Hazelwood East High hosted the Special Olympics for the first time since spring 2018. This year’s basketball event included one-on-one shots and full-court press. Approximately 190 Special Olympics athletes from all grade levels participated, and 220 East High students were paired as a “buddy” to assist in all basketball activities and provide encouragement. Between games, athletes ate a grilled lunch provided by East High staff and participated in carnival games in the Victory Village in the small gym manned by East High student volunteers.
The Hazelwood School District congratulates all Special Olympics athletes and East High for a successful and purposeful event.
Family Resource Hub
The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) will be available at the SSD Family Resource Hub (located inside North Tech High School) on Friday, April 5th, from 10 AM-2 PM to provide information and access to many of their programs, including the Low-Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP) and Water Assistance Program (LIWAP).
Family Resource Hub is open most Tuesdays and Fridays of the month (closed for Spring Break). The Hub offers a satellite food pantry to aide families with immediate food needs. FACE staff will also support families with questions about community resources and provide internet access to aid the completion of applications for various services. Please contact FACE to set an appointment.
Did you know that the St. Louis County Library offers more than just books? They offer a whole host of events at each of their locations throughout the County. Visit their events webpage today and discover what interests you!
Discover the what, why and how behind the incredible work we get to do every day for individuals with disabilities. Download our latest newsletters and area guides to learn more about the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis and ways you can get involved with programs or events.
IT’S ARRIVED. 2024 Summer Guide can now be viewed and printed. Plus, check out these resources:
Spring break is just around the corner. Thankfully St. Louis offers many opportunities for families to get out and about together. Explore St. Louis has a robust directory of local museums and galleries. Get out and see what St. Louis has to offer.
FACE along with SSD’s Behavior Analysts are hosting a workshop about toilet training on April 10th at 6:30. You can learn strategies to break down toilet training skills and gather resources to help your student’s success. To learn more and to register for this event, click here.
Come to the April Family Cafe!
April 11, 6-8 PM - Join FACE at North Technical High School (1700 Derhake Road, Florissant, 63033) for the Family Cafe. These events 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. Register today!
FACE is hosting a Lunch and Learn with the St. Louis Arc's NEXT program on Wednesday, April 24th, at 11:30 AM. St. Louis Arc's Next transition program provides focused, impactful supports for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they prepare for their future. Next provides various programs which support individuals navigate what is next in their lives. The support offered in Next is centered on what is needed by the individual. Through skill building, goal development, and social activities, young adults are able to identify and work toward their goals. From an extra nudge in the right direction to classes that teach living skills, we will help you identify what's Next. Lunch and Learns are held virtually through YouTube Live. To access the video, please visit the SSD YouTube channel.
Are you new to Special School District, or do you just want to learn more about our amazing organization? Join FACE for a Virtual Open House on Thursday, April 18th, at 6 PM. Families can receive an introduction to the services and resources available through SSD. Join the Zoom meeting here.
Learn More about SEF's Kid-to-Camp Program
SEF’s Kid-to-Camp program provides financial assistance to families of children served by Special School District so they can attend camps. Funds are awarded based on financial need and student benefit. Learn more about SEF's camp options, including day and overnight camps for winter, spring, and summer breaks. Applications are accepted year-round. Apply early - some camps have limited open spots.
FUTURE LEADERS WANTED! Would you like to become more involved in the special education process? Family Leadership Institute offers participants a comprehensive set of opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge in various areas related to education, family engagement, and collaboration. Sign up today for the Family Leadership Institute (FLI). FLI will be held April 17th, 24th and May 1st from 5:30-8pm. Click here to find out more and to register.
10 Steps to Self Advocacy.
April 2, 6 PM - Join FACE for a live webinar: 10 Steps to Self Advocacy. This workshop provides an easy-to-use format that will guide families in using strategies to build positive interactions and collaborative teams. Register today!
Miriam Summer Camp Taking Registrations
Registration is open for the 2024 Miriam School and Learning Center's academic and therapeutic summer camps! Individualized instruction, research-based interventions, and certified/licensed professionals will ensure your child builds confidence and skills in reading, writing, speech, or social/emotional development
Greetings, PAC Families, Summer is around the corner!
· Visit the St. Louis Recreation Council website and check out spring break and summer activities.
· Now is the time to sign up for summer camps. Check out our SSD PAC YouTube channel and watch the January meeting recording that was all about camps and funding.
· While you’re there, check out our recent Valentine’s Day meeting on Alternatives to Guardianship.
There will be no March SSD PAC meeting. Please join us for our April 10 Zoom meeting, and mark your calendars for May 8 - our end of year party at SSD Central Office!
Best,
Rebecca Flieg
President, SSD Parents Advisory Council
Does your student have a new Autism diagnosis or are you interested in learning more about Autism and how to best support student learning in the home environment? Join FACE on April 5th at 6pm as one of SSD’s own Autism Effective Practice Specialists gives practical advice and information. To learn more and to register for this event click here.
Join SEF for Golf and Giving this October! The 22nd Annual Dan McLaughlin Charity Golf Tournament and Auction is back and better than ever! Set to return at the prestigious Norwood Hills Country Club on October 14th, 2024, this event promises a day filled with excitement, camaraderie, and the joy of giving back—all in support of the Special Education Foundation's mission to support students with disabilities in St. Louis County. Sponsorship and golf registration are now open as well as opportunities to volunteer. Come be a part of this great cause!
Follow SSD on Instagram!
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/
The Special Education Foundation helps support SSD teachers to implement their creative project ideas with our Classroom Innovation Grant program. We are excited to announce that we will be funding $65,000 for 89 teacher projects for the 2024-2025 school year. See the list of winners here.
The Hazelwood SSD Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is a cross-categorical group of parents of children receiving services from the Special School District. It is a volunteer organization made up of parents, SSD and Hazelwood administrators who are committed to identifying and building upon the strengths of all children in the Hazelwood School District. Hazelwood Parent Advisory Council provides a forum for parents to meet other parents and share information concerning their children and resources.
If you would like to become involved in the Hazelwood SSD PAC or if you would like more information about Hazelwood SSD parent supports and resources, please reach out at anedwards@ssdmo.org or (314)989-8466.
SSD is hiring all summer long! Come join the amazing SSD HSD instructional team!
An awesome benefit of working at a school is that you have the same schedule as your child! Pictured below are just a few of the positions currently available countywide - in Hazelwood, we specifically need teachers and paraprofessionals. We have openings in middle schools and elementary schools from the West side of the district to the East. We have open opportunities to work with students in general education classrooms, special education classrooms, collaboratively taught classrooms (two teachers - one HSD & one SSD), essential skills classrooms, and classrooms for students with our highest support needs.
Please also share this information with friends and family looking for a collaborative, equitable, and committed work culture, outstanding benefits, and competitive salaries.
Click here for more information about working for SSD.
Click here to see a current list of job vacancies on the SSD website.
Click here to contact a special education coordinator to ask about opportunities at a specific school or in a specific classroom.
Let's Talk
We want to hear from you! Click here to share your comments, questions, or concerns.
Lunch & Learn Series
Click here to register for upcoming sessions or to view recorded sessions from SSD's Lunch & Learn series that features community organizations.
SSD Website
Click here for information for SSD's families, students, and community.