Hazelwood SSD News & Updates
May 2022
SSD Hazelwood Leadership Team
Erin Brooke (coordinator for Jana, Lusher, McCurdy, and Walker) is retiring after 5 years in Hazelwood and an entire career with SSD. We wish her the best as she moves to this next phase of life.
Susan Jackson (coordinator for Hazelwood Central High) is also retiring after this school year. Dr. Jackson was only with SSD and Hazelwood for one year, but what a year it has been!
Shinita Jones (coordinator for Keeven, Twillman, and Southeast Middle School) has been promoted to SSD Director for the Jennings School District. Shinita leaves Hazelwood after 2 years as coordinator and numerous years in both SSD and St. Louis Public Schools. She'll be an awesome addition to the SSD team in Jennings.
SSD Celebrates All Staff During the Month of May
Click here to recognize a staff member!
Missouri Parents Act
Email: info@missouriparentsact.org
Website: http://www.missouriparentsact.org/
Location: 1530 S Main St, Joplin, MO 64804, USA
Phone: (800) 743-7634
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MOParentAct/
#SSDSnapshot
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SSDStLCo/
Parent Education & Diversity Awareness Program April News
Are you still thinking about what to do this summer?
The PEDA Summer Resource Packet can help!
PEDA 2022 Summer Resource Packet
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
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.
Contact us at ssdpeda@ssdmo.org or call 314.989.8460 if you have any questions or concerns.
Here are 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, 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 IEP process. I feel empowered to do more – create positive change. Opened my eyes to some realities approaching with transition to adulthood.
- We received a lot of great information in this class! I 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!
#SSDSnapshot
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SSDStLCo/
Free Meals at Florissant Valley Library Branch
The Florissant Valley Branch distributes meals Monday through Friday from 3:30pm to 4:30pm.
Click here for more information.
Hazelwood SSD Parent Advisory Council
The Hazelwood SSD Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is a cross-categorical group of parents of children receiving services from the Special School District. It is a volunteer organization made up of parents, SSD and Hazelwood administrators who are committed to identifying and building upon the strengths of all children in the Hazelwood School District. Hazelwood Parent Advisory Council provides a forum for parents to meet other parents and share information concerning their children and resources.
The Hazelwood SSD PAC will meet the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm during the school year.
If you would like to become involved in the Hazelwood SSD PAC or if you would like more information about Hazelwood SSD parent supports and resources, please complete the survey found here: Hazelwood Parent Involvement Survey
#SSDSnapshot
Let's Talk
Lunch & Learn Series
SSD will offer a virtual Lunch & Learn series for SSD families and stakeholders at 11:30am on the first Wednesday of each month. The series will involve community organizations sharing information about their work.
SSD Website
Questions?
If you have any questions feel free to contact us at any of the following:
Special School District of St. Louis County
12110 Clayton Road
Town & Country, MO 63131
Phone: 314-989-8100
Hazelwood School District
Director of Special Education for Hazelwood