SSD/U. City News
November Edition 2022
SSD Student/Staff Scholarship Deadline Approaching!
Many opportunities for scholarships and awards are now open for SSD students! SSD scholarship applications for graduating high school seniors are active and due Dec. 16th, 2022. Students applying for The James E. Westbury/SSD Board of Education Scholarship, The Allison M. Haake Memorial Scholarship, or The Bonhomme Lions Club Scholarship must receive at least one service from SSD and plan to go to a college, university, or postsecondary program. All scholarships require a letter of recommendation. 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.
For more information, please contact info@sef-stl.org.
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!
Distinguished Leadership Award
The SSD Distinguished Leadership Award is new in 2022-23. It was created to recognize administrators whose work has demonstrated an extraordinary level of commitment to SSD students, staff, families, and the community, as outlined in the District's mission.
The award will be presented to three administrators. One award winner will come from each of the following areas:
- SSD Administrators Working in Partner Districts: This administrator will work for SSD in one of the partner districts. The category includes directors, assistant directors, SPED coordinators, and instructional coaches.
- Non-SSD Administrators Working for Partner Districts: This administrator will be employed by one of the partner districts and will be a champion of SSD's students and staff. The category includes principals, assistant principals, liaisons (assistant superintendents), and curriculum directors/coordinators.
- SSD Administrators Working in SSD: This administrator will be employed by SSD and work on one of the SSD campuses or satellite locations. This category includes chiefs, assistant chiefs, directors, assistant directors, administrators, managers, and coordinators.
Click here to submit a nomination for the Distinguished Leadership Award.
Family Engagement Month
We are moving in the right direction! The partnership is strong as we work together to build upon networks and supports for students to make progress and succeed. Thank you for your partnership!
SSD Progress Reports
KEY CONTACTS:
Adrienne Eaglin
FACE Administrator
314.989.8311
aleaglin@ssdmo.org
Latrisa Morgan
FACE Administrator
314.989.8438
lamorgan@ssdmo.org
Debra Fiasco
FACE Administrator
314.989.8108
dmfiasco@ssdmo.org
FACE Supports Family Engagement Across the District
Effective July 1, 2022 - Special School District is excited to announce the creation of the Family and Community Engagement program (FACE). FACE, a merging of Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA) and Family Engagement divisions, will be effective as of July 1, 2022.
To learn more about FACE (Family and Community Engagement program), please click on the link below:
New FACE website: www.ssdmo.org/face
Learn more about the Family Leadership Institute using this link:
https://www.ssdmo.org/Page/509
Learn More about FACE HERE:
file:///Users/ajbentley/Documents/Family%20and%20community%20engagement%20(1).pdf
Resources for you
CAASTL (Community Action Agency of St. Louis County): Please join FACE on at the Family Resource Hub, located Nov 11, 2022 in North Tech High School, from 9am to 4pm. CAASTL (Community Action Agency of St. Louis County) will be available on that date to provide additional support and access to resources that promote healthy families and a thriving community. Families can learn about case management, utility assistance, rental assistance, financial education, weatherization, and program development and education activities. A CAASTLC representative will be available to answer questions and assist with applications.
Higher Education Consortium (HEC): The Higher Education Consortium (HEC) will be at the Family Resource Hub, located in North Tech High School, from 11am to Noon on Nov 15, 2022 . The HEC can provide families with
information to increase their knowledge about education, career, and workforce planning or transitioning. High school students and anyone over the age of 19 are eligible to receive services from HEC.
Family Cafe: Family and Community Engagement (FACE) will be hosting a Family Cafe on November 17, 2022 from 6-8pm at the Family Resource Hub, located in North Tech High School. Cafes are hosted by families for families. They provide parents and caregivers a safe and welcoming space to connect and learn from each other. They are centered on the Strengthening Families Five Protective Factors:RESILIENCE, RELATIONSHIPS, KNOWLEDGE, SUPPORT and COMMUNICATION. https://bit.ly/FamCafes
Family Academy: Join us for SSD’s very first Family Academy on November 5th from 9am to noon at Northview
High School located on Derhake Rd in Florissant. Family Academy is an opportunity for SSD families to learn and utilize resources and strategies to improve student outcomes. The Family Academy will offer networking with community agencies and other families. There will be music, light refreshments, fun learning opportunities, and learning resources to support your student in the home. https://SSDFACE.as.me/FamAcad22
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.
INTERESTED IN AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP STUDENTS EACH DAY?
Apply for a support staff position at the link below!
Employment Link to Special School District:
https://www.applitrack.com/ssdmo/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Support+Staff
Lunch and Learn Series
Lunch and Learn Series 2022 - 2023: Special School District’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) department is excited 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 continue during the 2022-23 school year and take place from 11:30 AM - Noon.
Representatives from three community organizations and three SSD departments will participate in order to increase awareness about their agencies or programs and make connections with those in our SSD community who may benefit from their programs and services.
Features in the 2022-23 Lunch & Learn Series are:
- Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis, Summer Resources - Dec. 15, 2022
- Productive Living Board (PLB), Resources for Families - Jan. 25, 2023
- SSD Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) department - Feb. 22, 2023
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - April 26, 2023
- SSD Family and Community Engagement (FACE), Summer Engagement Activities - May 24, 2023
Each event is held virtually through YouTube Live. To access the video, please click on the organization's name in the list above. The videos will not be available to view until their scheduled date and time.
THE FAMILY RESOURCE HUB
Learn more HERE:
Family Resource Hub Virtual Grand Opening. Video
For more information please contact 314-989-8311
PAC.ED: PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL OF CHILDREN WITH EDUCATIONAL DIVERSITY
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.
Learn more on the PAC website.
Connect with the SSD Board of Education
Board Communication
The SSD Board of Education would like to better engage with family, staff, and community members. The board member representing The School District of University City is Tiffany Hudson.
Upcoming Events
- Nov. 3 - Board Work Session - 5:30 p.m. via Zoom
- Nov. 8 - No classes - Election Day
- Nov. 15 - District Wide STEAM Expo - At Brittany Woods Middle School, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Learn more at www.ucityschools.org/steamexpo2022
- Nov. 16 - Returning Artist Reception: Scott Black - 7 p.m. in the University City High School library - More details to come
Connect with the Board of Education
Board Communication
The SSD Board of Education would like to better engage with family, staff, and community members. The board member representing The School DIstrict of University City is:
Meet Tiffany Hudson
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- SSD Superintendent Updates
- SSD Parent Advisory Council
- Parent Education & Diversity Awareness Program
- SSD-University City School District
SSD ADMINISTRATOR CONTACTS
Artondria Bentley, Ed.D.
Special Educator Director.
314-989-8241/314-290-4038
Meghan Boyer, Ed.S.
Special Education Coordinator
314-290-4150 Pershing Elementary School
Briana Martin
Special Education Coordinator
314-290-4280 Brittany Woods
314-290-4100 U. City High School
Special School District of St. Louis County
314-989-8100
Special School District of St. Louis County
12110 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO,
314-989-8100