What makes a Dream Team isn’t luck. It’s the daily reps, the shared goals, and the trust built over time. You can see that in our football program. Through years of early mornings, tough losses, and relentless work, our Lions have built a brotherhood that shows what it means to believe in something bigger than yourself.

That bond showed up in a big way Saturday night as Peoria High pulled off a thrilling 38–34 comeback win over Morton. The team’s resilience, composure, and vocal leadership from “Big Baby” Jaquarius Green led the charge, proving that when individuals buy in and lift each other up, there’s no limit to what they can accomplish. The Pride of the City is moving on, and the energy in the building says it all.

🏈 Playoff Update
After the huge win over Morton, our Lions will travel to Oak Forest this Saturday at 3:00 p.m. for the next round of the playoffs.
Fan Bus information and ticket details coming soon! Let’s keep showing up for our Dream Team!

🧓 Grandparents Day Forms – Due November 19
Students should check their Microsoft Teams page to complete the Grandparents Day Form by Tuesday, November 19. Please make sure your student lists their grandparent’s legal name.

🎤 Lunchtime Karaoke – Tuesday and Wednesday
The Senior Class is hosting $1 Karaoke during lunch periods on Tuesday, November 11, and Wednesday, November 12. Students can sing their hearts out, enjoy the music, and help support the Class of 2026!

🦃 FriendsGiving – November 20
Our annual FriendsGiving celebration is coming up on Thursday, November 20. Students interested in helping or participating should see Ms. Young for details. It’s a great way to celebrate community, gratitude, and friendship.

🎓 Jostens Graduation Orders – Friday, November 14
Jostens will be on campus Friday, November 14, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to take graduation orders.
If your senior missed the Jostens meeting, they can pick up their packet in the main office.
Orders can be placed:
In person with Jostens reps Rob Epperson and Brock Danko on Friday at school.
Online at Jostens.com.
Students who order online before Friday should still check in with the reps that day to get their senior gear.

🎓 Senior Scholarship List – Updated Monthly
Encourage your senior to check the Microsoft Teams page each month for the updated scholarship list. The counseling team posts new opportunities regularly and every scholarship counts!

🎓 FAFSA Night – Wednesday, November 12
If your family needs help completing the FAFSA or the Alternative Application, join us for our PHS FAFSA Workshop on Wednesday, November 12, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Peoria High School.
Support is available from Daniela Gonzalez (ISACorps) at 309-214-5553 or Daniela.Gonzalez@illinois.gov, or through the ISAC Textline at 847-243-6470 (English) or 773-823-0570 (Spanish).

🎯 School Links Registration Now Open
School Links registration is open for students to start planning their future courses and pathways. Encourage your student to log in, explore their options, and challenge themselves for next year. Counselors have sent detailed instructions through Microsoft Teams.

🎓 TRIO Talent Search
Peoria High partners with TRIO Talent Search to help students prepare for college and career success.
TRIO offers free tutoring, college visits, financial aid help, and more.
Students can apply at go.icc.edu/TrioTalent.

💭 Building Our Own Dream Teams
Whether it’s in athletics, the classroom, or life, success comes from surrounding yourself with people who push you to be your best. Encourage your student to connect with classmates, teachers, and mentors who bring out the best in them. That’s how every great team starts.

Our Lions are showing what happens when hard work meets belief. Let’s keep supporting our students as they chase goals, lift each other up, and continue to make us proud to say, I Am Peoria.

1615: Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.

Monday, November 10
Sophomore Woodruff Visits

Tuesday, November 11
PPTO Meeting at 6:00 PM
Data Day for English Classes
🎤 Lunchtime Karaoke during all lunch periods ($1 entry, sponsored by the Senior Class)

Wednesday, November 12
FAFSA Night for Seniors from 5:00–7:00 PM at Peoria High School
PPTO Rumburgers Night

Friday, November 14
Jostens Senior Orders 7:00 AM–1:00 PM in the Foyer
End of Progress Report 2

Saturday, November 15
Football Playoffs at Oak Forest, Kickoff at 3:00 PM

November 18 – Sophomore Honors Association Ceremony
November 19 – Grandparents Day Forms Due
November 19 – Educational Support Professionals Day
November 20 – FriendsGiving Celebration
November 21 – Substitute Appreciation Day
November 21 – Senior Orders Make-Up During Lunches
November 24 – NHS Breakfast

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

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

✅ 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: 95% (Goal 88%)

• Seniors On Track: 83% (Goal 80%)

• Schoolwide Attendance: 88% (Goal 95%)

• Chronic Absenteeism: 40% (Goal 36% or less)

Attendance is one of the biggest factors in success. Every day matters. Show up, pick up a pencil, and create the best version of you.

• 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.

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 auditorium.

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

🔗 Link to Clear Bag Policy

The 2025–26 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is now open, allowing students and parents to apply for financial aid for the upcoming academic year. Completing the FAFSA is essential for accessing federal grants, work-study opportunities, and loans.

How to Get Started:

Create a StudentAid.gov Account: Both students and parents need individual accounts to sign and submit the FAFSA form.

Gather Required Documents: You'll need your 2023 tax returns, W-2s, bank statements, and records of untaxed income.

Complete the FAFSA Form: Visit fafsa.gov to start a new application. Students should initiate the form and invite parents as contributors if necessary.

Submit Before Deadlines: The FAFSA is a graduation requirement in Illinois.

Completing the FAFSA early increases your chances of receiving the maximum financial aid available. For more information and to begin the application, visit fafsa.gov.

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

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

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.

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

Athletic Director(s), Ben Mahan and Brien Dunphy

BEN.MAHAN@PSD150.ORG and BRIEN.DUNPHY@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.