SSD Staff Appreciation Form
Do you have a teacher or staff member who has gone above & beyond for you or your child - supporting them, encouraging them to do their best or being a listening ear when they need someone? Take a minute to write a note of thanks by sharing your appreciation with them. You may fill out this form as many times as you would like for different school personnel.
SSD in Affton PAC Meetings
PAC Meetings will be held on September 21st at 6:30, November 16th at 6:30, February 15th at 6:30, and April 25th at 6:30. More details to come!
The Affton PAC was formed by families who expect that children with disabilities and/or unique learning needs are educated effectively, afforded the dignity of belonging, and valued throughout all Affton School District. We hope that as we continue to grow, our membership will be representative of the full diversity of our student body and their families. Angela Hanks is the current leader of this group. She would love to have a partner in this important work. Please let us know if you would be interested. “Like” the Affton/SSD Family Group Facebook page or contact us for more information.
The Family Resource Hub for SSD
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
Health and Wellness
5 Mental Health Tips for Kids This Winter
By: Melissa Santos, PhD
Winter darkness and colder weather can cause your child’s mood and health habits to take a dive. To help, start with the basics! Connecticut Children’s pediatric psychologist Melissa Santos, PhD, shares her top five tips.
1. Eat right. Make it easy for yourself: Decide on a meal prep day for your family and spend time together trying new recipes and making sure your fridge is ready to make it easy to eat right.
2. Keep moving.
The winter months can make it so hard to get moving, which can take a toll on mood. Take time each day to do something to move your body – start your day with yoga, have a dance party with your family, get out for a hike on the weekends or just use your phone or tracker to get your steps in. > Related: 5 Heart-Healthy Choices for the Whole Family
3. Watch your sleep.
Is there anything better than waking up all curled up under the covers on a cold winter morning? It’s so easy to sleep in. But we want to make sure kids aren’t getting too little – or too much – sleep. (Did you know you can get too much? Check out these sleep guidelines.)
Unfortunately, there’s no way to actually “catch up” on sleep. So focus on helping your child fall asleep and wake up at around the same time every day. If they have problems falling asleep, consider an app like Sleep Bug, which has lots of different sound effects to encourage sleep. > Related: Tips for Better Sleep for Mental Health
4. Get some sunlight.
Humans are basically houseplants with emotions – and they need sun. Getting out in those rare daylight hours is so important to lifting our mood and getting good vitamins! > Related: More Than the Winter Blues? Kids and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
5. Build in extra mood-boosters.
Since darkness and cold weather can easily impact mood, it’s important to be proactive in wintertime about building mood-boosters into your child’s day. When in doubt, have your child create a “mood jar”: Fill a jar with written reminders of things that always give their mood a lift – an activity, a memory, whatever. Go to the jar when they need a mood boost! As always, if you’re concerned about your child’s health (or your own), please talk to your doctor. We’re here to help!
Related Links: · Tools to Get Through Life’s Challenges · Teach Kids Positive Thinking in 4 Simple Steps · Self-Care for Kids: 4 Strategies to Help Your Child Manage Stress
SEF and Student Leader Opportunities
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.
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.
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.
FACE
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.
Family Cafe
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.
Kid to Camp
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/
Special Education Foundation
SEF Critical Needs Program: 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.
Virtual Open House
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.
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
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.
Affton School District
Email: kmmeers@ssdmo.org
Website: http://afftonschools.net/
Location: 8701 MacKenzie Rd, Affton, MO 63123, USA
Phone: 314-633-5912