Dear MRH Families,

I hope this message finds you well and refreshed during the winter break! As we step into the second semester of this academic year, I wanted to take a moment to extend a warm welcome back to all our students and families.

The start of a new year brings with it a sense of renewed energy, opportunities, and aspirations. It's a chance for us to continue the journey of learning and growth, building on the foundation we laid in the first semester.We are excited to embark on this next phase of the academic year with you. Our teams continue our commitment to providing an enriching and supportive environment that nurtures the potential of every student.

We understand that transitions can sometimes be challenging, but rest assured, we're here to support and guide our students every step of the way. Communication between home and school is crucial for a successful partnership, and we encourage you to reach out to us with any questions, concerns, or ideas you may have. Together, we can make this semester a remarkable and fulfilling experience for our students.

Thank you for your continued trust and support in our school community. Here's to a fantastic second semester filled with learning, laughter, and memorable moments!

In Partnership,

Emily

Emily Kresyman Ed. S

Maplewood Richmond Heights Director of Special Education

JAN 4th- First day of 2nd Semester

JAN 9th- Conversations with MRH administration 7-8pm Schlafly Bottleworks

JAN 15th- District Closed

JAN 18th- Board of Education Meeting 7pm Research and Design Center

JAN 20th- Job Fair at the St. Louis Zoo (see included flyer)

JAN 30th - early release day for students

Each year, the Special Education Foundation grants five $5,000 college scholarships to selected students entering post-secondary education. Recipients embody the qualities admired by John Cary, including resilience, courage, and determination. The scholarship committee assesses candidates based on academic achievements, leadership skills, community volunteerism, and accomplishments in athletics and/or the arts, seeking evidence of their potential for future success. Students planning to attend a four-year college or university can submit an application accompanied by their school transcript, through the SEF website. The student's SSD teacher must also nominate the student to be considered. Learn more about the John Cary Scholarship and how to apply. https://sef-stl.org/programs/scholarships/

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!

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):

• Jan. 10, 2024: Our January meeting will be a presentation from The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis - their staff will share lots of information about activities and summer camps before registrations become full.

• 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

• Here's a blog post from National Geographic that explains what a season is, and describes seasons in different parts of the world. It's a resource for 6th - 12th.
• From Education World, a great list of winter-themed resources, across all subjects and ages (and it's not too overwhelming!)
• Here's a really cool list of science experiments for winter. No cold and snow where you are? No worries. A freezer will suffice :)

Six Hibernation Lesson Plans for This Winter:

The winter season is upon us, and despite the craze of the holiday season, everyone will start moving a little slower, especially some animals. For most mammals, including squirrels, bats, and bears, winter means one thing: hibernation.

Teaching hibernation in the classroom can be easy for educators with the right resources:

Six Hibernation Lesson Plans for This Winter | Education World

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 click HERE.

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.

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.

The MRH Parent Advisory Council offers an opportunity to connect with other parents of students with disabilities and to learn about topics of interest. Please contact MRH parent Mrs. Kim Gifford if you are interested in participating.

• SSD Superintendent Updates
• SSD Parent Advisory Council
• SSD Partner District - Maplewood-Richmond Heights
• Academic and Related Services Toolkit