Peoria High School

PRIDE of the CITY Newsletter

August 24, 2025
1615

🌟 Think Positive

Big things are happening at the PRIDE and this week we’re asking our students to Think Positive. In class and in life we want them to see challenges as opportunities. Positive thinking doesn’t ignore the hard stuff. It means attacking it with the belief that effort pays off. Attitude determines direction.

Parents, help us keep the focus tight this week. SIP Day is Wednesday with a 10:30 dismissal. Teachers have activities focused on growth through SchoolLinks and 7 Mindsets. Also, Progress Report 1 closes Friday, this is a great time to check Skyward together, send an email to a teacher if something is off, and make a simple plan to finish the week strong. Show up. Ask for help. Turn it in.

Thinking Positive is how we do it. We celebrate progress and we fix what needs fixing. If your student had a rough start, that’s fine. We reset today. One class at a time, one assignment at a time, one good choice at a time. We’ve got their back and we’re going to push them. Let’s go build a great week.

📘Progress Report 1 Ends Friday
This Friday is the end of Progress Report 1.

Parents, now is the time to sit down with your student and check Skyward together. If grades are missing or low, have your student reach out to their teacher before Friday. Encourage them to finish strong, turn in work, and ask questions.

Students, remember that eligibility for attendance to activities, and events will be based on PR1. Homecoming COMING SOON! What goes in the gradebook this week matters. Do not wait. Lock in now.

✅ 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. 
    ⭐NEW THIS YEAR!!! 

  • Students with 2 or more unexcused absences within the last 30 days. 

  • Students suspended for fighting or reckless conduct are ineligible for the remainder of the semester.

🚌 Fan Bus to Centennial
We’ve got a Fan Bus heading to Friday’s game at Centennial.

  • Leaves at 4:30 PM

  • Cost is $5 to Mrs. Dailey

  • Space is limited to 40 students

  • Teachers who ride get paid

  • Sign up with Ms. Young

Eligibility:
✅ No more than 2 absences in the last 30 days
✅ No fights or reckless conduct

🍩 Senior Class Fundraiser
The Krispy Kreme Digital Dozen is live now through October 8. Support our seniors and grab your dozen. Quick, easy, and every dollar helps the Class of 2026.

🌟 7 Mindsets: Think Positive
This week every grade level will work on the Think Positive lesson. Think Positive is about training our minds to see opportunities where others see obstacles. The way we frame our thinking shapes our reality. When our students focus on solutions instead of problems and growth instead of setbacks they set themselves up for success.

At Peoria High we know challenges will come. A tough test. A close deadline. A hard day. Think Positive gives our students the tools to respond with resilience and hope. It helps them believe in what is possible, lean into their strengths, and take ownership of their future.

Parents, you can help bring this lesson home. Ask your student about one positive choice they made during the day. When challenges come up, talk about what can be learned instead of what went wrong. Share your own examples of times you stayed positive in tough situations. These small conversations make a big difference. Together we can help our kids build the habit of positive thinking inside and outside of school.

🎓 TRIO Talent Search Open House
Our partners at ICC TRIO Talent Search are hosting an Open House this Wednesday, August 27 at Noon. This is a great chance for students and families to learn more about the program and how it supports college and career readiness.

📍 Location: ICC Peoria Campus, Arbor Hall Room A112, 5407 N. University St., Peoria
👉 Click here to RSVP

TRIO Student Membership Perks:

  • College Visits and Field Trips

  • Career Exploration

  • Fall/Spring Break and Summer Activities

  • Bridge Programs (9th and 12th grade)

  • One-on-One Success Coaching

  • College and FAFSA Application Help

  • ACT Test Prep

  • Tutoring and Academic Support

Parents, if your student has ever thought about college or career prep, this is a program worth looking into.

🩺 Freshman Physicals & Senior Immunizations
A quick reminder from Nurse Baker:

  • Freshmen must turn in a current physical.

  • Seniors must turn in updated immunization records.

These are due by October 15th. You can drop them off at school or email them to:
📧 MARGARET.BAKER@PSD150.ORG

📞 ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Our current school-wide attendance is 87.5% (UP .4% THIS WEEK!), and we want that number climbing. 95% Attendance means your student is college and career ready. Students can’t learn, grow, or stay on track if they’re not in class. Here’s how to handle absences if they are necessary:

  • Absent? Call us at 309-672-6630 extension: 40096 or Email: ANGELA.SIERRA@PSD150.ORG

  • 2+ absences? Our staff and support staff will reach out to make a plan.
    We’re here to help students stay on track—not just academically, but socially and emotionally too.

1615.

🔔 THIS WEEK’S EVENTS

Monday, August 25

  • Boys Golf v. Princeville (2:30 pm Newman)

  • Girls Golf v. Manual (3:30 pm Madison)

Tuesday, August 26

  • JV/Varsity Flag Football @ Richwoods 4:00 pm

  • JV/Varsity Soccer v. Urbana 4:30 pm

Wednesday, August 27

  • SIP Day 10:30 am Dismissal

  • ICC TRIO Open House Noon

  • Boys Golf @ Eureka 4:00 pm

  • Cross Country @ Manual 4:00 pm

  • Volleyball v. Canton 4:00 pm

  • JV/Varsity Soccer @ Richwoods 5:00 pm

Thursday, August 28

  • Girls Golf v. Farmington 2:15 pm Kellogg

  • Tennis @ Bloomington 4:00 pm

  • Soccer v. Canton 4:30 pm

  • Freshman Football v. Centennial 4:30 pm

Friday, August 29

  • End of Progress Report 1

  • Varsity Football v. Centennial 7:00 pm

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Monday, September 1 – No School (Labor Day)

  • Monday, September 1 – Labor Day Parade (Band)

  • Wednesday, September 3 – PR1 Report Cards Sent Home

  • Friday, September 5 – Staff and Student of the Month Breakfast

  • Tuesday, September 9 – PPTO Meeting

🏈 Sports Schedule

Show up at a game or concert this semester. It means more than you know.

🗓️ Athletic schedules: https://schools.snap.app/peoriahs

🎯Schoolwide Goals 2025 - 2026

✅ 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.

🔑 Arrival & Entry Procedures

  • 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.

🎒 Backpack, Backpack

Beginning October 15th, we are moving to a clear backpack policy for all students.

Students are encouraged to use their lockers to store backpacks, coats, and any other non-classroom items.

📵 Cell Phones & Yondr Pouches

Peoria High is a cell phone free school during the day. All students are expected to secure their phones in a Yondr pouch.

  • If your student returned their pouch last year, they were reassigned the same one.

  • If not, or their pouch was lost or broken, they’ll 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.

  • No pouch = no phone. Their phone will be secured at arrival and returned at dismissal from the concession stand or library.

  • Freshmen will received their Yondr pouch during 1st hour on the first day of school.

📅 Scheduling or Academic Questions

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

✍🏾ACT PREP OPPORTUNITIES
The PSAT/NMSQT will be given on October 22nd here at Peoria High. Sophomores and Juniors should sign up with their counselors as soon as possible to secure their spot. The SAT is a key step in preparing for college admissions, scholarships, and future opportunities. Please make sure your student stops by the counseling office this week to get registered.

ACT Prep

📘 Student Handbook

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

😷 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.

Admin
Contact Us

Principal, Mr. Shaun McGinnes

Shaun.McGinnes@psd150.org

9th Grade Principal, Dr. Ilethea Suggs

ILETHEA.SUGGS@PSD150.ORG

10th Grade Principal, Mr. Mick Swanson

MERVYN.SWANSON@PSD150.ORG

11th Grade Principal, Mr. Trey Laird

TREY.LAIRD@PSD150.ORG

12th + POP Grade Principal, Dr. Nahreisha Tate

NAHREISHA.TATE@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.