SSD Webster Groves Schools

About 2 months ago, a group of 5th grade students approached Malissa Beecham, principal with proposals for a winter event. One student wanted to host a donation drive for Refugee Families in St. Louis, and another group of students wanted to host a dance for members of the Webster Groves school community. As a group, the students decided to put these two ideas together and have a dance for the school. Over the past several weeks, they worked hard to solidify the details. Their vision was to decorate the space with the theme of "A Winter Night in New York."

On February 9, at 5:30 p.m. the gym had been transposed into a winter night in New York. The students dressed up for the occasion. Some parents dressed up as well. They danced the night away with a live DJ leading the cause, and a professional photographer capturing the moments. Food was served and students could enjoy board games and family, fun, and fellowship. Students brought canned and dry goods to stock the building family pantry. All had a great time!

Great Job 5th grade students at Givens Elementary!

Webster Groves High School sponsored a College and Career Readiness Fair on February 6. Fifteen agencies were on site in the Webster Groves High School to provide information to families about the services available to students after high school that have IEPs. A few agencies on site were Vocational Rehabilitation, Meremac Community College, UMSL, Missouri State, Metro Transportation, The Jewish Community Center, and Dream Big. About twenty families participated in Special School District's session and the families found many services available to ease the transition from high school to college or career. A special thanks to the agency representatives and Sandy Kempf, Special School District's Transition Expert!

On The Way With ADA | Save Money, Ride More Metro Transit is excited to offer the On The Way With ADA program, which allows ADA paratransit riders to ride MetroLink and MetroBus for free!

Through the program, qualified ADA paratransit customers can receive a special On The Way With ADA Gateway Card preloaded to provide free rides on MetroLink and MetroBus.

Program Details

• To apply for your On The Way With ADA Gateway Card, visit the MetroStore at the corner of 8th & Pine Streets in downtown St. Louis or contact ADA Services at 314.982.1510 or ADAServices@metrostlouis.org.
• On The Way With ADA is only eligible for qualified ADA paratransit riders.
  • If you have a ADA Paratransit card, you are eligible for the On The Way With ADA program
  • To see if you are eligible, contact ADA Services at 314.982.1510 or ADAServices@metrostlouis.org.
• All On The Way With ADA Gateway Cards are assigned to a specific transit rider. The card can only be used by the assigned rider.
• The On The Way With ADA card is not eligible for discounts on Metro Call‑A‑Ride.

How to Use Your On The Way With ADA Gateway Card

Your On The Way With ADA Gateway Card is preloaded for free rides on MetroBus and MetroLink. If you have not received your On The Way With ADA Gateway Card, you may request a card or check on its status by contacting the ADA Services department at 314.982.1510 or ADAServices@metrostlouis.org.

Click on this link to read more on Metrolink's website.

Metrostlouis.

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 Monday-Thursday.

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 you child only qualifies for resource minutes, the summer school case manager will contact you regarding dates and times to bring your child in for services. Secondly, 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. Finally, 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.

Sincerely,

Dr. Stephanie E. Berry

Dr. Jennifer Macalady

Crystal Elze, Webster Groves Instructional Facilitator and Madeline Craig, assistant principal at Webster Groves High School have planned co-teaching professional development for teachers who will work together this year in a co-taught setting.

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.

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.

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.

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:

“Betty Stops the Bully: An Emotional Literacy Book” written by Lawrence E. Shapiro, Ph.D “Emily is Being Bullied. What Can She Do?” written by Helen Cowie, Harriet Tenebaum, and Ffion Jones “I Wish I Knew What to Do?!, Teens tell it like it is…on what to say to get BULLIES to leave you alone!” edited by Beth Carls and Amy Looper

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!

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

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!

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:

• Tips on Finding a Leisure Program Right for You

• Online Summer Program Listing

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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!

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.

• Partner Districts

• Partner District Communication Sequence

• IEPs - Frequently Asked Questions

• Bullying Resources

• Student & Related Services

Receiving a flu shot helps keep you and your community healthy! Free flu vaccinations are being provided through Barnes-Jewish Hospital. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit https://bit.ly/3oCxqYu

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.

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.

Special School District is providing assistance to those who need help accessing or completing the online form. For assistance, visit FREE At-Home COVID Test.

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/

Webster Groves School District Return to School Plan

SSD Superintendent Updates

ECSE Department Newsletter

Academic & Related Services Toolkit for Educators

Your Voice Counts!

Distance Learning Resources for Families

PEDA Parent/Family workshop

Webster Groves Newsletter Feedback