The Rockwood Reader
September 2021 | Issue 9
Current Events
SSD Hosting Hiring Events This Fall for Paras
What's Happening in Rockwood?
UPDATE September 9, 2021
Dr. Ricker and district leaders met to discuss data from the first two weeks of school. With the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, our top priority this year is to keep as many students and staff members safe, healthy, and learning in an in-school environment as possible. To that end, we are continuing the Rockwood Safe Together mitigation strategies that have served us well, including indoor masking, practicing social distancing and good hand hygiene, maintaining strict cleaning regimens for our facilities, and encouraging students and staff members to stay home when they’re not feeling well.
We are pleased to report that our school communities are doing a good job following these mitigation strategies and, through the first two weeks of school, we experienced 91 student cases and 227 student quarantines across the district. It’s important to note that an additional 242 students were determined to be close contacts, but because both the positive individual and the student were masked, those students have been able to remain in school. While we don’t want to see any cases in our community, we are also cognizant of the reality of the current health situation. We are confident that, as we continue to follow these mitigation strategies – and adjust them as needed – we can provide an in-person learning environment with as few disruptions as possible for our students and staff members.
SSD Lunch and Learn Series
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
Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK) – March 2
St. Louis ARC – April 6
St. Louis County Library – May 4
We hope both staff and families are able to join these events!
Information and Resources
SSD Parent Leadership Institute - Fall 2021
Build understanding of future planning and problem-solving utilizing the Charting the LifeCourse tools.
Learn to effectively participate in their child’s education and improve the educational climate for all children.
Learn how to positively interact and collaborate with other parents and school personnel.
Discover new resources and network with other parents.
This program, which is offered at no cost to participants, is designed for parents and family members who are the educational decision-makers for a child with a disability. The three sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 22, Sept. 29, and Oct. 6, 2021, at SSD Central Office, 12110 Clayton Road, 63131.
Special School District Parent Advisory Council
The mission of the Special School District (SSD) Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is to effectively collaborate with and advise its stakeholders (including parents/guardians, the SSD Board of Education, Governing Council, SSD administration and staff, and partnering school district administrators and staff) in order to improve the educational, self-efficacy, and social outcomes of each student served by SSD.
Please click here to access the PAC website which contains specific information about meetings, agendas & minutes, as well as parent resources.
Important Dates
No School | Labor Day
Monday, September 6
No School | Curriculum Day
Tuesday, September 7
No School | Professional Development Day
Monday, October 4
Upcoming Board of Education Meetings
Special School District
September 14th @ 5:45 PM - Work-Study Session
September 28th @ 5:45 PM
October 12th @ 5:45 PM - Work-Study Session
More info here
Rockwood School District
September 2nd @ 7:00 PM
September 9th @ 7:00 PM - Special Closed Session
September 16th @ 7:00 PM
September 30th @ 7:00 PM -Tax Rate Levy Hearing
More info here
Special School District of St. Louis County
314-989-8268
Mandy Lloyd, Administrative Assistant
314-989-8249
Website: https://www.ssdmo.org
Location: 12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314.989.8100
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSDStLCo
Twitter: @ssdstlco
Rockwood School District
Website: https://www.rsdmo.org/
Location: 111 East North Street, Eureka, MO, USA
Phone: 636-733-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rockwood.School.District
Twitter: @rockwoodschools