This time of year can feel heavy for students. Finals, grades, schedules, and energy levels all collide at once. Growth right now is not about perfection. It is about showing up, staying engaged, asking for help, and finishing strong even when it feels hard. These moments build habits that matter far beyond one week or one grade.

🚌 Attendance During Finals Week
Finals week is when attendance matters the most. Every class period counts, and being present gives students the best chance to finish the semester passing ALL classes.

From Wednesday through Friday, student movement in the halls will be very limited so students can remain focused in class. Students should only be out of class for a true emergency or an approved testing need.

🎉 Heat Up the Holidays Attendance Celebration
Students who earned perfect attendance over the past two weeks will be celebrated during lunches at the concession stands this week. Showing up is the first step in growth, and we want to recognize that effort.

📚 Grades and Finals
Finals are the last opportunity for students to demonstrate learning this semester. Families are encouraged to check grades daily and talk with students about progress.

If a student finishes the semester with an F, families will be contacted by the teacher to discuss next steps.

🎄 Christmas Countdown Spirit Week
We are closing the semester with our final Christmas Countdown Spirit Week to celebrate our school community.
Monday: Christmas Bling or Lights 💎✨💡
Tuesday: Twinkle Twin Day ✨👯
Wednesday: Favorite Christmas Character 🎅🎄🧑‍🎄
Thursday: Ugliest Christmas Sweater 🧶🎄😬
Friday: Santa vs Grinch 🎅💚

🎯 ACT Focus
The ACT opens doors to college options, scholarships, and future opportunities.

Starting in January, Peoria High will offer after school tutoring with ACT preparation embedded. These sessions will support current coursework while building ACT skills across all subject areas.

❄️ Winter Break Information
Winter Break runs through January 6. You will hear from me again on January 4 as we prepare for the return to school. Families can check our Peoria High School Facebook page for updates over the break.

🌱 Grow Through Life
Growth does not stop when the semester ends or when school doors close for break. It continues through rest, reflection, and time together as a family. It shows up when students learn from setbacks, reset goals, and come back ready to take the next step forward.

Thank you for working with us, for supporting your student, and for trusting Peoria High to be part of their journey. We are proud of their effort, their progress, and the growth we see every day.

1615: Show Up. Own Everything. Hunt Excellence.

Monday, December 15
Sophomore and Varsity Girls Basketball vs Manual at 4:30 pm
Freshman Boys Basketball vs Bloomington at 5:00 pm

Tuesday, December 16
Sophomore and Varsity Boys Basketball vs Kankakee at 5:00 pm
Wrestling vs Galesburg with Morton at 5:00 pm

Wednesday, December 17
Heat Up the Holidays Attendance Celebration during lunches
Freshman Boys Basketball at East Peoria at 6:00 pm
⏰ Early Dismissal at 1:30 pm

Thursday, December 18
Sophomore and Varsity Girls Basketball at Limestone at 5:00 pm
📝 Finals Day with Dismissal at 10:30 am

Friday, December 19
End of Quarter 2 and start of Winter Break
Sophomore and Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball at Normal Community at 6:00 pm
📝 Finals Day with Dismissal at 10:30 am

Saturday, December 20
Freshman Boys Basketball at Tournament at the Castle at 9:00 am
Wrestling at Metamora Tournament at 9:00 am
Cheerleading at Peoria High at 10:00 am
Sophomore and Varsity Boys Basketball at Metamora at 5:00 pm

January
School Board Appreciation Month

Tuesday, January 6
Return from Winter Break - 7:30 am

Thursday, January 8
Midwest Tech Visit during lunches
Track Meeting at 1:45 pm

Friday, January 9
Staff and Student of the Month Breakfast at 7:45 am

Monday, January 12
Pink Elephant Presentation

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

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

🎟️ Grab Your Game Tickets Here
All tickets for Peoria High home athletic events can be purchased through GoFan.
Click the link below for quick, easy, cashless entry:
👉 GoFan Link: https://gofan.co/app/school/IL21469

✅ 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: 86% (Goal 80%)

• Schoolwide Attendance: 87% (Goal 95%)

• Chronic Absenteeism: 42% (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.