SSD/Clayton Dispatch
February 2023
Upcoming Events
School District of Clayton Calendar
February 17 Professional Learning (No School)
February 20 President's Day (No School)
You’re Invited to Complete the SSD Family-School Relationships Survey
Special School District is committed to creating safe and welcoming learning environments so that our students can shape successful futures. To assist us in these efforts, each year we ask parents to share their thoughts and feedback about the safety, communication, and learning supports that exist in our schools. Please take a few moments to complete the anonymous SSD Family-School Relationship Survey. The survey is open from Jan. 17 – Feb. 10. Your valuable feedback is greatly appreciated!
Family and Community Engagement
FLI - Spring Application Open https://ssdface.as.me/SpringFLI
FACE has two Hub Huddles this month at North Tech High School. A representative from CAASTLC (County Action Agency St. Louis County) will be there on February 10th from 9am to 4pm. CAASTLC can provide support for utilities and weatherization along with food resource support. The HEC (Higher Education Consortium) provides support to individuals 16 and up in the area of higher education or career support. A representative from HEC will be at the Hub in North Tech on February 21st from 11-12pm.
There will be a Lunch and Learn webinar on February 22nd from 11:30-12. This Lunch and Learn will feature SSD’s ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis). Join this virtual opportunity to learn about Applied Behavior Analysis and the services provided to special education students of St. Louis County. Join us live on our SSD YouTube Channel.
Join FACE for a Family Cafe! 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 the Strengthening Families Protective Factors: Resilience, Relationships, Knowledge, Support, and Communication. Our next cafe will be held on February 23rd at North Tech High School from 6-8pm. Register here.
FACE is hosting SSD’s Early Childhood Special Education department to bring to you a workshop titled “Why is my Child Misbehaving” on February 28th from 11am to Noon. This workshop is geared toward children 3 to 6 years old but may be helpful for children up to 8 years old. Register here.
Celebrate Black History Month with the St. Louis County Library https://www.slcl.org/content/black-history-celebration
Events include a Keynote address from Carlotta Walls LaNier, a member of the Little Rock Nine on Friday, February 17th at 7PM at the Ethical Society of St. Louis ( 9001 Clayton Rd., St. Louis, MO 63117)
The Black Rep Presents “Turn Up” - Lewis and Clark Branch on Saturday, February 4th at 2 PM.
Visit the slcl.org website to learn additional ways to celebrate; opportunities are available throughout St. Louis County and include the Black History Magic Show, Africa Alive drumming circles, Story Quilts, and African dance.
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 Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) department - Feb. 22, 2023
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - April 26, 2023
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.
The Recreation Council would like its readers to know that our new fiscal year 2023 began on October 1, 2022 and runs through September 30, 2023. What does this mean for you? It means we are accepting new voucher applications for our various vouchers including, CARE (Community Access Recreation Experiences) & Recreation Supports, After-School/Extended Day, Overnight Camp (both mini-camp and week-long camps after January 15th), and Experiential/Adventure vouchers.
- Link to PDF:
PAC.ED: Parent Advisory Council of Children with Educational Diversity
It is never too early to start thinking about Summer options! Whether you are thinking about this Summer or subsequent Summers! Knowledge is power when planning for your student. Programs such as SWEP (Summer Work Experience Program) have deadlines in early February!
Don’t forget to check out the following links:
· Clayton Disability History & Awareness Proclamation Clayton Disability History & Awareness Proclamation (including presentation video).
· Award Winning Disability History & Awareness Video Series 2021.
· Intelligent Lives (the film) & Panel Discussion – available in three(3) formats including Spanish.
· Disability Awareness Video Showcase – a collection of films from acclaimed Director and Advocate Dan Habib.
PAC.ED: Parent Advisory Council of Children with Educational Diversity, advocates for awareness, understanding, equity, and inclusion of and for all students with disabilities in the School District of Clayton. PAC.ED is a volunteer organization made up of families, Clayton and Special School District (SSD) staff and administrators, as well as community members.
We have wonderful actives, events and programs planned for the 2022/2023 school year!
Stay up-to-date with Clayton PAC.ED by visiting our Dashboard
For more information or questions regarding PAC.ED, please contact: Clayton PAC.ED President, Christina Blankenship at cmblankenship@sbcglobal.net , or call 314.402.4920.
SSD Parent Advisory Council (SSD PAC)
The SSD Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is comprised of families advising and collaborating to improve the education, confidence and social outcomes of each student served by SSD. The PAC consists of five parents or guardians – one member and four alternates – from each of the 22 St. Louis County school districts and from each of the five SSD special education schools. The parents or guardians of students receiving special education services in that district or school elect SSD PAC members.
The SSD PAC operates as a completely separate organization from the School District of Clayton PAC.ED. However, due to the nature of “dual district” structure that exists uniquely in St. Louis County, both PACs benefit from ongoing engagement, support, and collaboration. In fact, members of the Clayton PAC.ED often represent the School District of Clayton on the SSD PAC.
For more information check out SSD PAC or contact Christina Blankenship, call 314.402.4920, (Clayton PAC.ED President and SSD PAC (voting member).
- February 8, 2023 7-9pm via zoom
- April 12, 2023 7-9pm via zoom
- May 10, 2023 7-9pm via zoom
Special School District of St. Louis County
Melissa Logan, Director of Special Education
Kate Pavlisin, Instructional Coach
Email: mjlogan@ssdmo.org
Website: www.ssdmo.org
Location: 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314.989.8100
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSDStLCo
Twitter: @SSDDStLCo
Clayton School District
Website: https://www.claytonschools.net/
Location: 2 Mark Twain Circle, Clayton, MO, USA
Phone: 314-854-6000