

Special Education Staff Newsletter
January 2024
Welcome Back Everyone!
I hope your winter break was enjoyable and restful. As we enter the new year, there are numerous professional development opportunities available for our staff. Please review the newsletter for upcoming event dates and important updates from Steffanie and Yvonne.
With gratitude,
Nereida Gutierrez
Director, Special Education
IEP Work Sessions
Back by popular demand - IEP Work Sessions. Mondays 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the ASC/District Office Boardroom. First session is: Monday, January 22, 2024
Please sign up in Vector:
How to add Vector PD to your Google Calendar
For any additional questions, please email or call Joe Garza josephgarza@vistausd.org
Phone: 760-726-2170 ext. 92900
Need a form?
IEP Statewide Assessment Accessibility
Please be sure to update all IEP statewide assessment accommodations by 3/29/2024
The California Assessment Accessibility Resource Graphics for the 2023–24 school year have been updated and are now available on the California Department of Education (CDE) Student Accessibility Resources web page. These graphics display the embedded and non-embedded universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations allowed within the CAASPP and the ELPAC systems. These one-page documents serve as quick reference guides for accessibility resources and are available for the following assessments:
Mathematics (PDF)
Science (PDF)
ELPAC Computer-based (PDF)
ELPAC Paper–Pencil (PDF)
Medi-Cal Mini Grant
Please complete and turn in the application by 1/26/2024
Upcoming Professional Development
Please sign up in Vector
- SIPPS - Jan 24, 2024 (4 pm - 5:30pm - Multilingual Center - Room F) and Feb 28, 2024 (TK-8 min day - 1:30pm - 3:30pm - Multilingual Center - Room F)
- Elementary Learning Center Model Collaboration - Feb 1, 2024 (3:30pm - 5pm - Multilingual Center Room F)
- CPI 2 Day - Sat. Feb 10 & 24, 2024 (8:30am - 2:30pm - Grapevine Elementary MPR)
ON DEMAND WEBINARS:
- Stepping Stones - Free Online Certificated PD until Jan 31, 2024 (Invitation Code: 2401-NNJN-M2CP)
Goalbook On Demand for all VUSD teachers with Goalbook Toolkit accounts:
(1/11/24) Live Web Training: Goalbook Toolkit Overview for VUSD (Passcode: 3TA#^zQx)
Deadline for Completion: 1/31/2024
Approximate Time Commitment: 60 minutes per training session
Goalbook 23/24 webinar schedule. All teachers are invited to these webinars and will receive a recording for each webinar you register for, even if you are unable to attend live. For webinars completed outside of contract hours, please complete the survey provided for each webinar to receive a certificate of completion, which must be uploaded and submitted with your Special Education - Timesheet Submission Form.
Notice of Supporting Inclusive Practices No Cost Virtual Events
The California Department of Education (CDE), Special Education Division is pleased to announce the availability of Supporting Inclusive Practices (SIP) No Cost Virtual Events. Please review google docs to view upcoming events.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pRVcBSYDRAqCEeHE5ZuZIKNHn9rCX_6Dxt43bGcKM9Y/edit?usp=sharing
Yvonne's Friday Tips
Previously on Friday Tips...
01/26/24 - 2024 ESY Dates and IEP Implementation Audit
01/19/24 - New Name for TRI's in SEIS and How to Read the Thursday Report
01/12/24 - DNQ's and Exit IEP's - the difference
12/15/23 - How to print IEP forms in Spanish
12/08/23 - Documenting Special Assessments
12/01/23 - Affirming with an incorrect meeting date or meeting type
11/17/23 - Caseload Cleanup!
11/09/23 - Progress Reports - a walkthrough
11/03/23 - Affirm before signatures
10/27/23 - It's all in the Transportation Details and Parent Involvement
10/20/23 - ESY (does my student qualify?)
10/06/23 - Delay Code Reasons
09/29/23 - Changing signature status from unsigned to signed and Mail Etiquette
09/22/23 - Documenting a Late IEP
09/15/23 - How to edit Services, Printing Greyed out Forms and Do not PREdate IEPs
09/08/23 - Plan Effective Start Date and Selecting the Correct Meeting Type
08/25/23 - Document Management and IEP checklist
08/21/23 - New Students
08/18/23 - SEIS Training, 60 Day Timeline and What to do if an Annual and TRI are due on Separate Dates
08/11/23 - Caseload Management and New Students from a Non SEIS District
Supervisor Support List 2023 - 2024
SpEd Guidelines Shared Drive
We have a shared google drive called "SpEd Guidelines" that stores all of our office hour notes and important documents. Please take some time to explore the drive if you haven't already.
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0AFviPtZ0AtWyUk9PVA
Please visit NCCSE website for more information and to register for upcoming workshops. Thank you
Out of District Professional Development
Please note: you must get approval from your site administrator to attend any out of district trainings using the following form:
Staff and Student Travel Form: (FYI: this document is housed in Classlink (formally known as Cloud Connect) under "Forms."
Certificated: If you require a sub, please contact your site office manager for a school business sub. (Due to the shortage of subs, there is no guarantee that a sub will be available. Also, no school business subs are approved on Mondays and Fridays)
If you’d like to attend a webinar, please submit a Webinar Approval Form
Special Education Community Liaison
Please don't hesitate to communicate with our Community Liaison. We are here to facilitate communication between VUSD and families. If you need assistance please reach out to Doris Cruz
Email: doriscruz@vistausd.org
Phone number: (760) 726-2170 ext. 92914
Previous Special Education Staff/Parent Newsletters
All of our Special Education Newsletters are available on the school district website. Please review the website and share the events with our VUSD families.
SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT STAFF
Special Education Department: specialeducationdept@vistausd.org
Nereida Gutierrez, Director, Special Education, specialeducationdept@vistausd.org
Steffanie Rupp, Coordinator, Special Education, steffanierupp@vistausd.org
Rachel Schmidt, Principal, California Avenue School, rachelschmidt@vistausd.org
Katherine Abraham, Principal, Vista Adult Transition Program, katherineabraham@vistausd.org
Jennifer Gruman, Special Education Supervisor, jennifergruman@vistausd.org (Non public schools. residential placements)
William Foley, Special Education Supervisor (K-12 specialized programs) williamfoley@vistausd.org
Kinga Nagorny, Special Education Supervisor (Elementary) kinganagorny@vistausd.org
Casey Lynn, Special Education Supervisor Secondary Mild/Moderate caseylynn@vistausd.org
Cindy Anderson, Special Education Supervisor Secondary Mild/Moderate cindyanderson@vistausd.org
Dafnee Ramirez, Administrative Secretary, Special Education dafneeramirez@vistausd.org
Joe Garza, Staff Secretary, josephgarza@vistausd.org
Debra Harris, Data Tech debraharris@vistausd.org (elementary, private school, non-public)
Yvonne Fortin, Data Tech yvonnefortin@vistausd.org (middle and high school)
Doris Cruz, Community Liaison, Special Education doriscruz@vistausd.org
Contact Information:
Special Education Department
Phone: 760- 726-2170 ext. 92900
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Website: https://www.vistausd.org/departments/educationalexcellence/specialeducation
Email: specialeducationdept@vistausd.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VUSDSpEd