SSD/Parkway Newsletter
December 2022
Dear Parkway Families,
This time of the year can be one where we see people become weary and ready for a moment for the pace to slow down. However, in the schools, it’s a time of high energy and excitement as students look forward to a break. As the days wind down and break inches closer, we work to provide opportunities for two things.
- A chance for students to practice the skills of handling ‘changes’ to the schedule and special events or activities taking place in classes or for the whole school.
- We balance the ability to practice handling changes with working to provide as much stability and consistency/routine as possible. We know that many of our students rely on their established routines. From social stories to practice handling what is coming up that is out of their routine, to visual icons used in individual schedules and classroom schedules, we work to ensure that students have the support they need.
While our minds are focused on upcoming events, we are still actively interviewing and hiring for our final vacancies. Thank you for continuing to share the link to the Paraprofessional application until we are 100% staffed. Please share this link with any potential candidates and reach out to the Special Education Coordinator for your student’s school to share their name. We would be happy to speak with all interested candidates.
During this season of being thankful, the Parkway team would like to express our gratitude for having you all as our partners in this work. We are thankful for your support of the teams surrounding your students and the work that they do each and every day. On behalf of the Parkway Special Education Administrators, we wish you a very happy and healthy holiday season. As the next newsletter won’t be sent out until the first week of January, we wish everyone a wonderful break and a great start to 2023!
In collaboration,
Dr. Amy Blumenfeld
Director of Special Education
314-989-8435 / ablumenfeld@ssdmo.org
314-415-5297 / ablumenfeld2@parkwayschools.net
Student Awards
Scholarship Opportunities for SSD High School Seniors
High school seniors who receive SSD services and plan to enroll in a college, university or postsecondary program after graduation should review the following scholarship opportunities. Applications for The James E. Westbury/SSD Board of Education Scholarship, The Allison M. Haake Memorial Scholarship, and The Bonhomme Lions Club Scholarship are due Dec. 16, 2022. All scholarships require a letter of recommendation - don’t wait to begin! Visit ssdmo.org/scholarships for more information.
Additionally, the Special Education Foundation (SEF) sponsors the John Cary Scholarships for high school seniors. Applications are due Jan. 24, 2023.
Staff Awards
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, which are 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:
● Key to the Classroom Awards (for classroom teachers)
● Building Block Awards (for paraprofessionals)
● Lasting Impression Awards (for support/operations staff)
● Special Ambassador Awards (for community members or organizations)
● Distinguished Leader Awards (for administrators)
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!
Staff Highlights
This month, we’re highlighting the very spirited Parkway South High School Special Education Dept. They sure enjoyed the dress up days this Fall!!
In addition, the Administrative Teams at Highcroft Ridge & Ross Elementary Schools got into the Fall spirit! Dr. Marty joined in the fun at Ross at their Fall Festival!
KELLY SERVICES
During the 21-22 school year, SSD partnered with Kelly Education Services for our substitute provider across St. Louis County. Kelly Education Services is actively looking to build their substitute base, and we in Parkway would appreciate any support in building up Kelly Service’s employee base. Please see the attached flyer for information about the process for receiving a substitute certification.
FACE
The Recreation Council would like its readers to know that our new fiscal year 2023 began on October 1, 2022 and runs through September 30, 2023. What does this mean for you? It means we are accepting new voucher applications for our various vouchers including, CARE (Community Access Recreation Experiences) & Recreation Supports, After-School/Extended Day, Overnight Camp (both mini-camp and week-long camps after January 15th), and Experiential/Adventure vouchers. **Please take a moment to access the Recreation Council Winter Newsletter to learn about all of the upcoming opportunities.
Assistive Technology Workshop
Join FACE for a workshop all about assistive technology. In this virtual session, participants will be introduced to Assistive Technology, by SSD Assistive Technology Specialist Kim White. Learn how to request an AT consultation and participate in demonstrations of universal tools available to all SSD students. Examples will be provided for low- and high-tech AT options that can be implemented in the home and school environments. Click here to register: Assistive Technology Workshop Registration
Sensory Friendly Options for your Family this Winter
St. Louis Zoo’s Sensory-Friendly Wild Lights Night
Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.: Nothing says St. Louis Christmas quite like Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo. Your family can stroll through the grounds surrounded by a million lights, including animated displays, fireside stories, campfire s’mores, photo opportunities, and more. This event is made sensory-friendly with trained staff on-hand and quiet areas to help your child decompress. Get more information and tickets at stlzoo.org.
Saint Charles Christmas Traditions on Historic Main Street – Sensory-friendly tours
The Historic Main Street of Saint Charles is a magical and fun place to visit during the Holiday season. With a new inclusion initiative, Saint Charles is now offering guided sensory-friendly tours. These guided tours are conducted twice daily by sensory specialists. Each 90-minute tour introduces guests to several Christmas Legends and ends with an opportunity to get your picture with Santa and a full deck of 2019 Saint Charles Christmas Traditions trading cards. Tours are Saturdays and Sundays during the holiday festival. For more information, including dates and times, visit discoverstcharles.com.
Sibshops at ARC
Wednesday, December 14 4:30 – 6:00 pm , Monthly on the second Wednesday
Location:
St. Louis Arc
1177 N Warson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63132, US
Ages: Siblings ages 7 – 15
Sibshops offer an opportunity for brothers and sisters of children with disabilities to get peer support and education within a recreational context. This free series includes a fun mix of information, games, activities, and discussion. Children between the ages of 7-15 years old who have a sibling with a disability are encouraged to participate.
For more information, contact Lee Anna Sanders at 314-817-2269.
ARCH Respite - ARCH Respite reimburses primary caregivers at a standard rate for short-term relief services they receive either in their own home, with the community, or in the home of a care provider.
ARCH Respite serves St. Louis County and St. Louis City to register, or learn more, contact ARCH@slarc.org or call 314-817-2236.
Lunch and 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.
Timely Updates
Affordable Connectivity Program: The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families or 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.
PACCD
We look forward to sharing dates for upcoming meetings in the coming newsletters. Looking to get involved with PACCD? Click this link and fill out the Google form to express your interest.
Let’s Talk is an easy way to submit feedback at your convenience directly to the SSD staff member who can help.
UPCOMING DATES
Dec 5: SSD Governing Council Meeting 7:00
Dec 13: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
Dec 14: Parkway Board of Education Meeting 7:00
Jan 10: SSD Board of Education Work Study Meeting 5:45
Jan 18 Parkway Board of Education Meeting 7:00
Jan 24: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
Feb 14: SSD Board of Education Work Study Meeting 5:45
Feb 15: Parkway Board of Education Meeting 7:00
Feb 28: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
Mar 6: SSD Governing Council Meeting 7:00
Mar 14: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
Mar 15: Parkway Board of Education Meeting 7:00
Apr 11: SSD Board of Education Work Study Meeting 5:45
Apr 19: Parkway Board of Education Meeting 6:30
Apr 25: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
May 9: SSD Board of Education Work Study Meeting 5:45
May 17: Parkway Board of Education Meeting 7:00
May 23: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
June 5: SSD Governing Council Meeting 7:00
June 13: SSD Board of Education Work Study Meeting 5:45
June 14: Parkway Board of Education Meeting 7:00
Jun 27: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
Special School District of St. Louis County
Email: ablumenfeld@ssdmo.org
Website: www.ssdmo.org
Location: 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314.989.8435
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSDStLCo
Twitter: @SSDDStLCo
Parkway School District
Website: https://www.parkwayschools.net/
Location: 455 North Woods Mill Road, Chesterfield, MO, USA
Phone: 314-415-8100