SSD Lindbergh Schools
August 2022 Community Engagement Newsletter
New School Year Special Education Family Bash!
When: Thursday, August 18
What time: 4:00 - 5:30
Where: Watson Trail Park Shelter B, right next to the Inclusive Playground
12450 West Watson Road
Extra Special Feature: The Kona Ice Truck will be here
Parents and students can meet up, enjoy a cold Kona snow cone courtesy of SSD-Lindbergh, and join fun activities like face-painting, bubbles, and ball toss. All this under the pavilion adjacent to a beautiful playground that has recently been updated to include equipment for kids of all abilities.
Stay a short time or a long while and help those beginning of the year jitters melt away as you and your student socialize and connect with other Lindbergh families who also receive special education services.
If you're reading this and are thinking about attending, give a call to another parent and invite them to join you - let's rally the troops and build a big, fun-loving crowd!
Introducing the Lindbergh Special Education Coordinator Team
Special Education Coordinator - Sperreng Middle, Concord Elementary, Dressel Elementary & Kennerly Elementary
314-989-8202
Amanda Smith
Special Education Coordinator - Lindbergh High School
314-989-8381
Amy Wassman
Special Education Coordinator - Truman Middle, Long Elementary, Crestwood Elementary & Sappington Elementary
314-989-8390
Back To School Dates for Your Calendar
Middle School Open House (Truman & Sperreng) Wednesday, August 17
High School Open House Thursday, August 25
Elementary Meet the Teacher See Lindbergh Principal e-Notes for grade and building specific dates and times
Helpful Tips to Lower Back-to-School Anxiety
It's that time again. Summer is just about over and the beginning of the school year is right around the corner. Here are a few tips to help you and your student ease feelings of anxiety from John Hopkins Medicine:
A week or two before school, start preparing children for the upcoming transition by getting back to school year routines, such as setting a realistic bedtime and selecting tomorrow's clothes.
Arrange or encourage playdates with one or more familiar peers before school starts. Research shows that the presence of a familiar peer during school transitions can improve children's academic and emotional adjustment no matter how old your student is.
For younger students, visit the school before the first day of class, rehearse the drop-off and spend time on the playground or inside the classroom if the building is open. Have the child practice walking into class while the parent waits outside or down the hall.
Consider a prize or a rewarding activity that the child could earn for separating from mom or dad to attend school.
Validate your student's worry by acknowledging that, like any new activity, starting school can be hard but may soon become easier and possibly even fun. Continue conversations with him about his comfort level once classes are back in session.
While many students have typical nervous feelings about going back to school, most uneasy feelings should dissipate after a week or two. If your student continues to experience school-related anxiety, contact his teachers and perhaps your medical practitioner. More information can be found at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-tips-to-ease-backtoschool-anxiety
Happy as a Clam, Fit as a Fiddle
Did you know there are dozens of books written by dozens of authors who have been diagnosed with autism? Many of the books tell the story of the author’s own life. While others take us into the amazing fantasy world in their minds. There are also books with advice on how to navigate the waters of having autism. These books are full of tips and strategies to help individuals adapt to the world around them while helping friends and family better understand how they think and feel.
Temple Grandin is one of the most well-known authors, activists, entrepreneurs, engineers, and doctors with autism. She has written nearly 25 books covering subjects from her own experiences with autism, animal-human relationships, science, and relationships in general. She is a strong role-model for our students with autism. Grandin tells the story of how there are few limits when given opportunity.
Led and Jake Bradshaw took their love of superheroes and turned it into a comic book series featuring Jake as Jake Jetpulse, superhero. Jake has been helping create the comic book character and his stories since he was in second grade. The Bradshaws have five books about Jake’s superhero adventures. When asked who his favorite superhero is, Jake always answers it is himself! Jake is another amazing story of the success our kids can have when the limitations are relaxed or removed.
Some authors, like Michael Barton, write about how difficult the world around them can be to navigate. In his book, “It’s Raining Cats and Dogs”, Barton helps his peers understand metaphors while helping family and friends understand how someone with autism may think. When I say, “I am happy as a clam”, I mean I am very happy. What a person with autism may see in their minds is a smiling clam or even imagine my head as a clam with a big smile. This book helps to explain this tricky English concept. One more example of success against the odds.
If someone you love has autism, check out some book lists composed of authors with autism. Reading these books can help you, your loved one, and other family members understand how autism is affecting them and possibly provide some ways to overcome any roadblocks.
Who Qualifies for Special Education?
“My neighbor’s daughter, Abby, was struggling with math in school. She receives special education services now. Can I get those services for my son?”
Maybe. If Abby is receiving services, there were a number of processes which happened to ensure she was going to receive the right services and not be deprived of time in her general education classroom unnecessarily. First, the classroom teacher gave explicit instruction, interventions for Abby were put into place, data was taken on Abby’s progress, and then planning meetings were held to ensure Abby had received all of the help she could in the general education classroom. After which, Abby was referred, tested, and found eligible for special education services under Missouri eligibility criteria.
Schools have processes to examine and bolster students’ achievement if they are lagging. Sometimes, they just need a little help from an intervention or strategy. When a student isn’t responding to that intervention, they are referred to consider a special education evaluation. In order to receive special education services, the student must undergo testing with a Special School District school psychologist, and an educational team then meets to determine eligibility for special education services according to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regulations. A medical diagnosis isn't necessarily the same as an educational diagnosis. In order to be eligible, a student must be found to have one of the following educational disabilities impacting the ability to learn:
Autism
Deaf or hard of hearing
Deaf-blindness
Developmental delay (before kindergarten)
Emotional disturbance
Intellectual disability
Multiple disabilities
Orthopedic impairment
Other health impairment (OHI) - a child found to qualify under OHI would first have a medical diagnosis. The medical diagnosis itself is not enough to qualify for special education. The impairment must be shown to have a direct impact on the child’s learning at school.
Specific learning disability
Speech or language impairment
Traumatic brain injury
Visual impairment
According to the IDEA law, each area has its own requirement to be diagnosed as an educational disability. Those requirements can be found on the DESE Website. Eligibility includes gathering information to determine the child’s present level of achievement, having a team determine the areas in need of further testing, testing the child, and then having the team determine the child’s eligibility under the IDEA laws. This decision is not made by one person. It is determined by a team of teachers, administrators, school psychologists, and the student’s parents.
Next Month….
Why do we have to follow these laws? Why don’t we just give special education services to all kids struggling with academics or social-emotional behaviors? Follow along next month to learn more about tiered interventions, the pyramid, and the delicate balance between general education and special education.
Around Our Town….
Washington Town & Country Fair 8/03/22 to 8/06/22
Ladders and Lures-Richmond Heights Fire Department 8/06/22
All Aboard the Wabash, Frisco, and Pacific! 8/07/22
Missouri State Fair 8/11/22-8/13/22
Passport To The World: Cultural Program Series- Argentina 8/13/22-8/14/22
SciFest: Play & Creativity Expo 8/13/22
Ballwin Days 8/19/22-8/21/22
Family Leadership Institute
The highly successful SSD Parent Leadership Institute that has had more than 280 participants since 2007 is once again being offered under a new name of Family Leadership Institute (FLI).
The Institute will be Wednesday evenings from 5:30-8:30pm at SSD Central Office: October 12, 19, 26 and November 2.
If you are a parent or family member who makes the educational decisions for a child with a disability, investing the time to attend these four Wednesday evening sessions will provide:
VISION: for the future of your child.
KNOWLEDGE: to help effectively participate in your child's education.
LEADERSHIP SKILLS: to improve the educational climate for all children.
ACCESS: to new resources, friends, and experts to help you on your journey.
Apply today https://SSDPEDA.as.me/FALL2022FLI
Special School District of St. Louis County
Email: jmdoyle@ssdmo.org
Website: ssdmo.org
Phone: 314-989-8463