Check out the video below from the PPS Foundation President, Cindy Morris! |
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Join us for our Annual Golf Outing! |
This event is our largest fundraiser and always a lot of fun to participate in. Last year, the private dollars raised through this golf outing supported classroom grants, our Horizons Career Exploration Program, scholarships and so much more.
Sponsorships are so important to this event. We want to ensure that all funds raised can go directly to support our work with Peoria Public Schools. CLICK HERE to view more information on sponsorship pricing.
Ready to register your foursome? Click on the button below or feel free to contact cindy.morris@psd150.org with any questions!
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Thank you so much to all of this year's event sponsors!
Gallagher
Baumgarten Distributing
Clifton Larson Allen
Consociate Health
Delta Dental
Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick & Kohen LLP
Johnson HVACR & Food Service Equipment
K2 Benefits
Kay McCord
Oberlander Electric
PNC
Ray LaHood
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Purchase Your Tickets for the Wine & Whiskey Walk! |
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We are so excited for this year's Wine and Whiskey Walk coming up on Saturday, April 22nd! Besides the samplings, there are tons of new and exciting event additions - 309.360 Views, The Cigar Shack, Jane's Sweet Addictions, World's Best Kettle Corn, Hy-Vee and some of our favorite local musicians - Dennis Close, Easy Riders, Top4D, Chris Tarpley, and Chase Sieting. Plus all proceeds benefit the PPS Foundation! |
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The Power Puff Girls Mentoring Club had a day to remember! This group of dedicated 6th grade girls from Annie Jo Gordon Learning Center meet weekly to explore their personal dreams while providing support to one another in their journey towards success. Recently, they had the chance to embark on a field trip to J Draper Glass Studio where they learned about the art of glassmaking and crafted their own unique ornaments. Afterward, they enjoyed a delicious lunch at Thanh Linh. This field trip and the Power Puff Girls mentoring group are funded by the CFCI Women's Fund Girls Investing in Girls grant that the PPS Foundation received. We are so grateful for their generosity and support. This has been such a wonderful experience for this group of students!
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Adopt-A-School Update
Check out the amazing things happening in this program!
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The Peoria Symphony Orchestra
Visiting guest artist, Christine Lamprea performed her cello for our students at Manual High School, Lincoln K-8, Reservoir Gifted Academy, and Whittier Primary School. Her engagement was truly remarkable and it was a joy to see her interacting with the students.
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United Presbyterian Church
We are thankful for the support we have from this church with their Snack Packs to Northmoor Primary School and Elise Ford Allen Academy. We have added some additional support from this church at Allen Academy with reading buddies and garden support.
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Farm to School
The PPS Foundation recently recieved a $1,000 Community Service Grant from the Rotary Club of Peoria, Downtown for Dr. Maude A. Sanders Primary School to build a wheelchair accessible raised bed for their garden. Thank you, thank you!
On April 19th at 4pm we will hold a meeting at Maude Sanders Garden for anyone interested in learning more about what we are doing to expand our school gardens. Please be prepared to work and talk during this meeting.
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We recently had the opportunity to talk with Richwoods International Baccalaureate (IB) Program Coordinator, Tom Hayes. Read on below to learn more about him and what's happening in the IB Program at Richwoods!
Thanks for talking with us, Mr. Hayes! Before we get into the 5 questions, can you tell us a little bit about your background?
This is my 24th year in education at Peoria Public Schools. I did my student teaching at Woodruff High School and taught there for 11 great years. When Woodruff closed, I went to Peoria High for one year and then moved to Richwoods where I have been for the last 12 years. When I first graduated college, I also did quite a bit of substitute teaching in the district. It's not a stretch to say I have probably taught at every school K-12 in PPS! I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at every school in Peoria. There are so many great people in this district. Administrators, Board members, teachers, counselors, secretaries, resource officers, coaches, and custodians who I know, like, and respect very much.
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That's awesome! We are so glad to have you here in Peoria Public Schools. For those who may not be familar with the IB Program at Richwoods, can you tell us a little bit about what it is?
The International Baccalaureate or IB Program at Richwoods High School is really an incredible opportunity that PPS offers the Tri-County area. We have students from all over Peoria, but also Dunlap, Brimfield, Morton, Washington, East Peoria, and other surrounding areas. We are the only IB high school in Illinois south of Chicago and many parents recognize that it is a rare opportunity to be a part of this elite college preparatory program. Students take college level courses in their junior and senior years and earn college credit by taking exams at the end of the year. The college credit is certainly nice, but the lessons they learn on time management, organization, critical thinking, writing, hard work, and community service are invaluable. Graduates of the IB program are highly sought after by the best colleges and universities across the world because these students are more prepared than anyone else. They have been doing college level academic work as well as volunteering in their school and community as 11th and 12th graders so the students know how to handle the rigor and pace of college life. We hear from former students all the time that college is easy. That makes us feel proud and know we have done our jobs preparing them for life after high school.
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Community involvement is embedded in the IB curriculum, so the students do some incredible things as teenagers. Currently a group of IB students has been meeting with City Councilman Andre Allen and City Manager Patrick Urich to brainstorm ideas on how to improve our city. Students visited City Hall and got to learn how the legislative process works. The goal is for students to identify an issue, come up with a viable solution, and ultimately work with the City Council and Mayor Ali to pass a law. It's been a great experience! We have also met with Mayor Ardis, Representative Ryan Spain, and Congressman Aaron Schock in the past to get a better understanding of how government works at all levels. Being a part of the IB Program is really a unique experience that pushes students beyond a traditional educational environment to become leaders and involved in their community.
Recently, the IB Program received a grant from the Gilmore Foundation for educational opportunities outside the classroom. We were at a loss for words how generous the Gilmore Foundation was in allowing us to take field trips promoting the arts, sciences, and higher education. The Peoria Public Schools Foundation President, Cindy Morris, and The Gilmore Foundation President, Laura Cullinan, have been amazing! I had mentioned that funding for field trips has dried up the past decade and it would be great if kids could have those experiential learning opportunities. Cindy and Laura agreed wholeheartedly and made it happen. I can't thank them enough for believing in the importance of learning outside the classroom and helping our students experience all the wonderful art and culture in central Illinois.
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This is such an awesome program! What do you like best about your job as IB Coordinator?
Richwoods is a great school and a great place to work. My colleagues are outstanding professional educators who go above and beyond for the students. The administration and staff make Richwoods a school that I am proud to send my own kids to. I took over the IB Coordinator role in 2021 and genuinely enjoy the new challenges. It's hard to say one thing is my favorite about the IB Coordinator position, but I'll start with the students. The IB students are truly an amazing group! I am always impressed by their work ethic, ambition, kindness, integrity, and character. These students are unquestionably the leaders of our school and community. They are involved in every aspect of Richwoods and the city of Peoria. And they are not just outstanding students. They are the captains of their sports teams, as well as leaders of student council, speech, newspaper, peer tutors, musicals, recycling, art, and so much more. Getting a chance to work closely with such highly motivated, well-rounded students has been an honor and a privilege.
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Yes, this sounds like an amazing group of students! You mentioned the grant from the Gilmore Foundation to help provide funding for field trips - which trips for this program are you most looking forward to?
We have already been to art galleries at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, the Peoria Art Guild, and Bradley University. And we are heading to the Art Institute in Chicago next week! We also have several college visits planned over the next year to Northwestern, Purdue, and Iowa. On Friday April 14th, we will visit out first school, Knox College. The students are very excited!
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What an awesome opportunity for these students! Switching gears a little, what is your go-to activity on the weekends?
Family time is always the best. My greatest accomplishment in life is somehow convincing my wife to marry me. My wife Monica is an amazing woman who is way above my station and an absolute saint to put up with me. And my kids are the light of my life. But when I have some free time, I love to golf, fish, and watch baseball.
How about if you could snap your fingers and immediately learn to do anything, what would it be?
If I could snap my fingers and learn to do anything immediately, I would probably want to become an artist or singer. I like to do a little bit of everything and I try to become proficient at anything I attempt, but art and singing have always eluded me. I have no skill in either department. And it's not for a lack of trying. I appreciate both talents so much.
And last question, if you could only have three apps on your smartphone, which ones would you pick?
If I could have only 3 apps I would choose fantasy baseball, MLB at bat, and Podcasts. I'm one of the few that does not enjoy social media.
Thank you so much for chatting with us today, Mr. Hayes! The IB Program at Richwoods is truly amazing, and we appreciate everything you do for PPS students!
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Our Hero for April is Dr. Sharonda Buckner, school counselor at Glen Oak Community Learning Center. Dr. Buckner is a true Hero, always going above and beyond to support her students' academic and personal success.
Over the past decade, Dr. Buckner has also been a key advisor and a huge support in the implementation of the Horizons Club program across the district, being a primary contact at many schools over the years. We are so grateful for all the advice and work she has done to make Horizons an impactful success. Congratulations, Dr. Buckner! We appreciate you!
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Check Out Buzz Chats: a PPS Foundation Video Series! |
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Each month we connect with different members of our community to talk about what's happening in Peoria Public Schools. The video chat is streamed live on our Facebook page.
This month we chatted with Brandy Bryant, Alona Dawson, and Jennifer Farrell about the work being done with the 21st Century and the Lights On grants. Click on the picture below to check out the video. We also keep old episodes up on our page so scroll through to catch any you may have missed!
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WE ALSO TAKE ONLINE DONATIONS!
Click the picture below to donate.
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All proceeds from the sign advertisement go directly to help Peoria Public School's campaign to improve the stadium property. Feel free to reach out to Jen Adler at jennifer.adler@psd150.org for more information on pricing, artwork or any other questions!
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Thank You to our Community Partners! |
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We'd like to give an especially big shout out this month to Starbucks, Hy-Vee in Sheridan Village and K2 Benefits for going above and beyond to further our mission to improve the quality of education in Peoria Public Schools! |
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PPS Foundation's Board of Directors:
Dan Adler, Andre Allen, Beth Crider, Solivian Dismuke, Maarten de Haas, Alex Elger, Kim McGhee, Cheryl Sanfilip, and Doug Shaw
Ex Officio Board Members:
Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat (PPS Superintendant) and Mike Murphy (PPS Board of Education)
PPS Foundation's Staff:
Cindy Morris - President
Trish O'Shaughnessy - Director of Programming & Community Engagement
Jen Adler - Administrative Director
Janet Ham - Adopt-A-School Coordinator
Matt Violet - Data and Programming Logistics Coordinator
Jaleesha Allen - Career Program Coordinator
Annalee Anderson - Career Tech Advocate
Ellie de Buhr - Career Tech Advocate
Catherine Murray - Career Tech Advocate
Olivia Smith - Career Tech Advocate
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