SSD Ladue Schools
August 2023
WELCOME TO THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR!
FROM THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR
Welcome Back to the 2023-3024 school year!
Dear Ladue Schools Families and Staff,
I hope this letter finds you all in good health and high spirits. As we prepare to embark on another exciting academic year, I wanted to take a moment to extend a warm welcome to our returning families and a heartfelt greeting to those who are new to the Ladue Schools community.
The start of a new school year brings with it a sense of anticipation and enthusiasm. It is a time for fresh beginnings, renewed commitments to learning, and the forging of lasting friendships. The special education staff are dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We look forward to partnering with our families around growth and progress this year.
Communication is key to a successful partnership between school and home. We encourage you to stay involved in your child's education and keep the lines of communication open with our teachers, staff, and administrators. There will be regular updates, parent-teacher conferences, and various school based events that offer opportunities for engagement.
Thank you all for being an essential part of the Ladue Schools family. Together, we will continue to make a positive difference in the lives of our students and inspire them to reach their full potential.
Here's to a fantastic year ahead!
Warm regards,
Catina Lyles, Ph.D.
SSD Director of Special Education
Ladue School District
Upcoming Meet the Teacher Nights
As summer comes to an end, here is some pertinent information for our return for the 2023-2024 school year.
All K-4 Elementary Schools will host Meet the Teacher Night on Thursday, August 17 from 4:30 PM-6:00 PM.
Fifth Grade Center will host Meet the Teacher Night on Thursday, August 17 from 6:00 PM-7:30 PM.
Website: https://www.ladueschools.net/fgc
Ladue Middle School will host Meet the Teacher Night on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Website: https://www.ladueschools.net/lms
LHWHS' Meet the Teacher night will be held on Thursday, August 31 at 7:00 PM.
Website: https://www.ladueschools.net/lhwhs
More information will come directly to you through ParentSquare.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM CASE MANAGERS
Our teachers are set to return on Monday, August 14, 2023 to prepare for the upcoming school year. Part of that preparation is to contact the families on their caseload. Your child’s case manager will contact you prior to the first day of school to introduce themselves, and answer any questions you may have.
We are looking forward to working with you to ensure your child has a successful 2023-2024 School Year!
If you have any questions related to Special Education, please contact the appropriate Special Education Administrator.
John Turner
Special Education Coordinator – Elementary Schools
314-989-8203
Jim Sievers
Special Education Coordinator – Secondary Schools
314-989-8471
Catina Lyles, Ph.D.
SSD Director of Special Education
Ladue Schools
Who's New ?
We are delighted to introduce several exceptional educators who have joined our school community, each bringing unique expertise and a deep commitment to student success.
At Conway Elementary School, we are thrilled to have Julie Hohmann as our new Special Education Teacher. With extensive experience working with students who have special needs, Julie's passion for supporting Conway students and families shines through in all she does. Her student-centered approach ensures that every child feels valued and included.
Additionally, Jasmine Bowdry has joined Conway Elementary as a Teacher Assistant. With a wealth of knowledge in the field of special education and an empathetic disposition, Jasmine provides invaluable assistance to both teachers and students, fostering a caring and supportive learning environment.
Over at Ladue Middle School (LMS), we extend a warm welcome to Dr. Lynn Friend, our new 8th Grade Special Education Teacher. Dr. Friend's impressive background includes time as a Special Education Teacher, Math Interventionist, and School Counselor. Her diverse experience equips her with a deep understanding of diverse learning needs and a dedication to ensuring all students thrive.
Lastly, we are excited to have Shonte Bass join the Old Bonhomme Elementary staff as a Teacher Assistant. Her enthusiasm to work with students and families creates a positive and engaging atmosphere, enhancing the learning journey for all.
These new staff members; Julie Hohmann, Jasmine Bowdry, Dr. Lynn Friend, and Shonte Bass, embody the core values of empathy, knowledge, and a strong focus on student development. We are confident that their presence will contribute significantly to the growth and success of our students. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to these talented individuals as they embark on this fulfilling journey with us.
Here's to a fantastic year ahead!
Book Recommendations for Reluctant Readers
Learning never has to stop! Students should be encouraged to continue reading over the summer months.
1. “Read What You Want”
Make sure that students know they can read whatever they want. No matter how challenging or silly the book may seem. The goal is to encourage a lifelong love of reading! Teachers pick a curated list of books for students to read during the school year. These books cover all of the basis in terms of curriculum standards, but they might not align with your student's interest. In other words, these are books students “have” to read. During the summer months, they should be encouraged to read books that they “want to read”.
2. Be the Bridge
Students who struggle with reading might be interested in a particular series or book, but dismiss it because it may be too challenging. Provide your students with books on tape or read out loud to them. This is a great way to encourage them to continue reading and spend additional time with them over the summer. Another option is to take turns reading paragraphs or pages with your student. This can be a really low-pressure way for students to practice decoding and fluency over the summer. If you choose to take reading turns with your student, please do not encourage them to guess words. Read any word they cannot: decode for them.
3. Parent Curated List
Although it is important for students to read what they want to read over the summer, going into a library, comic book store, or bookstore can be overwhelming. Help your student out by providing them with a list of books or series that align with their interests or personalities. An amazing resource is the New York Times best-seller list. The list is updated often and allows readers to narrow down search options based on genre, age group, and month. In addition, please see below for a list of picture books and middle-aged books curated by Nathan Turner.
Picture Books
MIDDLE AGES
Community Partner Highlight
PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) is a 12-16 week
social skills program for children, teens or young adults with autism. In this program, individuals are engaged in learning real-life skills for connecting with others, as well as building and maintaining friendships. Parents/Caregivers will also participate in the program and will be taught how to support and assist their child/young adult in making and keeping friends by coaching and providing feedback during weekly homework assignments.
This program is offered to three age groups:
• Children’s Friendship Training: 3rd-5th graders
• PEERS: Middle and high school aged students
• PEERS for Young Adults: Individuals ages 18+ who are no longer in high school
New sessions will begin in August 2023.
A pre-program assessment to determine eligibility is required. Funding options include DDRB,
DMH and Private Pay
For more information and to see if you qualify, please contact our Admissions
Department at 314-394-7100 or via email info@esmw.org