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Hand-In-Hand Parents and Educators Working Together
A joint publication of the Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee (SECAC) and the Baltimore County Public Schools, Office of Special Education. Its purpose is to provide families and staff with information related to children with disabilities.
Volume 27, Issue 3 Spring 2020
Chairperson
Megan Stewart-Sicking
Secretary
Kim Parry
Past Chair
Elisa Hartman
Past Chair
P.J. Shafer
Resource Center Rep
Ellen Galvez
New Members Welcome!
On the Web:
www.bcps.org
To find SECAC on the web, look for
it under the Office of Special
Education.
Make Your Voice Heard! Your Opinion Matters!
Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services were mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services in February 2020.
Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage paid envelope by May 18, 2020. The survey can also be completed online. Please look for details in your survey packet. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in your local school system. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other children across the state of Maryland. To learn more please visit: https://www.mdparentsurvey.com.
SECAC schedule for the remainder of the school year
Date Topic
May 4, 2020 Literacy/ General Meeting/ Elections
Meetings are from 7-9:00 p.m.
Location: Greenwood Campus, Building E, Room 114
6901 Charles Street, Towson, MD 21204
If Baltimore County Public Schools are closed or close early for any reason, the SECAC meeting will be canceled.
SECAC is in the process of transitioning our email list to Constant Contact. Those already on our email list will be receiving an update soon. If you would like to be added to the SECAC email list please forward your request to [email protected]. For current updates and information please follow us on Facebook “Baltimore County SECAC.”
SECAC will vote on a new slate of officers at our May 4th
meeting. If you are a voting member (attended at least 4
meetings within the current or immediate past school year)
please come out and cast your vote!
SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER (SERC)
FREE PARENT WORKSHOPS We hope you will be able to join us for one or more events! Workshops are sponsored by the Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Special Education, Special Education Resource Center located in the White Oak School. See below for event details and registration.
2020 Spring Workshops
ADHD: Intervention Strategies for Home and School Specific strategies that have been proven to be successful for improving your child’s behavior and successful learning will be provided. Topics covered will include home-school communication, social interactions, executive functioning/ organizational skills, behavioral self-control, and homework/ classwork completion. Presented by Tana Hope, Ph.D. The Child and Family Therapy Clinic of the Department of Behavioral Psychology at Kennedy Krieger Institute
Wednesday April 1, 2020, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Pikesville Library Meeting Room
Wednesday April 15, 2020, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., White Marsh Library Meeting Room
Wednesday April 29, 2020, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., North Point Library Meeting Room
Wednesday May 13, 2020, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Arbutus Library Meeting Room
1 in 50 Who Do You Know?: Autism Spectrum Disorder
1 in 50 children in Maryland are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Undoubtedly, you are interacting with someone with Autism whether in your home, your neighborhood, your school or your workplace. Understanding ASD is one way to improve your interactions with someone on the spectrum. Our presentation will provide a practical and experiential opportunity for you to learn strategies and tips for success. Trish Kane, Deputy Director, Pathfinders for Autism & Neal Lichter, Program Director, Pathfinders for Autism
Thursday, April 23, 2020, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Pikesville Library Meeting Room
Tuesday, May 5, 2020, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., White Marsh Library Meeting Room
Thursday, May 21, 2020, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., North Point Library Meeting Room
Tuesday, May 26, 2020, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Catonsville Library Meeting Room
Registration is required and limited!
To register, please call or email the Special Education Resource Center
(410) 887-5443 [email protected]
*Let us know in advance of any accommodations you may require*
**FREE spoken language interpreting services available with advance request**
*** Workshops are for adults only, NO childcare available. ***
Daytime Workshops
All events will take place at White Oak School Main Training Lab. To register call SERC at (410) 887-5443, or email
The New IQ?: Understanding and Teaching Executive Function Skills in and Out of the Classroom
Teaching young minds to think clearly and efficiently is a universal goal of parents and teachers alike. Skills such as planning, goal setting, organizing, self-monitoring, impulse control and sustaining attention are critical to academic, vocational and relationship success at every age. By providing explicit instruction in executive function processes, parents and teachers can significantly elevate the thinking abilities in their children and students. Participants will learn what constitutes an executive function skill, the Top 7 Skills for School and Life Success as well as be introduced to a variety of exercises and techniques to directly teach the Top 7 Skills to children at every developmental level. Presented by Frank Kros, MSW, JD, Transformation Education Institute
Wednesday, April 22, 2020, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
SST and 504: What’s It All About?
Participants will learn about the role of the Student Support Team (SST) in problem-solving and addressing complex student needs. The various team functions will be discussed, including SST screening, developing and monitoring general education interventions and supports through
individualized SST Plans, considering Section 504 eligibility and developing and monitoring 504 Plans. In addition participants will learn the similarities and differences between 504 Plans and IEPs, and discuss tips for working collaboratively with school staff. Presented by Beth Lambert, SST/ 504 Facilitator, Baltimore County Public Schools
Monday, May 11, 2020, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
ASA Runfest
On Saturday, May 16th, Athletes Serving Athletes
(ASA) will host its 12th annual ASA RunFest in
Hunt Valley, MD. The proceeds from the ASA RunFest fuel ASA’s WingMan Program. There is something for everyone at the ASA RunFest - a 5k, a 1-mile walk, a Kids Fun Run, and a brand new 1-mile Competitive Sprint. Everyone is welcome to celebrate after the races at the Family Fun Zone which will have plenty of free kids activities and live music. “ASA RunFest is a vibrant event, where over 40 of our ASA Athletes come together to race, connect, and enjoy being a part of the community at large,” Sarah Slomkowski, Director of Marketing and Communications, says. “It’s just a lot of fun!” Athletes Serving Athletes (ASA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. ASA’s WingMan Program elevates the quality of life for individuals living with limited mobility by empowering them to train for and participate in mainstream running events. Each ASA Athlete is supported by his or her own unique team of volunteer, able-bodied runners we call WingMen. The WingMan Program is completely free to the Athletes and families we serve. For more information or to register, go to www.asa.run/runfest. See you there!
VSAF 2020 The Very Special Arts Festival (VSAF) was started by the Kennedy Family 30 years ago. For many years, in BCPS, the festival was exclusively for students with disabilities. In the early nineties it became more inclusive. Each year attendance has grown at Maryland’s only remaining VSAF. Last year over 3,000 people participated in the event at Oregon Ridge Park.
This year, the VSAF will be held on Tuesday, May
5, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., at Oregon
Ridge Park with the theme: Create! Connect!
Inspire! The day is designed to provide
opportunities for students with and without
disabilities, to demonstrate their talents and skills
in the community. This event promotes all
individuals as valued members of the community
with their unique gifts, talents, and abilities. Email
[email protected] for more information on how you
can get involved.
SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER (SERC) LENDING LIBRARY
DID YOU KNOW?
The Resource Center Lending Library now offers Follett eBooks through Destiny Discover! In order to borrow eBooks you will need a Special Education Resource Center library card along with a username and password, please contact the Resource Center if you don’t already have one.
To check out and read an eBook from your computer, you can log in to Destiny Discover by going to destiny.bcps.org (click on the Special Education Resource Center under Special Collections) Look for eBooks!
To check out eBooks on your iOS (Apple) devices you will need to sign into Destiny Discover through your browser (see instructions above). To read offline on iOS (Apple) devices use the Destiny Read App which can be found in the App Store.
Another option for accessing eBooks is the Destiny Discover App which is available for Android Devices with access to Google Play, as well as Nook HD and HD+, Kindle Fire HD and HDX. To download and install the app for the appropriate device, go to the Destiny Discover app Installation Options webpage:
https://www.follettlearning.com/books-materials/learn/digital-content/follett-ebooks/ebook-management/destiny-discover/download
The next step is to launch the mobile app. In the location drop-down you will select Maryland. In the School field, type Special Education Resource Center at White Oak, Timonium, MD.
For more information or any questions you may have please contact the Resource Center at 410-887-5443 or e-mail [email protected] .
CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR eBOOK TITLES BELOW
Community Bulletin Board
@SpecialEducationResourceCenterBCPS
@SERCBCPS
BCPS.org (under Office of Special Education)
Looking for Summer Camp opportunities??
Try these websites to search programs in MD
The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the number one walk in the country raising awareness and funds to support inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). When you walk with us, you can also expect to dance, laugh, smile and make a new friend.
May 2, 2020
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
https://www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/
maryland/
TALMAR serves people of all ages and abilities with
a focus on those with special needs and disabilities.
Our goal is to contribute to the mind, body and
spirit of the individual. TALMAR is a leading
provider of horticultural therapy programming in
Maryland. To visit, join the CSA or learn more
about programs and events visit:
http://talmar.org/about/.
For more information regarding competing or volunteering visit: https://www.somd.org/.
