SSD Ladue Schools
February 2022
The Season of Giving
‘Tis the Season of Giving at the FGC. Carrie Doll, special education teacher at FGC shared, “In many of our classrooms we have a classroom store. We noticed that several students were using the classroom money they earned to make purchases for their families. This inspired us to go a step further. This year the FGC offered a Gift Shop to students." This is an incentive based program offered to students who are receiving a variety of school services and supports. That includes special education, tiered interventions, and any students whose names were given by the counseling department. Carrie Doll also shared, "The students have been working to earn gift shop tickets. They will then be able to purchase gifts for their family using these tickets. We will help them wrap the gifts for their family members to help with the surprise."
Interested in Learning about Vocational Rehab Summer Work?
See the links below for information about summer work! Vocational Rehab Summer work is a great opportunity for CURRENT juniors who need some job support! Flyers are linked for
West – Mid County:
Family Resource Hub Opens to Support SSD Families
The Family and Community Resource Center has great news! A Family Resource Hub Opens to Support SSD Families. Check out this 1- min. video highlighting the features: Family Resource Hub Virtual Grand Opening. See the flyers below based on your interest.
Variety Club Offers Day Camp
Summer Resources - The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis
Since 1983, the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis has provided individuals with developmental disabilities an opportunity to have fun, be active, socialize and enhance their quality of life.
For more information on summer programs, contact:
Sue Fleming
314-726-6044 ext. 101
Peggy Welker
314-726-6044 ext. 103
For more information on the Recreation Council, see their website at: recreationcouncil.org
SSD PAC New/Renewal of Membership Self-Nomination Forms
SSD PAC New/Renewal of Membership Self-Nomination Forms information: Hello, SSD PAC members and potential members! We are approaching that time of year when we prepare to hold elections and renew membership. Nomination is through self-nomination. The self-nomination form is available to all parents of students receiving services through SSD.
Per the SSD PAC Bylaws, potential members must consent to make their names and contact information available to the public. Notices requesting self-nomination forms shall be received by parents no later than January 10th. Completed nomination forms must be returned to the Executive Committee no later than February 15th. The election of new/renewal of SSD PAC members shall take place no later than May 31st. We will hold the election at the April 13th General Meeting.
Elections are rotated each year. The following districts will hold elections in even numbered years: Affton, Bayless, Brentwood, Clayton, Ferguson-Florissant, Hancock Place, Ladue, Mehlville, Normandy, Rockwood, University City and Valley Park.
Please complete and submit the self-nomination form linked above ASAP. Please note that even if you recently submitted a self-nomination form and were elected as a member of the SSD PAC, but are in a district that has an election in even numbered years, you will need to submit another self-nomination form. Please reach out to us at pac@ssdmo.org with any questions.
Love and Light,
Dr. Camesha Carter, SSD PAC President
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Opportunity
If you are interested in becoming a Youth Mental Health First Aider. please complete one of the forms below begin registering for the event. After submitting the information on this form, you will receive an email inviting you to complete the user registration for the course on Saturday, March 19th at 9 AM at the Ferguson Community Center. (Please note: There is limited seating available for this training. You will be notified by email when you are enrolled.)
For Families, go to this Google link to register: https://forms.gle/28CzBcceYgadDhJk6
Assistance for families who may have challenges accessing the FREE Covid Tests
Parent Leadership Institute will be held via ZOOM
If you have always wanted to participate but life made it too hard to get away from home, NOW IS THE TIME TO ENROLL!!!
If you are a parent or family member who makes the educational decisions for a child with a disability, investing the time to attend these four Wednesday evening sessions will provide:
• Vision for the future of your child.
• Knowledge to help you to effectively participate in your child’s education.
• Leadership skills to improve the educational climate for all children.
• Access to new resources, friends and experts to help you on your journey.
The Institute will be held on Wednesdays from 6:00 pm-8:00 p.m. on February 16, March 2, 9, and 16, via zoom.
Learn more about this opportunity or download the application at: Parent Leadership Institute
Family and Community Engagement Information to Include:
Mental Health First Aid Training for SSD Families - Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, and others to help adolescents experiencing mental health and/or addictions challenge or crisis. It is designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. 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.
Nationally this course is valued at $170; due to a grant from Missouri's Department of Mental Health and a collaboration with the Ferguson Community Center, you have the opportunity to attend at no cost.
Saturday, March 19th from 9 – 1:30 PM at Ferguson Community Center. 1050 Smith Ave, Ferguson, MO 63135
Space is limited. To register click here. Registration will close on Monday, March 7th or when all seats are filled.
Virtual Workshop: Meeting your child's needs using Charting the LifeCourse Tools in the IEP process
When: Tue, March 15, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Description: Your child’s school Individual Education Plan (IEP) can be intimidating and overwhelming at times. Find out how to utilize LifeCourse Tools to help prepare and communicate effectively with your child’s IEP team to determine the most successful goals and interventions to help your child reach their potential.
To register for this workshop, click here: https://SSDPEDA.as.me/CTLCwithSTLARC
PEDA would love your feedback!
Please complete are PEDA Communications survey here: PEDA Survey
Lunch & Learn with SSD
Special School District’s Family and Community Outreach, Social Work, Communications, and Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA) departments have teamed up 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 take place on the first Wednesday of each month during the 2021-22 school year, from 11:30 AM - Noon.
Representatives from nine community organizations will participate in order to increase awareness about their agency and make connections with those in our SSD community who may benefit from their programs and services.
Organizations represented in the Lunch & Learn series include:
- Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK) – March 2
- St. Louis ARC – April 6
- St. Louis County Library – May 4