Transition Weekly Newsletter

Dear Transition Program Families, Students, and Staff,

Welcome to Week 6 of the school year! We are continuing our mission to promote independence, provide meaningful opportunities, and build a strong, supportive community for all of our students.

On campus, students are making the most of our functional life skills program. They are working hard on their individual IEP goals to prepare for adult life. At the same time, our student workers continue to engage in the work experience program at various community job sites, which serve as valuable extensions of their classrooms. A huge thank you to our Transition teachers and staff for their ongoing hard work and dedication.

Important Reminder

Tomorrow, September 21, and Friday, September 25, are Minimum Days. Dismissal will be at 1:10 PM.

Back to School Night

We are looking forward to hosting our Transition Program Back to School Night this Thursday, September 24. We deeply appreciate you taking the time out of your schedules to join us, as your presence and partnership are incredibly valuable to our community.

The event will take place on the Vista Hills Campus from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Schedule for the Evening:

• 5:00 PM: We will gather for a general overview of the program, staff introductions, and a session to collect your input.

• 5:30 PM: You will be directed to individual classrooms to meet with your student's teacher for further discussion.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff. We are grateful for your participation and hope to see you there!

Warmly,

Mr. Ben

Students working towards the Alternative Pathway to Diploma are actively engaging in their coursework through the Unique Learning System (ULS), our standards-aligned curriculum. We are incredibly proud of the focus and effort they are putting into their academic and functional goals.

A special thank you to our Assistive Technology Specialist, Tristan Simbulan, for his hard work in setting up student access and supporting our teachers with ULS.

Our students recently expressed their hopes for a safe, welcoming, and peaceful school through the power of art. Using colorful paintings and creative images, they shared what makes them feel secure, happy, and protected on campus. Their beautiful artwork serves as a strong reminder that every student deserves to learn and grow in an environment where they feel safe, valued, and supported.

To help you plan your daily routines, here is a quick overview of our program hours:

• Regular Schedule: 8:30 AM to 2:10 PM
  
• Minimum Day Schedule: 8:30 AM to 1:10 PM
  

John Ben Tran-Mortel (Coordinator)

Cassie Carter (Administrative Technician)

Love Dela Cruz (Vocational Ed. Transition Specialist)

Marcos Ayala Hernandez (Employment Specialist - Transition, De Anza HS, Vista, Adult Ed)

Maria Barajas (Employment Specialist - Richmond HS, Hercules HS, Hercules MS, Helms MS)

Cindy Giacalone (Employment Specialist - Pinole Valley HS, Greenwood, WC Mandarin, Pinole MS, NPS)

Kendra Molden (Employment Specialist - Kennedy HS, El Cerrito HS, Korematsu MS, DeJean MS)

Classroom Teachers

Emily Gonzales (T2)

Vannette Williams-Hill (T3)

Donna Marie Cinches (T4)

Emmanuel Estrella (T5)

Karen Jarrell (VH4)

Juliet Solis (113)

Job Site Teachers

Ljubica Radmanovic (T3)

Adam Packer (106)

Amy Jasper (106)

Jaworski Adefuin (112)

Maritess Fernando (112)

William Giacalone (113)

If you have any questions or concerns about pick-up, or if you need to confirm your student’s pick-up time or cancel service for the day, please contact:

• First Student: 510-237-6677 (Press 1)
• First Alt: 1-800-837-1165