Early Childhood Special Education

Februrary 2024

The mission of the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Department is to build independence in all preschool students to enable them to reach their full potential in preparation for kindergarten.

Director's Corner

Show of hands, who is ready for spring? ✋

As the weather in St. Louis can be unpredictable please remember a few things.

Inclement Weather days vary district by district so be on the look out for the district name where your child attends. This may be new information for some of our newer families.
If school is in session but you decide to keep your child at home, we understand. Please just give us a call if they won't be in and we will see them the next day of attendance.
If you have provided a change of emergency clothes for your child to keep at school. Please check to see if they need to be exchanged for warmer layers. We often ask you at the start of the school year and may forget as the cold comes in.

Please take care and stay warm!

Stacy M. Sturdivant

Director of Early Childhood Special Education

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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.

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Follow SSD on Instragram

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/

STL Recreation Council Lists Winter Events, Activities:

The temperature may be dropping, but it's never too early to plan for fun and learning. The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis has released their Winter Newsletter highlighting many of the leisure activities available to St. Louis County residents with disabilities. Learn how you can fill the colder months with meaningful, fun activities. Voucher applications are available; funding is first come, first served.

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SSD PAC Elections 2024

SSD's Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is now accepting New/Renewal of Membership Self-Nomination Forms. Completed nomination forms must be returned to the Executive Committee no later than Feb. 15, 2024.

Elections are rotated each year, with Affton School District, Bayless School District, Brentwood School District, Hancock Place School District, Ladue School District, Normandy Schools Collaborative, and Valley Park School District holding elections this year. Learn more at https://sites.google.com/a/ssdmo.org/ssdpac/home

SSD Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

Letter from the PAC President: Greetings PAC Family! It can be overwhelming figuring out school, insurance, future planning, not to mention what to make for dinner, all while parenting our beautiful kids who require extra attention. We're here to help you navigate the confusing waters of the disability world with our PAC meeting presentations. We want to help you now so your child’s future is bright.

Check out our upcoming meeting topics below. Note: Our PAC meetings are always held on the second Wednesday of the month, 7-9 PM, August through May (except March):

Feb. 14, 2024: Our zoom topic will be guardianship alternatives. This is a VIP topic to educate yourself about before it's thrown at you in high school.
May 8, 2024: Mark your calendars for our in-person celebration at SSD Central office! We are working to make it a one-stop shopping experience that will hook you up with integral resources for your child all in one place.

Come join your PAC family and get that help you haven’t had time to ask for.

Peaceful holidays to all,

Rebecca Flieg

President, SSD Parents Advisory Council

YOUNG ATHLETES from Special Olympics Missouri

Who: 3- to 7– year-olds with and without intellectual disabilities who are interested in practicing the motor skills required to play sports

When: Thursdays - January 18 through March 7, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

NOTE: They are still looking for participants. Reach out if interested!

The Young Athletes Program is designed to strengthen physical development, increase special awareness, build skills in concept development and improve self-esteem and self confidence for children through participation in sports and socialization by providing an experience that will lead to a lifetime appreciation of physical fitness and sports. In addition, inclusion of children with and without intellectual disabilities is encouraged so every child is welcome!

For more information and to register, contact Jocelyn Diehl, St. Louis Metro Program Director at 314-961-7755 or diehl@somo.org

Don't forget Dolly Parton's wonderful opportunity for free books!

CONTACT US:

face@ssdmo.org

314-989-8460

ONLINE:

www.ssdmo.org/face

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.

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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.

Supports at the Family Resource Hub

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).

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!

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American Sign Language Classes

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.

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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.

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Family Cafes

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.

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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.

ECSE Family Channel

Click here to see useful evidence based strategies on a variety of parenting topics for use in your home: Rules * Toilet Training * Schedules * Avoid Power Struggles & MORE. Compiled by the ECSE Student Support Facilitators.

Resources:

Special School District Website; Here is the Special School District Website. Please explore to learn further.
Family and Community Engagement: The mission of the FACE department is to partner with students, families, and staff to support students' specialized academic, social, and emotional needs to promote self-determination, equitable opportunities, and authentic inclusion.
Parent Advisory Council of Special School District ; Please visit this site to learn details about the Parent Advisory Council (PAC)