Bayless SSD Newsletter

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! I am very excited for the upcoming school year and the new, exciting changes for our department. Some of those changes will be revealed when school begins and some are with our staffing! Please help us welcome our new staff members in each building.

At the high school, Jessica O’Brien joins us from Brentwood High School. Ms. O’Brien will be teaching with several Co-teaching general education partners to support students with special education needs at the high school.

At the junior high, Sydney Berry joins us as the new teacher in the essential skills classroom. Ms. Berry is excited to get to know her students and create fun, engaging activities for them. Carol Menkhus, from the elementary, will transferring to the junior and supporting in Ms. Berry’s classroom.

At the elementary, we have a few new staff members joining us. Sumer Mueller is our new Social Worker joining us from Lutheran Family Services. We have very excited to have a Sumer on our team as she has been a familiar and supportive faces for Bayless students and families for some time. We also have Edina Catic joining the Ms. Duke’s classroom to support students in the essential skills classroom, Alexandra Dorsey joining to support students in a resource setting and Breanna Evans, from Bayless Junior High, joining to support students in Mr. Kempfer’s classroom.

I look forward to seeing all of your wonderful students on the first day, hearing about their summers and helping them set goals for the upcoming school year. I cannot wait to see them grow, learn and excel this year!

Maureen Nelson Ed. S.

Director of Special Education--Bayless

256-8690 ext. 3009

August 8 - B.E.S.T. Monthly Meeting via Zoom

August 16 - Elementary Meet the Teacher Grades 1-5

August 16 - Bayless Board of Education Meeting

August 17 - ECC Meet the Teacher Night Session One

August 17 - JH Open House

August 17 - ECC Meet the Teacher Night Session Two

August 18 - Kindergarten Kickoff

August 21 - First Day of School

September 4 - No School - Labor Day

September 11 - Student Achievement Advisory Committee

Take the pressure and anxiety out of back-to-school season with these helpful ideas from an educator.

Whether your child is just beginning kindergarten or starting a new grade as a returning student, there’s lots to be done to prepare for the year ahead, including checking in about their fears, anxieties, and concerns.

As summer winds down, it’s natural for kids to experience nervousness — after all, your child is entering a structured group setting after months away. Some children will accept the change with joy, while others may need a bit more hand-holding to acclimate.

“Back-to-school will always be accompanied by a certain amount of nervous excitement or anxiety, but as a parent you can minimize fear of the unknown by being positive about school,” O’Connor says. The below tips from O’Connor can help your family make a smooth transition into the school year ahead and give your child new perspective on the joys of the classroom.

1. Visit the school or classroom before the first day.

2. Read books about starting school.
3. Talk to your child about their feelings about school, friends, teachers, and new activities.

4. Set intentions with your child for the school year ahead.

5. Practice, practice, practice your reading during the summer.
6. Include a note with your child's snack or lunch.

7. Go school shopping.

8. Encourage your child to pursue a passion project this year.

You can check out the full article here:

https://www.scholastic.com/parents/school-success/school-life/back-to-school/8-tips-to-prepare-first-days-school.html

Special School District of St. Louis County

12110 Clayton Road

Town & Country, MO 63131

Phone: 314‐989‐8100

Maureen Nelson, Director of Special Education

Stephanie Wansing, Social Worker

Selma Kostic, School Psychologist

Jason Driedger, School Psychologist

Email: monelson@ssdmo.org
Website: baylessk12.org
Location: 4530 Weber Rd, Affton, MO 63123, USA
Phone: (314) 256-8690.3009