SSD Ladue Schools
December 2022
Katie Reeves Receives Emerson Excellence in Education Award
Ladue Horton Watkins High School Special Education teacher, Katie Reeves, received the 2022 Emerson Excellence in Education Award on November 16th.
Reeves has taught for the Special School District for 19 years, working exclusively in Ladue Schools.
She began her career in elementary special education, working at both Old Bonhomme and Spoede Elementary Schools, and has taught Essential Skills at Ladue Horton Watkins High School (LHWHS) for the past 15 years.
“During my years at LHWHS, I have been allowed to build an Essential Skills program that continues to grow with the changing needs of my students,” Reeves said. “The students I am empowered to teach every day are my family. Room 2341 is truly my favorite place on earth, and being in my classroom never feels like a job.”
Reeves says her life’s work is advocating for students with special needs.
Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke, LHWHS Principal Brad Griffith, SSD Director of Special Education for Ladue Schools Dr. Catina Lyles, SSD Administrator Jim Sievers, and other district-level and school administrators made a surprise visit to Reeves’ classroom November 16th to celebrate and thank her while she was teaching a class.
Now in its 33rd year, Emerson's Excellence in Teaching Awards program has recognized educators in the St. Louis metropolitan area who exemplify excellence in their field.
Perspective Taking
Perspective taking is integral to effective communication. Perspective taking is an important social skill to teach children because this skill is part of most communications and interactions. This article on perspective taking is a good resource for how you can support children in learning how to take the perspective of others.
Additional resources:
Perspective Taking: The Social Skill You Want to be Teaching Kids
Scholarship and Awards Information
Scholarship Opportunities for SSD High School Seniors
Several scholarships are available for students who receive SSD services! High school seniors who plan to enroll in a college, university or postsecondary program after graduation this spring should review the following opportunities.
Applications for The James E. Westbury/SSD Board of Education Scholarship, The Allison M. Haake Memorial Scholarship, and The Bonhomme Lions Club Scholarship must receive at least one service from SSD and plan to enroll in a college, university, or postsecondary program. All scholarships require a letter of recommendation. Applications are due Dec. 16, 2022. Visit ssdmo.org/scholarships for more information.
The Special Education Foundation (SEF) sponsors the John Cary Scholarships for high school seniors, as well. Applications are due Jan. 24, 2023.
Boys Town: Saving Children, Healing Families, Parenting Tips | Tips to Connect with Your Kids During the Holidays
The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis
The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis is a recreational resource to individuals with developmental disabilities. The Recreation Council would like our readers to know their new fiscal year 2023 began on October 1, 2022, and runs through September 30, 2023. What does this mean for you? It means they are accepting new applications for various vouchers including, CARE (Community Access Recreation Experiences) & Recreation Supports, After-School/Extended Day, Overnight Camp (both mini-camp and week-long camps after January 15th), and Experiential/Adventure vouchers.
If you or someone you know may be interested in accessing this amazing resources, check them out here:
Newsletter of the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis Winter 22-23 Edition
Executive Functioning Skills
Executive functioning skills are the abilities in our brain that help us complete everyday tasks. These skills include planning, time management, task initiation, problem solving, flexibility, working memory, emotional control, impulse control, attentional control, and self monitoring. Executive functioning skills are in everything that we do. These skills are the foundation for success in and outside of school. Throughout the school year, we will provide tips for strengthening executive functioning skills. Below you will find family and teacher tips to support students in the area of task initiation.
Task Initiation
By definition, it refers to the ability to begin a project in an efficient and timely manner, without procrastination. Task initiation can be particularly challenging when facing an effortful or undesirable task, such as a boring chore or a demanding assignment. It is important to remember that completing most tasks requires a combination of executive functioning skills. These skills include planning, prioritizing, time management, organization, impulse control, attention, and working memory. Despite the numerous possible areas of task completion breakdown, the biggest issue is often just getting started.
Family Pro-Tips:
If your child struggles to initiate beginning- or end-of-day routines, create a list of all the things that need to be done (e.g., get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth, wash face, pack bag, etc.). Together, decide in what order the tasks should be completed and create an itemized checklist. Cue each item on the checklist as necessary.
Pick a messy area (maybe your bedroom!) and put 3 (yes, only 3!) things away.
Classroom Pro-Tip:
Train a peer mentor to help the student in need get started on tasks
Practice the rocket ship countdown (Say: 5-4-3-2-1 blast off… on “blast off”, get up and get going!)
Use a timer to countdown time to get to work
Have the student answer the questions before starting: What am I doing? What do I need? How can I start?
Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Information
Assistive Technology Workshop
Join FACE for a workshop all about assistive technology. In this virtual session, participants will be introduced to Assistive Technology, by SSD Assistive Technology Specialist Kim White. Learn how to request an AT consultation and participate in demonstrations of universal tools available to all SSD students. Examples will be provided for low- and high-tech AT options that can be implemented in the home and school environments.Click here to register: Assistive Technology Workshop Registration
Sensory Friendly Options for your Family this Winter
St. Louis Zoo’s Sensory-Friendly Wild Lights Night
Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.: Nothing says St. Louis Christmas quite like Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo. Your family can stroll through the grounds surrounded by a million lights, including animated displays, fireside stories, campfire s’mores, photo opportunities, and more. This event is made sensory-friendly with trained staff on-hand and quiet areas to help your child decompress. Get more information and tickets at stlzoo.org.
Saint Charles Christmas Traditions on Historic Main Street – Sensory-friendly tours
The Historic Main Street of Saint Charles is a magical and fun place to visit during the Holiday season. With a new inclusion initiative, Saint Charles is now offering guided sensory-friendly tours. These guided tours are conducted twice daily by sensory specialists. Each 90-minute tour introduces guests to several Christmas Legends and ends with an opportunity to get your picture with Santa and a full deck of 2019 Saint Charles Christmas Traditions trading cards. Tours are Saturdays and Sundays during the holiday festival. For more information, including dates and times, visit discoverstcharles.com.
Sibshops at ARC
Wednesday, December 14 4:30 – 6:00 pm , Monthly on the second Wednesday
Location:
St. Louis Arc
1177 N Warson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63132, US
Ages: Siblings ages 7 – 15
Sibshops offer an opportunity for brothers and sisters of children with disabilities to get peer support and education within a recreational context. This free series includes a fun mix of information, games, activities, and discussion. Children between the ages of 7-15 years old who have a sibling with a disability are encouraged to participate.
For more information, contact Lee Anna Sanders at 314-817-2269.
ARCH Respite - ARCH Respite reimburses primary caregivers at a standard rate for short-term relief services they receive either in their own home, with the community, or in the home of a care provider.
ARCH Respite serves St. Louis County and St. Louis City to register, or learn more, contact ARCH@slarc.org or call 314-817-2236.
Lunch & Learn Series 2022-2023
Special School District’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) department is excited to offer a virtual Lunch & Learn series for SSD families and stakeholders. The series, which will involve community organizations sharing information about their work, will continue during the 2022-23 school year and take place from 11:30 AM - Noon.
Representatives from three community organizations and three SSD departments will participate in order to increase awareness about their agencies or programs and make connections with those in our SSD community who may benefit from their programs and services.
Features in the 2022-23 Lunch & Learn Series are:
Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis, Summer Resources - Dec. 15, 2022
Productive Living Board (PLB), Resources for Families - Jan. 25, 2023
SSD Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) department - Feb. 22, 2023
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - April 26, 2023
SSD Family and Community Engagement (FACE), Summer Engagement Activities - May 24, 2023
Each event is held virtually through YouTube Live. To access the video, please click on the organization's name in the list above. The videos will not be available to view until their scheduled date and time.
FACE Events Designed for Family Support: SSD families and community members can participate in upcoming events hosted by the District's new Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department. Events include the Family Leadership Institute (four-day workshop series), Virtual Workshops, Hub Huddles, and Family Cafe. All events are free of charge! Read more…
FACE would love your feedback!
Please complete are PEDA Communications survey here: PEDA Survey
OPTIONS FOR INTERNET SERVICE
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application.
You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575.