Peoria High School

PRIDE of the CITY Newsletter

September 14, 2025
Flag Football

💡HUNT EXCELLENCE

Homecoming is almost here 1 week to go and so is the end of Quarter 1. These next two weeks matter. Spirit week, activities, the big game, and the dance are all fun, but grades close September 26. We need every student locked in these next two weeks.

This week we’re challenging our students to explore what excites them. It might be trying out for a sport with winter sports open gyms starting, joining a club, digging into a new subject, or simply setting a goal to raise a grade. High school is about finding out what you care about and working at it. Parents, keep encouraging your kids to step up, get out of their comfort zone and finish the quarter strong.

🎓 Seniors
College Application Workshop Tuesday, Sept 16 in the Library during periods 1–5 and 7. ISAC and ICC will be here. Bring your Social Security Number.
Senior Trip to Tanners Details are posted in Teams. Any questions, see Dr. Tate and she will tell you to "Run that Money."
Graduation Matters During Fall Break, we will bring seniors in for Edgenuity. Graduation is too important to wait.

🎉 Homecoming NEXT Week
Homecoming Week Sept 22–26. Final schedule of activities coming from Ms. Rice early this week. Pay attention to announcements!
Guest Forms Pick up and turn in to Mr. Laird or the front office.
Eligibility will be posted TOMORROW. Students must be in good standing with grades, attendance, and behavior to attend. Plenty of time to get them fits right. If you have questions about your eligibility please see your AP.
Homecoming Game Friday, Sept 26 v. Normal West
Homecoming Dance Saturday, Sept 27 "Midnight in the Enchanted Garden"

🌍 Student Opportunities
Italy 2027 Trip Sra. Lemont is taking students to Italy in Summer 2027. Flyers are available. Andiamo in Italia.

7 Mindsets This week, all grade levels are focusing on exploring interests and connecting them to learning.

📞 Attendance Matters
We slipped to 89% attendance this week, 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

🩺 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.

🚪 Limited Hall Passes
We are limiting hall passes during class to emergencies only. Students should use restrooms during their 5 minute passing periods. This keeps the focus on learning and cuts down on lost instructional time. Parents, remind your student to plan ahead and take care of business between classes.

⏸️ TAOEP Update
The TAOEP program is still on pause. As soon as we get the go-ahead to start, we will let families know.

🏡 7 Mindsets - Explore Interests at Home
Ask your student what they are interested in and what new things they are trying this week. A quick question at dinner or in the car can help them think about their goals and how school connects to their future.

💻 Skyward and Grade Check
Parents, please log into Skyward this week and check your student’s grades. If they have a D or F in any class, encourage them to meet directly with that teacher to make a plan. These next two weeks are critical to get missing work turned in, retake assessments if allowed, and close out Quarter 1 September 26th strong.

✌🏾Outro
High school should be about more than just showing up. It should be about finding the things that get you going. That could be a class, a team, a performance, or a goal you set for yourself. Turning those interests into action is how you Hunt Excellence.

Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.

🔔 THIS WEEK’S EVENTS

  • Monday, Sept 15
    Sophomore Football @ Morris, 5:00 pm

  • Tuesday, Sept 16
    Soccer v. Normal West
    Volleyball v. Centennial
    Swimming @ Normal West
    Cross Country v. Notre Dame, Manual, Richwoods, IVC

  • Wednesday, Sept 17
    Flag Football v. Belleville East, 5:00 pm Senior Night

  • Thursday, Sept 18
    Freshman Football v. Manual
    Volleyball @ Manual

  • Friday, Sept 19
    Flag Football v. Manual, 4:00 pm and Football v. Manual, 7:00 pm

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS

College and Career Fair Thursday, Sept 25, Complex Gym
Quarter 1 Ends Friday, Sept 26 09.14.25 SY26 Week at a Glance
Parent Teacher Conferences Tuesday, Sept 30 and Thursday, Oct 2, 4 to 7 pm

🏈 Sports Schedule

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

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

Homecoming
EF Tours
healthy Start
Fall Intersession
Ameren

🎯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.

📊 Data Snapshot

  • Freshman On Track: 86% (Goal 88%)

  • Seniors On Track: 76% (Goal 80%)

  • Schoolwide Attendance: 89% (Goal 95%)

  • Chronic Absenteeism: 39.6% (Goal 36%)

Showing up every day gives students the best chance to explore new opportunities and stay on track. Quarter 1 ends Friday, September 26. No surprises when grades come out.

🔑 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.

  • 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.

📅 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.