SSD Ladue Schools
November 2022
Connect with the SSD Board of Education
The SSD Board of Education strives for transparency, accountability, and accessibility. We welcome family, staff, and community members to share comments, concerns, and ideas with SSD Board of Education members. Tiffany Hudson is the Board of Education Director that represents Ladue Schools.
Are You Familiar with South Technical High School ?
At South Technical High School (South Tech), students are provided with real-world experiences, real-world skills, and engaging, hands-on learning to prepare them for college and careers. Students pursue their passion and are able to find the right pathway to their own success. Partial-day schedules keep students engaged in their home high school academics and activities while they enjoy experiential learning in Tech's elective courses.
The tuition-free, career and technical education (CTE) majors allow students to explore their career interests before graduation while earning industry certifications, college and high school credits, and skills that will last a lifetime. South Tech partners with an impressive list of business and industry partners that provide our students with mentorship, internships, apprenticeships, part-time employment, scholarships, and full-time employment offers after high school. South Tech students are in demand.
Here is a link to the admissions criteria page.
What are Executive Functioning Skills?
Executive functioning skills are the abilities in our brain that help us complete everyday tasks. These skills include planning, time management, task initiation, problem solving, flexibility, working memory, emotional control, impulse control, attentional control, and self monitoring. Executive functioning skills are in everything that we do. These skills are the foundation for success in and outside of school. Throughout the school year, we will provide tips for strengthening executive functioning skills. Below you will find family and teacher tips to support students in the area of impulse control.
Impulse control
Sometimes known as self-control or our inhibition—is an executive functioning skill that allows us to engage independently in society. Impulse control helps us “think before acting” and to prioritize longer-term rewards over short-term gain. When we demonstrate impulse control behaviors, we resist or avoid doing things that may be harmful to ourselves and others.
Family Pro-Tips:
Incorporate the following games into your family game night:
Simon Says
Mother May I
Musical Chairs
Freeze Dance/Freeze Tag
Slapjack, Spoons, and other games that require quick responses and attention to details
Classroom Pro-Tip:
Develop a point system that allows students to earn rewards
Teach students to label their feelings
Ask students to repeat directions
Provide structure and be consistent
Incorporate visual cues into your classroom decor and student materials
Reduce visual and auditory distractions and triggers
Tips and Strategies to Take Control of the Holiday Season
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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:
Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Information
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.
The 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 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
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.
Lunch & Learn Series 2022-2023
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.
FACE Events Designed for Family Support: SSD families and community members can participate in upcoming events hosted by the District's new Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department. Events include the Family Leadership Institute (four-day workshop series), Virtual Workshops, Hub Huddles, and Family Cafe. All events are free of charge! Read more…
FACE would love your feedback!
Please complete are PEDA Communications survey here: PEDA Survey
OPTIONS FOR INTERNET SERVICE
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application.
You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575.