SSD/Hancock Place Parent Newsletter

The holidays have a well-earned reputation for being a time that’s all about giving. On top of giving gifts and giving our time and energy to plan and attend events, it can also feel like we’re obliged to exude a happy, carefree energy — even if that’s not how we actually feel.

During particularly stressful stretches of time, it’s important to commit to taking care of ourselves and our mind. After all, how can we truly show up for others when we’re exhausted, on edge, or overwhelmed? By doing small, mindful acts, we can maintain a sense of calm and balance, no matter how hectic the festivities might get. And when we practice self-care during the holidays, it can be surprising how quickly we can begin to experience the benefits.

Self-care tips for the holidays

Throughout the season, we might try using one or all of these tips to practice self-care during the holidays:

1. Find short periods of time to sit quietly.

Sometimes self-care can be as simple as taking a few minutes to stop, sit, and breathe. Whether we’re able to find a free 3 minutes or 30 minutes to take a break, it can make a world of difference for our well-being. Should we opt to use this time to do a guided meditation, research shows that people who used Headspace for only 10 days reported an 11% decrease in stress.

But we don’t necessarily have to meditate during this time. We can also simply sit and reflect. “It doesn’t matter what we call it,” says Andy. “The point is to take some time out, not to be distracted in any way, and just allow the body to decompress and unwind.

2. Tap into a sense of play.

To bring more fun back into this season, we might carve out time to do something that we really enjoy. “Do you remember the last time you really had a sense of play and joy? Even if it’s for 5 or 10 minutes, reignite that spark,” says Andy.

Maybe that means watching nostalgic Christmas movies or reveling in the daily surprise of an advent calendar. Whatever it is, making these elements a priority can help to bring balance to the stressful moments.

3. Care for the body.

While caring for the mind is a great start to self-care, caring for the body is an equally important part of the equation. During the holidays, preserving our physical health may look like having healthy sleep hygiene or practicing mindful eating to better navigate all the indulging associated with the season. It can also look like taking time to schedule a daily walk, a habit that studies show can help reduce anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, and a negative mood, while also boosting self-esteem.

4. Make room for all types of feelings.

There tends to be an underlying pressure during the holidays to feel perpetually happy and festive. While some people may feel truly blissful during this time, 64% of people say they experience a case of the holiday blues at some point throughout the season. It’s common for this time of year to bring up feelings of sadness, stress, anxiety, grief, and loneliness.Throughout the holidays, it can be easy to get wrapped up in all the logistics the season requires, constantly ticking things off to-do lists. Before we know it, the holidays have become less of a celebration and more of a long chore.

Should these emotions arise, we might sit with them as an act of self-care. While this can admittedly be uncomfortable, we can use meditation to navigate these feelings in a way that may help us feel much better in the end.

Meditation offers us a chance to step away from the thinking mind and instead focus on the breath, rather than our thoughts and emotions. This anchors us to the present moment and calms the mind. In stepping back from all our storylines and ruminations, we are better able to observe what’s going on in our mind; the more we observe, the more we realize we don’t have to get caught up in all the mental noise we self-create. As we learn how to acknowledge thoughts and feelings that arise during meditation, we learn to give them less weight and meaning, so we start to release them — allowing us to move forward and form a clearer, calmer, more contented space.

5. Practice letting go of expectations.

Sometimes, the best, biggest act of holiday self-care we can give ourselves is simply to work on letting go of the standards and expectations we so often set for ourselves at this time of year — fixed ideas created in the mind that might not match how life actually plays out. This is something else we get to observe when meditating.

When we sit with the mind, we are sitting with the present moment; we are sitting with life as it unfolds, without guarantee. We are, in fact, training the mind to be okay with uncertainty. Ultimately, we come to a place where we lessen our grip on seeking to control outcomes, and so we let go of any ideals or expectations that can often trip us up, or lead to sadness and frustration.

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 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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

Online SSD Resources to Help Families All Year: 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 students county-wide who receive services from SSD.

• Partner Districts
• Partner District Communication Sequence
• IEPs - Frequently Asked Questions
• Bullying Resources
• Student & Related Services

Has special education got you stressed out? The beginning of a new year and

unknowns can be extra scary with an IEP or 504. The system can be hard to

navigate even in the best districts. Those great documents, laws, & policies put

into place to help us are hard to understand. It can be a lonely journey. But you

are not alone! You have the SSD PAC.

The SSD PAC is open to every family with a child receiving SSD services. We have monthly zoom meetings. We are parents like you. We get it. You can just log on and watch. SSD and FACE share updates, great information, and presentations based on your needs. We advocate to inform policy with our parent voice. We share parent perspective to help our schools know how to best help our kids.

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. The PAC consists of five parents or guardians – one member and four alternates – from each of the 22 St. Louis County school districts and from each of the five SSD special education schools. The parents or guardians of students receiving special education services in that district or school elect SSD PAC members.

The SSD Parent Advisory Council has scheduled the following meetings for the 2023 - 2024 school year. All meetings are held virtually via Zoom, from 7-9 PM. Additional information about meetings, including agendas, can be found on the PAC's website.

Get Involved with the SSD PAC

• Network and communicate with other parents of children who receive special education service.
• Become as informed as possible about special education services
• Improve communication between your local school district and SSD
• Create a positive understanding and awareness of students with disabilities
• Establish a network of advocacy for local, state and national disability issues

Complete this online form to learn more about getting involved with the SSD Parent Advisory Council.

All meetings will be held in person at Hancock Place High School Library from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month from September through May (except the month of January). You may attend the meetings in person or virtually. Virtual meeting link: https://ssdmo-org.zoom.us/j/95901272964?pwd=STB2QVVzam5oZXhNcXN1eXMwRjk4Zz09

SSD HPSD PAC meetings will meet from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the library at Hancock Place High School.

Meeting Dates:

January 23, 2024

March 26, 2024

May 28, 2024

Special School District of St. Louis County

12110 Clayton Road

Town & Country, MO 63131

Phone: 314‐989‐8100

Dr. Donna Ellis

• Director of Special Education

Katie Humphrey

• School Social Worker

Susan Bartels

• School Psychologist

Ashley Freeman

• School Psychologist

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