
DJUSD Special Education Department
Newsletter | February 2024
Dear Parents, Guardians and Community Members,
As we celebrate Black History Month this February, our commitment to diversity and inclusion in education shines brightly. This month offers a valuable opportunity to reaffirm our dedication to fostering an inclusive learning environment for every student. Together we move beyond acknowledging diversity to actively cultivating an environment where every student feels valued, respected, and supported. Your partnership is integral to this mission, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.
Thank you,
Sarah Dhah
Director, Special Education
In Case You Missed It: Parent/Guardian Education Nights
Parent/Guardian Education Night virtual recordings are posted to the DJUSD Special Education Website under the resource tab titled "Parent/Guardian Special Education Webinar Recordings".
The recording of the November 30th webinar hosted by the DJUSD Speech Therapists is posted for your convenience here; you can view the slide deck here.
The recording of the October 26th webinar hosted by the DJUSD Occupational Therapists is posted for your convenience here; you can view the slide deck here.
Superintendent’s Advisory Committee for Special Education (SACSE) Meeting
Join via: Zoom Link
Passcode: Teams!
Note about Special Education Community Focus Group Sessions:
Dear Focus Group Attendees,
Our monthly focus group meetings will now be combined with our monthly SACSE meetings. Our next SACSE meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 7th from 4:30pm-6pm
Note about Parent/Guardian Education Nights:
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Future Parent/Guardian Education Nights for the 2023-2024 school year will be asynchronous and posted as prerecorded videos to be viewed at your convenience. The community will receive a virtual copy of the slides and recordings in these newsletters.
The Parent/Guardian Education Night scheduled for February 29th, focusing on "Strategies to Support Your Child’s Social Emotional Wellness at Home" presented by the ERMHS Therapists, will be available for viewing in the March newsletter.
Events happening in February:
Black History Month
Black History Month celebrates the achievements and contributions of African Americans and people of African descent worldwide.
Lunar New Year
February 10, 2024
Wishing everyone a happy year of the dragon.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
February 11, 2024
International Day of Women and Girls in Science celebrates the achievements and contributions of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields.
Owl artwork done by students of Willett Elementary School: Willett students are showing their school spirit by creating owl artwork inspired by their school mascot. Each unique owl is made of repurposed paper cupcake liners.
Here are some responses from Holmes and Emerson Junior High School students to the prompt "I feel loved when... ":
I feel loved when I am with my family.
I feel loved when my dog looks at me.
I feel loved when my brothers hug me.
I feel loved when I do something right.
I feel loved when people want to be around me.
I feel loved when I get a hug from my parents.
I feel loved when people take time to say meaningful stuff to me and spend time with me.
I feel loved when people are nice to me.
I feel loved when I play sports.
I feel loved when I see my friend.
I feel loved when people actually listen to me and don't treat me like I'm invisible.
I feel loved when I am with my dog.
I feel loved when I am with my mom and her pet cat monchis her cat loves me a lot and misses me I feel loved when I am with my dad.
I feel loved when I get attention.
I feel loved when I'm with my friends.
I feel loved when I'm around my mom.
I feel loved when my family and I hangout.
I feel loved when I get help with homework.
I feel loved when I get compliments on my work, on my looks and on my focus.
I feel loved when people give me hugs.
I feel loved when I play soccer.
I feel loved when people say I smell good.
I feel loved when I eat food.
I feel loved when people help, or care for me.
I feel loved when someone compliments me.
I feel loved when I play video games.
I feel loved when people call or text me first.
I feel loved when I am with my friends/family/music/anyone who is my friend.
Hog-Eye by Susan Meddaugh
Description: "Getting onto the wrong school bus was the pig's first mistake. Her second was choosing to take the path through the forest. The next thing she knows, a wolf has grabbed her and thrown her into a sack, all the while singing a song about soup. Lucky for the pig, she's smart and can read. She stalls for all the time she can, but pretty soon she realizes she'll have to use the dreaded Hog-Eye stare: Hog-eye! Hog-eye! Magic stare! Make him itchy everywhere. On his nose and in his hair. Even in his underwear!"
-Recommended by the DJUSD Speech-Language Pathologists
-It’s great for inferencing and discussion as you read along.
Roses are Dread, Violets are Boo! A Vampire Valentine Story By Michelle Poploff
Description: "Wanda Doomsday is hoping to get lots of valentines but the kids in her class think she and her spooky family are just plain weird. Can Uncle Vex and his tasty treats help save the day? Kid vampire Wanda Doomsday has only one friend, and as Valentine's Day approaches, she fears she'll get only one valentine. When Wanda's Uncle Vex, a famous pastry chef, comes to visit, Wanda cooks up a plan. Illustrations."
Hedgehugs by Steve Wilson and Lucy Tapper
-Recommended by the DJUSD Speech-Language Pathologists
Turkey's Valentine Surprise by Wendi J Silvano
Description: "Turkey loves nothing better than a good trick...except maybe a good disguise. So for Valentine's Day, he decides to secretly deliver a card to each of his friends. But when he dresses up as a cat to deliver the purr-fect valentine, he's quickly found out. It turns out that outsmarting his pals is harder than he thought. Luckily, Turkey has more silly surprises in store."
-Recommended by the DJUSD Speech-Language Pathologists
I Am Enough by Grace Byers
Description: "This gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another comes from Empire actor and activist Grace Byers and talented newcomer artist Keturah A. Bobo."
-#1 New York Times bestseller and Goodreads Choice Awards picture book winner
Brown Boy Brown Boy What Can You Be? by Ameshia Arthur
Description: "Join Matthew as he considers all the things he can accomplish and the careers he can do."
I Promise by LeBron James
Description: "Just a kid from Akron, Ohio, who is dedicated to uplifting youth everywhere, LeBron James knows the key to a better future is to excel in school, do your best, and keep your family close.
I Promise is a lively and inspiring picture book that reminds us that tomorrow’s success starts with the promises we make to ourselves and our community today.
Featuring James’s upbeat, rhyming text and vibrant illustrations perfectly crafted for a diverse audience by #1 New York Times bestselling and Geisel Honor winning artist Nina Mata, this book has the power to inspire all children and families to be their best."
-#1 New York Times bestseller and an Amazon Best Book of the Year
Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor
Description: "Feeling different, especially as a kid, can be tough. But in the same way that different types of plants and flowers make a garden more beautiful and enjoyable, different types of people make our world more vibrant and wonderful.
In Just Ask, United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor celebrates the different abilities kids (and people of all ages) have. Using her own experience as a child who was diagnosed with diabetes, Justice Sotomayor writes about children with all sorts of challenges--and looks at the special powers those kids have as well. As the kids work together to build a community garden, asking questions of each other along the way, this book encourages readers to do the same: When we come across someone who is different from us but we're not sure why, all we have to do is Just Ask."
-#1 New York Times bestseller and winner of the Schneider Family Book Award
Resources for Families:
In addition to our newly published Special Education Family Handbook, check out these great resources to support families of students with disabilities curated by your Superintendent’s Advisory Committee for Special Education (SACSE) and our Focus Group participants; Community Member (SACSE) Resource Sharing Page (also attached as a pdf below)
Here is an example of one of the many informative resources featured on the Community Member (SACSE) Resource Sharing Page:
Team Davis Juniors
Team Davis Juniors is a nonprofit organization with a mission to connect and support Davis families of preschool- and elementary-age children with disabilities. It’s run by three moms of children with special needs currently attending DJUSD elementary schools.
They offer monthly park meetups, movie nights, a gardening program, and various sports and arts events and classes throughout the year. The majority of their events are free, and they host inclusive fundraisers.
They are passionate about reaching all Davis families who would benefit from this organization.
Families can contact them by emailing teamdavisjuniors@gmail.com or accessing their Facebook Page. You can use the following hyperlink to access the Team Davis website.
Intentional Neuroplasticity Podcast by Dr. Lori Desautels, PhD.- Professor of Applied Educational Neuroscience
You can access the podcast episode here or by clicking the text below.
Parent/Guardian Special Education Feedback Survey
We want to hear from you! Please tell us how we are doing and help our department improve our services to your child by filling out our quick Parent/Guardian Survey .
CONTACT US
Special Education Department Website
Special Education Department Address:
Phone:
(530)757-5300 ext. 113