SSD/Parkway Newsletter
October 2022
Dear Parkway Families,
Fall is finally here, and the year has gotten off to a great start. It’s been wonderful traveling around the district and visiting so many classrooms. Staff are energized, students are engaged, and routines are evident. As I watch lessons unfold in the classrooms, I’m struck by the responses to reinforcement and praise that staff are delivering. I recently had a conversation with a friend who lives in another state and she was sharing the challenging adjustment to the school year that her daughter has been experiencing. In our conversation, we discussed the connections her daughter has within her school and she shared with me that this year’s teacher shared with her how her daughter’s demeanor completely changed when her teacher from the year prior gave her a compliment in the hallway. It was reported to my friend that her daughter stood straighter. She walked with a smile, and when she returned to the classroom she appeared happier for the rest of the day. The connection between the student and the teacher from the previous year is undeniable, but also served as great insight into strategies that work for this year’s teacher. I can’t help but think of the look on students' faces in the classrooms I’ve already visited. The way that staff deliver positive messages to our students can have such a positive impact. The smiles when they complete a task and receive positive feedback, or the smile shared between a teacher and student, or even the signal that only the student and teacher know about are all ways that I’ve seen these positive connections so far this year. Those little moments make such a difference throughout the day and serve to advance those connections that we all know are so important to the teacher/student partnership.
Over the course of the past year, I’ve dedicated a part of each month’s newsletter to sharing our need for your assistance in advertising our vacancies, specifically in the area of paraprofessionals. This month I want to pause and thank you for the support over the past year. Due to your assistance in recruiting, as well as the amazing efforts by the Special Education teams, we are closer than ever to being fully staffed. This is no small feat! Thank you for encouraging your contacts to apply for our Paraprofessional positions. Please share this link with any potential candidates and reach out to the Special Education Coordinator for your student’s school to share their name. We would be happy to speak with all interested candidates.
Thank you for the gift of sharing your students with us. Thank you for the support that you provide to the educational team supporting your students. We could not do this without your support!
In collaboration,
Dr. Amy Blumenfeld
Director of Special Education
314-989-8435 / ablumenfeld@ssdmo.org
314-415-5297 / ablumenfeld2@parkwayschools.net
Staff Highlights
As we continue to share photos throughout the year to highlight staff we want to share the great work done at Barretts Elementary School. To kick off their year, Kelsey Lang provided an inservice on inclusion to a group of students. Thank you, Mrs. Lang, for taking time to teach an eager group of students how they can help further inclusion in their school.
We also wanted to share a fun picture we were able to grab at a recent meeting that highlights a large portion of our admin team. While we were sad to not be able to get the entire team in the same room at the same time, the faces in this administrative photo showcase the Special Education Administrator that works in Parkway supporting our amazing students and families. As our shirts say, “Admin Team: We’ll be there for you.” We will be there for the students, families, and staff within our great district. Thank you for sharing your students with us!
We also wanted to share a fun picture we were able to grab at a recent meeting that highlights a large portion of our admin team. While we were sad to not be able to get the entire team in the same room at the same time, the faces in this administrative photo showcase the Special Education Administrator that works in Parkway supporting our amazing students and families. As our shirts say, “Admin Team: We’ll be there for you.” We will be there for the students, families, and staff within our great district. Thank you for sharing your students with us!
KELLY SERVICES
During the 21-22 school year, SSD partnered with Kelly Education Services for our substitute provider across St. Louis County. Kelly Education Services is actively looking to build their substitute base, and we in Parkway would appreciate any support in building up Kelly Service’s employee base. Please see the attached flyer for information about the process for receiving a substitute certification.
FACE
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 Transition department - Sept. 28, 2022
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
Timely Updates
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.
PACCD
The Parkway PACCD is looking to schedule its first meeting of the year! The tentative date is Oct. 18th, in the evening. As soon as details are finalized, information will be shared via social media and email. We look forward to kicking off the year with everyone!
Let’s Talk is an easy way to submit feedback at your convenience directly to the SSD staff member who can help.
UPCOMING DATES
Oct 11: SSD Board of Education Work Study Meeting 5:45
Oct 19: Parkway Board of Education Meeting 7:00
Nov 1: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
Nov 15: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
Nov 16: Parkway Board of Education Meeting 7:00
Dec 5: SSD Governing Council Meeting 7:00
Dec 13: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
Dec 14: Parkway Board of Education Meeting 7:00
Jan 10: SSD Board of Education Work Study Meeting 5:45
Jan 18 Parkway Board of Education Meeting 7:00
Jan 24: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
Feb 14: SSD Board of Education Work Study Meeting 5:45
Feb 15: Parkway Board of Education Meeting 7:00
Feb 28: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
Mar 6: SSD Governing Council Meeting 7:00
Mar 14: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
Mar 15: Parkway Board of Education Meeting 7:00
Apr 11: SSD Board of Education Work Study Meeting 5:45
Apr 19: Parkway Board of Education Meeting 6:30
Apr 25: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
May 9: SSD Board of Education Work Study Meeting 5:45
May 17: Parkway Board of Education Meeting 7:00
May 23: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
June 5: SSD Governing Council Meeting 7:00
June 13: SSD Board of Education Work Study Meeting 5:45
June 14: Parkway Board of Education Meeting 7:00
Jun 27: SSD Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45
Special School District of St. Louis County
Email: ablumenfeld@ssdmo.org
Website: www.ssdmo.org
Location: 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314.989.8435
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSDStLCo
Twitter: @SSDDStLCo
Parkway School District
Website: https://www.parkwayschools.net/
Location: 455 North Woods Mill Road, Chesterfield, MO, USA
Phone: 314-415-8100