Since certain individuals within the community are so quick to talk about what the District is doing wrong, here are the FACTS on what the District is doing right. Have we heard any of these things from those who are "so called" interested?

1. Peoria
Public
Schools
Bragging
Rights
Budget
Did you know…District 150’s overall budget has been balanced for three
consecutive years (FY11, FY12 and FY13), something that hadn’t been done
in more than a decade.
Did you know…the District changed to a two-tier bell schedule in 2011 from 13
various school arrival/dismissal schedules, bringing savings and consistency to
the District.
Did you know…in FY12 and FY13, the Board of Education abated $3 million of
property taxes.
School Day
Did you know…the school day expanded for all students by 30 minutes (to 7
hours) starting in 2011.
Curriculum
Did you know…the following textbooks were purchased in 2011, replacing old
materials that in many cases were 30+ years old.
• New Social Studies Textbooks-High School
• New Science Textbooks-High School
• New AP Textbooks-High School
• New Foreign Language Textbooks- Middle and High School
• New Science Curriculum for K-8 (Science Fusion)
Did you know…foreign language instruction was expanded District-wide in
2011 to all middle schools.
Did you know…math and reading instruction time doubled to 90 minutes in
2011 for all students. In addition, curriculum interventionists are now available
in every school.
Did you know…gifted instruction is supported in all middle schools. Prior to
2011, the only gifted program in the District was Washington Gifted Middle
School.
Did you know…Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) is now
offered (since 2011) in all district schools including the High Schools. In
addition, bus drivers were trained in how to utilize PBIS.
Did you know…Advancement Via Individual Determination is now implemented
at all three high schools, Lincoln K-8 and is now in its first year at Harrison
Community Learning Center and Franklin Primary School. AVID is a college
readiness system for elementary through higher education that is designed to
increase school-wide learning and performance. The AVID College Readiness
System (ACRS) accelerates student learning, uses research based methods of
effective instruction, provides meaningful and motivational professional
learning, and acts as a catalyst for systemic reform and change.
Student Offerings
Did you know…career & technical education offerings at Woodruff Career &
Technical Center continue to expand for high school students.
• Automotive Paint Repair (2011)
• Barbering (2013)
Updated
February
18,
2014

2. • Cosmetology (2011)
• Construction Trades (2011)
• Culinary Arts (2014)
• Engineering (2011)
• Health Occupations (2011 with expansion to CNA certification in 2014)
• Metals Manufacturing (2011)
• Natural Hair Care (2012)
Did you know…that middle school students in every middle school are
participating in career exploration through a Paxton-Patterson Lab?
Did you know…the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at
Richwoods High School is the only IB Diploma Programme in Illinois outside of
the Chicago Metro area? The Programme returned to its intended integrity
(requiring students to participate in the full Diploma Programme) in 2011 and
IB class offerings have expanded.
Did you know…two primary schools and two middle schools in District 150 are
completing the candidate process to become International Baccalaureate (IB)
Primary Years Programmes and Middle Years Programmes, in hopes of joining
a Freeport school and Springfield school as the only PYP or MYP Programmes
outside of the Chicago Metro Area. The candidate schools are expected to
complete the process at the end of the 2013-2014 (MYP) and 2014-2015
(PYP) school year.
Did you know…a long-term plan to invest in classroom technology and
professional development for teachers has been implemented since 2011
which has provided all schools in the District to have at least one iPad learning
cart of 20 iPads for student use. In addition, three Regional Technology
Facilitators were added to help train and support staff with technology
improvements.
Did you know…District 150 continues to expand athletics for middle schools.
Soccer and golf offerings have been added since 2011.
Did you know…since 2011, Advanced Placement (AP) courses have been
offered and student participation has increased each year at all three District
high schools. In addition, the District now covers the cost and, in return,
receives all AP test results for students in the District. If a student scores
appropriately, the course can be used as college credit at most universities.
• In 2012, students took 324 AP exams
• In 2013, 431 students took 658 AP exams
• 38% of those exams scored a 3 or higher (204 of 431 students on at
least 1 exam)
• Peoria had 44 recognized scholars from the 2013 year
Did you know…in 2011, computer intervention program offerings for students
grew from approximately 25% to 100%. In addition, all students now have
access to the same computer intervention program (Compass Learning)
outside of the school, whether at home, the library or after-school programs.
Updated
February
18,
2014

3. Did you know…that through a partnership with Heartland Bank, when any
District student enrolls in Economics (required for graduation), they participate
in Ever-Fi. This program has ten learning modules that take 30-45 minutes to
complete. Modules include savings, banking, payment types/credit cards,
credit scores and financing higher education, to name a few. Once all modules
are successfully completed, students qualify to become Ever-Fi certified. The
course includes a pre- and post-assessment. In 2012-2013, 749 of 848
participants became fully certified.
Did you know…starting in 2011, District 150 more than doubled its school
counseling staff and other student support services in schools. Currently
District 150 has 24 counselors and 3 social workers (not including those staff
members required for special education services).
Did you know…Peoria Public Schools is a SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
testing site.
Did you know…District 150 offers a contemporary classroom program at
Woodruff Career & Technical Center. The Contemporary Classroom program
allows students in grades 6-12, who may be more successful in smaller class
sizes due to their learning style, a different classroom environment than our
traditional schools can offer.
Did you know…District 150 offers a setting at Knoxville Center for students
behind in high school credits or who may need an alternative school day
schedule. Students in this program participate in online credit recovery courses
and receive direct instruction from classroom teachers.
Did you know…beginning in 2013, District 150 has offered online enrollment
for returning students, and online high school course selection for its students
and parents.
Did you know…each year in January, each high school offers a Curriculum
Fair night where students and parents can learn more about offerings at each
District high school, including courses, clubs and athletics.
Teacher
Effectiveness
Did you know…a new evaluation system was implemented for both teachers
and principals, replacing the old instrument that was 15 years old.
• New teacher evaluation system was developed in collaboration with
the Peoria Federation of Teachers—piloted in 4 schools in 2011-2012
and implemented district-wide for 2012-13. In 2014-15, student growth
will become part of the instrument.
• New principal evaluation system was implemented in 2011-2012 and
student growth was added in the 2012-2013 school year.
Did you know…that Senate Bill 7 was implemented in 2011-2012, requiring
reduction in force be completed by groupings and unsatisfactory tenured
teachers are dismissed prior to non-tenured successful teachers.
Updated
February
18,
2014

4. Did you know…the District Superintendent personally participates in monthly
areas of consultation meetings with the teacher’s union to hear concerns and
comments directly from teacher representatives in each region of the District.
Did you know…principals are leading their Professional Learning Community
(PLC) by holding meaningful grade level meetings, problem solving meetings,
and universal leadership team meetings to discuss school achievement data,
plan for student interventions, and plan professional development to support
teachers.
Did you know…principals are scheduling time and providing necessary
resources so that their school has intervention and enrichment periods in the
daily schedules. This insures that students receive enrichment to nurture high
abilities or receive interventions if they show risk of failing reading or
mathematics.
Parent/Community
Participation
Did you know…Parent University began in 2011 and was held 3-4 times each
year with 25-50 parents participating. Since then, Parent University has grown
to a monthly event with more than 100 participants at each meeting. Each
meeting begins with a discussion and district overview with the Superintendent.
Did you know…Parent University has more than 25 community partners that
help provide parents and families the information they need at various events
throughout the year.
Did you know…College Bound Peoria is in its second year of offering students
and their parents the information and experiences to make the best postsecondary/college decision over the course of their high school years.
Did you know…Parents as Leaders (PALs) is in its first year with 15
participating parents that are eager to learn more about the operations of the
School District and how educational decisions are made.
Did you know…Peoria Public Schools District 150 has a Mobile Resource
Center that is able to travel to schools and neighborhoods to reach out to
families for screenings, conferences, learning sessions and more.
Did you know…District 150 collaborated with the CEO Roundtable in 2011 to
establish a Reading Buddies program, to support reading intervention for
3rd grade students.
Did you know…each July, District 150 partners with the Dream Center for
Backpack Peoria, allowing approximately 1,000 students to receive school
supplies and more for the upcoming school year.
Did you know…rising Kindergarten students and their families are invited each
April to participate in the Kindergarten Transition Fair sponsored by the District
and hosted at Hult Health Center. Not only can families visit their school at the
event, but they can participate in student activities, health screenings and
more!
Test Scores
Did you know…while ISAT is currently the standardized test for 3-8 students in
Illinois and PSAE is currently the standardized test for high school juniors,
District 150 uses NWEA (2-11), common assessments (K-12) and DIBELS (K4) to assess student growth.
Did you know…all three high schools have grown in percentage on the
PSAE. The PSAE also consists of the ACT college entry exam. For 2013, in
Reading, District 150 juniors went from 34% to 42%, in Math students went
from 29% to 37%, and in Science they went from 29% to 34%. All District 150
Updated
February
18,
2014

5. high schools met their marks with growth on NWEA for the 2012-2013 school
year.
Did you know…in 2013, Peoria High School achieved its highest PSAE results
in four years and raised the college readiness level for students by 35% in
reading and in math.
Did you know…International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme students had
the following grade distribution results at Richwoods for 2012 - 2013:
Subject
Number of
Students
Tested
Number of
Students
who scored
a 4 or
higher
Average
Score of
Student at
RHS
Average
Score of
Students
World-Wide
Biology HL
18
11
3.67
4.34
English HL
17
16
4.47
4.77
History of
th
Americas/ 20
Century History
HL
10
10
4.30
4.11
French SL
2
2
4.50
4.89
Physics SL
13
10
4.25
4.18
Psychology SL
16
10
4.13
4.44
Spanish SL
6
6
6.00
5.01
Math Studies
SL
33
32
4.94
4.64
Math SL
3
2
4.33
4.45
Did you know…as a whole, 2012 kindergarten students in District 150 scored
above the national average on DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early
Literacy Skills) - a set of research based and nationally normed assessments
used for screening and monitoring progress of District 150 students in grades
K-4.
Did you know…as a whole, 2013 kindergarten and first grade students in
District 150 scored above the national average on DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators
of Basic Early Literacy Skills).
Recognitions
Did you know…Richwoods was recognized as a National Silver Medal School
in 2013 by US News and World Reports
Did you know…Richwoods has a current finalist for the National Achievement
Scholarship program for 2014.
Did you know…Peoria High School and Woodruff Career & Technical Center
each received a School Discipline Grant of up to $100,000 a year for three
years from the American Federation of Teachers. The grants are being used
for Recovery Programs aimed at providing additional credit recovery options
along with intensive behavioral and academic supports and interventions for
success.
Updated
February
18,
2014

6. Did you know…Peoria High School was recently featured at the national Great
Lakes TURN Conference for innovations in urban high school education. PHS
reduced discipline referrals by 10,000+ in the last 2.5 years as of February
2014.
Did you know…the Peoria High School science department has partnered with
the U.S. AgLab, including three students participating in internships.
Did you know…Peoria High School is AVID Certified.
Did you know…Peoria High School is the 2012 IHSA Boys Basketball state
champs. (It’s third title in nine years)
Did you know…On June 20, 2013, School Bus Technicians from all over the
State of Illinois competed at the Illinois Association for Pupil Transportation
School Bus Technician Competition. Three technicians from the District were
among those who competed. Our very own master school bus technician, Mr.
Steve Stanley, won the first place award.
Did you know…On August 14th, 2013, State Inspectors from the Illinois
Department of Transportation conducted an unannounced inspection of the
district’s school buses. The lead inspector stated that he was impressed with
our Fleet Maintenance Department and that our technicians have turned things
around in the shop "100%." During their inspection, only 7.5% of the buses that
were inspected were placed out of service, compared to the 80% that were
placed out of service back in 2010. We are very proud of our technicians, their
hard work and their dedication to student safety.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, March 1 – Peoria Public Schools District 150 2
Hosted at Manual Academy at 3:00 p.m.
nd
Annual Step and Dance Competition.
March 4 – March 14 – ISAT testing will take place for students in District 150. It is important for
parents to help prepare their students for this state assessment test, which ultimately judges how our
schools are performing.
Wednesday, March 19 – Peoria Public Schools District 150 will host its monthly Parent University
event at Thomas Jefferson Primary School from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Parents can participate in
workshops with topics ranging from helping your student with homework in specific academic work to
preparing your child and family for college. Outside organizations also offer workshops to educate
parents on community resources.
Thursday & Friday, March 27 and 28 – Parents/Teacher conferences will take place for District 150
families. Parents and Guardians are encouraged to call your child’s school to make a conference
appointment.
Thursday, April 10 - Peoria Public Schools District 150 will host its final monthly Parent University
event of the school year at Peoria High School from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Parents can participate
in workshops with topics ranging from helping your student with homework in specific academic work
to preparing your child and family for college. Outside organizations also offer workshops to educate
parents on community resources.
Updated
February
18,
2014

7. st
Saturday, April 12 – Woodruff Career & Technical Center 1 Annual Hair Show. Cosmetology,
Barbering, and Natural Hair students will host the event from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday & Thursday, April 23 & 24 - PSAE testing will take place for juniors in District 150. It is
important for parents to help prepare their students for this state assessment test, which ultimately
judges how our schools are performing. During this time, students also take the ACT, a college
readiness assessment needed to apply for college.
Saturday, April 26 – Peoria Public Schools District 150 will host its annual Kindergarten Transition
Fair at Hult Health Center for rising kindergarteners. Students can visit with District 150 Principals and
teachers from each schools’ kindergarten team, as well as participate in health screenings and
student activities.
Saturday, May 31 – Peoria Public Schools will host graduation ceremonies for each of its three high
schools at Bradley University’s Renaissance Coliseum. RHS – 10am; PHS – 3pm; Manual – 7pm.
Congratulations graduates!
Updated
February
18,
2014