SSD Pattonville Dispatch

Filing for positions on the Pattonville School District Board of Education begins at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5, and ends at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 26. Persons interested in running for a position on the school board may file at the Pattonville Learning Center, 11097 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Ann, Missouri. Candidates will be placed on the ballot in order of filing. There are two positions available on the April 2, 2024, election ballot, each with a three-year term. Board members whose terms are expiring are Jeanne Schottmueller and Brandon Wilkes.

Candidates may file during the district’s regular business hours, which are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Dec. 26, filing will be open from 2 p.m. until filing closes at 5 p.m. Hours are subject to change. Except for the first and last day of filing, filing will not occur on days that the school district’s central offices are closed due to inclement weather or other unforeseeable reasons. The district may not open on the first and/or last day of filing if weather conditions make it unsafe for school staff to travel. Filing will also not occur on the following dates when the district’s superintendent’s office will be closed: Dec. 25.

For more information or to confirm if offices are open for filing, contact the secretary to the board at (314) 213-8001 or collinsa10@psdr3.org. For information on qualifications and training requirements, go online at www.psdr3.org/about-us/board-of-education.

Today, we are celebrating National Special Education Day! Huge thanks to our amazing Special School District employees for making a difference in our students' lives. At the November Pattonville Board of Education meeting, the board reviewed and accepted the evaluation of our special education program. Check out the video presentation below.

The Pattonville Parent Advisory Council will hold the monthly meeting Thursday, December 21, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom. A local parent advisory committee provides parents an opportunity to learn more about the supports and resources available to parents of students with disabilities and collaborate with other local parents.

Join Zoom Meeting: ZOOM LINK

Educators working with children who have disabilities possess invaluable expertise in effective teaching methods. Frequently, there is a lack of funding from government-regulated taxes to support innovative educational initiatives, leading teachers to either personally finance materials or abandon expensive projects. The Special Education Foundation (SEF), has been bridging this financial gap by providing Classroom Innovation Grants to selected teachers each year since 2002. Classroom Innovation Grant applications for the 2024-2025 school year are being accepted now through December 15, 2023. Those selected will be notified in early 2024.

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.

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.

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!

The Special Education Foundation's John Cary Scholarship was established to honor the former SSD superintendent for his dedication to excellence and advocacy for students with disabilities. Each year, SEF grants scholarships to students entering post-secondary education, choosing recipients who embody John Cary's valued traits: resiliency, courage, and determination. Student applications and teacher nominations are accepted through January 26, 2024. Learn more and apply through this link.

Applications for several awards which honor the contributions of SSD staff and community members are awaiting nominations, which are due Jan. 5, 2024. These awards are collectively known as Salutes awards because they are given at the District’s annual Salutes event in the spring. They include the following:

● Key to the Classroom Awards (for classroom teachers)

● Building Block Awards (for paraprofessionals)

● Lasting Impression Awards (for support/operations staff)

● Special Ambassador Awards (for community members or organizations)

● Distinguished Leader Awards (for administrators in SSD and partner districts)

Please refer to the Salutes webpage for details about each award. Some awards permit nomination by SSD staff only, while others accept nominations from people who are not employed by SSD. Please nominate someone you know who works for SSD and help us provide the recognition they deserve for their meaningful work in SSD!

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.

December's Meeting - Dec. 13, 2023 7:00pm - 9:00pm

SSD PAC Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 955 4237 2430

Passcode: 795650

All meetings are held virtually via Zoom.

For more information or to join the meeting virtually, please visit the PAC website.

PAC general council meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month.

American Sign Language classes were a huge success this Fall. If you did not get a chance to attend, registration for second semester classes will open up in mid December. Keep an eye out on the FACE website for more information. Classes will be held each Thursday for six weeks starting February 8th. Classes fill up fast so register early.

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!

FACE is hosting a webinar highlighting the Missouri Poison Center on December 5th from 6-7pm. In this webinar, attendees will learn how to contact the Missouri Poison Center, what to do if they suspect their student has gotten into something, and poison first aid. Register for this informative event here.

Would you like to learn more about how to support our student’s learning this Winter? Take a look at the FACE YouTube page and watch any of our pre-recorded webinars. Topics include toilet training, executive functioning, behavior supports, and Special Education Process. Check it out and email us at face@ssdmo.org to suggest other important topics.

For more information visit the The Family Resource Hub.

The Family Resource Hub Satellite Food Pantry is located at North Tech High School which supports families with access to non-perishable food items and household supplies.

The Family Resource Hub Satellite Food Pantry

The holidays can be a stressful time financially for many families. The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) will be at the HUB at North Tech High School on January 5th from 10-2pm to help families. CAASTLC can provide the following programs and services to families:

• Case management
• Utility assistance
• Rental assistance
• Financial education
• Weatherization
• Program development and educational activities.

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 SSD students districtwide.

Partner Districts

Partner District Communication Sequence

IEPs - Frequently Asked Questions

Bullying Resources

Student & Related Services

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.

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.

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

December 25-29

No school for winter break

January 1

No school for winter break

January 2

No school for staff collaboration day

January 3

School resumes

Pattonville District Calendar

Events are held at the North Tech High School Library

1700 Derhake Road Florissant, MO 63033

February 8 6:00pm - 8:00pm

January 24 11:30am - Noon

The Mizzou PAWS webinar

February 28 11:30am - Noon

The Hulme Resources webinar

February 28 11:30am - Noon

The St. Louis Arc's Next webinar

February 2 9:30am - 10:00am

Join the virtual meeting

Events are held at the Family Resource Hub

at North Tech High School

1700 Derhake Road Florissant, MO 63033

December 1 10:00am - 2:00pm

Hub Huddle: CAASTLC

December 1 Noon - 1:00pm

Hub Huddle: Higher Education Consortium (HEC)

January 5 10:00am - 2:00pm

Hub Huddle: CAASTLC

February 2 10:00am - 2:00pm

Hub Huddle: CAASTLC

December 5th 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Missouri Poison Center

Register for this virtual event

February 7th 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Behavioral Strategies in the Home and Community (Part 2 of 2)

Register for this virtual event.

• SSD Superintendent Updates

• SSD Parent Advisory Council

• Family and Community Engagement

• Family Leadership Institute

• SSD Guidance/Resources for In-Person and Distance Learning

• SSD Partner District - Pattonville

• Academic and Related Services Toolkit

Email: DByrnes@ssdmo.org
Website: www.ssdmo.org
Location: 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314.989.8100
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSDStLCo
Twitter: @SSDDStLCo

Dr. Tori Cain, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services

Deidre Smalls, Special Education Coordinator - Bridgeway, Drummond, Rose Acres

Carla Addoh, Special Education Coordinator - Remington, Parkwood, Willow Brook

Dee Byrnes, Special Education Coordinator - Holman Middle

Website: https://www.psdr3.org/
Location: 11097 St Charles Rock Rd, Saint Ann, MO, USA
Phone: 314-213-8500