year and the consistency our students have built day after day.

That is something to be proud of.

Now we turn the page and keep that same energy. We are in the final stretch of the school year. Attendance, grades, and daily habits all matter right now. At the same time, our students are stepping up in a big way, especially with the City Track Meet this week.

We talk about being the PRIDE of the CITY. This is a week to go prove it.

🎯 Show Up
Attendance continues to be our number one focus.

We are currently at 87% attendance and we need to keep pushing in the right direction. Students who show up every day are putting themselves in position to pass their classes and stay on track.

Families, make sure your student is at school and on time every day. These last few weeks matter.

📊 Own Everything
Passing classes is the most important thing right now. We need to make sure students are not failing ANY classes.

When you check grades, make sure you are looking at the Quarter 4 column, not just the semester grade. Quarter 4 shows what your student is doing right now. We are focused on building consistency over time and finishing strong.

If your student has any Edgenuity courses, they should be actively working on them every day. These courses are critical for staying on track and graduating on time.

This is a celebration season, but we still need to stay focused on the goal.

Talk with your student about:
Current Quarter 4 grades
Missing work
Progress in Edgenuity

If you have questions or need support, please reach out to your student’s counselor:
Mr. Klimaszewski
Grades 9–12 (Last Names A–E)
patrick.klimaszewski@psd150.org
309-672-6638 Ext. 40151

Ms. Collier
Grades 9–12 (Last Names F–K)
tammy.collier@psd150.org
309-672-6638 Ext. 40152

Ms. Webb
Grades 9–12 (Last Names L–R)
paula.webb@psd150.org
309-672-6638 Ext. 40153

Ms. Stone
Grades 9–12 (Last Names S–Z)
casey.stone@psd150.org
309-672-6638 Ext. 40154

You can also find all staff contact information here:
https://www.peoriapublicschools.org/o/phs/staff

We are here to support, but students have to take ownership and finish strong.

🎓 Senior Updates 🚨
All money for remaining senior activities is due by Wednesday of this week. This includes Senior Brunch and the Senior Trip unless arrangements have been made with Dr. Tate.

The last day for senior grades is May 5th. This gives our counselors time to run graduation reports and support any students who still need it.

We are close. Finish strong.

🚌 Sophomore Field Trip
Sophomores will be on their field trip Tuesday.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Z or Mrs. Ridley.

🏁 Run the City
This week is all about competing and representing Peoria High.

Our Boys and Girls Track teams are competing in the City Meet, and we are excited to see them go out and run the city.

We also have a full week of athletics across baseball, softball, soccer, and tennis. Come out and support our Lions.

🎓 College Decision Day
Friday is College Decision Day and AVID Signing Day in the Complex Gym.

We will celebrate our seniors and their next step. College, career, or military. This is a big moment for our school and a chance for all students to see what is possible.

1615: Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.

📅 This Week at Peoria High

Monday: Track City Meet, Baseball at Champaign Central, Soccer at Bloomington

Tuesday: Sophomore Field Trip, Parent University, Tennis and Soccer

Thursday: Tennis at Limestone, Baseball at Peoria Christian, Softball vs Notre Dame, Soccer at Champaign Central

Friday: College Decision Day, Track at Williamsville

Saturday: Baseball vs Urbana

Teacher Appreciation Week May 4–8

AP Testing Begins May 4

Honors Day Rehearsal May 5

SIP Day May 6

Honors Day May 7

Graduation May 16

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: 86% (Goal 80%)

• Schoolwide Attendance: 87% (Goal 95%)

• Chronic Absenteeism: 44% (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.