Peoria Public Schools

Congratulations to the six talented students who represented PPS schools at the California's Best Foundation Michael Leigh Championship this past weekend—bringing home top honors! Gold Marvin P. , Trewyn – Humorous Interpretation Silver Marvin P., Trewyn – Storytelling Bronze Antonio S., Sterling – Original Oratory, Declamation Genesis C., Annie Jo Gordon – Original Oratory Harmony M., Sterling – Dramatic Interpretation, Declamation Jennyfer I-H., Annie Jo Gordon – Dramatic Interpretation, Declamation Kenneth A., Annie Jo Gordon – Declamation Team Honor Medium Team Bronze Award Way to go, scholars!

Happy School Lunch Hero Day! 🦸‍♀️ Thank you to our amazing school nutrition staff—you make a difference daily! We see you, we appreciate you, and today, we celebrate YOU! 💛🥪🍎

Last night, WCTC hosted its annual Construction Industry Work-Based Learning Appreciation Dinner! Students celebrated with family, received their certificates, and heard inspiring words from special guest speaker Nassir C, a senior! Alumni from past years also joined the celebration!

Are you passionate about making a difference? Become a Special Education teacher! If you have a heart for helping students reach their full potential, we want to hear from you! 📩 Contact Linda Wilson at linda.wilson@psd150.org to learn about PPS's Bloomboard program!

This free overnight camp is open to rising 6th–9th graders. Register now at https://www.bit.ly/ckcamp2025 for an unforgettable summer experience!

Congratulations to our Remarkable Spirit Award winners! Honored at last night’s board meeting, these remarkable team members go above and beyond every day: ✨ Gabe Romero – Head Custodian, Trewyn K–8 ✨ Anthony Davis – Head Custodian, Charter Oak Primary ✨ Kashmira Bopearatchy – SEL Aide, Charter Oak Primary Thank you for the heart and positivity you bring to our schools!

🎉 Huge congratulations to Adelyn Gruse, 2nd grade teacher at Whittier Primary! 🎉 She’s the winner of the 2025 Those Who Excel Early Career Educator of the Year Award and was celebrated at last night’s Board of Education meeting!

🎉 Congrats to our 2025 Young Author Winners! 🎉 Every K–4 student at PPS wrote a story, and 5th–8th graders could showcase their creativity. Each school picked one standout per grade, and you all amazed us! We’re so proud of your talent and imagination! ✨

🎉 Big congratulations to Amy Eichorn! 🎉 Amy, a dedicated teacher’s aide in Purple 2 at Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Education Center, is the 2025 Those Who Excel Educational Service Personnel of the Year! She was honored at last night’s Board of Education meeting!

🎶 Richwoods High School Bands are shining! 🎶 This year’s highlights: 🏅 ILMEA District & All-State honors 🥇 IHSA “Best of Day” awards: Christian Luedtke, Starfall Ensemble, Reneau & Andrews duet 🎼 Caleb Barnes – Youth Music Illinois Concerto Winner 🎷 Jazz Ensemble: • 2nd @ EIU, 1st in Class @ ISU (+ Jackson Andrews Outstanding Soloist) • 🏆 Top HS Jazz Band @ Greater St. Louis Fest 🎺 Wind Ensemble: 1 of 3 bands selected for 2025 WIU Showcase + 4 WIU Honor Band selections

🔥 Congratulations to Eric M., a junior at Manual, who brought the heat at the SkillsUSA Competition this past weekend at the Civic Center! He welded his way into the Top 10 in the Weld/Sculpture competition!👏💥

The 12th Annual Kindergarten Roundup at the Peoria Zoo was a wild success! Incoming scholars met their teachers and enjoyed face painting, bus rides, and animal adventures!

Save the Date! Come learn about different cultures from our international teachers and enjoy the day at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. #PeoriaPublicSchools

Registration closes on April 30th! Don't miss out on the fun! https://www.peoriapublicschools.org/page/intercession-programs

Happy School Lunch Hero Day! 🦸‍♀️ Thank you to our amazing school nutrition staff—you make a difference daily! We see you, we appreciate you, and today, we celebrate YOU! 💛🥪🍎

🎉Happy Administrative Professionals Day! 🎉 Thank you for your hard work, organization, and dedication to Peoria Public Schools. Your efforts may often happen behind the scenes, but they are felt in every classroom, every hallway, and every success story!

The Richwoods Jazz Ensemble took 1st place out of 17 bands at the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival on Friday, earning the Top High School Jazz Band award. They also had the honor of working with renowned composer Michele Fernandez during a special educational session. Congratulations to the ensemble on this outstanding achievement! 🎶🎹🎷🥁🎵

Enjoy your four-day weekend!

Last evening, the PPS Foundation celebrated 7th-grade girls who love math at the Deirdre Purcell Collins Math Award reception. Thanks to keynote speaker Lynette Hernandez, host Principal Susan Martin, organizer Jen Adler, award founder CarolAnn Purcell, and all the teachers, families, and supporters who made it possible. 📝🔢✖️📐🥇

🎉 Big congratulations to our incredible Remarkable Spirit Award winners! 🎉 Last night, we proudly recognized two REMARKABLE members of the PPS team at the Board of Education meeting: ⭐ Mike Bowen from the Transportation Department ⭐ Kwan O’Neal, a Peoria High School School Resource Officer Their hard work, positive energy, and commitment to our students and staff truly embody the PPS spirit. Thank you, Mike and Kwan, for all you do!