SSD/Clayton Dispatch
September 2021
September is National Library Card Month!
This is National Library Card Month, and if you don't have a library card yet, you can get one online right now. Just click the links below for details.
Upcoming Events
School District of Clayton Calendar
- September 3: No School for Students (Professional Learning)
- September 6: No School for Students and Staff (Labor Day)
- September 9: Elementary Curriculum Night
- September 24: Early Release (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 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Sept. 1
- 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
St. Louis County Back to School Immunization Program
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health (DPH) is offering an extensive back to school immunization and vaccination program, beginning Monday, July 19. DPH will offer no-cost immunizations for children aged 3-18, and free COVID-19 vaccinations for ages 12 and up. No appointment is necessary. Students are asked to bring a copy of their shot records with them.
Immunizations are available at three separate locations, July 19 - Sept. 17, Monday thru Friday, 8 AM-4 PM:
- John C. Murphy Health Center, 6121 North Hanley Rd
- North Central Community Health Center, 4000 Jennings Station Rd
- South County Health Center, 4580 S. Lindbergh Blvd
Evening hours will be offered July 21 - Sept 15, Wednesdays only, 4-7 PM:
- South County Health Center, 4850 S. Lindbergh Blvd
The clinics will close and no immunizations/vaccinations will be offered on Labor Day, Sept. 6.
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:
- SSD PAC Meeting (via Zoom) Wednesday, September, 8th at 7 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.
- Clayton PAC.ED Meeting (via Zoom) Tuesday, September 14th 2021 at Noon- 1 p.m.
- Clayton PAC.ED Parent Networking Social (via Zoom) , Friday, September 17th 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- School District of Clayton Board of Education, Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 7 p.m.
- MO Disability & History Awareness Month - Intelligent Lives Screening/Panel Discussion(via Zoom), Friday, October 8th at 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Clayton PAC.ED Meeting (via Zoom) Tuesday, October 12th, 2021 at Noon- 1 p.m.
SSD’s Parent Education and Diversity Awareness Program
The Parent Education and Diversity Awareness (PEDA) Program invites families and community members to visit our Family and Community Resource Center at the Learning Center in Hazelwood. The program is excited to offer a diverse collection of materials, including many new books that are ready to be shared. PEDA will be hosting the Parent Leadership Institute (PLI) this Fall. 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. To learn more about this program and/or apply to be part of it, please visit this link: Parent Leadership Institute | Fall 2021. PEDA is also happy to announce that there will be a second Parent Leadership Institute in the Spring of 2022. We will be announcing dates in the very near future. Please check in with us if you have any questions! We are in the process of planning our Fall workshops and will be sending out dates and topics very soon. As always, PEDA Is here for you if you need assistance navigating special education, community resources, and so much more – don’t hesitate to reach out!
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 (via Zoom/In Person) Wednesday, September 8th at 7 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.
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