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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. March is Arts Education Month and began with Read Across America Week. This month we are sharing how arts education is an important aspect of special education, and how to support it as an educator. Keep reading to find resources and ways we can assist you and the families you serve. | | |
2026 Art Exhibition Information
Our 18th annual Art Exhibition and District Recognition Awards event is approaching quickly! The theme for this year is, "Splash of Imagination," inspired by sea-life and curiosity about the underwater world. With this theme in mind, we encourage you to complete art projects with students.
We are accepting submissions of art now until April 3. Please review our instructions before submitting and coordinate with our team to collect projects. Art projects should be submitted as collections by class or can be completed and submitted by parents individually. All art pieces must be labeled on the back or bottom with the student's name, district, school, and class if submitted by a teacher.
Please review our instructions. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to
e-mail kendra.sales@sdcoe.net.
Date: April 22
Time: 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Location: South County Regional Education Center (SCREC) 800 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950
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Autism Social & Mental Health Conference Hosted by the Autism Society of San Diego
One of our parent liaison staff members, Laura Cervantes, attended the Autism Social & Mental Health Conference on February 20. This conference was designed to address the most pressing issues facing families, caregivers, and healthcare providers in our local community.
In attendance with a parent from the Spanish Autism Support Group she hosts, Laura connected with many organizations, peers, and families. We thank the Autism Society of San Diego for organizing and hosting this great event.
If you have autism related questions, consider using the Autism Society of San Diego Autism Ask Line. This call-in line is designed to help caregivers, autistic self-advocates, and autism professionals in San Diego County. Call 858-715-0678 ext. 1
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ED&D Team Presents at California Association of Asian and Pasifika Leaders in Education Conference (CAAPLE Con)
Our Equity, Disproportionality and Design team attended this year's CAAPLE Con and presented on "Navigating AI by Nurturing a Data Culture that Unites Educational Partners." Over the course of three days, they were able to connect with other leaders on advocacy, alliance, and advancement. Conferences like this one give our teams a chance to connect and share ideas with inspiring groups and leaders.
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Southwestern College Disability Support Services and South County SELPA Workshop
This month we partnered with Southwestern College (SWC) to bring parents a workshop highlighting disability support services available through SWC. Parents who had questions about their special needs child transitioning to higher education were able to attend and gain knowledge about the options available to them. We appreciate all of the parents who joined us for our in-person and virtual sessions.
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Southwestern College Disability Resource Fair
Earlier this month the South County SELPA team attended the Southwestern College (SWC) Disability Resource Fair. This resource fair was hosted to support students with disabilities and share school and local resources available to them. Our team was happy to connect with students and provide resources alongside SWC and other providers.
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Day of Unity at Greg Rogers
Last week we attended the Day of Unity at Greg Rogers Elementary. Guest speaker Jillian Parramore delivered a powerful and motivational message about inclusion and what it means to live with a disability. Students asked thoughtful questions and shared their own lived experiences, creating a meaningful and engaging discussion. This event marks the beginning of a series of activities at the school focused on promoting inclusion and ensuring that every student feels welcomed and valued.
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Braille Challenge Southern California Regionals
The Braille Challenge is an event organized by the Braille Institute and is the only academic competition of its kind in North America, the UK, and Australia. On February 28, students from Southern California competed in the regional competition in Los Angeles. The challenge includes various contests assessing their braille reading and writing skills such as reading comprehension and interpreting charts and graphs.
We had two students from South County SELPA place in this year's event! Grace Dabbieri, from Coronado High School, claimed 3rd place in the Varsity category (10th-12th grade). Competing since 2nd grade, this was her final Braille Challenge. Sienna Godoy from Emory Elementary School won 1st place in the Sophomore category (5th and 6th grade). Sienna will hopefully be invited to participate in the Finals in June and we wish her luck!
We would like to recognize and thank our South County staff Lauren Ingersoll, a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), and Angela VanAppelen, a transcriber from Sweetwater Union High School District, who both volunteered as scorers. We would also like to thank Annabelle Gonzalez, a TVI from East County SELPA, who volunteered as a proctor.
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Everybody Reads Day at Davila Day School and Friendship School
The first week of March is celebrated as Read Across America Week. This includes Read Across America Day, also known as Dr. Seuss Day, on March 2. This year, the event theme was Diverse and Inclusive Books, with the intention to remind readers that every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the stories they read.
Our very own Davila Day School and Friendship School both held wonderful events on March 2, titled Everybody Reads Day. Staff members were able to sign up to read to students, as pictured below. We thank everyone who took the time to volunteer and enjoy reading with students. Davila also held a fun book-themed parade where students and educators dressed up and displayed art referencing books they have read.
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Staff Highlight
Every month, we highlight an exceptional staff member who goes 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 would like to introduce an Occupational Therapist staff member in recognition of Arts Education Month.
Meet Majella Limas, an occupational therapist (OT) with the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE). Majella has been in special education for 23 years, bringing extensive experience and dedication to her role. As an OT she uses creativity, problem solving, and collaboration to help students participate in their daily lives while promoting independence. One of her favorite activities to do with students is cooking, which lets them practice following directions, develop fine motor and sensorimotor skills, and build socialization skills. In addition to her strong collaborative relationships with students, families, and staff, Majella excels at supporting students in developing the skills they need to access their education, building confidence in themselves and applying the skills they have learned beyond a school setting. Her commitment, expertise, and leadership make her an invaluable asset to the SDCOE community.
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Arts Education Month: How Arts Education is an Important Part of a Well-Rounded Education
This month's highlighted staff member, Majella Limas, shares how in her work as an occupational therapist she sees the numerous ways art education benefits students:
Arts education plays an important role in special education by providing students with meaningful opportunities to express themselves through creativity while engaging in activities to support their overall development.
From an occupational therapy perspective, participation in art activities helps students strengthen fine motor skills, visual-motor integration, sensory processing, attention, and problem-solving abilities while also promoting confidence and emotional regulation.
For our students with diverse and unique learning needs, art offers them an opportunity to communicate ideas and emotions that may be difficult to express verbally. Additionally, arts education encourages participation, independence, and social interaction as students engage in hands-on, creative activities that can be adapted to meet their individual needs and abilities.
Tips for Supporting Arts Education at Home and in School:
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Offer choices. Allow students to choose colors, materials, or themes to increase motivation and independence while encouraging communication.
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Break activities into manageable steps. Visual supports or step-by-step modeling can help students successfully complete art tasks.
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Encourage expression. Allow students to share what their artwork represents to support communication and self-advocacy.
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Miracle League San Diego
The spring season has begun! This season will continue until May 17 and there will be no games on Easter weekend. Registration for this season is closed, but volunteer buddies are always wanted. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit the Miracle League Website to learn more and sign up.
Be sure to follow Miracle League of San Diego on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with their latest postings.
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Free American Sign Language (ASL) Classes at Davila Day School
Davila Day School is offering a free ASL class on their campus every Wednesday from 3:45 to 5 p.m. Parents, siblings, and community members interested in learning to sign are welcome! Childcare is available during class meetings. Registration is not required for this event.
For more information visit the Davila Day School website.
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Location:
Davila Day School
415 Smith Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910
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What is the Community Advisory Committee (CAC)?
The CAC is a team of parents and other individuals with a personal or professional interest in securing appropriate services for students with special needs.
To join the CAC or access more information, see the CAC webpage.
Follow the @southcountyselpacac on Instagram for news and updates.
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Upcoming CAC Meetings
April 21
9:30 a.m. (in-person)
In-person meetings are located at the South County Regional Education Center at 800 National City Blvd., National City CA 91950
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Parent IEP Academy Spring Session
Do you know parents who have:
- General questions about the IEP process
- Asked for clarification on completing paperwork
- Expressed they want to feel better prepared to participate in their student's IEP meetings?
If you said yes to any of these questions, consider sharing our spring Parent IEP Academy with them.
This free virtual training will begin on April 2 and consists of four recurring sessions. Each session will be from 10 to 11 a.m. and will have live Spanish interpretation available. Presentation slides and resources are shared at the end of each meeting. Join us for a safe space to learn alongside other parents navigating the IEP process!
Register online
Have questions? Email: scselpaadr@sdcoe.net
| | Upcoming Parent Events — Please Share | | |
April 2 to 23 — Spring Parent IEP Academy
If you are interested in understanding the IEP process more, wish to participate more in your child's IEP, or have specific questions, consider joining our upcoming South County SELPA IEP Academy. There will be four free virtual sessions in English and Spanish, all meetings are from 10 to 11 a.m.
Register
April 19 — All-Inclusive Day of Play: Starry Cinema & Resource Fair by the Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Salvation Army Kroc Center Corner Zone at 6845 University Ave., San Diego, 92115.
All families can enjoy activity stations, crafts, games, giveaways, a calming movie area and opportunities to connect with local organizations and service providers. Children will also receive a free book at our new Spotlight on Reading station, and families can pick up a copy of the 2026 Flourishing Families Resource Guide, which features more than 1,375 local resources for families with disabilities. Registration is free and helps plan for activities and their supplies.
Register
April 22 — 18th Annual Art Exhibition and District Recognition Awards
The 2026 Art Exhibition will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the South County Regional Educational Center (SCREC) at 800 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950. The official theme for this year is, "Splash of Imagination!" Join us to view student-created art and recognize our member district staff.
April 28 — CVESD You, Me, and Your Student's IEP Series
3:30 to 5 p.m. at Sonia Sotomayor Elementary, 1790 Santa Christina Ave.
This is a free event for Chula Vista Elementary School District families. Attend to learn practical ways to support your student, learn about their IEP, ask questions, and hear about community resources available. Food and childcare are provided. We look forward to seeing you there!
May 7 — Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) Informational Parent Workshop
9 to 11 a.m. at the South County Regional Educational Center (SCREC) at 800 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950.
The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) will be presenting an informative workshop for parents about services that support individuals with disabilities in preparing for employment and independent living.
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May 6 — Patterns of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW) Training, Session 1 of 3 "XBASS 3.0"
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: South County Regional Education Center (SCREC) at 800 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950
Audience: School psychologists
Join the South County SELPA for a three-day series designed to build and strengthen skills in Patterns of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW). This no cost training will be led by Jenny Ponzuric, a licensed educational psychologist. Each session intentionally builds on the previous one, it is strongly encouraged to attend all three sessions. Day 1 will focus on a walkthrough of the XBASS 3.0 with hands-on practice with a case study student. It will also focus on building an assessment battery based on eight broad ability areas.
Registration
May 8 — Patterns of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW) Training, Session 2 of 3 "A Deeper Dive into PSW"
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: South County Regional Education Center (SCREC) at 800 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950
Audience: School psychologists
Join the South County SELPA for a three-day series designed to build and strengthen skills in Patterns of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW). This no cost training will be led by Jenny Ponzuric, a licensed educational psychologist. Each session intentionally builds on the previous one, it is strongly encouraged to attend all three sessions. Day 2 will focus on reviewing the updated Culture-Language Interpretive Matrix (C-LIM) part of the XBASS 3.0 and apply information to an English Learner. It will also focus on not overtesting, report writing templates and updated eligibility examples, and more.
Registration
Oct 14 — Patterns of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW) Training, Session 3 of 3 "PSW Check-In"
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: South County Regional Education Center (SCREC) at 800 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950
Audience: School psychologists
Join the South County SELPA for a three-day series designed to build and strengthen skills in Patterns of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW). This no cost training will be led by Jenny Ponzuric, a licensed educational psychologist. Each session intentionally builds on the previous one, it is strongly encouraged to attend all three sessions. Day 3 is intended as a refresher opportunity to further deepen and strengthen your PSW skills. It will focus on reviewing common questions and reviewing a case study.
Registration
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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.
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