SSD/Clayton Dispatch

June/July 2023

Upcoming Events

School District of Clayton Calendar

June 1 Last Day of School

June 5 CSA starts

June 7 ESA and WSA starts

June 19 No Summer Programs (Juneteenth)

June 30 Last Day of Summer Programs

Community Opportunities

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Summer Reading Club

St. Louis County Library’s popular summer reading clubs kick-off on June 1 and run through August 5. The programs offer great prizes for the whole family! Sign up beginning June 1 and receive a free book when you register. You'll also be entered in an electronic raffle for a chance to win a $50 Target gift card each week.

Kids ages 3-12 who register online on June 1 will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a child's ticket (with the purchase of an adult ticket) to the June 7 Circus Flora show.

Reading Log for All Ages: English | Spanish (PDF)

Download the Beanstack Tracker App for easy logging on your mobile device. Apple App Store | Google Play Android

Earn points for reading, attending library events and completing Community Activities.

One book for Early Readers (Ages 0-5) = 20 points
One minute of reading for Kids/Teens/Adults (Ages 6-18+) = 1 point
Each library event and Community Activity = 20 points
Redeem prizes by Saturday, August 12, while supplies last.
Raffle winners will be notified the week of August 21.

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Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass

Supercharge Your Summer

Now through August 31st, teens between the ages of 14-19 can work out for free all summer long! Plus, we’re giving away $200,000 to high schools and students! Teens who register can help win a grant for their school and participate in a video contest for a chance to win a scholarship. Don’t wait, register today.

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Kids Bowl Free

How Does Kids Bowl Free Work?

More than 1,500 bowling centers around the globe provide 2 FREE Games of bowling each day to kids during the Spring and Summer. This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer.

Since 2007, more than 35 million kids and families have participated!

Step 1: Find a Participating Bowling Center In Your Community

Step 2: Register Your Kids

*Children whose age does not exceed a limit by a participating bowling center are eligible to register for 2 free games each day of the KBF program, all summer long, courtesy of the participating bowling centers along with the schools and organizations. Participating bowling centers set their age limits, see the center registration page for more details.

Step 3: Go Bowling All Spring & Summer!

Summer Opportunities

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Recreational Council of Greater St. Louis

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

Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis

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Camp Circle Star

Camp Circle Star-Explore, engage, and enjoy your choice of individual or large group camp activities with 1:1 supervision.

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Find Your Summer Experience at Webster University

Our camps will provide your child with a fun and educational experience this summer. There's something for everyone — from dance to chess, to sports, science and other activities. Programs are offered for young children and teens, with a few options for adults.

SEF Accepting Applications for Kid to Camp Program:

Special Education Foundation Kid-to-Camp: Camp experience brings life-changing benefits to a student with a disability. Outcomes from attending camp include easier adjustment to new environments, a greater sense of personal satisfaction, and personal habits that lead to a healthy lifestyle.

The Special Education Foundation’s (SEF) Kid-to-Camp program helps provide funding for students served by the Special School District (SSD), those who may be impacted financially, preventing them from being able to attend camp. Camperships are awarded based on financial needs and child benefits. Applications are accepted year-round including summer, winter, and spring breaks. SEF is here to help eliminate that financial burden where possible.

Learn more about SEF’s Kid-to-Camp program and camp options for students with disabilities.

Adaptive & Assistive Equipment: The Special Education Foundation (SEF) is able to provide specialized equipment to students with disabilities up to age 21. The aim of the SEF is to enhance the education or the independence of students or to improve their quality of life. Through grants, the Foundation is able to help provide requests for specialized equipment, based on financial need, which includes:

● augmentative communication devices

● adaptive equipment

● hearing aids

● eyeglasses

Applications are accepted year-round and are initiated by the student’s teacher. Learn more about SEF’s Adaptive and Assistive Equipment program and how to apply.

Family and Community Engagement

SUMMER HOURS FOR THE HUB: Access to the HUB, located in North Technical High School, will only be available over the summer by appointment. Email face@ssdmo.org to make an appointment.

Still on the hunt for good summer camps or activities? There are search engines that can help with that. Blueprint 4 Summer and Kids out and About are great resources to help fill those hot summer days.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training is available for families in SSD. The course is located at Maryland Heights Community Center on July 22, 2023 from 9 - 3:30 PM. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. To join us please register at https://forms.gle/CRFvDJH76XbSyFQg7. Seats are limited. Register to become a mental health first aider today.

The National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers meaningful resources to support youth, educators, families, and caregivers have productive discussions about mental health with youth and young adults. Please visit the website to review the resources. https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults/Youth-and-Young-Adult-Resources

PAC.ED: Parent Advisory Council of Children with Educational Diversity

It is never too early to start thinking about Summer options! Whether you are thinking about this Summer or subsequent Summers! Knowledge is power when planning for your student. Programs such as SWEP (Summer Work Experience Program) have deadlines!

Don’t forget to check out the following links:

· Clayton Disability History & Awareness Proclamation Clayton Disability History & Awareness Proclamation (including presentation video).

· Award Winning Disability History & Awareness Video Series 2021.

· Intelligent Lives (the film) & Panel Discussion – available in three(3) formats including Spanish.

· Disability Awareness Video Showcase – a collection of films from acclaimed Director and Advocate Dan Habib.

PAC.ED: Parent Advisory Council of Children with Educational Diversity, advocates for awareness, understanding, equity, and inclusion of and for all students with disabilities in the School District of Clayton. PAC.ED is a volunteer organization made up of families, Clayton and Special School District (SSD) staff and administrators, as well as community members.

We have wonderful actives, events and programs planned for the 2022/2023 school year!

Stay up-to-date with Clayton PAC.ED by visiting our Dashboard

For more information or questions regarding PAC.ED, please contact: Clayton PAC.ED President, Christina Blankenship at cmblankenship@sbcglobal.net , or call 314.402.4920.

SSD Parent Advisory Council (SSD PAC)

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 PAC operates as a completely separate organization from the School District of Clayton PAC.ED. However, due to the nature of “dual district” structure that exists uniquely in St. Louis County, both PACs benefit from ongoing engagement, support, and collaboration. In fact, members of the Clayton PAC.ED often represent the School District of Clayton on the SSD PAC.

For more information check out SSD PAC or contact Christina Blankenship, call 314.402.4920, (Clayton PAC.ED President and SSD PAC (voting member).

Let's Talk!

Let’s Talk is an open invitation from Special School District (SSD) to tell us what’s on your mind.Let’s Talk is an easy way to submit feedback at your convenience directly to the SSD staff member who can help.