Weekly Newsletter
August 23 – August 30, 2024
From our Executive Director,
Mrs. Terri O’Daniel
It has been a pleasure to welcome our remarkable new and returning students to the classroom and observe our exceptional staff attentively addressing each student’s needs.
One of my goals for our school community is to connect you with valuable information you might not have access to otherwise. I encourage you to make the most of the diverse parent resources available this school year.
- Each month, Dr. John Bruno, an autism and behavior specialist, will offer insights to help you understand and guide your child’s development and behavior.
- Additionally, we will host a monthly Zoom session featuring a professional or organization. These one-hour (or shorter) sessions will provide you with resources on funding, social opportunities, job prospects, and other essential services tailored specifically for our school parents.
The Manchester parade is this upcoming Saturday. I want to encourage you to participate with other Academy families in support of our school and the city of Manchester, Mayor Mike Clement and his staff have partnered with us in preparing our students with pre-employment skills, volunteer opportunities, and are proud to have our school within its city limits. Let’s show support for them and our Manchester community by participating in this fun parade. See the parade flyer we have available to you!
PRINCIPAL’S CORNER
Dear Academy Families,
We have completed one full week of school and 35 more to go! I am so impressed by your children each day. They are positive, respectful, and kind to each other. This, coupled with our teacher’s enthusiasm, creates such a positive and joyful learning environment! Attendance has been excellent, and the students have been engaged in their classes.
I want to give a shout-out to all the students who made it up on our school bulletin board for acts that showed respect:
Graham Jackson
Sam Bradshaw
Landon Luster
Drew Lehman
Kenny Stethem
Will Davis
The virtue for September is KINDNESS—being gentle, caring, and helpful. It involves completing acts of generosity, consideration, and assistance without expecting praise or reward.
I am thrilled to welcome Mrs. Stephanie Wilson to the Academy as the Elementary Teacher. Mrs. Wilson last taught at Parkway West Middle School for Special School District. She will be joining Ms. Baalmann on Tuesday.
The Upper School classes will go on a field trip to the Principia School Challenge Course. I am very excited to offer this opportunity to our students. I have personally participated in this challenge with other students and I can attest that it is an awesome growth experience.
The program offers a structured, safe space for strengthening the skills of interpersonal communication, self-motivation, and collaboration—all in an atmosphere that promotes perseverance, confidence, and joy. Students learn each individual’s role and value in a group, learn when and how to lead and follow, and maintain a positive attitude throughout challenges (and occasional failures)—these are just a few of the mental flexibility exercises they will experience on the course.
https://www.principiaschool.org/academics/learning-spaces/challenge-course
Please return the permission slips sent home today, no later than September 13, 2024.
Enjoy the long weekend!
Fondly,
Kathy
Upcoming Events
- Monday, September 2 – No School, Labor Day
- Saturday, September 7 – Manchester Day’s Parade (See Flier below)
- Wednesday, September 11 – Parent Coffee-8:15 a.m. Oratory Classroom
- Friday, September 13 – All School Mass 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday, September 19 – Upper School Field Trip
- Friday, September 20 – September Birthday Celebration (Wear Spirit Shirt)
- Monday, September 23 – Skyhawks Fall Session begins.
- Tuesday, September 24-Thursday, September 26- New Family Parent Teacher Conferences
- Thursday, September 26 – Dr. John Bruno’s Presentation in the Oratory
- Friday, September 27– No School. Staff Professional Development Day
SKYHAWKS SPORTS ACADEMY OF ST. LOUIS STARTS SEPTEMBER 23
Skyhawks Sports Academy will offer a golf and pickleball session on Mondays after school starting on September 23. The session will take place on the SJM soccer field and upper lot from 3:15 to 4:15 and will run until October 29. During this time, kids will learn each sport’s rules and essential skills, as well as important life lessons such as sportsmanship, inclusion, and teamwork. The cost of the session is $129.
For more information and to register, please visit www.skyhawks.com, search for 63021, and click Academy of St. Louis.
2024-2025 SPIRIT WEAR
The 2024-2025 Spirit Day Shirts are available to order for $20. Students can wear the special t-shirt on Birthday Lunch Celebrations and other Spirit Days announced throughout the school year. We will always give you advance notice about these exclusive days. Please place your order through the below link by September 2.
Academy Pet: (Peeps)
It is that time of year again, and many of the students have been asking when they can bring Peeps, our class bunny, home. Typically interested families can pick up Peeps on our Friday dismissals and bring him back to the Academy the following Monday. We provide everything he needs for the weekend, including a care sheet so you know exactly what he needs each day. This is a great way to give your student temporary responsibility without the commitment of a full-time pet. Peeps are used to being in homes with other pets and small children. The sign-up genius for this semester is listed in the link below. Students can sign up for multiple weekends, if you have any additional questions feel free to reach out to Mrs. Hodge at khodge@acadstl.org
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FA8AE2CA1FDC34-50896855-1stsemester
LATE ARRIVALS/EARLY PICK-UPS & VISITORS
All students, parents, and visitors arriving after 8:20, please enter through Door 15.
Absent/Late – Call 636-534-5099
SNACKS
DON’T FORGET SNACKS!
Each day, every class has a mid-morning snack. Please remember to send in a snack with your child each day.
This week, we focused on developing fine and gross motor skills. We engaged in fun activities using Q-tips, cotton balls, straws, and clothespins. Additionally, we had a great time playing with shakers, bongos, and tambourines during our music and movement sessions. In “Reading with Mrs. Fitz,” we continued working on UFLI phonemic awareness with each student.
Our class is a Family and we would love your child to bring in some pictures of your families and pets for our classroom photo album.
We hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend! ☀️
Religion ( Group 1 & 2) In this week’s religion class we discussed how your choice matters. We also discussed the best way to live for God and ourselves.
Religion (Group 3 & 4) In religion class this week we learned and discussed everything that God creates is good. We also learned God is the supreme good and the source of all good things.
Math ( Group 3 & 4 ) We completed assessments in the Math-U-See program. We also started work on individualized math programs in IXL.
It was another great week for groups 1 and 2. We’ve been working diligently on those classroom skills and character-building traits as we begin implementing the curriculum. Our goal is to create a safe, friendly learning environment for all and we have definitely seen this put to action in multiple classes, from group projects in History to our first labs in Biology. Special shout out to Lena Buckholtz for getting to class on time this week and her all-inclusive attitude! She stepped out of her social circle to bring a younger student into the game. Will Davis also rocked it this week with amazing self-control in the classroom and all-around team player attitude! It’s not winning the race that matters, it’s how you run the race and who’s with you when you finish!
Groups 3 and 4 are settling in well to their routines and schedules. From completing math and language arts benchmark assessments to using Chromebooks and class discussions, we’ve been working hard to build stamina in completing tasks. Group 4 began community outings with a trip to Walmart and Domino’s Pizza to pick up supplies and food for our birthday lunch celebration. A special shout out to Dylan Ellegood, who celebrated his birthday on August 30th.
Lunch Accounts
Lunch is serviced by St. Joesph Early Childhood Learning Education and its FACTS management system. That system is changing, and they cannot register our new families or deposit funds into the accounts now. This will not disrupt our ability to purchase hot lunches. In the meantime, we will collect lunch orders from our families and record the purchases. You can deposit money into the account when the system is corrected. If your student wants to purchase lunch, please use the lunch calendar to order. Simply circle the days you would like your student to buy and return the calendar to the office.
Speech and Language Assessments
Since 2021, SLU’s Doisy College of Health Services and the Academy of St. Louis have partnered to provide additional Speech and Language services to our students who qualify. A screening and assessment will take place on September 9. If you want your student to participate in the screening, please fill out the following form and return it to school. A copy of this was also sent home on Friday. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Puettmann.
UMSL Succeed Open Houses
Saturday September 14, 2024 10AM-12:00 noon
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 6:00PM-8:00PM
Saturday, November 9, 2024 10AM-12:00 noon
Sunday, December 4, 2024 6:00PM-8:00PM
Registration link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYbjFcmG6bWoasFNNCKWcAN4vMMfcbYhpqV6UoqhiaIKMgRA/viewform
SUCCEED provides an opportunity for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop the skills necessary to become participating members of their community through inclusion in university life and, in so doing, to enrich the diversity of the university. Students who qualify for the Succeed Program are eligible to receive a Chancellor’s Certificate from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. This requires the completion of 44 credit hours within two years. Incorporated into the program are vocational exposure, training, and internship opportunities. Independent living skills (a.k.a. life skills) are likewise taught and encouraged by our program coordinators.
BCI’s Disability Transition Planning Conference
September 27, 2024, at Ameristar St. Charles.
Boone Center, Inc.’s (BCI) mission is to inspire, develop, and support people with disabilities through a continuum of innovative employment opportunities.
BCI will host a free Transition Planning Conference on September 27. Dr. Tiffany Jameson, a neurodiversity global evangelist, will be the opening keynote speaker and breakout sessions designed to bring you the information you want most. You’ll get fresh insights and practical tips.
The event will also include a resource fair, allowing you to connect with providers and discover new products and services for advocacy, education, recreation, housing, employment, and more.
Date: Friday, September 27
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Ameristar Casino Resort Spa, St. Charles, MO
RSVP: https://2024BCITransitionPlanningConference.eventbrite.com
Registration for Chorus and Dance is OPEN!
Variety’s Chorus and Dance programs offer an incredible opportunity for local kids and teens with special needs ages 9-20 to…
- Sing, dance, and perform on stage
- Build confidence and learn new skills
- Make new friends
This group meets weekly throughout the school year and is led by experienced area musical directors. All skill levels are welcome!
LifeBridge Camps
LifeBridge Camp is offered to those who live in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County who are between the ages of 6-18 (19-21 if enrolled in high school). Typical camp hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with group sizes up to 80 campers per day. LifeBridge supports include up to a 1-1 staff to participant ratio, personal care needs, and accessible transportation if available.
Registration links for the camps:
October 12 One-day Camp, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYFf0sB2E-_zEK6PYbqEr8RHdb3OboNZUuBjeLgrxxbLZXhA/viewform
November 9 One-day Camp, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKQ2CR6oGadIiuGh3wukdFKWf04T48AO3j54RQcF4a388MyA/viewform
December 14 One-day Camp,https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScgHkzzuwzyDbP2T3HpfYf-uDnShB6ZOWezZ244mzz_JSfwnw/viewform
Questions about camp?
Contact Shea O’Bryant at 314-701-7264 or shea@lifebridgestl.org
lifebridgestl.org
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