
New Queen of Peace principal says he is ready
Hedi Belkaoui, the new principal of Queen of Peace High School, is too busy getting ready for the new school to focus on the fact that he made history as the first man to lead the girls Catholic high school founded in 1962 at 7659 S. Linder Ave. in Burbank.
At 33, Belkaoui, a native of Chicago and graduate of St. Ignatius High School, is also among the youngest heads of the school. He succeeds Mary Kay Nickels, who retired in June after five years at the helm.
Belkaoui has been busy working in the field of education for the past 11 years, since earning a bachelor of arts degree in social science from Benedictine University in River Forest. He also earned a masters of arts degree in education in 2009 from the university founded by the same order of nuns that sponsors Queen of Peace, the Sinsinawan Dominicans.{{more}}
ÒI would call them opportunities rather than challenges,” said Belkaoui, when asked about low enrollment and other issues faced by Queen of Peace. He said the school’s struggles with dwindling enrollment is a common problem for many area Catholic schools.
But he talks optimistically about turning that trend around.
ÒThere were 325 students enrolled last year, and we are expecting about that many this year,” he said recently, noting that registration is still open. He said five or six new girls had come in to register that day.
He doesn’t see being the first male principal as a challenge either, and foresees no problems. Belkaoi said he was drawn to Queen of Peace, because he has a strong attachment to the Sinsinawan Dominicans.
ÒMy mother was a professor at Dominican University, and I basically grew up there. As a child, I roamed the campus, and the sisters got to be like second mothers, and aunts and grandmothers to me,” he explained.
ÒI have such profound respect for the Sinsinawan Dominicans. This is an opportunity to continue their mission of scholarship and social justice, providing young women with a diverse learning environment and challenging curriculum.”
The new principal said Queen of Peace is differentiating itself by expanding its curriculum, particularly in the area of engineering. A few years ago, the school began providing all students with laptop computers, giving them access to software such as AutoCAD, a drafting and design program.
The second year of implementing Project Lead the Way’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program is also about to start. To include the ongoing ÒArts Without Borders” program, Art has also been added, making it STEAM.
PLTW, a non-profit organization, provides Òrigorous and innovative STEM education curricular programs used in middle and high schools across the United States,” according to information on the Queen of Peace website.
In ÒArts Without Borders,” students participate in cultural and fine arts experiences offered throughout the Chicago area. They are exposed to different disciplines, and work on quarterly project incorporating all departments and technology.
Belkaoui said PLTW students get hands-on experience, with many participating in robotics teams that compete against other schools.
ÒWe want these young women to be able to get scholarships and make use of the opportunities, going on to universities and high-paying careers using these technology skills,” he said.
Queen of Peace added two engineering electives, supplementing the traditional math and science classes this year. Belkaoui said the school focuses on integrating the STEAM courses throughout the curriculum.
The new principal’s work experience is as diverse as the curriculum he oversees. He began his career in 2004, teaching at Morton West High School, and then Providence St. Mel, a private K-12 school in Chicago where 100 percent of seniors usually attend four-year colleges and universities. From there, he was tapped to become a dean at Providence Englewood Charter School, also in Chicago.
He and his wife, Heidy, then spent two years in Cambodia, where he was principal of the Jay Pritzker Academy in Siem Reap. Most recently, he was director of Young Scholars Kenderton, a school in North Philadelphia, Pa.
As opening day approaches, he has been busy ensuring everything is in order. ÒI am looking forward to the year, meeting the students and seeing them take advantage of these opportunities. That is what I am excited about,” he said.
Local News

Pro Soccer Report: Red Stars will miss three big guns during World Cup qualifying
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Having world-class players on your team is a blessing. But during times like these, it can also be a curse. World-class players help NWSL teams win games. They also miss chunks of time during the season because of their commitments to playing in international competitions. For much of July, the…

Area Sports Roundup: Lightning strikes at Shepard
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer There was a lot of rain and a little bit of thunder at the Illinois Lightning Track and Field Club’s open track meet, which was held at Shepard on June 25. The meet was open to everyone, from children as young as 4 (one 3-year-old also participated) to adults. More…

Fundraiser is Sunday for Pathlights
Tinley Park nonprofit One Less to Help One More is hosting a special community fundraiser for Pathlights in honor of June’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Month from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 26, at Oberweis at 7202 W. 159th Street in Orland Park. For shoppers, 20% of your purchases will be donated…

Incumbent Zalewski faces challenger for Dem nod in 21st District
By Steve Metsch Taking a break from the campaign trail – talking on a cell phone as he walked door to door – state Rep. Michael Zalewski (21st) said the choice facing Democratic voters on June 28 is simple. “I’ve said consistently that it’s the choice for voters between a record and a promise,” Zalewski…

Update: Morrison, Gorman duking it out for county commissioner spot
By Jeff Vorva In what is one of the nastiest races around, Sean Morrison and Liz Gorman are duking it out for a commissioners’ spot on the Cook County Board. Gorman had the job in the 17th District from 2002-2015 but gave it up to work in the private sector. Morrison took over and had…

World Wiffle Ball Championship returning to south suburbs
The 43rd World Wiffle Ball Championship is returning to Memorial Park in south suburban Midlothian on July 16-17. “We’re excited to gear up for this year’s Championship at Memorial Park in Midlothian. We can’t wait to see old and new Wifflers alike this summer come together to beat some plastic,” said Mike Baniak, Commissioner of…

Morrison, Gorman duking it out for GOP county commissioner nod
By Jeff Vorva In what is one of the nastiest races around, Sean Morrison and Liz Gorman are duking it out for a commissioners’ spot on the Cook County Board. Gorman had the job in the 17th District from 2002-2015 but gave it up to work in the private sector. Morrison took over and had…

Justice police arrest teen in Suri Davis murder
By Bob Bong A 14-year-old boy was arrested last week in the murder in November of Argo High School sophomore Suri Davis. Justice police said the teen was arrested June 13 and charged with one felony count of first-degree murder in the November 22 shooting death of Suri Davis, 15. Police said the teen lived…

2 incumbents seek Dem nomination in newly drawn 6th District
By Steve Metsch It doesn’t happen often, but voters in the newly drawn 6th Congressional District have an unusual choice in the Democratic primary. Because of redistricting, two sitting members of Congress are going toe-to-toe for the nomination in the June 28 primary. The district covers the Midway Airport area, Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood and the…
Neighbors

CAPITOL RECAP: Pritzker to call special session after Roe v. Wade overturned
By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker will call a special session of the General Assembly in the coming weeks to focus on legislation to strengthen women’s access to abortion and other reproductive health services in Illinois. Pritzker made that announcement Friday, just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court released an opinion overturning…

6 Republicans vie to unseat Pritzker
By PETER HANCOCK & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Republican voters in Illinois will choose from six candidates to challenge incumbent Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker in the upcoming June 28 primary. The field includes a conservative farmer and state lawmakers who is the recent polling frontrunner, the mayor of Illinois’ second largest…

Candidate interview: Alexi Giannoulias looking to reclaim statewide office
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] Illinois voters might know Alexi Giannoulias as the state’s treasurer from 2007 to 2011, or they might know him as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate who lost to Republican Mark Kirk in 2010. He’s now looking to get back into public life as he runs for secretary…

Pritzker to call special session on reproductive rights
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker will call a special session of the General Assembly in the coming weeks to focus on legislation to strengthen women’s access to abortion and other reproductive health services in Illinois. Pritzker made that announcement Friday, just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court released…

Candidate interview: Anna Valencia running for secretary of state
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [email protected] This story is part of Capitol News Illinois’ coverage of the race for secretary of state ahead of the Tuesday, June 28 primary. We’re reaching out to the candidates this week to discuss their policy positions and plans for the office should they be elected. Chicago City Clerk…

Republicans see opening in secretary of state race
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – For the first time in nearly a quarter century, there is an open race for the office of Illinois secretary of state as incumbent Democrat Jesse White prepares to retire, and Republicans hope that will give them an opportunity to pick up a statewide elected office.…

Candidate interview: Secretary of state hopeful David Moore
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois j[email protected] This story is part of Capitol News Illinois’ coverage of the race for secretary of state ahead of the Tuesday, June 28 primary. We’re reaching out to all of the candidates this week to discuss their policy positions and plans for the office should they be elected. Chicago…

Tom Cullerton sentenced to 1 year in prison for embezzlement
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – A federal judge in Chicago handed down a one-year prison sentence Tuesday for a former state senator who once chaired the Senate Labor Committee. Tom Cullerton, a Villa Park Democrat, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of embezzlement for receiving salary and benefits from…

CAPITOL RECAP: State Supreme Court again declines to rule on FOID Act
By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD – In a 4-3 decision with a blistering dissent from the Republican minority, the Illinois Supreme Court declined to rule on a question of whether Illinois Firearm Owners Identification Act is unconstitutional. It was the second time the case of the People v. Vivian Brown came before the court and…

State audit finds billions in unemployment fraud
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD – A state audit released Thursday found nearly $2 billion in federal money intended to help unemployed Illinoisans during the pandemic was lost to fraudulent claims in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Employment Security blamed “insufficient and flawed federal guidance” and a lack of controls on a…