SSD/U. City Monthly Newsletter
May 2022
Teacher Appreciation Week!
SSD Progress Reports
Extended School Year (ESY)
Thinking about what to do this summer?
The PEDA Summer Resource Packet can help!
PEDA 2022 Summer Resource Packet
Other helpful resources:
St. Louis Recreation Council www.recreationcouncil.org
Blueprint for Summer https://blueprint4.com/stl/
St. Louis County Parks Activity Guide https://bit.ly/3LHpRsp
Early Childhood Summer Resource Guide https://adobe.ly/3vSuol1
To access the YouTube Video of our recent Summer Resource Fair, click here: https://youtu.be/VVeYDiL8ykM
Fall 2022 SSD Family Leadership Institute
Coming soon!
Applications for the SSD Family Leadership Institute (formerly Parent Leadership Institute PLI) will be available for you to take part in this wonderful opportunity!
The Institute has over 275 graduates to date, was created for families in 2007 to offer information, training, and resources. Participants gain the knowledge and skills to effectively collaborate with other families, school personnel, and develop leadership for SSD and their home districts.
Participants will:
- Build understanding of future planning and problem-solving, utilizing Charting the LifeCourse tools;
- Learn to effectively participate in their child’s education and improve the educational climate for all children;
- Learn how to positively interact and collaborate with other families and school personnel; and
- Discover new resources and network with other families.
FLI Graduates have:
- Served on School boards
- Been elected as Parent Advisory Council (PAC) President(s)
- Actively participated in SSD and/or local school district PACs
- Further increased their leadership training in policy development and mentorship.
Contact us at ssdpeda@ssdmo.org or call 314.989.8460 if you have any questions or concerns.
Some Quotes from graduates.
- "Thank you so much for everything! I feel very lucky to have found this opportunity."
- I"t was helpful to learn how Charting LifeCourse Tools could play a part in every step of the way."
- "The topics and presenters made the program engaging and informative."
- "Learned a lot about planning for my child’s future and the IEP process."
- I"'m really glad I signed up for this program. I had no idea what to expect and learned so, so much about the available tools and all the SSD processes we will be experiencing during his life."
- "The deep dive on the IEP history/process was incredibly helpful to give a framework on my ability to participate since my family is very new to the IEP process."
- "I am so thankful for this workshop and for the information, and materials you’ve shared w/ me. Thanks for facilitating the training so well. It’s great to have a safe space to talk openly with experts and other parents about education, IEPs, 504, Inclusion, challenges, etc. The choice of speaker, topics, resources and lending library was all great."
- "Amazing experience – tons of knowledge shared. Lots of great connections with families. Better understanding of IEP process. I feel empowered to do more – create positive change. Opened my eyes to some realities approaching with transition to adulthood."
- "We received a lot of great information in this class! I has made me change the way I look at the whole process, and how I approach things with my daughter. I am so grateful that I was given this opportunity!"
- "Attending this institute was an awesome opportunity I turned out to be much more than I expected. It gave me a better understanding about the transition process & how I can best support my child through transition. It generated a lot of ideas for my child’s last IEP. I feel so much more equipped to navigate SSD-land, as well as help others navigate it too."
- "Amazing. Blessing. You’ve enabled me to think more positively and concretely about my son’s future. I have always said “there’s no outline for me to follow” – but you’ve given me the framework I desired, support & connections!"
PEDA would love your feedback!
Please complete are PEDA Communications survey here: PEDA Survey
Learn more on the PEDA website.
LaTrisa A. Morgan, M.A.
Administrator, Student Support Services
Special School District of St. Louis County
SSD Learning Center
900 Hornet Dr. Hazelwood, MO. 63042
Phone: 314-989-8438 l Fax: 314-989-8438
lamorgan@ssdmo.org l www.ssdmo.org
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Please visit our website - http://www.ssdmo.org/peda - for additional tools, resources and information for families!
THE FAMILY RESOURCE HUB
Family Resource Hub located at North Tech High School is a space dedicated to families and our community stakeholders. The resource hub offers families computer and internet access, a satellite food pantry, and support navigating community resources. The space is also dedicated to supporting families by hosting learning labs, community events, and a safe and supportive environment to learn with and from one another. For more information please contact 314-989-8311 or email FamilyEngagement@ssdmo.org
Learn more HERE:
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF UNIVERSITY CITY UPCOMING EVENTS
- May 12, BW Music Concert, 6:30 p.m., Brittany Woods Middle School
- May 13, BW Spring Dance Concert, 6:30 p.m., Brittany Woods Middle School. Admission: $5 at the door (5 and under free)
- May 14, UCHS Kinesis Spring Dance Concert, 7 p.m., University City High School. School Auditorium. Admission: $5 at the door (5 and under free)
- May 19, Board of Education Regular Meeting, 5:45 p.m., McNair Administration Building. Register at www.ucityschools.org/BOE051922
- May 23, UCHS Commencement/Graduation, 7 p.m., Chaifetz Arena
- May 25, UCHS Only: Early Release Day
- May 26, UCHS Only: Early Release Day/Last Day of School
- May 27, Early Release Day/Last Day of School for Early Childhood, Elementary & Middle Schools
PAC.ED: PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL OF CHILDREN WITH EDUCATIONAL DIVERSITY
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.
Learn more on the PAC website.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- SSD Superintendent Updates
- SSD Parent Advisory Council
- Parent Education & Diversity Awareness Program
- SSD-University City School District
Let’s Talk is an open invitation from Special School District to tell us what’s on your mind.
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
Artondria Bentley, Ed.D.
Special Educator Director
314-989-8241/314-290-4038
Stephani Hudson
Special Education Coordinator
314-989-8289
Special School District of St. Louis County
314-989-8100SSDMO.org