SSD Pattonville Dispatch
September 2021
Congratulations Stephanie Fox!
PHOTO: L-R : Dee Byrnes, SSD Director; Bonnie Kramer, SSD Suburban REA; Stephanie Fox, Grant Recipient; Dr. John Pohl, MRTA Region 8 VP; Leigh Ann Richelman, SSD Supervisor; Sandy Berry, SSD Suburban; Nancy Craig, MRTA President-Elect; Dr. Scot Moser, Principal, Heights Middle School
Congratulations April Rainwater!
PHOTO: L-R : Nancy Craig, MRTA President Elect; Dr. John Pohl, MRTA Region 8 VP; April Rainwater, Social/Emotional SSD Class and grant recipient; Sarah Moran, Principal, Holman Middle School
Family Engagement with Student Learning Guide
Special School District welcomes the support of families and encourages involvement in their student’s learning both at school and at home. The Family Engagement Guide is a resource that provides information and strategies to promote our collaboration in supporting the education of your student. We hope you find the information helpful when communicating with your student’s teacher and the school team. The administration, teachers, and staff of SSD are here to help in every transition of your student’s life, from early childhood through post-secondary.
To access the guide online, please visit ssdm.org Family Engagement Guide. If you prefer to receive a hard copy, please contact your students' case manager or Special Education Coordinator.
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 their agency and make connections with those in our SSD community who may benefit from their programs and services.
Organizations represented in the Lunch & Learn series include:
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Sept. 1
- 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
SSD Parent Leadership Institute - Fall 2021
The Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA) Program invites families and community members to visit our Family and Community Resource Center at the Learning Center in Hazelwood. The program is excited to offer a diverse collection of materials, including many new books that are ready to be shared.
PEDA will be hosting the Parent Leadership Institute (PLI) this Fall. This program, which is offered at no cost to participants, is designed for parents and family members who are the educational decision makers for a child with a disability. The three sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 22, Sept. 29, and Oct. 6, 2021, at SSD Central Office, 12110 Clayton Road, 63131. To learn more about this program and/or apply to be part of it, please visit this link: Parent Leadership Institute | Fall 2021.
PEDA is also happy to announce that there will be a second Parent Leadership Institute in the Spring of 2022. We will be announcing dates in the very near future. Please check in with us if you have any questions!
We are in the process of planning our Fall workshops and will be sending out dates and topics very soon. As always, PEDA Is here for you if you need assistance navigating special education, community resources, and so much more – don’t hesitate to reach out!
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.
We're Hiring!
Pattonville is in need of special education para-educators throughout the District. If you or someone you know, would be interested in working with the students in your community, please visit our job openings. When applying, be sure to indicate your preference to work in Pattonville. For questions about future employment opportunities in Pattonville, contact Dee Byrnes at 314-989-8585.
Applicants must have:
Desire to work with and help children succeed
Active online application with ssdmo.org/careers
Original transcripts with 60 college credit hours
SSD offers:
Salary range: $15.35 - $26.41 (based on years of experience)
Full time with paid benefits
Upcoming Dates
September 6
No school for Labor Day holiday
September 8
Parent Advisory Council Meeting at 7pm
October 6
Lunch and Learn from 11:30am - Noon
Special School District of St. Louis County
Email: DByrnes@ssdmo.org
Website: www.ssdmo.org
Location: 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314.989.8100
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSDStLCo
Twitter: @SSDDStLCo
Pattonville School District
Dee Byrnes, SSD Director of Special Education
Tori Cain, Director of Student Services
Deidre Smalls, Special Education Coordinator - Bridgeway, Parkwood, Rose Acres
Carla Addoh, Special Education Coordinator - Remington, Willow Brook, Robert Drummond
Dee Byrnes, Special Education Coordinator - Holman Middle
Leigh Ann Richelman, Special Education Coordinator - Pattonville Heights & Pattonville HighWebsite: https://www.psdr3.org/
Location: 11097 St Charles Rock Rd, Saint Ann, MO, USA
Phone: 314-213-8500