Be Me Preschool Newsletter

October is here, and we’re excited about all the fun and learning ahead this month! We have many activities planned, from exploring the fall season (apples, pumpkins, and the farm) to engaging in some Halloween fun at the end of the month!

October 11th is Picture Day for Be Me Preschool - University students. Make sure your child comes dressed for their school photos. We can’t wait to capture their big smiles!

We will have early dimissal for parent conferences at both Be Me Preschool sites October 14 - 18th.

We look forward to celebrating Halloween at both sites on Thursday, October 31st. Look out for more details from your teacher!

As a reminder for parents/guardians of students who receive speech/language and other related services only, the Be Me Office at University Center is busy with staff who are working hard to keep things running smoothly for our entire program. Please be respectful and mindful of our office rules while you and your children are in the waiting room:

• Children should use walking feet at all times (i.e. no running in the office or climbing on the furniture).
• Please take care of the materials (books, coloring, puzzles, etc.) provided in the waiting room and support your student with cleaning up after use.
• Please take personal phone calls outside.

We are excited to share that Ms. Jill was honored with CVUSD's September Teacher of the Month! We surprised her and the Be Me Staff at our 9/24/24 staff meeting with a visit from our Superintendent, Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, Conejo Schools Foundation, School Board members, District Administrators, and her family! See below for more details of this incredible celebration for our amazing Be Me teacher!

We are also excited to welcome Ms. Rebecca Garcia to our Be Me Sycamore team. She has jumped right into working with our students and staff.

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

We will have early dimissal for parent conferences at both Be Me Preschool sites for the entire week. Confirm your conference day/time with your classroom teacher.

• University Site Dismissal - 11:15 am
• Sycamore Canyon Site Dismissal - 11:45 am

• Week of October 14-18 - Minimum Days, Parent/Teacher Conferences
• October 21 - No School
• November 1 - Professional Learning Day, No School
• November 11 - Veteran's Day, No School
• November 18 - 22 - Be Me & Wonder Preschool Book Fair - University Center
• November 20, 4:30 - 5:30 pm - Family Literacy Night
• November 25 - 29 - Fall Break, No School
• December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break, No School

Wednesday, November 20 at 4:30 - 5:30pm.

Get your holiday shopping started at our Book Fair that night and all week long. More details to come.

We are so proud and excited for Ms. Jill to be honored as CVUSD's September Teacher of the Month. She is truly an exceptional educator and we are so fortunate to have her at Be Me Preschool. She is making a huge impact on our youngest learners on a daily basis.

We love you, Ms. Jill! Congratulations!

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.

Transition to TK/K will be here before you know it. We'll be sharing more information in the coming months. Plan ahead and start visiting the district's elementary schools in anticipation of School Choice applications and the 2025-26 school year.

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

Be Me Preschool - University

For students who only attend for speech (and/or OT) 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.

Please be mindful and respectful of office staff working in the University Office while you are in the waiting room:

*Monitor your children's safety by having them use walking feet at all times

*Take personal phone calls outside of the waiting room

*Clean up with your child after they use the materials (books, puzzles, coloring)

Be Me Preschool - Sycamore Canyon

For late arrivals (after 8:50 am) and early pick up (before 12:45 pm)

Please come to the gate on Del Prado. Call the office, (805-498-1573) ask for your teachers extension (Tresa x 207, Julie x 208, Rebecca 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 2024 - 2025 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

Our first SEDAC Meeting was Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Stay connected with "Five Key Takeaways" from SEDAC and all our District Advisory Councils/Committees.

Additional Resources:

Disability Celebration Toolkit

DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCILS/COMMITTEES

The Ventura County SELPA has a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) that facilitates communication between districts and families, has regular meetings to discuss issues with SELPA leadership, and provides parent trainings on topics such as the IEP process, behavior strategies, life after high school and social skills. The CAC promotes services and resources for special education students and their families. CAC News from August/September 2024 is below.

Preschool Coordinator: Shana Grudsky sgrudsky@conejousd.org

Secretary/Office Manager - Iliana Baires ibaires@conejousd.org

Health/Office Clerk: Kristine Yanagi kyanagi@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