Brentwood Special School District
November 2022 Edition
Dear Families,
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year!
Over the past month, we have had a lot to celebrate here in Brentwood. The Brentwood Barista which is a student-led coffee shop available to BHS and BMS staff is back up and running, our 6-12 grade Special Olympic athletes have participated in bowling and volleyball events, and we have completed the first quarter of the school year. October was also Down Syndrome awareness month and some of our students decorated hallways and created a poster to help raise awareness. A picture of their poster is below. I will highlight our Special Olympic athletes in our December Newsletter.
As part of this newsletter, I would love to share pictures and/or videos of students and to celebrate the learning that is happening here in Brentwood. To do this, we would need to have a release on file for this year that allows Special School District to use your student's picture. Please complete the SSD Media Photo Release form below and email it to your case manager or me at your earliest convenience so that we have the possibility of using your child's photo in our monthly SSD newsletter or announcements.
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to me if I can assist you or your student.
Travena Hostetler; Ed D
Director of Special Education; Brentwood
thostetler@brentwoodmoschools.org
314-989-8479
Kelly Education Substitute Services
Family and Community Engagement (FACE) News
VIRTUAL LUNCH & LEARN SERIES FOR SSD FAMILIES AND STAKEHOLDERS
Special School District’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) department is excited to offer a virtual Lunch & Learn series for SSD families and stakeholders. The series, which will involve community organizations sharing information about their work, will continue during the 2022-23 school year and take place from 11:30 AM - Noon.
Representatives from three community organizations and three SSD departments will participate in order to increase awareness about their agencies or programs and make connections with those in our SSD community who may benefit from their programs and services.
Features in the 2022-23 Lunch & Learn Series are:
Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis, Summer Resources - Dec. 15, 2022
Productive Living Board (PLB), Resources for Families - Jan. 25, 2023
SSD Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) department - Feb. 22, 2023
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - April 26, 2023
SSD Family and Community Engagement (FACE), Summer Engagement Activities - May 24, 2023
Each event is held virtually through YouTube Live. To access the video, please click on the organization's name in the list above. The videos will not be available to view until their scheduled date and time.
CAASTL (Community Action Agency of St. Louis County): Please join FACE on at the Family Resource Hub, located Nov 11, 2022 in North Tech High School, from 9am to 4pm. CAASTL (Community Action Agency of St. Louis County) will be available on that date to provide additional support and access to resources that promote healthy families and a thriving community. Families can learn about case management, utility assistance, rental assistance, financial education, weatherization, and program development and education activities. A CAASTLC representative will be available to answer questions and assist with applications.
Higher Education Consortium (HEC) will be at the Family Resource Hub, located in North Tech High School, from 11am to Noon on Nov 15, 2022 . The HEC can provide families with
information to increase their knowledge about education, career, and workforce planning or transitioning. High school students and anyone over the age of 19 are eligible to receive services from HEC.
Family Cafe: Family and Community Engagement (FACE) will be hosting a Family Cafe on November 17, 2022 from 6-8pm at the Family Resource Hub, located in North Tech High School. Cafes are hosted by families for families. They provide parents and caregivers a safe and welcoming space to connect and learn from each other. They are centered on the Strengthening Families Five Protective Factors:RESILIENCE, RELATIONSHIPS, KNOWLEDGE, SUPPORT and COMMUNICATION. https://bit.ly/FamCafes
Family Academy: Join us for SSD’s very first Family Academy on November 5th from 9am to noon at Northview
High School located on Derhake Rd in Florissant. Family Academy is an opportunity for SSD families to learn and utilize resources and strategies to improve student outcomes. The Family Academy will offer networking with community agencies and other families. There will be music, light refreshments, fun learning opportunities, and learning resources to support your student in the home. https://SSDFACE.as.me/FamAcad22
Important to note: November is Family Engagement Month please stay tuned to our district website and social media accounts for ways to engage families.
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.
Connect with the SSD Board of Education
Upcoming Events
SSD Board of Education Meetings start at 5:45 pm unless noted:
November 15, 2022
December 13, 2022
January 24, 2023
February 28, 2023
March 14, 2023
April 25, 2023
May 23, 2023
June 27, 2023
Please visit the SSD Board of Education for more information.
Brentwood School District Board of Education Meetings at 7:00 pm unless noted:
November 15, 2022
December 20, 2022
January 17, 2023
February 21, 2023
March 21, 2023
April 18, 2023
May 23, 2023
June 20, 2023
Please visit the Brentwood Board of Education for more information.
Wellness Corner
Tips and Strategies to Take Control of the Holiday Season
Acknowledge your holiday expectations:
Start by recognizing your own emotions related to the holidays. There is a large spectrum when it comes to emotions about the holidays. The holidays are not always “happy and exciting” for everyone. If this is you, that is okay. Acknowledge these true feelings and begin to decide what plans will best align with your hopes and preferences for managing your holiday.
Be realistic:
Planning can be a tricky task. Acceptance is a great tool to use when there are differences of opinions. Rituals, traditions, and guest lists may look different than years past or different than those around you. Accepting this can alleviate the distress associated with unrealistic expectations.
Protect your time and budget:
Plan ahead to determine what you CAN do and still have time for YOU. Remember that it is okay to say no to activities and events. Don’t stretch yourself financially. Consider a gift exchange or donating as a family to support a charity or volunteer for a local organization.
Stick to healthy routines and habits
It can be easy to compromise your typical routines as a result of extra commitments. However, sticking to your healthy routines such as sleep, exercise, and nutrition, can protect your mental and emotional health.
Be mindful of your time spent on social media around the Holidays. The image of holidays on Social media can distort and impact our own expectations.
Take a breather:
Rember, it is okay to reach out for support if you are struggling with feelings related to the holidays, family, or feeling isolated/lonely. You could access support through group
affiliations, social support, or professional support.
Resources for additional support:
Taking Care of Yourself Over the Holidays
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
Scholarship Opportunities for SSD High School Seniors
Several scholarships are available for students who receive SSD services! High school seniors who plan to enroll in a college, university or postsecondary program after graduation this spring should review the following opportunities.
Applications for The James E. Westbury/SSD Board of Education Scholarship, The Allison M. Haake Memorial Scholarship, and The Bonhomme Lions Club Scholarship must receive at least one service from SSD and plan to enroll in a college, university, or postsecondary program. All scholarships require a letter of recommendation. Applications are due Dec. 16, 2022. Visit ssdmo.org/scholarships for more information.
The Special Education Foundation (SEF) sponsors the John Cary Scholarships for high school seniors, as well. Applications are due Jan. 24, 2023.Nominations for Salutes Awards Open Until Jan. 6
Applications for several awards which honor the contributions of SSD staff and community members are awaiting nominations, due Jan. 6, 2023. These awards are collectively known as Salutes awards because they are given at the District’s annual Salutes event in the spring. They include the following:
Please refer to the Salutes webpage for details about each award. Some awards permit nomination by SSD staff only, while others accept nominations from people who are not employed by SSD (e.g., students, parents, partner district staff, and other community members). Consider submitting a nomination and help us provide the recognition they deserve for their meaningful work in SSD!