Peoria Public Schools

The Mardi Gras District-Wide Speech Competition was a huge success! 🎭✨

Here’s a clear look at our champions and team results:

🏆 Champions

Elementary Declamation: Justice D., Annie Jo Gordon Community Learning Center
Elementary Informative Speaking: Barbie A., Liberty Leadership Middle School
Elementary Original Oratory: Nova B., Whittier Primary School
Elementary Poetry: Marley H., Franklin Primary School
Elementary Prose: Langston F., Trewyn K-8 School
Elementary Storytelling: Treasure F., Trewyn K-8 School

Middle School Interpretation: Marvin P., Trewyn K-8 School
Middle School Public Speaking: Lucero M. R., Annie Jo Gordon Community Learning Center
Spanish Interpretation: Virginia R. G., Annie Jo Gordon Community Learning Center

Elementary Royal Rumble: Adonis P., Von Steuben Middle School
Middle School Royal Rumble: Martin R., Annie Jo Gordon Community Learning Center

🏆 Team Sweepstakes Results
Elementary Champions

🥇 1st – Trewyn K-8 School
🥈 2nd – Whittier Primary School
🥉 3rd – Lincoln K-8 School

Middle School Champions

🥇 1st – Annie Jo Gordon Community Learning Center
🥈 2nd – Sterling Middle School
🥉 3rd – Glen Oak Community Learning Center

A six-figure career doesn’t require a four-year degree. At Woodruff Career and Technical Center, students gain real skills that lead to real opportunities.

Explore WCTC programs:
💈 Barbering
🚗 Collision Technology/Auto Body
🏗️ Construction
💇‍♀️ Cosmetology
⚖️ Criminal Justice
🍽️ Culinary Arts
🚑 Emergency Services
🪮 Hair Braiding
🔥 Fire Science
❄️ HVAC
🩺 Health Occupations
💅 Nail Technology
🤝 Work-Based Learning

Find your path. Start building your future today.
#WoodruffCTC #NextLevelProgram #CareerReady #PPSProud

Announcing the Peoria County Chess Championship !!! Saturday, February 21, 2026 Hosted by Mark W. Bills Middle School Sponsored by Peoria County Regional Office of Education & Greater Peoria Chess ***Students must attend a Peoria County Public or Private school*** https://www.kingregistration.com/event/PeoriaCounty26 $5 Entry at the door (Peoria Public Schools plays FREE) Doors Open 8am Registration Open until 8:45am First Round 9:30am All other rounds ASAP 6 Sections - Swiss System K-3 - 5 Rounds - G30/5d 4-5 - 5 Rounds - G30/5d Junior High 6, 7, & 8 - 4 Rounds - G30/5d High School 9-12 - 4 Rounds - G30/5d Awards top 10 in each division (K-3, 4-5, 6, 7, & 😎 Top 5 HS. Biggest upset in each division. Top 3 teams in each division K-3, 4-5, 6-8, HS)

At Woodruff Career and Technical Center, students receive hands-on training and certifications for in-demand careers. The trades provide strong pay, job security, and opportunities to grow. 💼🏗️
Check out what WCTC has to offer:
💈 Barbering
🚗 Collision Technology/Auto Body
🏗️ Construction
💇‍♀️ Cosmetology
⚖️ Criminal Justice
🍽️ Culinary Arts
🚑 Emergency Services
🪮 Hair Braiding
🔥 Fire Science
❄️ HVAC
🩺 Health Occupations
💅 Nail Technology
🤝 Work-Based Learning
Build your future with skills that last.
#WoodruffCTC #NextLevelProgram #CareerReady #PPSProud

Northmoor students are honoring Black History Month through art! 🎨

After studying artists like Sam Gilliam, Alma Thomas, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, students created their own drape-inspired pieces! They are now proudly displayed in the hallway!

🚀 Next Level at Woodruff Career & Technical Center is NOT an alternative school.
It’s an alternative path to a career.

Students get hands-on experience and can earn certifications in programs like:
💈 Barbering
🚗 Collision Technology/Auto Body
🏗️ Construction
💇‍♀️ Cosmetology
⚖️ Criminal Justice
🍽️ Culinary Arts
🚑 Emergency Services
🪮 Hair Braiding
🔥 Fire Science
❄️ HVAC
🩺 Health Occupations
💅 Nail Technology
🤝 Work-Based Learning

💡 Different path. Strong future.
#WoodruffCTC #NextLevelProgram #CareerReady #PPSProud

To every driver, mechanic, dispatcher, trainer, router, and support staff member — thank you for keeping our students moving each day safely. 💛 We can't thank our Transportation staff enough for all that they do!

Students in grades 7–12 showed off their robotic skills at the FIRST Tech Challenge hosted by Manual High School, representing 29 schools across Central Illinois!

Shoutout to our Peoria Public Schools team—Manual High School Robo Rams for designing and building robots to compete in an exciting 2-minute and 12-second challenge.

🎓Reminder: Foundation Scholarship Applications are Due March 1! 🎓

Calling all seniors! Don’t miss your chance to earn money for college! 💰Peoria Public Schools Foundation scholarship applications are due March 1!
Apply today and invest in your future!
https://ppsfoundation.org/scholarships/

🎓🖤 Celebrating Black History in Education!

We are proud to recognize 14 Black educators in Peoria Public Schools who have earned their Doctorate of Education. This achievement reflects leadership and a commitment to student success.

👏 Congratulations to:
• Dr. Kherat – Superintendent
• Dr. M. Mitchell – Wraparound Center
• Dr. N. Tate – Peoria High School
• Dr. I. Suggs – Peoria High School
• Dr. B. Brown – C.T. Vivian
• Dr. S. Buckner – Glen Oak
• Dr. L. Clemons – Glen Oak
• Dr. L. Schraeder – Glen Oak
• Dr. A. Coleman – Executive Director of High & Middle Schools
• Dr. R. Andrews – Richwoods
• Dr. Tucker-White – Elise Ford Allen Academy
• Dr. Comfort Anderson – Administration (not pictured)

Thank you for the impact you make every day! Our students see themselves in you! 💛

In honor of Black History Month, our culinary students at WCTC are serving up a soulful, southern-inspired menu this Thursday, February 19th, featuring:

🥣 Hoppin’ John Soup
🍖 Smoked Pork Chop
🧀 Homemade BBQ Mac & Cheese
🥬 Southern-Style Green Beans
🍌 Banana Pudding for dessert!

It's a celebration of culture, tradition, and student talent. 💛🖤❤️

Who’s coming to grab a plate? 👏

Enjoy your day off! 🎉

All schools and district offices are closed today. We’ll see students back in class on Tuesday, February 17! 📚

Ms. Cranwill’s students at Glen Barton and the PAT Academy are spreading the Valentine’s Day love in the sweetest way! 💐💝

They created special Valentine’s Day arrangements for staff members, and even delivered the flowers and candy themselves! 🌸🍬
How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day? 💌💕

Thank you to our School Resource Officers for being a safe space for every student, every day. Your presence helps our schools feel safe, supportive, and strong. 👮🏽‍♂️👮🏼‍♀️💙

🍦✨To celebrate Black History Month, local business owner Mr. Herreld Webster from Triple Dipple's Treats and Delicacies visited Dr. C.T. Vivian Primary! Mr. Webster stopped by to speak with Mrs. Ruby and Ms. Calzavara's 4th-grade class, sharing stories on how he started his business! He also brought cheesecake bites for all the students to try! 🍨🍬

📊 January Attendance & Absenteeism Spotlight!

Shoutout to our schools showing up strong! 👏

✅ Top Attendance Schools
1️⃣ Von Steuben
2️⃣ Franklin
3️⃣ Whittier

💪 Top Absenteeism Schools
1️⃣ Mark Bills
2️⃣ Von Steuben
3️⃣ Sterling

Shoutout to Henry Bolden, Parent Advocate at Mark Bills Middle School, who received a Remarkable Spirit Award for being a consistent positive influence on our families, students, and staff! 🌟

Mr. Bolden shows up every day to support our school community, and it never goes unnoticed. Thank you for being someone people can always count on! 💙

👏🏾❤️ Honoring a true “village!”

Dr. Bernice Gordon Young and her mother, Gloria Franklin-Wilson (Mama G) were presented with the It Takes A Village Award!

Together, they run a store at Manual High School every Friday, providing students and families with clothing, supplies, and other essentials! 🛍️✨

Thank you for making a difference, one Friday at a time!