Early Childhood Special Education

February

The mission of the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Department is to build independence in all preschool students to enable them to reach their full potential in preparation for kindergarten.

Big picture

You’re Invited to Complete the SSD Family-School Relationships Survey

Special School District is committed to creating safe and welcoming learning environments so that our students can shape successful futures. To assist us in these efforts, each year we ask parents to share their thoughts and feedback about the safety, communication, and learning supports that exist in our schools. Please take a few moments to complete the anonymous SSD Family-School Relationship Survey. The survey is open from Jan. 16 – Feb. 10. Your valuable feedback is greatly appreciated!


If any dual/multi-language family would like a paper survey instead of the online version, please reach out to Stacy M. Sturdivant @ smsturdivant@ssdmo.org. Paper copies can be printed in Arabic, French, Haitian Creole, China – Simplified, China – Traditional, Khmer, Korean, Pashto, Portuguese, Russian, Samoan, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tongan, Vietnamese. NOTE: Online survey participants also have the ability to select the language for the survey.

Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Meeting

SSD has it's own PAC and if you would like to join them just log on here. Meetings are held via zoom from 7-9 pm.
  • Feb. 8, 2023
  • April 12, 2023
  • May 10, 2023

SSD PAC Meeting LINK


Meeting ID: 955 4237 2430

Passcode: 795650


Complete this online form to learn more about getting involved with the SSD Parent Advisory Council.

Special Education Foundation (SEF) Accepting Applications for Kid to Camp Program:

The Special Education Foundation is now accepting applications to assist children with disabilities served by SSD to attend one or more camps this summer. Each year, the SEF provides tuition assistance to enable students served by SSD to attend summer camps. Sometimes children with disabilities cannot join their peers in a summer camp experience due to financial constraints or other hardships. SEF steps in to help young people and their families take advantage of these experiences that can sometimes be life-changing. Parents and caregivers can have peace of mind knowing that their child is in a safe and healthy place. Apply here.

CONTACT US:

face@ssdmo.org

314-989-8460

ONLINE:

www.ssdmo.org/face

CLICK HERE to see the FACE Newsletter

FACE Hub Huddles at North Tech High School

A representative from CAASTLC (County Action Agency St. Louis County) will be there on February 10th from 9am to 4pm. CAASTLC can provide support for utilities and weatherization along with food resource support. The HEC (Higher Education Consortium) provides support to individuals 16 and up in the area of higher education or career support. A representative from HEC will be at the Hub in North Tech on February 21st from 11-12pm.

Big picture

Lunch and Learn Series 2022-2023

Wednesday, Feb. 22nd, 11:30am-1:30pm

This is an online event.

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:

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 times.

Big picture

FACE Family Cafe!

Cafes are hosted by families for families. They provide parents and caregivers with a safe and welcoming space to connect and learn from each other. They are centered on the Strengthening Families Protective Factors: Resilience, Relationships, Knowledge, Support, and Communication. Our next cafe will be held on February 23rd at North Tech High School from 6-8pm. Register here.

Big picture

"Why is my Child Misbehaving?"

Monday, Feb. 27th, 11pm to Tuesday, Feb. 28th, 12pm

This is an online event.

This workshop is geared toward children 3 to 6 years old but may be helpful for children up to 8 years old. Register here.

Student Leadership Opportunities:

Please check out these unique and FREE leadership opportunities for high school students with disabilities, ages 16 - 21.

Review for any siblings or family friends with older students who may be interested.
Big picture

Celebrate Black History Month at St. Louis County Library

Click here for more information.


Events include:

    • A Keynote address from Carlotta Walls LaNier, a member of the Little Rock Nine on Friday, February 17th at 7PM at the Ethical Society of St. Louis ( 9001 Clayton Rd., St. Louis, MO 63117)
    • The Black Rep Presents “Turn Up” - Lewis and Clark Branch on Saturday, February 4th at 2 PM.
    • Visit the slcl.org website to learn additional ways to celebrate; opportunities are available throughout St. Louis County and include the Black History Magic Show, Africa Alive drumming circles, Story Quilts, and African dance.
Big picture

Music Heals - Jazz St. Louis

Friday, Feb. 10th, 9:30am

11365 Dorsett Road

Maryland Heights, MO

In partnership with the Washington University Neurofibromatosis Center, Jazz St. Louis developed Beat NF, now Music Heals, to provide a unique, exciting, and FREE music therapy option for young children with NF1. Starting in 2022, Music Heals is expanding to now reach children with a wide range of developmental delays. Music Heals uses the sights, sounds, rhythm, and teamwork of jazz to improve social interaction, attention, and motor skills in these young children. Fridays February 10th -March 10th.
Get Directions
ECSE Family Channel

Click here to see useful evidence based strategies on a variety of parenting topics for use in your home: Rules * Toilet Training * Schedules * Avoid Power Struggles & MORE. Compiled by the ECSE Student Support Facilitators.

Resources:

  • Special School District Website; Here is the Special School District Website. Please explore to learn further.
  • Superintendent Insider; A Few words from Dr. Keenan.
  • Family and Community Engagement: The mission of the FACE department is to partner with students, families, and staff to support students' specialized academic, social, and emotional needs to promote self-determination, equitable opportunities, and authentic inclusion.
  • Parent Advisory Council of Special School District ; Please visit this site to learn details about the Parent Advisory Council (PAC)

The ECSE Administrative Team

Stacy M. Sturdivant

Director of Early Childhood Special Education

(314) 989-8411


Margaret Dyer

Special Education Coordinator

Ladue & Ritenour

(314) 989-8374


Karin Fleming

Special Education Coordinator

Affton, Bayless, Hancock, South County Head Start, &Webster

(314)-989-8546


Geannie Floyd

Special Education Coordinator

Brentwood, Lindbergh & Valley Park

(314)989-8376


Cheryl Hermann

Special Education Coordinator

ECSE Deaf/Hard of Hearing, & Audiology

(314)-989-8274


Liz Kenner

Special Education Coordinator

Evaluation Teams & Parkway Step Program

(314) 989-7831 or (314) 415-4980


Jen Roper

Special Education Coordinator

Parkway ECC, Parkway North Preschool, & Satellite Sites

(314) 415-4983


Kathleen Vierod

Special Education Coordinator

Maplewood-Richmond Heights, Jennings, Normandy, & Riverview Gardens

(314) 989-8213