Early Childhood Special Education
November 2021
The mission of the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Department is to build independence in all preschool students to enable them to reach their full potential in preparation for kindergarten.
News Bites We Want to Share
- We are in the third month of the school year. If you haven't yet been informed of Parent-Teacher Conferences in your district, be on the lookout for the information. We want to have time to share the progress that your child has made while we discuss the next aspects of learning that we will be focusing on. We also want to hear about progress and goals that your family has for the home setting as well.
- Our goal in ECSE is to always look at the progress that a student is making and to determine what the educational Least Restrictive Environment is at that time. This is something that may change and we want to involve you in those discussions. This is why we come together at the IEP meetings. Our goal is always to reduce the level of special education services that we provide as a student's level of independence increases. Please know that this is a data driven decision regarding best educational practices. Seeing the progress that our students make shows that we are helping the students progress. It is with professional thought, data review and belief that it is for the best that we step back to push the children on to the next level/step of learning. Please ask questions, be active in understanding what we are working on at home as we work to ensure that home school connection focusing on developing your child's skills. We want to be united in the support that we provide our students and you are our number one resource and we want to be that for you too.
WORKSHOP: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders Two Part Series (PART ONE)
Identify and understand the characteristics of autism spectrum disorders and learn effective and practical strategies that will support your child’s success at home and school. The second session will focus on strategies. Both sessions will have time for discussion and questions.
Presenter: John Bruno, Ph.D., SSD Autism Effective Practice Specialist
November 8th Zoom Meeting Information
https://ssdmo-org.zoom.us/j/96761216696?pwd=ZkkzdUZXRWExOGdkK2ZBUTFBRktPdz09
Meeting ID: 967 6121 6696
Passcode: 701664
To register for a workshop, please contact PEDA Liaison Elizabeth Fox at ehfox@ssdmo.org or 314.989.8194.
Monday, Nov 8, 2021, 06:30 PM
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WORKSHOP: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders Two Part Series (PART TWO)
November 15th Zoom Meeting Information
https://ssdmo-org.zoom.us/j/98286346135?pwd=VVJSTFl6ZHBVeng2dkJMTUVNYWQzZz09
Meeting ID: 982 8634 6135
Passcode: 103277
Monday, Nov 15, 2021, 06:30 PM
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Introduction to Charting the LifeCourse (Workshop in Collaboration with St. Louis ARC)
Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) is a set of eight principles developed to support people with IDD and their families so they can have their best lives. In this workshop, we will learn about the CtLC principles and work together to create planning and problem-solving tools. Participants will also receive updates about LifeCourse Connect Missouri, which is a new online platform that can be used by individuals and family members to access tools. This workshop is for everyone but especially self-advocates, families, and support staff.
Presenters: Sharon Spurlock, Director of Family Support, St. Louis Arc and Debra Fiasco, Administrator, Parent Education and Diversity Awareness, Special School District
Zoom Webinar Registration:
https://slarc.zoom.us/webinar/register/2516310324235/WN_baEHWPyjRquQSLVXDcfmLw
Thursday, Nov 18, 2021, 06:30 PM
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Lunch & Learn Series
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:
- Behavioral Health Response – Dec. 1
- Easterseals Midwest – Jan. 5
- The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis – Feb. 2
- Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK) – March 2
- St. Louis ARC – April 6
- St. Louis County Library – May 4
Wednesday, Dec 1, 2021, 11:30 AM
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Resources:
- Special School District Website; Here is the Special School District Website. Please explore to learn further.
- Superintendent Updates; Leadership Updates can be found here.
- Parent Education Diversity & Awareness; Parent Education Diversity and Awareness (PEDA) works to provide supports to families in a variety of areas. Click here to learn more about them.
- Parent Advisory Council of Special School District ; Please visit this site to learn details about the Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
Helpful Links
The ECSE Administrative Team
Director of Early Childhood Special Education
Coordinator for Brentwood
(314) 989-8411
Special Education Coordinator
Ladue & Ritenour
(314) 989-8374
Special Education Coordinator
Affton, Bayless, Hancock, South County Head Start, &Webster
(314)-989-8546
Special Education Coordinator
Lindbergh & Valley Park
(314)989-8376
Special Education Coordinator
ECSE Deaf/Hard of Hearing, & Audiology
(314)-989-8274
Special Education Coordinator
Evaluation Teams & Parkway Step Program
(314) 989-7831 or (314) 415-4980
Special Education Coordinator
Parkway ECC, Parkway North Preschool, & Satellite Sites
(314) 415-4983
Special Education Coordinator
Maplewood-Richmond Heights, Jennings, Normandy, & Riverview Gardens
(314) 989-8213
Director Q & A Chat
Join Stacy M. Sturdivant, Director of Early Childhood Special Education, for a Q & A session where you have the opportunity for asking questions or general discussion. Use this link to request a 15 minute appointment.
Topic: Director's Q & A Talks
https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/DirectorQATalks@ssdmoorg.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/