SSD Webster Groves Schools
August 2022 Community Engagement Newsletter
Greetings !
The new school year will be here before you know it. Begin talking with your student about returning to school and revisit the conversation throughout the summer. Here are a few tips from several resources to prepare your student.
Start a routine
Begin to reintroduce school preparation routines. Start sending your child to bed earlier and have your child wake up at the time he or she would get up for school. Ensure your child eats and completes a hygiene routine every morning and night at a proper time. Keep consistency and structure within the family unit regardless of the new school year's uncertainty. Sit down at mealtime as a family and talk about your child’s expectations, worries, and/or excitement for the new academic year.
Wake up your student’s brain
Encourage your child to read. Summer reading and learning exercises help children grow in their knowledge and critical thinking skills for the coming year.
Realize anxiety about returning to school is common
This school year will continue to demand that educators and families work together to support learning and provide important services. It is important to emphasize and model healthy behaviors at home and to talk to your child about preventative safety measures at school.
Do not forget traditional back-to-school concerns
With the continued concerns and preparation surrounding COVID safety, it’s easy to overlook kids’ traditional fears about starting a new school for the first time, moving up a grade, having new teachers, and/or social circles. Back-to-school season is traditionally a time of mixed emotions – sadness or anger that the summer is over, excitement to see friends and teachers after months away, and nervousness to perform well academically.
These emotions may be heightened during this time. Empathize your student’s anxiety but stay positive and reaffirm the new school year. Take your child with you to pick new school supplies to help get excited about the new school year.
It is difficult to gauge exactly what the classroom will look like when school starts. If you lay the groundwork now for a return to school, it will be much easier to keep a positive, flexible mindset.
See you on the first day of school, Monday, August 22, 2022!
BACK-TO-SCHOOL INFORMATION
Upcoming Dates to Remember
8/9 - 6th Grade Orientation @ Hixson from 8:30a.m.- 11:45a.m.
8/15/22-8/17/22- K-5 Jump Start Conferences @ all elementary schools
8/15/22- Meet the Teacher @Hudson Elementary at 8:00a.m.
8/17/22- Meet the Teacher @Clark Elementary at 8:00a.m.
8/17/22- Freshman and New Student Orientation @WGHS at 1:00p.m.
8/17/22- Open House @WGHS from 6:30-8:00p.m.
8/18/22- Open House @Hixson from 3:00-7:00p.m.
8/22/22- First Day of School
When is the first day for students?
Where can I find information about back-to-school activities?
The school websites will be available for communication-related to back-to-school events, activities, and opportunities to meet with teachers. Schools will also send communication directly to families.
When will I hear from my child's special education teacher?
Staff will report on Thursday, August 11, 2022, and communicate with families by Wednesday, August 17, 2022. The first week back will include professional development, opportunities to plan for the first day with students, and time to reach out to families. Staff will be checking emails upon their return.
If you have questions for a special education administrator, our contact information is listed below:
Stephanie Berry, SLP.D, CCC, Ed.S.
Special Education Coordinator
Givens Elementary School
Bristol Elementary School
Hudson Elementary School
Hixson Middle School
Joy Yowell, Ed.S.
Special Education Coordinator
Avery Elementary
Clark Elementary
Edgar Road Elementary
Webster Groves High School
Shantay Wakefield, Ed.D.
SSD Director of Special Education
Webster Groves School District (K-12)
Save the Date Sept. 10 for Family BBQ
The WGSD Family Barbecue, held at the beginning of the school year for several years, is back in 2022!
Mark your calendars now for this free, all-school event!
The barbecue will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sat. Sept. 10 at Ivory Crockett Park.
The WGSD Parent Advisory Council 2022-23
Dear WGSD Families:
As the school year begins and we focus on wrapping up the last days of summer, it is encouraging to consider all of the great possibilities for the 22-23 school year. The SSD Special Education Administrative team met and collaborated with Webster Groves School District PAC leaders JJ Gossrau and Rebecca O'Laughlin to identify family engagement initiatives, potential topics for upcoming PAC meetings, family and student-centered community activities, and ways to improve positive outcomes for our students.
We look forward to providing you with resources, support, and a collaborative relationship. A few of the ideas we are exploring include hosting a transition fair, meeting the Superintendents, introducing the SSD leadership team and specialists, a parent leadership reunion, several social activities, and a host of other ideas. We look forward to seeing you at the Back to School BBQ, as we will have a table available to share resources and a few giveaways. Look out for future information about PAC meetings, the first meeting is in September.
Thank you for your support of our students and schools.
Introducing our new Speech/Language Pathologist
It is with excitement that I want to share that Mikayla Kempf will be joining the special education team at Webster Groves High School as a Speech Language Pathologist. In her new role, Ms. Kempf will work closely with the teachers in the essential skills program and vocational skills classes to support students with communication and vocational skills needed for employment. Ms. Kempf earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Truman State University and her Masters of Art in Speech-Language and Hearing Services from St. Louis University. Ms. Kempf is passionate about helping students maximize their learning and communication skills in order for students to reach their post-secondary outcomes.
Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Information
Family Leadership Institute
The highly successful SSD Parent Leadership Institute that 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 5:30-8:30pm 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