SSD Warriors' Monthly Updates
June 2022
SSD Warriors' Mission Statement:
SSD Warriors' Mission Statement: Through implementing inclusive practices, rigorous instruction, and the principles of community engagement, Special School District Staff in partnership with Jennings School District will provide high quality, specialized programming and supports designed for all students to become productive, responsible, ethical, creative and compassionate members of society.
We Need You!!!!!
Individuals interested in becoming a substitute teacher can register now for DESE’s 20-hour online substitute teacher training conducted by Frontline Education. Click here for more details and to access the training program.
Reminders:
The cost for the training program is $180.
After completing the training, you will submit your completed application and background check information.
The option is still available to get a substitute teacher certificate if you have 60 college credit hours (you would not have to take this training too).
Thanks in advance for your consideration.
From the 2021-2022 Director's Desk
Dear SSD Warriors:
After over 25 years in education, my career is about to sunset. Effective June 30, 2022, I will retire from the Special School District of St. Louis County.
While I am excited about my impending retirement, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for embracing me as your Special Education Director. It has been an honor and privilege to work alongside you in support of the students and families of the Warrior community. Thank you for staying engaged despite the many challenges of COVID-19, being willing to support outside of your usual assignments when asked, and participating in various activities and programs across the district. You have been a great staff.
It is with great enthusiasm that I present to you Ms. Shinita Jones, your incoming SSD Director of Special education. As expressed in the article below, Ms. Jones is super excited to serve and support the Warriors community.
In partnership,
Tonya J. Nalls, Ph.D.
Shinita Jones, Named Jennings Partner District Director
May 26, 2022 - During the May 24, 2022 Board of Education meeting, Shinita Jones was approved as the new Jennings School District Partner District Director. Jones has been part of the District since July 2020, as an area coordinator for the Hazelwood School District. Dr. Tonya Nalls will be retiring at the end of the 2021-22 school year.
In her current position, Jones collaborates with partner district administrators, SSD staff, and families to ensure effective practices and strong linkages in the special education classrooms of Hazelwood School District. She assists in planning and providing in-service programs for families, staff, and partner district personnel.
Before joining SSD’s staff as an area coordinator, Jones spent six years at St. Louis Public schools as a special education process coordinator. In this role, she ensured provisions of appropriate special education and related services for students eligible for special education services, supervising 14 school-based sites. She has also served as a special education teacher in Lindbergh and Ferguson-Florissant school districts, as well as a homebound instructor.
Jones holds an educational specialist in educational leadership and a masters in special education from Webster University, a masters in rehabilitation counseling from Maryville University, and a bachelor's in biology and health sciences from Stephens College.
“I am looking forward to the partnership with Special School District of St. Louis County and Jennings School District, supporting and collaborating with students, families, and educational stakeholders, to ensure the success of students academically, socially, and emotionally,” said Jones. “As a leader and educational stakeholder, it is important that I hold myself and others accountable for providing students with the quality of education that we require for our children.”
Family & Community Engagement
The Family Resource Hub located at North Tech High School is a space dedicated to families and our community stakeholders. The resource hub offers families computer and internet access, a satellite food pantry, and support navigating community resources. The space is also dedicated to supporting families by hosting learning labs, community events, and a safe and supportive environment to learn with and from one another.
Please call 314-989-8311 or email FamilyEngagement@ssdmo.org for more information.
Additional Resources from The Family Resource Hub:
1. Medicaid Assistance - https://share.peachjar.com/flyers/2262700/schools/200202
2. Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day - https://share.peachjar.com/flyers/2262691/schools/200202
3. The Family Resource Hub Satellite Food Pantry and Community Resources-https://share.peachjar.com/flyers/2202726/schools/200202
JOIN US: The highly successful SSD Parent Leadership Institute which has had more than 280 participants since 2007 is once again being offered under a new name of Family Leadership Institute (FLI).
The Institute will be Wednesday evenings from 5:30-8:30 pm at SSD Central Office: October 12, 19, 26, and November 2.
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 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.
Apply today https://SSDPEDA.as.me/FALL2022FLI
Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA)
THE SUMMER RESOURCE PACKET IS HERE! Get tips and tricks to making this your child’s best summer yet.
To access The Summer Resource Packet, click here: PEDA 2022 Summer Resource Packet
To access the YouTube Video of our recent Summer Resource Fair, click here: https://youtu.be/VVeYDiL8ykM
Other helpful resources:
St. Louis Recreation Council www.recreationcouncil.org
Blueprint for Summer: https://blueprint4.com/stl/
St. Louis County Parks Activity Guide: https://bit.ly/3LHpRsp
Early Childhood Summer Resource Guide: https://adobe.ly/3vSuol1
PEDA would love your feedback! Please complete are PEDA Communications survey here: PEDA Survey
SSD Family Leadership Institute Applications Coming Soon!: Applications will be available soon for the Fall 2022 semester SSD Family Leadership Institute FLI (Formerly Parent Leadership Institute PLI).
The Institute which has over 275 graduates to date, was created for families in 2007 to offer information, training, and resources. Participants gain the knowledge and skills to effectively collaborate with other families, school personnel and develop leadership for SSD and their home districts.
Participants will:
Build understanding of future planning and problem-solving, utilizing Charting the LifeCourse tools;
Learn to effectively participate in their child’s education and improve the educational climate for all children;
Learn how to positively interact and collaborate with other families and school personnel; and
Discover new resources and network with other families.
FLI Graduates have:
Served on School boards
Been elected as Parent Advisory Council (PAC) President(s)
Actively participated in SSD and/or local school district PACs
And further increased their leadership training in policy development and mentorship.
Some Quotes from graduates.
Thank you so much for everything! I feel very lucky to have found this opportunity.
It was helpful to learn how Charting LifeCourse Tools could play a part in every step of the way.
The topics and presenters made the program engaging and informative.
Learned a lot about planning for my child’s future and the IEP process.
I'm really glad I signed up for this program. I had no idea what to expect and learned so much about the available tools and all the SSD processes we will be experiencing during his life.
The deep dive on the IEP history/process was incredibly helpful to give a framework on my ability to participate since my family is very new to the IEP process.
The IEP information was incredibly helpful. It was a bit like pulling back the curtain on something that was previously a complete mystery.
I am so thankful for this workshop and for the information, and materials you’ve shared w/ me. Thanks for facilitating the training so well. It’s great to have a safe space to talk openly with experts and other parents about education, IEPs, 504, Inclusion, challenges, etc. The choice of speaker, topics, resources and lending library was all great.
Amazing group of people. Chance for honest conversations. Helps me be a better advocate & team member.
Amazing experience – tons of knowledge shared. Lots of great connections with families. Better understanding of the IEP process. I feel empowered to do more – create positive change. Opened my eyes to some realities approaching transition to adulthood.
We received a lot of great information in this class! It has made me change the way I look at the whole process, and how I approach things with my daughter. I am so grateful that I was given this opportunity!
I am no longer feeling so alone & confused. Feel I can be a better advocate.
Attending this institute was an awesome opportunity. I turned out to be much more than I expected. It gave me a better understanding about the transition process & how I can best support my child through transition. It generated a lot of ideas for my child’s last IEP. I feel so much more equipped to navigate SSD=land, as well as help others navigate it too.
Amazing. Blessing. You’ve enabled me to think more positively and concretely about my son’s future. I have always said “there’s no outline for me to follow” – but you’ve given me the framework I desired, support & connections! Contact us at ssdpeda@ssdmo.org or call 314.989.8460 if you have any questions or concerns.
Special School District of St. Louis County
Email: tjnalls@ssdmo.org
Website: www.ssdmo.org
Location: 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314.989.8100
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSDStLCo
Twitter: @SSDDStLCo
Jennings School District
Website: https://www.jenningsk12.org/
Location: 2559 Dorwood Drive, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314-653-8000