Communications Director, Marjorie Kauth reads "The Monster At The End of This Book" to students at Elise Ford Allen to kick of Read Across America Week.

This week, we encourage everyone to turn off the screens, pick up a book, and make time to read together. Whether it’s a family read-aloud, a personal reading goal, or dressing up as a favorite character, let’s make this week fun!

Reading opens doors to imagination, knowledge, and opportunity. In fact, students who read just 30 minutes a day are exposed to more than one million words each year. This builds vocabulary, strengthens comprehension, and improves academic success.

The Journey of Tania Perez-Galvez

When Tania Perez-Galvez arrived in Peoria, Illinois, in 2021, she carried little more than a backpack and a dream of becoming a teacher. At just 16 years old, she had left behind her life in Honduras, her beloved family, and the only home she had ever known. The only person waiting for her in the United States was her father, a man she barely knew—he had moved to the U.S. when she was just two years old, and their relationship had been mostly long-distance. Despite the challenges of starting over in a new country, with no English skills and no close connections, Tania’s story is one of faith, resilience, and an unyielding drive to create a better future for herself and others.

Chocolate is more than a sweet treat; it’s the foundation of groundbreaking research and hands-on learning for Peoria Public Schools educator Emily Dawson.

Dawson, who teaches at PPS while pursuing graduate research at Western Illinois University for her third master's degree in chemistry, has been awarded the prestigious Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Grant, receiving $10,000 to study cacao chemistry and history.

The road to success is anything but smooth. Now, DeMarcus “Marc Supreme” Hamilton, a Manual High School alumnus, is helping students navigate it with confidence. Discover how he turned setbacks into a blueprint for students' futures. 

Your hard work, dedication, and love for words have earned you this well-deserved recognition. We are thrilled to see you advance to the Scripps Howard Regional Spelling Bee, which will take place on March 28th at the Gateway Building in downtown Peoria, IL. This is an exciting opportunity to represent your schools with pride.

As you prepare for the next round, remember that your journey is already an inspiration to your peers, teachers, and families. Keep up the focus and determination that brought you this far—we can’t wait to cheer you on as you take the stage!

Best of luck at regionals, and congratulations again on this outstanding accomplishment!

• Annie Jo Gordon Community Learning Center – Melissa M., Grade 7

• Charter Oak Primary - Ariya R., Grade 2

• Dr. C.T. Vivian. Primary – Asher S., Grade 4

• Dr. Maude A. Sanders Primary – Malik H., Grade 4

• Elise Ford Allen Academy – Fabion R., Grade 5

• Glen Oak Community Learning Center – Kimberly G., Grade 5

• Harold B. Dawson Middle School – Kyric M., Grade 6

• Hines Primary - Xander H., Grade 4

• Kellar Primary – Ari B., Grade 4

• Liberty Leadership Middle School - Jackson R., Grade 8

• Mark Bills Middle School – Carter Hicks – V., Grade 5

• Northmoor Primary - Dorian C., Grade 4

• Reservoir Gifted Academy - Gillian E., Grade 5

• Sterling Middle School - Jhecob W., Grade 7

• Trewyn K-8 School – Maranda P., Grade 4

• Whittier Primary – Kenzieh L., Grade 4

Imagine the opportunity to bring the world into your home and share your culture with a young student eager to learn and explore. Peoria Public Schools is excited to invite parents and staff to consider becoming host families for Rotary Youth Exchange students. Hosting an exchange student is more than just opening your door—it’s opening your heart to a life-changing experience that creates lifelong memories for your family and a young ambassador from another country.

If you could send a Valentine to any historical figure or famous person (real or fictional), who would it be and why? See our top 5 reader submissions below:

TuPac Shakur - A life cut short by envy and gun violence, one in which is prevalent in our community. His message of love and empowerment caused a generation of young people to broaden their perspectives on life, family, community and brotherhood. While he was noted to be strong and independent, many saw him as troubled and reckless. Choosing a person/character such as Jesus is far to simple but I chose one in which was making strides for change.

Harriet Tubman - She had the courage to stand up in the face of everything standing against her, and fight for what she knew she and everyone else deserved. We need more of these people in times like this. We need to come stand together against the enemy thats tearing us all apart by design. If only we could stop fighting and start banding together. Make Harriet proud today.

JFK - He was a cutie and the president!

Denzel Washington - He is an outstanding actor, motivator and great inspirational figure from my childhood to present day and I was born in the 80s. It's so fulfilling to see him inon screen. Trust meet him in person one day. He is so humble.

Mother Theresa - Because she lived love daily.

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Join us at the Warrior Way Cafe on Thursday, March 5th, for a special dining experience—and don’t miss your chance to snap a photo with Woody the Woodruff Bison! 📸

Woody won’t be on display outdoors, so this is one of only two opportunities to see him up close—March 5th and March 26th at the Warrior Way Cafe.

Woody is part of Peoria County’s exciting Bison Trek Digital Passport, created for the America 250 celebration. This initiative features large fiberglass bison sculptures, beautifully decorated by local artists, displayed throughout Peoria County now through July 4, 2026. Participants, known as "Bison Trekkers," can take photos with each bison and log their visits on the free digital passport. 

Register for Bison Trek at: peoriacounty.gov/1314/America-250-Bison-Trek.

In addition to meeting Woody, enjoy a delicious meal prepared by our talented culinary students. The menu is available for dine-in or carry-out for just $8. Reservations are required by noon on Wednesday—check out the menu below and email your request to warriorwaycafe@psd150.org. 

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to enjoy great food, support our students, and be part of Peoria County’s celebration!

Strategies for Talking to Teens about Substance Use

March 11, 2026 11:00 AM

Talking with teens about substance use can feel uncomfortable, emotional, or hard to get right. Many caregivers worry about saying the wrong thing, pushing too hard, or missing important warning signs. In this free family webinar, licensed clinician Amy McCarthy Baluch, LICSW will share practical, developmentally appropriate strategies to help caregivers approach these conversations with clarity, confidence, and care.

Drop your answer to our MARCH trivia question for a chance to take one home!

Which Peoria Public School was founded in 1882 as a one-room schoolhouse and later became the first county school with indoor plumbing, and home to Illinois’ first hot lunch program in 1940?

The winner will be contacted by phone on Friday 3/13/26.

FEBRUARY TRIVIA ANSWER:

Who was the first African American principal in Peoria Public Schools?

ANSWER: 

District 150 announced Ms. Alice Taylor as the Irving Grade School Principal beginning in June 1968. Mr. Adrian Hinton, accepted the Whittier School Principal position the following year. Congratulations to our trivia winners!

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