SSD Celebrates Juneteenth

June 19, 2023 - Today, June 19, SSD celebrates Juneteenth as a day of recognition and celebration of African American freedom and achievement. SSD stands in solidarity with all students, staff, and community members who have experienced hardships, mistreatment, or harassment due to the color of their skin.

Spotlight - News About SSD Students, Families, & Staff

June 2, 2023 - Catch up on the latest SSD news in the Spotlight newsletter, emailed to SSD families and staff on the first Friday of each month. The newsletter contains information about events, Board of Education actions, student activities, and staff recognitions.

SSD Celebrates Pride Month

June 1, 2023 - Special School District is celebrating Pride Month! We are proud of our commitment to creating a safe, caring, and respectful environment for all students, families, and staff and celebrating the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Students Excel in Culinary Arts and Gardening

May 12, 2023 - As the weather gets warmer and the grass gets greener, students and staff at Ackerman School anxiously await restarting the seasonal culinary arts and gardening programs. 

SSD Student Surveys 2023

April 27, 2023 - 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. The surveys will be given during the fall and spring of the 2022-23 school year, with the spring survey window being May 1-19. The surveys will be administered electronically, but PDF versions can be previewed on SSD’s website.

Talent Show Boost Student Confidence

April 26, 2023 - Students put on a show stopping performance at the annual Ackerman Talent Show. There were nearly 25 acts that ranged from signing, dancing, joke telling, drawing, football skills, and even video games. 

Deedra Sagerty Announced as Chief Operating Officer

April 26, 2023 - During the April 25, 2023 Board of Education meeting, Deedra Sagerty was approved as the Chief Operating Officer for Special School District. Sagerty will begin in the position starting July 1, filling the position following Dr. Jeff Haug. Haug was recently announced as the new superintendent of Mehlville School District. 

Under the Sea Fashion Show Held at Ackerman

April 21, 2023 - Over 40 Ackerman students put on their best smiles and made their way down the runway for the Under the Sea themed All About Me Fashion Show. The gym overflowed with students' families and nearly 200 decorative balloons.

SSD’s Personal Care Item Drive 2023

April 11, 2023 - Special School District will be collecting personal care items, April 17-May 12, 2023. Donated items will directly benefit students in SSD schools and programs and will be distributed by social workers.

Superintendent Insider: March - Equity in Education Month

March 30, 2023 - In the latest installment of the Superintendent Insider, Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Keenan discusses the collaborative work of the OESE, DEIA, and Communications departments as they review and update hiring procedures, job descriptions, and analysis to ensure SSD is recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce.

Curriculum Review Nights 2023

March 27, 2023 - SSD invites families with students in our SSD schools to virtually review and discuss special education curricula and career and technical education programs before being submitted to the Board of Education.

Ackerman Honors Black History

Feb. 28, 2022 - Ackerman students received a roar of applause from audience members following the school’s annual Black History Month program. Ackerman’s choir sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The middle school group Diamond Divas performed a step route and sang a song, and a student performed solo singing “A Change is Gonna Come,” by Sam Cooke.

SSD to Host Business Diversity Workshop

Feb. 27, 2023 - Special School District is proud to host a free Business Diversity Workshop on March 11, 2023, from 8:30 AM to 12 PM, at Northview High School. Local businesses are invited to attend the workshop to learn more about how to become certified MBE, WBE, DBE, and SDVE business enterprises, tips and tricks for completing RFPs, and guidance on how to do business with school districts.

Summer Programming

Feb. 1, 2023 - Registration for 2023 summer programming is now open! All students who attend Ackerman, Litzsinger, Neuwoehner, Northview, and Southview schools are eligible to participate in summer programming, which will operate from June 5-29, 2023. The deadline for registration is March 31, 2023.

SSD Family-School Relationships Survey

Jan. 13, 2023 - The strength of any school district lies in its relationships with families. In Special School District, District and building leaders, along with school staff are committed to fostering those relationships to create a school culture where students come first. To do that successfully, family input is necessary. Families are invited to complete the SSD Family-School Relationships Survey, which will be available from Jan. 17 through Feb. 10, 2023.