Bayless/SSD Newsletter
May 2022
Student Spotlight
SUCCEED is a post-secondary program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 18 through 25 years. Program participants can earn a Chancellor’s Certificate by completing the two-year residential or commuter program.
Congratulations Cameron! The Bayless community is proud of you!
Community Spotlight
There is some very exciting news for the St. Louis South County region! As some of you are aware, there are very few playgrounds in the St. Louis area that are fully accessible to students with physical limitations or special needs. However, that will soon change for the South County region.
Logan's Community Playground is being built in the Green Park/South County area. This will be a universally-inclusive playground where all children can play side-by-side. This is great news for our community and we look forward to it's opening!
The creation of this playground has a heart-warming origin as well. The playground is being built in honor of Logan Zielinski who passed away in 2021 at age 11. Logan is remembered as a kind, loving boy who always included all children, and this playground will be a generous tribute to his memory and kindness. Please use the link below to learn more about the playground and it's creation.
Bayless Extended School Year
If your student qualifies for Extended School Year (ESY) within his/her IEP, those dates are tentatively scheduled for June 6th thru June 30th 8:00-12:15 at Bayless Elementary and Bayless High School. ESY is intended to be an extension of a student's school year and staff will monitor IEP goals and progress.
However, if your student does not qualify for ESY, Bayless is again offering Summer Journey for K-8, remedial programming for 8-12 and advancement opportunities for 9-12. Please consult with your student IEP case manager to discuss which programs(s) is most appropriate for your child.
Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP)
A few important things to remember about eligibility for the SWEP program:
- You must be a resident of St. Louis County.
- You must be between 16 and 20 years of age and planning to return to a school program in the Fall of 2022.
- You cannot participate in SWEP while participating in the Extended School Year Program.
- Your teacher needs to submit a Teacher Input form before the program begins.
- You must be available for the entire 8 weeks of the program.
- You must have your own transportation to participate in the program.
- Not everyone who applies to the SWEP program will be able to participate this summer.
If your student is interested, please reach out to their case manager for the application OR download the application that is attached below ~
Wellness Corner
With warmer weather on the way, you can boost your mood by being outside and connecting with nature. According to the American Psychological Association’s article Nurtured by Nature, research shows that spending time in nature (as little as two hours a week) can have cognitive benefits, increase happiness, and improve social interactions. During your daily time outside, try using a mindfulness strategy to help you to slow down and be present in a month that seems to fly by. Take a walk and practice this grounding technique to engage your five senses.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Grounding Technique
Acknowledge FIVE things you can SEE. This can be a flower, the roots of a tree, or anything around you.
Acknowledge FOUR things you can HEAR. This may be a car driving by, birds chirping, or your own deep breaths.
Acknowledge THREE things you can TOUCH. Perhaps you can feel the wind, the sun on your face, or dew on the grass.
Acknowledge TWO things you can SMELL. Stop to smell a flower on your walk or notice the smell of fresh-cut grass.
Acknowledge ONE thing you can TASTE. Maybe you can still taste your morning coffee or think of one of your favorite things to eat.
PEDA Updates
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
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.
Contact us at ssdpeda@ssdmo.org or call 314.989.8460 if you have any questions or concerns.
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 Life Course 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, 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 IEP process. I feel empowered to do more – create positive change. Opened my eyes to some realities approaching with transition to adulthood.
· We received a lot of great information in this class! I 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!
Parent Advisory Council
The SSD Parent Advisory Council has scheduled the following meetings for the 2021-2022 school year. All meetings are held virtually via Zoom, from 7-9 PM. Additional information about meetings, including agendas, can be found on the PAC's website.
- May 11, 2022 (this meeting will be held virtually and in-person)
Please contact the Superintendent's Office at 314.989.8419 or 314.989.8281 by noon on the Wednesday before the meeting and an American Sign Language interpreter will be provided.
For more information about the SSD PAC or who represents your district, e-mail pac@ssdmo.org.
Upcoming Events
Contact Us
Special School District of St. Louis County
12110 Clayton Road
Town & Country, MO 63131
Phone: 314‐989‐8100
Maureen Nelson, Director of Special Education
Stephanie Wansing, Social Worker
Lindsay Amen, School Psychologist
Jason Driedger, School Psychologist
Email: monelson@ssdmo.org
Website: baylessk12.org
Location: 4530 Weber Rd, Affton, MO 63123, USA
Phone: (314) 256-8690.3009