🎊 Happy New Year! 🎊 

All Schools Resume January 6th - KCSS and Valeska Hinton Resume Jan. 13th

Meet the two finalists for Superintendent on January 6th and 7th at 5:30pm in the School District Board Room located at 3202 N. Wisconsin Ave. The finalists are Dr. Renee Andrews and Dr. Jerry Bell. One of them will be selected to replace Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, who plans to retire at the end of the school year.

Behaviors tell a story, and PPS Board-Certified Behavior Analysts are trained to understand it. Learn how their work helps students succeed across the district. 

When you walk the halls of Peoria High, you might wonder: What happens to the students who once sat in these very classrooms? Today, we’re catching up with two incredible women from the Class of 2016: Deja Dennis, voted “Most Likely to be Famous,” and Carrie Conton, “Most Academic” and “Most Artistic.” Their stories remind us all that big dreams can start right here—and that every student can shape their own amazing future.

Next month we'll share Day 2 - the 5th & 6th Grade competition.

Autobody

For students who struggle in traditional classrooms, hands-on career pathways can offer a life-changing alternative. This article follows Jackson Whitney, a recent graduate of the Peoria Public Schools’ Auto Body program at Woodruff Career and Technical Center, whose journey from reluctant student to lead technician shows the power of finding the right fit. His story highlights both the opportunities in the auto body industry and the impact of mentors and supportive employers on student success.

They Came Back—for the Kids

Even after retirement, some educators still feel the pull of the classroom. At Hines Primary, that pull has brought teachers back. Not for full classrooms, but for tutoring and those moments when learning clicks. For Sally Williams, Sheri Popken, and Kathy Zeiters, tutoring isn’t a second career; it’s simply who they are.

In every corner of our district, you’ll find staff members whose passion and creativity make our schools shine. This month, we’re excited to highlight one of those remarkable individuals. Meet Wendy Snider—a Medicaid Specialist whose love of learning and creative hobbies remind us all to try something new.

Discover the rich history of this Peoria gem and get a peek inside this new safe, modern space where athletes can train, compete, and grow, no matter the weather. Join us for the Ribbon Cutting at 9:30am on January 8th (following the PPS Foundation's 365 Breakfast fundraiser).

Learn more about the dome facility at psd150.org/dome.

Credit: Justin Hoffman, Tariyus Nichols, and Marjorie Kauth

Calling all students, parents, and snowman architects: Peoria Public Schools is thrilled to announce that starting this winter, we’re putting the “play” back in snow days. E-learning days during inclement weather are officially a thing of the past! We encourage children to have fun and make memories on these special days. However, please be mindful of windchill factors before heading outside. If it’s too cold, please stay inside and keep warm.

Let's celebrate the magic of winter together! Next time we get a dumping of fluffy white stuff, snap a picture of your family's frosty friend and email it to: remarkabletimes@psd150.org.

We’ll gather all the snowy stars and feature them in our next issue of Remarkable Times!

Lacy Haefli, a mother of two, shares a simple but powerful piece of advice:  “Follow through. Don’t tell your child you're going to do something and then don’t do it, especially when it comes to discipline. They will learn early on that you don’t always follow through, which will cause bigger problems later.”

<< Lacy’s insight is more than just practical wisdom—it’s a principle deeply supported by child psychology research. Click to read more.

<< Learn more from the “Brick Talk” seminar hosted by Debracca Williams-Hangen, a Family Support Worker at Valeska Hinton ECEC. Click to watch!

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

The first president of ISU was a Principal at which Peoria School?

The winner will be contacted by phone on Friday 1/9/26.

DECEMBER TRIVIA ANSWER:

Which Peoria Public School is known for its historic clock tower?

ANSWER: 

Peoria High School is renowned for its historic bell tower cupola—a prominent architectural feature that became a cherished symbol of both the school and the city. The unique story behind this iconic feature centers on its original 1861 building, which was crowned by a tall bell tower cupola. This tower served as a citywide landmark, a symbol of educational excellence, and a gathering point for the community. Although the original building (and its tower) was replaced in 1916, the legacy of the bell tower endures as a powerful emblem of Peoria’s educational heritage.

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