SSD/MRH Monthly Dispatch
May 2021
Upcoming Events
May 14- No School- Teacher Comp day
May 31- No School- Memorial Day
Staff Spotlight
Amy Bryant is a Special Education Teacher at the high school.
-I chose to become a special education teacher because I had a cousin with Down Syndrome that was like a brother to me. He inspired me to work with students with special needs. I love my job and my students.
-What do you like about working in MRH?
-There are many things I love about MRH. First, I love working with the math department. They are the hardest working people I know. They make me feel welcome into their classes and truly valued. They keep me on my toes and have made me a better teacher and person. I have also never worked at a school where I feel this valued as a whole. Dr. Grawer, our assistant principals, and the staff make me feel like my work is important and appreciated.
-What advice do you have for students to make the most of their education?
-My advice for students is to go into each class with a positive attitude. Try to not just do the work, but to find the importance of each class and what you can learn from the class and the teacher. Form relationships with teachers because that will assist in asking for help and understanding the content.
-What do you like to do when you're not working?
-When I'm not working, I like to hang out with my family and friends. I love working in the yard and going on hikes. It is very therapeutic for me to be out in nature.
Parent Education and Diversity Awareness
The SSD Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA) program utilizes a number of strategies and services to reach and support all families and stakeholders. PEDA supports our stakeholders through:
- Consultation
- Resource and referral
- Problem solving
- Training/workshops
- Parent Advisory Council (PAC) development
- Support and leadership development
PEDA champions meaningful inclusion, equity, family engagement and collaborative relationships which will support student success and living their best self-determined lives.
For more information: https://www.ssdmo.org/Page/488
The 5 Faces of Grief in a Year of Loss
Over the past year, it is not exactly breaking news that many, if not most of us, have experienced a tremendous amount of loss. This includes loss of normality, loss of social interactions, the loss of a job, and even the loss of life itself, the loss of loved ones.
Whenever we experience a tragic loss like any of these, we grieve. And when we grieve, it usually includes 5 faces, or components:
Denial: we can't believe what we've lost, we're in shock, we feel numb, we avoid facing or thinking about it
Anger: we're angry that something or someone important was taken away, we feel the injustice of it, we want someone to blame
Bargaining: we attempt to minimize or rationalize the loss to make sense of it, to have control over the outcome. We think "what if", or "If I only..."
Depression: we feel sadness, overwhelmed, sometimes hopeless in the wake of this loss.
Acceptance: This is not "getting over it", but learning to live with the loss, establishing a new life in light of it
Kubler-Ross, 1970
I intentionally use the word "components" instead of "stages" because oftentimes the sequencing of these events looks different from person-to-person. Too often we think we should be in a different stage than we are (example: "I feel numb, but I should feel sad").
It is important that we allow ourselves to feel what we feel and to be in whichever "stage" we are in. It may take more time than we, or even others, hope or expect. That is ok.
If you know someone who has suffered through a loss, oftentimes the best thing we can say is "I'm sorry that happened", and then simply offer our presence. This may seem trivial or unhelpful at the time, but allowing those who grieve to feel what they feel and be where they are is usually the most helpful thing we can do.
Sometimes grief can lead to severe episodes of anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. If you or someone you know experiences this, mental health professionals are great resources to process with and seek support from.
Citation:
Kübler-Ross, E. (1970). On death and dying. Collier Books/Macmillan Publishing Co.
Special School District of St. Louis County
Email: bagleason@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
Maplewood Richmond Heights School District
Website: https://www.mrhschools.net/
Location: 7539 Manchester
Phone: 314-644-4400