It’s time to shine, Spoede Turtles! 🐢✨ The Spoede Dance-a-Thon is more than just a fundraiser--it’s a celebration of our amazing school community. Together, we’ll raise funds, unlock fun incentives, and dance our way to an unforgettable finale party!

What is Dance-a-Thon (DAT)?

It's the SSA's biggest fundraiser! If we meet our $45,000 goal, it will be the only fundraiser of the year! Designed to be super simple for parents—no selling, no pledges, no tracking minutes, no door-to-door, no paperwork. 100% of funds raised directly benefit our students, teachers, and community.

How does the DAT work?

For two weeks from September 12 - 26, family and friends simply donate online through your child’s classroom link. As donations grow, kids enjoy spirit days, team-building activities, and exciting incentives for grade levels and the whole school!

The Grand Finale: Friday, September 26!

During the school day, all students will enjoy a super fun dance party in their PE class with a live DJ on Friday, September 26! 

That evening, everyone is invited to dance the night away at the Spoede Color Pop Dance-A-Thon Finale Party from 6-8 pm. There will be a DJ, professional photo booth, hot food for sale, and other fun activities!  

👉 Click here for full DAT FAQs
📧 Questions or want to volunteer? Email spoedefundraising@gmail.com

Check out the exciting progress on the Outdoor Learning Center, a permanent structure that will provide shade and a gathering place near the Spoede garden! 

We are so thankful for the generous individual donations and funds raised by the SSA, as well as the support from Principal Bjerk, Spoede and the Ladue School District to make this dream a reality!

Tuesday, September 16

5:00 - 5:30 pm - Pre-K, Kindergarten, & 1st Grade Classroom Presentations

5:45 - 6:15 pm - 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade Classroom Presentations

Curriculum Night is a fantastic opportunity to meet your child's teacher, ask questions, and learn more about your child’s daily experience at Spoede including classroom expectations, curriculum, and communication.

Specialists and Special Area Teachers will be available in their individual classroom spaces during the evening to meet and answer questions.

If you’re unable to attend, don’t worry - teachers will also share the same information via ParentSquare. 

Please note that Curriculum Night is for parents/guardians only.

After-school Youth Sports and Youth Enrichment activities at Spoede begin the week of September 8. 

Explore all program offerings at ladueschools.arux.app.

These fee-based activities are organized by the Ladue Schools Community Education. Contact communityeducation@ladueschools.net or (314) 983-5308 with any questions 

Monday, September 29

5:00 pm

Let's line the streets with Ladue Schools spirit to see our students shine!

The parade will start at Ladue Middle School and end at the high school, followed by the Blue/White Night at 6:30 pm at the LHWHS stadium.

Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m.

Ladue Horton Watkins High School

Ladue Night Lights is a unified football game that provides a fun experience for students with disabilities and their families. 

All students with a disability and their siblings are invited to choose how they want to participate, including band, cheer, dance, or football, and will be paired with a high school student in their selected area. 

Register Your Child

**Register before Sept. 3 to reserve your t-shirt for the event**

The entire community is invited to come out and support the kids. Please bring cash for concessions, raffles, auctions, and donations. 

Ladue Night Lights is a community event and fundraiser for Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to building opportunities for people with disabilities. Some of the funds raised will be funneled back into the Ladue Best Buddies chapter. We are committed to making this event a long-lasting tradition that supports unity in the Ladue Schools community. 

Sponsorships are available.

For additional information, visit the web page or email laduenightlights@gmail.com 

Saturday, September 13

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Ladue Middle School

Get your car washed and support the current LMS 8th Grade Class. Make your donation by cash or Venmo. 

The annual "Fill the Barrel" campaign to assist Ladue families will take place September 15 - 19. During this week, you can donate any of the items listed above at the bins inside the Spoede front entrance. 

Spoede Elementary School Picture Day is almost here! This is your opportunity to capture a special school memory of your child and receive high-quality portraits you’ll treasure for years to come.

Picture Day: Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Pre-Order Online: www.WagnerPortraitGroup.com

Pre-Order Password: 6A5R4Y6Y

Direct link: https://wagner.portraitpics.co/api/v2/keys/lookup/wagner?key=6A5R4Y6Y

Brought to you by the

Ladue Education Foundation

Lace up your sneakers and join the Ladue Schools community for the 13th annual 'Due Run 4 Education!

This beloved tradition is a blast for all ages, whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out.

Support Ladue Schools while you walk or run! Every step you take helps fund programs and grants that benefit students and staff across the district. Can't make it in person? No problem! Join the virtual run and make a difference from anywhere.

Mark your calendars for September 27th at 8:00 a.m., and get ready to run, walk, and celebrate education!

Ready to register?  https://runsignup.com/Race/MO/SaintLouis/DueRunForEducation

Want to learn more about the virtual run? 

https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=90873

Let's make this year's 'Due Run 4 Education the best one yet!

Register before Sept. 13 to get your early bird discount.

Does your child love math? Would you like them to get more practice? Maybe you want them to get comfortable with problem solving and quiz taking? Give Math Fact Scholars a try! 

Math Fact Scholars is a program offered through Spoede that is made up of at home practice books and Tuesday morning quiz sessions for students currently in 1st through 4th grades. (Kindergarten students are welcome to join in January!)

Morning quiz sessions will start Tuesday, September 23!

Find out more and register/purchase books on Membership Toolkit.

If you have any questions about your registration status, please reach out to Kristin Hogan at spoedemathfactscholars@gmail.com prior to placing an order. 

Volunteers are also needed for Tuesday morning quiz sessions!

The SSA Executive Board meets monthly on a Tuesday morning after drop-off at 8:50 a.m. in the Spoede Cafeteria. These are open meetings. If you are interested in getting more involved with the SSA, have ideas to share, or are just curious, please join us!

Meeting dates for 2025-26 are 9/9, 10/7, 11/11, 12/9, 1/13, 2/10, 3/10, 4/14, and 5/12. 

September Breakfast and Lunch Menus

Membership Toolkit is the SSA Hub. Download the app, and make sure to update your family's information and directory publishing preferences for this new school year - THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE EACH YEAR!!

Parent & Student Information Forms

BUZZ Book Directory

Spoede Gear 

Volunteer Opportunities

Grants funded by the SSA 2024-25

Click on the links below to connect with the SSA via Facebook this school year!

Primary SSA Page

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

Spoede Mom's Book Club

If you have a news item or event you'd like to include here in the Spoede Gazette, please send the info to spoedenewsletter@gmail.com by Friday morning to be featured in the following Monday's Gazette.