Our theme this week is Lead With Value. As our football season came to a close, our seniors showed us what true leadership looks like. They played for each other, lifted up the younger players, and set a standard for what it means to wear Peoria across your chest. Even though the season is over, leadership is not. The real impact of a leader is what they leave behind for the next group. Thank you to our seniors for setting the tone and to our families for supporting them every step of the way.

📣 Important Information for Families Chicago Senior Trip Parent Meeting Recap
Thank you to all the families who attended!
A few reminders:
Deadline to sign up: November 21
Deposit: $49
Register: worldstrides.com/register
Trip ID: 226991
Financial assistance and fundraising tools are available to help cover the cost. If you have questions, please reach out to Dr. Tate.

🎓 Senior Jostens Make-Up Order Day – This Friday
Attention Senior Families: If your student missed the first Jostens order day, we will have a Make-Up Order Day this Friday during all lunch periods. This is the time for seniors to place orders for caps and gowns, graduation packages, class rings, and other senior items.
Please make sure your student stops by the Jostens table during lunch to get their order in.

FriendsGiving – Thursday, November 20 at 6:00 PM
We are excited to host our annual FriendsGiving celebration. This is always a great night for families, staff, and students to come together.

🏀 Meet the Lions Basketball Buyout – This Friday!
This Friday during 7th hour, students will have the opportunity to attend our Meet the Lions Basketball Buyout, a fun scrimmage event showcasing both our Boys and Girls Basketball teams. This is our chance to introduce the 2025–2026 Lions.

Basketball Season Around the Corner - ✅ All-School Eligibility Reminder
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.
Students with 2 or more unexcused absences within the last 30 days. 
No more than 20 tardies to class within the last 30 days (updated at last Class Meetings w/ students)
Students suspended for fighting or reckless conduct are ineligible for the remainder of the semester.

*We will post tomorrow so students can know their status and make improvements prior to our first Varsity Home Game

Summer 2026 Pre-College Virtual Fair
On Wednesday, November 20, students can participate in a free virtual event where colleges share opportunities for Summer 2026 pre-college programs.
This is a great way for students to explore future pathways and talk directly with college representatives.
Link to College Fair Registration

Girls Lead Program (Grades 5–12)
The Illinois Council on Women and Girls is offering a statewide mentoring and job-shadow experience for young women.
Applications are due December 1.
Apply here: https://isbe.submittable.com/submit/340573/illinois-council-on-women-and-girls-2025-girls-lead-application

💡 How to Interact With 7 Mindsets at Home
We want our students to live the 7 Mindsets not only at school, but at home too. Here are a few easy ways families can connect with this week’s mindset, Lead With Value, and support the work happening in classrooms:
1. Ask your student to share one way they added value to someone’s day.
This could be helping a sibling, checking in on a friend, or showing kindness to someone who needed it.
2. Talk about leaders in your own home.
Share a story about a time when you led with value or made a positive impact on someone. Kids learn from what we model.
3. Set a family goal for the week.
Choose something small everyone can do that makes your home better. (Ex: no phones at dinner, one act of kindness a day, everyone picks up one extra chore.)
4. Celebrate positive choices.
When your student shows honesty, kindness, or responsibility, point it out. Reinforcement builds confidence.
5. Remind students that leadership isn’t a position.
Anyone can lead by how they treat others, how they handle challenges, and how they show up each day.

1615: Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.

Monday, November 17
No major events

Tuesday, November 18
Sophomore Honors Association Ceremony – 7:45 AM
Girls Soph/Varsity Basketball v. Morton – 5:00 PM

Wednesday, November 19
No major events

Thursday, November 20
FriendsGiving – 6:00 PM
Girls Soph/Varsity Basketball @ Rock Island – 5:00 PM

Friday, November 21
Senior Jostens Orders Make-Up Day – During Lunches
Meet the Lions Basketball Buyout – 7th Hour

Saturday, November 22
No major events

Sunday, November 23
Varsity Cheerleading @ Wilmington – 9:00 AM

NHS Breakfast – November 24
Sundaes @ Lunches Freshman Celebration – November 24
Grandparents Day – November 25
Staff/Student of the Month Breakfast – December 5
Luther Gardens Performance – December 5
PPTO Meeting – December 9
National Guard Lunch Visit – December 10

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.

• Students with 2 or more unexcused absences within the last 30 days. 

• No more than 20 tardies to class 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.