Family Newsletter
Special Education Department - February 2026
Your invited to participate in NCCSE Parent Academy!
(NCCSE) Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) acknowledges the vital role of involving parents and educators in supporting students' educational journeys. Helping parents understand the IEP, their role, and the importance of communication and teamwork is key to fostering engagement.
Topics covered within this 6 part series include:
Session 1: Referrals, Assessments, Eligibility, and Timelines
Session 2: Present Levels, Transition Planning, and Special Factors
Session 3: IEP Goals and Statewide Assessments
Session 4: Offer of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
Session 5: Parent Engagement and Participation
Session 6: Deep Dive Into Your Procedural Safeguards
Date: 2/5/26, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12/2026
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. PT
Click here to register: https://sdcoe.k12oms.org/884-266315
NBA Basketball Legends Come to Vista Unified to Promote Inclusive Sports
The SYNC Inclusive Basketball Experience is set at Madison Middle School on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in partnership with SYNC – Synergy Youth & Community, Inc. Former NBA players Olden Polynice, Jud Buechler, and Dominic McGuire will lead inclusive, high-energy sessions that bring students with special needs and their peers together to learn, play, and build confidence, teamwork, and leadership. Morning and afternoon sessions are available for grades 3–8 and 9–12 at Madison Middle School.
FREE Registration for Vista Unified Students
Use code VUSD-SYNC2026 at checkout.
You Are Invited!
Join us at the Inaugural San Diego North County Special Education Conference, happening Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from 9:00 AM–3:30 PM at California State University San Marcos. Co-designed by parents, educators, and community partners, this first-of-its-kind regional conference brings together families, educators, administrators, students, and advocates to empower collaboration and share inclusive practices that support students with special needs across North County and beyond.
2026-27 Magnet School Application Window is Officially Open
Click here to access the webpage with more information.
Application Deadlines:
Middle and High School: February 27, 2026, by 4:3.0pm
Elementary School: March 6, 2026, by 4:30pm
Do you know a parent, administrator, teacher, other student, etc., who is making a difference in the life of a child with special needs? Thank that special someone with recognition through a nomination! You can nominate more than once for different categories.
Nominations must be received by March 6, 2026
The Awards will be presented at the NCCSE Community Advisory Committee Awards Ceremony on May 19, 2026, and all nominees will be independently notified about their nomination.
Strengthening Partnerships Webinar Series
Date & Time Feb 26, 2026 11:00 AM
The California Department of Education, Special Education Division, in partnership with the Seeds of Partnership project, invite you to join this engaging webinar series. Whether you're a parent seeking to learn more about special education, related supports, and how to deepen your partnership with educators, or an educator looking for strategies to engage and support families, this webinar series offers a unique opportunity for collective learning. Each session will include a variety of topics, such as strategies for effective communication, ways to strengthen family-school relationships, insight into systems, programs, supports, best practices and approaches. Who should attend? Parents, educators, administrators, leaders, and parent center staff – all of whom support students with disabilities.
Webinar Registration: https://scoe.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l86-zoZCS_6bZcuV1VuuWw#/registration
This survey is voluntary and anonymous. Your name will not be connected to your responses. The information helps us improve our schools and better support students and families.
The survey takes about 10–15 minutes to complete. You may skip any question you do not want to answer.
All responses go directly to UC San Diego researchers and are not shared with school or district staff, so you can answer honestly.
Thank you for sharing your voice.
