SSD in Affton Monthly Dispatch

November 2022

A Note From Your SSD in Affton Administration Team

I can't believe it is already November! This year is flying by because we are having so much fun! I hope your conferences are going well and that you are seeing the progress at home that we are seeing at school. Please don't hesitate to reach out to your case manager or any of our other service providers if you have any questions at all about your students progress that were just sent home with report cards. Happy Thanksgiving!
SSD Staff Appreciation Form

SSD Staff Appreciation Form

Do you have a teacher or staff member who has gone above & beyond for you or your child - supporting them, encouraging them to do their best or being a listening ear when they need someone? Take a minute to write a note of thanks by sharing your appreciation with them. You may fill out this form as many times as you would like for different school personnel.


https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9Rj7SG7zJxh4Jxl1mhmY6M2HRJKRNxAX5vkYaO0pamObAoA/viewform?usp=sf_link

SSD Staff Appreciation Form

Get to Know Our Amazing Teachers!

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Google Meet Link for the November PAC Meeting

Our Topic for November is transitions. What happens after high school? We are also happy to answer questions about transitions in between buildings.

SSD in Affton PAC

Thursday, November 17 · 6:30 – 7:30pm

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/imm-nhxi-bqg

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 574-334-9747‬ PIN: ‪358 706 430‬#

More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/imm-nhxi-bqg?pin=8803393876991

The IEP Team

The IEP Team

  • Those who will participate in the meeting should include:

  • At least one special education teacher

  • A representative of the local district who is knowledgeable about resources and curriculum of the district

  • An individual to interpret instructional implications of evaluation results

  • Other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the child, at the discretion of the parent or local education agency

  • The child, if appropriate (required at age of 16 and older)During transition planning, representatives of other agencies needed to plan for the child's future

  • At least one regular education teacher of the child (if the child is, or may be, participating in the regular education environment)

The IEP Team
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Health and Wellness

Resources for additional support:

Taking Care of Yourself Over the Holidays

Grief and Holidays

How to deal with the Holiday Blues

Affton By the Numbers

Family and Community Engagement Program (FACE)

  • Family and Community Engagement (FACE) is hosting its first Family Academy on November 5th to celebrate Family Engagement month. We have created an opportunity for families to learn strategies to support their students, navigate community resources, and learn from one another. I have attached the flyer for your distribution. The course listings and vendors can be viewed by visiting https://www.ssdmo.org/Page/1597. This event is free and open to our stakeholders, but we encourage all to register.

  • Lunch and Learn Series 2022 - 2023: 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 time.

    FACE (Family and Community Engagement) 3 Part Series: Introduction to Charting the LifeCourse Framework will be held on Tuesdays, October 4th, 11th, and 18th from 11:30-12:00pm. In these 30-minute virtual sessions, families will receive an overview of Charting the LifeCourse, gather insight on the history of the framework, and learn how it can provide a systematic way to plan for the future. The second and third sessions will focus on the Trajectory tool and Integrated Supports Star planning tool and how to successfully use them. RSVP for Introduction to Charting the LifeCourse.

    Parent Cafe: A Parent Café will be held on October 27th from 6-8 at North Technical High School. Cafes are hosted by families for families. They provide parents and caregivers a safe and welcoming space to connect and learn from each other. They are centered on the Strengthening Families Five Protective Factors: Resilience, Relationships, Knowledge, Support and Communication. RSVP for Family Cafes

    Community Action Agency of St. Louis County: Join FACE as they welcome CAASTLC to the Family Resource Hub located in North Technical High School on Friday, October 14th from 9am-4pm. Families can learn about case management, utility assistance, rental assistance, financial education, weatherization, program development and education activities. A CAASTLC representative will be available to answer questions and assist with applications. To learn more about Hub Huddles please call 314-989-8034.


CAASTL (Community Action Agency of St. Louis County): Please join FACE on at the Family Resource Hub, located Nov 11, 2022 in North Tech High School, from 9am to 4pm. CAASTL (Community Action Agency of St. Louis County) will be available on that date to provide additional support and access to resources that promote healthy families and a thriving community. Families can learn about case management, utility assistance, rental assistance, financial education, weatherization, and program development and education activities. A CAASTLC representative will be available to answer questions and assist with applications.

Higher Education Consortium (HEC): The Higher Education Consortium (HEC) will be at the Family Resource Hub, located in North Tech High School, from 11am to Noon on Nov 15, 2022 . The HEC can provide families with

information to increase their knowledge about education, career, and workforce planning or transitioning. High school students and anyone over the age of 19 are eligible to receive services from HEC.

Family Cafe: Family and Community Engagement (FACE) will be hosting a Family Cafe on November 17, 2022 from 6-8pm at the Family Resource Hub, located in North Tech High School. Cafes are hosted by families for families. They provide parents and caregivers a safe and welcoming space to connect and learn from each other. They are centered on the Strengthening Families Five Protective Factors:RESILIENCE, RELATIONSHIPS, KNOWLEDGE, SUPPORT and COMMUNICATION. https://bit.ly/FamCafes

Family Academy: Join us for SSD’s very first Family Academy on November 5th from 9am to noon at Northview

High School located on Derhake Rd in Florissant. Family Academy is an opportunity for SSD families to learn and utilize resources and strategies to improve student outcomes. The Family Academy will offer networking with community agencies and other families. There will be music, light refreshments, fun learning opportunities, and learning resources to support your student in the home. https://SSDFACE.as.me/FamAcad22

Important to note: November is Family Engagement Month please stay tuned to our district website and social media accounts for ways to engage families.

Additional Learning Opportunities on Tuesday's

You are officially invited to participate in our Transition Tuesdays Webinar Series:

The St. Louis Youth Interagency Team is proud to announce our Second Annual Transition Tuesdays Webinar Series! This series will cover a different topic every week and explore services and resources in these various area. All teachers, staff, agencies and groups working with young adults(14-24) and families in the St. Louis area are welcome to attend this virtual series. CEU/CRC’s are being offered and we will have great guest speakers. Please forward this invite to others in your agency or other agencies who may be interested. It is a fantastic way to learn about resources and services that can help the youth you are working with. The dates and topics are as follows:

November 1st SQSH Peer Support Helpline and Behavioral Health Services at SSM 2:00-3:30pm

Please join us for one or all of these webinars!! If you have any questions you can contact me at amy.siekerman@vr.dese.mo.gov


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Paraprofessional Appreciation Form

Paraprofessional Learning Website and Appreciation Form: Please remember that paraprofessionals can be recognized for their hard work on our Paraprofessional Learning Website. Paraprofessionals do important and impactful work everyday. Too often, we in the education profession are not recognized for our efforts and dedication. If a para you supervise or work with has gone above-and-beyond for the students, please recognize them with this form. They will receive an email from the Paraprofessional Facilitator thanking them for their efforts. They will also be entered into a monthly prize drawing.
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Scholarship Opportunities for SSD High School Seniors

Several scholarships are available for students who receive SSD services! High school seniors who plan to enroll in a college, university or postsecondary program after graduation this spring should review the following opportunities.

Applications for The James E. Westbury/SSD Board of Education Scholarship, The Allison M. Haake Memorial Scholarship, and The Bonhomme Lions Club Scholarship must receive at least one service from SSD and plan to enroll in a college, university, or postsecondary program. All scholarships require a letter of recommendation. Applications are due Dec. 16, 2022. 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, 2023.

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.

Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application.

You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575.

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Affton School District

Affton School District

Affton School District

8701 MacKenzie Rd, Affton, MO 63123, USA kmmeers@ssdmo.org 314-633-5912 afftonschools.net/

SSD Superintendent Blog

Return to School Guidance

Special School District

Affton School District

Special School District in Affton

Who Should I contact?

Katy Meers - Affton Special Education Director K-12 and Special Education Coordinator for Mesnier and Gotsch - kmeers@afftonschools.net or call at 314-633-5912


Ky Schlundt - Special Education Coordinator for Gotsch and Rogers - kschlundt@afftonschools.net


Tim Orr - School Psychologist for Mesnier and AHS - torr@afftonschools.net


Marie-France Castor - School Psychologist for Gotsch and Rogers and assists with EC -mcastor@afftonschools.net


Beckie Rainbolt - SSD Social Worker for Mesnier and AHS - brainbolt@afftonschools.net


Deanna Wright-Coffman - SSD Social Worker for Gotsch and Rogers - dwright@afftonschools.net


Pam Miller - SSD Social Worker for Rogers and AHS - pmiller@afftonschools.net


What if I would like to get more frequent or less frequent data on goals? Please contact your child's case manager or service providers.


What if I would like information regarding a class assignment? Please contact the teacher for that assignment.


What if I have a concern? Please contact the students case manager. If you have already contacted the case manager and you have not received results, please contact Ky or Katy.