Be Me Preschool Newsletter
December 2023
Coordinator's Message
As we approach the winter holidays, I wanted to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. The first half of the school year has been filled with growth, learning, and memorable moments. I wish you all a winter break filled with rest, rejuvenation, and quality time spent with family and friends. I hope you are able to take a break from the daily routines, recharge, and return with renewed energy in the new year.
December has been a busy month in the classrooms and for our program overall. Our Preschool Family Literacy Night and Scholastic Book Fair were a great success! Thank you to everyone who participated by attending the event and purchasing books. We enjoyed seeing our preschool families at this special event. We look forward to hosting more events in the future. Enjoy the pictures below from the great night and week-long book fair.
Our Preschool to TK/K Transition Information Night was also well attended. Thank you to everyone who participated and brought thoughtful questions. If you were unable to join us and/or want to review the information again, the presentation is linked below.
As we look forward to the second half of the school year, I am eager to see the students grow and develop even more. Our dedicated and hard working staff go above and beyond to create engaging and supportive learning environments. Our teachers and service providers invest countless hours in planning lessons, providing individualized support, and fostering a positive classroom culture.
Once again, I wish you and your family a wonderful winter break filled with warmth, love, laughter and joy. Thank you for being an integral part of the Be Me Preschool program.
Stay safe, enjoy the holiday break, and I look forward to seeing everyone back at school in the new year on Monday, January 8th.
Warm regards,
Shana Grudsky
Coordinator of Special Education
Be Me Preschool
- Weeks of December 25-January 5 - No School, Winter Break
- Monday, January 15 - No School, Holiday
- Wednesday, Jan 31 - School Choice Application Deadline
- Friday, February 16 - No School, Holiday
- Monday, February 19 - No School, Holiday
- Monday, March 18 - No School, Professional Development
- Friday, March 29 - No School, Holiday
- Monday, April 1 - Friday, April 5 - No School, Spring Break
THANK YOU!!
Thank you to a very generous anonymous donor for fulfilling our teachers' Book Wish Lists from the Scholastic Book Fair. We are so appreciative of your kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity.
The students will enjoy these books for many years to come!
Preschool Family Literacy Night and Book Fair Fun!
"Going on a Bear Hunt" with Ms. Karen
Dr. Roderick takes us on "A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee"
Dot markers fun with Ms. Aileen & Mr. Doug
Preschool to TK/K Transition Night
Congratulations - CSF 2023 Teacher Grant Recipients!
We are honored to have four Teacher Grant Recipients at Be Me Preschool!
Ms. Linda, Ms. Tresa, Ms. Raelynne, and Ms. Julie submitted applications and were awarded grants to purchase materials that will directly support our students. Funds will be used to purchase items such as sensory materials, a sensory/quiet cube, a mobile magnetic board, and outdoor communication boards.
CSF Teacher Grants (formerly Cash4Conejo Grants) help to support student success by funding innovative projects that enhance student learning. Every CVUSD teacher is eligible to apply for one grant per year. Click here to donate to support our students.
The Conejo Schools Foundation (CSF)
The Conejo Schools Foundation is an independent 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that supports Conejo Valley Unified School District programs and activities, its schools, teachers, and students. The Conejo Schools Foundation partners with the community to mobilize support and resources in order to protect, strengthen, and grow quality educational experiences for all CVUSD students. With your help we:
- Generate… donations that enable us to continue to enrich student experiences and award grants to the teachers and schools, support the All-District Music Festival, and help meet needs as they are identified by the District and community.
- Target… the highest-priority, district-wide needs that are not covered by state-allocated budgets or state and federal grants.
- Continue… to be a conduit for individuals and private foundations to make major gifts to the District.
- Build… an endowment fund that will ensure ongoing community support for unfunded and under-funded District needs in the future.
The Conejo Schools Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization #02-0705355.
Congratulations!
Ms. Tresa, Ms. Raelynne, Liz Armstrong- CSF, and Ms. Linda
Congratulations!
Ms. Julie
CVUSD Mental Health Resources and Wellness Services
New Website:
CVUSD Mental Health Resources and Wellness Services
The CVUSD recognizes the social-emotional and mental health needs of students and families. We are committed to serving our student community in these important areas. Our new Mental Health and Wellness Services web page provides you with information, resources and details on how to access mental health support. Together we can achieve mental wellness in our District and community:
School Choice & School Tours
A School Choice Application must be submitted if you want to enroll your student in TK or Kindergarten at a school other than your neighborhood school (Find your neighborhood school via our ““School Locator” map). Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year will be available to complete online beginning November 1, 2023 and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2024 for inclusion in the lottery. If you apply for School Choice and the application is approved, then the registration documents will be forwarded from your neighborhood school to the approved school.
All placements will be discussed at your child's transition IEP meeting in the Spring.
The registration process for TK and K begins on Monday, January 29, 2024 at all CVUSD elementary schools. Be Me Preschool Families DO NOT need to complete the pre-enrollment process online. Completed enrollment information may be submitted to your neighborhood school beginning Monday, January 29, 2024.
TK and Kindergarten Virtual Information Night
Monday, January 22nd
Families are invited to join CVUSD administrators and teachers to learn more about the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten programs in the CVUSD by attending an upcoming Information Session on Monday, January 22nd at 6pm.
Click HERE to register to attend this online event
Information will be shared about TK and Kindergarten curriculum, registration requirements, enrollment processes and child care opportunities available on our CVUSD campuses.
This is a FREE online event and a great opportunity for families who would like to learn more about enrolling their child in TK or Kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year.
*Please note: The information presented will be the same information that was shared at the recently held, November 2, 2023 - TK & Kindergarten Virtual Information Night.
Watch the Recording of our Webinar: TK & Kindergarten Information Night for the 2024-2025 School Year that was held on November 2, 2023:
VCOE Inclusion Conference
Join VCOE’s Early Childhood Programs and Ventura County SELPA for Investigating Inclusion: Exploring Best Practices to Support Young Learners on Saturday, February 10th, 2024!
This free conference will feature a keynote presentation from accomplished speakers, authors, educators, and advocates Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak.
Workshops for families, educators, and program leadership will be available on topics including:
* UDL and Play
* Developmental Screening
* Embedded Instruction
* LRE in preschool and beyond
* …and many more!
Click this flyer for more information
Great Minds Are Not All The Same
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 at 7:00 pm
This lecture presented by Temple Grandin is a remarkable opportunity to learn about different types of thinking, such as object visualizers who think in pictures; visual spatial mathematical thinkers who think in patterns; and verbal word thinking. Join us to learn about how different types of thinkers can use their skills in a complementary manner to achieve many things. Grandin will share how being a person who thinks in pictures has helped her through her work in different fields.
Temple Grandin was diagnosed with autism as a child and went on to pursue work in psychology and animal science. She has become a leading advocate for autistic communities and has also written books and provided consultation on the humane treatment of animals. In 2010, HBO released an Emmy Award-winning film on Grandin’s life.
No advanced registration is needed for this event. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. https://www.callutheran.edu/calendar/event/5971
SEDAC News
Special Education District Advisory Council
Next meeting is Tuesday, January 16, 2024.
For more information, please reach out to our SEDAC representatives:
Delmy Estrada - Be Me at University: natalie60@live.com
Brianna Hassett - Be Me at Sycamore: brianna.hassett@gmail.com
Additional Resources:
Ventura County SELPA - Community Advisory Committee
The Ventura County SELPA has a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) that facilitates communication between districts and families, has regular meetings to discuss issues with SELPA leadership, and provides parent trainings on topics such as the IEP process, behavior strategies, life after high school and social skills. The CAC promotes services and resources for special education students and their families. CAC News from November is below.
Next meeting is January 8, 2024.
Become a Paraeducator at Be Me Preschool!
School Volunteers
Parents are able to volunteer now! Please check with your child's teacher if you would like to volunteer. The following forms are required:
Be Me Preschool Reminders
Be Me Preschool - University
For students who only attend for speech (and/or OT) services:
Per district policy, parents/guardians are not permitted to attend sessions with their child. They may be walked to the back office door, given a hug/kiss/high five, and the therapist will walk them to/from the therapy room. Parents/Guardians are welcome to wait in the front office, grab a coffee, and/or wait in their car in the parking lot. Thank you for your cooperation.
Be Me Preschool - Sycamore Canyon
For late arrivals (after 8:50 am) and early pick up (before 12:45 pm)
Please come to the gate on Del Prado. Call the office, (805-498-1573) ask for your teachers extension (Tresa x 207, Julie x 208, Aileen x 209) to let the teacher know you are at the side gate. They will send someone to/from the car. The only exception is if you are picking up your child from the Health Office, due to illness.
Be Me Preschool Contact Information
Preschool Coordinator: Shana Grudsky sgrudsky@conejousd.org
Health/Office Clerk: Kristine Yanagi kyanagi@conejousd.org
All questions/calls about absences, registration, enrollment, etc. should be directed to the main Be Me Preschool Office at University.
Be Me Preschool - University
2801 Atlas Ave.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 492-4051
Be Me Preschool - Sycamore Canyon
4601 Via Rio
Newbury Park, CA 91320
(805) 498-1573