SSD/Valley Park Monthly Dispatch
June/July 2023
Staff Spotlight
For our last staff shout out, I want to celebrate Jenn Coleman. She has been a long-term sub with us since December. Jenn quickly picked up on all facets of working in the special education setting, including learning student plans (IEPs), goals, strengths, communication styles/augmentative communication devices, and routines. Her team also shared that Jenn is a natural with our students, is a calming presence, and goes above and beyond to do things like come in early to prepare for Special Olympics days. We were so fortunate to have her on our team this year and hope to see her again next year!
Wellness Corner
Just a couple of great resources for summer family fun in STL!
A guide to summer family fun in St. Louis:
https://www.stlmag.com/family/a-guide-to-summer-family-fun-in-st-louis/
Things To Do In St. Louis with Kids:
https://explorestlouis.com/discover/st-louis-kids/
Family-friendly summer fun St. Louis activities:
https://fox2now.com/news/family-friendly-summer-fun-st-louis-activities/
Kid to Camp Program
SEF Accepting Applications for Kid to Camp Program: The Special Education Foundation is now accepting applications to assist children with disabilities served by SSD to attend one or more camps this summer. Each year, the SEF provides tuition assistance to enable students served by SSD to attend summer camps. Sometimes children with disabilities cannot join their peers in a summer camp experience due to financial constraints or other hardships. SEF steps in to help young people and their families take advantage of these experiences that can sometimes be life-changing. Parents and caregivers can have peace of mind knowing that their child is in a safe and healthy place. Apply here.
FACE (Family and Community Engagement)
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.
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.
Dream Big Career Camp - MIDDLE SCHOOL
What is Dream Big Career Camp?
The Dream Big Career Camp serve middle school students with disabilities who are interested in learning about careers that would lead towards economic independence when they become adults. The goal of Dream Big is to help students explore the range of career options that are available. To do this, we will host a week-long camp during the summer where students visit top employers in the St. Louis region to engage with disability welcoming workplaces. This week of camp students will we introduce to a miscellaneous mixture of careers that will allow them to explore many different career paths as possible!
Who should attend Dream Big?
· Students with disabilities in grades 6, 7, and 8
· Participating students should be interested in exploring a 2- or 4-year college/university or trade/technical school or other forms post-secondary education
When is Dream Big?
· July 24-28 – 8:00am-4:00pm: Dream Big Endless Possibilities | For students interested in learning about a variety of careers
o Care will be available 1 hour before and 1 hour after camp time.
Where is Dream Big located?
Dream Big Camp will be hosted at Missouri Botanical Garden’s Education Center, where families can drop off and pick up campers. Students and Dream Big staff will be together as a group with companies participating either virtually or on-site. Accessible transportation to and from company site visits will be provided for all campers.
How much does Dream Big cost?
Camp cost is $500 per week.
Information about tuition assistance is available upon request.
Questions? Please contact Danielle Giuffrida at dgiuffrida@starkloff.org or (314) 860-2238 or visit our website at https://dreambigcamp.org/.
Recreation Council
What does this mean for you?
It means we are accepting new voucher applications for our various vouchers including, CARE (Community Access Recreation Experiences) & Recreation Supports, After-School/Extended Day, Overnight Camp (both mini-camp and week-long camps after January 15th), and Experiential/Adventure vouchers.
Below is the Recreation Council's summer resource packet with you all. Funding is open for families. The link to voucher applications is https://recreationcouncil.org/applications/#st-louis-county
Valley Park Visitor Management System
Valley Park School District welcomes parents and other community members into our schools for special events, meetings, tours, and other occasions. However, keeping our students and staff safe while at school is something we take very seriously. To increase security at all our school buildings, we have started using the Hall Pass Visitor Management System to track visitors. The system is simple and easy to use. The only thing you need is a government-issued ID. For more information, click here.
VP Upcoming Events
To access key school information, please go to the following sites:
Valley Park Elementary School: https://www.vp.k12.mo.us/Domain/8
Valley Park Middle School: https://www.vp.k12.mo.us/Domain/9
Valley Park High School: https://www.vp.k12.mo.us/Domain/10
Valley Park Early Childhood Center: https://www.vp.k12.mo.us/domain/364
Message to Families - from Valley Park
One Community. One Campus. Limitless Learning.
The Valley Park School District is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment of belonging where personalized learning experiences prepare our students holistically for limitless opportunities, empowering them to make the world a better place.
Please keep up to date with Dr. Dilg's communications in regards to our Return to Learn Plan:
Contact Us
Special School District of St. Louis County
12110 Clayton Road
Town & Country, MO 63131
Phone: 314‐989‐8100
Julie Schroeder
- Director
- jmschroeder@ssdmo.org
Dana Evans
- School Social Worker
- devans@ssdmo.org
Dani Rock
- School Psychologist
- dcrock@ssdmo.org
Website: https://www.vp.k12.mo.us/Page/1
Location: One Main St, Valley Park, MO 63088
Phone: (636) 923-3500