SSD Warriors' Monthly Updates
December, 2022
SSD Warriors' Mission Statement:
SSD Warriors' Mission Statement: Through implementing inclusive practices, rigorous instruction, and the principles of community engagement, Special School District Staff in partnership with Jennings School District will provide high quality, specialized programming and supports designed for all students to become productive, responsible, ethical, creative and compassionate members of society.
We Need You!!!!!
Individuals interested in becoming a substitute teacher can register now for DESE’s 20-hour online substitute teacher training conducted by Frontline Education. Click here for more details and to access the training program.
Reminders:
The cost for the training program is $180.
After completing the training, you will submit your completed application and background check information.
The option is still available to get a substitute teacher certificate if you have 60 college credit hours (you would not have to take this training too).
Thanks in advance for your consideration.
From the Desk of Shinita Jones: Jennings Partner District Director
Happy Holidays SSD Warrior Family,
The first semester of the 2022-2023 school is coming to a close, and our scholars are off to a great start! All educational stakeholders have done an amazing job with supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally. In addition, I appreciate your hard work and dedication to the students and families in the Jennings School District. May peace, love, and joy be upon everyone and your families during the Holiday Season!
Best Regards,
Shinita Jones, Ed.S.
SSD Warrior District Milestones!
The SSD Warrior team would like to congratulate our colleagues on their milestone years of service with Special School District of St. Louis County!
Administration:
- Ms. Shavona Peters: Special Education Coordinator, 15 years of service
School Staff:
- Ms. Butler, Synetra: Special Education Teacher, 15 years of service
- Ms. Campbell-Williams, Andrea: Speech-Language Pathologist, 20 years of service
Ms. Foster, Harkyah: Teacher Assistant, 5 years of service
Ms. Jones, Adrianne: Teacher Assistant, 5 years of service
Ms. McKissic, Jennifer: Special Education Teacher, 20 years of service
Mr. Sanders, Ira: Teacher Assistant, 15 years of service
Ms. Taylor, Patricia: Special Education Teacher, 15 years of service
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families or households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application. You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877.384.2575.
Family & Community Engagement
The Family Resource Hub located at North Tech High School is a space dedicated to families and our community stakeholders. The resource hub offers families computer and internet access, a satellite food pantry, and support navigating community resources. The space is also dedicated to supporting families by hosting learning labs, community events, and a safe and supportive environment to learn with and from one another.
Assistive Technology Workshop
Join FACE for a workshop all about assistive technology. In this virtual session, participants will be introduced to Assistive Technology, by SSD Assistive Technology Specialist Kim White. Learn how to request an AT consultation and participate in demonstrations of universal tools available to all SSD students. Examples will be provided for low- and high-tech AT options that can be implemented in the home and school environments. Click here to register: Assistive Technology Workshop Registration
Sensory Friendly Options for your Family this Winter
St. Louis Zoo’s Sensory-Friendly Wild Lights Night
Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.: Nothing says St. Louis Christmas quite like Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo. Your family can stroll through the grounds surrounded by a million lights, including animated displays, fireside stories, campfire s’mores, photo opportunities, and more. This event is made sensory-friendly with trained staff on-hand and quiet areas to help your child decompress. Get more information and tickets at stlzoo.org.
Saint Charles Christmas Traditions on Historic Main Street – Sensory-friendly tours
The Historic Main Street of Saint Charles is a magical and fun place to visit during the Holiday season. With a new inclusion initiative, Saint Charles is now offering guided sensory-friendly tours. These guided tours are conducted twice daily by sensory specialists. Each 90-minute tour introduces guests to several Christmas Legends and ends with an opportunity to get your picture with Santa and a full deck of 2019 Saint Charles Christmas Traditions trading cards. Tours are Saturdays and Sundays during the holiday festival. For more information, including dates and times, visit discoverstcharles.com.
Sibshops at ARC
Wednesday, December 14 4:30 – 6:00 pm , Monthly on the second Wednesday
Location:
St. Louis Arc
1177 N Warson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63132, US
Ages: Siblings ages 7 – 15
Sibshops offer an opportunity for brothers and sisters of children with disabilities to get peer support and education within a recreational context. This free series includes a fun mix of information, games, activities, and discussion. Children between the ages of 7-15 years old who have a sibling with a disability are encouraged to participate.
For more information, contact Lee Anna Sanders at 314-817-2269.
ARCH Respite - ARCH Respite reimburses primary caregivers at a standard rate for short-term relief services they receive either in their own home, with the community, or in the home of a care provider.
ARCH Respite serves St. Louis County and St. Louis City to register, or learn more, contact ARCH@slarc.org or call 314-817-2236.
SSD Communications
Scholarship and Awards Information: The following items provide newsletter information about scholarships (for families and staff), the Salutes awards (for families and staff), and for the Zander Awards (for staff only).
Please copy and paste into your newsletters to ensure we are reaching everyone who is eligible so they get an opportunity to apply or nominate in plenty of time before the deadlines.
If you have any questions, please contact Deana Parsons at dmparsons@ssdmo.org or 314.989.8102.
Scholarship Opportunities for SSD High School Seniors
Several scholarships are available for students who receive SSD services! High school seniors who plan to enroll in a college, university or postsecondary program after graduation this spring should review the following opportunities.
Applications for The James E. Westbury/SSD Board of Education Scholarship, The Allison M. Haake Memorial Scholarship, and The Bonhomme Lions Club Scholarship must receive at least one service from SSD and plan to enroll in a college, university, or postsecondary program. All scholarships require a letter of recommendation. Applications are due Dec. 16, 2022. Visit ssdmo.org/scholarships for more information.
The Special Education Foundation (SEF) sponsors the John Cary Scholarships for high school seniors, as well. Applications are due Jan. 24, 2023.
SSD Staff Encouraged to Nominate Students for Zander Award
Since 1988, SSD has sponsored The Rosemary Zander Awards for students receiving at least one service from SSD and have demonstrated extraordinary progress and an excellent attitude. The award has long recognized the accomplishments of students receiving services or technical education courses from SSD.
Students have been honored for success in a variety of categories – academics, arts, athletics, communications, vocational training, employment, independent living skills, community service, and extracurricular activities. Recipients of the award must be nominated by an SSD staff member using the The Rosemary Zander Awards form by Dec. 16, 2022.
Nominations for Salutes Awards Open Until Jan. 6
Applications for several awards which honor the contributions of SSD staff and community members are awaiting nominations, due Jan. 6, 2023. These awards are collectively known as Salutes awards because they are given at the District’s annual Salutes event in the spring. They include the following:
Please refer to the Salutes webpage for details about each award. Some awards permit nomination by SSD staff only, while others accept nominations from people who are not employed by SSD (e.g., students, parents, partner district staff, and other community members). Consider submitting a nomination and help us provide the recognition they deserve for their meaningful work in SSD!
Hazelwood, Maplewood-Richmond Heights, Jennings
Candidate filing for three open seats on the Special School District’s Board of Education opens at 8 AM on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022 and continues until 5 PM on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022. One of the available seats represents Subdistrict 1 - Hazelwood, Maplewood-Richmond Heights, and Jennings school districts. Interested in learning more about the filing process, eligibility, or the responsibilities/time commitments of an SSD Board member? Visit the Board Election section of the District website.
Special School District of St. Louis County
Email: smjones@ssdmo.org
Website: www.ssdmo.org
Location: 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63131
Phone: 314.989.8133
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSDStLCo
Twitter: @SSDDStLCo
Jennings School District
Website: https://www.jenningsk12.org/
Location: 2559 Dorwood Drive, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314-653-8000