SEF Funds SSD School Projects

November 27, 2023 - The Special Education Foundation (SEF) Women’s Leaders provided over $11,000 in funding to support SSD schools, including the Juvenile Detention Center and Bridges Program. 

Students Practice Job Skills at Fine Dining Day

November 21, 2023 - Every year a few days before Thanksgiving, instead of having an ordinary lunch, Ackerman students indulge in a delicious meal of turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, apple cobbler and chocolate chip cookies to celebrate the holiday. 

Winter Health Guidance 2023-24

Nov. 20, 2023 - As we say goodbye to the summer heat, families are preparing for cooler weather, holiday celebrations, and the need to take preventative measures against illness. Sickness is on the rise throughout St. Louis County and contagious respiratory viruses (like flu, COVID-19, and RSV) can spread easily. SSD schools are experiencing an increasingly high rate of illness in our student and staff population. All three of these illnesses are expected to surge during the fall and winter seasons.

Candidate Filing Opens Dec. 5, 2023 for Two Seats on the SSD Board of Education

Nov. 17, 2023 - Candidate filing for two open seats on the Special School District Board of Education opens at 8 AM on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, and continues until 5 PM on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. The terms of current Vice President Dr. Meredith Byers, Subdistrict 5 and Director Ms. Tiffany Hudson, Subdistrict 6, expire in March 2024.

Nominate a Staff Member for a Salutes Award!

Nov. 1, 2023 - If you know an SSD staff member who truly goes the extra mile, consider nominating this person for one of the District's Salutes Awards! The last day to nominate is Jan. 5, 2024.

Ackerman Event Promotes Family Engagement

October 24, 2023 - Ackerman families were greeted by friendly faces for the school's fall family engagement event, Ackerman Family Happy Hour. The event is an opportunity for families to learn more about the school, how they can support their kids' educational needs at home, and meet Ackerman staff. 

Ackerman Students Invited to Missouri Athletic Club

October 16, 2023 - When Gerard LaRuffa, assistant general manager of the Missouri Athletic Club, participated in Ackerman’s career day last year, he was nothing short of impressed by the students' interaction with him. Because of this enjoyable experience, those who expressed interest in the hospitality industry were invited to visit the athletic club in Des Peres where LaRuffa works and get a tour of the building.

Metro Theater Performs at Ackerman

October 5, 2023 - In an effort to expand the Special Education Foundation’s (SEF) Arts in the Classroom program, the organization recently partnered with Ackerman School to fund a presentation of Metro Theater’s “Maddi’s Fridge.” Based on the book by Lois Brandt, the story follows the life of best friends Sofia and Maddi. When Sofia learns a secret about Maddi’s fridge, she’s faced with a difficult decision:  keep her promise or tell her parents about Maddi’s empty fridge. 

Therapy Dog Improves Learning and Behavior 

September 13, 2023 - “When she sees me, she smiles and gives me a lot of kisses, and it tickles.” For Kierice Irbing, sixth-grader at Ackerman School, that’s a greeting from a four-legged friend named Sophie that never gets old. Sophie is a therapy dog who has been coming to Ackerman since she was only eight months old. Her owner is Amy Keith, reading specialist.

Students Explore the Outdoors while Fishing

September 11, 2023 - It’s a tradition that’s continued for nearly a decade. Every year in September, students and staff at Ackerman make the journey to a nearby park to socialize, play games, and of course, go fishing. 

SSD Student Surveys Administered Sept. 8 - Oct. 9, 2023

Aug. 31, 2023 - SSD values the academic and personal well-being of our students and prioritizes making data-informed decisions to support their success. In collaboration with Panorama Education, SSD students in grades 3-12 are invited to share their voices through two surveys, a climate survey and a social-emotional learning (SEL) survey.

Helping Students Navigate Back-to-School Anxiety: Tips for Families

Aug. 16, 2023 - The start of a new school year can bring both excitement and apprehension for students, especially after the challenges posed by the previous year. It's not uncommon for students to experience back-to-school anxiety as they face new classrooms, teachers, and classmates. As a family member, your support and guidance play a crucial role in helping your student manage these feelings and start the year positively. 

Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year!

August 16, 2023 - On behalf of the SSD Board of Education and District staff, I am excited to welcome you to the 2023-24 school year. I hope that you and your family are returning from summer break refreshed, re-energized, and refocused. As we prepare to embark on a new school year, we are excited to welcome both familiar faces and new members to our school community. New and returning students can look forward to a supportive and welcoming environment that fosters growth and a strong sense of belonging.

FACE’s Welcoming School Walkthrough 2023 Promising Practice Recipient

July 5, 2023 - SSD’s Welcoming School Walkthrough (WSW) has been selected by Character.org as a 2023 Promising Practice. WSW allows families, community members, administrators, teachers, and paraprofessionals to provide feedback on the environment and culture of indoor and outdoor spaces of SSD schools and the Learning Center.

New Application Portal for Special School District

June 21, 2023 - SSD will use the TalentEd application portal beginning Saturday, July 1, 2023. The new application portal will allow the Office of Employee Success and Engagement (OESE) to track applicants throughout the hiring process, improve data collection and analytics, and better serve job seekers and supervisors.