Kirkwood Special School District
April 2022 Edition
PEDA Information
Join us for our upcoming workshop:
Understanding the Autism Spectrum Disorders: Two Part Class with Dr. John Bruno Autism Effective Practice Specialist
April 14th and 21st 6-8pm
Identify and understand the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorders and learn effective, practical strategies that will support your child in being more successful at home and school.
The second session will focus more on strategies, with time for discussion and questions.
Click the following link to register for this event: https://SSDPEDA.as.me/understandingautism
Congratulations to our Spring 21-22 Parent Leadership Institute (PLI) graduates!!!
If you are interested in participating in a future PLI email us at ssdpeda@ssdmo.org
PEDA would love your feedback!
Please complete are PEDA Communications survey here: PEDA Survey
Paraprofessional Day
Virtual Lunch and 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. The series, which will involve community organizations sharing information about their work, will take place on the first Wednesday of each month during the 2021-22 school year, from 11:30 AM - Noon.
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.
Organizations represented in the Lunch & Learn series include:
- St. Louis ARC – April 6
- St. Louis County Library – May 4
Wellness Corner-Deep Breathing
During stressful times, it is extremely important for us to take care of ourselves. Deep breathing can be a wonderful method to enhance our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The added bonus is that deep breathing can be performed practically anywhere at any time without the need for any special materials or equipment. If you’d like to reduce stress and anxiety, improve your sleep, and improve your cognitive focus, you may want to practice these three simple breathing techniques:
Belly Breathing:
While sitting, with one hand on the chest and the other on the belly, take a deep breath in through the nose, ensuring the diaphragm (not the chest) inflates with enough air to create a stretch in the lungs. Exhale slowly through pursed lips. Initially repeat 3 times. You can work up to 6-10 deep, slow breaths per minute for 2-3 minutes.
Box Breathing:
This exercise involves breathing in through the nose for a count of four, holding the breath for a count of four, breathing out slowly for a count of four, and then holding for another count of four, essentially making a “square” or “box” with the breath.
4-7-8 Breathing:
This technique involves breathing in through the nose for a count of four, holding the breath for a count of seven, and exhaling through the lips for a count of eight.
While we often take breathing for granted, it’s important to take the time to appreciate every inhale and exhale we take. Slowing our breath is a way to slow down the world around us and improve our physical health as well as our mental health. So, breathe deep…the power to change your life is already inside you!
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Tami Melton
It is a great day to be a Pioneer!!
Kelly Rockholm
Wayne Woodrum
Helpful Links
Upcoming Events
SSD Board of Education Meetings:
April 12 2022 Board Work Study Session 5:45 PM
April 26, 2022 Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45 PM
Please visit the SSD Board of Education for more information.
Kirkwood School District Board of Education Meetings:
April 4 2022 Board Work Session/Meeting 5:00 PM
April 18, 2022 Board Meeting 7:00 PM
Please visit the Kirkwood Board of Education for more information.
April 5-SSD Curriculum Review Night 5:00 PM-7:00 PM
April 6-Paraprofessional Day
April 13-SSD PAC Meeting 7:00 PM-9:00 PM
April 14-No School
April 15-No school
Contact Us
Special School District of St. Louis County
12110 Clayton Road
Town & Country, MO 63131
Phone: 314‐989‐8100
Taneal Davis
- Director of Special Education-Robinson
- tmdavis@ssdmo.org
- taneal.davis@kirkwoodschools.org
Colleen Card
- Special Education Coordinator-KHS
- COcard@ssdmo.org
- colleen.card@kirkwoodschools.org
Bridget Duke
- Special Education Coordinator-North Glendale, Tillman, Nipher
- baduke@ssdmo.org
- bridget.duke@kirkwoodschools.org
Emily Meuth
- Special Education Coordinator-Keysor, Westchester, NKMS
- ELMeuth@ssdmo.org
- emily.meuth@kirkwoodschools.org