SSD/Valley Park Monthly Dispatch
November 2022
Staff Spotlight
Each month, I will continue to feature some of our amazing SSD VP Staff Members!
For November, I would like to celebrate two wonderful teachers - Jill Karagiannis and Mary Turner.
I enjoy randomly selecting staff from our team AND it is even more fun when the 2 staff have similarities. BOTH Jill and Mary are masters in teaching our students skills specific to literacy (just one of their many skills). AND BOTH are amazing at understanding technology for instruction and embedding into lesson design for student use and engagement.
Below are some highlights in their own words ~
Jill Karagiannis
Education/Professional Background/roles:
I have my BA in Special Education from University of Evansville, my M.Ed. in Learning and Curriculum from Mizzou.
Life outside of work:
I will be married 30 years next month. I have 3 kids and 2 dogs.
(Ms. K also loves to travel and is a wonderful baker!)
Favorite part of being a SSD team member in Valley Park ~
I love being part of the SSD team here at Valley Park because this team can accomplish anything! Everyone is positive and supportive, and they care immensely about our students.
Mary Turner
Education/Professional Background/roles:
- I received my BS in elementary education with an emphasis in special education K-12 from Missouri Western State University in 2011. This will be my 10th year teaching and 12th year in education. I just graduated in May with my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Southwest Baptist University.
- I worked for 2 years as a TA at Valley Park, in our functional room, then went on to teach for 4 years in the Lindbergh School district as a special education teacher in a cross categorical classroom, and finally came back to Valley Park as a Special Education teacher in a resource setting.
- I serve as the data leader at the elementary level, and occasionally help with tech issues on the team (ha!).
Life outside of work:
- I was born and raised in Valley Park, as well as graduated from the school district in 2004. I continue to live here with my husband and two children, who also attend VPSD. Our son, Garrett is in 2nd grade, and Kate just started Kindergarten. We have one dog, Riggs, who drives us all crazy, but we do love dearly. We love to spend as much time outdoors, camping, and floating whenever we can.
Favorite part of being a SSD team member in Valley Park ~
- My favorite part of being an SSD team member in Valley Park is being able to maintain relationships with students after they leave your classroom. I can have high school students come in and mentor students in my room. This allows me to build relationships with other teachers I wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to, as well as keep a connection with a student that is no longer in elementary.
Wellness Corner - Tips and Strategies to Take Control of the Holiday Season
Acknowledge your holiday expectations:
- Start by recognizing your own emotions related to the holidays. There is a large spectrum when it comes to emotions about the holidays. The holidays are not always “happy and exciting” for everyone. If this is you, that is okay. Acknowledge these true feelings and begin to decide what plans will best align with your hopes and preferences for managing your holiday
Be realistic:
- Planning can be a tricky task. Acceptance is a great tool to use when there are differences of opinions. Rituals, traditions, and guest lists may look different than years past or different than those around you. Accepting this can alleviate the distress associated with unrealistic expectations.
Protect your time and budget:
- Plan ahead to determine what you CAN do and still have time for YOU. Remember that it is okay to say no to activities and events. Don’t stretch yourself financially. Consider a gift exchange or donating as a family to support a charity or volunteer for a local organization.
Stick to healthy routines and habits:
- It can be easy to compromise your typical routines as a result of extra commitments. However, sticking to your healthy routines such as sleep , exercise, and nutrition, can protect your mental and emotional health.
- Be mindful of your time spent on social media around the Holidays. The image of holidays on Social media can distort and impact our own expectations.
Take a breather:
- Rember, it is okay to reach out for support if you are struggling with feelings related to the holidays , family, or feeling isolated/lonely. You could access support through group
- affiliations , social support, or professional support.
Resources for additional support:
Family & Community Engagement (FACE)
Join us for SSD’s very first Family Academy on November 5th from 9am to noon at Northview High School located on Derhake Rd in Florissant. Family Academy is an opportunity for SSD families to learn and utilize resources and strategies to improve student outcomes. The Family Academy will offer networking with community agencies and other families. There will be music, light refreshments, fun learning opportunities, and learning resources to support your student in the home.
https://SSDFACE.as.me/FamAcad22
Please join FACE on at the Family Resource Hub, located Nov 11, 2022 in North Tech High
School, from 9am to 4pm. CAASTL (Community Action Agency of St. Louis County) will be
available on that date to provide additional support and access to resources that promote
healthy families and a thriving community. Families can learn about case management, utilityassistance, rental assistance, financial education, weatherization, and program developmentand education activities. A CAASTLC representative will be available to answer questions andassist with applications.
The Higher Education Consortium (HEC) will be at the Family Resource Hub, located in NorthTech High School, from 11am to Noon on Nov 15, 2022 . The HEC can provide families with information to increase their knowledge about education, career, and workforce planning or transitioning. High school students and anyone over the age of 19 are eligible to receive services from HEC.
Family and Community Engagement (FACE) will be hosting a Family Cafe on November 17,
2022 from 6-8pm at the Family Resource Hub, located in North Tech High School. Cafes are
hosted by families for families. They provide parents and caregivers a safe and welcoming
space to connect and learn from each other. They are centered on the Strengthening Families Five Protective Factors:RESILIENCE, RELATIONSHIPS, KNOWLEDGE, SUPPORT and
COMMUNICATION.
Important to note: November is Family Engagement Month please stay tuned to our district website and social media accounts for ways to engage families.
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.
FACE (Family and Community Engagement) 3 Part Series: Introduction to Charting the LifeCourse Framework will be held on Tuesdays, October 4th, 11th, and 18th from 11:30-12:00pm. In these 30-minute virtual sessions, families will receive an overview of Charting the LifeCourse, gather insight on the history of the framework, and learn how it can provide a systematic way to plan for the future. The second and third sessions will focus on the Trajectory tool and Integrated Supports Star planning tool and how to successfully use them. RSVP for Introduction to Charting the LifeCourse.
Parent Cafe: A Parent Café will be held on October 27th from 6-8 at North Technical High School. Cafes are hosted by families for families. They provide parents and caregivers a safe and welcoming space to connect and learn from each other. They are centered on the Strengthening Families Five Protective Factors: Resilience, Relationships, Knowledge, Support and Communication. RSVP for Family Cafes
Community Action Agency of St. Louis County: Join FACE as they welcome CAASTLC to the Family Resource Hub located in North Technical High School on Friday, October 14th from 9am-4pm. Families can learn about case management, utility assistance, rental assistance, financial education, weatherization, program development and education activities. A CAASTLC representative will be available to answer questions and assist with applications. To learn more about Hub Huddles please call 314-989-8034.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and 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.
Connect with the SSD Board of Education
The SSD Board of Education strives for transparency, accountability, and accessibility. We welcome family, staff, and community members to share comments, concerns, and ideas with SSD Board of Education members. To find the Board member representing your subdistrict, visit the Board of Education page on the SSD website.
Valley Park Visitor Management System
Valley Park School District welcomes parents and other community members into our schools for special events, meetings, tours, and other occasions. However, keeping our students and staff safe while at school is something we take very seriously. To increase security at all our school buildings, we have started using the Hall Pass Visitor Management System to track visitors. The system is simple and easy to use. The only thing you need is a government-issued ID. For more information, click here.
Social-Emotional Learning Resources
SSD has compiled a list of book and web resources for families surrounding social-emotional learning and trauma-informed practices. Families can play a dual role in raising self-aware, respectful students who know how to manage their emotions, make responsible decisions, and resolve conflicts non-violently.
View the resources on the District website: https://buff.ly/34SmPBm
SSD Parent Leadership Institute (PLI)
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
VP Upcoming Events
To access key school information, please go to the following sites:
Valley Park Elementary School: https://www.vp.k12.mo.us/Domain/8
Valley Park Middle School: https://www.vp.k12.mo.us/Domain/9
Valley Park High School: https://www.vp.k12.mo.us/Domain/10
Valley Park Early Childhood Center: https://www.vp.k12.mo.us/domain/364
Message to Families - from Valley Park
One Community. One Campus. Limitless Learning.
The Valley Park School District is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment of belonging where personalized learning experiences prepare our students holistically for limitless opportunities, empowering them to make the world a better place.
Please keep up to date with Dr. Dilg's communications in regards to our Return to Learn Plan:
Contact Us
Special School District of St. Louis County
12110 Clayton Road
Town & Country, MO 63131
Phone: 314‐989‐8100
Julie Schroeder
- Director
- jmschroeder@ssdmo.org
Dana Evans
- School Social Worker
- devans@ssdmo.org
Dani Rock
- School Psychologist
- dcrock@ssdmo.org
Website: https://www.vp.k12.mo.us/Page/1
Location: One Main St, Valley Park, MO 63088
Phone: (636) 923-3500