SSD Lindbergh Schools
October 2021 Community Engagement Newsletter
Making a School to Home Connection
http://ssdmo.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0obfLWqpZoISsfQ
All survey responses are anonymous. If you have more than one child who receives special education, you're welcome to complete the survey once for each child. The survey is open through October 18. Then our team will analyze the results and action plan around your feedback. We'll survey you again in May to see how we're doing.
We take our responsibility to ensure that all students are learning at high levels very seriously.
Your feedback will help us to improve the ways we do this by engaging and communicating with families.
If you have any questions about the survey, or anything else that you would like to discuss, feel free to email me: jmdoyle@ssdmo.org
School Tools For Home
A strategy used with many students with a disability is a visual schedule. We use these at school to help students have a sense of confidence, direction, choice, and most importantly, routine. You can help your child at home by using this strategy for their time after school and on weekends. Making schedules should include concrete routines with choice built in. An example might be during the homework part of a routine there could be a choice in what subject can be done first, what kind of writing utensil will be used, where the work will be done, and who will help with it.
Providing visual schedules for your child will not only give your child a sense of direction but might also give them a sense of belonging. They will see their place in the family unit and what an important part they have in the day to day make-up of life. Most importantly, a visual schedule and routines also have the potential to help eliminate negative behaviors. Predictability is key. Children are more likely to follow expectations when they have a visual plan, especially if they are a part of making it.
Does your child melt down when there's a change in routine? If you can plan for that change by representing it on the visual schedule and talking about it ahead of time, you might also be able to overt that behavior crisis.
Visual schedules don't have to be elaborate or fancy. It can be as simple as writing on a whiteboard or a piece of paper. More permanent schedules might include pictures of activities with Velcro or magnets so they can be moved around. Whichever choice you make, be sure it is something you can manage every day. Once a schedule system is put in place, continue using it at least until a new habit is formed.
Community Connections
Do you have a kiddo that loves science? Check out Mad Science for afterschool activities, camps, at-home experiments, and even birthday parties.
https://stlouis.madscience.org/
Maybe your son or daughter loves to sing, dance, or be on stage. The YMCA in Chesterfield has a theatrical arts program they would just love!
https://gwrymca.org/locations/chesterfield-family-ymca/chesterfield-academy-theatrical-arts#close
Are haircuts a struggle? Let Cooke Cutters offer an experience with movies, games, and even sensory tools.
https://saintlouis.kidsoutandabout.com/content/cookie-cutters-haircuts-kids-now-booking-appointments
AMC Theaters is making movies a fun activity for all kids.
https://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films
If your child has suffered trauma, Complete Harmony offers trauma-informed yoga in a safe space to help decrease the effects of stress, anxiety, and depression caused by the trauma.
Parent Advocacy
Did you know that SSD-Lindbergh has an effective practice specialist and transition facilitator specializing in transition? They can work with parents and teams to set up long term goals for kids as early as elementary school. Do you know what path you and your student hopes to take after they leave school? Sandy Kempf, our specialist, and Latosha King-Chambers, our facilitator, can help you and your child’s team identify the path. Ask your child’s case manager for more information.
Latosha King-Chambers lcking@ssdmo.org
Role of the Transition Facilitator:
- Attend IEP meetings, providing consultation to teams related to transition planning including linkages to adult agencies.
- Facilitate Future’s Plans.
- Promotes and establishes work-based learning opportunities with businesses and recruits businesses for the development of CBVI sites.
Sandy Kempf srkempf@ssdmo.org
Role of the Effective Practice Specialist Transition:
- Teams with SSD staff and administrators to implement effective practices, quality programming, and continuous improvement within the assigned area of responsibility.
- Works with staff to use data to plan, evaluate and revise instructional programs to meet student's needs.
- Attend IEP meetings as requested.
Move & Learn
Each year, teachers across Lindbergh write grants through the Lindbergh Schools Foundation. The Lindbergh Schools Foundation is an independent, 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Lindbergh Schools’ commitment to excellence in all facets of education.
Teachers can write proposals for any classroom items or ideas that support the growth of students and is backed by research.
This year, Truman Middle School-SSD teacher, Katie Woepke, was approved for a grant for a treadmill and some desk bike pedals. During NWEA testing, students sit for large chunks of time without movement breaks. Research suggests that our brains work best while our bodies are moving. During these district tests, the bikes have been put to good use! Students have enjoyed using them during the long block scheduling to get up and move as well.
Thank you, Ms. Woepke and the Lindbergh Schools Foundation, for providing the equipment to allow our students to "move and learn."
Preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Although most parent-teacher conferences only last 10 or 15 minutes, they can be useful in making a connection between school and the family. With a little preparation and planning, parents and teachers can make the most of this time. Below are some tips and resources that can help.
Before the Conference
Stay informed.
Talk with your child
Ask your child if there is anything you should talk to their teachers about.
Follow up with a series of open ended questions or use this survey as a guide to collect information from your child.
Look over school work (Lindbergh High School - access Canvas), emails and progress grades for strengths, weaknesses and areas of concern. If time allows, you could also reach out to teachers and ask them to complete this 2 minute survey ahead of time.
Bring an action plan.
Make a list of questions in order of importance. Using this short survey as a guide, you can identify your most pressing needs and or concerns.
Prioritize your concerns and steps you feel should be taken. If you have time or feel the need, you can use this resource to guide in the creation of an action plan.
At the Conference
Ask the most important questions first.
Assume positive intent
Generally, teachers will share "bad news" because they want to help the child do better and not to place blame on parent and child.
Figure out the next steps
Identify who will do what and when. Consider what the student's role is in any step.
After the Conference
Update your child
Let your child know what strengths were identified and what systems are going to be put in place to support challenge areas; have a conversation about what his/her responsibilities are for any action step
As time passes, follow up on action steps
Keep in touch with the teachers during the school year
You and the teachers both want the very best for your child. You can help your child by consistently working together as a team. This can be accomplished through email, virtual or in-person conferences during teacher office hours.
You're Not In This Alone....
PEDA has several workshops scheduled for October. These include:
WORKSHOP: Planning for the Future - Augmentative Communication Funding
Oct. 14, 2021
Starts at 12:30 PM
Description
Augmentative Communication facilitators from Special School District will discuss ways that families and students can pursue funding for augmentative communication devices. An additional discussion will include what the process is for families to purchase dedicated communication systems for their student when considering transition and post-secondary outcomes.
WORKSHOP: Why is my Child Misbehaving? (This is a workshop for families who have early childhood aged children)
Oct. 20, 2021
Starts at 12:30 PM
Description
This training will focus on early childhood specific positive parenting strategies to manage challenging behavior. Parents will leave with hands-on strategies that can be implemented in the home setting.
Along with workshops, PEDA also has a Family and Community Resource Center at the Hazelwood Learning Center that has books and resources available for check out. Families and community members are welcome to visit the center and/or contact PEDA with inquiries. In the Spring of 2022, PEDA will be hosting another Parent Leadership Institute and will begin taking applications soon. Please contact us at 314.989.8460 or ssdpeda@ssdmo.org if you have any questions and visit our website at www.ssdmo.org/PEDA
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:
- The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTL) – Oct. 6
- Operation Food Search – Nov. 3
- 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
Special School District of St. Louis County
Email: jmdoyle@ssdmo.org
Website: ssdmo.org
Phone: 314-989-8463