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Dear VUSD Families,

The Special Education Family Newsletter is a monthly newsletter, brought to you by the VUSD Special Education team, full of special education information and parent workshops. This month we have a great opportunity to nominate someone special, please help nominate a special staff member, parent, or community partner for the NCCSE Excellence in Special Education Awards. There are also two scholarship opportunities for high school seniors.

Sincerely,

Steffanie Rupp
Interim Director of Special Education

• VUSD Special Education PTA (SEPTA)
• Teen Hang Out at Madison Middle School, Saturday, February 22nd, from 12 pm -2 pm at the school gym
• SEPTA Playdate at California Avenue School, Saturday, March 1st, from 10 am-12 pm
• SEPTA Family Art Night, Wednesday, March 5th, from 5:30pm to 7pm

• Community Partners Events
• Nominations for the 2025 Excellence in Special Education Awards: Due by March 11th
• Exceptional Family Resource Center EFRC: Steering Toward Success Series, March 12th, from 7 pm - 8 pm (Online)
• Get Safe Online Parent Workshop, March 13th, from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm (Online)
• NCCSE Scholarships Deadline March 31st

• VUSD and SEPTA Present, Family Resource Night, on Wednesday, April 23rd from 5:30 pm-6:30 pm at Vista High School (T-Flex Room)

If you have any questions about the workshops or need assistance with registration, please contact our Special Education, Family & Community Liaison, Doris Cruz, at (760) 726-2170 extension 92914 or via email at doriscruz@vistausd.org. (Bilingual)

ESY DATES: June 9, 2025 - July 3, 2025 (no school 6/19 & 7/4). Locations: Cal Ave, VATC, Elementary, Middle and High School site are to be determined.

ESY APPLICATIONS:

ESY Applications for eligible students will be emailed home to families by the Special Education Department on March 13, 2025, with a return date of March 28, 2025.

Our office is open to assist you. Our operating hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m. You can find us at the District office located at 1234 Arcadia Avenue, Vista, CA 92084.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us by phone at (760) 726-2170 or by email at specialeducationdepartment@vistausd.org.

We are here to help!

​Join us to learn about the San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) and their Coordinated Career Pathways program, which supports individuals with developmental disabilities in achieving their career goals. Plus, explore upcoming events and resources from the Exceptional Family Resource Center (EFRC) for families of students with learning differences and disabilities.

VUSD now has a Special Education PTA (SEPTA)! Below, you'll find flyers with information on their next event. This PTA is open to all grade levels and schools and offers fun evening and weekend activities for families and students of all ages. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to connect and get involved!

SEPTA had a fantastic Taco Night! With great attendance, families connected and learned valuable information from the Exceptional Family Resource Center (EFRC). Don't miss out—mark your calendars for their next meet-up and join the fun!

NCCSE offers free training opportunities for parents and guardians. If you are interested in attending any of their upcoming workshops, please make sure to register online.

Link to view NCCSE upcoming workshops: https://www.nccse.org/families/workshops-for-families

If you have questions or need help with registration, please contact our Special Education Community Liaison, Doris Cruz at (760) 726-2170 extension 92914.

Thank someone special who has made a difference in the lives of children with special needs by making a nomination!

Nominees are those individuals who foster academic and social inclusion so that all students, including students with disabilities, can fully participate in the curriculum, activities, or communities with their general education peers.

You can nominate more than once for different categories. Nominations must be received by March 11, 2025. The awards will be presented at the NCCSE CAC Awards Ceremony, taking place on May 2025.

Submit your nominations from January 21, 2025, to March 11, 2025

The scholarship submission period for new applications for 2025-2026 school year awards ends on March 31, 2025.

1. The Dr. Lynnette Robinson Scholarship for Inclusive Education - For high school seniors who want to pursue a career in special education or a related field. A scholarship award of $1500 for up to 4 years.
2. The Bob Grundstrom Memorial Scholarship - For high school seniors who receive special education services. A one-time scholarship award of $1500.

If you were unable to attend last month's Mental Health Presentation at NCCSE, we encourage you to review the attached PDF. It contains valuable information, strategies, tools, and resources for families to support their child's mental health needs.

Key highlights of the new website:

• General Information: Overview, history of the FEC grant expansion, and funding information
• Spotlight on the FECs: Learn about the incredible work being done by each FEC across California
• Easy Access to Find an FEC: Discover how to connect with the FEC serving a specific region with an easy-to-use look up tool
• Family Support: General parent support and a getting started with highlighted references
• Questions/Comments: Opportunity to share comments and questions related to FECs

If you have additional questions regarding the FECs, please contact the CDE−FEC Team by email at FEC@cde.ca.gov.

Set sail with EFRC to improve your educational advocacy skills with all-new, interactive workshops.

Upcoming Workshop Date: Tuesday, March 12th from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm via Zoom.

• Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpcuqrrTojE9KzkdtQLkihevcoWe5HeVF0

Save the date for this live Pathways for Parents webinar on February 27, 2025!

Title: Developmental Milestones in an Autistic Child's Early Years: Monitoring and Screening Resources to Support Your Child's Development

Presenter: Abigail Rix, M.A., LABA, BCBA
Senior Program Director, May Center for ABA Services and May Center for Early Intervention, West Springfield, Mass.

Description: The first few years of a child’s life bring great joy as loved ones watch them grow. This pivotal time in a child’s development may also bring anxiety when caregivers have concerns about their child’s development or question if their development is on track compared to same-aged children. While these anxieties can lead to feelings of isolation for those unsure where to seek help and support, there are many helpful resources available to ensure all families have access to the support they need to help their children thrive in their early years of development.

Please register by clicking here

GET SAFE's Elopement Prevention and Response webinar is next Tuesday, 03/13. Don't miss out on the only webinar in March and register below now!

Registration Link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/get-safes-elopement-prevention-and-response-disabilities-and-dementia-tickets-342428802767?aff=oddtdtcreator

Can't make the class and don't want to wait for next month? Don't worry! Enroll in our self-paced course, offered in English or Spanish, and get the same great material on your watch! The best part? The self-paced classes are FREE, too!

If your child qualifies for transportation during the school year per their IEP, and you require transportation please make sure you have fill out a new transportation form for the 2024-25 school year and return the form to the special education department.

If you recently submitted a transportation form please allow 5-10 business days for the student to be routed.

Bus routes will be confirmed by the transportation department the day before the student is ready to be routed.

If you need to update your recently submitted transportation form, please contact the Special Education Department at (760) 726-2170, extension 92914 or email at specialeducationdept@vistausd.org

***Just a reminder that not all students qualify for transportation.***

Our Special Education Department has a bilingual Family and Community Liaison at the district office to answer any questions you may have about VUSD and community resources for your students. Feel free to contact Doris Cruz for assistance.

doriscruz@vistausd.org

(760) 726-2146 extension 92914

For additional information about Special Education services, please feel free to explore the links provided below.

Make sure to follow the Special Education Department on Twitter/X to stay up-to-date on VUSD and community events!

Certificated:

• Education Specialist: Early Childhood - California Avenue School

• Education Specialist - Mild/Moderate Teacher (2024/2025 school year)
• Education Specialist - Moderate/Severe Teacher $5,000 hiring bonus)
• Substitute School Psychologist - Special Education

• Substitute Speech Language Pathologist - Special Education

Classified:

• INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT-BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION
• SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSISTANT IV-SH/PH
• INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT II-LH/CH/RSP