Spring has arrived and we continue to focus on VUSDs Framework for the Future which includes kindness, confidence, compassion and equity. This month we had a successful parent workshop on inclusive strategies and reviewed VUSDs annual Community Advisory Committee Priorities. We appreciate everyone who attended the parent workshop and look forward to your continued participation. Thank you all for your continued support as we work together to meet our student’s needs.

With gratitude,

Nereida Gutierrez,

Director, Special Education

ESY will be from June 20, 2023 - July 14, 2023 for students who are eligible based on their IEP.

An email with more details will be sent to ESY families this week.

Thank you to all of our parents who attended the training! We appreciate your input and support.

On March 22, 2023 CAC Representatives and District Directors attended an evening ceremony to review each District’s CAC Priorities for the 2022-23 school year.

A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is made up of parents, educators, and community members who are involved in special education.The CAC of the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education (NCCSE) provides meetings and special events throughout the year and advises the superintendents of the 14 school districts about special education services. Each meeting includes information on a special education topic, resources for families, and opportunities to meet with other parents to exchange resources, information, and ideas.

Inclusion Exemplars: How to Create Meaningful Inclusion Opportunities -

From Classrooms to Clubs

Join us to learn about some inspired new approaches in Inclusion Practices-from administrative structure and classroom tools to campus activities. We will have Two District Administrators and a Parent Leader to discuss the successful programs in their districts. Our discussion is planned to encourage parents and energize professionals.

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

CAC Business Items: 6:00-6:30 p.m.

CAC Presentation with Guest Speakers: 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Location: North County Regional Education Center 255 Pico Avenue, San Marcos, CA 92069

Click here for event flyer: English/Spanish

The scholarship submission period for new applications for 2023-2024 is open until March 31, 2023.

1. The Dr. Lynnette Robinson Scholarship for Inclusive Education - For high school seniors who want to pursue a career in special education or a related field.
2. The Bob Grundstrom Memorial Scholarship Information - For high school seniors who receive special education services.

Every school district in the state of California is required to develop a Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) to outline the actions and services that will support student academic, social, and behavioral achievement. We call our LCAP the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation. The LCAP must go through an annual revision process to ensure that students, parents, teachers, and staff members have the opportunity to provide feedback on the current actions and services and to make suggestions for additional actions and services that students need to reach their full potential as learners. We are hosting community forums and a district-wide survey to capture this feedback. Please see the information below to share your voice and engage in our annual LCAP revision process.

SpEd Community Forum:

In-Person Community Forum - April 10th from 5:30 pm at the Vista Innovation Center located at 836 Olive Ave, Vista 92083

Survey:

• Survey Link

• Autism Society San Diego
• ​CAPTAIN- California Autism Professional Training and Information Network
• CA Special Education Data Resources
• Exceptional Family Resource Center
• Findhelp.org
• Inclusive Schools
• Mental Health Resources for Teens
  
• North County Resource Guide
• NCCSE- Mental Health Presentation from Nov. 9th
• ​Online Tutoring
• San Diego County Office of Education
• San Diego Regional Center
• Special Olympics
• Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego
• VUSD Calming Corner

Nereida Gutierrez, Director, Special Education, specialeducationdept@vistausd.org

Steffanie Rupp, Coordinator, Special Education, steffanierupp@vistausd.org

Rachel Schmidt, Principal, California Avenue School, rachelschmidt@vistausd.org

Katherine Abraham, Principal, Vista Adult Transition Program, katherineabraham@vistausd.org

Jennifer Gruman, Program Supervisor, jennifergruman@vistausd.org

William Foley, Program Supervisor, williamfoley@vistausd.org

Kinga Nagorny, Program Supervisor, kinganagorny@vistausd.org

Dr. Charyn Socket Berg, Program Supervisor charynberg@vistausd.org

Dafnee Ramirez, Administrative Secretary, Special Education, dafneeramirez@vistausd.org

Debra Harris, Data Tech, debraharris@vistausd.org

Yvonne Fortin, Data Tech, yvonnefortin@vistausd.org

Doris Cruz, Community Liaison, Special Education, doriscruz@vistausd.org

Special Education Department: specialeducationdept@vistausd.org