SSD/Clayton Dispatch
January 2023
Upcoming Events
School District of Clayton Calendar
December 22-January 2 Winter Break
January 3 Teacher Work Day (No Students)
January 4 Classes Resume
January 13 No School- Professional Learning
January 16 Martin Luther King, Jr (No School)
27 Things Students SHOULD be Doing on Social Media
27 Things Students SHOULD be Doing on Social Media
Julie Smith, author of Master the Media
January 23, 6-7 pm on Zoom
This is a fast, engaging and realistic description of what students SHOULD be doing online. Parents will leave with a greater understanding of how digital citizenship needs to go beyond "being nice online" to include app design, addiction, research, self-tracking, smishing, verification skills (and a long list of others).
Registration required:
https://claytonschools-net.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0lfuihrjwqG9U3HBwCadIS32XQGEfUQnK4
About the Presenter:
Julie Smith has been teaching media literacy since 1997 and is the author of "Master the Media: How Teaching Media Literacy Can Save our Plugged-In World" as well as "Wake Them Up: Supercharging Engagement in Your College Classroom".
Julie is a faculty member of the School of Communications of Webster University and the co-host of the "What the Media" podcast with KMOX Radio. Having presented to teachers, students and parents in twenty states and fourteen countries she is a well-sought-after expert on media-related issues.
SSD Project Hope
Winter Reading Challenge
Join the Winter Reading Challenge! All ages can participate. Register online beginning December 1.*
Print one of the log sheets from the list below to help track. Complete at least 5 activities to be entered in an electronic prize raffle. Mark activities complete by January 31.
*children under age 13 must be signed up by a parent/guardian/caregiver
- Early Reader (ages 0-5) Log Sheet – English | Spanish
- Kid (ages 6-12) Log Sheet – English | Spanish
- Teen (ages 13-17) Log Sheet – English | Spanish
- Adult (ages 18+) Log Sheet – English | Spanish
Download the Beanstack Tracker App for easy logging on your mobile device.
Apple App Store | Google Play Android
View this video tutorial for help navigating the Winter Reading Challenge online.
Early Reader (ages 0-5) Raffle Prizes: Fort Building Kit, Pete the Cat Plush with Book, Magicubes Set
Kid (ages 6-12) Raffle Prizes: Slime Kit, Movie Night Bundle, $100 Target Gift Card
Teen (ages 13-17) Raffle Prizes: $15 Raising Canes Gift Card, $15 Starbucks Gift Card, $20 Domino's Gift Card, $100 Target Gift Card
Adult (ages 18+) Raffle Prizes: $40 Schnucks Gift Card, $100 Target Gift Card, Yeti 20 oz Travel Mug, Yeti 30 oz Tumbler, Yeti Wheeled Cooler
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!
Family and Community Engagement
SEF Accepting Applications for Kid to Camp Program: The Special Education Foundation is now accepting applications to assist children with disabilities served by SSD to attend one or more camps this summer. Each year, the SEF provides tuition assistance to enable students served by SSD to attend summer camps. Sometimes children with disabilities cannot join their peers in a summer camp experience due to financial constraints or other hardships. SEF steps in to help young people and their families take advantage of these experiences that can sometimes be life-changing. Parents and caregivers can have peace of mind knowing that their child is in a safe and healthy place. Apply here.
Student Leadership Opportunities: Please check out these unique and FREE leadership opportunities for high school students with disabilities, ages 16 - 21.
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.
ARCH Respite Flier: https://share.peachjar.com/https://share.peachjar.com/flyers/2372403/districts/50008flyers/2372403/districts/50008
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:
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 Recreation Council would like its readers to know that our new fiscal year 2023 began on October 1, 2022 and runs through September 30, 2023. What does this mean for you? It means we are accepting new voucher applications for our various vouchers including, CARE (Community Access Recreation Experiences) & Recreation Supports, After-School/Extended Day, Overnight Camp (both mini-camp and week-long camps ater January 15th), and Experiential/Adventure vouchers.
- Link to PDF:
PAC.ED: Parent Advisory Council of Children with Educational Diversity
It is never too early to start thinking about Summer options! Whether you are thinking about this Summer or subsequent Summers! Knowledge is power when planning for your student. Programs such as SWEP (Summer Work Experience Program) have deadlines in early February!
Don’t forget to check out the following links:
· Clayton Disability History & Awareness Proclamation Clayton Disability History & Awareness Proclamation (including presentation video).
· Award Winning Disability History & Awareness Video Series 2021.
· Intelligent Lives (the film) & Panel Discussion – available in three(3) formats including Spanish.
· Disability Awareness Video Showcase – a collection of films from acclaimed Director and Advocate Dan Habib.
PAC.ED: Parent Advisory Council of Children with Educational Diversity, advocates for awareness, understanding, equity, and inclusion of and for all students with disabilities in the School District of Clayton. PAC.ED is a volunteer organization made up of families, Clayton and Special School District (SSD) staff and administrators, as well as community members.
We have wonderful actives, events and programs planned for the 2022/2023 school year!
Stay up-to-date with Clayton PAC.ED by visiting our Dashboard
For more information or questions regarding PAC.ED, please contact: Clayton PAC.ED President, Christina Blankenship at cmblankenship@sbcglobal.net , or call 314.402.4920.
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).
- January 11, 2023 7-9pm via zoom
- February 8, 2023 7-9pm via zoom
- April 12, 2023 7-9pm via zoom
- May 10, 2023 7-9pm via zoom
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