Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Michael Frerichs Illinois Treasurer
    Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown Economy
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations Civil Rights
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad News
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families Business
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat Democrat
  • Sunday, October 26, the Village of Orland Park formally rededicated its Village Hall in honor of the late former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens
    Village of Orland Park Rededicates Village Hall in Honor of Late Former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens Government
  • Fire at townhome at 13900 block of Berkhansted Court in Orland Park, just before midnight on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
    Firefighter treated for dehydration battling townhouse fire in Orland Park – no residents injured Fire
  • Firefighters with the Orland Fire Protection District who responded to a fire in an apartment at 15200 block of Al Camino Terrace on Saturday morning said the next day that they did find a kitten that needed respiratory aid that they saved.
    FIRE UPDATE: Fire District releases photos of kitten saved from Orland Park apartment fire Saturday Features
  • two-story apartment building on the 15200 block of El Camino Terrace in Orland Park
    Orland Park apartment fire Saturday morning, no injuries Fire
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown Baby Boomers
  • Illinios Industrial Energy Consumers, information ad
    Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus Bill in Springfield Business
  • State Senator Mike Porfirio secured over $20 million to support infrastructure improvements and construction in the 11th Senate District.
    Senator Porfirio applauds more than $20 million in infrastructure repairs coming to the 11th District News
  • Dad and daughter reunited Lebving Law firm photo
    Little Girl Recovered and Reunited with Dad After Long Separation Dads' Rights
  • 11-03-25 OFPD Coffee living alone
    Orland Fire hosts meeting on helping Seniors who live alone Nov. 5 Baby Boomers
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings secures $250,000 grant for Easterseals Academy’s Tinley Park campus Health
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School Palos Heights. Courtesy of Stagg High school

Stagg High school Pupil Personnel Services Department Earns “Those Who Excel” Recognition

Posted on August 25, 2022August 25, 2022 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Stagg High school Pupil Personnel Services Department Earns “Those Who Excel” Recognition
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Stagg High school Pupil Personnel Services Department Earns “Those Who Excel” Recognition

The Amos Alonzo Stagg High School Pupil Personnel Services Department was recently recognized with a “Those Who Excel” Meritorious Service Award from the Illinois State Board of Education. Those Who Excel recognizes teachers, administrators, teams, volunteers, and school support personnel for their extraordinary contributions to education across the state.

The Department developed a holistic approach to address the needs of the community during the pandemic. They focused on students and their families, providing everyday basic necessities, along with social-emotional supports.

This approach was so inclusive and successful, it became a model across the district. 

At Stagg High School, more than 35% of students were considered low-income before the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who already struggled to meet the financial needs of their families were hit the hardest. Likewise, families, who never needed support, found themselves struggling.

Amos Alonzo Stagg High School Palos Heights. Courtesy of Stagg High school
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School Palos Heights. Courtesy of Stagg High school. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

This, coupled with the enormous social and emotional crisis that students and families experienced, made for a perfect storm resulting in an entire community in crisis.

 

Stagg Principal Eric Olsen said, “I cannot imagine having experienced or worked with a more deserving group of individuals. They are exceptional on a yearly basis. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, their creativity, empathy, and laser-focused commitment to assist our students and their families in every facet of everyday life can be described as nothing less than exemplary.”

Here is a list of all of the recipients of the award:

Sttagg High school among recipients of "Those who Excel" Awards
Sttagg High school among recipients of “Those who Excel” Awards

Stagg’s PPS Team model included a number of key components.

A “Coping Center” website afforded students and families resources for mental health support, a virtual calming room, coping skills strategies, mindfulness exercises, racial equity and social justice support, substance and alcohol abuse assistance, LGBTQ support along with a variety of other resources. Additionally, the website allowed students and families to sign-up for and attend virtual/video individual and group counseling sessions. This web-based model became the standard in District 230, adopted by its two other high schools. In total, this virtual model affected more than 7000 students and their families across the district.

Charger Care is a fund for direct monetary contributions from staff, but also an in-school food bank supported by 300 staff members. With food and funds collected, the PPS Team worked directly with families in need and delivered food and necessities, food gift cards and direct support for utility bills. This was made possible by the connections that the PPS Team made with families.

The  PPS Team also supported students and families with mental health kits, delivered directly to families to provide the emotional support that often accompanies families in crisis. This holistic approach to support, mind, body and spirit quickly developed into a model supported by the entire district.

Academic Support for At-Risk Students, supported by PPS staff who met virtually with students to provide academic and SEL support, while creating a two-way communication link between school and home. As mitigations eased and direct contact increased, the PPS Team provided on-site, after-school support for students to address learning loss and work with students who were failing courses.

This program, developed to provide a mentored support and communication platform between classroom teachers, students and parents, met considerable success, moving at-risk students from failing courses to passing courses, ensuring on-track completion of graduation requirements while empowering students to take control of their academic success. This program was made available to students who were on site at school during the school day and those who were fully remote, oftentimes at home supporting their family by working or providing child care. The number of fully remote students who came to the after school program is a reflection of the trusted support that our students feel our PPS Team provides.

For Denise Gonzalez, Class of ‘21, the pandemic took a toll on her motivation and financial concerns were significant. She said, “If it wasn’t for the social workers, school counselors, and deans, my family and I would probably still be out without electricity. No amount of words will ever show how much we appreciate Stagg and everything they did and continue to do for my family. I really am so thankful to be a part of a community that sticks together and stands with you.” 

“The work of Stagg’s PPS Team cannot be understated. This programming will not fade with the pandemic, but will continue to provide the gold standard to be improved upon for years to come.

We are proud of the amazing members of the Stagg PPS Team and the work they continue to provide the rich and diverse Stagg Family,” Olsen added.

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown - October 30, 2025
  • Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations - October 30, 2025
  • Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad - October 30, 2025
NPV: 70
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Education, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:education, Illinois State Board of Education, Meritorious Service Award, North Palos School District 117, Pupil Personnel Services Department, school, Stagg High school, student excellence, Those Who Excel Award, Wheeling School DIstrict 21

Post navigation

Previous Post: Overnight closures planned for Roberts Road and 87th Street for Tri-State Tollway (I294) construction work
Next Post: After mother’s death, girls find home with dad

Related Posts

  • 02-17-25 OFPD Shamrock event March 17
    Orland Fire to host annual “Shamrocks & Shenanigans” Senior Luncheon on March 14 Baby Boomers
  • Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Basham, Madigan bolster Human Resource staffing to change “Capitol Culture” breaking news
  • The Village of Orland Hills, Mayor Kyle Hastings State Senator Michael Hastings and Orland Township Highway Commissioner Antonio Rubino are partnering to host a Free "Shred and E-Recycling" day for families to be held Saturday August 26, 2023.
    Orland Hills to host “Shred and E-Recycling Day” Saturday August 26, 2023 Events
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Tollway contracts $83 million for professional engineering and road construction for December Government
  • Emergency Alert sent by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on March 26, 2020 at 7:446 pm to every cell phone customer in Northern Illinois including in the Cook County Suburbs.
    Trump declares Illinois a Major Disaster Area breaking news
  • Tammy Wendt announces for Cook County Board of Review race
    Tammy Wendt to challenge Patlak at Cook County Board of Review elections

More Related Articles

State Senator Michael Hastings, Superintendent Dr. Blondean Davis and Hastings' senior advisor Howard Robinson tour Southland College Prep Charter High School. Hastings meets with Matteson School District 162 leaders to strengthen school safety measures Education
Dads' Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving Daughter threatened saved by father in legal fight, Leving says Civil Rights
Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat Kat Abughazaleh raises over $520,000 in Q2 of 2025 with more than $630,000 cash on hand for 2026 Democratic primary election elections
Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate Senator Hastings urges Illinoisans to work together to end stigma around mental health Government
Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving Chicago dad reunited with missing daughters Dads' Rights
Orland Township Flu vaccination program October 2, 2021. Drive through Orland Township Health Clinic offers flu shots Saturday Oct. 2 Government

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch
    October 17, 2025
  • Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show small
    The Politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize — and Trump’s Fury Over Losing Again
    October 11, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Michael Frerichs Illinois Treasurer
    Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown
    October 30, 2025
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations
    October 30, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad
    October 30, 2025
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families
    October 29, 2025
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat
    October 29, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme