A new school year is upon us, and the Special Education Foundation (SEF) team has been busy visiting schools and back-to-school events, meeting with educators and families across St. Louis County.
We’re energized by the passion, dedication, and commitment to children with disabilities from the Special School District (SSD) educators we meet during orientation session visits and from the parents and caregivers of students across the county.
University City
Maplewood Richmond-HeightsFOR SSD EDUCATORS
The Special Education Foundation exists to be your partner in helping students with disabilities succeed—both in the classroom and beyond. We know the work you do is challenging, rewarding, and vitally important, and we are here as a resource to support you and your students.
Throughout the year, SEF offers a variety of programs designed to address needs that go beyond what tax dollars can provide. These programs have a profound impact on the lives of students, inspiring hope and fostering a sense of possibility. Here are a few we offer that can help your students:
- Classroom Innovation Grants – Funding for creative, hands-on learning projects that bring new ideas and energy into your classrooms.
- Critical Needs Program – Immediate assistance for students and families facing urgent financial or personal challenges.
- Adaptive and Assistive Equipment – Tools and technology that help students learn, communicate, and navigate their daily lives with greater independence
- Fred Saigh Leadership Academy – A unique program that equips high school students with leadership skills, community engagement experiences, and the confidence to advocate for themselves and others.
FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS
We also know that families of students who receive services from the Special School District are very busy preparing their children to return to school. This month, SEF attended several back-to-school events across St. Louis County to provide parents with information on how SEF can help their students.
We want to extend SEF’s hand in helping students and their families in a variety of ways, including:
- Autism Independence Project – Innovative, virtual after-school group sessions that help students with autism develop social skills and build friendships that last.
- Kid-to-Camp - SEF provides tuition assistance for students with disabilities to help bridge the gap during breaks in the school year so they can attend camp.
- College Scholarships - For students receiving SSD services entering their Senior Year of high school, SEF provides several scholarships towards tuition to those students seeking post-secondary education.
Every one of these programs is made possible through the generous support of our donors and our close partnership with SSD educators and parents. We are deeply grateful for their support.
As we move into the 2025–2026 school year, we invite you to reach out whenever you see a need or have an idea for how SEF can help. Your insights are invaluable to us, and together, we can create meaningful opportunities that help our students grow in independence, confidence, and hope for the future.
We deeply appreciate the dedication of our educators and the parents, and we look forward to celebrating another year of success stories with you. Your commitment is the driving force behind our work, and we are grateful for your partnership.
