Special School District of St. Louis County

The next Governing Council meeting will take place on June 1 at 7 PM.

The Governing Council reviews and approves the District's annual budget; reviews and approves a five-year rolling plan for the District; and interviews and elects the seven members of the SSD Board of Education

📋 To view the agenda or find out more about the Governing Council, visit: https://buff.ly/ho42h6f

📹 To watch the live stream of the meeting, please visit the District's YouTube channel:
https://buff.ly/hx2HKwi

North Tech construction trades instructor Patrick Hanneken was honored with an Emerging Leader Award by the Construction Forum for his work creating opportunities for students and strengthening connections between education and industry. This is his second recognition this year.

Congratulations, Patrick. We’re proud to have you representing North Tech!

Read the story: https://buff.ly/QhyENdV

The Board Brief is a review of actions taken by the SSD Board of Education. It is one more way SSD is working to be transparent and improve communication, helping keep our community informed.

Learn more: https://buff.ly/zqQ1XQr

On this Memorial Day, Special School District thanks all those who have served, and the families who support them.

All SSD buildings will be closed today, May 25, and will reopen tomorrow, May 26.

SSD's Board of Education will hold a Business meeting on Tuesday, May 26, beginning at 5:45 PM.

Topics for the meeting include the 2026-27 budget hearing, the year-end compliance update, and the approval of the FY27 budget.

For more information, visit www.ssdmo.org/Board
The meeting will be live-streamed on YouTube: https://buff.ly/p48Ey78

✨ THAT’S A WRAP ON THE 2025–26 SCHOOL YEAR! ✨

Today marked the final day of student attendance across SSD schools and programs, and we’re celebrating an incredible year of learning, growth, creativity, and connection.

From big milestones to everyday successes, our students accomplished so much this year with the support of dedicated staff, supportive families, and caring friends beside them every step of the way.

Thank you for being part of another meaningful school year at SSD. We hope everyone enjoys a safe, relaxing, and fun-filled summer! 🌞📚

🎉 The Last Day of School is Here! ☀️🎓

As we close out the 2025–26 school year, we’re celebrating the hard work, growth, and accomplishments of students across SSD schools and programs — and sending a special congratulations to the Class of 2026!

This year was filled with learning, creativity, friendships, and memorable moments made possible by the support of dedicated staff, supportive families, and our amazing school communities.

We are so proud of all they have accomplished and cannot wait to see what comes next. Congratulations to our graduates and eighth-grade students — your future is bright, and we are cheering you on every step of the way!

Across our schools, families, staff, and communities gathered to honor graduates and students promoting to the next chapter of their journey. Every ceremony was filled with joy, pride, perseverance, and the unique strengths that make our students shine.

We are so proud of all they have accomplished and cannot wait to see what comes next. Congratulations to our graduates and eighth grade students — your future is bright, and we are cheering you on every step of the way!

Litzsinger School has been selected to receive a $5,000 grant from the Snapdragon Book Foundation. The foundation was founded in 2008 by a school librarian who believed all children deserve access to books. The money will be used to purchase engaging graphic novels, illustrated chapter books, along with high-interest titles that appeal to a wide range of ready abilities. The materials will help students develop comprehension, confidence, and enthusiasm for reading.

“The addition of graphic novels and illustrated chapter books to Litzsinger’s library will provide our students with engaging, accessible reading opportunities that support literacy growth, communication, imagination, and a love of reading,” said Julie Moorman, Litzsinger principal. “These materials help meet students where they are and create more meaningful ways for them to connect with stories and learning.”

Amanda Wise, Litzsinger librarian, applied for the grant in November. She was grateful and excited when she received an email from the organization announcing Litzsinger School as the winner. She says it has been fun connecting with students over literature and seeing their interests develop.

“It has been incredibly rewarding to work with all our learning communities. I am looking forward to observing how their reading grows and changes them. While I love academics and taught math previously, it has been refreshing to focus on reading and accessing literature for pleasure as well. “

The grant will also be used to purchase adaptive and sensory friendly materials, such as tactile book formats, adaptive tools, and durable library materials that support students with sensory or physical needs, ensuring every learner can independently access reading materials. The school will also purchase an annual subscription to Scholastic News, which will provide up-to-date, student friendly nonfiction books across grade levels. This will help keep reading materials fresh and build real-world connections.

“Amanda’s dedication to our students extends far beyond this grant,” said Moorman. “In addition to securing the $5,000 library grant, she has also written four additional grants that will supplement and strengthen the instructional experiences already taking place in the library, directly impacting student learning and engagement across our school community. We are incredibly grateful for her initiative, creativity, and commitment to expanding opportunities for our students.”

Today, we’re celebrating the incredible Speech-Language Pathologists who help students find their voices and build confidence every day. 💙

Through patience, creativity, and specialized expertise, our SLPs support students in developing communication skills that help them connect, learn, and thrive in their school communities. Whether working on speech clarity, language development, social communication, or augmentative communication tools, their impact reaches far beyond the classroom.

Thank you to all of our dedicated Speech-Language Pathologists for the care and commitment you bring to students each day. We are grateful for the difference you make across SSD and our partner districts!

📸 Featured in these photos:
- Rachel Edwards, Neuwoehner High School
- Blake Klenke, Pattonville School District
- Kayla Winkler, Parkway Schools