SSD Lindbergh Schools
November 2022 Community Engagement Newsletter
Better Conversations with our Kids through Better Questions
Now that the school year is underway, and your family has settled into your routines, do you find it difficult to have meaningful conversations about school between you and your child(ren)? Nowadays everyone is so busy, and the evenings come and go so quickly. Whether you are taking your children to games, practice, lessons, or work, as parents we want to connect with our kids and hear all about their day. Some children will happily share all the highlights including who they played with at recess, what they ate for lunch and even tell you something their teacher taught them during the school day. Typically, as children get older, they share less and less, and it can feel like a battle getting them to share a small snippet of their day at school. To break the monotony of “how was your day today”, below is a list of open-ended questions that may get your child talking more about their day and lead to deeper conversations.
A few things to consider before you begin is to first give your child some time to relax at the end of the day before questioning them. Keep your questions open-ended. It’s important that as parents we don’t expect our children to give a play-by-play of their day, and if they aren’t ready to engage, don't pressure them to speak. Have patience and in time hopefully your kiddo will start to share more with you.
If you are tired of the same responses, pick a question or two that speaks to you and ask your kids questions about weird, funny, awkward, or unique moments that happened during their day.
What was for lunch?
What was the funniest thing that happened today?
Did you make a new friend today? What do you like about them? (this question is probably better suited for younger kids)
What did you do during recess today?
What special classes (i.e., art, music, PE) did you do today?
What did you notice today at school that other people probably didn’t notice?
Was anyone kind to you today? How were you kind to others?
Were you able to help someone today with a problem?
Were any of your buddies not at school today? Do you know why they were gone?
What did you like best about today?
What was the easiest thing you did today?
What was the hardest thing you did today?
Did your teacher or classmate give you any compliments?
Who is your favorite teacher this year? (Good for older kids who have multiple teachers.)
What would you change about school?
A Quick How to Guide: Test Taking Tips
Now that first quarter is complete, report cards are coming out, and parent teacher conferences are over, some parents may be trying to figure out how to help their child improve their grades. Low test grades can really decrease students' overall grades in many of their classes. Many students may not understand how important it is to properly prepare for tests. Below are a few test taking tips for parents to help their child prepare for any upcoming tests they may have.
Tip #1: Think about how you can support your child in studying for the test. Some teachers give out study guides or notes. Many teachers send home monthly calendars with test dates or reminder emails. Ask your child about these upcoming tests and have them pull out their notes, study guides, or even past work from Canvas. Quiz your child on the concepts and vocabulary. Helping them prepare for the test may get them one step closer to feeling more confident.
Tip #2: Help your child to get enough sleep the night before the test. Remind them that all-night cramming or staying on technology late into the night won't help them to do their best. Quality sleep the night before a test will make sure their brain can engage with the test!
Tip #3: Remind your child to listen carefully. Many times, teachers will give clues or reminders to students about key points or things to remember right before they hand out the test. Giving your child that extra little reminder to listen carefully before starting the test might give them a few points extra on their test.
Tip #4: Tell your child not to stress over a single question they may not know. Instead, tell them to skip the questions they may not know the answers to and do all the questions they know first. If your child takes the entire testing period stressing over one question and misses the rest of the questions they could have answered correctly, they may get a poor grade that does not actually reflect what they truly know. Remind them to go back and answer the questions they skipped after answering all the other questions.
Tip #5: If your student tries to be a speed-demon, remind him or her to SLOW down. Read all the directions. For example, sometimes the directions will explicitly say circle ALL that apply, and a student who doesn't read the directions carefully only circles one option. Read each question or passage. Many students need to be reminded that test taking is not a race. A simple reminder may help your child increase their test scores.
These tips and more can be found at https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/testing-tips.html
Awards Opportunities
Scholarship Opportunities for High School Seniors
Several scholarships are available for students who receive special education 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.
Nominations for Salutes Awards Open Until Jan. 6
Applications for several awards which honor the contributions of SSD staff and community members are awaiting nominations, due Jan. 6, 2023. These awards are collectively known as Salutes awards because they are given at the District’s annual Salutes event in the spring. They include the following:
Please refer to the Salutes webpage for details about each award. Some awards permit nomination by SSD staff only, while others accept nominations from people who are not employed by SSD (e.g., students, parents, partner district staff, and other community members). Consider submitting a nomination and help us provide the recognition they deserve for their meaningful work in SSD!Strengths Awareness
There are many celebrities, entrepreneurs, and some of the world’s greatest thinkers who are dyslexic. Dr. Shawn Robinson was not a skillful reader as he grew up until about the age of 18. Today, Dr. Robinson has a PhD. in language and literature. He works to increase education and employment opportunities for students of color with dyslexia. He also co-authors a series of books about a superhero named Dr. Dyslexia Dude. He is among many who have overcome the struggles of dyslexia and have made the most of the positive attributes of a disability. Some of these positive traits of dyslexia often include but are not limited to:
Imaginative and abstract thinking- with an acute sense of their surrounding world, a dyslexic individual may tune in to their imagination. Many artists, authors, and actors have used this imagination to further their craft and possibly understanding things that are not always tangible like human emotion.
Puzzle Solving-dyslexics can be a whiz at figuring out complex problems, identifying correct shapes and figures, and may be very successful in situations where simultaneous thinking is used.
Empathetic- being dyslexic allows opportunity to develop a genuine empathy for struggling individuals due to their own struggles.
Critical Thinking and Thinking Outside of the Box- dyslexics may tap into critical thinking to solve problems and come up with unique and unorthodox solutions with original, outside the box thinking.
Individuals with dyslexia may struggle with written language, however, the creative coping strategies they may have developed can help through everyday life and perhaps even propel them forward in a successful career.
Source: University of Michigan
Trends in the Future of Special Education
The landscape of education is ever changing. It is especially so in today’s society as we work to give our students instruction after the interruption to learning due to the Covid-19 epidemic. There are new trends in special education as well that are helping to increase student efficacy.
Technology-with all the advances in technology, we are in a place where we can utilize technology to further individualize instruction and the adaptive skills of our students. One example is the new virtual reality technology which can be used to help individuals with autism learn to navigate the world with virtual, “real-life” situations.
Educator Preparation-departments of education are focusing on training student teachers in important techniques and interventions to increase student AND teacher success.
Data-as special educators, we also focus on collecting data and analyzing the data to determine the needs of our students. Teams are able to base programming on the actual data we collect.
Parent Support-years of research has shown that when families participate in the educational process, a student is likely to be more successful in school.
Inclusive Classrooms-students with disabilities are spending more time in general education classrooms learning with their non-disabled peers.
By staying current on the trends in education, families can help to ensure that students are receiving the best education possible.
Sources: FGCU and Mississippi College
Connect with the SSD Board of Education
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (FACE)
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.
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 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
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.
Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Lunch & Learn Series
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:
- Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis, Summer Resources - Dec. 15, 2022
- Productive Living Board (PLB), Resources for Families - Jan. 25, 2023
- SSD Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) department - Feb. 22, 2023
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - April 26, 2023
- SSD Family and Community Engagement (FACE), Summer Engagement Activities - May 24, 2023
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.
Affordable Connectivity Program
Affordable Connectivity Program: The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families or 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.
Around Town
Grab-n-Go Craft Kit: Circular Weaving with Brentwood Public Library
November 4th
Brentwood Public Library
Princess Day at Gateway Convention Center
November 5th
Collinsville, Il
Tons of Trucks at Ballwin Target
November 5th
Ballwin, MO-Target
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party at the Family Arena
November 5th
St. Charles Arena
Sensory Sensitive Sundays at Chuck E. Cheese's
November 6th
Ellisville, MO
Disney's Frozen at the Fox Theatre
Fox Theater
Valley Park and Chesterfield
Holiday Ornament Clay Class at ArtDog
Eureka, MO
Mary Poppins at Missouri Baptist University
St. Louis, MO
Unlimited Laser Tag at Amp Up Action Park
Town and Country, MO
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
Special School District of St. Louis County - Director Dr. Joy Doyle
Email: jmdoyle@ssdmo.org
Website: ssdmo.org
Phone: 314-989-8463