This week is about being Lion Strong. Not just on the field but in the classroom and in life. Lion Strong means showing up, owning our choices, and pushing through the hard stuff by focusing on what we do best.
Our 7 Mindsets focus this week is Focus on Your Strengths. Every student has something they can lean on. For some it is persistence, for others it is creativity, leadership, or problem-solving. Our job at school and your job at home is to help them use those strengths to stay on track.
We saw it in action last week. Freshman and Varsity Football picked up big wins Thursday and Friday and our Flag Football team went 2–0 on Saturday. That success came from effort and leaning into what they do well. The same approach works when a student needs to raise a grade, improve attendance, or bounce back from a mistake.
September is busy with eligibility checks, Panorama surveys, and Homecoming around the corner. The basics matter more than ever. Attendance, behavior, and grades open doors for students. When those three are in order, opportunities follow.
Keep reinforcing at home the same message we push here every day:
Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.
📞 Attendance Matters
We slipped to 89% attendance this week (down 1%), and every point matters. 95% attendance = college and career ready. Absences happen, but we can’t afford unexcused ones.
If your student is absent, please call 309-672-6630 ext. 40096 or email ANGELA.SIERRA@PSD150.ORG
Unexcused absences count toward eligibility
If your student racks up 2+ absences, staff will reach out to make a plan. We’re here to support both academics and social-emotional needs
✅ All-School Eligibility Reminder
Students are ineligible if:
They have Ds or Fs in 2 or more classes on the most recent grade report
They have 2 or more unexcused absences in the last 30 days
They were suspended for fighting or reckless conduct (ineligible for the rest of the semester)
Parents—we need your partnership. Call in absences to prevent them from being marked unexcused, and keep pushing students to get above Ds in all classes.
🎉 Homecoming Guest Forms & Eligibility
Homecoming is right around the corner!
Guest forms are available with Mr. Laird or in the front office. Please complete and return them before the deadline so your guest can be approved.
Eligibility for Homecoming will be run on Monday, September 15th.
Students must be in good standing with grades, attendance, and behavior (BAG) to attend.
Gives you two weeks to get them fits right 😉
Encourage your student to stay on top of both their academics and attendance to remain eligible.
🩺 Freshman Physicals & Senior Immunizations
From Nurse Baker:
Freshmen must turn in a current physical
Seniors must submit updated immunization records
Due by October 15. Drop them off at school or email MARGARET.BAKER@PSD150.ORG.
💡 Interacting with 7 Mindsets at Home
Our 7 Mindset this week is Focus on Your Strengths. You can help at home by asking questions like:
What is something you’re good at that helped you today in class?
When things got tough this week, what strength did you lean on?
What’s one strength you want to use more often this month?
Small conversations like these help students recognize their abilities and build confidence to take on challenges. When families and school are both speaking the same language, the message sticks.
✌🏾 Outro
Parents, we are pushing hard right now to make sure every Lion stays on track. The numbers are moving, but we need your partnership more than ever. Every phone call, every check-in on grades, every reminder to show up makes a difference.
We win when our kids use their strengths, make good choices, and stack positive days together. That is what being Lion Strong looks like.
Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.
