SSD Lindbergh Schools
July 2022 Community Engagement Newsletter
LPAC Wants Your Input
New School Year Brings Coordinator Shift by Mrs. John Turner
It is with mixed emotions that I write this article this month. As some of you already know, I have accepted a new position in the Ladue School District. This decision is bittersweet as I am terribly sad to be leaving but excited for what lies ahead. The decision to leave has not been an easy one; to be honest, it has been the hardest professional decision I have ever made.
Serving as Special Education Coordinator at Lindbergh High School has been a great honor and privilege. When I became a Special Education Coordinator at Lindbergh High School in 2010, I had so many dreams for our department. I am happy to say many of them have come true. With an increase in teacher leadership, a collaborative network of staff, even more, explicit and rigorous instruction, a new focus on literacy, writing and most importantly, greater trust, our department stands out as a truly remarkable place to work.
To parents and community partners, it has been a pleasure joining forces with you to support our students and staff. Without your help, resources, and belief in us as special educators, we would not be as strong as we are today. You are an integral part of the work we do, and we cannot do this amazing work without you.
To the students I have been honored to work with, thank you for allowing me to learn from you and with you. Please remember to try hard, but know your limits. Ask if you need help, and trust others will help you.
I wish you all the best, and the memories of our time together will forever be with me.
SSD-Lindbergh Welcomes New Coordinator to Lindbergh High School
Amanda Smith
My name is Amanda Smith and I will be the new Special Education Coordinator for Lindbergh High School. For the past 9 years I have been a special education teacher for SSD in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. I have experience working as a resource teacher in the elementary setting as well as a middle school English Language Arts Co-Teacher. I’ve received a vast amount of training and practice in Inclusive Practices and I am excited to help teachers perfect their skills and instruction. I look forward to meeting and speaking to each and every one of you and cannot wait to meet your children. I am very excited about my new role as well as becoming part of the amazing Lindbergh Family! Go Flyers!!
Pets for Families?
By Special Education Coordinator Faith Rose
Pets are a big commitment for a family. Who will take care of it? Who will walk it, feed it, pay for the vet bills, and clean up after it? Would it help you decide if I told you pets can have a very positive impact on children (and adults) with disabilities. From companionship to safety, pets can be a welcome and important part of the family.
Pets want to be loved and give that love back. Your social, academic, and ability status mean absolutely nothing to a pet. Pets make great companions for our kids because they are always there. Some pets even have a sense of telling when a child needs their company or support. Petting an animal has great physical benefits as well. When a child pets an animal it will likely calm them, ease their anxiety, and even lower their blood pressure. Pets are so important they are sometimes even prescribed by doctors.
Emotional support animals, therapy dogs, and service animals are sometimes prescribed by medical doctors for their patients with disabilities. The pets are prescribed not only for calming reasons but also to guide them in new or unfamiliar territory, assist with difficult tasks, and most importantly, alert loved ones when something is wrong.
Pets can be positive role models for children. They can show them how to relax by laying down and taking easy breaths, modeling how to get up and go in the morning, and even how to respond positively to demands. They can even encourage school work by sitting near and giving attention to the child while they are reading or doing homework. It can be fun and beneficial to have a pet, but it’s still a big responsibility.
As a family, it is important to choose the right pet for your child. Even if you decide to get a dog or cat, there are many different breeds, behaviors, and temperaments. Animals are a great resource for teaching children responsibility. Help your child to find several jobs they can do to help care for the pet. Include them in conversations about the animal’s health and vet visits. Lastly, help teach your child the proper way to touch and handle a pet in order to keep both the animal and child safe. While having a pet is not right for every family, if it is the right choice for you, take your time and choose the right pet.
Kids typically love pets and will often beg a parent for a dog, cat, fish, or hamster. It may be a big step for your family but one that may be so worth it in the end.
Resources for information on therapy/service/emotional support pets:
Summer Fun Around Town
All Day Event
Location: 1820 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103
Cost: Free
Website: www.stlouisunionstation.com
Luau in the Lou
Join us June through August 21st for a Hawaiian themed event. Luau in the Lou is back at Union Station and will feature a monthly concert series, hula dancers, fire breathers and performers. Stop by the Anheuser-Busch beverage container for some themed cocktails.
Limbo 4pm-7pm, Luau Stilt performer 6pm-8pm, Fire Performer 6pm-8pm on the below dates:
- Fridays: July 8th, July 15th
- Saturdays: July 9th, July 16th, July 23rd, July 30th and Aug 6th
Tropical Hula Dancer's (20 Minute Performances & Lessons each hour)
- Saturdays: July 9th, 30th & Aug. 6th, 13th from Noon - 4:00pm
- Sundays: July 17th, 24th & Aug. 21st from 11:00am - 3:00pm
Hawaiian Trio (45 Min Performances)
- Saturdays: July 30th & Aug.6th, 20th from Noon - 4:00pm
- Sundays: July 10th, 17th from 11:00am - 3:00pm
8:00 am - 9:30 am
Location: 2 Eagle Center, Ste 2, O'Fallon, IL 62269
Cost: $15
Website: blossomplaycafe.com
Category: Family Fun
10:30 am
Location: 30 Saint Louis Galleria, St. Louis, MO 63117
Cost: $2.50
Website: www.galleria6cinemas.com
Category: Family Fun, Shows & Concerts
8:00 am
Location: 700 Raceway Blvd., Madison, IL 62060
Cost: Starts at $15
Website: bubblerun.com
Category: Races, Walks, 5Ks
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location: Main St., St. Clair, MO 63077
Cost: Free
Website: www.facebook.com
Category: Family Fun, Free
8:30 am - 2:00 pm
Location: 13725 Marine Ave, St. Louis, MO 63146
Cost: Free
Website: www.signaturefoundation.org
Category: Family Fun, Free
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location: 1450 E. Woodlawn Dr., Farmington, MO 63640
Cost: 9am-12pm —free 12pm-4pm —$5 4pm-10pm — $15
Website: www.sfcfairgrounds.com
Category: Family Fun
Family Needs Supported by SSD
Visit the Family Resource Hub
The Family Resource Hub, located at North Tech High School, assists families with identifying and navigating community resources and technology. The Hub also offers a satellite food pantry that is available to our school communities. Summer hours are by appointment only. To schedule a visit, please call 314.989.8311, or email familyengagement@ssdmo.org.
Are you still thinking about what to do this summer?
The PEDA Summer Resource Packet can help!
PEDA 2022 Summer Resource Packet
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
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
PEDA would love your feedback!
Please complete are PEDA Communications survey here: PEDA Survey
Special School District of St. Louis County
Email: jmdoyle@ssdmo.org
Website: ssdmo.org
Phone: 314-989-8463