Special Education Connections

A newsletter targeted to connect our families with news, resources, and important information for families whose children are accessing an IEP within Del Mar Union School District.

As part of our commitment to keeping you informed about your child’s progress, your child’s case manager should have provided you with a copy of their trimester one progress notes before the November break.

These notes offer important updates on your child’s progress toward their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and objectives. We encourage you to review these notes thoroughly and connect with your child’s case manager if you have any questions or need further clarification. Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s growth and success.

If you did not receive a copy of your child's progress notes, please contact your child's case manager.

A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is made up of parents, educators, and community members who are involved in special education. The CAC of the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education (NCCSE) provides meetings and special events throughout the year and advises the superintendents of the 14 school districts about special education services. Each meeting includes information on a special education topic, resources for families, and opportunities to meet with other parents to exchange resources, information, and ideas.

CAC Meetings, Agenda and Handouts

Important CAC Calendar dates for the rest of the school year:

• CAC Meetings: Business Items and Presentation 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, January 15, 2025
  • Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Meeting Location:

The CAC meetings are at the North County Regional Education Center, 255 Pico Avenue, San Marcos, from 6 to 8 p.m. (subject to change).

Additional Events:

• CAC Community Recreational Resource Fair
  • Saturday, February 8, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-noon
• Excellence in Special Education Awards Ceremony
  • Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 6:30 p.m.

These are informative meetings/events and all parents and guardians are encouraged to attend.

We are thrilled to share that during our recent parent-teacher conference week, over 70 instructional staff members participated in high-quality professional learning designed to enhance the support we provide for all students.

Some of this exceptional training was led by your child’s dedicated case manager. Learning ranged from topics such as Phonemic Awareness, Executive Functioning, and Mindfulness. These sessions provided valuable tools and strategies to strengthen our instructional practices while also aligning our practices with your child’s unique needs.

Additionally, our Learning Lab, CCI and SELF staff attended Conflict Resolution Training which was led by Haley Kitchens, BCBA. This learning focused on repairing relationships after a conflict as a means of teaching important life skills, reducing classroom disruptions, and improving social relationships.

Finally, all instructional staff also had the incredible opportunity to attend a training led by Jessie Way, a neurodiverse educator whose session focused on Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices. This session was both inspiring and transformative, encouraging us to embrace a strengths-based approach to teaching and learning.

Building ONE student-centered team starts at the earliest level. The relationship between a family and a school district should be a shared responsibility that is taken seriously throughout a student’s educational career, and even all the more so when that child has special needs. No matter what your role, each ONE of us in that relationship shares ONE mission: to serve the best interests of the student. Therefore, step ONE is to build positive partnerships among all collaborative partners, resulting in less stress, fewer conflicts, better morale and more successful student outcomes!

These interactive and skill-based sessions, led by Marc Purchin, will offer proven tips and methods to do exactly that. Every participant will receive a copy of Marc Purchin’s new book Building Positive Parent and School Partnerships at no cost, which serves as a handy reference guide for staff and parents, as well as access to his podcasts. This new book explains more than 25 relevant communication skills and offers practical application for how to use them during student-focused meetings such as Individualized Education Program meetings (IEPs) and parent-teacher conferences. Every user-friendly chapter provides information and suggestions on how to practice each skill.

01/22/2025 | 01/29/2025 | 02/05/2025
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Registration Required

AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION (AAC)- IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES

FOR COMMUNICATION PARTNERS AT HOME AND SCHOOL

PARENTING THE LOVE AND LOGIC WAY

Module 1: Putting an End to Arguing, Back Talk and Begging

Module 2: Teaching Responsibility without Losing Their Love

Module 3: Setting Limits without Waging War

Module 4: Avoiding Power-Struggles

Module 5: Guiding Kids to Own and Solve Their Problems

Module 6: Teaching Kids to Complete Chores...without Reminders and without Pay

January 8, 15, 22, 29 and February 5, 12, 2025

4: 00 p.m. - 6: 00 p.m.

AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION (AAC)- IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNICATION PARTNERS AT HOME AND SCHOOL

DECEMBER 10, 2024

8:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.

DE-ESCALATING CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS: PARENT/CAREGIVER TRAINING FROM CRISIS

PREVENTION INSTITUTE

Designed for parents of children with aggressive, self-injurious behaviors, and those on the autism

spectrum, this program focuses on preventing crises rather than relying on physical interventions.

April 18, 2025

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m

Parent IEP Academy (Virtual)

Winter Dates: Jan. 15, 22, 29 and Feb 5, 12
Time: 11 a.m. to noon

As we conclude the first trimester, we want to thank you for partnering with your child's school-based team. Together, you all have created a strong foundation for your child to grow, learn, and thrive.

Your engagement, whether through conferences, communication, attendance at IEP makes all the difference. We are grateful for the trust you place in us and look forward to an exciting and successful second trimester!

District Website

Parent Handbook

Procedural Safeguards-English

Procedural Safeguards-Spanish

San Diego Regional Center

Exceptional Family Resource Center