I hope that everyone had an enjoyable and restful winter break. As we begin our new year we have many continued goals in mind to meet the needs of our scholars. Please review the newsletter for important dates and upcoming professional development opportunities.

Nereida Gutierrez

Director, Special Education

• Kelsey Fox - Speech and Language Pathologist (split position)
• Amanda O’Hearn - Psychologist Alamosa Park 60% /VHS 40%

Are you new to VUSD? Do you need a review of VUSD special ed procedures? If so, then please join the Special Ed Department monthly optional office hours.

SpEd Certificated Office Hours (4pm - 5pm via zoom) (Optional, paid hourly rate): The purpose of SpEd office hours is to review IEP compliance and current topics in SpEd. Agenda items will be posted on the invite. The 2022-23 Office Hours agenda is in the SpEd Certificated Office Hours

Please sign up in Vector for all office hours.

Upcoming office hours: February 2, 2023 TK & K assessments (Zoom)

Please remember to take data before and after holiday breaks to measure student regression and recoupment of skills. The purpose of ESY is to help students maintain their current levels so they do not regress further over extended breaks. Please document ESY discussions in IEP notes.

Dates: June 20, 2023 - July 14, 2023 (no school on 7/4)

Make determination with the IEP team for ESY by April 28, 2023

Guidelines for ESY Eligibility

Collaborate with any related services to determine if the student qualifies for those services during ESY. If the student has Intensive

Complete all IEPs (annuals and tris due by 9/30/23) by the end of this school year

Transition Staffing Dates Middle and High

The Special Education Department will be reaching out to site teams with specific dates the week of 01/23/23

5th to 6th:

February 22 and Feb 28, March 1, 2 (including M/S)

8th to 9th:

March 7, 8, 9, and March 14, 15, and 16 (including M/S)

Magnet:

April 25, 26, 27

Transition Staffing Procedures

Nurses are required to attend all initials and tris as part of the IEP team. IF THE PARENT AGREES, they may be excused in part prior to the meeting with an excusal form.

Please review updated Medi-Cal information

Ed Specialist (Eng/SPAN)

• SpEd Hourly Timesheet
• CA Assessment Accessibility Resources Matrix
• NCCSE Assistive Technology
• NCCSE Directory
• Out of District Travel Form
• Webinar Approval Form
• SpEd Guidelines Shared Folder
• Framework for the Future Board Approved 6.23.22

Co-Teaching: Making Learning Accessible for English Learners with Disabilities on March 6th

Addressing Equity to Improve Outcomes for English Learners and ELs with Disabilities on March 27th and 28th

If you haven’t registered already, there is still time to register in-person or via zoom. Please see attached flyers for more information and registration links.

Previously on…Friday Tips:

01/27/23 - Parent Involvement

01/20/23 - Services that end in June

01/13/22 - ESY reminder and Matriculation reminder

12/16/22 - Progress Reports - a walkthrough WITH EXAMPLES

12/09/22 - Drag and Drop Attachments

12/02/22 - Updated Procedural Safeguards and Friday Tips LIVE! (?)

11/18/22 - Happy Thanksgiving!

11/15/22 - a Special Tuesday TIP! Do not pre-date IEPs in SEIS

11/04/22 - Numbering IEPs and Adding new students to caseload

10/28/22 - Printing Greyed-Out Forms and Previous DNQ's

10/21/22 - Electronic Signatures (E sign package), Parent Walkthrough, Parent Walkthrough Spanish Version, participant walkthrough, Official SEISSign walkthrough

10/14/22 - Mail Etiquette

10/07/22 - My IEP is NOT overdue!

09/30/22 - IEP document management

09/23/22 - Delay Codes

09/16/22 - Social Services Questionnaires

09/09/22 - the Difference between a DNQ and Exit IEP

09/02/22 - Documenting a Late IEP

08/26/22 - Annual and TRI due in the same school year and How to request an Interpreter

08/19/22 - 60 day Timeline!

08/12/22 - Transfer students from Non SEIS District, Program Setting for Incoming Private/NPS, How to bulk print from SEIS

Community Resource Fair

• In person at the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education, Saturday, February 11, 2023, Drop in anytime between 10:00-noon.

Applications for NCCSE-sponsored scholarships are now available. The scholarship submission period for new applications for 2023-2024 is open until March 31, 2023.

See below for information about the 2 scholarships available.

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. A scholarship award of $1500 for up to 4 years.
2. The Bob Grundstrom Memorial Scholarship Information - For high school seniors who receive special education services. A one-time scholarship award of $1500.

Please don't hesitate to communicate with our Community Liaison. We are here to facilitate communication between VUSD and families.

If you need assistance please reach out to Doris Cruz.

Phone number: (760) 726-2170 ext. 92914

Email: doriscruz@vistausd.org

SpEd Community Liaison Flyer

• ​CAPTAIN- California Autism Professional Training and Information Network
• North County Resource guide
• NCCSE- Mental Health Presentation from Nov. 9th
• FindHelp.org Search and connect to support.
• ​Online Tutoring
• ​​San Diego Regional Center
• Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego
• VUSD Calming Corner

Classified:

• INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT II-LH/CH/RSP - Permanent
• INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT-BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION, Permanent & Substitutes (OPEN and CONTINUOUS Application)
• SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSISTANT IV-SH/PH - OPEN and CONTINUOUS application
• Early Childhood Education Specialist - California Avenue School (Repost)
  

• Education Specialist-Moderate/Severe Teacher ($2,000 incentive) (2022/2023 School Year)
  
• Education Specialist-Mild/Moderate Teacher ($2,000 incentive) (2022/2023 school year)
  
• School Psychologist - Special Education
  
• Speech Language Pathologist - Special Education

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

Address: 1234 Arcadia Avenue Vista, CA, 92084

Website: https://www.vistausd.org/departments/special_education

Phone number: (760) 726-2170 ext. 92914

Email: Specialeducationdept@vistausd.org

Twiter: @VUSDSpEd