Dolphin News
September 2019
Message from Mrs. Thomsen
Dear Del Cerro parents and guardians,
Del Cerro staff and students have enjoyed a successful start to the new school year! Teachers and staff welcomed our new and returning students and families for another amazing year of learning and friendship.
We are looking forward to continuing to “Ride the WAVE” this year. Last year our school was trained in Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) and this year we will continue to refine and enhance both our teaching and recognition of positive student behavior. To support these efforts, every Del Cerro class begins each day with a social-emotional learning (SEL) lesson or activity that focuses on one of the five core SEL competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. Connecting and strengthening relationships is a great way to begin each day!
WAVE: We are respectful, act responsibly, value integrity, and everyone is safe.
New year, new students!
Contributed by Mrs. Aimee Mella, TK-K Teacher:
The Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has moved to Del Cerro Elementary School this year to meet the needs of a growing number of children with moderate to severe ASD in Saddleback Valley Unified School District. ASD is characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. As a spectrum disorder, autism presents in varying degrees from mild to severe. The SAI- Autism program currently. has three classes with children in transitional kindergarten through third grade. Our students enjoy participating in a variety of activities with their general education peers, and look forward to being integrated with their general education peers for a variety of activities, including PE, field trips, lunch, and recess. These integration activities benefit both the special education and general education students equally by promoting socialization and acceptance. There are a variety of school activities that may be challenging for some of our children with ASD. Crowds, lines, social interactions, and unstructured activities may be difficult for them to navigate without support and accommodations. We encourage our students to participate in these activities, as they provide excellent teaching opportunities for both our special and general education children. Our parents are grateful for the willingness of the staff, students, and PTA to make accommodations that allow our students to participate with their peers. If you or your child have any questions about our program or ASD, please don’t hesitate to ask or check out these resources!
Important Dates:
Sept. 4: Wacky Wednesday after school
Sept. 4: Kindergarten Back to School Night
Sept. 11: Grades 1-6 Back to School Night (more info to come)
Sept. 17: Constitution Day
Sept. 17: PTA General Meeting 7:00pm
Sept. 18: Wacky Wednesday after school
Del Cerro Elementary
Email: thomsenk@svusd.org
Website: https://www.svusd.org/schools/elementary-a-l/del-cerro
Location: 24382 Regina St, Mission Viejo, CA 92691, USA
Phone: (949) 830-5430
Twitter: @DelCerroElem