Home  |  About  |  Contributions  |  Programs  |  Events  |  News   PROGRAMS   Our programs are designed to enhance student success in many ways: by building self-esteem, by developing leadership; by rewarding achievement; by giving teachers the tools to implement innovative approaches; and by fostering parenting skills.   Scholarships/Camperships   – 2009 Recipients   – Applications   – Photos   Teacher Mini-grants   Leadership Program   Parent Leadership Inst.   Specialized Equipment/ Special Needs     Generous contributions and grants from individuals, foundations and corporations make possible our efforts to enhance the educational success of students with disabilities. To download a donation form, click here. We accept credit cards and checks.     The Special Education Foundation has awarded scholarships to deserving students entering post-secondary education since 1988. In 2008-2009 we are A Special Education Foundation scholar played the drums for finale of the Commitment to Kids Banquet. For more photos, click here. helping 18 students with awards totaling more than $30,000.00. The scholarship committee looks for evidence of future success by considering academics, leadership and community volunteer activities, and success in athletics and/or the arts. A well-rounded individual, particularly one with exceptional achievement in a particular area, is likely to be the successful applicant. Overcoming obstacles weighs heavily in the screening process. Financial need and teacher recommendations are considered. Arbeiter scholarships are awarded to students in the deaf-and-hard-of-hearing programs in memory of long-time district administrator Dianne Arbeiter. This program began in 2002 and has awarded more than $140,000.00 in scholarships and camperships to date. Funds for these scholarships are raised from family, friends and co-workers at an annual event honoring Arbeiter. Irene Orlando scholarships and camperships, sponsored by the Special Education Foundation through the Irene Orlando Fund for Children with Autism, will be given to students served by the Special School District who have autism spectrum disorder. An administrator with the Special School District, Irene Orlando dedicated her 35-year professional career to educating children with autism. She passed away in January 2009 following surgery. Her expertise and knowledge of autism spectrum disorder was well-known and highly regarded throughout the St. Louis area. Parents and colleagues depended on her expertise to plan curricula, to develop programs and to implement day-to-day classroom and home instruction. To pay tribute to Orlando's commitment to helping students and their parents, her family and friends established the Irene Orlando Fund for Children with Autism in 2009. Teacher mini-grants and specialized equipment grants are also given in her memory. Her family and friends raise money through special events, contributing over $25,000 to the Foundation in the first year. Camp programs help to maintain educational momentum and progress for students with disabilities over the summer. The Foundation awards numerous camperships annually. Many are funded through an auction at our annual golf tournament. Special Education Foundation also supports the camp programs of Life Skills Foundation. For camp photos, click here. The charm and allure of of musical theater is now available for all children and youth through Stages Performing Arts Academy's Access the Arts Program. Special Education Foundation partners with Stages St. Louis by providing financial assistance to students with disabilities in their quest for participation in the performing arts. Stages Performing Arts Academy, located in Chesterfield, offers classes in singing, acting and dance. Access the Arts is their program specifically designed to make musical theatre arts accessible to students with special needs. Performance training is also available in an inclusive environment through the Academy's other class offerings. Deadlines for scholarship and campership applications are as follows: Arbeiter scholarship and campership applications are due February 12, 2010; SEF scholarship applications are due February 26, 2010; and SEF campership applications are due April 19, 2010. Irene Orlando Fund scholarship and campership applications are due January 31, 2010 and April 17, 2010, respectively. Sammy Goldman "Living Big" Campership applications are due March 12, 2010.  A William R. Cumerford scholar, an Eagle Scout, was served by Special School District in its S.N.A.P. program (Special Non-public After-school Program).  An SEF scholarship augments a golf scholarship from his college for this scholar/athlete. 2009 RECIPIENTS SAMMY GOLDMAN "LIVING BIG" CAMPERSHIP Angel Armendariz  – Westchester Elementary School  – Kirkwood School District Back to Top ALLISON M. HAAKE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Alexandra Altman  – Oakville High School  – Mehlville School District Back to Top SSD BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP Gabriella Garbero  – Parkway West High School  – Parkway School District Back to Top BONHOMME LIONS SCHOLARSHIPS Gabriella Garbero Diane Bilyk Memorial Scholarship  – Parkway West High School  – Parkway School District John LeRoy  – Hazelwood West High School  – Hazelwood School District Julie McGinnity  – Lindbergh High School  – Lindbergh School District Matthew Vroman  – South Technical High School  – Special School District Back to Top DIANNE ARBEITER SCHOLARSHIPS Allison Egler  – Pattonville West High School  – Pattonville School District Katherine Monroe  – Lindbergh High School  – Lindbergh School District Natalie Rupp  – Lindbergh High School  – Lindbergh School District Ivy Vetor  – Parkway North High School  – Parkway School District Back to Top CHRISTOPHER DAVIS SCHOLARSHIPS Taylor Ray  – Ritenour High School  – Ritenour School District Alexandra Willey  – Marquette High School  – Rockwood School District Back to Top DAN MCLAUGHLIN SCHOLARSHIP Ronald Morton, Jr.  – Brentwood High School  – Brentwood School District Back to Top LAURA K. SHERMAN LAUGHLIN SCHOLARSHIPS John Braddock  – Parkway North High School  – Parkway School District Admir Jahic  – Mehlville High School  – Mehlville School District Back to Top SPECIAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS Alexandra Altmann  – Oakville High School  – Mehlville School District Kimberly Burgess  – Hazelwood West High School  – Hazelwood School District Janeth Calderon  – Brentwood High School  – Brentwood School District LaMont Chapman  – Hazelwood West High School  – Hazelwood School District Codi Franks  – Hazelwood West High School  – Hazelwood School District James Koppel  – Lindbergh High School  – Lindbergh School District John LeRoy  – Hazelwood West High School  – Hazelwood School District Melanie McGruther  – Parkway North High School  – Parkway School District LeDonte Simpson  – Ritenour North High School  – Ritenour School District Back to Top APPLICATIONS Arbeiter Campership Arbeiter Scholarship Laura K. Sherman Laughlin Scholarship Orlando Campership Orlando Scholarship Performing Arts/Stages St. Louis Sammy Goldman "Living Big" Campership SEF Campership SEF Scholarship Back to Top   ©2010 Special Education Foundation. All Rights Reserved. Contact The Foundation