Peoria High School

PRIDE of the CITY Newsletter

October 19, 2025

WELCOME BACK PRIDE!!!

Hope everyone had a relaxing and much-needed Fall Break. We’re rolling into Week 2 of Quarter 2, and the focus this week is all about connection because We Are Connected!

After two weeks off, students and staff re-energized and ready to go. This is the perfect time to get back in routine, rebuild relationships, and make sure every member of the PRIDE feels connected.

Our football team are coming back from break on fire, riding a three-game winning streak, and we plan to carry that same energy into the classroom. To keep the momentum going, we’ll be giving away three Amazon Fire HD tablets for Perfect Attendance this week!

👋 WELCOME MR. DAVID WALKER
Please welcome Mr. David Walker, our new Assistant Principal at Peoria High.
He’ll work with 10th Grade Students and oversee Fine Arts and Special Education. Mr. Walker brings strong leadership and a deep commitment to student culture.

💉 FRESHMAN PHYSICALS & SENIOR IMMUNIZATIONS
If your student hasn’t turned in their required physical (9th Grade) or immunization (12th Grade) forms, please turn them in to the Main Office first thing Monday morning.
Students missing documentation will not be allowed to attend until everything is complete. Let’s make sure every Lion is cleared to learn.

🎒 CLEAR BAG POLICY REMINDER
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 library.

  • Clear bags are available for $20 from Ms. Hart in the Main Office.

🏫 ATTENDANCE MATTERS
We ended Quarter 1 with 89% attendance and 37% chronic absenteeism, just 1% from our goal.
We need every student back in routine and in class.

📞 Call 309-672-6630 ext. 40096 or email angela.sierra@psd150.org when your student is absent.
If your student misses two or more days, a staff member will reach out to connect and support. We’re here to help both academically and emotionally.

🎓 COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS
Sophomores: Interested in earning college credit through ICC’s D2 Program?
See Ms. Collier in Counseling for an application.

Seniors: Make sure your parent or guardian’s email in Skyward is correct.
That email syncs directly with SchooLinks for college, scholarship, and graduation updates.

🤝 WE ARE CONNECTED – EMBRACE EVERYONE
This week, students are focusing on belonging, teamwork, and connection. Ask your student who they reconnected with this week and what they’re doing to make others feel included. At 1615, no one stands alone.

1615: Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.

🔔 THIS WEEK’S EVENTS

MONDAY, OCT 20
Track Team Meeting – 7th Hour – Auditorium
Girls Swim @ Manual w/ Metamora – 4 PM
JV Football vs Bloomington – 4:30 PM

TUESDAY, OCT 21
PPTO Meeting – 6 PM
Tanner’s Senior Trip (see Dr. Tate’s)
10th & 11th Grade Woodruff Recruitment – Auditorium
Girls Volleyball @ Champaign Central – 5 PM

WEDNESDAY, OCT 22
McKendree University Visit – During Lunch

THURSDAY, OCT 23
The Principal’s Experience (Brenda Wilson) – 8 to 11 AM
Middle School Recruitment Concerts – All Day
Bradley University Visit – During Lunch
Freshman Football @ Normal Community – 4 PM
Girls Swim @ Pontiac – 5 PM
JV Football @ Normal Community – 6 PM

FRIDAY, OCT 24
Varsity Football vs Normal Community – SENIOR NIGHT – 7 PM 🏈

SATURDAY, OCT 25
Cross Country Regional – 9 AM (TBD)
Girls Swim @ Normal West B12 Conference – 1 PM

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS

  • ACT Practice Week: Oct 27–29

  • DIGM College Fair: Oct 27

  • Fine Arts Showcase: Oct 28

  • Soph Movie Night: Oct 28

  • DIGIM Event (Library): Oct 29

  • Key Club Blood Drive: Oct 30

  • Junior Halloween Movie: Oct 31 🎃

🏈 Sports Schedule

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

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

Game On
ACT Resources
Healthy Minds

🎯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: 92% (Goal 88%)

  • Seniors On Track: 87% (Goal 80%)

  • Schoolwide Attendance: 89% (Goal 95%)

  • Chronic Absenteeism: 37% (Goal 36% or less)

Parents this is where you can help. Encourage your student to show up every day, be on time, and get their work done. Every day matters.

🔑 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

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 library.

  • Clear bags are available for $20 from Ms. Hart in the Main Office.

📵 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.

🔗Yondr Pouch Info Sheet

📅 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

Game On
ACT

📘 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

✅ 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.

😷 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. David Walker

DAVID.WALKER@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.