Affton School District Social Workers
Embedded Files
Quote of the Month
“Progress doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. Showing up, doing your best, and taking care of yourself all count.”
🧠 January Mental Health & Wellness Tip
🧠 January Mental Health & Wellness Tip
As we move into January, the return to routines after break and the darker winter days can feel tiring or overwhelming for both students and families. This month is a great time to focus on gentle routines and small moments of connection rather than big goals or changes.
Consider creating a simple daily or weekly check-in at home, such as sharing one “high” and one “low” from the day during dinner or before bedtime. This predictable routine helps students feel heard and supported without pressure to share more than they’re ready to. Another calming option is to build in a short, low-energy family activity, like a nightly board game, reading together, or taking a brief winter walk during daylight hours. These small, consistent moments can help support emotional regulation, reduce stress, and make the transition back to school feel more manageable.
📅 Important Dates & Awareness Events
📅 Important Dates & Awareness Events
📌 School Calendar Highlights
📌 School Calendar Highlights
Jan. 1–5 – Winter Break (schools closed) — students return Jan. 6
Jan. 5 – Professional Development Day (No school for students)
Jan. 6 – Classes Resume / First Day Back
Jan. 19 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (No school)
📆 Monthly Awareness & Family Support Themes
📆 Monthly Awareness & Family Support Themes
National Mentoring Month — Celebrates the power of supportive relationships and encourages connection between students and trusted adults.
National Winter Wellness Awareness — A reminder that winter routines and self-care matter; small healthy habits can help support emotional wellness during the colder months.
(These are recognized nationally throughout January.)
🧡 UPCOMING FAMILY ACTIVITIES IN ST. LOUIS IN JANUARY:
Winter Fest/ Gateway Arch Park (Jan 4-11): Ice skating, lights, smores, and winter fun downtown
2026 U.S Figure Skating Championships (Jan 4-11): Live national figure skating competitions at Enterprise Center
Wednesday Night Jazz Jam (Jan 7th, 14th, & 21st): Free live jazz at The Dark Room, great for families & older kids
Family Night Cardinal Nation (Jan 7th, 14th, & 21st): Kids eat free (with adult meal), games, and meet Fredbird!
Owl Prowls - World Bird Sanctuary (Jan 9): Evening walks learning about owls & nocturnal birds
Play Date - Contemporary Art Museum (Jan 10): Creative Play + art workshops for children & families
Pajama Story Time - St. Louis County Library (Jan 12 & 22): Cozy storytime; wear PJs and bring a favorite stuffed animal
Family Saturday - Craft Alliance (Jan 17): Drop-in-hands-on art workshops for children & families
SLAM Family Sunday- MLK Jr. Celebration (Jan 18): Free family activities and art projects honoring Dr. King
Loop Ice Carnival (Jan 24): Ice sculptures, fire performers, scavenger hunts, marshmallows, & face painting
Sensory- Friendly Family Day- City Museum (Jan 24): Quiet museum time with reduced noise & lighting for all ages
Forest Park Skating/ Winter Activities (ongoing through winter): Ice skating, trails, & outdoor winter fun for families
Upcoming Free Meals
🦃 🍽️ Affton Christian Church
On the last Friday of each month, they have a free meal for anyone who wants to attend. This meal is for the public and the congregation to fellowship and break bread with neighbors, both known and unknown.
WHERE: Affton Christian Church - 9625 Tesson Ferry Rd. 63123
Community & Mental Health Resources
If your family is in need of extra support, here are a local organizations:
St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund Interactive Map – This is an interactive map to help you easily locate mental and behavioral health services for your child in St. Louis County. It also includes information on which insurances are accepted and coverage that may be available through this fund (many of these services are offered free of charge).
Places for People – Mental health & trauma support
placesforpeople.org | (314) 615-2111NAMI St. Louis – Support for families & caregivers
namistl.org | (314) 962-4670People’s Health Centers – Counseling, health, and more
phcenters.org | (314) 367-7848Behavioral Health Response – BHR provides crisis support, telephone counseling, and mental health resources 24 hours/day
988 – Suicide and crisis lifeline
Cougar Backpack Program: Weekend Food Support for Students
The Cougar Backpack Program provides food bags filled with nonperishable items to help ensure that every student has access to food over the weekend
If your family would like to participate, please click the link below and complete the food preference form. Once the form is filled out, kindly email it to jcrawford@afftonschools.net or kwood@afftonschools.net, depending on your student's grade level
Thank you for allowing us to support your family. All information will be kept confidential
Food and Clothing Assistance
Click the link below to access a list of local community resources offering food, clothing, and other essential support: Community Resources
All Hands on Deck- Brings a bunch of fresh food that are expiring soon to a few different places in STL. Listed below is shows their calendar for each months locations.
Free and Reduced Lunches
Log into Infinite Campus Parent Portal on phone app
If you do not know your username or password, please contact your students building administrative assistant for help with retrieving that information
Once logged in you will select the Menu tab on the upper left hand side of the screen in green. (it has three horizontal lines)
Then you will go all the way down to the bottom of the menu items and select More
Under More you will then select Meal Benefits
Then under Meal Benefits you will select the blue Meal Benefits Application
Then after you submit the application, a letter of your free/reduced meal application meal status will be emailed to you.
* Please note that the application date is the date that your meal application takes in effect
You can also access the application on our district website, afftonschools.net
Under Menu
Scroll down and select Click here for more information on Free & Reduced Meals
Then select the 2025-2026 Application
You can then send the application to Claire Smith at csmith@afftonschools.net
Support Our Students and Families!
If you would like to make a positive impact in our school community, we invite you to consider donating to the Affton Family Fund.
The Affton Family Fund helps provide emergency support to students and families in need throughout the school year.
Your generosity directly supports the well-being, dignity, and success of our students. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference.
To donate, please click the link below:
🔗 Click Here!
Thank you for your kindness and support!
Let’s make this November a month of gratitude, kindness, and connection for all 💛 As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. We’re here to support you and your family every step of the way!
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