Special Education Staff Newsletter
October 2021
Congratulations to our VUSD STARS!
Nicolas Garcia
School Psychologist at Beaumont Elementary
Anette Messina
Susie Setran
Terri Ahlquist
Instructional Assistant at
Vista Magnet Middle School
Marianne Merizalde
Preschool Ed Specialist at
California Avenue
Professional Development Opportunities
(CLASSIFIED) October 26, 2021, 4pm - 6pm @ Major General Murray MPR - Universal Design for Learning Strategies/Role of the Instructional Assistant Sign up here: Classified PD
(CERTIFICATED) October 28, 2021, 3:30 - 5pm @ Vista Innovation Center, MPR - General Education and Special Education Collaboration: The Role of the Ed Specialist, Instructional Assistant and General Education Teacher Sign up here: Certificated PD
(PARENT TRAINING) October 19, 2021, 8:30am - 10am @ Vista Innovation Center, MPR - Parents as Partners in the IEP Process
District Related Service Leads
Bill Foley williamfoley@vistausd.org
Lead Speech and Language Pathologists:
Monique Semple moniquesemple@vistausd.org
Nicole Wiessner nicolewiessner@vistausd.org
District Behavior Support Team
Purpose:
The purpose of the District Behavior Support Team (DBST) is to provide timely support to Vista Unified school sites with positive behavioral interventions for both general and special education students with social, emotional, and behavioral barriers to learning.
The DBST is designated to provide sites with program support, staff training, and student-specific intervention. The intent is to build the capacity of general education teachers, special education teachers, and family members to support the behavioral needs of all learners.
2 Behavior Specialists
Kathleen May - kathleenmay@vistausd.org
Kristen Perry - kristenperry@vistausd.org
3 Instructional Assistants (Intensive Behavior Interventionists)
Crystal Hernandez
Erika Manning
Dahlyn Nall
Please reach out to your site administrator if you would like to request consultation and support from the District Behavior Support Team.
National School Psychology Week
Canvas Resources
CANVAS TRAINING VIA ZOOM:
- tools and guidance to assist you in your support of VUSD students
- canvas basics - walking you through admin access and controls that you will be granted for your site(s)
- answers to some of your FAQs
The first session offered will be on Monday, October 11th from 3:30-4:30
The second session offered will be on Wednesday, October 13th from 3:30-4:30
Please take a few moments to fill out this Google Form and RSVP to the training session you plan to attend. The same information will be repeated at both sessions, but feel free to attend both if needed. Both sessions will be held via Zoom and a calendar invite will be shared with you based on your RSVP responses. You will be paid the certificated hourly rate for the sessions you attend.
ADDITIONAL CANVAS RESOURCES:
Canvas Refreshers Resource Directory
The Learning Collaborative (TLC) will be hosting monthly office hours for teachers on the first Thursday of every month from 2:30-4:30 to assist with Canvas and technology questions. Please bring your technology and Canvas questions to their drop-in office hours. Please see the flyer for the zoom link and more details!
Additional Resources
SpEd Guidelines Shared Drive (for Certificated Staff)