SSD Ritenour Dispatch
March 2022
The Family Resource Hub
For more information visit the The Family Resource Hub.
The Family Resource Hub Satellite Food Pantry is located at North Tech High School which supports families with access to non-perishable food items and household supplies.
THE SUMMER RESOURCE PACKET IS HERE!
Get tips and tricks to make this your child’s best summer yet by checking out the PEDA 2022 Summer Resource Packet. You can also access the most recent Summer Resource Fair on YouTube.
Virtual Workshop: Meeting your child’s needs using Charting the LifeCourse Tools in the IEP process
When: Tue, March 15, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Description: Your child’s school Individual Education Plan (IEP) can be intimidating and overwhelming at times. Find out how to utilize LifeCourse Tools to help prepare and communicate effectively with your child’s IEP team to determine the most successful goals and interventions to help your child reach their potential.
To register for this workshop, click here: https://SSDPEDA.as.me/CTLCwithSTLARC
Free At-Home COVID-19 Test
Residential Households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 FREE at-home tests from usps.com. To order the free tests visit covidtests.gov.
SSD Awards Judges Needed
We are excited to begin reviewing nominations for the 2021-22 STAFF & COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARDS - Key to the Classroom, Lasting Impression, Building Block and Special Ambassador Awards. We hope you will consider playing a role in selecting the winners. People who have gone the extra mile deserve some thanks for their efforts. Often, they can be inspiring and motivating to others. YOUR PERSPECTIVE IS VALUABLE to the judging process and can help us choose the best candidates for each award.
Click here to SIGN UP AS A JUDGE for one or more award categories (please)
All reading and scoring will be conducted online via Google. Judges may sign up to score as many awards as they desire to score. Scores will need to be returned by March 14. Winners will be celebrated at the annual Salute to SSD event this spring. More information will be available soon regarding the date/location of this event (and whether it will be in-person or virtual).
If you already signed up – THANK YOU! We appreciate your support of the 2022 SSD awards process!Lunch and Learn Series
Special School District’s Family and Community Outreach, Social Work, Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA) and Communications 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 each agency and make connections with those who may benefit from their programs and services throughout the SSD community.
Organizations represented in the Lunch & Learn series include:
- St. Louis ARC – April 6
- St. Louis County Library – May 4
SSD Parent Advisory Council
The SSD Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is comprised of families advising and collaborating to improve the education, confidence and social outcomes of each student served by SSD. The PAC consists of five parents or guardians – one member and four alternates – from each of the 22 St. Louis County school districts and from each of the five SSD special education schools. The parents or guardians of students receiving special education services in that district or school elect SSD PAC members.
Get Involved with the SSD PAC:
Network and communicate with other parents of children who receive special education services
Become as informed as possible about special education services
Improve communication between your local school district and SSD
Create a positive understanding and awareness of students with disabilities
Establish a network of advocacy for local, state and national disability issues
Complete this online form to learn more about getting involved with the SSD Parent Advisory Council.
Meeting Dates
The SSD Parent Advisory Council has scheduled the following meetings for the 2021-2022 school year. All meetings are held virtually via Zoom, from 7-9 PM. Additional information about meetings, including agendas, can be found on the PAC's website.
- March 9, 2022
- April 13, 2022
- May 11, 2022 (this meeting will be held virtually and in-person)
Please contact the Superintendent's Office at 314.989.8419 or 314.989.8281 by noon on the Wednesday before the meeting and an American Sign Language interpreter will be provided.
For more information about the SSD PAC or who represents your district, e-mail pac@ssdmo.org.
SSD PAC New/Renewal of Membership Election
Hello, SSD PAC members and potential members! We are approaching that time of year when we prepare to hold elections and renew membership.
The election of new/renewal of SSD PAC members shall take place no later than May 31st. We will hold the election at the April 13th General Meeting.
Elections are rotated each year. The following districts will hold elections in even numbered years: Affton, Bayless, Brentwood, Clayton, Ferguson-Florissant, Hancock Place, Ladue, Mehlville, Normandy, Rockwood, University City and Valley Park.
Please reach out to us at pac@ssdmo.org with any questions.
Love and Light,
Dr. Camesha Carter, SSD PAC President
Parent Leadership Institute will be held via ZOOM
If you have always wanted to participate but life made it too hard to get away from home, NOW IS THE TIME TO ENROLL!!!
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 you to 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.
The Institute will be held on Wednesdays from 6:00 pm-8:00 p.m. on March 9 and 16, via zoom.
Learn more about this opportunity or download the application at: Parent Leadership Institute
Virtual Workshop: Meeting your child's needs using Charting the LifeCourse Tools in the IEP process
When: Tue, March 15, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Description: Your child’s school Individual Education Plan (IEP) can be intimidating and overwhelming at times. Find out how to utilize LifeCourse Tools to help prepare and communicate effectively with your child’s IEP team to determine the most successful goals and interventions to help your child reach their potential.
To register for this workshop, click here: https://SSDPEDA.as.me/CTLCwithSTLARC
PEDA would love your feedback!
Mental Health First Aid Training for SSD Families
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, and others to help adolescents experiencing mental health and/or addictions challenge or crisis. It is designed for adults who regularly interact with young people.
The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. The course will be held on Friday, March 18, from 11 AM-3:30 PM. Due to a grant from Missouri's Department of Mental Health, you have the opportunity to attend at no cost.
For SSD Staff interested in the Youth Mental Health First Aid training, please use this link to register in kickup.
Upcoming Dates
March 14
Grades 9 - 12 Evening Conferences
March 15
PreK - 8 Evening Conferences
March 16
PreK - 12 Evening Conferences
High School Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 17
End of Third Quarter
March 18
PreK - 12 AM Conferences/Teachers off PM
NO SCHOOL PreK - 12
March 21 - 25
Spring Break NO SCHOOL PreK - 12
Special School District of St. Louis County
Angi Fouste, SSD Director of Special Education
Email: aafouste@ssdmo.org
Website: www.ssdmo.org
Location: 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314.989.8100
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSDStLCo
Twitter: @SSDStLCo
Ritenour School District
Leslie Mueller, Special Education Coordinator - Kratz, Marvin & Wyland
Emya Williams, Special Education Coordinator - Iveland, Marion & Buder
Gloria Perry, Special Education Coordinator - Hoech & Ritenour Middle
Nathan Dwyer, Special Education Coordinator - Ritenour High
Website: https://www.ritenour.k12.mo.us/
Location: 2420 Woodson Road, Overland, MO, USA
Phone: 314-493-6010