The Peoria Symphony Puppet Troupe will have to wait until at least next school year before it’s able to perform at the Peoria Public schools.

The Troupe, which has put on puppet shows for PPS K-3 classes for more than 50 years, has not been allowed to put on a show in Dist. 150 since 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“At the beginning of this school year, the Illinois State Board of Education mandated that all adults at school buildings during the school day must be vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing,” PPS Director of Communications Thomas Bruch said via text message. “Because of that, PPS schools have not allowed in outside individuals or groups outside of Individualized Education Program meetings, parent/teacher conferences and other parent planning meetings.”

The Puppet Troupe performed for a handful of schools outside of the PPS system last semester, and hopes to keep active this spring. The PSO is investigating performing for other venues, such as nursing homes or other healthcare facilities.