Ciara Rhodes Selected to Receive $5,000 Scholarship
March 29, 2023 - Those who know senior student Ciara Rhodes will say she is vibrant, full of life, and has just the right amount of spunk. Her character and involvement in a variety of extracurricular activities at Eureka High School in Rockwood School District, such as speech and debate, Best Buddies, orchestra, and the Black Student Union are what allowed her to earn a $5,000 John Cary Scholarship.
“We are beyond thrilled to be able to provide John Cary College Scholarships to students like Ciara, those with characteristics most admired by the late John Cary,” said Shannon Benedek, Special Education Foundation (SEF) program and communications manager. “Ciara has received glowing recommendations from her SSD teachers and Eureka's associate principal and we are excited to help provide her the opportunity to pursue her dreams through the college of her choice.”
Rhodes’ journey with SSD started when she was in the 7th grade. Tia Wilson, SSD social worker, began working with Rhodes at the time to address social emotional needs.
“When I first met CeCe, she acted out her emotions in unhealthy ways. We taught her coping strategies and various therapeutic approaches so she can live her best life and create a stable platform,” said Wilson.
Ciara has now matured into a young woman who is ready to tackle college and adult life with confidence.
“I’m not surprised Ciara Rhodes won the John Cary scholarship,” said Marie DeProspero, special education teacher at Eureka High School. “I can count on her to help younger students and be a role model for them. She shares her wisdom with them and is kind. She understands what it means to be a good friend, a good student, and a kind, productive member of Eureka High.”
Following high school, Rhodes would like to go to college and has narrowed down her favorites to five schools. Her top choice is Missouri State University in Springfield.
“Once I finish my undergraduate degree, I would like to go to John Hopkins University and achieve my dream of becoming a pediatric surgeon,” said Rhodes. “I hope to achieve my dreams of helping others and being a role model for others who have experienced trauma and mental health challenges. Without my trials, I wouldn't be able to have the coping skills, resiliency, and grit to reach the next level of my journey.”
Wilson and DeProspero are proud of how far Rhodes has come. They are confident that she has the ability to tackle all that comes her way and look forward to seeing all that she achieves in the near future.
Corey Howard, Chesterfield Elementary
"Corey began his journey at Chesterfield Elementary as a kindergartner who struggled to communicate his most basic wants and needs. Now in fifth grade, he excels in academics, extracurricular activities, and social interactions. He is involved in our school’s special chorus program, which requires him to come to school early one morning a week for practice. He is an inspiration to his fellow students! In the words of one: Corey makes me feel better when I feel bad. He helps me with my work when I am struggling.” - Jennifer Rolwing, Speech-Language Pathologist
Watch to learn more about Corey! https://youtu.be/eWj5ZWEeOCU
Hannah West, Summit High School
"Hannah has curated a fantastic experience for herself at Rockwood Summit High School. She has always been eager to learn and improve, but her achievements in independent living skills and vocational training/employment are the most notable. Although Hannah doesn’t speak, she participates in the Re-Voc Work Study program and loves going to work! She also is on the girls' swim team, a member of the Best Buddies club, founder of the Silver Sparklers Spirit Squad, and loves to ride horses. Her peers and teammates are proud to be her friend." - Karen Droege, Teacher
Watch to learn more about Hannah! https://youtu.be/E8eHuKR6wKg
Spencer Thompson, Marquette High, James E. Westbury Memorial/SSD Board of Education Scholarship Recipient
Special Education Foundation
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.
Student Leadership Opportunities: Please check out these unique and FREE leadership opportunities for high school students with disabilities, ages 16 - 21.
Lunch and Learn Series 2022 - 2023
Special School District’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) department is excited to offer a virtual Lunch & Learn series for SSD families and stakeholders. The series, which will involve community organizations sharing information about their work, will continue during the 2022-23 school year and take place from 11:30 AM - Noon.
Representatives from three community organizations and three SSD departments will participate in order to increase awareness about their agencies or programs and make connections with those in our SSD community who may benefit from their programs and services.
Features in the 2022-23 Lunch & Learn Series are:
- SSD Family and Community Engagement (FACE), Summer Engagement Activities - May 24, 2023
Each event is held virtually through YouTube Live. To access the video, please click on the organization's name in the list above. The videos will not be available to view until their scheduled date and time.
Family Resource Hub
SUMMER HOURS FOR THE HUB: Access to the HUB, located in North Technical High School, will only be available over the summer by appointment. Email face@ssdmo.org to make an appointment.
Mental Health Month
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training is available for families in SSD. The course is located at Maryland Heights Community Center on July 22, 2023 from 9 - 3:30 PM. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. To join us please register at https://forms.gle/CRFvDJH76XbSyFQg7. Seats are limited. Register to become a mental health first aider today.
The National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers meaningful resources to support youth, educators, families, and caregivers have productive discussions about mental health with youth and young adults. Please visit the website to review the resources. https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults/Youth-and-Young-Adult-Resources
Special School District Parent Advisory Council
The mission of the Special School District (SSD) Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is to effectively collaborate with and advise its stakeholders (including parents/guardians, the SSD Board of Education, Governing Council, SSD administration and staff, and partnering school district administrators and staff) in order to improve the educational, self-efficacy, and social outcomes of each student served by SSD.
Please click here to access the PAC website which contains specific information about meetings, agendas & minutes, as well as parent resources.
Special School District of St. Louis County
314-989-8268
Mandy Lloyd, Administrative Assistant
636-733-2071
Website: https://www.ssdmo.org
Location: 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314.989.8100
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSDStLCo
Twitter: @ssdstlco
Rockwood School District
Website: https://www.rsdmo.org
Location: 111 East North Street, Eureka, MO, USA
Phone: 636-733-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rockwood.School.District
Twitter: @rockwoodschools