A M O S A L O N Z O S T A G G H I G H S C H O O L N E W S L E T T E R • F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 5

A CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 230 SCHOOL THOUGHT MEANING ACTION

PRESORTED STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 11ORLAND PARK

A M O S A L O N Z O S TA G G H I G H S C H O O L

111th Street and Roberts Road

Palos Hi l ls, IL 60465

(708) 974-7400

http:/ /stagg.d230.org

Stagg’s annual Curriculum Fair allows students to explore thevariety of courses and electives offered at Stagg High School.Students are provided information regarding careers and theiralignment to courses offered in District 230.

SIT CouncilStagg's S.I.T. teams (Student Intervention Team), providestudents and staff the ability to communicate and connect ina more personal way to access resources available at StaggHigh School. Every student is a member of the Orange,Blue, or White Teams along with with deans, guidancecounselors, social workers and other support personal.Each S.I.T. has a student advisory group. These studentshave been selected to represent students in their team andadvise administration and PPS personnel about issuesimportant to students and the school environment.

The White Team, pictured with dean of students, Mr. Slifko, are(in alphabetical order) Rececca Oziemkowski, Sahera Razick,Senaya Rosales, Haley Ryan, Andrea Saaverdra, GerardoTorres, Joy Williams, and Christina Youssef. Not pictured;Breona Smith, Logan Thommen, and Ricky Williams.

The Blue Team, pictured with dean of students, Mrs. Koss, are (inalphabetical order) Ashley Gray, Paulina Harkabuz, Justin Hobart,Claire Husar, Michelle Klejka, Angelika Kukuc, Mario Lara, ThaerMohamad, and Austin Nash. Not pictured; Jessica Huerta, DanielKotas, Jezmine Mizyed, and Morgan Moran.

The Orange Team, pictured with dean of students, Mr. Palumbo, are(in alphbetical order) Amber Alfriend, Jamari Armon, John Bibbiano,Melanie Davenport, Kayla Garcia, Luis Gonzalez, and CaitlynGraczyk. Not pictured; Yasmin Alyafai, Nicole Aprile, BrandonBubash, Molly Dearth, and Cody Garbacz.

ATHLETIC BOOSTERSThe Stagg Athletic Boosters are raffling off premium seating forGraduation!!!!! How would you like the best seat in the "house" towatch your son or daughter graduate? The Boosters will be raffling off4 seating areas, each holding up to 6 people, beverages, and lightsnacks during the ceremony. The seating area is the announcersbooth, giving you get a great view of the ceremony. Each area holds4 chairs comfortably and 2 other people can stand. You are out of anyweather that may be happening that evening. Reserved seating.Bidding starts at $100.00. The four families with the highest bid at closing will win the reserved area. Payment due upon closing of bids.More details on website and by contacting any Booster officer.

The Stagg Athletic Boosters are looking for volunteers to assist in theinside concessions on Saturday February 7th for the all day wrestlingtournament. Sign up in concession stand or by contacting an officer.

SCOThe Stagg Community Organization will meet at 6:30 p.m. February 9in Room 605. Discussion will include upcoming events; Senior Party2015, Valentine’s Day Candlelight Bowl and SCO board elections.

Board Nominations

The SCO will hold elections for board members in the spring, and addi-tional members are needed! The SCO has a treasurer and secretarybut not a president or vice president. Instead, board members taketurns leading monthly meetings. The organization provides a forum forparents to make connections, supports students and staff by promotingpositive change at Stagg and offers scholarships to graduating seniors.

Spirit Scarves

Keep warm with bright orange spirit “SCOrves” sold in two sizes, regular and large, both sizes are $20 each. The scarf features theStagg logo and pockets to keep hands warm or hold cell phones.Order forms are at the north door N1 entrance, via e-mail atStaggSCO@gmail.com, or at staggsco.weebly.com. SCO membersalso will sell them at the Winter Guard show on February 21.

Senior Party 2015

The SCO works with a committee of parents and staff volunteers who organize the annual celebration for Stagg seniors in May. Thecommittee is open to all those interested in helping with the event,whether they have a senior or not. Volunteers help solicit donations,put up decorations, chaperone and help at the event and remove decorations afterward. Meetings will begin soon. For information, e-mail StaggSCO@gmail.com.

Reminder Texts or Emails

Keep up to date about SCO meetings and activities by signing up formessages via Remind. This one-way messaging system keeps per-sonal information private, so teachers and staff don’t see any numbersor emails. To receive messages via cell phone, text @staggsco to81010. For notifications via e-mail, send an e-mail tostaggsco@mail.remind.com.

Boutique Benefit

Elegant Couture is offering an opportunity for the SCO to benefit fromsales at its boutique, 12236 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights. ElegantCouture is donating 5% of purchases by Stagg students to the SCO(just show a student ID). All senior girls on a varsity sports team canhave a $25 gift card toward their purchase of a dress. The boutique

specializes in prom and special occasion dresses, and carriesshoes, clutches and accessories. The boutique’s specialty is “red carpet service,” and the store registers dresses so no twoappear at the same prom. Visit www.ElegantCouture.com or call (708) 671-8682.

March SCO Meeting

The next SCO meeting is March 9 at 6:30 p.m.

What’s Going On In The Music DepartmentJazz Band in Full Swing

Like Jazz? Then mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 4thand come out and enjoy some great music provided by the StaggJazz Ensemble at the Pops Concert (Jazz Ensemble and BusinessCasual) in the PAC. Performance starts at 7 p.m. and no ticket isrequired. Hope to see you there!

On Saturday, February 7th, the Jazz Ensemble will perform at theNew Trier Jazz Festival, held at New Trier High School in Winnetka,Illinois. This festival is one of the premier jazz festivals in the state,and it will feature the Dizzy Gillespie ™ All Star Band and the LukeMalewicz Quintet in performance. More information on the festivalcan be found at: http://ntjazz.com/festival/

During President’s Day weekend, members of the Stagg JazzEnsemble and the Stagg Choir Department will travel to Nashville!The weekend trip will include a performance and clinic with the ACapella Group Breath of Soul, a jazz band recording session at anRCA Studio, and a chance to get to see a show at the world famousGrand Ole Opry! Congratulations to all of our performing ensembleswho will have the chance to showcase their talents!

Notes from the Wind Symphony

On Thursday, February 12th, the Stagg Wind Symphony will travel toSandburg High School to perform for the SWSC Conference BandFestival. The group will perform for other students in the conference,as well as receive feedback on their performance.

Pit Orchestra Tryouts

Do you hear the people sing? We are holding tryouts for the pitorchestra for the musical Les Miserables on Wednesday, February25th. For more information, see Mr. Mecozzi.

Student Recognition

Congratulations to Andrew DeAngelis (French Horn), DominicDemma (Tenor 1), Tony Hansen (Bass II), and Warren Wudtke(Trombone) on being selected to perform at the 2015 Illinois MusicEducation Conference, held from January 28th through 31st inPeoria, IL. Of the 2,400 students that tried out from District 1, only ahandful goes on to the all-state festival. What an accomplishmentfor these students, and what a testament to their hard work and ded-ication! On behalf of the music faculty, we congratulate them on thisterrific achievement!

Thanks to all for your continued support of the music department!!!

Please visit our websites for more information: www.staggbands.org • www.staggchoirs.org

Candlelight Bowl Saturday, February 14

Get your tickets now for the Candlelight Bowl that benefits theSCO’s scholarship fund. Registration begins at 9:30 p.m. and bowl-ing starts at 10 p.m. on Saturday, February 14 at Oak Forest Bowl.

The $25 per person ticket includes two games of bowling, rentalshoes, a buffet and desserts. Non-bowlers tickets are $15per person. Cash bar, split-the-pot raffle and raffle bas-kets will be available. Buy tickets at:

www.eventsnearhere.com/find-events/OAK-FOREST/IL/Benefits-or-Fundraisers/Other/adde-tail/30291/Valentines-Day-Candlelight-Bowl#.VIHvqb47bHh

or e-mail staggSCO@gmail.com

2014-2015February

Dates to Remember

4 Late Start

7 Winter Dance

9 Stagg Community Organization Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

10 FAFSA Completion Workshop

10 Student Services Meeting

11 Late Start

11 Senior Academic Recognition Night

12 Athletic Booster Meeting

13-15 Snowball Retreat

16 Presidents Day, No School

17 Building and Finance Meeting

17 Music Booster Meeting

18 Late Start

19-21 Winter Show

21 Winter Guard Contest

23 Market Day

25 Late Start

26 Board of Education Meeting @ Stagg, 7 p.m.

Printed on Recycled Paper 30% Total Recycled Fiber

CONSOLIDATEDHIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 230Rick Nogal, President

Patrick O'Sullivan, Vice President

Kathy Quilty, Secretary

Susan Dalton

Melissa Gracias

Kate Murphy-Peterson

Tony Serratore

Dr. James M. Gay, Superintendent

Eric Olsen, Principal

Charger Pride is published by the Consolidated

High School District 230 School Board.

"An equal opportunity employer"

AMOS ALONZO STAGG HIGH SCHOOL (708) 974-7400 | stagg.d230.org

Dear Parents,

Second semester is in full gear as we enter into the short month of February. Although our shortestmonth, February is a very busy month at Stagg. Our Student Council is busy preparing for theirannual Turnabout Dance, many of our winter athletic teams will begin state series competition, andour administrative team is busy with master scheduling building and staffing for the 2015-2016school year! As always, this newsletter is filled with important information so pay close attention!

Some changes are being made to the graduation ceremonies in District 230. These changes havebeen made in order to accommodate rain dates for our schools instead of trying to switch locationsat the last minute in the case of severe weather.

Most important for our Stagg families is that the 2015 Stagg Graduation date and time haschanged! Stagg's Graduation will now be held on Monday, May 18th at 7 p.m. The rain date willbe Thursday, May 21st at 7 p.m. Please make sure you make note of this important informationand plan accordingly!

Parent Participation

We need you! Stagg High School offers a number of different opportunities for parents to activelyparticipate in the Stagg Community. One of the ways is by joining one or more of our parentorganizations. Make one of your New Year’s Resolutions to get involved today!

Stagg Community Organization (SCO)

The SCO is a general parent organization that contributes to the school in a number of ways.If you are not sure where to start your high school experience as a parent, this is a great placeto begin. The next meeting is February 9 at 6:30 p.m. in room 605.

Save the Date! Saturday, February 14, 2015

The SCO is hosting a Valentine's Day Candlelight Bowl at Oak Forest Bowl. Watch for updates and information or you can order tickets athttp://www.eventsnearhere.com/find-events/OAK-FOREST/IL/Benefits-or-Fundraisers/Other/addetail/30291/Valentines-Day-Candlelight-Bowl

Stagg Athletic Boosters

Is your child involved in high school athletics? Are you a fan of high school sports? Thisorganization is for you! The Stagg Athletic Boosters meets the second Thursday of eachmonth. Their next meeting is February 12 at 7 p.m. For more information contact our Athletic Department at 974-7439.

Stagg Music Boosters

The Stagg Music Booster Organization is organized exclusivelyfor charitable and educational purposes, and more specifical-ly to support music education for the public high schoolstudents attending A.A. Stagg High School. Finally, theMusic Boosters support and promote vocal and instru-mental music education within the community and gener-al public. The next meeting is Tuesday, February 17 at 7p.m. For more information visit the Music Booster websiteat https://sites.google.com/site/staggmusicboosters2/.

Sincerely,

Eric OlsenPrincipal

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Deans’ OfficeStudent Drop Off Safety

When driving students to school, it is

imperative that parents and students use

extreme caution on Stagg’s campus and in

the surrounding community, including on

Roberts Road and 111th Street. Please

use the following guidelines when drop-

ping your children off to school in the

morning:

● Always drop students off in a safe

area. Do not use 111th Street or

Roberts Road to drop off.

● Do not make a U-turn on Roberts Road

after a drop off.

● Pull as far up along the curb as you

can go; students may have a short

walk to the door, but this allows for a

faster, smoother drop off.

● Only drop off along the curb; for their

safety and to keep traffic moving, do

not allow your student to get out of the

car when you are in a through lane.

● Always follow the directions of staff

members assisting with traffic.

● Per Illinois law, drivers may not use a

cell phone on a school campus at

arrival or dismissal time.

● Follow school bus stop signs and post-

ed speed limits at all times.

● Students should only cross in the

crosswalk, but drivers must always

remember to yield to pedestrians.

Prom Parent Meeting

Is your son or daughter

planning to attend Prom?

A required Prom Parent Meeting is

scheduled for Tuesday, March 3rd

at 7:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts

Center.

Information regarding Prom events

and making positive choices to ensure

a successful evening will be dis-

cussed. This is also an opportunity to

network with other parents to assist

students in making safe plans for the

evening. Students will not be allowed

to begin the process for purchasing

tickets without a parent signature at

the meeting. Guest pass information

will be discussed in detail at the Prom

meeting. Please note that any guest

must be under the age of 21 years old

in order to attend a school dance.

If you have any questions, please

contact the Deans’ Office at (708)

974-7494.

AMOS ALONZO STAGG HIGH SCHOOL (708) 974-7400 | stagg.d230.org

Parent-Teacher ConferencesParent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled to be held on Thursday, March 5 from 12 noon

until 8 p.m. This is a great opportunity to discuss with the teacher how your student is perform-

ing within a curriculum and communicate face to face ways to work on skill deficiencies.

Scheduling an appointment with the teachers you would like to meet is easy and can be

accomplished in one of two ways. The format more convenient to your personal schedule is

the online scheduler.

Athletic Department Spring Sports 2015We will no longer have paper forms for sport registration - only by computer registration.

We are virtually paperless except for your yearly sports physical. Physical forms are available

in the athletic office or the athletic website at athletics2000.com/stagg or the registration website

at stagg.8to18.com.

Freshmen can use their entering school physical for athletics. Physicals expire after 13 months.

The only form that is required to be turned in is a new physical for non-freshmen athletes. This

can be turned in to the athletic office.

In order to participate in Athletics at Stagg, each

athlete must receive clearance from the Athletic

Director’s Office prior to tryouts. To be cleared for

participation, the following items must be on file:

● A current sports physical (Incoming freshman

can use their school physical, physicals expire

after 13 months).

● All parents of student athletes must complete the

on-line registration @ stagg.8to18.com or athlet-

ics2000.com/stagg and click on “Registration”

● All returning student athletes must have passed

2.5 credits of work in the semester prior to

competition.

Due to liability concerns and I.H.S.A. regulations,

no student will be allowed to participate (this includes

try-outs) in athletics unless the on-line registration

process is completed and a current physical is on file.

Paper registration forms will no longer be accepted.

Girls’ Track January 19, 2015

Boys’ Track January 19, 2015

Boys’ Gymnastics February 16, 2015

Girls’ Badminton March 2, 2015

Boys’ Baseball March 2, 2015

Girls’ Soccer March 2, 2015

Girls’ Softball March 2, 2015

Boys’ Tennis March 2, 2015

Boys’ Water Polo March 2, 2015

Girls’ Water Polo March 2, 2015

Boys’ Volleyball March 9, 2015

Tryout dates for spring sports:

Opinions and Culture - French 2 Students UseWriting and Dialogue to Explore French ArtFrench 2 Students this year are working on learning the skills needed to discuss an important

cultural feature of Francophone cultures: art and aesthetics. Students will learn not only practice

vocabulary to describe features in paintings, but they are also practicing discussing the critique of

artwork in visual form, including paintings and films.

In October, students had a chance to visit the excellent temporary exhibit featuring the artwork of

Belgian artist René Magritte at the Art Institute of Chicago (students are pictured outside exhibit).

Students will be visiting the Art Institute again in January to see the museum’s permanent collec-

tion of French paintings. The Art Institute of Chicago was voted by TripAdvisor users in 2014 as

the world’s top museum, and its collection of French works rivals those found in other world-class

museums such as the Louvre in Paris and the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg. Students will be

viewing and commenting

on paintings previewed

in class, then will write

their own analyses of

several works of their

choosing while visiting

the museum, all in the

French language.

The goals of this

experience are to

help students develop

confidence in spoken

and oral expression and

to use details in art to

learn about culture and

geography.

This past summer, Haleigh Biernacki com-

peted on the Cog Hill Junior Tour. Haleigh

placed 1st in the Girls Division and was

named Player of the Year for the Cog Hill

Tour. As a senior golfer at Stagg, Haleigh

was the team medalist in 10 of the 12 dual

meets and was selected the Team MVP for

the 2014 season. Haleigh will continue her

career at Waldorf College in Forest City,

Iowa on a golf scholarship. Haleigh is pic-

tured with her coach, Ms. Missy Mason.

Nicole Pamphilis is an IHSA All-State

Qualifier for tennis for all four years. Nicole

was also SWSC Varsity Conference champi-

on all four years as well as IHSA Sectional

champion during her junior year. Nicole is

ranked in the top 100 out of 5,000 in the

USTA for girls age 18 and under in singles

and doubles. Nicole will continue her tennis

career at DePauw University in the fall.

Nicole is pictured with her coach, Mr. John

Daniels.

Online scheduling will be available

from the school’s home page at

district.d230.org/stagg:

Friday, Feb. 27 at 9 a.m. through

Wednesday, March 4 at 12 noon

Phone in scheduling to 708-974-7400

will only be available:

Friday, Feb. 27 and Monday, March 2

from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on each day.

Phone requests for assistance with scheduling

appointments will only be taken on these days.

Links to the online website will be on each school’s homepage along with step by step

instructions that will walk you through the process. If you need assistance with the online

process, please contact the school directly at 708-974-7400.

Registration Is Here!

Sign Up for an Art Course

The Stagg Art Department offers a

variety of courses which include:

Art & Design, Black & White Photography,

Advanced Black & White Photography, Color

Photography (Digital Photography), Ceramics,

Advanced Ceramics, Computer Art, Advanced

Computer Art, Drawing, Advanced Drawing,

Illustration, Interdisciplinary Art & Geometry,

Advertising Art, Jewelry, Painting, Sculpture, and

Independent Study.

What’s Going on in the Art DepartmentArt Department 8th Grade Art Day 2015

On January 28, 2015 the Stagg Art Department hosted its annual 8th Grade Art Day from

8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Students from St. Patricia, Koreas, Palos South Middle School,

Worth Junior High, and Conrady Junior High participated in art workshops that consisted of

Ceramics, Computer Art, Sculpture, Photography and Painting. Approximately 80 students

were in attendance from the junior high schools. Students chose one workshop to participate

in from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. After the workshops were concluded, students attended a presen-

tation by Xavier Nuez, photographer and The American Academy of Art, then concluded their

day with a pizza lunch.

On Thursday December 4th the Craig Moore Agency

and State Farm Insurance held an art reception for

Stagg and Sandburg art students who have artwork

on exhibit in the office. The reception was free and

open to the public. Stagg and Sandburg students

and their families were in attendance. The work will

be on display until February 6, 2015. There is a

variety of artwork on display such as drawing, paint-

ing, photography, mixed media, and computer art

pieces. The State Farm office is located at 12726 S.

Harlem Avenue in Palos Heights.

State Farm Insurance Art Exhibit

2015 Art Department

Events:

SWSC Art Show

February 2015

McCord Gallery Stagg

Student Art Show

February 2015

Moraine Valley High

School Art Show

March 2015

Stagg Spring Art Show

May 2015

Local ScholarshipsLocal scholarship applications areavailable for seniors online on theGuidance Department web page.Interested students should completethe application and return it to theGuidance Office by 3:00 p.m. onMarch 4, 2015. Upon completion ofthe application, seniors will be eligiblefor up to 10 scholarship opportunitiesdonated by local organizations,businesses, or individuals. Manyother local scholarships have theirown applications which can also befound on the Guidance Departmentweb page.

GraduationRequirements/Credit RecoveryStudents must successfully complete18 academic credits plus themandatory Physical Educationcourses to meet District 230graduation requirements. Please referto the 2015-2016 Course SelectionGuide for specific credit requirements.Students have received a copy fromtheir counselors. Copies of theCourse Selection Guide are alsoavailable by accessing the website atd230.org, under publications or go thislink:https://dist230.d230.org/assets/1/24/CSG_2016_(2).pdf

If students fail a required academicclass, it will be necessary for studentsto repeat the class by re-taking it insummer school. Classes aresequential and cannot be takenwithout meeting the prerequisite orsequential requirements. Students willnot be able to move to the next levelclass without successfully completingthe prior level. For example a studentcannot proceed to sophomore Englishwithout successfully passing freshmenEnglish. To stay on track forgraduation, it is imperative for studentsto attend summer school for creditrecovery. There are also acceleratedlevel classes offered in summerschool. Summer school registrationopens January 26 and closes midMarch for Session I and beginsJanuary 26 and closes early June forSession II. Please contact your son ordaughter’s counselor for specificinformation. Counselors have senthome notifications to families.

Dates for Upcoming TestingACT Testing

All Stagg juniors in their third year will take the ACT on March 3 as an in-school exam. Thistest can be used for college entrance eligibility to all colleges and universities. This test isdesigned to measure a student's academic achievement in English, math, reading, and sci-ence reasoning. Many colleges in the midwest require students to take this test and submittheir test scores to them when they apply for admission. There is no cost to the student for theMarch 3 in-school test. Students may retake the ACT as many times as they wish. There is atest fee for additional tests takes on national test dates. Students can register online atwww.actstudent.org

AP Testing

Attention parents and students, registration is now open for the 2015 AP exams. These examswill be given May 4 through May 15; however, you must register and pay prior to Thursday,March 5, 2015.

Online Exam Registration is Now Open!

In order to register, students should click on the link provided on the school Guidance websiteor visit www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/143357 to register. To complete registration, studentsmust answer all of the required questions. Registration is not complete until payment is madeand students have printed the pdf of the confirmation page that is provided at the end. Weknow that parents may desire to register their students for exams. We strongly recommendthat parents and students are both present while registering to ensure that the correct examsare ordered.

This year the cost for each AP exam is $95. Students who qualify for Free Lunch can indicatethis on the online registration site. Test registration is cancelled if the payment is not made bythe deadline.

● Deadline - Tuesday, March 5, 2015 at 9:00 p.m. - Registration Ends● Registrations that have not been paid for will be cancelled and exams

will not be ordered.

Stagg High School is excited to offer families the convenience of paying exam fees online atthe time of test registration. Please be sure to have a credit card or debit card available beforebeginning registration.

Students in Advanced Placement (AP) classes will have the opportunity to take AP exams inMay. The Advanced Placement testing program is a way for students to earn college creditwhile in high school by earning a score of 3, 4, or 5 on a particular AP test. It is up to the stu-dent to forward their test score to the college of their choice to be awarded credit based on thestandards of that particular college. It should be noted that standards for awarding credit varyfrom college to college, and is strictly a decision of that particular college. This month APteachers are distributing exam registration forms in their classes.

Attention Parents/Guardians of the

Class of 2016

Beginning with the school year 2015-2016, any childentering 12th grade in the State of Illinois will berequired to show proof of having received one dose ofMeningococcal (Meningitis) conjugate vaccine on orafter their 16th birthday. If your child received a doseof meningococcal conjugate vaccine before the 16thbirthday, he/she will need a second dose. A letter withthis information has been mailed to all Class of 2016students.

The following action is needed from you at this time:

● If a dose of Meningococcal vaccine was given onor after your child’s 16th birthday, take the letter toyour doctor and ask that they verify your child hasreceived the Meningococcal vaccine and the dateit was given. The bottom section of the letter mustbe filled out by your health care provider to verifythe date.

● If your child did not receive the requiredMeningococcal vaccine on or after their 16th birth-day, they will be required to have that immuniza-tion prior to the start of school in August 2015.

Proof of having received the Meningococcal vaccineis required and should be submitted to the SchoolNurse as soon as the vaccine is given and prior toJune 1, 2015.

It is important to note that your child will not be able toreceive a schedule, begin the school year on the firstday of class or participate in Athletics until proof ofhaving this vaccine is received in the Nurse’s Office.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contactthe Nurse’s Office at (708) 974-7459

Upcoming Wellness Presentations

in PE Classes

On Tuesday, March 31, our junior and senior girls willhear a presentation regarding the importance ofbreast self-exams and Pap tests in the prevention andearly detection of cancer. This presentation is givenby a healthcare professional and will take place in thePerforming Arts Center (PAC) during one of the stu-dent’s regularly scheduled P.E. classes. If you haveany questions or concerns about this presentation,please call the Nurse’s Office at (708) 974-7459

Wellness Tips

The cold and flu season is in full swing. Please haveyour student stay home from school if:

● they have been vomiting overnight or in the morning before coming to school

● if they have a fever of 100 degrees or higher orany other symptoms that are flu related

● students should not come to school until they arefever-free for 24 hours without using fever reducingmedications such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) orIbuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

Thank you for your cooperation as we try to keep ourstudent and staff populations as healthy as possible.

Health Services Department

AMOS ALONZO STAGG HIGH SCHOOL (708) 974-7400 | stagg.d230.org

ACT vs. SAT: What is the difference?The ACT is what most colleges in the Midwest will require students to take as part of theiradmissions criteria. We recommend for juniors to test in the spring and for seniors to utilizethe fall test dates to improve their scores if necessary. If you are considering Ivy Leagueschools or schools on the east or west coast, we encourage you to take the SAT.

ACT

National administrations of theACT are offered on severalSaturdays throughout each year.Upcoming dates include April 18th andJune 13th. Students can register for thistest at www.actstudent.org. The test onSaturday, April 18th is hosted at Stagg.

SAT

The SAT will have test dates on March 14, May 2, and June 6th.

Testing does not take place at Stagg.Students can register for this test at

www.collegeboard.com.

Guidance Department

Financial Aid InformationThis is a reminder to college bound seniors and any juniors looking to graduate earlyto apply for financial aid now. You must complete and submit a Free Application forFederal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA form, to apply for federalstudent aid for college and for most state and institutional aid. The quickest way toapply is online using FAFSA on the web at: www.fafsa.ed.gov

FAFSA Completion Night

Back by popular demand, the Guidance Department along with ISAC is once againproud to host FAFSA Completion Night on February 10, 2015. This is a great opportu-nity to get one-on-one assistance filing your online FAFSA. There will be two time slotsto choose from: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. or 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Space is limited and a reserva-tion is required to attend. If you are interested, please contact Erin Samec, GuidanceCounselor, at 708-974-7445 or email esamec@d230.org to reserve your spot.

Financial Aid Fridays

Additionally, we will continue to offer Financial Aid Fridays to all students and parentsseeking additional financial aid information. Each Friday, two representatives fromISAC (Illinois Student Assistance Commission), will be available during the lunchperiods to speak with students and/or parents in our College/Career room. Theseadvisors are recent college graduates who can share with students at their level.ISAC’s goal is to assist in making college accessible and affordable for all Illinois stu-dents. We encourage any students and parents who have questions on how they willbe able to afford college to take advantage of these opportunities! As always, addi-tional information regarding college and financial aid can be accessed on our guid-ance web page. Any questions regarding Financial Aid Fridays can be directed toMrs. Samec, Stagg counselor at 708-974-7445.

Stagg’s Brilliant Winter Comedy: A Must SeeThis year’s winter show is "An Unspeakable Triumph of Supreme Brilliance" by DonZolidis. It is a hilarious comedy set in North Central Minnesota. Here's the gist: TheMoss River Community Players are pretty okay settling for theatrical mediocrity, untilone day they receive a stunning offer: an insanely wealthy woman is offering a tenmillion dollar prize for the best community theatre show in North Central Minnesota.The catch? They only have two days to put it together! All heck breaks loose as thecast tries their best to present An Unspeakable Triumph of Supreme Brilliance, butwith one actor deathly afraid of the stage, another trying to dominate the show, and aset about to collapse, will the riches slip out of their hands before curtain call?

Come see the show to find out! We promise you will be rolling with laughter in yourseats. The show will run Thursday, February 19th, Friday, February 20th andSaturday, February 21st at 7:00 p.m. in the PAC. Tickets will be available for sale inthe cafeteria the week of the show and at the door the night of the show.

Directed by Susan Kealy and Laura Begani, set design by Gordon Oliver

It’s never too early to start thinking about the required school physical and immunizations for high school. Call your doctor to schedule your appointment earlyto avoid delays in schedule pick up in August.

Forms can be located on the Stagg Nurse’s Page on the school website:http://stagg.d230.org/resources/nurses-office/

A packet with information and required forms was handed out to students atFreshman Registration on Saturday, January 31, 2015. The packet was mailedhome to the students who did not attend registration on that day. Completed formsare due in the Nurse’s Office by June 1, 2015.

It is important to note that your child will not be able to receive a schedule, begin theschool year on the first day of class or participate in Athletics until a complete physi-cal and immunization record is received in the Nurse’s Office.

Attention: Incoming Freshman Class of 2019

Local ScholarshipsLocal scholarship applications areavailable for seniors online on theGuidance Department web page.Interested students should completethe application and return it to theGuidance Office by 3:00 p.m. onMarch 4, 2015. Upon completion ofthe application, seniors will be eligiblefor up to 10 scholarship opportunitiesdonated by local organizations,businesses, or individuals. Manyother local scholarships have theirown applications which can also befound on the Guidance Departmentweb page.

GraduationRequirements/Credit RecoveryStudents must successfully complete18 academic credits plus themandatory Physical Educationcourses to meet District 230graduation requirements. Please referto the 2015-2016 Course SelectionGuide for specific credit requirements.Students have received a copy fromtheir counselors. Copies of theCourse Selection Guide are alsoavailable by accessing the website atd230.org, under publications or go thislink:https://dist230.d230.org/assets/1/24/CSG_2016_(2).pdf

If students fail a required academicclass, it will be necessary for studentsto repeat the class by re-taking it insummer school. Classes aresequential and cannot be takenwithout meeting the prerequisite orsequential requirements. Students willnot be able to move to the next levelclass without successfully completingthe prior level. For example a studentcannot proceed to sophomore Englishwithout successfully passing freshmenEnglish. To stay on track forgraduation, it is imperative for studentsto attend summer school for creditrecovery. There are also acceleratedlevel classes offered in summerschool. Summer school registrationopens January 26 and closes midMarch for Session I and beginsJanuary 26 and closes early June forSession II. Please contact your son ordaughter’s counselor for specificinformation. Counselors have senthome notifications to families.

Dates for Upcoming TestingACT Testing

All Stagg juniors in their third year will take the ACT on March 3 as an in-school exam. Thistest can be used for college entrance eligibility to all colleges and universities. This test isdesigned to measure a student's academic achievement in English, math, reading, and sci-ence reasoning. Many colleges in the midwest require students to take this test and submittheir test scores to them when they apply for admission. There is no cost to the student for theMarch 3 in-school test. Students may retake the ACT as many times as they wish. There is atest fee for additional tests takes on national test dates. Students can register online atwww.actstudent.org

AP Testing

Attention parents and students, registration is now open for the 2015 AP exams. These examswill be given May 4 through May 15; however, you must register and pay prior to Thursday,March 5, 2015.

Online Exam Registration is Now Open!

In order to register, students should click on the link provided on the school Guidance websiteor visit www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/143357 to register. To complete registration, studentsmust answer all of the required questions. Registration is not complete until payment is madeand students have printed the pdf of the confirmation page that is provided at the end. Weknow that parents may desire to register their students for exams. We strongly recommendthat parents and students are both present while registering to ensure that the correct examsare ordered.

This year the cost for each AP exam is $95. Students who qualify for Free Lunch can indicatethis on the online registration site. Test registration is cancelled if the payment is not made bythe deadline.

● Deadline - Tuesday, March 5, 2015 at 9:00 p.m. - Registration Ends● Registrations that have not been paid for will be cancelled and exams

will not be ordered.

Stagg High School is excited to offer families the convenience of paying exam fees online atthe time of test registration. Please be sure to have a credit card or debit card available beforebeginning registration.

Students in Advanced Placement (AP) classes will have the opportunity to take AP exams inMay. The Advanced Placement testing program is a way for students to earn college creditwhile in high school by earning a score of 3, 4, or 5 on a particular AP test. It is up to the stu-dent to forward their test score to the college of their choice to be awarded credit based on thestandards of that particular college. It should be noted that standards for awarding credit varyfrom college to college, and is strictly a decision of that particular college. This month APteachers are distributing exam registration forms in their classes.

Attention Parents/Guardians of the

Class of 2016

Beginning with the school year 2015-2016, any childentering 12th grade in the State of Illinois will berequired to show proof of having received one dose ofMeningococcal (Meningitis) conjugate vaccine on orafter their 16th birthday. If your child received a doseof meningococcal conjugate vaccine before the 16thbirthday, he/she will need a second dose. A letter withthis information has been mailed to all Class of 2016students.

The following action is needed from you at this time:

● If a dose of Meningococcal vaccine was given onor after your child’s 16th birthday, take the letter toyour doctor and ask that they verify your child hasreceived the Meningococcal vaccine and the dateit was given. The bottom section of the letter mustbe filled out by your health care provider to verifythe date.

● If your child did not receive the requiredMeningococcal vaccine on or after their 16th birth-day, they will be required to have that immuniza-tion prior to the start of school in August 2015.

Proof of having received the Meningococcal vaccineis required and should be submitted to the SchoolNurse as soon as the vaccine is given and prior toJune 1, 2015.

It is important to note that your child will not be able toreceive a schedule, begin the school year on the firstday of class or participate in Athletics until proof ofhaving this vaccine is received in the Nurse’s Office.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contactthe Nurse’s Office at (708) 974-7459

Upcoming Wellness Presentations

in PE Classes

On Tuesday, March 31, our junior and senior girls willhear a presentation regarding the importance ofbreast self-exams and Pap tests in the prevention andearly detection of cancer. This presentation is givenby a healthcare professional and will take place in thePerforming Arts Center (PAC) during one of the stu-dent’s regularly scheduled P.E. classes. If you haveany questions or concerns about this presentation,please call the Nurse’s Office at (708) 974-7459

Wellness Tips

The cold and flu season is in full swing. Please haveyour student stay home from school if:

● they have been vomiting overnight or in the morning before coming to school

● if they have a fever of 100 degrees or higher orany other symptoms that are flu related

● students should not come to school until they arefever-free for 24 hours without using fever reducingmedications such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) orIbuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

Thank you for your cooperation as we try to keep ourstudent and staff populations as healthy as possible.

Health Services Department

AMOS ALONZO STAGG HIGH SCHOOL (708) 974-7400 | stagg.d230.org

ACT vs. SAT: What is the difference?The ACT is what most colleges in the Midwest will require students to take as part of theiradmissions criteria. We recommend for juniors to test in the spring and for seniors to utilizethe fall test dates to improve their scores if necessary. If you are considering Ivy Leagueschools or schools on the east or west coast, we encourage you to take the SAT.

ACT

National administrations of theACT are offered on severalSaturdays throughout each year.Upcoming dates include April 18th andJune 13th. Students can register for thistest at www.actstudent.org. The test onSaturday, April 18th is hosted at Stagg.

SAT

The SAT will have test dates on March 14, May 2, and June 6th.

Testing does not take place at Stagg.Students can register for this test at

www.collegeboard.com.

Guidance Department

Financial Aid InformationThis is a reminder to college bound seniors and any juniors looking to graduate earlyto apply for financial aid now. You must complete and submit a Free Application forFederal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA form, to apply for federalstudent aid for college and for most state and institutional aid. The quickest way toapply is online using FAFSA on the web at: www.fafsa.ed.gov

FAFSA Completion Night

Back by popular demand, the Guidance Department along with ISAC is once againproud to host FAFSA Completion Night on February 10, 2015. This is a great opportu-nity to get one-on-one assistance filing your online FAFSA. There will be two time slotsto choose from: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. or 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Space is limited and a reserva-tion is required to attend. If you are interested, please contact Erin Samec, GuidanceCounselor, at 708-974-7445 or email esamec@d230.org to reserve your spot.

Financial Aid Fridays

Additionally, we will continue to offer Financial Aid Fridays to all students and parentsseeking additional financial aid information. Each Friday, two representatives fromISAC (Illinois Student Assistance Commission), will be available during the lunchperiods to speak with students and/or parents in our College/Career room. Theseadvisors are recent college graduates who can share with students at their level.ISAC’s goal is to assist in making college accessible and affordable for all Illinois stu-dents. We encourage any students and parents who have questions on how they willbe able to afford college to take advantage of these opportunities! As always, addi-tional information regarding college and financial aid can be accessed on our guid-ance web page. Any questions regarding Financial Aid Fridays can be directed toMrs. Samec, Stagg counselor at 708-974-7445.

Stagg’s Brilliant Winter Comedy: A Must SeeThis year’s winter show is "An Unspeakable Triumph of Supreme Brilliance" by DonZolidis. It is a hilarious comedy set in North Central Minnesota. Here's the gist: TheMoss River Community Players are pretty okay settling for theatrical mediocrity, untilone day they receive a stunning offer: an insanely wealthy woman is offering a tenmillion dollar prize for the best community theatre show in North Central Minnesota.The catch? They only have two days to put it together! All heck breaks loose as thecast tries their best to present An Unspeakable Triumph of Supreme Brilliance, butwith one actor deathly afraid of the stage, another trying to dominate the show, and aset about to collapse, will the riches slip out of their hands before curtain call?

Come see the show to find out! We promise you will be rolling with laughter in yourseats. The show will run Thursday, February 19th, Friday, February 20th andSaturday, February 21st at 7:00 p.m. in the PAC. Tickets will be available for sale inthe cafeteria the week of the show and at the door the night of the show.

Directed by Susan Kealy and Laura Begani, set design by Gordon Oliver

It’s never too early to start thinking about the required school physical and immunizations for high school. Call your doctor to schedule your appointment earlyto avoid delays in schedule pick up in August.

Forms can be located on the Stagg Nurse’s Page on the school website:http://stagg.d230.org/resources/nurses-office/

A packet with information and required forms was handed out to students atFreshman Registration on Saturday, January 31, 2015. The packet was mailedhome to the students who did not attend registration on that day. Completed formsare due in the Nurse’s Office by June 1, 2015.

It is important to note that your child will not be able to receive a schedule, begin theschool year on the first day of class or participate in Athletics until a complete physi-cal and immunization record is received in the Nurse’s Office.

Attention: Incoming Freshman Class of 2019

Deans’ OfficeStudent Drop Off Safety

When driving students to school, it isimperative that parents and students useextreme caution on Stagg’s campus and inthe surrounding community, including onRoberts Road and 111th Street. Pleaseuse the following guidelines when drop-ping your children off to school in themorning:

● Always drop students off in a safearea. Do not use 111th Street orRoberts Road to drop off.

● Do not make a U-turn on Roberts Roadafter a drop off.

● Pull as far up along the curb as youcan go; students may have a shortwalk to the door, but this allows for afaster, smoother drop off.

● Only drop off along the curb; for theirsafety and to keep traffic moving, donot allow your student to get out of thecar when you are in a through lane.

● Always follow the directions of staffmembers assisting with traffic.

● Per Illinois law, drivers may not use acell phone on a school campus atarrival or dismissal time.

● Follow school bus stop signs and post-ed speed limits at all times.

● Students should only cross in thecrosswalk, but drivers must alwaysremember to yield to pedestrians.

Prom Parent Meeting

Is your son or daughter

planning to attend Prom?

A required Prom Parent Meeting is

scheduled for Tuesday, March 3rd

at 7:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts

Center.

Information regarding Prom eventsand making positive choices to ensurea successful evening will be dis-cussed. This is also an opportunity tonetwork with other parents to assiststudents in making safe plans for theevening. Students will not be allowedto begin the process for purchasingtickets without a parent signature atthe meeting. Guest pass informationwill be discussed in detail at the Prommeeting. Please note that any guestmust be under the age of 21 years oldin order to attend a school dance.

If you have any questions, please contact the Deans’ Office at (708)974-7494.

AMOS ALONZO STAGG HIGH SCHOOL (708) 974-7400 | stagg.d230.org

Parent-Teacher ConferencesParent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled to be held on Thursday, March 5 from 12 noonuntil 8 p.m. This is a great opportunity to discuss with the teacher how your student is perform-ing within a curriculum and communicate face to face ways to work on skill deficiencies.

Scheduling an appointment with the teachers you would like to meet is easy and can beaccomplished in one of two ways. The format more convenient to your personal schedule isthe online scheduler.

Athletic Department Spring Sports 2015We will no longer have paper forms for sport registration - only by computer registration. We are virtually paperless except for your yearly sports physical. Physical forms are available in the athletic office or the athletic website at athletics2000.com/stagg or the registration websiteat stagg.8to18.com.

Freshmen can use their entering school physical for athletics. Physicals expire after 13 months.The only form that is required to be turned in is a new physical for non-freshmen athletes. Thiscan be turned in to the athletic office.

In order to participate in Athletics at Stagg, each athlete must receive clearance from the AthleticDirector’s Office prior to tryouts. To be cleared forparticipation, the following items must be on file:

● A current sports physical (Incoming freshman can use their school physical, physicals expireafter 13 months).

● All parents of student athletes must complete theon-line registration @ stagg.8to18.com or athlet-ics2000.com/stagg and click on “Registration”

● All returning student athletes must have passed2.5 credits of work in the semester prior to competition.

Due to liability concerns and I.H.S.A. regulations, no student will be allowed to participate (this includestry-outs) in athletics unless the on-line registrationprocess is completed and a current physical is on file.

Paper registration forms will no longer be accepted.

Girls’ Track January 19, 2015

Boys’ Track January 19, 2015

Boys’ Gymnastics February 16, 2015

Girls’ Badminton March 2, 2015

Boys’ Baseball March 2, 2015

Girls’ Soccer March 2, 2015

Girls’ Softball March 2, 2015

Boys’ Tennis March 2, 2015

Boys’ Water Polo March 2, 2015

Girls’ Water Polo March 2, 2015

Boys’ Volleyball March 9, 2015

Tryout dates for spring sports:

Opinions and Culture - French 2 Students UseWriting and Dialogue to Explore French ArtFrench 2 Students this year are working on learning the skills needed to discuss an important cultural feature of Francophone cultures: art and aesthetics. Students will learn not only practicevocabulary to describe features in paintings, but they are also practicing discussing the critique ofartwork in visual form, including paintings and films.

In October, students had a chance to visit the excellent temporary exhibit featuring the artwork ofBelgian artist René Magritte at the Art Institute of Chicago (students are pictured outside exhibit).Students will be visiting the Art Institute again in January to see the museum’s permanent collec-tion of French paintings. The Art Institute of Chicago was voted by TripAdvisor users in 2014 asthe world’s top museum, and its collection of French works rivals those found in other world-classmuseums such as the Louvre in Paris and the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg. Students will be

viewing and commentingon paintings previewedin class, then will writetheir own analyses ofseveral works of theirchoosing while visitingthe museum, all in theFrench language.

The goals of this experience are to help students developconfidence in spokenand oral expression andto use details in art tolearn about culture andgeography.

This past summer, Haleigh Biernacki com-peted on the Cog Hill Junior Tour. Haleighplaced 1st in the Girls Division and wasnamed Player of the Year for the Cog HillTour. As a senior golfer at Stagg, Haleighwas the team medalist in 10 of the 12 dualmeets and was selected the Team MVP forthe 2014 season. Haleigh will continue hercareer at Waldorf College in Forest City,Iowa on a golf scholarship. Haleigh is pic-tured with her coach, Ms. Missy Mason.

Nicole Pamphilis is an IHSA All-StateQualifier for tennis for all four years. Nicolewas also SWSC Varsity Conference champi-on all four years as well as IHSA Sectionalchampion during her junior year. Nicole isranked in the top 100 out of 5,000 in theUSTA for girls age 18 and under in singlesand doubles. Nicole will continue her tenniscareer at DePauw University in the fall.Nicole is pictured with her coach, Mr. JohnDaniels.

Online scheduling will be available

from the school’s home page at

district.d230.org/stagg:

Friday, Feb. 27 at 9 a.m. through

Wednesday, March 4 at 12 noon

Phone in scheduling to 708-974-7400

will only be available:

Friday, Feb. 27 and Monday, March 2

from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on each day.

Phone requests for assistance with schedulingappointments will only be taken on these days.

Links to the online website will be on each school’s homepage along with step by stepinstructions that will walk you through the process. If you need assistance with the onlineprocess, please contact the school directly at 708-974-7400.

Registration Is Here!

Sign Up for an Art Course

The Stagg Art Department offers a

variety of courses which include:

Art & Design, Black & White Photography,Advanced Black & White Photography, ColorPhotography (Digital Photography), Ceramics,Advanced Ceramics, Computer Art, AdvancedComputer Art, Drawing, Advanced Drawing,Illustration, Interdisciplinary Art & Geometry,Advertising Art, Jewelry, Painting, Sculpture, andIndependent Study.

What’s Going on in the Art DepartmentArt Department 8th Grade Art Day 2015

On January 28, 2015 the Stagg Art Department hosted its annual 8th Grade Art Day from8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Students from St. Patricia, Koreas, Palos South Middle School,Worth Junior High, and Conrady Junior High participated in art workshops that consisted ofCeramics, Computer Art, Sculpture, Photography and Painting. Approximately 80 studentswere in attendance from the junior high schools. Students chose one workshop to participatein from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. After the workshops were concluded, students attended a presen-tation by Xavier Nuez, photographer and The American Academy of Art, then concluded theirday with a pizza lunch.

On Thursday December 4th the Craig Moore Agencyand State Farm Insurance held an art reception forStagg and Sandburg art students who have artworkon exhibit in the office. The reception was free andopen to the public. Stagg and Sandburg studentsand their families were in attendance. The work willbe on display until February 6, 2015. There is avariety of artwork on display such as drawing, paint-ing, photography, mixed media, and computer artpieces. The State Farm office is located at 12726 S.Harlem Avenue in Palos Heights.

State Farm Insurance Art Exhibit

2015 Art Department

Events:

SWSC Art Show

February 2015

McCord Gallery Stagg

Student Art Show

February 2015

Moraine Valley High

School Art Show

March 2015

Stagg Spring Art Show

May 2015

ATHLETIC BOOSTERSThe Stagg Athletic Boosters are raffling off premium seating forGraduation!!!!! How would you like the best seat in the "house" towatch your son or daughter graduate? The Boosters will be raffling off4 seating areas, each holding up to 6 people, beverages, and lightsnacks during the ceremony. The seating area is the announcersbooth, giving you get a great view of the ceremony. Each area holds4 chairs comfortably and 2 other people can stand. You are out of anyweather that may be happening that evening. Reserved seating.Bidding starts at $100.00. The four families with the highest bid at closing will win the reserved area. Payment due upon closing of bids.More details on website and by contacting any Booster officer.

The Stagg Athletic Boosters are looking for volunteers to assist in theinside concessions on Saturday February 7th for the all day wrestlingtournament. Sign up in concession stand or by contacting an officer.

SCOThe Stagg Community Organization will meet at 6:30 p.m. February 9in Room 605. Discussion will include upcoming events; Senior Party2015, Valentine’s Day Candlelight Bowl and SCO board elections.

Board Nominations

The SCO will hold elections for board members in the spring, and addi-tional members are needed! The SCO has a treasurer and secretarybut not a president or vice president. Instead, board members taketurns leading monthly meetings. The organization provides a forum forparents to make connections, supports students and staff by promotingpositive change at Stagg and offers scholarships to graduating seniors.

Spirit Scarves

Keep warm with bright orange spirit “SCOrves” sold in two sizes, regular and large, both sizes are $20 each. The scarf features theStagg logo and pockets to keep hands warm or hold cell phones.Order forms are at the north door N1 entrance, via e-mail atStaggSCO@gmail.com, or at staggsco.weebly.com. SCO membersalso will sell them at the Winter Guard show on February 21.

Senior Party 2015

The SCO works with a committee of parents and staff volunteers who organize the annual celebration for Stagg seniors in May. Thecommittee is open to all those interested in helping with the event,whether they have a senior or not. Volunteers help solicit donations,put up decorations, chaperone and help at the event and remove decorations afterward. Meetings will begin soon. For information, e-mail StaggSCO@gmail.com.

Reminder Texts or Emails

Keep up to date about SCO meetings and activities by signing up formessages via Remind. This one-way messaging system keeps per-sonal information private, so teachers and staff don’t see any numbersor emails. To receive messages via cell phone, text @staggsco to81010. For notifications via e-mail, send an e-mail tostaggsco@mail.remind.com.

Boutique Benefit

Elegant Couture is offering an opportunity for the SCO to benefit fromsales at its boutique, 12236 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights. ElegantCouture is donating 5% of purchases by Stagg students to the SCO(just show a student ID). All senior girls on a varsity sports team canhave a $25 gift card toward their purchase of a dress. The boutique

specializes in prom and special occasion dresses, and carriesshoes, clutches and accessories. The boutique’s specialty is “red carpet service,” and the store registers dresses so no twoappear at the same prom. Visit www.ElegantCouture.com or call (708) 671-8682.

March SCO Meeting

The next SCO meeting is March 9 at 6:30 p.m.

What’s Going On In The Music DepartmentJazz Band in Full Swing

Like Jazz? Then mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 4thand come out and enjoy some great music provided by the StaggJazz Ensemble at the Pops Concert (Jazz Ensemble and BusinessCasual) in the PAC. Performance starts at 7 p.m. and no ticket isrequired. Hope to see you there!

On Saturday, February 7th, the Jazz Ensemble will perform at theNew Trier Jazz Festival, held at New Trier High School in Winnetka,Illinois. This festival is one of the premier jazz festivals in the state,and it will feature the Dizzy Gillespie ™ All Star Band and the LukeMalewicz Quintet in performance. More information on the festivalcan be found at: http://ntjazz.com/festival/

During President’s Day weekend, members of the Stagg JazzEnsemble and the Stagg Choir Department will travel to Nashville!The weekend trip will include a performance and clinic with the ACapella Group Breath of Soul, a jazz band recording session at anRCA Studio, and a chance to get to see a show at the world famousGrand Ole Opry! Congratulations to all of our performing ensembleswho will have the chance to showcase their talents!

Notes from the Wind Symphony

On Thursday, February 12th, the Stagg Wind Symphony will travel toSandburg High School to perform for the SWSC Conference BandFestival. The group will perform for other students in the conference,as well as receive feedback on their performance.

Pit Orchestra Tryouts

Do you hear the people sing? We are holding tryouts for the pitorchestra for the musical Les Miserables on Wednesday, February25th. For more information, see Mr. Mecozzi.

Student Recognition

Congratulations to Andrew DeAngelis (French Horn), DominicDemma (Tenor 1), Tony Hansen (Bass II), and Warren Wudtke(Trombone) on being selected to perform at the 2015 Illinois MusicEducation Conference, held from January 28th through 31st inPeoria, IL. Of the 2,400 students that tried out from District 1, only ahandful goes on to the all-state festival. What an accomplishmentfor these students, and what a testament to their hard work and ded-ication! On behalf of the music faculty, we congratulate them on thisterrific achievement!

Thanks to all for your continued support of the music department!!!

Please visit our websites for more information: www.staggbands.org • www.staggchoirs.org

Candlelight Bowl Saturday, February 14

Get your tickets now for the Candlelight Bowl that benefits theSCO’s scholarship fund. Registration begins at 9:30 p.m. and bowl-ing starts at 10 p.m. on Saturday, February 14 at Oak Forest Bowl.

The $25 per person ticket includes two games of bowling, rentalshoes, a buffet and desserts. Non-bowlers tickets are $15per person. Cash bar, split-the-pot raffle and raffle bas-kets will be available. Buy tickets at:

www.eventsnearhere.com/find-events/OAK-FOREST/IL/Benefits-or-Fundraisers/Other/adde-tail/30291/Valentines-Day-Candlelight-Bowl#.VIHvqb47bHh

or e-mail staggSCO@gmail.com

2014-2015February

Dates to Remember

4 Late Start

7 Winter Dance

9 Stagg Community Organization Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

10 FAFSA Completion Workshop

10 Student Services Meeting

11 Late Start

11 Senior Academic Recognition Night

12 Athletic Booster Meeting

13-15 Snowball Retreat

16 Presidents Day, No School

17 Building and Finance Meeting

17 Music Booster Meeting

18 Late Start

19-21 Winter Show

21 Winter Guard Contest

23 Market Day

25 Late Start

26 Board of Education Meeting @ Stagg, 7 p.m.

Printed on Recycled Paper 30% Total Recycled Fiber

CONSOLIDATEDHIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 230Rick Nogal, President

Patrick O'Sullivan, Vice President

Kathy Quilty, Secretary

Susan Dalton

Melissa Gracias

Kate Murphy-Peterson

Tony Serratore

Dr. James M. Gay, Superintendent

Eric Olsen, Principal

Charger Pride is published by the Consolidated

High School District 230 School Board.

"An equal opportunity employer"

AMOS ALONZO STAGG HIGH SCHOOL (708) 974-7400 | stagg.d230.org

Dear Parents,

Second semester is in full gear as we enter into the short month of February. Although our shortestmonth, February is a very busy month at Stagg. Our Student Council is busy preparing for theirannual Turnabout Dance, many of our winter athletic teams will begin state series competition, andour administrative team is busy with master scheduling building and staffing for the 2015-2016school year! As always, this newsletter is filled with important information so pay close attention!

Some changes are being made to the graduation ceremonies in District 230. These changes havebeen made in order to accommodate rain dates for our schools instead of trying to switch locationsat the last minute in the case of severe weather.

Most important for our Stagg families is that the 2015 Stagg Graduation date and time haschanged! Stagg's Graduation will now be held on Monday, May 18th at 7 p.m. The rain date willbe Thursday, May 21st at 7 p.m. Please make sure you make note of this important informationand plan accordingly!

Parent Participation

We need you! Stagg High School offers a number of different opportunities for parents to activelyparticipate in the Stagg Community. One of the ways is by joining one or more of our parentorganizations. Make one of your New Year’s Resolutions to get involved today!

Stagg Community Organization (SCO)

The SCO is a general parent organization that contributes to the school in a number of ways.If you are not sure where to start your high school experience as a parent, this is a great placeto begin. The next meeting is February 9 at 6:30 p.m. in room 605.

Save the Date! Saturday, February 14, 2015

The SCO is hosting a Valentine's Day Candlelight Bowl at Oak Forest Bowl. Watch for updates and information or you can order tickets athttp://www.eventsnearhere.com/find-events/OAK-FOREST/IL/Benefits-or-Fundraisers/Other/addetail/30291/Valentines-Day-Candlelight-Bowl

Stagg Athletic Boosters

Is your child involved in high school athletics? Are you a fan of high school sports? Thisorganization is for you! The Stagg Athletic Boosters meets the second Thursday of eachmonth. Their next meeting is February 12 at 7 p.m. For more information contact our Athletic Department at 974-7439.

Stagg Music Boosters

The Stagg Music Booster Organization is organized exclusivelyfor charitable and educational purposes, and more specifical-ly to support music education for the public high schoolstudents attending A.A. Stagg High School. Finally, theMusic Boosters support and promote vocal and instru-mental music education within the community and gener-al public. The next meeting is Tuesday, February 17 at 7p.m. For more information visit the Music Booster websiteat https://sites.google.com/site/staggmusicboosters2/.

Sincerely,

Eric OlsenPrincipal

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

A M O S A L O N Z O S T A G G H I G H S C H O O L N E W S L E T T E R • F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 5

A CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 230 SCHOOL THOUGHT MEANING ACTION

PRESORTED STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 11ORLAND PARK

A M O S A L O N Z O S TA G G H I G H S C H O O L

111th Street and Roberts Road

Palos Hi l ls, IL 60465

(708) 974-7400

http:/ /stagg.d230.org

Stagg’s annual Curriculum Fair allows students to explore thevariety of courses and electives offered at Stagg High School.Students are provided information regarding careers and theiralignment to courses offered in District 230.

SIT CouncilStagg's S.I.T. teams (Student Intervention Team), providestudents and staff the ability to communicate and connect ina more personal way to access resources available at StaggHigh School. Every student is a member of the Orange,Blue, or White Teams along with with deans, guidancecounselors, social workers and other support personal.Each S.I.T. has a student advisory group. These studentshave been selected to represent students in their team andadvise administration and PPS personnel about issuesimportant to students and the school environment.

The White Team, pictured with dean of students, Mr. Slifko, are(in alphabetical order) Rececca Oziemkowski, Sahera Razick,Senaya Rosales, Haley Ryan, Andrea Saaverdra, GerardoTorres, Joy Williams, and Christina Youssef. Not pictured;Breona Smith, Logan Thommen, and Ricky Williams.

The Blue Team, pictured with dean of students, Mrs. Koss, are (inalphabetical order) Ashley Gray, Paulina Harkabuz, Justin Hobart,Claire Husar, Michelle Klejka, Angelika Kukuc, Mario Lara, ThaerMohamad, and Austin Nash. Not pictured; Jessica Huerta, DanielKotas, Jezmine Mizyed, and Morgan Moran.

The Orange Team, pictured with dean of students, Mr. Palumbo, are(in alphbetical order) Amber Alfriend, Jamari Armon, John Bibbiano,Melanie Davenport, Kayla Garcia, Luis Gonzalez, and CaitlynGraczyk. Not pictured; Yasmin Alyafai, Nicole Aprile, BrandonBubash, Molly Dearth, and Cody Garbacz.