Riverview Gardens / SSD

Something to Think About:

Special School District Parent Advisory Council (SSD PAC)

Wanted: Riverview Parents Who Wish to Advocate for Their Children

Greetings Ramily,

PARENT INVOLVEMENT is an area we at Riverview Gardens are working extremely hard to promote. However, there is a parent advisory council that has existed for years, but parent involvement is seriously lacking: The Special School District Parent Advisory Council.

The Special School District Parent Advisory Council is not your typical PTO or parent support group. This group consists of parents representing the twenty-two school districts of St. Louis County. They are a diverse and inclusive group that came together to address system-level challenges affecting students with disabilities and their families. The main goal is to ensure that those responsible for educating students with special needs are working to support the whole student, despite their disability.

Currently, the need for parent representation on the SSD PAC is dire. Less than six out of the 22 school districts in St. Louis County have parents who advocate for children. Riverview Gardens is not one of them. Surely, we have parents of students who attend Riverview schools who want to advocate for their children!

If you would like to learn more about advocating for our babies who receive services from Special School District, please contact Dr. Chad Lent or send me an email at vmorrow-reel@rgsd.k12.mo.us. You can also reach out to Rebecca Flieg, SSD PAC President at: president@ssdmoorg.onmicrosoft.com or pac@ssdmo.org

SSD PAC Website

Every 3 years the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) conducts a survey of families with children with disabilities. DESE has contracted with the University of Missouri’s Institute of Public Policy to conduct the 2023-2024 survey. The results of the survey are used for planning purposes to improve our program and increase parent participation.

Every family with a child with a disability will receive an email with the survey. You will be asked to complete a survey for EACH child in your family who receives special education services in Riverview Gardens.

The deadline for completion of the survey is March 31, 2024.

Applications for several awards which honor the contributions of SSD staff and community members are awaiting nominations, which are due Jan. 5, 2024. These awards are collectively known as Salutes awards because they are given at the District’s annual Salutes event in the spring. They include the following:

• Key to the Classroom Awards (for classroom teachers)

• Building Block Awards (for paraprofessionals)

• Lasting Impression Awards (for support/operations staff)

• Special Ambassador Awards (for community members or organizations)

• Distinguished Leader Awards (for administrators in SSD and partner districts)

Please refer to the Salutes webpage for details about each award. Some awards permit nomination by SSD staff only, while others accept nominations from people who are not employed by SSD. Please nominate someone you know who works for SSD and help us provide the recognition they deserve for their meaningful work in SSD!

Would you like to learn more about how to support our student’s learning this Winter? Take a look at the FACE YouTube page and watch any of our pre-recorded webinars. Topics include toilet training, executive functioning, behavior supports, and Special Education Process. Check it out and email us at face@ssdmo.org to suggest other important topics.

Are you looking for unique and accessible activities to participate in this winter? Look no further than the latest FACE newsletter! In it you will find not only information on what FACE has to offer, but also ideas to enhance your student’s learning and great community events and offerings. You can sign up to have future newsletters sent to your inbox by visiting the FACE website today!

FACE is hosting a webinar highlighting the Missouri Poison Center on December 5th from 6-7pm. In this webinar, attendees will learn how to contact the Missouri Poison Center, what to do if they suspect their student has gotten into something, and poison first aid. Register for this informative event here.

American Sign Language classes were a huge success this Fall. If you did not get a chance to attend, registration for second semester classes will open up in mid December. Keep an eye out on the FACE website for more information. Classes will be held each Thursday for six weeks starting February 8th. Classes fill up fast so register early.

The holidays can be a stressful time financially for many families. The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) will be at the HUB at North Tech High School on January 5th from 10-2pm to help families. CAASTLC can provide the following programs and services to families:

● Case management

● Utility assistance

● Rental assistance

● Financial education

● Weatherization

● Program development and educational activities.

The Special Education Foundation (SEF) offers Critical Needs services - a solution to provide immediate funding to those students served by the Special School District (SSD) where the family is either unable to financially meet the need, has exhausted community resources, or is at risk for a student medical emergency that may result in the loss of independence or academic failure. Applications (accepted year-round) are to be completed by a social worker, teacher or administrator through the SEF website, submitted to Adrienne Eaglin at aeaglin@ssdmo.org or mailed to the Special School District Learning Center at 900 Hornet Drive, Hazelwood, MO 63042.

Receiving a flu shot helps keep you and your community healthy! Free flu vaccinations are being provided through Barnes-Jewish Hospital. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit https://bit.ly/3oCxqYu

Visit SSDMO.org for links to resources that will direct you to information that will be helpful throughout the year - bookmark the webpage to make it easy to find. The links below apply to all students county-wide who receive services from SSD.

• Partner Districts

• Partner District Communication Sequence

• IEPs - Frequently Asked Questions

• Bullying Resources

• Student & Related Services

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/

• SSD Superintendent Updates
• SSD Parent Advisory Council
• Family and Community Engagement (FACE)
• SSD Partner District - Riverview Gardens

Website: www.ssdmo.org
Location: 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314.989.8100
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSDStLCo
Twitter: @SSDDStLCo

Website: http://www.rgsd.k12.mo.us/
Location: 1370 Northumberland Drive, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314-869-2505