SSD Lindbergh Schools
October 2022 Community Engagement Newsletter
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.
LPAC Presention: Strategies to Enhance Executive Functioning
SSD Parent Advisory Council Meeting
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. SSD's PAC works closely with the SSD Board of Education, Governing Council, and District administration to provide valuable input and feedback from the parent perspective.
October's Meeting - Oct. 12, 2022 6:30pm - 8:00pm
SSD Central Office - 12110 Clayton Rd. St. Louis, MO 63131
RSVP by Oct. 5th.
Meetings are open to the public.
For more information or to join the meeting virtually, please visit the PAC website.
PAC general council meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month.
A Quick How to Guide: How to Help Your Teen Make the Most of Their Time at School
Many teenagers show very little interest in anything outside of video games, television, social media, and their phones. At times, having a conversation seems like a thing of the past. Asking your child how their day was or what activities or clubs they are interested in at school can yield very little excitement or dialogue. Teenagers have a difficult time understanding that the short lived years before adulthood are going to be some of the best years of their lives. Students spend the majority of their time at school. So why not make the best of it? Below are a few tips that can hopefully help start conversations at home to help your teen make the most of their time at school.
Tip #1: Be involved in your child's education. Expect success. Be involved in what your child is doing at school. Talk with your child about their classes and projects. Be in communication with your child’s teachers. Your teen needs to see that you are partnering with their teachers and building a relationship to help your child succeed.
Tip #2: Support Student Activities: getting involved in after school activities is a great way for your child to build commitment to their school. Showing support for your child and their school shows you are committed as well. Teens need to feel a sense of belonging. Encourage your child to go out for a sport or join a club. If your child is already involved in a sport or club, attend various activities to show your support.
Tip #3: Involve both parents whenever possible. When only one parent is involved in school activities and discussions, teens can feel less supported. Surrounding your child with as much support around school related activities as possible can give your child a sense of belonging and accomplishment that can lead to future success.
Tip #4: Volunteer at your child's school: Help out where you can. Talk to your child about upcoming events. Schools are always looking for volunteers. Children love to see their parents involved in school activities. Make sure to check with your child's school first about the process you need to follow to become a volunteer. Now is the time to get involved and show your support!
All tips came from Kathleen A. Olson, Associate Professor and Extension educator in family resiliency at The University of Minnesota Extension. For more information visit, https://extension.umn.edu/supporting-learning/help-your-teen-make-most-school
Assistive Technology Can Increase Independence
Assistive technology encompasses many resources used to help students with disabilities more freedom, independence, and can help build self-esteem. Assistive technology includes resources such as:
Wheelchair/standing device
Voice activated computers and devices
Large print books
Predictive text or speech to text software
Pencil grips
Hearing aids
There are two main reasons for students to receive assistive technology. The first is special education or a related service. If the student requires assistive technology to receive FAPE (a Free and Appropriate Education) then the assistive technology is made available to the student through his IEP team. Second, the student can receive assistive technology as a supplementary aid and service. We want to provide students with the most appropriate level of support in order to have them access their education. We want to ensure they are in the least restrictive environment (LRE) and assistive technology can help make that possible.
One resource available for assistive technology is augmentative communication devices. These devices help students who are non-verbal or have language disabilities to communicate. Different types of devices include talkers, applications to install on devices, and even a device called Skyle which makes it possible to move the mouse on an iPad with your eyes.
Regardless of the assistive technology a person with a disability receives, there are many benefits to using this strategy/intervention. Students can communicate needs more effectively, build stronger relationships with others, gain self-confidence by doing basic tasks on their own, and finally, students become more independent and need less assistance.
If you're interested in learning if a form of assistive technology may be appropriate for your child, contact his case manager, speech language pathologist, occupational therapist, or physical therapist. Ultimately, the IEP educational team that you're a member of will look at your student's needs, data, disability, placement, and access to curriculum. If there is a device appropriate and necessary, the right device and training for staff can be delivered.
Watch for an upcoming LPAC informational presentation on assistive technology later this school year.
Events Around Town
St. Louis Renaissance Festival
10/01/2022
10/02/2022
10/08/2022
210 South Linn Street
Wentzville, MO, 63385
Go Ape! Zip Line & Treetop Adventure - St. Louis
10/01/2022
10/08/2022
10/15/2022
13219 Streetcar Drive
Maryland Heights, MO, 63043
10/08/2022
14141 Riverport Dr.
Maryland Heights, MO, 63043
10/07/2022
10/08/2022
10/09/2022
Location:
10501 Gravois Rd.
St. Louis, MO, 63123
Spooky Slime Time and Trick or Treating! - Play Street Museum - St. Louis
10/15/2022
Play Street Museum - St. Louis
1650 Beale St. #138
St Charles, MO, 63303
Halloween Farm Fun Days at Stuckmeyers Farm Market and Greenhouse
10/01/2022
10/02/2022
10/08/2022
Stuckmeyers Farm Market and Greenhouse
249 Schneider Drive
Fenton, MO, 63026
10/21/2022
10/22/2022
10/23/2022
500 William Danforth Way
Gray Summit, MO, 63039
10/29/2022
Central West End Scene (CWEscene)
449 N Euclid Ave #130
St. Louis, MO, 63108
Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival
10/29/2022
10/30/2022
6041 3rd St
Kimmswick, MO, 63053
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (FACE)
FACE Updates
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:
- SSD Family and Community Engagement (FACE), Activities for Family Engagement Month - Oct. 26, 2022
- 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.
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.
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
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