SSD/Clayton Dispatch
November 2021
City of Clayton Special Needs Registry
The City of Clayton strives to provide excellent service to all members of our community. In that spirit, the Clayton Police and Fire Departments are collaborating to enhance the safety of persons with special needs by launching new, innovative programs: the Special Needs Registry and STARS.
Special Needs Registry
The Special Needs Registry (SNR) is a secure information database maintained by the Clayton Police Department that helps officers recognize and respond to individuals with special needs. Voluntarily provide information about a loved one with special needs of any age, who may require special assistance in an emergency or interaction with first responders. Officers can access the information in the secure SNR database to assist residents with special needs if the person is lost, found or needs help.
What information is provided in the Special Needs Registry?
- A photograph, description and contact information for the person
- Information needed to find those who wander away from home and identify "found" individuals
- Important medical, safety and behavioral concerns
- Helpful suggestions for interacting with the person with a disability or medical condition
https://www.claytonmo.gov/government/police/special-needs-registry
SSD Senior 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. 17, 2021. 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. All scholarships have essay requirements which can be written with support as IEPs permit. 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, 2022.
For more information, please contact Deana Parsons, SSD internal communications coordinator, at dmparsons@ssdmo.org or 314.989.8102.
2022 SSD Salutes Awards
Would you like to shine a light on someone whose work supports the District’s mission so brilliantly, it deserves an award? SSD is excited to announce the opening of nominations for our annual awards which recognize the outstanding work of our classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, operations staff and community partners. The deadline for submission is Feb. 7, 2022, but don’t wait to begin thinking about what you’d like to write about your nominee. Great nominations take a bit of thought!
Here are the links to each award nomination form:
- Key to the Classroom Award (classroom teachers)
- Building Block Award (paraprofessionals)
- Lasting Impression Award (staff who are not classroom teachers or paraprofessionals)
- Special Ambassador Award (community members, and SSD staff in some cases)
Upcoming Events
School District of Clayton Calendar
- November 22-27: No School- Thanksgiving Break
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:
- 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
SSD’s Parent Education and Diversity Awareness Program
PEDA has several workshops scheduled for November. These include:
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders Two Part Series
Session 2 | November 15, 6:30 PM
Identify and understand the characteristics of autism spectrum disorders and learn effective and practical strategies that will support your child’s success at home and school. The second session will focus on strategies. Both sessions will have time for discussion and questions.
Presenter: John Bruno, Ph.D., SSD Autism Effective Practice Specialist
Zoom Meeting Information
https://ssdmo-org.zoom.us/j/98286346135?pwd=VVJSTFl6ZHBVeng2dkJMTUVNYWQzZz09
Meeting ID: 982 8634 6135
Passcode: 103277
Introduction to Charting the LifeCourse
(Workshop in Collaboration with St. Louis ARC)
November 18, 2021, 6:30 PM
Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) is a set of eight principles developed to support people with IDD and their families so they can have their best lives. In this workshop, we will learn about the CtLC principles and work together to create planning and problem-solving tools. Participants will also receive updates about LifeCourse Connect Missouri, which is a new online platform that can be used by individuals and family members to access tools. This workshop is for everyone but especially self-advocates, families, and support staff.
Presenters: Sharon Spurlock, Director of Family Support, St. Louis Arc and Debra Fiasco, Administrator, Parent Education and Diversity Awareness, Special School District
Zoom Webinar Registration:
https://slarc.zoom.us/webinar/register/2516310324235/WN_baEHWPyjRquQSLVXDcfmLw
PEDA is happy to announce that we are taking applications for our Spring Parent Leadership Institute (PLI). PLI will occur over 4 evenings in February and March. You can learn more and download the application here: Parent Leadership Institute
Finally, PEDA would love your feedback! Please complete are PEDA Communications survey here: PEDA Survey
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.
- Clayton PAC.ED Tuesday, November 9, 2021 (via Zoom) 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Charting the Life Course
- SSD PAC Meeting (via Zoom) Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 7 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.
- Now accepting donations to Project Sensory Box! Make a difference :)
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, November 10, 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