Be Me Preschool Newsletter

October was a busy and exciting month!

Our students enjoyed exploring fall-themed activities with apples, pumpkins, jack-o’-lanterns, and more. We wrapped up the month with fun, hands-on Halloween activities at both sites and loved sharing the morning with our students and families.

We are thrilled to welcome Janet “Beth” Berger-Schwartz, our new Health Clerk, to the Be Me Preschool Office Team! Beth has jumped right in and is already making a wonderful difference in supporting our program. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome!

REMINDER, SCHOOL IS CLOSED:

Monday, November 3rd (Professional Learning Day)

Tuesday, November 11th (Veteran's Day Holiday)

For families with students transitioning to TK for the 2026-27 school year, please see information below regarding TK Transitions and the upcoming "TK Transition for Students with IEPs" Parent Information Night on November 6th at 5pm in the University MPR.

We are looking forward to our upcoming Preschool Family Literacy Night on November 18th. This is a community event for families attending Be Me Preschool (at both sites), Wonder Preschool, and CVUSD Preschool. Save the date and join us for this fun afternoon of "Wild About Reading" themed literacy activities. Also, that week, we'll be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair, November 17th-21st! Get your holiday shopping started with some great books for your children and loved ones!

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.

Shana Grudsky

Coordinator of Special Education

Be Me Preschool

November 6- Preschool to TK Transition Parent Information Night

5:00 - 6:00 pm at University Center MPR

November 17 -21 - Scholastic Book Fair at University MPR

Start your holiday shopping early! Shopping Hours listed below.

November 18 - Preschool Family Literacy Night

4:30 - 5:30pm - University Center MPR

All Be Me Preschool families are invited to our "Wild About Reading" Family Literacy Night.

Join us for fun activities, story time, and Book Fair shopping. Details below.

• Monday, November 3 - No School (Staff Professional Learning Day)
• Thursday, November 6 - Preschool to TK Transition Parent Information Night
• Tuesday, November 11 - Holiday, No School
• Week of November 17-21 - "Wild About Reading" Book Fair
• Tuesday, November 18 - Preschool Family Literacy Night
• Week of November 24 - 28 - Fall Break, No School
• December 22 - January 2 - Winter Break

Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 5pm at University MPR

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

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to your child's development when receiving their related services (i.e. speech/language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.) at Be Me Preschool University Campus.

We kindly ask that you review and adhere to the following Be Me University office rules, effective immediately:

1. Respect Confidentiality: Mini-conferences with your child’s Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) or other service providers (Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, etc.) can no longer be held in the front office due to confidentiality concerns and staff appointment schedules. If you'd like to discuss your child’s progress during their therapy sessions and/or strategies to implement at home, please contact your SLP, OT, and/or PT to schedule a time for a brief parent conference.

2. Be Punctual: Please ensure you arrive on time for your scheduled appointments and promptly pick up your child. We ask that you are already in the office waiting for your child at least 5 minutes before their session is due to finish. Our service providers often have back-to-back appointments and therefore can not be supervising students in the office when parents/guardians are late.

3. Maintain a Calm Environment: We ask that you supervise your child and/or siblings at all times in the office. Please help us maintain a peaceful environment by not allowing your child and/or siblings to run, jump, or have loud conversations in the office. Clean up with your child after they use the materials (books, puzzles, coloring). Please be respectful that office staff are working to support our program.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued partnership in fostering a positive and supportive learning experience for your child.

Be Me Preschool - University

For students who only attend for speech (and/or OT, PT, etc.) services:

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.

Be Me Preschool - Sycamore Canyon

For late arrivals (after 8:35 am) and early pick up (before 12:30 pm)

Please come to the gate on Del Prado. Call the office, (805-498-1573) ask for your teachers extension (Tresa x 207, Sushana x 208, Danielle 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 2025 - 2026 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

CVUSD is pleased to offer parents/guardians of students with disabilities the opportunity to participate in the Special Education Advisory Council (SEDAC). CVUSD’s SEDAC is searching for site representatives to join SEDAC and be a part of an active and highly engaged group of representatives who advise on matters related to educational programs, policies, procedures, and specific actions being taken for students receiving special education services to support high-quality programs and services for students with disabilities. If you are interested in representing Be Me Preschool @ Sycamore as a SEDAC representative, please contact Shana Grudsky at sgrudsky@conejousd.org or 805-492-4051. Should you have questions about SEDAC, you may visit the SEDAC webpage. The meeting days/times are listed here.

CVUSD se complace en ofrecer a los padres/tutores de estudiantes con discapacidades la oportunidad de participar en el Consejo Asesor de Educación Especial (SEDAC). SEDAC de CVUSD está buscando representantes de sitio para unirse a SEDAC y ser parte de un grupo activo y altamente comprometido de representantes que asesoran sobre asuntos relacionados con programas educativos, políticas, procedimientos y acciones específicas que se toman para estudiantes que reciben servicios de educación especial para apoyar -programas y servicios de calidad para estudiantes con discapacidades. Si está interesado en representar a Be Me Preschool en Sycamore como representante de SEDAC, comuníquese con Shana Grudsky en sgrudsky@conejousd.org o 805-492-4051. Si tiene preguntas sobre SEDAC, puede visitar la página web de SEDAC.

Our next SEDAC Meeting will be Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

Click here for monthly updates from CVUSD's Advisory Councils/Committees, including SEDAC.

Additional Resources:

Disability Celebration Toolkit

DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCILS/COMMITTEES

Coordinator, Shana Grudsky sgrudsky@conejousd.org

Senior Office Assistant, Martha Alvidrez malvidrez@conejousd.org

Health Clerk, Janet "Beth" Berger-Schwartz JBergerSchwartz@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