Homecoming Week is here the decorations, the games, the court, and the big Friday night lights. This year’s theme is “Midnight in the Enchanted Garden: A Night of Twinkling Lights and Royal Delights”, and our students are ready to show their school spirit through spirit days, hall decorations, and more.
But Homecoming isn’t just about fun it’s about pride in who we are. This week, we’re challenging our students to Take a Stand: to hold themselves and their classmates accountable, to do what’s hard and uncommon, and to step into leadership. That means choosing to be on time for class, encouraging a teammate to stay eligible, turning in missing assignments, and speaking up when it’s time to do the right thing.
The end of Quarter 1 is also this Friday. Now is the time for students to step up. Real Lions don’t wait for someone else to lead.
🌲✨ Homecoming Spirit Week & Activities:
“Midnight in the Enchanted Garden: A Night of Twinkling Lights and Royal Delights”Monday, Sept. 22 – Creatures of the Forest 🧚♀️🦉
Dress as fairies, elves, gnomes, woodland animals, or enchanted creatures.
➡️ After school: Hall Decorations
Tuesday, Sept. 23 – Lumberjack vs. Explorer 🪓🎒
Wear flannel, boots, hats, camping gear OR safari vests and binoculars.
➡️ Lunches: Raffle Ticket Football Toss
Wednesday, Sept. 24 – Day vs. Night ☀️🌙
Choose light & bright outfits (day) or dark & sparkly outfits (night).
➡️ Event: Powderpuff Football Game – 9:15 am
Thursday, Sept. 25 – Storybook Classics 📖👑
Dress as your favorite fairytale character (Red Riding Hood, Robin Hood, Snow White, etc.).
➡️ Event: College & Career Fair – Complex Gym
Friday, Sept. 26 – Forest Class Colors 🌳🎨
Freshmen – Tan/Brown 🪵 | Sophomores – Burgundy 🍷 | Juniors – Navy 🌌 | Seniors – Forest Green 🌲
➡️ School Events: Pep Assembly (Special Schedule) | Homecoming Court Voting | Face Painting @ Lunches
➡️ Game: Varsity Football vs. Normal West – 7:00 pm (Homecoming Game!)
🎓 Senior Parent Meeting
During Parent-Teacher Conferences (Sept. 30), we’ll host a Senior Parent Meeting in the Auditorium from 5:00–6:00 pm. We’ll cover graduation requirements, senior year reminders, and financial aid. From 6:00–7:00 pm in Room 234, there will also be an FSA ID Workshop to help families prepare for FAFSA (a graduation requirement).
🎓 Other Senior Matters
Edgenuity Reminder: Seniors with online courses must attend Fall Break mornings (9 am–12 pm) at Peoria High to stay on track. Dr. Tate and I will be there providing lunch and support. No skipping we’ll be calling, texting, and visiting homes if needed.
Senior Trip: Money for the Tanner’s trip is due to Dr. Tate by Friday, Sept. 26.
📚 D2 Parent Meeting
Parents interested in the D2 program—where students can earn a high school diploma and an associate’s degree—are invited to the meeting at Peoria High Library, Sept. 30, 6:00–7:00 pm during conferences.
📞 Attendance Matters
We stayed steady 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.
🚨 A Note on Safety & Expectations
We’ve had some disruptions and fights in recent days that take away from learning and the positive energy of our building. At Peoria High, we are clear: this behavior is unacceptable. Every student deserves to learn in a safe environment, and every minute matters in the classroom.
We’re asking students to Take a Stand—not just against fights, but for each other. That means:
Choosing to walk away instead of escalating a conflict.
Holding classmates accountable for being in class on time and ready to learn.
Respecting staff directions.
Representing the PRIDE of the CITY at games and events.
Our approach is always to use restorative practices and interventions first. However, when student behavior creates a safety concern or a major disruption to learning, consequences will be firm. This may include suspension and, when necessary, placement in an alternative learning setting.
We will not allow the actions of a few to interrupt the education of the 1,300 students who show up every day to do the right thing.
⏸️ TAOEP Update
TAOEP will start on MONDAY!
💻 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
This Homecoming Week, we celebrate together under the lights of the Enchanted Garden. But beyond the dress-up days and the big game, we’re asking every Lion to Take a Stand to be a leader in the classroom, in the hallways, and in the stands. The PRIDE of the CITY doesn’t just show up once a year it shows up in our day to day choices and actions.
1615: Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.
