Volume 39

July 2025

South County SELPA Insights is a monthly newsletter full of information and resources brought to you by the South County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) team. As the 2025-26 school year begins let's start strong and ready for your students. Keep reading to find resources and see how the SELPA can assist you and the families you work with.

Visit the SELPA website

Back to School Tips

As the school year approaches, it is important to be prepared so the transition into the 2025-26 school year can stay positive and less stressful. Organizing helpful tools ahead of time can help you and your students be less overwhelmed. Here are some ideas on how you can prepare for a smooth transition:

Review IEP Services

Read all IEPs completely and consider organizing them in a separate binder. Going through with a highlighter and taking notes can also be useful.
Share IEP at a Glance and student's accommodations/needs with other services providers and anyone providing support to students.

Connect with Parents

Reach out to parents with a call or email to get to know their child. You can also ask if they have any concerns or goals they would like to share with you. In the email share your contact information.

Prioritize Wellbeing

Reconnect or make new connections with staff and administrators that you will work with for the rest of the school year.
Take care of your mental health, the SDCOE website has many available resources listed.
Do not be afraid to ask for help.

SELPA Highlights

South County SELPA Special Education Resource Fair

We’re excited to welcome over 40 organizations offering valuable resources, information, and support for families. Join us in building a supportive and inclusive community where every student can succeed.

When: Aug. 7, 10 a.m. to noon

Where: South County Regional Education Center, 800 National City Blvd. National City, CA 91950

Don’t miss this opportunity to empower your journey!

Staff Highlight

Each year at our Annual Art Exhibition & District Awards Recognition, we celebrate exceptional staff members who go above and beyond. This is our opportunity to showcase their incredible work and share their stories—including what inspired them to work with students with disabilities.

This month we will share the great work our own Laura Cervantes does in supporting our students and families.

Laura Cervantes serves as our Special Education Parent Liaison and has been a dedicated member of the South County SELPA team for over 25 years. Throughout her time with us, she has supported families by attending IEP meetings, helping them better understand their child’s disability, and guiding them through the collaboration process with empathy and care. Laura often shares her personal journey as a parent, offering a unique and heartfelt perspective that resonates deeply with the families she supports. We are truly grateful for her unwavering commitment, compassion, and dedication to the students and families in our community.

SELPA staff and participant in front of resource table

Chula Vista Elementary School Community Expo

Mark your calendars and join us for an engaging day full of activities. Come and explore district and community resources, giveaways, and more. Event will be July 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the District office located at 84 E. J St, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

South Bay Union School District (SBUSD) Community Kick-Off Event

Join us in celebrating the start of the 2025-26 school year. SBUSD families will enjoy learning about resources and supports from school staff and community agency partners. Event will be at Mendoza Elementary School located at 2020 Coronado Ave, San Diego, CA 92154 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Miracle League — Fall Registration Now Open

There is still time to register for the fall season. The Fall 2025 season will run from Sept. 6 to Nov. 16. Please follow the links below to register. Deadline to register is July 31.

Bell Middle School

Engel Family Field

Competitive Division at Engel Family Field

Any questions or issues, please contact Coordinator Stefanie Waszut, stefaniew.mlsd@gmail.com. To watch some highlights please visit Miracle League San Diego.

Parent Individualized Education Program (IEP) Academy

Please share the following information with new and current families:

Now in its fourth year, we’re launching a revamped version of the Academy with updated resources. Summer Academy begins Aug. 5 and will be virtual. To register for summer or fall click on registration.

Let’s work together to build stronger partnerships for student success.

Student artwork from cut out paper of two hands making a heart reading Acceptance is Everything.

South County SELPA Annual Art Exhibition & District Awards Recognition

We’d love your input! As we begin planning for our upcoming South County SELPA Annual Art Exhibition & District Awards Recognition event, we’re looking for theme ideas. Each year, a theme is chosen to inspire the artwork featured in the show. Please take a moment to complete our survey and help us choose this year’s theme.

Survey

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Corner

Maintain your files, get organized, and be ready to share information with new staff, to ensure students services begin smoothly.

Review any pending items from the previous school year that need to be addressed.

Communication Tips

Approach conversations with the goal of partnership, not conflict.

Upcoming Parent Events — Please Share

July 26 — Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) Community Expo

Event will be held at the Chula Vista Elementary School District located at 84 East J Street, Chula Vista CA 91910 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

July 26 — South Bay Union School District (SBUSD) Community Kick-Off Event

Event will be at Mendoza Elementary School located at 2020 Coronado Ave, San Diego, CA 92154 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

July 27 — Naval Base San Diego — Trail Tykes

Event is open to military families with young children (2 to 5 year olds). Enjoy a fun walk at Mission Trails Regional Park, The Visitor Center - 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail from 10 a.m. to noon. Registration

Aug. 5 to Sept. 2 — Summer Parent IEP Academy

Meetings will be virtual on Tuesdays from 10 to 11 a.m.

Registration

Aug. 7 — South County SELPA Special Education Resource Fair

Resource fair will be at the South County Regional Education Center located at 800 National City Blvd. National City, CA 91950 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Aug. 12 — Coronado Unified School District Back to School Ice Cream Social

All TK-12 families are welcome to attend. Event will be at the Coronado Unified School District, located at 201 Sixth Street, Coronado, CA 92118 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Aug. 19 — Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting

Meeting will be at the South County Regional Education Center located at 800 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information visit the CAC website.

Educator Events

Audience: All educators are welcome - from early childhood through high school.

Prepare students for their future -Now

Join the High-Quality IEPs project and educators across California to explore the ASCEND framework - supporting student voice and determination though everyday instruction and the IEP process. To view more details and registration please visit, High-Quality IEP's events page.

Stay tuned for more events

If you have any questions or comments on the SELPA Insights newsletter, please contact our team at scselpaadr@sdcoe.net.

Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at South County SELPA.