MDUSD Transportation Information by Denise Lambert, CAC Vice Chair

MDUSD Transportation Information for Special Education Students (see full doc HERE)

Here are some special education transportation updates per my meeting with Jeff McDaniel  (Executive Director, Operations) Tom Bishop (Transportation Service Coordinator) and Wendy Aghily (Director of Special Education) on August 19, 2014:

Staff has been working all summer and has implemented changes during ESY to make transportation for the students run efficiently.

 If you have not heard from your student’s driver by Friday, August 22, please contact the transportation department at 925-682-9733 x3710.  Make sure that your transportation information was received by the department at least 2 weeks ago.

If your student’s information was not submitted to transportation, it will take 2 weeks for the information to be processed and for your student to receive transportation services.

There are enough drivers to start the school year.  There are 3 driver instructors who will teach classes every 6 weeks.  2 instructors will be available substitutes for drivers who are absent.   Training will be occurring to staff permanent substitute drivers who will perform other duties in the department when they are not driving.  These drivers will know all the routes and be able to jump in when a driver is absent.

All routes should remain the same, but the drivers may change because of the contract with the union and the drivers’ bidding process.  Any changes will go in effect on Monday, September 29, 2014.  Please prepare your students for that possible change.  Please contact your program specialist if you need information to help with that transition.

The transportation department is requesting the following:

Please have your student ready on time.  If your student is late, it affects the schedule of all the other students on that route.

Be aware that there is road construction in many areas – particularly in Pleasant Hill near College Park.  The routes are scheduled by GPS to be the most efficient.  They are scheduled to arrive at the schools 20 minutes before school starts to insure that the student gets there in time and a time buffer has been added.  They cannot account for delays caused by traffic or accidents.  If your student has not arrived between an hour and an hour and a half after school, please call transportation immediately.

There is only one drop off and one pick up location per student.

For non-emergency calls, please contact the transportation department between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

For all calls, please have your route number, if possible.  This should be on the outside of the bus.  The driver’s name is useful, too.

If you student is having a behavior problem on the bus, please contact your program specialist.

If there will be a change of address, please contact the transportation department as soon as possible.  It takes 2 weeks for changes to be made.

Get To Know Your CAC Sub-Committees - An Interview with Denise Lambert

What is the Name of your CAC Sub-Committee?

I am the chairperson of the CAC Legislative Committee

What is your committee all about? 

Our committee follows and tracks bills that are of interest to the SELPA.  We receive an updated list each month compiled by the SELPA.  We follow, observe the changes that happen with each bill and report to the CAC and Board of Education in regards to those changes.  We also write to our assembly members and senators regarding the CAC’s position on the bills that we wish to support or oppose.. 

We attend the Legislative Sharing Day in at the Capitol where our mission is to meet with the Contra Costa County legislators.  We collaborate with our San Ramon and West Contra Costa County counterparts to advocate for our special need students.

We attend events where our legislators speak and participate in as many forums as we can.

What is the goal of your committee?

Our goal is to educate the legislators and the community on how each related bill and law affects special education, our students with special needs and their families.

How does your committee work benefit special education students?

We provide a voice at the State (and eventually, the Federal) level for our special needs students. 

Are you looking for more participation?  How can I be involved?

We are always looking for more members!  If you are interested in being involved, please attend a CAC meeting.  I can also be reached at deniselambert@ymail.com.

Get To Know Your Blog Committee - Denise Lambert

I’m Denise Lambert and I've have been a member of the CAC Blog Committee for 3 years. I have 2 children- one 8th grader and one 4rd grader, in the district. The oldest child is receiving special education services.

Why did you join the blog committee?

I joined the blog committee because I was in the right place at the wrong time! I had gone to a couple of CAC meetings and wanted to attend the Legislative Committee meeting. I arrived early while the Blog Committee meeting was starting. It was in the beginning stages of development and seemed interesting to me.

The people that I met at the meeting were dynamic, passionate and knowledgeable. They wanted to make a difference in their children's' lives by doing something positive and proactive. They were supportive and understanding. I knew that I wanted to be a part of this group.

I think that the blog is a great way to communicate with the special needs community. Our children attend different schools throughout the district, so aside from the CAC meetings, it is difficult to know what is happening. The blog keeps us updated.

I have several friends on Facebook (some who I have yet to meet in person) who post links or videos that are relevant to special education. Sometimes, I’ll share those links on the blog or find my own links to news topics that may be of interest. I feel it is important to know what is happening, not only in our community, but in the rest of the world in regards to disability rights.

What other areas do you help out in the special education community?

I am an active member of the CAC and the chairperson for the CAC Legislation Committee. I am the Preschool Liaison for Gregory Gardens Elementary School/Robert Shearer Preschool PTA. I am also the Parent Educator Program (PEP) coordinator there. PEP is a program designed by the Center For Human Development to teach children about drug and alcohol resistance and bullying. It is especially important for bullying to be addressed as it pertains to our children with special needs.

What do you do for fun?

One of my favorite things is Friday family “Pizza and Movie” night. We make pizzas (one pizza is gluten-free) and we watch a movie together. I love having all my guys together at the end of the week. I really enjoy my family.

I like to do Jazzercise at the Dance Connection. I love the music and the dancing . (When the boys were little, it was the only time that I got to listen to music other than Toddler Favorites or Disney!) It is a very supportive group of people. Many of them have known my sons since they were babies and supported me through some tough times.

I also love to watch documentaries and foreign films (and the occasional romantic comedy!) I've watched some inspirational documentaries about people with special needs - particularly autism. They are a great reminder that beautiful spirits can be hidden inside neurodiverse bodies. Given the right tools and assistive technology, they can be revealed. Watch Autism is A World!

I love to read, but I don't get to do it often. I tend to get so involved in the books that I lose track of time - until the kids are looking for dinner. I guess I'd better not join a book club!

Meet the Blog Committee - Denise Lambert

I’m Denise Lambert and I've have been a member of the CAC Blog Committee for 2 years. I have 2 children- one 7th grader and one 3rd grader, in the district. The oldest child is receiving special education services.

Why did you join the blog committee?

I joined the blog committee because I was in the right place at the wrong time! I had gone to a couple of CAC meetings and wanted to attend the Legislative Committee meeting. I arrived early while the Blog Committee meeting was starting. It was in the beginning stages of development and seemed interesting to me.

The people that I met at the meeting were dynamic, passionate and knowledgeable. They wanted to make a difference in their children's' lives by doing something positive and proactive. They were supportive and understanding. I knew that I wanted to be a part of this group.

I think that the blog is a great way to communicate with the special needs community. Our children attend different schools throughout the district, so aside from the CAC meetings, it is difficult to know what is happening. The blog keeps us updated.

I have several friends on Facebook (some who I have yet to meet in person) who post links or videos that are relevent to special education. Sometimes, I’ll share those links on the blog or find my own links to news topics that may be of interest. I feel it is important to know what is happening, not only in our community, but in the rest of the world in regards to disability rights.

What other areas do you help out in the special education community?

I am an active member of the CAC, the CAC Legislative Committee and the Autism Task Force. I am also active in both of my sons’ schools, PTA and PTSA.

What do you do for fun?

One of my favorite things is Friday family “Pizza and Movie” night. We make pizzas (one pizza is gluten-free) and we watch a movie together. I love having all my guys together at the end of the week. I really enjoy my family.

I like going to Jazzercise at the Dance Connection. I love the music and the dancing . (When the boys were little, it was the only time that I got to listen to music other than Toddler Favorites or Disney!) It is a very supportive group of people. Many of them have known my sons since they were babies and supported me through some tough times.

I also love to travel. Last April, I went on my second trip to New Orleans. I love that city. The people are gracious even in the face of adversity. They are in my thoughts this week - the 5th anniversary of Katrina.