ALL MDUSD Schools may be closed but we’re still HERE TO HELP!

As we are all overwhelmed trying to navigate and manage our new normal of working from home, school from home, online classroom and meetings I want you all to know that your resources of support are still here for you and ready to support you in any way possible.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any time.

Hilary Shen, MDUSD's Parent Liaison is available via phone at (925) 207-2200 or email shenh@mdusd.org to help you through these challenging and ever changing times. 

Resource Parents offer parent-to-parent support, click here for the page to direct you to the English and Spanish link to their contact information or contact the Parent Liaison for their email address.  Please be patient as responses may take longer to respond due to current circumstances. 

Check out the MDUSD Website for updated information at mdusd.org. 

Enjoy your spring break and a well deserved break from online at home school work and look for new articles daily starting April 13^th.  Have any ideas of ways to support families or information to share, please let us know.  Register to receive updates via email from the CAC Blog at mtdiablo.sped.blogspot.com.

Former Foster Youth from Contra Costa County In Need

You wouldn't think that people who work in schools would try to buy an RV for a homeless mother, but we are. It would be amazing if you click this link and donate $5. 

She is a former foster youth from Contra Costa County, CA.  She does not use drugs or alcohol and is a loving mother who would do anything to protect and care for her children.  Because her children are young, and have special needs (autism) it has been difficult for her to maintain steady employment.   

The Mt. Diablo HOPE School Social Workers have unturned every stone, but we can't find shelter or stable housing for a family her size (one baby boy, a girl (6) and two boys 7,9).  This is why we are attempting, on our own, to obtain a mobile home / RV for her.   

Funding will cover the cost of a used RV.  It's not ideal, but it will provide temporary shelter until she's back on her feet.   When life is predictable, children have less anxiety and do better in school.    

Even a $1 donation will help to raise awareness, and give her hope.   

Pay it forward.  
Please post this, email, or text your friends to spread the word.

(See the gofundme site to donate HERE)

Yours truly, 

Vivica Taylor, MSW
Derek Wang, LCSW 
James Wogan, LCSW
(Independently of our work with Mt. Diablo Unified HOPE) 

Special Board Meeting

When: Monday, November 4, 2013
Time: 5:00 pm
Where: School District Board Room - 
1936 Carlotta Drive, (map)

View Agenda HERE.

CAC Meeting Tonight (Tuesday, April 9)

Community Advisory Committee on Special Education Meeting
Tuesday, April 9
7 p.m.
Dent Center
All welcomed!

Update on Clustering

An update from the MDUSD CAC Chairperson, Lorrie Davis

The Mt. Diablo School District has decided to NOT implement school to school “clustering” transportation in the Fall 2013 for our students with special needs. The district is trying to alter the bus schedules next year to realize savings. Staff will continue to discuss transportation at IEP meetings and provide transportation as appropriate. I have asked if they are considering implementing “clustering” at all during the 2013-14 school year but I have not received a response. For now, we know it will not be implemented in the Fall 2013. We will keep you updated as we receive additional information.

Lorrie Davis
CAC Chairperson

FCMAT SPECIAL EDUCATION REPORT HAS BEEN RELEASED

Dr. Lawrence released the FCMAT Special Education Report to the board members at the Mt. Diablo School District Board of Education meeting last night.  Below is a link to the district website where the report has been posted for community input.    Please email me with your comments.  Thanks.
Lorrie Davis  

CAC Chairperson
See FCMAT SPECIAL EDUCATION REPORT HERE.

2013-14 Transitional and Kindergarten Pre-Registration starts February 5th

More details HERE.

Making Connections Family Resource Fair

Making Connections Family Resource Fair 
for families of children age birth through 5

Saturday, April 20, 2013
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
1924 Trinity Ave., Walnut Creek 94596

More information HERE.

MDUSD APPOINTS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND PUPIL SERVICES

At last night's MDUSD Board of Education meeting, the board unanimously voted to hire Dr. Kerri M. Mills as the Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Services and Special Education.

Dr. Mills is coming to the District from the Santa Barbara Unified School District holding the position of Assistant Superintendent of Special Education

The Executive Committee of the MDUSD Community Advisory Committee had an informal meeting with Dr. Mills on Sunday and are looking forward to working with her.

Read more about Dr. Mill's professional accomplishments at the Santa Barbara Unified School District website HERE.

Read more about Dr. Mill's work with the Santa Barbara USD special education community HERE.

Questions surrounding MDUSD’s special education transportation plans remain unanswered

By Theresa Harrington from On Assignment - ContraCostaTimes.com

After reviewing a June 20 letter to some special education parents from the Mt. Diablo school district — along with preliminary transportation findings and recommendations and a draft transportation report provided to the district by the Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) — I submitted several questions in July 31 emails to General Counsel Greg Rolen, Assistant Superintendent Mildred Browne and Special Education Administrator Carolyn Patton.

Read more HERE.

James Wogan, MDUSD HOPE, featured on CBS "HIgh Five"

See video HERE.

MDUSD 2011-12 Title 1 Parent Survey

The purpose of this survey is to get feedback from parents about parent involvement at your child’s school. This survey will measure parent involvement over time and help your child’s school plan for future improvements. The survey is anonymous and should only take about 15 minutes to complete. If you need help completing the survey, your school can provide information about drop-in hours when help is available, or you can ask a family member or friend to help you. Your participation in this survey is very important and will help improve how your child’s school engages with you and your family. More information and survey HERE.

MDUSD Community Advisory Committee for Special Education Meeting- Tuesday May 1st

CAC Meeting
Tuesday Night
May 1st at 7 p.m.
Dent Center
1936 Carlotta Dr., Concord
All welcomed! Bring a friend!

Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting 5/1/12

All are welcome to the CAC Meeting on Tuesday May 1 at 7:00 pm Mt Diablo Unified School District Board Room 1936 Carlotta Drive Concord, CA 94519 Come and learn about what is going in Mt. Diablo Unified School District and how it effects Special Educaiton. Snacks are provided! Click here to review the Agenda Also, review the Draft Minutes from last months meeting that was held on April 3, 2012, the minutes will be reviewed by the CAC Members at the May 1st Meeting.

CAC Meeting- Monday, November 7 at 7 p.m.

Reminder:
MDUSD Community Advisory Committee for Special Education Meeting
Monday, November 7
7 p.m.
Dent Center
All welcomed!

Special EDge ADR Article Mentions Mt. Diablo School District

Read the Special EDge article Alternative Dispute Resolution- Solving Problems and Resolving Conflict: Another Way HERE

Dr. Mildred Browne is quoted on pages 4 and 5.

No School For MDUSD STUDENTS

There will be no school for Mount Diablo Unified School District students on May 6, 27 and 31.

For more information, please read Gary Eberhart post on MDUSD - Mt. Diablo Unified School District Blog. To view posting click here.

CAC Meeting- Monday, April 4 at 7 p.m.

CAC Meeting
Monday, April 4
7 p.m.
Dent Center
1936 Carlotta Drive
Concord, California 94519

All welcomed! Bring a friend! Find out what is happening in special education in the Mount Diablo School District.

Interdistrict Transfer Forms

MDUSD Interdistrict Transfer Forms are now available on-line HERE

MDUSD School Closures

The Mt. Diablo Unified School District Board of Education has voted to close Glenbrook Middle School and Holbrook Elementary School. There will be a public meeting on February 15, 2011 to determine where these students will go. Time and location of this meeting to be determined.

View the meeting on Gary Eberhart's blog HERE.