Special Education Family Newsletter
November 2021
Dear Families,
Happy November! Here's our latest monthly newsletter with updated information and several opportunities for learning and supporting your child. I encourage all of you to sign up for the training opportunities provided through the District and NCCSE. The links to sign up are in the newsletter. As always if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to the Special Education Department. We are here to support your child.
Nereida Gutierrez
Director, Special Education
Community Advisory Committee
The 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.
Whether you are a student who qualifies for special education services, a parent or family member of a student, or a district teacher or staff person, the CAC can help!
Parents who have attended CAC meetings report they have found opportunities to:
- Connect with other parents and school district teachers and administrators
- Learn about resources for their child and family
- Participate in shaping the activities of the committee, including conversations with school district staff and administrators, parent workshops, an awards ceremony
- Develop and expand their leadership
CAC Meetings are open to the public. The next meeting will be November 10, 2021.
CAC November Meeting Information
CAC Agendas and Upcoming Meeting Dates
VUSD CAC Priorities
Priority # 1 Academic and Social Inclusion
Goal : Promote Districtwide sharing of resources that foster academic and social inclusion
Priority # 2 Promote Communication/ Access to Information
Goal: Continue to increase communication and collaboration among Vista families, NCCSE CAC, Community partners, and staff with the purpose of building trusting partnerships and increasing meaningful participation that support students. Diminish barriers for families and students whose primary language is other than English to enable meaningful and informed participation in their child’s education and IEP process.
Upcoming Parent Trainings
National School Psychologist Week
November 8–12, 2021 is National School Psychology Week! Please join us as we highlight the important work school psychologists do to help students thrive. Currently Vista Unified has 29 school psychologists throughout the district who work hard for our students everyday. Let’s thank our amazing school psychologists for the great work they do!
Special Education Department Contact Information
Nereida Gutierrez, Director, Special Education, nereidagutierrez@vistausd.org
Steffanie Rupp, Coordinator, Special Education, steffanierupp@vistausd.org
Chris Altona, Principal, Vista Adult Transition, chrisaltona@vistausd.org
Rachel Schmidt, Principal, California Avenue School, rachelschmidt@vistausd.org
Katherine Abraham, Program Supervisor, katherineabraham@vistausd.org
Tracy Zachry, Program Supervisor, tracyzachry@vistausd.org
Jennifer Gruman, Program Supervisor, jennifergruman@vistausd.org
Kursten Carlson, Program Supervisor, kurstencarlson@vistausd.org
Jean Potter, Administrative Secretary, Special Education, jeanpotter@vistausd.org
Special Education Department: specialeducationdept@vistausd.org
Special Education Supervisor Site Support
