Riverview Gardens / SSD

Greetings Ramily,

I do not know about you, but to me time is flying by at the speed of light. Summer will be here before you know it. What do you have planned for your children?

I want to share a wonderful opportunity with you that I hope you will take a moment to investigate and take advantage of:

Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis (REC)

For more than 40 years the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis has provided summer programs in the areas of 1) Recreation, Sports & Fitness, 2) Travel & Outdoor Adventures, 3) Day Camps, 4) Overnight Camps, 5) Arts & Education, and 6) Social Groups so individuals with developmental disabilities have opportunities to have fun, be engaged and socialize with others while improving their quality of life. The REC works with various groups and organizations that allow participants to engage in activities they have specific interest in participating in.

The Recreation Council will release their program guide this month and I want to make sure you have time to review their information and get your family members engaged.

To learn more about the Recreation Council of Greater St Louis call 314-726-6044 or go to: https://recreationcouncil.org/

Sincerely,

Veronica Morrow-Reel, President

Special Administrative Board

Greetings PAC Family! It can be overwhelming figuring out school, insurance, future planning, not to mention what to make for dinner, all while parenting our beautiful kids who require extra attention. We're here to help you navigate the confusing waters of the disability world with our PAC meeting presentations. We want to help you now so your child’s future is bright.

Check out our upcoming meeting topics below. Note: Our PAC meetings are always held on the second Wednesday of the month, 7-9 PM, August through May (except March):

● Feb. 14, 2024: Our zoom topic will be guardianship alternatives. This is a VIP topic to educate yourself about before it's thrown at you in high school.

● May 8, 2024: Mark your calendars for our in-person celebration at SSD Central office! We are working to make it a one-stop shopping experience that will hook you up with integral resources for your child all in one place.

Come join your PAC family and get that help you haven’t had time to ask for.

Peaceful holidays to all,

Rebecca Flieg

President, SSD Parents Advisory Council

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 should have received 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.

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/

Exciting news! The FACE second-semester calendar of events is now available. Packed with enriching activities, it aims to strengthen family/school partnerships. You can access the calendar here. Mark your calendars and join us—your participation is key to fostering a positive and engaging school community.

Want to learn more about opportunities for families in our district? Sign up on our website for the new FACE-to-face newsletter from SSD’s Family and Community Engagement Division. Scroll to the bottom of the page, look to the right-hand corner, and share your name and email address to stay up to date on our events.

FACE is set to host Family Academy on Saturday, February 24th, from 9 AM to 12 PM at Neuwoehner High School, 12112 Clayton Rd, St. Louis MO 63131. Families can connect with various community providers and vendors and partake in self-directed learning opportunities. Round up the kids and head to Family Academy for a morning of fun and empowerment. You don't want to miss this academy if you’re looking for Summer Recreation opportunities. The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis and many of our local camp vendors will be onsite to discuss funding and recreation options. Visit the FACE webpage for more details and to secure your spot!

FACE will be hosting Part 2 of our 2 part webinar, Behavior Strategies in the Home and Community on February 7th at 6 PM. Join us as we expand on previous lessons which discussed crisis procedures in the home and reinforcing alternative behaviors, a review of acceptance and commitment therapy strategies, and a focus on present moment and diffusion techniques. Register here today! You can access part 1 on the SSD YouTube channel.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024 - Hulme Resources' Alternatives to Guardianship Project

The Alternatives to Guardianship Project helps people with developmental disabilities avoid or terminate unnecessary guardianships by using safe and legal alternatives. It encourages and assists parents, educators, judges, lawyers, physicians, and other professionals to implement such alternatives whenever feasible. It promotes the adoption of public policies and systemic changes to protect the rights of people with developmental disabilities, ensuring equal rights and access to justice. These activities are accomplished through research, education, counseling, and advocacy.

Join the Hulme Resources webinar.

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 February 1st at 9:30am. Families can receive an introduction to the services and resources available through SSD. Join the zoom meeting here.

Are you craving more meaningful connections with members of the SSD community? Do you like learning from others in a safe, inclusive environment? If so, join us on February 8th from 6-8 PM at North Tech for the first Family Cafe of the Spring Semester. Cafes are hosted by families for families. They provide parents and caregivers with a safe and welcoming space to connect and learn from each other. They are centered on strengthening families' protective factors: Resilience, relationships, knowledge, support, and communication. Click here for more information and to register.

A few spots remain for families to sign up for American Sign Language (ASL) classes. This six-week class will be held weekly beginning February 8 at 6:00 PM at SSD’s Central Office. Families will be in an immersive environment for learning American Sign Language (ASL)! Learn to communicate with Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HoH) individuals with an introduction to fingerspelling and basic signs to use in the home, school, and community. Topics include family, school, food, and community signs. Deaf cultural norms will be discussed, which include introductions and daily interaction between the deaf and the hearing. Space is limited. Register here.

Family Resource Hub Food Pantry is stocked with food and supplies and open for families who are in need. Contact FACE or your school social worker to find out more.

The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) will also be available at the SSD Family Resource Hub (located inside North Tech High School) on Friday, February 2nd, from 10am-2pm to provide information and access to many of their programs, including the Low-Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP) and Water Assistance Program (LIWAP).

The Special Education Foundation is offering 10 sponsorships (valued at $500) for Junior year students to attend the 2024 American Legion Auxiliary Missouri Girls State and American Legion Auxiliary Missouri Boys State. The programs will be held the week of June 22 – June 29, 2024 at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. The program includes a college campus experience of staying in the dorms overnight at the university for a week as a citizen of a mythical state that all the citizens will govern at the city, county and state level. Students must send a sponsorship solicitation email/letter and letter of reference from the student’s SSD teacher to Tim Eby, SEF Executive Director at tim@sef-stl.org by March 1, 2024. Read here for more information, or contact Jackie Ruhm Dunn jackiedunnstl@gmail.com or 314.640.1154 for questions.

he Special Education Foundation is accepting applications for next year's Fred Saigh Leadership Academy class. Started in 2004, this program provides high school students with unique community-focused opportunities to broaden their horizons.

Each year, up to 20 students displaying leadership potential are chosen to participate in a training program that introduces and develops their leadership skills, engaging them in community issues. Students dedicate one day per month to visit key sites and meet leaders in the metropolitan area, exposing them to vital institutions that address community needs. Applications are accepted now through February 20, 2024. Learn more about the program and how to apply

SSD will be partnering with Affton, Pattonville, and Rockwood school districts again this year to host the St. Louis County Apprenticeship & Career Pathways Showcases. Last year’s events were very successful and helped middle and high-school students throughout the St. Louis region learn about the many careers available to them that require specialized training. Visit the Showcase webpage for more information! The District will host three Saturday events, each held from 10 AM – 1 PM:

● Feb. 24 – Eureka High School

● March 2 – North Tech High School

● March 9 – South Tech High School

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