Now that we are in the beginning of December, we are quickly approaching the end of 2024. In November, our classroom students were learning about families, turkeys, and all things Fall. In December, they are learning all about the winter holidays. I sincerely hope the Fall Break last week provided each of you with time to relax, spend time with family or friends, and have some fun!

Our Toy Story themed Preschool Family Literacy Night on November 20th was a fun and exciting event for all our families. It was so wonderful to see our Be Me students and families. Thank you to everyone who shopped at our Scholastic Book Fair! We hope you found some great books for your children and loved ones! We are especially grateful to the Be Me University family who gifted a book to each student at the University site. Your generosity is so appreciated! Students loved "shopping" the Book Fair and picking out their very own book to take home.

Our Preschool to TK/K Transition Information Night at the beginning of November was also well attended. Thank you to everyone who participated and brought thoughtful questions. If you were unable to join us and/or want to review the information again, the presentation is linked below.

In this season of gratitude, we want to take a moment to extend our heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you. Whether your child attends Be Me Preschool, or just comes to our site for related services (i.e. speech/language, OT, etc.), we are thankful for your commitment to your child's education. Together, we create an environment that fosters learning, growth, and success. As we move forward into the holiday season, we look forward to more opportunities to collaborate and celebrate together. Your ongoing support is the foundation of our success, and we are truly fortunate to have such dedicated and engaged parents/guardians.

Please take time to read through the entire newsletter as it provides a lot of important information, resources, and reminders for parents/guardians. We appreciate your continuous collaboration and communication as we work to support your child.

Wishing you and your family a warm and joyful December! Happy Holidays!

Shana Grudsky

Coordinator of Special Education

Be Me Preschool

• December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break, No School
• January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, No School
• February 14 - President's Day Holiday, No School
• February 17 - President's Day Holiday, No School
• March 17, - Professional Learning Day, No School
• April 18 - April 25 - Spring Break, No School

Thank you to all the staff from Be Me Preschool, Wonder Preschool, and CVUSD Preschool that helped make this event so much fun!

Thank you to a very generous anonymous donor for gifting Be Me Preschool - University classroom students with a new book from the Scholastic Book Fair. We are so appreciative of your kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity.

The students will enjoy these books for many years to come!

Our Be Me Preschool - University classroom students enjoyed their first interactive music class with Ms. Marie in November. Students sang, danced, and moved along to fall-themed songs led by Ms. Marie and her guitar. We look forward to having Ms. Marie back in January at both sites.

We are honored to have six Teacher Grant Recipients at Be Me Preschool!

Ms. Tresa, Ms. Julie, Ms. Rebecca, Ms. Naomi, Ms. Devyn, and Ms. Michelle submitted applications and were awarded grants to purchase materials that will directly support our students. Funds will be used to purchase items such as thematic materials, garden planter boxes, light table with manipulatives, and outdoor play materials.

CSF Teacher Grants (formerly Cash4Conejo Grants) help to support student success by funding innovative projects that enhance student learning. Every CVUSD teacher is eligible to apply for one grant per year. Click here to donate to support our students.

The Conejo Schools Foundation (CSF)

The Conejo Schools Foundation is an independent 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that supports Conejo Valley Unified School District programs and activities, its schools, teachers, and students. The Conejo Schools Foundation partners with the community to mobilize support and resources in order to protect, strengthen, and grow quality educational experiences for all CVUSD students. With your help we:

• Generate… donations that enable us to continue to enrich student experiences and award grants to the teachers and schools, support the All-District Music Festival, and help meet needs as they are identified by the District and community.
• Target… the highest-priority, district-wide needs that are not covered by state-allocated budgets or state and federal grants.
• Continue… to be a conduit for individuals and private foundations to make major gifts to the District.
• Build… an endowment fund that will ensure ongoing community support for unfunded and under-funded District needs in the future.

The Conejo Schools Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization #02-0705355.

https://www.conejoschools.org/

A School Choice Application must be submitted if you want to enroll your student in TK or Kindergarten at a school other than your neighborhood school (Find your neighborhood school via our ““School Locator” map). Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will be available to complete online beginning November 1, 2024 and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2025 for inclusion in the lottery. If you apply for School Choice and the application is approved, then the registration documents will be forwarded from your neighborhood school to the approved school.

All placements will be discussed at your child's transition IEP meeting in the Spring.

The registration process for TK and K begins on Monday, January 27, 2025 at all CVUSD elementary schools. Be Me Preschool Families DO NOT need to complete the pre-enrollment process online. (This includes students who attend our preschool program and students who receive services only.) Completed enrollment information may be submitted to your neighborhood school beginning Monday, January 27, 2025.

Transition to TK/K will be here before you know it. Plan ahead and start visiting the district's elementary schools in anticipation of School Choice applications and the 2025-26 school year.

During speech and language therapy, and throughout the school campus, we’re focusing on teaching new core vocabulary words. Core words are important because they can be used in any situation, with any topic, and any communication partner. Consider how often we use words like in, go, up, that, where, and mine. We are focusing on teaching these core words in many different contexts this year. That means your child needs a lot of practice at home! First, we will introduce new vocabulary words during speech and language therapy. We will teach the words explicitly with specific activities. After we introduce the new vocabulary, your child needs repeated exposure to the targeted word throughout his/her day. This means during all parts of the school day and at home too.

At school, we will use the core word to focus all providers on a target word. You can do the same word learned each week at home as well. Repeated practice and exposure to the word of the week will encourage your child to utilize the word for a variety of functions and in a variety of contexts. When considering the function of a word, consider HOW they use it. Communicative functions include: to greet, request, refuse, respond, question, choose, ask for repetition, command, direct, comment, gain attention, etc. Consider how using the word “in” could mean “Put me in the swing!”, “Did Dad go inside?” and also “Can we go in the store?” Similarly, think about the context and meaning of a word in multiple ways. The word ‘like’ could mean “I like the way that tastes.” and also “I want one just like this one.”

One of the most powerful ways you can encourage communication is through natural consequences. React to what your child says! If they say “up”, pick him/her up! If he/she says, “up” when you know they meant ‘”down”, pick them up and then provide a model for what they really meant.

Please use the activities as a starting point at home. Do not hesitate to contact you child's teacher or SLP for more specific instructions or support for ways to incorporate the word of the week at home.

We have seen an increase of kids being left unattended in the car, especially at the University Center. When dropping off students for school and/or services, DO NOT leave young children in the car unattended. Our staff will call 911 and report to proper authorities.

California Vehicle Code 15620

(a) A parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for a

child who is 6 years of age or younger may not leave that

child inside a motor vehicle without being subject to the

supervision of a person who is 12 years of age or older,

under either of the following circumstances:

(1) Where there are conditions that present a significant

risk to the child's health or safety.

(2) When the vehicle’s engine is running or the vehicle's

keys are in the ignition, or both.

Click here for more information about Kaitlyn's Law

Be Me Preschool - University

For students who only attend for related services (i.e. speech, OT, PT, etc.):

Per district policy, parents/guardians are not permitted to attend sessions with their child. They may be walked to the back office door, given a hug/kiss/high five, and the therapist will walk them to/from the therapy room. Parents/Guardians are welcome to wait in the front office, grab a coffee, and/or wait in their car in the parking lot. Thank you for your cooperation.

Please be mindful and respectful of office staff working in the University Office while you are in the waiting room:

*Monitor your children's safety by having them use walking feet at all times

*Take personal phone calls outside of the waiting room

*Clean up with your child after they use the materials (books, puzzles, coloring)

Be Me Preschool - Sycamore Canyon

For late arrivals (after 8:50 am) and early pick up (before 12:45 pm)

Please come to the gate on Del Prado. Call the office, (805-498-1573) ask for your teachers extension (Tresa x 207, Julie x 208, Rebecca x 209) to let the teacher know you are at the side gate. They will send someone to/from the car. The only exception is if you are picking up your child from the Health Office, due to illness.

We look forward to inviting our school volunteers back for the 2024 - 2025 school year. Please check with your child's teacher if you would like to volunteer.

Each school year every volunteer must resubmit their paperwork to be cleared prior to their first day volunteering on campus. Once you have all forms filled out, please print them and bring them to the front office. Should you have any questions please reach out to us.

District Volunteer Requirement Guide - This form outlines what each level of volunteering requires. All of our volunteers are considered Level 1.

The following forms are required:

Volunteer Code of Conduct

Volunteer Registration Authorization Form

Adult TB Letter & Risk Assessment Questionnaire

Special Education District Advisory Council

Our second SEDAC Meeting was Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Stay connected with "Five Key Takeaways" from SEDAC and all our District Advisory Councils/Committees.

The next SEDAC Meeting is Tuesday, January 7, 2025 in the University Center MPR (2801 Atlas Ave., Thousand Oaks).

Additional Resources:

Disability Celebration Toolkit

DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCILS/COMMITTEES

The Ventura County SELPA has a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) that facilitates communication between districts and families, has regular meetings to discuss issues with SELPA leadership, and provides parent trainings on topics such as the IEP process, behavior strategies, life after high school and social skills. The CAC promotes services and resources for special education students and their families. CAC News from October 2024 is below.

Preschool Coordinator: Shana Grudsky sgrudsky@conejousd.org

Secretary/Office Manager - Iliana Baires ibaires@conejousd.org

Health/Office Clerk: Kristine Yanagi kyanagi@conejousd.org

All questions/calls about absences, registration, enrollment, etc. should be directed to the main Be Me Preschool Office at University.

Be Me Preschool - University

2801 Atlas Ave.

Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

(805) 492-4051

Be Me Preschool - Sycamore Canyon

4601 Via Rio

Newbury Park, CA 91320

(805) 498-1573