SSD/U.City News
February 2024
Winter News
Apprenticeship & Career Pathways
Save the Dates: STL County Apprenticeship & Career Pathways Showcases
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
Family Resource Hub
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).
FACE -Family Academy
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!
Family and Community Resources
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.
The Family Resource Hub
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.
Family Cafe
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.
Follow SSD on Instagram
Follow SSD on Instagram!
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/
Special Education Foundation
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.
The 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 PAC Elections 2024
SSD PAC Elections 2024
SSD's Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is now accepting New/Renewal of Membership Self-Nomination Forms. Completed nomination forms must be returned to the Executive Committee no later than Feb. 15, 2024.
Elections are rotated each year, with Affton School District, Bayless School District, Brentwood School District, School District of Clayton, Ferguson-Florissant School District, Hancock Place School District, Ladue School District, Mehlville School District, Normandy Schools Collaborative, Rockwood School District, School District of University City, and Valley Park School District holding elections this year. Learn more at https://sites.google.com/a/ssdmo.org/ssdpac/home
2024 SSD Board of Education Election
2024 SSD Board of Education Election
Three candidates have filed for two open positions on the Special School District Board of Education in the spring election. The open positions are for three-year terms and represent the following subdistricts:
Subdistrict 5 – Brentwood, Kirkwood, Lindbergh, Valley Park, and Webster Groves school districts
Subdistrict 6 – Ladue, Normandy, Ritenour, and University City school districts
In March, the Board candidates will be interviewed by the SSD Governing Council, which selects new members of the Board of Education. The Governing Council is comprised of one Board of Education member from each of the 22 school districts in St. Louis County. Learn more about SSD's current Board of Education members, policies, and meetings on the District website.
The School District of University City Upcoming Events
- February 4: One U City World Tour, Brittany Woods Middle School
- February 10: University City High School JROTC Military Ball
- February 16: No School for Students
- February 19: District Closed - Presidents' Day
- February 20: One U City Community Meeting, Brittany Woods Middle School. Register: https://www.research.net/r/1UC_RSVP
Calendar of Events
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.
Important Contacts
SSD ADMINISTRATOR CONTACTS
SSD ADMINISTRATOR CONTACTS
Wendy Gilliam, Ed.S.
Special Educator Director.
314-989-8461/314-290-4038
Meghan Boyer, Ed.S.
Special Education Coordinator
314-290-4150 Pershing Elementary School
Briana Martin, Ed.S.
Special Education Coordinator
314-290-4280 Brittany Woods
314-290-4100 U. City High School
314-989-7026
Special School District of St. Louis County
12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO,
314-989-8100