Affton School District Social Workers
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Back to School Supply Drive.pdfJoin us this summer for our Back-to-School Supply Drive to help ensure every student starts the school year prepared and confident! If your student is in need of school supplies, we invite families to attend our free supply event where backpacks, notebooks, pencils, folders, and other essential items will be available while supplies last. This is a great opportunity to get ready for the upcoming school year. We look forward to seeing you there and supporting our Cougar families!
🧠 April Mental Health & Wellness Tip
As the school year comes to a close, May is a great time to slow down, reflect, and stay connected during a busy season.
We encourage you to try a simple “Daily Check-In” routine with your child:
Take 5 -10 minutes each day to ask:
What was one good part of your day?
What was one challenge?
How are you feeling right now?
Practice active listening - no fixing, just hearing each other out
Celebrate small wins and effort, not just outcomes
Bonus Idea: Create a “Summer Bucket List” together to build excitement and connection for the months ahead
📅 Important Dates & Awareness Events
School Calendar Highlights
May 15th- Summer 2026 Tuition Reimbursement Application Submission Deadline
May 22nd- Early Dismissal (Grades PreK-8 ONLY)
May 25th- Memorial Day (NO SCHOOL)
May 28th- Early Dismissal (Grades 9-12 ONLY)
May 29th- Early Dismissal & Last Day of School
Awareness Days
May 1 – School Principals’ Day
May 5 – Cinco de Mayo
May 6 – National Nurses Day
May 8 – National School Nurse Day (varies by year)
May 10 – Mother’s Day (varies by year)
May 15 – International Day of Families
May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
May 26 – Memorial Day (varies by year)
Monthly Awareness
Mental Health Awareness Month – Promotes emotional well-being, reduces stigma, and encourages seeking help and support when needed.
National Trauma Awareness Month – Raises awareness about the impact of trauma and the importance of trauma-informed care and resilience.
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month – Celebrates the cultures, contributions, and histories of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
Free Activities in May (St. Louis Area)
Play Day in the Park - Forest Park (May 30)
A large, free community event with games, art, STEM activities, and interactive play for kids of all ages.Free Fridays at the Saint Louis Art Museum
Visit exhibits for free and enjoy family-friendly activities and extended evening hours.Family Sunday at the Saint Louis Art Museum (May 10)
Hands-on art activities designed especially for families and kids.Free Family Night at the The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum (May 15)
An interactive, kid-friendly museum experience at no cost for families.Free Stargazing at Broemmelsiek Park (Fridays)
Explore the night sky with telescopes-great for curious learners and families.Twilight Thursdays at the Missouri History Museum
Free outdoor concerts and activities in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.Shakespeare in the Park -Forest Park (late May)
Free outdoor theater performances-bring blankets and enjoy a night outside.FREE First Tuesdays at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House (May 5)
A fun nature experience where kids can see and learn about butterflies.Lunchtime Live (Downtown St. Louis)
Free music, food trucks, and outdoor fun during the week-great for a quick family outing.
🌷Tip: Choose one free activity each week to enjoy quality time together as a family this May!
Food, Clothing, & Community Resources:
Click the link below to access a list of local community resources offering food, clothing, mental health and other essential support: Community Resources
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).
Behavioral Health Response – BHR provides crisis support, telephone counseling, and mental health resources 24 hours/day
988 – Suicide and crisis lifeline
Upcoming Free Meals
🍽️ Affton Christian Church - Community Meal
When: Last Friday of each month (May 29th, 2026)
Time: Evening (please check church for exact time)
What: Free meal for everyone! An opportunity for neighbors, friends, and congregation members to connect and enjoy fellowship.
Where: 9625 Tesson Ferry Rd., St. Louis, MO 63123
🍎 Weber Road Branch - Free After-School Meals
🍎 Weber Road Branch - Free After-School Meals
When: Every school weekday in April 2026 (Monday- Friday, when school is in session)
Time: 2:45-4:00 PM
Who: Children and teens ages 5-18
What: Nutritious meals served on-site, provided by St. Louis County Library in partnership with Operation Food Search.
Where: 4444 Weber Rd., St. Louis, MO 63123
🥘 Recurring Community Meals
(Open to everyone - please call ahead to confirm times.)
Central Baptist Church
Tuesdays | 11:45 AM
2845 Washington AveCentennial Christian Church
Mon–Fri Lunch 11:30 AM-1:00 PM
Dinner 4:30–6:00 PM
4950 Fountain AveFocus Gateway City (St. Michael’s)
Wednesdays Breakfast 9-11 AM
Sundays Supper 4:30-5:30 PM
1901 Ann AveProject Downtown
Saturdays | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
6809 W. Florissant AveTrinity Church (Soup Alley)
Mon–Sat | 9:30-10:30 AM
812 Soulard AveSt. John's Episcopal Church
Saturdays | 4:00-5:30 PM
3672 Arsenal StThe Salvation Army
Wednesdays | 6:00-8:00 PM
2740 Arsenal StSt. Patrick Center
Mon–Fri | 12:00-12:30 PM
800 N Tucker Blvd
💛 Contact your school social worker for confidential support if your family needs additional assistance.
Cougar Backpack Program: Weekend Food Support for Students (Affton School District)
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
Free and Reduced Lunches (Affton School District)
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
🌱 Social-Emotional & Summer Wellness Supports
Healthy Summer Mindset
Encourage children to see summer as a time for growth, curiosity, and balance—not just screens or boredom.
Try asking: “What is one new thing you want to learn or try this summer?”
Maintaining Routine (Without School Structure)
Keep a flexible but consistent daily rhythm:
Regular sleep and wake times
Daily outdoor time or movement
A mix of structured and unstructured activities
Emotional Check-Ins Over Summer Break
Even without school, continue simple conversations:
“How are you feeling today?”
“What was the best part of your day?”
“What felt hard today?”
This helps children stay connected and supported.
Digital Wellness in the Summer
Set clear but flexible screen time expectations
Encourage breaks for outdoor play, creativity, or reading
Model balanced tech use as adults
Parent/Caregiver Self-Care (Summer Edition)
Use small moments for yourself (quiet coffee, short walk, fresh air)
Lower expectations for “perfect” summer schedules
Remember: connection matters more than packed activities
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER COUGARS!!!! 🌞🌻
Wishing all of our Cougars a safe, joyful, and restful summer break! As the school year comes to a close, we hope students and families take time to relax, recharge, and enjoy meaningful moments together. Whether it’s spending time outdoors, trying something new, or simply slowing down at home, we encourage everyone to focus on balance, connection, and taking care of both mental and physical well-being.
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