SSD Webster Groves Schools
February 2022 Community Engagement Newsletter
Community Based Vocational Instruction (CBVI)
Community Based Vocational Instruction (CBVI) is program designed to provide students vocational skills in the community at a job site. Students work on various job skills and goals in different settings within the job site. The students are supervised by a teacher while at work and skills taught in the classroom setting are monitored.
The students at Webster Groves High School with post secondary goals for employment in the CBVI program at Bethesda Gardens are doing a fantastic job. The students volunteer at Bethesda Gardens in the afternoon on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays to work on their vocational/job skills. Thursdays our class receives their instruction in the classroom and transfers their skills to the work setting. It is reserved for direct instruction in local industry standards, skills in applying for a job, interviewing for a job, getting along with your employer and co-workers, and situations that affect your job are just a few to name. In addition, on Thursdays we have teacher/student conferences, review progress, goal setting and celebrate our successes. At Bethesda Gardens, the students are working on their hard skills and soft skills in a real-life setting. The students independently navigate Bethesda Garden’s environment. They are working in the dietary department in the dining room by setting tables, cleaning chairs, folding napkins and rolling silverware. In addition, they are working in the housekeeping department by wiping resident’s door knobs and shelves. Furthermore, they are also working on their soft skills by effectively communicating with both Bethesda Garden’s staff and residents. They are learning the importance of reading social cues, conducting polite conversations, self-advocating and problem solving. The staff and residents continue to give the students compliments on their performance. The students are successfully transferring the skills taught in the classroom to the worksite.
Hixson Middle School Hosts 5th Grade Parent Orientation Night
On January 11, 2022, Hixson Middle School hosted the 5th grade Parent Orientation Night for incoming 6th graders via ZOOM. Parents and students had the opportunity to learn about Hixson Middle School from some of our team. There were remarks from the principal Dr. Shenita Hayes, Assistant Principal Mike Hazelton, Dr. Pam Washington, Gifted Coordinator, and Dr. Stephanie Berry, Special Education Coordinator. Parents and their families had an opportunity to hear from teachers about some of the 6th grade courses they will take. They learned about the three 6th grade teams, and were introduced to the Elective Discovery WHEELS. Information included learning how to sign up for elective courses. If you have any questions for the Special Education Coordinator regarding your child’s transition to middle school, please feel free to contact Stephanie E. Berry, Special Education Coordinator for Hixson Middle School at seberry@ssdmo.org or (314)989-8468.
If you missed the event, no worries. Please use the link below to watch the replay.
SSD PAC New/Renewal of Membership Self-Nomination Forms
SSD PAC New/Renewal of Membership Self-Nomination Forms information: Hello, SSD PAC members and potential members! We are approaching that time of year when we prepare to hold elections and renew membership. Nomination is through self-nomination. The self-nomination form is available to all parents of students receiving services through SSD.
Per the SSD PAC Bylaws, potential members must consent to make their names and contact information available to the public. Notices requesting self-nomination forms shall be received by parents no later than January 10th. Completed nomination forms must be returned to the Executive Committee no later than February 15th. The election of new/renewal of SSD PAC members shall take place no later than May 31st. We will hold the election at the April 13th General Meeting.
Elections are rotated each year. The following districts will hold elections in even numbered years: Affton, Bayless, Brentwood, Clayton, Ferguson-Florissant, Hancock Place, Ladue, Mehlville, Normandy, Rockwood, University City and Valley Park.
Please complete and submit the self-nomination form linked above ASAP. Please note that even if you recently submitted a self-nomination form and were elected as a member of the SSD PAC, but are in a district that has an election in even numbered years, you will need to submit another self-nomination form. Please reach out to us at pac@ssdmo.org with any questions.
Love and Light,
Dr. Camesha Carter, SSD PAC President
The Family Resource Hub
Youth Mental Health Training
For Families: Google Link: https://forms.gle/28CzBcceYgadDhJk6
Assistance for families who may have challenges accessing the FREE Covid Tests
Family and Community Engagement Information to Include:
Spotlight
Mental Health First Aid Training for SSD Families - Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, and others to help adolescents experiencing mental health and/or addictions challenge or crisis. It is designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
Nationally this course is valued at $170; due to a grant from Missouri's Department of Mental Health and a collaboration with the Ferguson Community Center, you have the opportunity to attend at no cost.
Saturday, March 19th from 9 – 1:30 PM at Ferguson Community Center. 1050 Smith Ave, Ferguson, MO 63135
Space is limited. To register click here. Registration will close on Monday, March 7th or when all seats are filled.
Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA) Information
Parent Leadership will be held via ZOOM
If you have always wanted to participate but life made it too hard to get away from home, NOW IS THE TIME TO ENROLL!!!
If you are a parent or family member who makes the educational decisions for a child with a disability, investing the time to attend these four Wednesday evening sessions will provide:
• Vision for the future of your child.
• Knowledge to help you to effectively participate in your child’s education.
• Leadership skills to improve the educational climate for all children.
• Access to new resources, friends and experts to help you on your journey.
The Institute will be held on Wednesdays from 6:00 pm-8:00 p.m. on February 16, March 2, 9, and 16, via zoom.
Learn more about this opportunity or download the application at: Parent Leadership Institute
Virtual Workshop: Meeting your child's needs using Charting the LifeCourse Tools in the IEP process
When: Tue, March 15, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Description: Your child’s school Individual Education Plan (IEP) can be intimidating and overwhelming at times. Find out how to utilize LifeCourse Tools to help prepare and communicate effectively with your child’s IEP team to determine the most successful goals and interventions to help your child reach their potential.
To register for this workshop, click here: https://SSDPEDA.as.me/CTLCwithSTLARC
PEDA would love your feedback!
Lunch & Learn
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:
- Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK) – March 2
- St. Louis ARC – April 6
- St. Louis County Library – May 4