SELPA News

The SELPA is thinking about all students, families, and staff impacted by the wildfires in the region. The SELPA and our member districts will continue to support our surrounding communities in an effort to overcome these unprecedented events. Please reach out to the SELPA directly if there are any identified supports that we can provide.

As we move into 2025, the SELPA is looking forward to supporting the member LEAs in the continued success of the 2024-2025 school year! This winter edition of the ESGV SELPA News highlights many of the upcoming events and professional learning opportunities. Additionally, the newsletter continues to highlight the amazing work occurring throughout the SELPA. The SELPA thrives to meet the needs of students, families, and staff within the member local educational agencies and encourages anyone to reach out to the SELPA. We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event in 2025 and encourage you to continue to share news for this newsletter.

Editions of the East San Gabriel Valley SELPA Newsletter will be released in the fall, winter, and summer of each school year. For questions, assistance, to be featured in a future newsletter, or to notify us of any events or activities throughout the SELPA, please contact us at 626-966-1679.

Battery Not Included: Assessing Complex Communication Needs of Students who Cannot Access Formalized Testing

In collaboration with Diagnostic Center of California, this training will emphasize integrating theory with practice, conceptualizing the impact of cognitive, perceptual, and motor deficits on communicating; and explore the selection and use of appropriate assessment tools designed to assess a student who cannot access traditional measures.

Mod/Severe Teacher Collaborative

Representatives from TeachTown will be attending this workshop to provide support to our Education Specialists from across the ESGV SELPA who are using the TeachTown curriculum. The workshop will provide training and a “Job Alike” session with TeachTown representatives. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and share about behavior strategies, EBPs, and instructional strategies.

Being a Para Pro of Inclusive Education

In collaboration with Diagnostic Center of California, this training will focus on best practices for supporting students with disabilities in inclusive settings and will include an overview of inclusive education, understanding the paraeducator role in the general education classroom, increasing student independence, supporting peer relationships, and how cognitive development supports learning, communication, and behavior.

2nd Annual Employment Expo

Supporting successful transitions into post-secondary life is a top priority for the SELPA, our member districts, and the ESGV SELPA Community Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC's 2nd Annual Employment Expo will be held on January 25th. Hosted by Walnut Valley USD, along with our collaborators, including SELPA member districts and the Workability I Leaders, this event will offer opportunities to connect with employers, agencies, and organizations that provide guidance on employment and volunteer pathways for neurodiverse students and students of all abilities. This Expo supports students in exploring possibilities and beginning to shape their goals for life during and after high school. Please share the flyer with interested students and families!

For up-to-date Community Advisory Committee events, activities, and highlights, please visit the ESGV SELPA CAC Linktr.ee page. To view the latest CAC newsletter, please visit the ESGV SELPA CAC Winter Newsletter page. Thank you!

Welcome to the new year 2025! In the last few months of 2024, the ESGV SELPA Executive Director and Financial Operations Analyst conducted two virtual workshops, Provider Program Overview in November 2024 and SELPA Funding Overview in December 2024. Participants included Business and Fiscal Services staff as well as Special Education Directors.

Provider Program is a term unique to ESGV SELPA where member LEAs operate programs for the benefit of the districts within the SELPA. Some of the programs are open to districts outside of the SELPA as needed and as the program allows. The Provider Program Overview included information on the various programs offered and detailed discussions of the billing and payment process. The ESGV SELPA & respective member districts run over 100 Provider Program classes, serving over 1,000 students with disabilities. Nine of our 16 member LEAs provide a level of Provider Program on behalf of the SELPA.

The Funding Overview workshop provided the participants with an in-depth look at the fiscal side of the SELPA. Topics included Special Education funding from Federal, State and Local sources, approved allocation methodologies, IDEA Private School Proportionate Share, SELPA reporting requirements as well as Maintenance of Effort requirements.

We hope these workshops provided valuable information to those who were able to join. The SELPA will work towards offering recordings of the workshops at the early part of the new calendar year.

For assistance or for any fiscal-related questions please contact the SELPA Financial Operations Analyst Michelle Dela Cruz at 626-966-1679. Thank you!

I want to take a moment to wish you all a happy New Year! Thank you for your hard work and dedication throughout the year. As we prepare for the upcoming year, please keep the following important deadlines in mind. Your attention to these deadlines helps ensure the integrity of our data and compliance with state reporting requirements.

1. DRDP Submission: All DRDP data must be entered into SEIS by Friday, January 10, 2025. Please ensure accuracy and completeness as this data is crucial for compliance and reporting.
2. CIM Progress Report: The CIM progress report is also due on Friday, January 10, 2025. Be sure to allocate sufficient time to review and finalize your progress report and please let Jennifer Wolfe, Scott, and I know if you need any assistance.
3. CALPADS Amendment Window: The CALPADS amendment window closes on Friday, January 24, 2025. This is the final opportunity to make any necessary corrections or updates to submitted data.

Wishing you a happy and prosperous new year and looking forward to a successful 2025!

For questions, technical support, or assistance with SEIS or CALPADS please contact Lucky Do at 626-966-1679 or ldo@esgvselpa.org.

The SELPA ASD Program has adopted the element "GOLD" as our symbol.

Not only does the AU represent Autism, but it also represents the fact that our students,

families, and staff are precious, rare, and highly valued.

Highlights from our Charter Oak USD Autism Program!

Collaboration and Creativity Shine at Glen Oak's Fall and Winter Events!

Our four new Glen Oak classrooms came together this season for exciting collaborative activities filled with creativity and fun! This fall, Mr. Potter’s 3rd-5th grade class hosted students in our younger classes for a special “Fall Art Day.” Together, they crafted turkey sensory bottles and gingerbread turkeys, fostering creativity and building connections across grades. Winter festivities continued with a delicious cooking activity led by Ms. Castillo. Students prepared pancakes for their classmates and got to decorate them with whipped cream and sprinkles. The highlight of the day? A surprise visit from Buddy the Elf, spreading holiday cheer to everyone! These events brought our students closer together, promoting teamwork, creativity, and community spirit. Well done, Glen Oak!

Charter Oak High School Students Explore Life Skills on a Community-Based Instruction Trip!

Our ASD-I students from Mrs. Zavosky’s class at Charter Oak High School recently embarked on an exciting Community-Based Instruction (CBI) outing to In-N-Out! This hands-on experience taught students how to navigate their community using local public transportation, including planning bus routes and managing their time effectively. The trip also included a valuable lesson in financial literacy, as students practiced budgeting and spending money appropriately during lunch. These real-world skills are essential for fostering independence and preparing for success in post-secondary life. Way to go, students—your hard work is paving the way for a bright future!

Building Friendships Through Creativity: Panther Pals at Badillo Elementary

Every month, Badillo Elementary’s Behavior Support Liaison Ms. Harms in collaboration with ASD-I Teachers Ms. Lee and Ms. Gottmeier host Panther Pals, where students in our ASD-I program and their Gen Ed friends come together to make crafts and socialize. These gatherings provide a welcoming space to foster friendships, build social skills, and celebrate creativity. Through activities like these, Panther Pals highlights the power of inclusion and teamwork in our school community. Kudos to Ms. Harms, Ms. Lee, Ms. Gottmeier and all the students for creating such a meaningful and engaging tradition! Special thanks Principal Monroe for supporting this collaboration!

Delta Gamma Kappa Explores Autism Education with Bonita USD Autism Team

In October, Delta Gamma Kappa (DGK), a group of retired educators who meet monthly at Hillcrest Retirement Center, reached out to learn more about how our Bonita USD Autism Team supports students with autism. Inspired by the work being done at Gladstone Elementary’s Demonstration Site, they were eager to explore topics like neurodiversity, student assessment, classroom supports, and eligibility.

Our CAPTAIN Cadre members, including Program Specialist KC Balino and School Psychologist Dr. Angela Davis, delivered an engaging presentation highlighting the innovative practices used to foster success for neurodiverse learners. The event provided a fantastic opportunity to connect with our local community, share insights, and celebrate our commitment to inclusive education. Thank you to DGK for your curiosity and dedication to lifelong learning, and to KC & Dr. Davis for shining a spotlight on the incredible work being done in our schools!

Building Bridges Through Collaborative Learning

In an innovative approach to collaborative education, students from Mr. Jerry Rivard's ASD class at Sellers Elementary in Glendora USD are breaking down barriers and building lasting connections through an exciting new partnership program with their peers.

The initiative, centered around ProSolve's QUEST boxes curriculum, focuses on developing essential life skills including social engagement, strategic planning, goal setting, and teamwork. Under the expert guidance of Education Specialist Mr. Rivard and Speech/Language Pathologist Sydney Preston, students are discovering the power of collaborative learning in a supportive, inclusive environment.

Special thanks to Principal Shawnda Trent, whose steadfast support has been instrumental in implementing the program. Working alongside general education teacher Ms. Lauren Donhoff, the educational team has created an environment where diverse learners can thrive together.

The results speak for themselves – students are not only enjoying their shared learning experiences but are also developing valuable skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom. This initiative stands as a shining example of Sellers Elementary's commitment to fostering an inclusive learning community where every student can succeed.

As the calendar year comes to a close, we are excited to share some of the highlights and memorable moments from our recent events. Our team has been busy ensuring smooth and safe transportation for various activities, and we are proud of the positive impact we've made in our community.

CAC Arts Festival "Shine Bright Like a Diamond"

This year, we had the incredible opportunity to provide transportation for over 1,400 students attending the festival. The theme "Shine Bright Like a Diamond" truly resonated as we witnessed the joy and excitement on the students' faces. Our staff had a fantastic time being part of this event, and it was heartwarming to see the smiles and enthusiasm of the young participants.

Annual Glendora Christmas Parade!

In collaboration with Durham School Services, the ESGV SELPA Transportation Department participated in the annual Glendora Christmas Parade. This festive event brought the community together, and our team was thrilled to be a part of the celebrations. The parade was a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer and showcase our commitment to serving the community.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our staff for their support and dedication. Your efforts make these events possible and help us create lasting memories for everyone involved. Wishing you all a happy New Year 2025!

For transportation related questions please contact 626-966-1670, option 2.

The first half of the school year has been productive, marked by introductory meetings, observations, consultations, and personalized professional development sessions conducted at our private schools. It has been a pleasure connecting with so many dedicated private school staff who have graciously welcomed us onto their campuses and into their classrooms.

We currently have two professional development opportunities planned for our private schools, Social Emotional Learning in February and Executive Function in May. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with all the exceptional private schools in our community.

The Walnut Valley Unified School District held several events to celebrate the holiday season within our community. Activities included the Teddy Bear Tea, Annual Holiday Boutique, and Winter Performance.

On December 7th our Walnut Valley Educational Foundation hosted the Teddy Bear Tea at the Diamond Bar Center. The attendees at the event ranged from district level staff, school site administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community members. At the event students from our HARTT Adult Transition Program (ATP) worked serving food and drinks. They were led by our Career Vocational Assistant, Patricia Velazquez, and job coaches to provide our students' on-site support. Our special education department sponsored a table at the event to support our student workers, but also to create a sense of community and belonging for our special education staff, students, and families.

Throughout the month of December, we held our Annual Holiday Boutique hosted by our HARTT ATP students. The students made the items being sold and then assisted customers who purchased the gifts. The boutique was open for two weeks and one of the days they set up at the district office to create a space for district staff to shop at the boutique. Being able to see the amount of support our district office staff provide for our ATP students is amazing. Many of our staff look forward to shopping at the boutique each year.

On December 18th, our TOTS preschool held a Winter Performance for their parents to attend. This is always a fun event to bring our new Walnut Valley parents together to experience the holiday festivities with one another. Our dedicated preschool staff, which consisted of our Education Specialists, school psychologist, speech pathologist, speech pathologist assistant, adaptive physical education teachers, occupational therapist, and instructional aides all played an important role in the event to ensure all students and families were included and supported. Our students were also visited by two special guests, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Our Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Business Services and Coordinator of Special Education took the time to create this memory for them. These experiences for our youngest students and families are so important to our district and what we stand for "Kids first... Every Student Every Day".

The ESGV SELPA is composed of 16 Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) with a combined average daily attendance of approximately 86,000 students. Member LEAs include Azusa USD, Baldwin Park USD, Bassett USD, Bonita USD, Charter Oak USD, Claremont USD, Covina-Valley USD, Glendora USD, Walnut Valley USD, West Covina USD, San Jose Charter Academy, California Virtual Academy @ LA, iQ Academy, Opportunities for Learning-Baldwin Park, Options for Youth-San Bernardino, and Options for Youth-Duarte.

Email: sturner@esgvselpa.org
Website: www.esgvselpa.org
Location: 1400 Ranger Drive, Covina, CA, USA
Phone: (626) 966-1679