SSD/Valley Park Monthly Dispatch
October 2022
Staff Spotlight
Each month, I will continue to feature some of our amazing SSD VP Staff Members! For October, I would like to celebrate two wonderful paraprofessionals - Joanne Cole and Jerry Durrwachter. We are impressed daily with their dedication to our students, both with and without IEPs, their flexibility, and the value add to our Valley Park Community. They are both celebrities with the students!
Below are some highlights in their own words ~
Joanne Cole:
Education/Professional Background/roles and/or jobs:
I knew from a very young age, that my passion was to work with children. I had to overcome my own challenges of being born prematurely and getting diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy on my left side. I didn’t let that stop me from being successful and making a difference. Instead, I use my life experience as a teaching tool and message to our students, if you work hard and have a positive attitude anything is possible.
I attended South Tech’s Health Science Program and received my CNA certificate. I also was given the most valuable opportunity of getting hands on experience working with the children at Park School! After High School, I earned my Associates Degree in Child Care.
Life outside of work:
My husband and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary in October. We have three children ages 18,16 &14yrs.
What is your favorite part of being a SSD team member in Valley Park?
I am celebrating my 10th school year at Valley Park Elem and my 17th with SSD. My favorite part is being on one campus Pre- school -12th. I have the rare chance of watching the tiniest learner grow into a young adult!
Through the years of working with our students, the one thing that I have realized and makes me so happy is…. ‘’ The littlest things make their day’’!
Jerry Durrwachter:
Education/Professional Background/roles and/or jobs:
I have 3 degrees, including a Bachelor's in Communication and an Associate's in Information Technology. Before coming to SSD in 2018, I had 30+ years in Project Management & Management. I also lead and sang lead in my own band, "DR. DURRWACHTER & THE HEALERS", for 13 lucky years. We specialized in mid-60s Dance Music, with an emphasis on The Recycled Hit. I briefly wrote about music for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Life outside of work:
I love dogs but choose not to live with them. I have organized over 50 Family Reunions, am one of 7 boys (NO girls!), and have a 20-year-old-son who goes to school fulltime and works in Real Estate fulltime in Illinois. My nearly 96-year-old mother still lives on her own.
What is your favorite part of being a SSD team member in Valley Park?
Interacting with the kids and, hopefully, helping them in a meaningful way.
Wellness Corner - Foods that Boost Your Mood
Research shows that certain foods are known to have a positive impact on our mood. While we may first gravitate towards foods that fulfill an immediate need, such as candy for a quick burst of energy or chips to satisfy a salty craving, these foods in the long term do not benefit our overall well being. Being mindful and present while eating, and not just our food choices, can promote a positive mood and mindset. Check out the chart to see a range of foods that benefit our physical and mental health.
Family & Community Engagement (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 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.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and 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.
Valley Park Visitor Management System
Valley Park School District welcomes parents and other community members into our schools for special events, meetings, tours, and other occasions. However, keeping our students and staff safe while at school is something we take very seriously. To increase security at all our school buildings, we have started using the Hall Pass Visitor Management System to track visitors. The system is simple and easy to use. The only thing you need is a government-issued ID. For more information, click here.
Social-Emotional Learning Resources
SSD has compiled a list of book and web resources for families surrounding social-emotional learning and trauma-informed practices. Families can play a dual role in raising self-aware, respectful students who know how to manage their emotions, make responsible decisions, and resolve conflicts non-violently.
View the resources on the District website: https://buff.ly/34SmPBm
Family and Community Outreach
The mission of SSD's Family & Community Outreach division is to partner with families for each student’s academic, social, and emotional success so that students may attain an enviable life. Please see below for key resources:
- The Family Resource Hub – 1 min. video highlighting the features and an attached flyer. Family Resource Hub Virtual Grand Opening
- Recreation Council Flyer – Summer Program Guides available on 1.21.22 The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis Summer Program Guide Announcement (flyer attached too)
- Youth Mental Health Training for Staff –Kickup registration link: https://pulse.kickup.co/events/browse/SKSWHzR83mUrJ7gpEPUpeh
- Youth Mental Health Training for Families – Google link: https://forms.gle/28CzBcceYgadDhJk6
- Assistance for families who may have challenges accessing the FREE Covid Tests FREE At-Home COVID Test (flyer attached too)
SSD Parent Leadership Institute (PLI)
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
VP Upcoming Events
To access key school information, please go to the following sites:
Valley Park Elementary School: https://www.vp.k12.mo.us/Domain/8
Valley Park Middle School: https://www.vp.k12.mo.us/Domain/9
Valley Park High School: https://www.vp.k12.mo.us/Domain/10
Valley Park Early Childhood Center: https://www.vp.k12.mo.us/domain/364
Message to Families - from Valley Park
One Community. One Campus. Limitless Learning.
The Valley Park School District is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment of belonging where personalized learning experiences prepare our students holistically for limitless opportunities, empowering them to make the world a better place.
Please keep up to date with Dr. Dilg's communications in regards to our Return to Learn Plan:
Contact Us
Special School District of St. Louis County
12110 Clayton Road
Town & Country, MO 63131
Phone: 314‐989‐8100
Julie Schroeder
- Director
- jmschroeder@ssdmo.org
Dana Evans
- School Social Worker
- devans@ssdmo.org
Dani Rock
- School Psychologist
- dcrock@ssdmo.org
Website: https://www.vp.k12.mo.us/Page/1
Location: One Main St, Valley Park, MO 63088
Phone: (636) 923-3500