SSD Warriors' Monthly Updates
May 2022
SSD Warriors' Mission Statement:
SSD Warriors' Mission Statement: Through implementing inclusive practices, rigorous instruction, and the principles of community engagement, Special School District Staff in partnership with Jennings School District will provide high quality, specialized programming and supports designed for all students to become productive, responsible, ethical, creative and compassionate members of society.
We Need You!!!!!
Individuals interested in becoming a substitute teacher can register now for DESE’s 20-hour online substitute teacher training conducted by Frontline Education. Click here for more details and to access the training program.
Reminders:
The cost for the training program is $180.
After completing the training, you will submit your completed application and background check information.
The option is still available to get a substitute teacher certificate if you have 60 college credit hours (you would not have to take this training too).
Thanks in advance for your consideration.
Calendar Details:
MAY 20 - Student's Last Day
MAY 23 - Teacher's Last Day
Family & Community Engagement
The Family Resource Hub located at North Tech High School is a space dedicated to families and our community stakeholders. The resource hub offers families computer and internet access, a satellite food pantry, and support navigating community resources. The space is also dedicated to supporting families by hosting learning labs, community events, and a safe and supportive environment to learn with and from one another.
Please call 314-989-8311 or email FamilyEngagement@ssdmo.org for more information.
Additional Resources from The Family Resource Hub:
1. Medicaid Assistance - https://share.peachjar.com/flyers/2262700/schools/200202
2. Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day - https://share.peachjar.com/flyers/2262691/schools/200202
3. The Family Resource Hub Satellite Food Pantry and Community Resources-https://share.peachjar.com/flyers/2202726/schools/200202
Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA)
THE SUMMER RESOURCE PACKET IS HERE! Get tips and tricks to making this your child’s best summer yet.
To access The Summer Resource Packet, click here: PEDA 2022 Summer Resource Packet
To access the YouTube Video of our recent Summer Resource Fair, click here: https://youtu.be/VVeYDiL8ykM
Other helpful resources:
St. Louis Recreation Council www.recreationcouncil.org
Blueprint for Summer: https://blueprint4.com/stl/
St. Louis County Parks Activity Guide: https://bit.ly/3LHpRsp
Early Childhood Summer Resource Guide: https://adobe.ly/3vSuol1
PEDA would love your feedback! Please complete are PEDA Communications survey here: PEDA Survey
SSD Family Leadership Institute Applications Coming Soon!: Applications will be available soon for the Fall 2022 semester SSD Family Leadership Institute FLI (Formerly Parent Leadership Institute PLI).
The Institute which has over 275 graduates to date, was created for families in 2007 to offer information, training, and resources. Participants gain the knowledge and skills to effectively collaborate with other families, school personnel and develop leadership for SSD and their home districts.
Participants will:
Build understanding of future planning and problem-solving, utilizing Charting the LifeCourse tools;
Learn to effectively participate in their child’s education and improve the educational climate for all children;
Learn how to positively interact and collaborate with other families and school personnel; and
Discover new resources and network with other families.
FLI Graduates have:
Served on School boards
Been elected as Parent Advisory Council (PAC) President(s)
Actively participated in SSD and/or local school district PACs
And further increased their leadership training in policy development and mentorship.
Some Quotes from graduates.
Thank you so much for everything! I feel very lucky to have found this opportunity.
It was helpful to learn how Charting LifeCourse Tools could play a part in every step of the way.
The topics and presenters made the program engaging and informative.
Learned a lot about planning for my child’s future and the IEP process.
I'm really glad I signed up for this program. I had no idea what to expect and learned so much about the available tools and all the SSD processes we will be experiencing during his life.
The deep dive on the IEP history/process was incredibly helpful to give a framework on my ability to participate since my family is very new to the IEP process.
The IEP information was incredibly helpful. It was a bit like pulling back the curtain on something that was previously a complete mystery.
I am so thankful for this workshop and for the information, and materials you’ve shared w/ me. Thanks for facilitating the training so well. It’s great to have a safe space to talk openly with experts and other parents about education, IEPs, 504, Inclusion, challenges, etc. The choice of speaker, topics, resources and lending library was all great.
Amazing group of people. Chance for honest conversations. Helps me be a better advocate & team member.
Amazing experience – tons of knowledge shared. Lots of great connections with families. Better understanding of the IEP process. I feel empowered to do more – create positive change. Opened my eyes to some realities approaching transition to adulthood.
We received a lot of great information in this class! It has made me change the way I look at the whole process, and how I approach things with my daughter. I am so grateful that I was given this opportunity!
I am no longer feeling so alone & confused. Feel I can be a better advocate.
Attending this institute was an awesome opportunity. I turned out to be much more than I expected. It gave me a better understanding about the transition process & how I can best support my child through transition. It generated a lot of ideas for my child’s last IEP. I feel so much more equipped to navigate SSD=land, as well as help others navigate it too.
Amazing. Blessing. You’ve enabled me to think more positively and concretely about my son’s future. I have always said “there’s no outline for me to follow” – but you’ve given me the framework I desired, support & connections! Contact us at ssdpeda@ssdmo.org or call 314.989.8460 if you have any questions or concerns.
You Are Invited: SSD Sponsored Lunch & Learn
Special School District’s Family and Community Outreach, Social Work, Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA) and Communications departments have teamed up 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 take place on the first Wednesday of each month during the 2021-22 school year, from 11:30 AM - Noon.
Representatives from nine community organizations will participate in order to increase awareness about their agency and make connections with those in our SSD community who may benefit from their programs and services.
Organizations represented in the Lunch & Learn series include:
- St. Louis County Library – May 4
We hope to see you there!
Special School District of St. Louis County
Email: tjnalls@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
Jennings School District
Website: https://www.jenningsk12.org/
Location: 2559 Dorwood Drive, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314-653-8000