Special Ed Staff Newsletter
October 2022
Happy Fall Season
The weather is cooling down as we head into the fall season. Our students are engaged in many learning opportunities with your support and guidance. Thank you for your hard work as you navigate your roles due to the various staffing needs. Please remember to practice self care and take time for yourself. Our students need you!
Sincerely,
Nereida Gutierrez
Director of Special Education
Vista Unified School District
Parent Workshop: Welcome to Special Education
Please help us to welcome our new staff 👏🏽
Shelby Rawlins - Roosevelt Middle School M/S teacher
Diane Byrd -ROVER Education Specialist
Chidiogor (Chidi) Onyekwere - VIDA Ed Specialist-Mild/Moderate
New Lead Psychologist
Tamatha Parker
School Psychologist
Rancho Buena Vista High School
Office: 760-727-7284, ext: 72368
E-Mail: tamathaparker@vistausd.org
Congratulation to Doris Cruz
Month of October: social emotional pd at nccse
October 28, 2022 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. PT Live Online
Month of November: CAC Meeting and Educational Topic
Supporting Families in Addressing Mental Health Challenges for Students with IEPs
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Presenters:
Lauren Hughey, LMFT, Program Director San Diego START
Director for San Diego START, (Systemic, Therapeutic Assessment, Resources, and Treatment) her team has become the first START Certified Team in the state of California.
SpEd Dept updates:
We are still seeking to fill two Special Education Supervisors positions at the District Office. If you or anyone you know is interested, please let us know. An admin credential is required. Ed Join Special Education Supervisor
Need to know who to contact at the District Office? Here are the interim responsibilities until we are fully staffed: 2022-2 Special Education Department - Interim Responsibilities
WJ Protocols: WJ protocols are not in yet. Currently, we only have Form A at the District Office. Please borrow from each other if possible. Dafnee Ramirez will let you know as soon as they are in. Thank you for your patience.
We currently have a SPED Community Liaison vacancy. Please reach out to Doris Cruz, she is here to provide parent support and resources.
Contact information:
Email: doriscruz@vistausd.org ​
(760) 726-2170 ext 92914​
Friday Tips
We are so appreciative of Yvonne for her Friday Tips.
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
Upcoming VUSD SpEd PD:
SpEd Certificated PD
November 10, 2022 - Transition Process (Special Ed Collaboration) - 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm (MultiLingual Center Room F) - Paid certificated hourly rate
Nov. 15, 2022 (K-5 min day) 1:15 - 2:15pm - Positive Behavior Interventions
Nov. 16, 2022 (K-5, 6-8 min day) 1:15 - 2:15pm - TBA
Nov. 17, 2022 (K-5, 6-8 min day) 1:15- 2:15pm - Tech Tools/TBA
Nov. 16,17, 2022 (1 -5pm) - CPI 2 day certification (Limit 15 people)
Nov. 18, 2022 (K-5 min day) 1:15 - 2:15pm - Instructional Strategies
Special Education Monthly Collaboration Sessions:
Every month you have the opportunity to collaborate with your colleagues on various topics in special education. These sessions are in person at the multiLingual Center (Room F). You will be paid on a timesheet at the certificated hourly rate.
Topics:
November 10, 2022 - The Transition Process
February 9, 2023 -Specialized Programs and Change of Placement
March 23, 2023 - TBD
April 20, 2023 - Transition Collaboration (elem to middle)
May 18, 2022 - Transition Collaboration (middle to high)
PD Reminders:
Sign up in Vector
Please note: you must get approval from your site administrator to attend any out of district trainings using the following form
Certificated: If you require a sub, please contact your site office manager for a school business sub. (Due to the shortage of subs, there is no guarantee that a sub will be available. Also, no school business subs are approved on Mondays and Fridays)
If you’d like to attend a webinar, please submit a Webinar Approval Form
Please fill out a form for any travel outside of the District: Out of District Travel Form
The Imperial County SELPA will be hosting a Free PD event:
English Learner Initial Referral to Special Education and Decision-Making Process.
Please see flyer for more information and review the registration below.
December 5, 2022
8:30 am -12:00 pm
Special Education Community Liaison
If you need assistance please reach out to Doris Cruz.
Phone number: (760) 726-2170 ext. 92914
Email: doriscruz@vistausd.org
VUSD is hiring - Spread the word!
Do you know of anyone who is looking for a job in education? If so, please encourage them to apply for our open positions.
Ed Join - VUSD Speech and Language Pathologist Posting
Ed Join - VUSD Mild/Mod Ed Specialist Posting
Ed Join - VUSD - School Psychologist Posting
Classified:
District Interpreter/Translator (Spanish) - Substitute Only
Instructional Assistant - Behavior Intervention
Special Education Assistant IV - SH/PH
Instructional Assistant II - LH/CH/SP
Certificated Job Board Update
A permanent unit member with most recent overall evaluation rating of "Meets or Exceeds District Requirements" may file a transfer request with the Human Relations Department.
Please complete a TRANSFER REQUEST FORM and send directly to Jan Westerlund in Certificated Human Relations.*
Site/Department PositionRoosevelt/RBVHS (50/50) Psychologist
Madison/Rover (50/50) Psychologist
Empresa/VAVPA (80/20) Psychologist
Alamosa/Rover (80/20) Psychologist
CLOSE: 10/21/2022 @ 4:00 pm