
Kirkwood Special School District
March 2024 Edition
Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Upcoming Events and Information
Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis
Discover the what, why and how behind the incredible work we get to do every day for individuals with disabilities. Download our latest newsletters and area guides to learn more about the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis and ways you can get involved with programs or events.
IT’S ARRIVED. 2024 Summer Guide can now be viewed and printed. Plus, check out these resources:
St. Louis County Library
Did you know that the St. Louis County Library offers more than just books? They offer a whole host of events at each of their locations throughout the County. Visit their events webpage today and discover what interests you!
Explore St. Louis
Spring break is just around the corner. Thankfully St. Louis offers many opportunities for families to get out and about together. Explore St. Louis has a robust directory of local museums and galleries. Get out and see what St. Louis has to offer.
Family Cafe
Join FACE on March 14th at North Technical High School, 1700 Derhake Rd, Florissant, MO 63033 from 6-8 pm for Family Cafe. Family 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. Register today!
Family Leadership Institute
FUTURE LEADERS WANTED! Would you like to become more involved in the special education process? Family Leadership Institute offers participants a comprehensive set of opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge in various areas related to education, family engagement, and collaboration. Sign up today for the Family Leadership Institute (FLI). FLI will be held April 17th, 24th and May 1st from 5:30-8pm. Click here to find out more and to register.
Save the Dates: STL County Apprenticeship & Career Pathways Showcases
SSD will be partnering with Affton, Pattonville, and Rockwood school districts again this year to host the St. Louis County Apprenticeship & Career Pathways Showcases. Last year’s events were very successful and helped middle and high-school students throughout the St. Louis region learn about the many careers available to them that require specialized training. Visit the Showcase webpage for more information! The District will host three Saturday events, each held from 10 AM – 1 PM:
March 2 – North Tech High School
March 9 – South Tech High School
Exciting news! The FACE second-semester calendar of events is now available. Packed with enriching activities, it aims to strengthen family/school partnerships. You can access the calendar here. Mark your calendars and join us—your participation is key to fostering a positive and engaging school community.
Face-to-Face Newsletter
Want to learn more about opportunities for families in our district? Sign up on our website for the new FACE-to-face newsletter from SSD’s Family and Community Engagement Division. Scroll to the bottom of the page, look to the right-hand corner, and share your name and email address to stay up to date on our events.
Follow SSD on Instagram!
SSD launched a new Instagram account in October and would love for you to follow. The District will be sharing photos and updates from all across the District, including our students and staff in partner districts. Follow us to stay connected and see what we are up to: www.instagram.com/ssdstlco/
The Special Education Foundation
The need for financial assistance is growing at an alarming rate for those with audiology needs. Since hearing aids, hearing molds, audiological equipment, and/or repairs are not always covered by insurance or tax dollars, we need your help more than ever before!
Funds will be used to purchase hearing aids, earmolds, repairs, and all things audiological. On behalf of the students and parents we serve, know that your generosity and support are greatly appreciated. Thank you for helping SEF provide more children with the gift of sound. Donations accepted through April 5, 2024 https://sef-stl.org/fundraising/arbeiter-donation.html
National School Social Work Week
March 3-9 is National School Social Work Week. We are fortunate to have amazing SSD Social Workers that work in Kirkwood. We are grateful for their hard work and dedication to our students.
Kalen Mayo
Emma Palleja
Kelly Palmer
TIa Wilson
Transitioning to Middle School: Events for NKMS and Nipher
Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Information
SSD Parent Advisory Council
Please Save the Date for Wednesday, May 8th. You’re invited to an End of Year Party at SSD’s Central Office, in Town & Country. SSD Board of Education Members, your District's Board of Education members who serve on Governing Council, your District Parent Groups, SSD FACE (Family and Community Engagement) and the best resource vendors will all be there wanting to connect with & meet as many families as they can. More details to come.
In addition, please take a minute to vote in our 3-question survey. It’s anonymous! We want to give families a strong introduction to the Special Education/SSD system- but need your help. What do you always tell new parents? What resources do you share with newly diagnosed families? Please vote. Link to survey:https://ssdmo.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3EJPa1clNZPQEgC.
Kirkwood SSD Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
The KSD PAC is a group of volunteer parents working together with Kirkwood and SSD to
SUPPORT, EDUCATE, and CONNECT other parents of children in special programs. 2023-2024 PAC meetings will be held on the following dates from 6:30-8:00 PM:
April 24, 2024
Staff Spotlight
Angela Chall
Hello! I am a teacher at Tillman Elementary in Kirkwood School District. This is my 4th year at Tillman and 9th year teaching special education. I started out with SSD as an ABA para in 2012. I am passionate about my role as a special educator. I love empowering students with tools for success and creating a welcoming environment where all feel comfortable. I enjoy building strong relationships with students and their families and fostering peer relationships. I absolutely adore my SSD team, who are supportive while also challenging me to grow. I feel very fortunate to work alongside such inspiring individuals. Outside of school, I am an auntie, cat mom, and plant mom. I am always adding new plants to my home and classroom. I like walking or hiking, going to concerts, and traveling to scenic destinations. I also enjoy listening to podcasts, watching movies, practicing Spanish, and spending time with friends and family.
Christie Spellmeyer
Hello! I am Speech/Language therapist at Nipher and Kirkwood High School. I love my job because first and foremost, the people I work with are smart, fun, creative, and uplifting. Every day is different, which makes the job funny and unpredictable at times, but in the best way. Working with students at the secondary level keeps you young--but also makes you feel old and sometimes wise! I enjoy seeing how the students progress from 6th grade to 8th grade--and this year, some of them from 6th grade to now getting to know some of them as high school students. In my free time I love being with my husband and our kids, shopping, cooking, checking out new places to eat with our friends, and being somewhat artsy when I have the time.
Steve Burleson
HI! My name is Steve Burleson. I have been working as a paraprofessional at Kirkwood High School for 4 ½ years and have taught in ESY for two summers. I love being able to support all of the students, and enjoy getting to help students make progress on their goals. It has been great getting to work with the staff here at Kirkwood High School. In my free time, I love spending time with my family. I have two sons, ages 11 and 13, and I have been married to my wife, Katie, for 22 years. I retired from coaching wrestling and football, but I enjoy watching them on tv.
Upcoming Events
SSD Board of Education Meetings:
March 12, 2024 Board of Education Business Meeting 5:45 PM/Executive Meeting 7:00 PM
Please visit the SSD Board of Education for more information.
Kirkwood School District Board of Education Meetings:
March 4, 2024 Board of Education Work Session 6:30 PM
March 11, 2024 Board of Education Special Meeting 6:30 PM
Please visit the Kirkwood Board of Education for more information.
March 8: End of 3rd Quarter
March 15: No School for Students, Teacher PD
March 18-22: No School, Spring Break
March 25: No School for Students
March 26: School Resumes
Contact Us
Special School District of St. Louis County
12110 Clayton Road
Town & Country, MO 63131
Phone: 314‐989‐8100
Taneal Davis
- Director of Special Education-Robinson
- tmdavis@ssdmo.org
- taneal.davis@kirkwoodschools.org
Colleen Card
- Special Education Coordinator-KHS
- COcard@ssdmo.org
- colleen.card@kirkwoodschools.org
Emily Meuth
- Special Education Coordinator-Keysor, Westchester, NKMS
- ELMeuth@ssdmo.org
- emily.meuth@kirkwoodschools.org
Amy Wassman
- Special Education Coordinator-North Glendale, Tillman, Nipher
- AKWassman@ssdmo.org
- amy.wassman@kirkwoodschools.org