SSD/Clayton Dispatch
October 2021
Emergency Connectivity Fund Program
The FCC announced an initial wave of Emergency Connectivity Fund Program funding commitments totaling over $1.2 billion. A second application filing window will open on September 28, 2021, and close on October 13, 2021. During this window, applicants will be able to submit requests for funding for purchases made between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 to meet the needs of students, school staff, and library patrons who would otherwise lack access to basic educational opportunities and library services.
For those interested in learning more about the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program ahead of the second application filing window, please visit www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org. The Commission will also continue to update its Frequently Asked Questions about the Program. Additional information about the applications filed in the first application filing window is available on the Universal Service Administrative Company’s (USAC) Open Data platform and can be found at ECF FCC Form 471 dataset. This dataset contains detailed information from applications filed in the first application filing window, which ran from June 29, 2021 to August 13, 2021, including applicant details, requested funds, individual product or service details, and funding commitment information. For additional ECF open data resources, please visit https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/open-data/.
Vision Tool From the Family Perspective
The secondary staff is in year 2 of Self Determination/Charting the Life Course. Families can watch Gaining the Family Perspective and use the Vision Tool from the Family Perspective to assist your child in their future. Secondary students are working with their special educator on the various tools in Charting the Life Course.
Upcoming Events
School District of Clayton Calendar
- October 14-16: Miracle Worker Performance at Clayton High School
- October 15: No School for Students (Teacher Work Day)
- October 19-22: Parent Teacher Conferences
- October 22: Early Release Day/End of First Quarter
- November 2: No School for Students (Professional Learning)
Lunch & Learn with SSD
Special School District’s Family and Community Outreach, Social Work, Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA) and Communications 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:
- The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTL) – Oct. 6
- Operation Food Search – Nov. 3
- Behavioral Health Response – Dec. 1
- Easterseals Midwest – Jan. 5
- The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis – Feb. 2
- Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK) – March 2
- St. Louis ARC – April 6
- St. Louis County Library – May 4
Family Engagement Guide
Family Engagement Guide for Partner Districts: Families and staff can access an electronic copy of the Guide at : https://www.ssdmo.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=151
PAC.ED: Parent Advisory Council of Children with Educational Diversity
We advocate for awareness, understanding, equity, and inclusion of and for all children with disabilities in the School District of Clayton.
PAC.ED is a volunteer organization made up of parents, Clayton and Special School District (SSD) staff and administrators, as well as community members.
PAC.ED helps families:
- Network and communicate with other families.
- By providing support for families, including access to relevant information, training, and emotional support.
- Improve communication and partnership between SSD and the District.
- Collaborate with the School District of Clayton, Special School District of St. Louis County (SSD), and their Boards of Education, as well as parent teacher groups, school councils, and other organizations for the betterment of education, equity, and inclusion in the District.
- Create a positive awareness and understanding of students with disabilities.
Check out this month's PAC.ED Events & Information. We have wonderful actives, events and program planned for the 2021/2022 school year!
You can make a difference today by making a donation and/or volunteering to support the vital work of the PAC.ED!
For more information or questions regarding PAC.ED, please contact: Clayton PAC.ED President, Christina Blankenship, or call 314.402.4920. You can also visit PAC.ED / PAC.ED Events & Information.
Upcoming Events:
- Stay up-to-date with Clayton PAC.ED by visiting either our Dashboard, or our Facebook page.
- School District of Clayton Board of Education, Wednesday, September 29, 2021, 7 p.m. Missouri Disability History & Awareness Month (October) Proclamation Presentation & Signing. Clayton PAC.ED students will be presenting with Dr. Robyn Wiens, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services.
- Clayton PAC.ED Parent Networking Social (Outdoor, in-person event), Saturday, October 2nd, 2021, 5pm – 7pm. Registration required.
- MO Disability & History Awareness Month - Intelligent Lives Screening/Panel Discussion (via Zoom), Friday, October 8th, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Clayton PAC.ED Meeting (via Zoom) Tuesday, October 12th 2021, 12pm - 1 p.m.
- SSD PAC Meeting (via Zoom) Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, 7 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.
- Now accepting donations to Project Sensory Box! Make a difference :)
SSD’s Parent Education and Diversity Awareness Program
Parent Education & Diversity Awareness (PEDA): Workshops have been added to the schedule. The workshops can be found on PEDA's website. The workshops include:
Orientation to the IEP Process: Sep. 30, 2021, 6:30 PM
Lunch and Learn with Community Action Agency of St. Louis: Oct. 6, 2021, 11:30 AM
Planning for the Future - Augmentative Communication Funding: Oct. 14, 2021, 12:30 PM
Introduction to Charting the LifeCourse (in collaboration with St. Louis ARC) - Nov. 18, 6:30 PM
Supported Decision Making: Hands on Toolkit to Build Capacity (in collaboration with St. Louis ARC) - Dec. 9, 6:30 PM
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).
Upcoming Event:
SSD PAC Meeting: Wednesday, October 13, 2021, 7 PM
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