Family & Community Engagement (FACE)
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Summer Engagement Resources
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Families are vital to their student's development and love of learning. Activities within our community are great opportunities to build knowledge and experience things beyond the classroom. Visiting cultural sites in the St. Louis area with family and friends supports learning and creates great memories!
Find printable versions of these resources at the bottom of this page!
Charting the LifeCourse Nexus
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The core belief of Charting the LifeCourse is that all people have the right to live, love, work, place, and pursue their own life aspirations.
Charting the LifeCourse is:
- About having different conversations.
- A different way of thinking.
- Encouraging high expectations.
- Having life experiences to move the trajectory in the desired direction.
- Integrating multiple types of support.
Charting the LifeCourse IS NOT:
- Only for professionals to use.
- Just about the "tools."
- A "program."
- Designed for just one specific age group.
- Solely for people with disabilities and their families.
Integrated Supports Star
The Integrated Support Star principle and tool can be used by anyone (individuals, families, or professionals) to guide their thinking about supports. It can be used for mapping current services and supports, problem-solving for a specific need, or planning the next steps. The star can help explore current needs, identify gaps, or plan how to access supports for the future.
Download a personal copy of the Integrated Supports Star.
View an example of the Integrated Supports Start to support summer engagement activities.
Maintaining Schedules and Structures
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Maintaining schedules and structures with your student over the summer months is important! Below are some examples and supports for families for using visual schedules.
First, Then Visual
Token Board
Routines
St. Louis County Library Summer Programs
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Diaper Distribution
St. Louis County Library is partnering with the St. Louis Are Diaper Bank to provide families in need with a supply of diapers each month at six library branches. Families can pick up a supply of appropriately sized diapers or training pants for children ages 3 and under during regular branch hours.
Distribution sites include:
- Florissant Valley Branch, 195 New Florissant Rd., S., Florissant, MO 63031
- Grand Glaize Branch, 1010 Meramec Station Rd., Manchester, MO 63021
- Lewis & Clark Branch, 9909 Lewis-Clark Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63136
- Natural Bridge Branch, 7606 Natural Bridge Rd. St. Louis, MO 63121
- Parkview Branch, 8400 Delport Dr., St. Louis, MO 63114
- Weber Road Branch, 4444 Weber Rd. St. Louis, MO 63123
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EyeThrive Mobile Vision Visits
Eye Thrive will send its state-of-the-art Mobile Vision Clinic to seven St. Louis County Library locations this summer to provide free eye exams and prescription glasses to children age 4 through grade 12. Those wishing to have an eye exam must have a completed parental permission slip. Children will be examined on a first-come-first-serve basis, capacity is limited to 15 eye exams per day. Additional details are available at www.slcl.org/eyecare.
Vision Screenings will be offered from 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM. Eye exams will be administered from 10 AM - 3 PM.
- July 8-10
- Lewis & Clark Branch: 9909 Lewis-Clark Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63136
- July 15-17
- Natural Bridge Branch: 7606 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63121
- July 22-24
- Florissant Valley Branch: 195 New Florissant Road, South Florissant, MO 63031
- July 29-31
- Weber Road Branch: 4444 Weber Road, St. Louis, MO 63123
- August 5-7
- Rock Road Branch: 10267 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Ann, MO 63074
- August 12-14
- Indian Trails Branch: 8400 Delport Drive, St. Louis, MO 63114
- August 19-21
- Jamestown Bluffs Branch: 4153 N. Highway 67, Florissant, MO 63034
- July 8-10
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Library Branch Resources and Program Offerings
- Prairie Commons Branch
- Lewis & Clark Branch
- Bridgeton Trails Branch
- Florissant Valley Branch
- Weber Road Branch
Summer Reading Club Featured Programs
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Summer Lunch Meals
Operation Food Search will provide summer lunch meals to children at select SLCL locations from June 5 - August 18, 2023. Stop by during lunch and enjoy a nutritious meal along with activities for kids. Meals will be available Monday-Friday, free of charge for children ages 18 and under. Pizza will be served on Friday.
The Meals programs is offered at the following branches:
- Florissant Valley Branch, Monday-Friday from noon - 1 PM
- Jamestown Bluffs Branch, Monday–Friday from noon - 1 PM
- Lewis & Clark Branch, Monday–Friday from noon - 1 PM
- Natural Bridge Branch, Monday–Friday from noon - 1 PM
- Parkview Branch, Monday-Friday from noon - 1 PM
- Prairie Commons Branch, Monday–Friday from noon - 1 PM
- Rock Road Branch, Monday–Friday from noon - 1 PM
- Weber Road Branch, Monday–Friday from noon - 1 PM
- Bridgeton Trails Library, Monday- Friday from noon – 1 PM
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Summer Reading Club
St. Louis County's popular summer reading clubs kick off June 1 and run through August 5. The programs offer great prizes for the whole family! Sign up beginning June 1 and receive a free book when you register. You'll also be entered in an electronic raffle for a chance to win a $50 Target gift card each week.
Kids ages 3-12 who register online on June 1 will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a child's ticket (with the purchase of an adult ticket) to the June 7 Circus Flora show.
Summer Reading Club Featured Programs:
Learn more on the SLCL website.
Free (Or Nearly Free) Places to Visit in the St. Louis Area
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Audobon Center at Riverlands
301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386
1-888-899-2602Sites within the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary include Ellis Bay, the Teal Pond, the Native Prairie Restoration Project, and a 300-acre prairie-marsh complex. There are public facilities and trails throughout the Environmental Demonstration Area.
Admission is free. Open Tuesday-Sunday, from 8 AM-4PM
Learn more on the Audobon Center website.
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August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area
2360 Hwy. D St. Charles, MO 63304
636-441-4554August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area has hiking trails, a visitor center, and Kids' Fishing Lake.
Admission is free. Children under the age of 16 can fish without a fishing license. Anyone 16-64 must have a current Missouri Fishing License in order to fish.
Learn more on August A. Busch Memorial Conversation Area website.
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Cahokia Mounds State Historic State
30 Ramey Street, Collinsville, IL 62234
618-346-5160The ancient city of Cahokia was inhabited from about A.D. 700 to A.D. 1400 by the Cahokians, a subtribe of the Illiniwek. Over 120 mounds were built during that time and some can still be visited today.
The Interpretive Center (museum) and Gift Shop are closed until further notice. Entrance to the Mounds is free, but a donation is appreciated.
Learn more on the Cahokia Mounds website.
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Contemporary Art Museum
3750 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108
314-535-4660The Contemporary Art Museum houses a collection of modern-day art.
Free admission. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Learn more on the Contemporary Art Museum's website.
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Gateway Arch & Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
11 North 4th St, St. Louis, MO 63102
877-982-1410Visit the Gateway Arch's website to learn about all the changes in the Arch and the National Park.
The Old Courthouse is closed. Arch entry tickets can be purchased ($3.00 for adults, children are free but require a ticket to ride). Rides to the top are an additional fee.
Learn more on the Gateway Arch's website.
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Grant's Farm
10501 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63123
314-843-1700Grant's Farm is a reserve for animals such as buffalos, elephants, camels, kangaroos, Clydesdales, and many more. The property was once owned by Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President and Civil War Union General.
Admission is free. There is a charge for parking and some special exhibits and activities.
Learn more on Grant's Farm's website.
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Laumeier Sculpture Park
12580 Rott Road, St. Louis, MO 63127
314-615-5278Walk through the outdoor sculpture exhibit. Leashed dogs are welcome in the park.
Admission is free.
Learn more on the Laumeier Sculpture Park website.
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Magic House
516 S. Kirkwood Rd, St. Louis, MO 63122
314-822-8900The Magic House has more than 100 hands-on science exhibits to engage children.
On the third Friday of each month, from 5-8 PM, admission is free for no more than two adults and four of their own children. Summer dates include June 16, July 21, and August 18.
Learn more on the Magic House's website.
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Mastodon State Historic Site
1050 Charles J. Becker Driver, Imperial MO 63052
636-464-2976Sites of the Kimmswick Bone Bed, an extensive deposit of fossils from the last ice age, the park includes a number of bones from giant mastodons. There are several walking trails and picnic sites.
Admission to the park is free. The Museum is free for children 12 and under, $4 for those over the age of 13.
Learn more on the Mastodon State Historic Site website.
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Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110
314-577-5100Missouri Botanical Garden is a botanical (plant) research center. The Children's Garden is free to St. Louis City and County residents on Saturday from 9 AM - Noon.
Children 12 and under are free. St. Louis City and County residents can purchase tickets for $6. Non-residents can purchase tickets for $14. There are some additional fees for special attractions.
Learn more on the Missouri Botanical Garden's website.
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Missouri History Museum
5700 Lindell Blvd, St Louis, MO 63112
314-746-4599The Missouri History Museum has galleries filled with items from Missouri's past. Visitors can explore what life was like in bygone eras.
Admission to the Museum is free. There may be a charge for special exhibits. Closed Mondays. Open 10 AM - 5 PM
Learn more on the Missouri History Museum website.
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Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
200 Checkerboard Dr, Gray Summit, MO 63039
314-982-3232Purina Farms Visitor Center includes the Pet Center, where dogs and cats live, and the Barn and Play area where the domestic farm animals live.
Admission to the Visitor Center and parking is free. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM.
Learn more on Purina Farms' website.
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Purina Farms
30 Ramey Street, Collinsville, IL 62234
618-346-5160The ancient city of Cahokia was inhabited from about A.D. 700 to A.D. 1400 by the Cahokians, a subtribe of the Illiniwek. Over 120 mounds were built during that time and some can still be visited today.
The Interpretive Center (museum) and Gift Shop are closed until further notice. Entrance to the Mounds is free, but a donation is appreciated.
Learn more on the Cahokia Mounds website.
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St. Louis Art Museum
1 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110
314-721-0072The St. Louis Art Museum houses a collection of over 33,000 works of art.
Admission to the Museum is free. Admission to special exhibitions is free on Fridays. The Museum is closed on Mondays.
Learn more on St. Louis Art Museum's website.
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St. Louis Carousel at Faust Park
15189 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63017
314-615-8345The St. Louis Carousel was installed at the Forest Park Highlands in 1929. When the Highlands burned, the Carousel was the only thing that remained. It was moved to Faust Park in 1987.
Carousel rides are $2.00. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 AM - 4 PM. Closed Mondays.
Learn more on St. Louis Carousel's website.
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St. Louis Science Center
5050 Oakland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
314-289-4400The St. Louis Science Center has a large number of free science exhibits located in two adjoining buildings. The main building and the planetarium are connected by a skywalk over I-64.
General admission is free, however, there are charges for some of the special attractions and the OmniMax theater, flight simulators, Discovery Room, and Lego Mindstorms. There is also a charge for special traveling exhibitions. There is a $15 fee for parking by the main building. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Learn more on the St. Louis Science Center website.
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St. Louis Zoo
1 Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110
314-781-0900The St. Louis Zoo is one of the few free zoos in the United States. There are over 19,000 animals in the zoo. Families can pack a lunch and picnic just outside the gates in beautiful Forest Park.
Admission is free. Parking in Forest Park is free, but there is a charge for parking in the zoo lots. There are charges for some attractions inside the zoo.
Learn more on the St. Louis Zoo's website.
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Suson Park
6073 Wells Rd, St. Louis, MO 63128
314-615-1900Most breeds of farm animals can be found at the Suson Park Animal Farm display.
Admission is free. The Barn House is open from 10:30 AM - 3 PM.
Learn more on Suson Park's website.
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The Muny
1 Theatre Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112
314-361-1900The 2023 summer season at the Muny includes family-friendly shows like Beauty and the Beast (June 22-30) and Sister Act (August 14-20)
There are approximately 1,400 free seats available for every Muny performance. The seats are in the last nine rows and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The free seat gates open at 7 PM each evening (lines begin forming as early as 4 PM).
Learn more on The Muny's website.
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Wabash Frisco and Pacific Railroad Association
101 Grand Ave, Glencoe, MO 63038
636-587-3538A scaled-down live steam engine train takes visitors on a two-mile round trip that lasts about 30 minutes. The track travels along the Meramec River.
Open even Sunday, May through October, from 11 AM - 4:15 PM. Tickets are $20 per car, which includes 5 individuals
Learn more on the Wabash Frisco and Pacific Railroad's website.
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World Bird Sanctuary
125 Bald Eagle Ridge Road, Valley Park, MO 63088
636-225-4390Over 200 animals are cared for at the World Bird Sanctuary. Visitors are able to view and learn more about raptors, eagles, and many other wild birds at the Nature Center, Visitor's Centre, and the Wildlife Hospital
Open daily from 8 AM - 5 PM. Children under 5 are free. $8 per individual or $12 per car (two or more people)
Learn more on the World Bird Sanctuary's website.
Learning Websites for Families
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ABCya!
Practice core subjects with fun games at school or at home.
Grades: Pre-K through 5
Fee: Free option available
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Brain Pop
Critical thinking, English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies
Grades: 4-8
Fee: Free
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Journalism in Action
This resource shares the power of journalism and research in an engaging way.
Grades: 8-12
Fee: Free
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Math Games
A solid resource for practicing math skills but might be challenging for students with SLD in math.
Grades: Pre-K through 8
Fee: Free
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Math Playground
Wide variety of math topics, from problem-solving and thinking games.
Grades: K-6
Fee: Free
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Mr. Nussbaum Learning is Fun
Critical thinking, English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies
Grades: Pre-K through 5
Fee: Free option available
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Oxford Owl
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PBS News Hour Classroom
High-quality reading content to support discussions.
Grades: 6-12
Fee: Free
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Sci-Finders Kits
Each Sci-Finders kit comes equipped with learning activities and experiments centered on a variety of science and technology topics. Kits can be checked out through the St. Louis County Library.
Grades: Pre-K- 10th Grade
Fee: Free
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Starfall
Free public service to teach children to read. Includes language arts and math from preschool to fifth grade.
Grades: Pre-K - 5
Fee: Free
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Storynory
Free audio stories for kids, including fairytales, original stories, myths, and poems.
Grades: 2-6
Fee: Free