Thomas Tea: Social Work Edition☕
Information from Southeast Social Worker, Sidney Thomas
Hello Southeast Superstar Families!
Sidney Thomas, LMSW
Southeast School Social Worker
Park Hill School District
816-359-5847
Thomassi@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Therapy Dog
In the next few weeks, we will be adding a therapy dog to our school community!
Nancy Stifter, and her half Bichon / half Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Augie Doggie will be joining our Southeast community.
Augie is a rescue who enjoys playing and snuggles! Nancy has participated in our Staff Friends Mentorship Program in the past, so she is a familiar face around our building. Nancy and Augie have worked hard to complete the necessary training through Pet Partners to become a certified therapy dog team and provide support in the community. They are very excited to support Southeast students and staff!
You will see Nancy and Augie around Southeast on Wednesday afternoons. Please help us welcome them as a team to our Superstar community/
What Nancy and Augie's work will look like with our students:
one on one or small group reading to Augie
scheduled check-ins with selected students (taking Augie on walks or snuggles)
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Miles of Smiles
Miles of Smiles is a program of LevelUp Kids, Inc. that provides portable dental services for children right here at Southeast. This year the dental van will be visiting Southeast from November 11th through December 2nd. All dental services are free for Clay and Platte County children who meet the income guidelines. To register your student please use the link below. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Sidney Thomas or Karen Schaff, LevelUp Kids Park Hill Social Worker at 816.359.6175
https://practisforms.com/milesofsmilesinc/forms/milesofsmilesinc-registration-form
ICare4Kids
ICare4Kids is a program of LevelUp Kids, Inc. that provides portable vision screenings for children right here at Southeast. This year the vision van will be visiting Southeast on September 22nd and December 18th. We strongly encourage you to register your student if:
✅ You received a notice from Nurse Cassie or Nurse Chasity that your student did not pass their vision screening.✅ Your student is routinely seen by the Vision Van at Southeast or another Park Hill School each year.
✅ Your student is new to Southeast this year and has not yet been seen by the Vision Van.
ℹ️ Important Note: All students who were seen by the Vision Van last year will be receiving registration forms this week. Please return those forms by Friday, 9/20.
📝 You may also complete registration online using this link:
https://practisforms.com/milesofsmilesinc/forms/icare4kids-form
All vision services are free for Clay and Platte County Children who meet the income guidelines. To register your student please use the link below. If you have any question, feel free to contact Sidney Thomas, or Karen Schaff, LevelUp Kids Park Hill Social Worker at 816.359.6175.
Family Benefits Program (Free or Reduced Lunch)
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We encourage all families to apply for Free and Reduced Lunch as soon as possible. Here is a link to the Park Hill Family Benefits Resource page that has information regarding eligibility.
You can easily apply using our online portal, SchoolCafe. When registering for a SchoolCafe account, you will need your student’s ID (also called the “S” number). This is a 5-digit number—please enter only the digits without the leading “S.” You can find this number on Infinite Campus or by calling Nutrition Services at 816-359-4090.
Paper applications are also available in the Southeast front office if you prefer.
If you have any additional questions or need assistance, please contact our School Social Worker:
Sidney Thomas, LMSW
Phone: 816-359-5847
Email: thomassi@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Park Hill Clothing Closet
The clothing center is a FREE service provided by the PTAs in cooperation with the Park Hill School District. Each student receives new and lightly used clothing along with new socks and underwear. Each student must provide proof of registration for the current year. This could be a class schedule, student ID, or a letter from your school social worker.
No appointments necessary!
The clothing center is located at 8009 North Atkins Place, Kansas City, MO 64152 (behind Gerner Family Early Education Center).
Please see the attached Clothing Center Schedule for the 2025-2026 school year.
You can also check their Facebook page and find more information of the Park Hill website: https://www.parkhill.k12.mo.us/families/pta-clothing-center
Shop with A Cop
Shop with A Cop is a program ran by the Riverside Police and Fire Department. They are now accepting applications for the 2025 holiday season. The program is open to Children ages 5-18, whose families qualify under the program's income guidelines, as well as children who have entered foster care or guardianship placement over the holiday season. Children are allotted a set amount of money each to shop for themselves and others. Their families are also provided with a Christmas meal. Application are DUE by December 2nd. Please scan the attached QR code or apply online at https://riversidemo.rja.revize.com/forms/12388
