Special Education Parent Newsletter

Dear Families,

As we near the end of the 2025–2026 school year, we are proud to reflect on the growth and progress within our Special Education Department. Earlier this year, we shared the District’s development of a comprehensive five-year strategic plan centered on key priorities such as student learning, wellness and safety, strong communication, staff development, and responsible use of resources.

These priorities have helped guide our work and focus our efforts throughout the year.

Within Special Education, we have taken meaningful steps to strengthen services and deepen collaboration across our school community. Our certificated staff engaged in professional learning focused on conducting high-quality, legally sound assessments and developing strong, student-centered IEPs. Site administrators also participated in targeted training to support effective IEP implementation and positive behavior practices. In addition, our paraeducators have continued to build their skills through ongoing weekly training sessions designed to support instruction and student success.

We have also prioritized communication and family partnership. This year, we launched our Special Education Parent Newsletter and established a Special Education Parent Advisory Group to create more opportunities for connection, feedback, and shared learning. These efforts have helped us build stronger relationships and ensure families feel informed and supported.

We are encouraged by the progress we’ve made together and remain dedicated to continuous growth. Thank you for your partnership, your feedback, and your ongoing support as we work to ensure every student has the opportunities and supports they need to thrive.

Warm regards,

Kelly Manke

Assistant Superintendent of Special Education

kmanke@lvjusd.org

(925)606-3284

Special Education Website

This year, we have partnered closely with our Special Education Workgroup, families, and staff, to strengthen and align our program descriptions across all grade levels—from preschool through adult transition. Through this collaborative process, we worked to ensure consistency, clarity, and a shared understanding of the services and supports available to students at each stage of their educational journey.

These updated program descriptions reflect our commitment to transparency and alignment across the continuum of services. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams will continue to make student-centered, individualized decisions based on each student’s unique strengths and needs. The program descriptions are intended to provide guidance and clarity, while preserving the flexibility needed to design appropriate supports for every learner.

These updated program descriptions reflect our commitment to transparency and alignment across the continuum of services. We look forward to sharing them on our District website, where they will serve as a helpful resource for families and staff alike.

We are excited to highlight several meaningful events that celebrate inclusion, connection, and opportunity for our students with diverse needs and backgrounds.

Through our participation in Special Olympics, students have the opportunity to engage in athletic experiences that promote teamwork, confidence, and personal achievement. These events create a supportive environment where every student can build friendships, develop new skills, and experience the pride of accomplishment.

We also recently hosted our Shooting Stars Luau, a special prom-style event designed for our high school and adult transition students. With a festive luau theme, the afternoon included food, music, activities, and a photo booth, creating a fun and memorable experience for all who attended. Students in the GHS Shooting Stars Club played an important role in bringing this event to life, volunteering their time and helping to plan and organize the celebration.

This Spring, volunteers facilitated an Ability Awareness Week at Jackson Avenue Elementary School, providing students with opportunities to build understanding, empathy, and appreciation for individual differences. Activities throughout the week focused on promoting inclusion, fostering positive peer interactions, and increasing awareness of diverse abilities across the school community.

These opportunities reflect our commitment to creating inclusive experiences where all students feel valued, connected, and celebrated. Thank you for your continued support in making these events possible.

Maggie Gleason, senior at Livermore High, is one of 12 students in the state of California to be accepted to the UC Davis Redwood SEED Scholars Program. SEED, which stands for Supported Education to Elevated Diversity, is the only California-based 4-year program for students with Intellectual Disabilities. SEED students live alongside other UC Davis students in on-campus housing and participate in campus clubs and organizations, while also taking part in internships both on and off campus with the goal of competitive, integrated employment. Maggie, her parents, and her teachers have worked hard to prepare for this rigorous application process. Congratulations Maggie!

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding individuals from our community who were recognized in April at the Making a Difference Awards hosted by the Tri-Valley SELPA. This special recognition honored staff members, students, and community partners who go above and beyond to support students with diverse learning needs.

This year’s honorees truly embody the spirit of dedication, compassion, and excellence. Whether through innovative instructional practices, meaningful connections with students and families, or unwavering advocacy, these individuals have made a lasting impact on the lives of those they serve. Their commitment reflects the very best of our Special Education programs and highlights the power of collaboration and care in helping every student succeed.

We are grateful to the Tri-Valley SELPA for continuing to recognize and celebrate the incredible work happening across our region. Please join us in congratulating all of this year’s award recipients for the difference they make each and every day.

Our Parent Advisory Group, with representatives from schools and programs across our district, has met several times this year, and we are deeply grateful for the thoughtful perspectives and insights our parents have shared. Their feedback has provided a deeper understanding of our programs and has been invaluable in guiding our ongoing work. We have shared these insights with our Special Education Staff Workgroup as we continue to strengthen and refine our continuum of programs and services that support all students, in alignment with our Strategic Plan.

Looking ahead, we are excited to build on this partnership by seeking additional parent input to develop a workshop series for the 2026–2027 school year. These workshops will be designed to provide meaningful learning opportunities and address topics that matter most to our families. In addition, we will continue to include a summary of Parent Advisory Group meeting highlights in each school site’s newsletter, helping to keep our broader community informed and connected. If you would like to provide input for workshop ideas, please complete this survey.

On May 20, 2026 we will host a Special Education Year in Review Zoom Webinar. This will give parents and guardians the opportunity to see all the great things we have been doing as well as our plans for 2026-2027. The meeting will begin at 5:30 and will be via Zoom Webinar. The information to sign into the webinar can be found below, we hope you can attend.

Zoom Webinar Link

Webinar ID: 922 4619 6425
Passcode: 101791

The SELPA Administrators of California are proud to launch a yearlong series of monthly resources to honor the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Since its passage in 1975, IDEA has transformed the educational landscape by ensuring that children with disabilities receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), grounded in the principles of equity, access, and inclusion.

Each month, we will highlight an important focus and disability, providing carefully curated resources and suggested activities, as well as links to California’s Statewide System of Support. We hope that these monthly resources will help Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs), Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), and community agencies engage with their communities, reflect on progress, and reaffirm their commitment to inclusive education.

The focus for May 2026 is “Dedicated to the Difference: Empowering Educators for Inclusive Classrooms”. A link to all resources can be found here.

We are always searching for high quality staff that can support all students. If you are interested in pursuing a job in education, please visit our Human Resources webpage for more information.