As we prepare for the 2026–2027 school year, the Special Education Foundation (SEF) extends a warm welcome to all Special School District (SSD) educators and staff. Whether you're returning to the classroom or beginning your first year with SSD, thank you for the passion, dedication, and compassion you bring to students each day.
Throughout back-to-school orientations, SEF is excited to connect with staff and share the programs, grants, and resources available to support classrooms, students, and families throughout the year.
Welcome, New SSD Teachers!
SEF is proud to sponsor the New Teacher Orientation Lunch on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, as we welcome the newest members of the SSD family. During the lunch, our team will provide a brief overview of SEF's programs and services, highlighting the many ways we partner with educators to remove barriers and create opportunities for students with disabilities. We'll also be available to answer questions and help new teachers learn how SEF can support their classrooms and connect families with valuable resources throughout the school year.
New Teacher Book Shopping Day
SEF is also excited to partner with SSD and Barnes & Noble Classwork for the annual New Teacher Book Shopping Day. This special event allows new SSD teachers to build their classroom libraries with books and educational resources before students arrive.
To make the morning even more special, SEF will sponsor a beverage from the in-store Starbucks Café, offering a warm welcome and an opportunity for new educators to connect with their colleagues.
Resources to Help You Make an Impact
SEF offers a variety of programs designed to remove barriers to learning and provide opportunities beyond what tax dollars can fund. Throughout the school year, educators can connect students and families with programs including:
- Student Aid Funds for Emergencies (S.A.F.E.)
- Adaptive & Assistive Equipment
- Autism Independence Project
- Kid-to-Camp “camperships”
- Classroom Innovation Grants
- Fred Saigh Leadership Academy
- Scholarships
Whether you're looking for funding for an innovative classroom project or resources to help a student facing unexpected challenges, SEF is here to help.
A Resource Hub for SSD Staff
To make it easy to access everything SEF offers, we've created a dedicated webpage exclusively for SSD staff. There you'll find information about grants, family referral resources, volunteer opportunities, upcoming events, and ways to support SEF's mission.
As another school year begins, we are honored to partner with the incredible educators and staff who make a lasting difference in students' lives every day. Together, we can continue removing barriers, creating opportunities, and helping every student reach their fullest potential.
Here's to a successful and inspiring 2026–2027 school year—we look forward to working alongside you!
