SSD Lindbergh Schools
November 2021 Community Engagement Newsletter
SSD Student Scholarship Deadline Approaching!
Many opportunities for scholarships and awards are now open for SSD students! SSD scholarship applications for graduating high school seniors are active and due Dec. 17, 2021. Students applying for The James E. Westbury/SSD Board of Education Scholarship, The Allison M. Haake Memorial Scholarship, or The Bonhomme Lions Club Scholarship must receive at least one service from SSD and plan to go to a college, university, or postsecondary program. All scholarships require a letter of recommendation. Visit ssdmo.org/scholarships for more information.
The Special Education Foundation (SEF) sponsors the John Cary Scholarships for high school seniors, as well. Applications are due Jan. 24, 2022.
For more information, please contact Deana Parsons, SSD internal communications coordinator, at dmparsons@ssdmo.org or 314.989.8102.
Changing Views on "Mis" Behaviors
The Collaborative for Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) is a resource educators use to help understand dysregulation in the emotional or behavioral states of our students. CASEL provides five elements of the social-emotional learning (SEL) framework. These five areas are the core social and emotional competencies. They include: self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills, social awareness, and responsible decision making. The goal of CASEL is to establish equitable learning environments and provide practices for classrooms, schools, families, and the community. Similarly, SSD works to help classroom teachers, school administrators, and families by sharing and implementing strategies and interventions. “These coordinated efforts should foster youth voice, agency, and engagement; establish supportive classroom and school climates and approaches to discipline; enhance adult SEL competence; and establish authentic family and community partnerships,” (CASEL.com).
An important aspect of Social Emotional Learning and leadership is to bring about a change in common beliefs about challenging behaviors. The table below shows a paradigm shift from viewing difficult behaviors as hopeless to understanding that those behaviors can be an opportunity to teach SEL skills. These skills, when taught with fidelity, help students to improve academic performance, improve classroom behaviors, and improve abilities to manage stress and depression. Social-emotional learning also has the potential to help children develop a more positive attitude about themselves and the world around them. Building your knowledge of behavior, compassion and empathy are great places for families to begin.
Coffee Cart!
Coffee cart is a weekly social communication activity for close to 15 students who receive speech or language services at Long Elementary. Our students wear uniforms and offer coffee, tea, and other treats to all staff members. While on our shifts, we practice life skills such as: turn-taking, greeting adults and peers, providing eye contact, giving appropriate volume and using correct articulation sounds. Students are developing their ability to maintain self control, improve perspective taking, maintain appropriate body orientation, and build their overall communication verbally, nonverbally, and with Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices. These Friday mornings have been great for community building and have given the Speech and Language Department the opportunity to show-off our amazing students. And all of this is possible because of our Innovation Grant from the Lindbergh Schools Foundation. Many thanks LSF!
Assistive Technology - For Families & Students
What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive technology refers to any product, device, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. In other words, assistive technology tools are needed for the student to make progress on IEP goals.
- Any tool or device that a student with a disability uses to do a task that he/she could not otherwise do without it
- Any tool the student uses to do a task more easily, faster, or in a better way.
- A no tech, low tech, or high tech item.
- May be a partner district device or tool
Assistive Technology services directly assist a team servicing a student with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an Assistive Technology device.
- Determining need
- Acquiring the tool
- Customizing /adapting/maintaining devices
- Coordinating use
- Training and technical support
Computer Access provides supports for the curriculum.
- Academics
- Alternate access devices, apps, software, extensions
- For more information and even parent tutorials visit the Assistive Technology page on the Special School District website https://www.ssdmo.org/page/666
- Contact the SSD-Lindbergh assistive technology specialist Kim White directly for guidance at 314-989-8331
Augmentative Communication provides supports for communication.
- No, low, mid and high tech
- Supplemental/augmentative supports for verbal/nonverbal students
- For more information, Visit the Augmentative Communication Department page
Financial Literacy for Students with Special Needs
Financial literacy is a complex behavior that is the cornerstone of independent living. For many students, the general math curriculum provides them with a foundation for understanding personal finance. However, for some students with disabilities the general education curriculum is not enough. For those students we provide supplemental and replacement curriculum, Community Based Instruction (CBI) and school based jobs that require them to practice money management skills.
If you want to reinforce this kind of financial literacy and money management at home, the links below will take you to activities designed to support more learning for kids with special needs.
Vault Understanding Money Game
Ms. Nussbaum's Online Money Game
Family Feedback Survey Results
Approximately 33% of our Lindbergh families who have one student or more with an IEP submitted feedback.
While we are still examining the survey data to determine what the immediate and long-range focus areas and action steps will be, the initial data review indicates:
* communication gaps
* a desire for useful information to support learning at home
* a desire for partnership with businesses and organizations to support families and
* a desire for help with connecting to community resources
You'll notice beginning in the December newsletter, SSD-Lindbergh Instructional Coach Diana Weber will feature monthly tips and strategies to support learning outside of the classroom.
We are beginning to plan a Winter Resource Fair to connect families to organizations that provide community support. If you know of any business or organization you'd like included in the Fair, or areas you're hoping we will include for support, just contact me. Even better, if you'd like to join L-PAC in the planning process by Zoom on Thursday, November 12 @ 11:45, send an email and you'll be included on our Zoom invitation: jmdoyle@ssdmo.org
If you've heard from anyone who isn't receiving this newsletter or surveys such as Family Feedback, let them know if they provide their email to SSD-Lindbergh secretary, Tina Mallett @ 314-989-8477, their email address will be added. To date, we have cross-checked the SSD email addresses against those provided to us by Lindbergh to improve distribution.
Watch for more details on the survey results and action steps coming in our December newsletter.
Community Connections
Do you have an interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder? Have you ever heard Temple Grandin speak? Ms. Grandin is an author, speaker, and adult with Autism. She is an amazing warrior on the frontlines of disability awareness. Join Easter Seals for this virtual conference.
https://www.easterseals.com/midwest/get-involved/events/autism-conference-series-virtual.html
Santa is coming! Join him for milk and cookies.
https://www.easterseals.com/midwest/get-involved/events/2021-milk-and-cookies-with-santa.html
Did you know the Enterprise Center and Stifel Theatre have both been certified as sensory inclusive? Each has trained staff to accommodate guests with sensory needs. They also offer sensory bags with headphones, fidgets, non-verbal communication tools, and weighted lap pads. So go enjoy a Blues game, play, or concert and take steps with Enterprise and Stifel to include your loved ones to mitigate those sensory overload concerns.
http://enterprise.centerstlouis.org/?msclkid=6e20c4b6c6b217e0e03ea5ce920635c6
http://stifel.house-stlouis.org/?msclkid=4b06c50077d8112ef8dca478220487ff
If your child has suffered trauma or has social anxiety issues, Complete Harmony offers trauma-informed yoga in a safe space to help decrease the effects of stress, any kind of anxiety, and depression caused by the trauma.
http://www.completeharmonystl.com/
Social Anxiety is a common problem among today’s children. Covid, quarantine, and social distancing has not helped. Here is a great resource for helping your child cope with social anxiety. Counseling resources are also available if you’re seeking outside help.
https://www.compassionatecounselingstl.com/blog/how-can-i-help-my-child-with-social-anxiety
Parent Advocacy
One of the best ways you can advocate for your child’s needs is to learn all you can about their disability. This month, we are featuring resources for students with Down Syndrome.
Learn how to inform your government agencies about the needs of your child.
https://www.ndsccenter.org/political-advocacy/national-down-syndrome-advocacy-coalition/
Great explanation
https://www.kidshealth.org/en/parents/down-syndrome.html#
Human Rights Group
And gain the perspective of Megan Bomgaars, cheerleader, model, spokesperson, and a woman with Down Syndrome:
Lunch & Learn with SSD
Special School District’s Family and Community Outreach, Social Work, Communications, and Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA) departments have teamed up 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 take place on the first Wednesday of each month during the 2021-22 school year, from 11:30 AM - Noon.
Representatives from nine community organizations will participate in order to increase awareness about their agency and make connections with those in our SSD community who may benefit from their programs and services.
We hope to "virtually" see you there!
Organizations represented in the Lunch & Learn series include:
- Behavioral Health Response – Dec. 1
- Easterseals Midwest – Jan. 5
- The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis – Feb. 2
- Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK) – March 2
- St. Louis ARC – April 6
- St. Louis County Library – May 4
PEDA Offers More for Parents
PEDA has several workshops scheduled for November. These include:
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders Two Part Series
Session 2 | November 15, 6:30 PM
Identify and understand the characteristics of autism spectrum disorders and learn effective and practical strategies that will support your child’s success at home and school. The second session will focus on strategies. Both sessions will have time for discussion and questions.
Presenter: John Bruno, Ph.D., SSD Autism Effective Practice Specialist
Zoom Meeting Information
https://ssdmo-org.zoom.us/j/98286346135?pwd=VVJSTFl6ZHBVeng2dkJMTUVNYWQzZz09
Meeting ID: 982 8634 6135
Passcode: 103277
Introduction to Charting the LifeCourse (in Collaboration with St. Louis ARC)
November 18, 2021, 6:30 PM
Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) is a set of eight principles developed to support people with IDD and their families so they can have their best lives. In this workshop, we will learn about the CtLC principles and work together to create planning and problem-solving tools. Participants will also receive updates about LifeCourse Connect Missouri, which is a new online platform that can be used by individuals and family members to access tools. This workshop is for everyone but especially self-advocates, families, and support staff.
Presenters: Sharon Spurlock, Director of Family Support, St. Louis Arc and Debra Fiasco, Administrator, Parent Education and Diversity Awareness, Special School District
Zoom Webinar Registration:
https://slarc.zoom.us/webinar/register/2516310324235/WN_baEHWPyjRquQSLVXDcfmLw
PEDA is happy to announce that we are taking applications for our Spring Parent Leadership Institute (PLI). PLI will occur over 4 evenings in February and March. You can learn more and download the application here: Parent Leadership Institute
Finally, PEDA would love your feedback! Please complete the PEDA Communications survey here: PEDA Survey