Happy Thanksgiving Week, Lions! As we head into the holiday, I hope you all get some time to rest, recharge, and enjoy time together. The building is buzzing our winter sports are kicking off, and our boys and girls basketball teams will be busy all week representing Peoria High with PRIDE.

These next two days of school (YES WE ARE IN SCHOOL MONDAY AND TUESDAY 😉) are extremely important for your student’s attendance. Strong attendance this week helps us keep students focused, keeps their routines steady before break, and ensures they don’t fall behind heading into final exams coming shortly after break. We need them here!!!

Thank you for supporting your students and helping us finish this stretch before everyone gets a well-earned Thanksgiving break. 🦁

National Honor Society Breakfast – Monday @ 8:30 AM
Monday morning we get to recognize our National Honor Society students. These are kids who consistently show up, lead by example, and make our school better every single day. This breakfast is a chance to slow down and celebrate their hard work, character, and commitment. Their families should be proud... WE ARE!

Grandparents Day Breakfast – Tuesday @ 8:30 AM
Tuesday is one of my favorite days of the year. Grandparents Day brings a different kind of energy into the building with joy, pride, and connection. Watching our students walk in with the people who helped raise them is powerful. It reminds all of us that this work is bigger than grades and attendance. It’s about relationships and the village that makes Peoria High what it is.

🎯 ACT Prep Over Break (9th–11th Grades)
As we head into break, I want our 9th, 10th, and 11th graders to keep the ACT on their radar. The test may feel far away, but the students who make the biggest jumps are the ones who stack small reps now. Ten minutes a day over break adds up.

Here’s what I’m asking from our students:
Log in to https://quizme.act.org/ and knock out a few ACT practice questions.
Read for 15 minutes a day — it improves every section of the test.
Review your math notes or hit a short practice set.

Nothing crazy. Just consistent reps so they don’t lose momentum.

🎓 Senior Chicago Trip – Registration EXTENDED
Families showed up big at the parent meeting — thank you!
The deadline to sign up is now December 4 with only a $49 deposit.

Register here: worldstrides.com/register
Use Trip ID: 226991

Financial assistance and fundraising tools are available.
Questions? Reach out to Dr. Tate.

⭐ John Lewis Youth Leadership Award – Nominate a Student
If your student — or another Lion — demonstrates leadership, courage, and service, please consider nominating them.

Nomination Link:
https://www.ilsos.gov/special/john-lewis-award.html

🎄 December Christmas Countdown
Check out the fun spirit days below all month long — from Festive Socks to Twinkle Twin Day to Wear-Your-PJs Day.

1615: Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.

Monday, Nov. 23
National Honor Society Breakfast – 8:30 AM
Freshman Sundae Celebration – Lunches
AVID Assembly – 12:45 PM (Complex Gym)
Freshman Boys/Girls Basketball vs. Metamora & Dunlap – 5:00 PM

Tuesday, Nov. 24
Grandparents Day Breakfast – 8:30 AM
Data Day in Math Classes
Varsity Boys Basketball @ Decatur Tournament vs. Eisenhower – 7:30 PM

Wednesday, Nov. 25
No events scheduled

Thursday, Nov. 26
Varsity Boys Basketball @ Washington TOC vs. Pasadena (CA) – 5:45 PM

Friday, Nov. 27
Soph/Varsity Girls Basketball @ Dunlap Tournament – 5:00 PM
Varsity Boys Basketball @ Decatur Tournament – 8:00 PM

Saturday, Nov. 28
Sophomore Boys Basketball @ Metamora Tournament – 10:30 AM & 3:00 PM
Soph/Varsity Girls Basketball @ Dunlap Tournament – 11:00 AM & 2:30 PM
Varsity Boys Basketball @ Decatur Tournament – 7:30 PM

Staff & Student of the Month Breakfast – December 5
Luther Gardens Performance – December 5
PPTO Meeting – December 9
National Guard 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: 96% (Goal 88%)

• Seniors On Track: 85% (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.