SSD Ladue Schools

February is here, and it's the perfect time to dive into an essential topic: Transition Planning. If your child is approaching a significant transition point in their education, such as moving from elementary to middle school or high school to post-secondary, you may be wondering how to best prepare for these changes. In this newsletter, we will explore the importance of transition planning and how it can empower both you and your child to navigate these transitions with confidence.

Understanding Transition Planning:

In simple terms, transition is all about change—moving from one situation to another. For students with special needs, one of the most impactful transitions is the move from high school into the adult world. This journey requires careful planning and preparation to ensure a smooth and successful transition.

The Significance of Transition Planning:

1. Smooth Transitions: Well-planned transitions are key to reducing stress and anxiety associated with change. They pave the way for a smoother journey for your child.

2. Goal Achievement: Transition planning enables you to set clear, achievable goals for your child's future, whether it's continued education, employment, or independent living.

3. Self-Advocacy: It's an opportunity for your child to learn and practice self-advocacy skills. Encouraging them to communicate their needs and preferences is invaluable.

Key Information from SSD:

According to the Special School Districts (SSD) website, whenever a student receiving special education services from SSD reaches the age of 16, the District's staff collaborates with the student and their family to develop a transition plan as part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.

Transition planning is not a one-size-fits-all process; it varies based on age groups. To explore detailed transition planning resources for your child's specific age group, please refer to the following links:

• Transition Planning for Ages 3-5

• Transition Planning for Ages 6-11

• Transition Planning for Ages 12-15

• Transition Planning for Ages 16-21

Preparing for the High School to Post-Secondary Transition:

If your child is nearing the transition from high school to post-secondary education or employment, consider these additional steps:

1. Explore Post-Secondary Options: Investigate colleges, vocational programs, and employment opportunities. Attend open houses and gather information.

2. Financial Planning: Investigate financial aid, scholarships, and available resources to support your child's post-secondary education.

3. Independent Living Skills: Ensure your child has a solid understanding of life skills such as budgeting, time management, and self-care.

Transitioning from Elementary to Middle School:

If your child is transitioning from elementary to middle school, consider these tips:

1. Visit the New School: Schedule a visit to the middle school to familiarize your child with the new environment and meet key staff members.

2. Prepare a Transition Binder: Create a binder with important documents and information to share with the middle school staff.

3. Review the IEP: Ensure that the Individualized Education Program (IEP) is updated to address the unique needs of middle school.

The transition process is a collaborative effort involving parents, educators, specialists, and, most importantly, your child. Working together, you can help your child make a successful transition and achieve their educational and life goals.

If you have any questions or need further assistance with transition planning, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team. We are here to provide guidance and support as your child continues their educational journey.

Kindly,

John Turner, Ed.S Special Education Coordinator Elementary Schools

Jim Sievers, Ed.S Special Education Coordinator Secondary Schools

Hi everyone,

I wanted to give you some information about an AMAZING opportunity your daughter qualifies for that I am very passionate about--Missouri Miss Amazing. I have been part of Missouri Miss Amazing for the last several years. It is a program that I have seen change lives for the better.

Missouri Miss Amazing is part of a national program focusing on empowering women with disabilities. The program focuses on self advocacy, self esteem, and sisterhood. Miss Amazing believes that the options available to girls and women with disabilities should reflect their boundless potential. They believe in breaking stereotypes and the status quo that gives the impression ladies with disabilities are lesser than those without disabilities. With an approach that ensures equal opportunities for women with disabilities to build self-esteem and self advocacy skills which will require engaging with every level of society to dismantle stereotypes and open up pathways for personal growth, this program could not be more wonderful.

Now, you may be asking what does this program actually look like? Under new direction this year, the program will be bigger and better than ever! On April 13th, girls from all over Missouri will gather together at Ladue Horton Watkins High School. Participants will be paired with a buddy for the day. Participants, with support from a buddy, will be interviewed by a panel of judges, demonstrate their passion through a 90 second passion presentation, enjoy down time and dinner, build friendships, enjoy having their hair and makeup done by a professional team, wear something they feel beautiful in, and show the world their gorgeous self! All participants will go home crowned a princess with a crown and trophy. It will be a day full of smiles, laughter, and fun. Parents are welcome to stay, but are not required to by any means.

I have seen this organization change the lives of others. I cannot say how much this organization has changed my own life. It is simply amazing. The joy and energy is unlike anything I have experienced before. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,

Linda Deposki

Missouri Miss Amazing Participant Coordinator

lkdeposki@ssdmo.org

SSD will be partnering with Affton, Pattonville, and Rockwood school districts again this year to host the St. Louis County Apprenticeship & Career Pathways Showcases. Last year’s events were very successful and helped middle and high-school students throughout the St. Louis region learn about the many careers available to them that require specialized training.

The District will host three Saturday events, each held from 10 AM – 1 PM:

• Feb. 24 – Eureka High School

• March 2 – North Tech High School

• March 9 – South Tech High School

Visit the Showcase webpage for more information!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Special Education Foundation is offering 10 sponsorships (valued at $500) for Junior year students to attend the 2024 American Legion Auxiliary Missouri Girls State and American Legion Auxiliary Missouri Boys State. The programs will be held the week of June 22 – June 29, 2024 at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. The program includes a college campus experience of staying in the dorms overnight at the university for a week as a citizen of a mythical state that all the citizens will govern at the city, county and state level. Students must send a sponsorship solicitation email/letter and letter of reference from the student’s SSD teacher to Tim Eby, SEF Executive Director at tim@sef-stl.org by March 1, 2024.

Read here for more information, or contact Jackie Ruhm Dunn jackiedunnstl@gmail.com or 314.640.1154 for questions.

The Special Education Foundation is accepting applications for next year's Fred Saigh Leadership Academy class. Started in 2004, this program provides high school students with unique community-focused opportunities to broaden their horizons.

Each year, up to 20 students displaying leadership potential are chosen to participate in a training program that introduces and develops their leadership skills, engaging them in community issues. Students dedicate one day per month to visit key sites and meet leaders in the metropolitan area, exposing them to vital institutions that address community needs. Applications are accepted now through February 20, 2024.

Learn more about the program and how to apply

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, School District of Clayton, Ferguson-Florissant School District, Hancock Place School District, Ladue School District, Mehlville School District, Normandy Schools Collaborative, Rockwood School District, School District of University City, and Valley Park School District holding elections this year.

Learn more at https://sites.google.com/a/ssdmo.org/ssdpac/home

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.

Did you know that the SSD has copies of the Procedural Safeguards and Parent Bill of Rights available in multiple languages on our website? The Procedural Safeguards help keep families informed about their rights and protections under IDEA.

Visit the Procedural Safeguards section of the District website to review.

Each year, the Special School District posts annual public notices as required by Board of Education policy and state law. These notices primarily serve to inform parents and students of their rights. Full SSD Board of Education policies and regulations can be found on the District website.

All of SSD's public notices can be found on the District website at www.ssdmo.org/publicnotices.

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!

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 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!

Connecticut Children’s pediatric psychologist Melissa Santos, PhD, shares her top five tips.

Winter darkness and colder weather can cause your child’s mood and health habits to take a dive. To help, start with the basics!

1. Eat Right

Make it easy for yourself: Decide on a meal prep day for your family and spend time together trying new recipes and making sure your fridge is ready to make it easy to eat right.

2. Keep Moving

The winter months can make it so hard to get moving, which can take a toll on mood. Take time each day to do something to move your body – start your day with yoga, have a dance party with your family, get out for a hike on the weekends or just use your phone or tracker to get your steps in.

> Related: 5 Heart-Healthy Choices for the Whole Family

3. Watch Your Sleep

Is there anything better than waking up all curled up under the covers on a cold winter morning? It’s so easy to sleep in. But we want to make sure kids aren’t getting too little – or too much – sleep. (Did you know you can get too much? Check out these sleep guidelines.)

Unfortunately, there’s no way to actually “catch up” on sleep. So focus on helping your child fall asleep and wake up at around the same time every day. If they have problems falling asleep, consider an app like Sleep Bug, which has lots of different sound effects to encourage sleep.

> Related: Tips for Better Sleep for Mental Health

4. Get Some Sunlight

Humans are basically houseplants with emotions – and they need sun. Getting out in those rare daylight hours is so important to lifting our mood and getting good vitamins!

> Related: More Than the Winter Blues? Kids and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

5. Build in Extra Mood-Boosters

Since darkness and cold weather can easily impact mood, it’s important to be proactive in wintertime about building mood-boosters into your child’s day. When in doubt, have your child create a “mood jar”: Fill a jar with written reminders of things that always give their mood a lift – an activity, a memory, whatever. Go to the jar when they need a mood boost!

As always, if you’re concerned about your child’s health (or your own), please talk to your doctor.

WE'RE HERE TO HELP!

Related Links:

• Tools to Get Through Life’s Challenges
• Teach Kids Positive Thinking in 4 Simple Steps
• Self-Care for Kids: 4 Strategies to Help Your Child Manage Stress

Learning never has to stop! Students should be encouraged to continue reading over the summer months.

1. “Read What You Want”

Make sure that students know they can read whatever they want. No matter how challenging or silly the book may seem. The goal is to encourage a lifelong love of reading! Teachers pick a curated list of books for students to read during the school year. These books cover all of the basis in terms of curriculum standards, but they might not align with your student's interest. In other words, these are books students “have” to read. During the summer months, they should be encouraged to read books that they “want to read”.

2. Be the Bridge

Students who struggle with reading might be interested in a particular series or book, but dismiss it because it may be too challenging. Provide your students with books on tape or read out loud to them. This is a great way to encourage them to continue reading and spend additional time with them over the summer. Another option is to take turns reading paragraphs or pages with your student. This can be a really low-pressure way for students to practice decoding and fluency over the summer. If you choose to take reading turns with your student, please do not encourage them to guess words. Read any word they cannot: decode for them.

3. Parent Curated List

Although it is important for students to read what they want to read over the summer, going into a library, comic book store, or bookstore can be overwhelming. Help your student out by providing them with a list of books or series that align with their interests or personalities. An amazing resource is the New York Times best-seller list. The list is updated often and allows readers to narrow down search options based on genre, age group, and month. In addition, please see below for a list of picture books and middle-aged books curated by Nathan Turner.

If you have any questions related to Special Education, feel free to contact one of your Special Education Administrators.

John Turner

Special Education Coordinator – Elementary Schools

jrturner@ssdmo.org

314-989-8203

Jim Sievers

Special Education Coordinator – Secondary Schools

jjsievers@ssdmo.org

314-989-8471

Catina Lyles, Ph.D.

Director of Special Education

Ladue Schools

cllyles@ssdmo.org

Special School District recognizes the value and increasing role of online social media in an education realm. To increase our communication efforts, we have accounts on four social media sites:

• Facebook

• Twitter

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

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/

We would like to cover topics of interest to you in the monthly newsletter. Please, share your feedback and what you would like to see covered in the newsletter by clicking this link: Ladue Newsletter Feedback

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