SSD Webster Groves Schools
February 2024 Community Engagement Newsletter
Transition Fair at Webster Groves High School
All families of K-12 students are encouraged to attend!
Webster Groves High School will host a Career ,College and Transition Fair for students February 6 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The purpose of this event is to provide information and resources that are available for students during and after high school who receive special education services. Students are welcome to attend with their families! (no child-care available). Parents and students will be able to travel freely to any of the organizations to learn more information or ask student specific questions.
Here is a link to a list of the organizations that plan to participate in the Transition Fair in the Cafeteria/Commons area at WGHS. link to list of organizations
An RSVP is NOT required but if you know you plan to attend, please click on this link and complete a short one-minute form.
REC CENTER ICE SKATING
The Hixson Middle School Physical Education department took the students to the Rec Center for Ice Skating as a part of their curriculum on January 9th. This activity correlates to Standard 6: Values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and social interactions.
Mr. Aaron Hummert does an AMAZING job ensuring that students with special needs are included in these types of experiences. Mr. Hummert worked with our SSD Paraprofessional, Mr. Tyler Coughener who is leading the class with ensuring that students were prepared and had a great time.
Thank you Mr.Hummert and the entire PE team for all you do for students at Hixson Middle School!
Extended School Year (ESY) Plans
Greetings! As we approach mid school year, it is time to prepare for the Extended School Year Program (ESY). Teachers are busy reviewing data and determining student needs. Letters will be going home over the next couple of months indicating if your child has qualified. Please return the letter to the school indicating if you plan for your child will to attend.
ESY will be held at the following schools:
Avery Elementary (K-5) from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Edgar Road (K-5) Resource Only (If attending the SEE Program)
Hixson Middle (6-8) 8:15 a.m.- 12:15 p.m.
Webster Groves High School (9-12) 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The dates are 6/3/2024-6/28/2024. There will be no session on June 19th.
It is important to mention a couple of items in regards to ESY. First, not all children who qualify for ESY will qualify for the full program. If your child is attending both the Webster Groves SEE program and qualifies for ESY services, your child’s case manager will work with your child’s summer school teacher and you to determine an optimal time to provide ESY services. Secondly, if your child’s IEP team has found him or her eligible for transportation services, you should be receiving transportation information closer to the start of ESY.
We are looking forward to a great ESY program this summer. If you have any questions, you may be reach Stephanie Berry @ seberry@ssdmo.org or (314)989-8468 or Jennifer Macalady JLMacalady@ssdmo.org at (314)749-2091.
Co-Teaching Professional Development 23-24
The teachers will meet together April 9th.
Just a few of the topics covered will include: Specifically Designed Instruction, Collaboration, Co-Managing, and HI-Yield Instructional Strategies.
WELCOME TO THE WEBSTER GROVES PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (WGPAC)
The WGPAC is scheduled to meet four times for the 23/24 school year. There will be a topic and/or guest speaker and time to get to know one another.
Feel free to bring in your own meal or snack.
Meetings will be on the following dates at Global Brew in Rock Hill
on Tuesday evenings from 7 - 8 PM.
February 13
April 9
Please mark your calendars and plan to join!
Questions? Contact JJ.Gossrau@gmail.com
*The Webster Groves Parent Advisory Council was formed by families who expect that children with disabilities and/or unique learning needs are educated effectively, afforded the dignity of belonging, and valued throughout all Webster Groves School District learning opportunities and experiences.
Spotlight on Bullying
Bullying is an unacceptable part of our children’s lives. Do your children know how to recognize the signs of bullying? Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center offers resources to help. Click here to learn how you can become a partner in your child’s learning.
The Family and Community Resource Center (FCRC), located at the Learning Center in Hazelwood, has several books that help to increase awareness and prevent bullying for students of all different ages and abilities. Here is a list of just a few:
Contact FACE today (face@ssdmo.org, 314-989-8460) to have one of these books or many others sent home in your student’s backpack!
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:
Feb. 24 – Eureka High School
March 2 – North Tech High School
March 9 – South Tech High School
Family Resource Hub
Family Resource Hub Food Pantry is stocked with food and supplies and open for families who are in need. Contact FACE or your school social worker to find out more.
The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) will also be available at the SSD Family Resource Hub (located inside North Tech High School) on Friday, February 2nd, from 10am-2pm to provide information and access to many of their programs, including the Low-Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP) and Water Assistance Program (LIWAP).
You're Invited
FACE is set to host Family Academy on Saturday, February 24th, from 9 AM to 12 PM at Neuwoehner High School, 12112 Clayton Rd, St. Louis MO 63131. Families can connect with various community providers and vendors and partake in self-directed learning opportunities. Round up the kids and head to Family Academy for a morning of fun and empowerment. You don't want to miss this academy if you’re looking for Summer Recreation opportunities. The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis and many of our local camp vendors will be onsite to discuss funding and recreation options.
Visit the FACE webpage for more details and to secure your spot!
Public Notices
Each year, the Special School District posts annual public notices as required by Board of Education policy and state law. These notices primarily serve to inform parents and students of their rights. Full SSD Board of Education policies and regulations can be found on the District website.
All of SSD's public notices can be found on the District website at www.ssdmo.org/publicnotices.
2024 SSD Board of Education Election
Three candidates have filed for two open positions on the Special School District Board of Education in the spring election. The open positions are for three-year terms and represent the following subdistricts:
Subdistrict 5 – Brentwood, Kirkwood, Lindbergh, Valley Park, and Webster Groves school districts
Subdistrict 6 – Ladue, Normandy, Ritenour, and University City school districts
In March, the Board candidates will be interviewed by the SSD Governing Council, which selects new members of the Board of Education. The Governing Council is comprised of one Board of Education member from each of the 22 school districts in St. Louis County.
Learn more about SSD's current Board of Education members, policies, and meetings on the District website.
Procedural Safe Guards
Did you know that the SSD has copies of the Procedural Safeguards and Parent Bill of Rights available in multiple languages on our website? The Procedural Safeguards help keep families informed about their rights and protections under IDEA.
Visit the Procedural Safeguards section of the District website to review.
American Sign Language (ASL Series)
A few spots remain for families to sign up for American Sign Language (ASL) classes. This six-week class will be held weekly beginning February 8 at 6:00 PM at SSD’s Central Office. Families will be in an immersive environment for learning American Sign Language (ASL)! Learn to communicate with Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HoH) individuals with an introduction to fingerspelling and basic signs to use in the home, school, and community.
Topics include family, school, food, and community signs. Deaf cultural norms will be discussed, which include introductions and daily interaction between the deaf and the hearing. Space is limited.
Register here.
Webinar
FACE will be hosting Part 2 of our 2 part webinar, Behavior Strategies in the Home and Community on February 7th at 6 PM. Join us as we expand on previous lessons which discussed crisis procedures in the home and reinforcing alternative behaviors, a review of acceptance and commitment therapy strategies, and a focus on present moment and diffusion techniques.
Register here today! You can access part 1 on the SSD YouTube channel.
Family Cafe
Are you craving more meaningful connections with members of the SSD community? Do you like learning from others in a safe, inclusive environment? If so, join us on February 8th from 6-8 PM at North Tech for the first Family Cafe of the Spring Semester. Cafes are hosted by families for families. They provide parents and caregivers with a safe and welcoming space to connect and learn from each other. They are centered on strengthening families' protective factors: Resilience, relationships, knowledge, support, and communication.
Click here for more information and to register.
Mark Your Calendar!
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.
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.
Are you looking for unique and accessible activities to participate in this winter? Look no further than the latest FACE newsletter! In it you will find not only information on what FACE has to offer, but also ideas to enhance your student’s learning and great community events and offerings.
You can sign up to have future newsletters sent to your inbox by visiting the FACE website today!
The Special Education Foundation is offering 10 sponsorships (valued at $500) for Junior year students to attend the 2024 American Legion Auxiliary Missouri Girls State and American Legion Auxiliary Missouri Boys State. The programs will be held the week of June 22 – June 29, 2024 at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. The program includes a college campus experience of staying in the dorms overnight at the university for a week as a citizen of a mythical state that all the citizens will govern at the city, county and state level. Students must send a sponsorship solicitation email/letter and letter of reference from the student’s SSD teacher to Tim Eby, SEF Executive Director at tim@sef-stl.org by March 1, 2024.
Read here for more information, or contact Jackie Ruhm Dunn jackiedunnstl@gmail.com or 314.640.1154 for questions.
Leadership Academy Class
The Special Education Foundation is accepting applications for next year's Fred Saigh Leadership Academy class. Started in 2004, this program provides high school students with unique community-focused opportunities to broaden their horizons.
Each year, up to 20 students displaying leadership potential are chosen to participate in a training program that introduces and develops their leadership skills, engaging them in community issues. Students dedicate one day per month to visit key sites and meet leaders in the metropolitan area, exposing them to vital institutions that address community needs. Applications are accepted now through February 20, 2024.
Bridge the Academic Break with Winter Camp
Camp programs within the community can play an important role in sustaining the positive impacts on students with disabilities, extending beyond the social and educational aspects of the classroom. Participation in these camps offers occasions for social interaction, increased independence, and have the potential to boost confidence during breaks in the school year.
SEF’s Kid-to-Camp program provides financial assistance to families of children served by the Special School District so they can attend camp during these breaks in the school year. Campership funds are awarded based on financial need and student benefit.
Help Keep Kids Warm this Winter
The cold temperatures this week have brought with it the reminder that winter is coming to the St. Louis region and how important it is for every student to have a suitable coat, hat, and gloves for the coming months.
Most of us are lucky not to have to choose between heat, food, or a warm winter coat. Sadly, there are many in our region that face that decision, and often, the winter coat comes last. For a child with a disability, there are additional challenges when it comes to outerwear. For example, a child in a wheelchair struggles with most outerwear as the bulkiness of the coat may interfere with the positioning equipment on the wheelchair, especially for children with complex positioning devices, such as laterals, harnesses, head supports, and other upper body supports.
For children with sensory issues, winter coats bring an extra burden. A child with autism may be overly sensitive to scratchy seams and tags, or they may react to clothes or waistbands that are too tight.
Right now, the Special Education Foundation is partnering with the Special School District of St. Louis County on the Critical Needs Coat Drive, where we’re raising money to buy coats for students this winter. Please donate online today to help put a coat on a kid who needs it. Especially with these harsh temperatures we’re facing right now!You can also mail your contribution to SEF at 11933 Westline Industrial Drive, Saint Louis, MO 63146.
Thank you for your generous support!
Learn More about UMSL's Succeed Program
The UMSL Succeed Program is designed to encourage and facilitate students to gain independence through academics, vocational experiences, and college residential/student life. Students must meet the criteria, which include:
● Have a documented intellectual or developmental disability.
● Demonstrate a strong interest or desire to pursue post-secondary education to expand career & life opportunities.
● Have completed or will complete high school with a modified/standard diploma, or a certificate of program completion/achievement.
See the entire list of requirements and learn more about the program!
Online SSD Resources to Help Families All Year
Visit SSDMO.org for links to resources that will direct you to information that will be helpful throughout the year - bookmark the webpage to make it easy to find. The links below apply to all students county-wide who receive services from SSD.
Free Flu Shots Through BJC
Affordable Connectivity Program
Affordable Connectivity Program: The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families or 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.
Free At-Home COVID-19 Test
Residential Households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 FREE at-home tests from usps.com. To order the free tests visit covidtests.gov.
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/