SSD Warriors' Monthly Updates
November, 2023
SSD Warriors' Mission Statement:
SSD Warriors' Mission Statement: Through implementing inclusive practices, rigorous instruction, and the principles of community engagement, Special School District Staff in partnership with Jennings School District will provide high quality, specialized programming and supports designed for all students to become productive, responsible, ethical, creative and compassionate members of society.
From the Desk of Shinita Jones: Jennings Partner District Director
Happy November!
Congratulations to our students, staff, and families on a great First Quarter of teaching and learning! Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
— Maya Angelou
Best Regards,
Shinita Jones, Ed.S.
Kid to Camp Program
Camp programs help to maintain educational momentum for students during extended academic breaks throughout the year. The Special Education Foundation's (SEF) Kid-to-Camp program can help bridge the learning gap for students served by SSD during the upcoming winter break. Camperships are awarded based on financial need and student benefits. For a list of camp resources and to apply to SEF's Kid-to-Camp program, visit https://sef-stl.org/programs/kid-to-camp/
CAASTLC (Community Action Agency of St. Louis County
CAASTLC (Community Action Agency of St. Louis County) will be at the Family Resource Hub, located inside North Tech High School, on November 3rd, from 10am-2pm. CAASTLC can provide many programs and services to families including:
Case management
Utility Assistance
Rental Assistance
Financial Education
Weatherization
Family Academy
November is Family Engagement month! FACE is hosting Family Academy, this highly anticipated event on Saturday, November 4th at Northview High School from 9am to noon. There will be interactive activities, community vendors, networking opportunities, music, light refreshments and fun learning! We will also have a timely presentation from our community partners at Crisis Aid International. They will share information that will help our students and loved ones stay safe from sexual exploitation and trafficking. Families and staff are welcome to join at any point during the day and stay as long as they wish. All are welcome, but we ask you to RSVP is you plan to attend.
Lunch and Learn
Join FACE as they welcome Starkloff Disability Institute for a Lunch and Learn on November 15th at 11:30am live on YouTube. This Lunch and Learn will highlight Starkloff’s Dream Big and Access U programs. Each of these programs help student’s focus on the future by offering career and post-secondary education guidance. You can find this live event as well as previously recorded Lunch and Learns on the SSD YouTube page.
Family Cafe
Are you interested in making connections with other families and community members in our district? Join Face on November 16th, for the final Family Cafe of the semester. Family Cafes are hosted by families, for families. They provide parents and caregivers a safe and welcoming space to connect and learn from each other. They are centered on the Strengthening Families Five Protective Factors: Resilience, Relationships, Knowledge, Support and Communication. Three cafes will be hosted each semester. This semester they will be held at North Technical High School 1700 Derhake Rd., Florissant, MO 63033 from 6-8pm. Register today!
HUB Huddle
FACE will host Vocational Rehabilitation for a HUB Huddle on Friday, November 17th. SSD's The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide our community with additional support and access to resources that support employment after transition. A representative from VR will be available at the SSD Family Resource Hub (located inside North Tech High School) to provide information on many of their programs, including VR Youth Services, Pre-Employment Transition Services (pre-ETS), and share support for families.
Virtual Open House
Are you new to SSD or just wanting to learn more about the district? Join FACE for a Virtual Open House on Tuesday, November 21st at 9:30am. Families can receive an introduction to the services and resources available through SSD. These virtual meetings invite all families into our learning community as equal partners throughout the learning process, symbolizing that FACE's door is always open! Click here to join the virtual meeting.
Public Notices
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.
Procedural Safeguards Notice
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.
SSD/JSD Administration Team
Shinita Jones, Ed.S.: SSD Director of Special Education
Email: smjones@ssdmo.org
Website: www.ssdmo.org
Location: 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63131
Phone: 314.989.8133
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSDStLCo
Twitter: @SSDDStLCo
Area of Supervision: Jennings School District
Stacy Sturdivant, Ed.S.: SSD Director of Early Childhood Special Education(ECSE)
Office Phone: (314) 989-8411
Email: smsturdivant@ssdmo.org
Area of Supervision: ECSE Special School District
Dr. Kathleen Vierod: SSD Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator
Office Phone: (314) 989-8213
Email: kkvierod@ssdmo.org
Area of Supervision: ECSE Jennings School District
Dr. Ashley Brewer: SSD Special Education Coordinator
Office Phone: (314) 989-7873
Email: acbrewer@ssdmo.org
Area of Supervision:
- Fairview Primary and Intermediate School
- Kenneth C. Hanrahan Elementary School
- Northview Elementary School
- Woodland Elementary School
Shavona Peters: SSD Special Education Coordinator
Office Phone: (314) 989-8524
Email: slpeters@ssdmo.org
Area of Supervision:
- Jennings Education Training School (JETS)
- Rose Mary Johnson Jennings Junior High & College Prep Academy
- Jennings Senior High & College Prep Academy
Jennings School District
Website: https://www.jenningsk12.org/
Location: 2559 Dorwood Drive, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314-653-8000