Brentwood Special School District
May 2022 Edition
Dear Families,
It is hard to believe that we have entered into the last few weeks of the 2021-2022 school year. Over the past month students and teachers have been continuing to build connections with one another while working hard to finish the school year strong!
Just a reminder the first day of school for students for 2022-2023 school year is Monday, August 22.
Travena Hostetler; Ed D
Director of Special Education; Brentwood
thostetler@brentwoodmoschools.org
314-989-8479
Kelly Education
VIRTUAL LUNCH & LEARN SERIES FOR SSD FAMILIES AND STAKEHOLDERS
Special School District’s Family and Community Outreach, Social Work, Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA) and Communications departments have teamed up to offer a virtual Lunch & Learn series for SSD families and stakeholders.
Representatives from nine community organizations will participate in order to increase awareness about their agency and make connections with those in our SSD community who may benefit from their programs and services.
We will share updated dates and topics for the 22-23 school year when they become available.
SSD PARENT EDUCATION (PEDA)
Are you still thinking about what to do this summer?
The PEDA Summer Resource Packet can help!
PEDA 2022 Summer Resource Packet
Other helpful resources:
St. Louis Recreation Council www.recreationcouncil.org
Blueprint for Summer https://blueprint4.com/stl/
St. Louis County Parks Activity Guide https://bit.ly/3LHpRsp
Early Childhood Summer Resource Guide https://adobe.ly/3vSuol1
Coming Soon!
Applications will be available soon for the Fall 2022 semester SSD Family Leadership Institute FLI (Formerly Parent Leadership Institute PLI).
The Institute which has over 275 graduates to date, was created for families in 2007 to offer information, training, and resources. Participants gain the knowledge and skills to effectively collaborate with other families, school personnel and develop leadership for SSD and their home districts.
Participants will:
- Build understanding of future planning and problem-solving, utilizing Charting the LifeCourse tools;
- Learn to effectively participate in their child’s education and improve the educational climate for all children;
- Learn how to positively interact and collaborate with other families and school personnel; and
- Discover new resources and network with other families.
FLI Graduates have:
- Served on School boards
- Been elected as Parent Advisory Council (PAC) President(s)
- Actively participated in SSD and/or local school district PACs
- And further increased their leadership training in policy development and mentorship.
Contact us at ssdpeda@ssdmo.org or call 314.989.8460 if you have any questions or concerns.
Some Quotes from graduates.
- Thank you so much for everything! I feel very lucky to have found this opportunity.
- It was helpful to learn how Charting LifeCourse Tools could play a part in every step of the way.
- The topics and presenters made the program engaging and informative.
- Learned a lot about planning for my child’s future and the IEP process.
- I'm really glad I signed up for this program. I had no idea what to expect and learned so, so much about the available tools and all the SSD processes we will be experiencing during his life.
- The deep dive on the IEP history/process was incredibly helpful to give a framework on my ability to participate since my family is very new to the IEP process.
- The IEP information was incredibly helpful. It was a bit like pulling back the curtain on something that was previously a complete mystery.
- I am so thankful for this workshop and for the information, and materials you’ve shared w/ me. Thanks for facilitating the training so well. It’s great to have a safe space to talk openly with experts and other parents about education, IEPs, 504, Inclusion, challenges, etc. The choice of speaker, topics, resources and lending library was all great.
- Amazing group of people. Chance for honest conversations. Helps me be a better advocate & team member.
- Amazing experience – tons of knowledge shared. Lots of great connections with families. Better understanding of IEP process. I feel empowered to do more – create positive change. Opened my eyes to some realities approaching with transition to adulthood.
- We received a lot of great information in this class! I has made me change the way I look at the whole process, and how I approach things with my daughter. I am so grateful that I was given this opportunity!
- I am no longer feeling so alone & confused. Feel I can be a better advocate.
- Attending this institute was an awesome opportunity I turned out to be much more than I expected. It gave me a better understanding about the transition process & how I can best support my child through transition. It generated a lot of ideas for my child’s last IEP. I feel so much more equipped to navigate SSD=land, as well as help others navigate it too.
- Amazing. Blessing. You’ve enabled me to think more positively and concretely about my son’s future. I have always said “there’s no outline for me to follow” – but you’ve given me the framework I desired, support & connections!
Staff Shout Out!!!
Do you have a teacher or staff member who has gone above and beyond for you or your child supporting them, encouraging them to do their best or being a listening ear when they need someone? Please take a minute to write a note of thanks by sharing your appreciation with them. You may fill out this form as many times as you would like for different school personnel.
Upcoming Events
SSD Board of Education Meetings:
May 24, 2022- 5:45 pm
June 28, 2022- 5:45 pm
Please visit the SSD Board of Education for more information.
Brentwood School District Board of Education Meetings:
May 17, 2022- 7:00 pm
June 21, 2022- 7:00 pm
Please visit the Brentwood Board of Education for more information.
Helpful Links
Contact Us
Special School District of St. Louis County
12110 Clayton Road
Town & Country, MO 63131
Phone: 314‐989‐8100
Travena Hostetler
- Director of Special Education; Brentwood
- trhostetler@ssdmo.org
Erik Lewis
- School Social Worker
- erlewis@ssdmo.org
Mary Herbst
- School Psychologist
- meherbst@ssdmo.org