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.   Teacher Mini-grants   Leadership Program   Parent Leadership Inst.   Specialized Equipment/ Special Needs   Scholarships/Camperships   – 2010 Recipients   – Applications   – Photos     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 2010-2011 we are A Special Education Foundation scholar played the drums for finale of the Commitment to Kids Banquet. For more photos, click here. helping 17 students with awards totaling more than $29,100.00. 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 $200,000.00 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, totaling more than $24,000 in 2010. 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 must be postmarked by February 10, 2012; SEF scholarship applications must be postmarked by February 26, 2012; and SEF campership applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2012. Laura K. Laughlin Scholarship for a Student with a Brain Injury must be postmarked by February 28, 2012, and Sammy Goldman "Living Big" Campership applications must be postmarked by March 10, 2012.  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. 2010 RECIPIENTS SAMMY GOLDMAN "LIVING BIG" CAMPERSHIP Jack Fearn  – Litzsinger School  – Special School District Back to Top DIANNE ARBEITER SCHOLARSHIPS Edward Connolly  – Parkway West High School  – Parkway School District Eric Jenkins  – Eureka High School  – Rockwood School District Zachary Jodlowski  – Brentwood West High School  – Brentwood School District Jelynn Louis  – Brentwood High School  – Brentwood School District Robert Neal Mitchell II  – Oakville High School  – Mehlville School District Joshua Pickens  – Clayton High School  – Clayton School District Richard Prilenski  – Marquette High School  – Rockwood School District Rachel Varner  – Brentwood High School  – Brentwood School District Back to Top CHRISTOPHER DAVIS SCHOLARSHIPS Katherine Koch  – Maruette High School  – Rockwood School District Erica Davis  – Ritenour High School  – Ritenour School District Back to Top DAN MCLAUGHLIN SCHOLARSHIP Angela Seley  – Kirkwood High School  – Kirkwood School District Back to Top SPECIAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS Thomas Jonathan Bottchen  – Kirkwood High School  – Kirkwood School District George Collins  – North Technical High School  – Special School District Margaret Mack  – Kirkwood High School  – Kirkwood School District De'Amon Pernell  – Bayless High School  – Bayless School District Damiou Williams  – Bayless West High School  – Bayless School District Back to Top APPLICATIONS Arbeiter Campership Arbeiter Scholarship Laura K. Sherman Laughlin Scholarship Performing Arts/Stages St. Louis Sammy Goldman "Living Big" Campership SEF Campership SEF Scholarship Back to Top   ©2012 Special Education Foundation. All Rights Reserved. Contact The Foundation