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

Congratulations to Tamatha Parker, our new lead psychologist! We are grateful to have her as a support to our sites.


Tamatha Parker

School Psychologist

Rancho Buena Vista High School

Office: 760-727-7284, ext: 72368

E-Mail: tamathaparker@vistausd.org

Congratulations to Dr. McLay

Brianna McLay, RBV school psychologist, presented at the CASP Convention this month and won the CASP award for Research! Way to go Dr. McLay!!

Congratulation to Doris Cruz

Doris Cruz, received recognition for her work as a community liaison for her hard work and dedication to our families. Assembly Member Horvath officially recognized the Family and Community Engagement Network (FACE) and the contribution of our District's FACE Community Liaisons. We are so appreciative to have Doris as part of our team!

Month of October: social emotional pd at nccse

The Self & Match System: Systematic Use of Self-Monitoring as a Behavioral Intervention: Intro to Self & Match in the Home Setting


October 28, 2022 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. PT Live Online


Click here to register

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.


Chelsie Isa, interim secretary, is no longer assisting at the District Office. Please direct any questions to our department secretary, Dafnee Ramirez dafneeramirez@vistausd.org


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​

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


SpEd Classified PD (November K-5, 6-8 min days) - VIA ZOOM

Links in Vector


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

Vector Sign Up Instructions


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


Register to attend in-person


Register to participate via zoom

Special Education Community Liaison

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

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.*

Transfer form (fillable)

Site/Department Position

Roosevelt/RBVHS (50/50) Psychologist

Madison/Rover (50/50) Psychologist

Empresa/VAVPA (80/20) Psychologist

Alamosa/Rover (80/20) Psychologist


Certificated Job Board Update


CLOSE: 10/21/2022 @ 4:00 pm

Special Education Department