SSD/Hancock Place Parent Newsletter
October 2023
Student Survey
Students Who Receive Special Education Services Invited to Take SSD Survey: Special School District values the academic and personal well-being of our students and prioritizes making data-informed decisions to support their success. In collaboration with Panorama Education, SSD students in grades 3-12 are invited to share their voices through two surveys, a climate survey and a social-emotional learning (SEL) survey. The surveys will be given during the fall and spring of the 2023-24 school year, with the fall survey window being Sept. 19 through Oct. 9. The surveys will be administered electronically, but PDF versions can be previewed on SSD's website.
Online SSD Resources
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.
SEF Critical Needs Program
SEF Critical Needs Program: The Special Education Foundation (SEF) offers Critical Needs services - a solution to provide immediate funding to those students served by the Special School District (SSD) where the family is either unable to financially meet the need, has exhausted community resources, or is at risk for a student medical emergency that may result in the loss of independence or academic failure. Applications (accepted year-round) are to be completed by a social worker, teacher or administrator through the SEF website, submitted to Adrienne Eaglin at aeaglin@ssdmo.org or mailed to the Special School District Learning Center at 900 Hornet Drive, Hazelwood, MO 63042.
Family Cafe
Do you have a strong desire to make connections with other families in your community? Join FACE on October 5th from 6-8pm for a Family Cafe. Family Cafes are hosted by families for families. Conversations are centered around the Strengthening Families Five Protective Factors: Resilience, Relationships, Knowledge, Support, and Communication. To learn more or to register, click here.
Prepare Your Calendar for Exciting FACE Events coming soon…
The Community Action Agency of St. Louis (CAASTL) will be available at the Family Resource Hub, located inside North County Technical High School on October 6th and November 3rd from 10-2pm. CAASTLC can provide the following programs and services to families: Case management Utility assistance Rental assistance Financial education Weatherization Program development and educational activities. Contact FACE with any questions.
Lunch and Learn Series
FACE is excited to host Pathways to Independence for a Lunch and Learn on October 25th from 11:30-12. Pathways to Independence is a local non-profit supporting teens through navigating their transition years, with a focus on friendship and social skills. Pathways is geared toward more independent teens, often with a Level 1 Autism diagnosis, a learning disability, or other developmental disability. Through a monthly calendar, participants have their choice of a variety of social activities and social skills classes. To access the video, please visit the SSD YouTube channel.
FACE Engagement Opportunities
Behavioral Strategies in the Home and Community Series: Are you often frustrated or at a loss trying to manage your student’s behavior? Join SSD’s Applied Behavior Analysts on October 9th from 6-7pm to learn basic behavior strategies on how to prevent and react to behaviors when in and out in the community. In this webinar, attendees will review reinforcement strategies, basic functions of behavior, determining what your student prefers, how to apply these things across settings, and where resources are for you in the community. Click here to register and learn more.
Family Academy: EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT! FACE is hosting its second annual Family Academy on Saturday, November 4th from 9-12 at North Tech High School, 1700 Derhake Rd., Florissant MO 63033. Families will have the opportunity to meet with a wide variety of community providers and vendors as well as participate in self-directed learning opportunities. So gather up the kids and head to North Tech for a morning filled with fun and empowerment. Visit the FACE webpage for more information and to register!
Unity Day
Unity Day is coming to Special School District. All across the nation, Unity Day is being celebrated on October 18th. Students should wear and share orange to unite for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying. FACE will be holding a “Unity Day: Express Yourself” contest. Students are encouraged to submit entries based on the theme: “Kindness, Acceptance and Inclusion.” All forms of artistic expression will be accepted. Check the FACE website for more details on how to enter.
Greetings Families!
Has special education got you stressed out? The beginning of a new year and
unknowns can be extra scary with an IEP or 504. The system can be hard to
navigate even in the best districts. Those great documents, laws, & policies put
into place to help us are hard to understand. It can be a lonely journey. But you
are not alone! You have the SSD PAC.
The SSD PAC is open to every family with a child receiving SSD services. We have monthly zoom meetings. We are parents like you. We get it. You can just log on and watch. SSD and FACE share updates, great information, and presentations based on your needs. We advocate to inform policy with our parent voice. We share parent perspective to help our schools know how to best help our kids.
Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
The SSD Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is comprised of families advising and collaborating to improve the education, confidence and social outcomes of each student served by SSD. The PAC consists of five parents or guardians – one member and four alternates – from each of the 22 St. Louis County school districts and from each of the five SSD special education schools. The parents or guardians of students receiving special education services in that district or school elect SSD PAC members.
The SSD Parent Advisory Council has scheduled the following meetings for the 2023 - 2024 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.
Get Involved with the SSD PAC
- Network and communicate with other parents of children who receive special education service.
- Become as informed as possible about special education services
- Improve communication between your local school district and SSD
- Create a positive understanding and awareness of students with disabilities
- Establish a network of advocacy for local, state and national disability issues
SSD Hancock Place PAC Meeting
SSD HPSD PAC meetings will meet from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the library at Hancock Place High School.
Meeting Dates:
November 28, 2023
January 23, 2024
March 26, 2024
May 28, 2024
Health and Wellnewss
Nurturing Mental Wellness
Mindfulness Strategies for Inner Balance
In the fast-paced world we live in, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the demands of daily life. Amidst the hustle and bustle, prioritizing mental wellness is crucial for maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life. Mindfulness, a practice rooted in ancient wisdom, offers powerful tools to navigate the complexities of modern existence. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of mindfulness and provide practical strategies to incorporate it into your routine.
Understanding Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, without judgment. It involves paying focused attention to your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. By cultivating awareness of the present, you can reduce stress, enhance clarity, and foster a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you.
Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Wellness:
Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Mindfulness techniques help to calm the mind, reducing the impact of stressors and alleviating anxiety.
Improved Focus and Concentration: Regular mindfulness practice enhances cognitive function, allowing for greater concentration and productivity in daily tasks.
Enhanced Emotional Regulation: By observing emotions without attachment or judgment, mindfulness empowers individuals to respond to situations with greater emotional intelligence.
Increased Self-Acceptance: Mindfulness encourages self-compassion, allowing you to embrace your thoughts and feelings with kindness and understanding.
Greater Resilience: It fosters resilience by teaching you to adapt to challenging situations rather than becoming overwhelmed by them.
Practical Mindfulness Strategies
Breath Awareness: Find a quiet space and focus on your breath. Observe the inhale and exhale without trying to alter it. This simple exercise can be done anywhere and provides an immediate sense of calm.
Body Scan Meditation: Lie down or sit comfortably and mentally scan your body from head to toe. Notice any areas of tension or discomfort and allow them to release.
Mindful Eating: Slow down and savor each bite of your meal. Pay attention to the flavors, textures, and sensations in your mouth. This practice enhances gratitude and improves digestion.
Gratitude Journaling: Take a few minutes each day to jot down things you're grateful for. This practice cultivates a positive outlook and shifts focus towards the abundance in your life.
Walking Meditation: Take a leisurely walk and focus on each step. Feel the ground beneath your feet, the movement of your body, and the sensation of the air against your skin.
Technology Detox: Set aside designated times to disconnect from screens. Use this time for mindful activities like reading, walking, or spending quality time with loved ones.
Mindfulness is a powerful way to navigate life's challenges with ease and resilience. By incorporating these simple yet effective strategies into your routine, you can cultivate a deep sense of inner balance and lead a more fulfilling life. Remember, mindfulness is not a destination, but a journey – one that invites you to embrace each moment as it is.
Contact Us
Special School District of St. Louis County
12110 Clayton Road
Town & Country, MO 63131
Phone: 314‐989‐8100
- Director of Special Education
- School Social Worker
- School Psychologist
- School Psychologist
Need to access the HPSD website? Click the HPSD Tiger below.
Special School District
Email: drellis@ssdmo.org
Website: www.ssdmo.org
Location: 12110 Clayton Road, Wildwood, MO, USA
Phone: 314.989.8100
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSDStLCo
Twitter: @SSDDStLCo
