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' Special Education Resource Center. Its purpose is to provide families and staff with information related to children with disabilities.
Fall 2020
MESSAGE FROM THE SECAC CO-CHAIRS
This year, more than ever, the voices of parents and guardians need to be heard as we support our students in new and changing circumstances. As parents, the Special Education Citizens' Advisory Committee provides us a platform to give BCPS feedback from the frontlines. If you feel called to advocacy, or you just want to become more informed about special education services at BCPS, please join us at the next SECAC meeting, or any meeting this year. You are always welcome.
Our areas of focus continue to be education and advocacy. Our voices will continue to be used in a positive, organized effort to help parents and professionals convey information and experiences to leadership, to support the Department of Special Education in their goals, and to advise the Board of Education and top-level decision makers in Baltimore County Public Schools.
Our meeting topics will remain fluid this year so that we can be responsive to the needs of BCPS families during these unprecedented times. Our meeting schedule is below and registration is not required. All first semester meetings are open to the public and can be accessed via Google Meets at https://meet.google.com/fak-czgt-dvt. Registration is not required. If you need to call in to the meeting or are having difficulty joining, email egalvez@bcps.org for assistance. For more information visit the SECAC website.
Please contact us with questions at bcpssecac@gmail.com. To receive regular updates add yourself to our email contact list by sending the request to serc@bcps.org.
Thank you,
Megan Stewart-Sicking & Julie Zielinski
NEWS FROM THE SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER
- Maintaining a lending library of books and resources on a wide range of special education topics such as preparing to transition to adulthood, building executive function and coping skills, special education law, types of disabilities, and managing challenging behaviors
- Seeking ways to encourage and strengthen communication between parents and school personnel
- Teaming with educators and community members to offer free parent trainings
- Making community presentations to both parent groups and school staff
- Representing special education issues and concerns of parents and students with special needs
- Directing parents to available community resources
- Establishing a family-to-family support network
- Offering support to parents who need someone to talk to on an individual basis in a confidential, supportive atmosphere
- Coordinating the PTA Special Education Liaison Project
We know this is a challenging time for parents and educators alike and we are here to support you. Please email serc@bcps.org or call (410) 887-5443 with questions, to brainstorm challenging situations or just to talk. For more resources check out the SERC website and follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
FREE PARENT TRAININGS FROM SERC
BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TRANSITION EXPO
DID YOU KNOW?
- The BCPS Office of Assistive Technology has a Schoology group with tips and tricks that can be accessed by students and parents alike. Just login to Schoology, click "GROUPS" on the top bar, click "My Groups" on the top right under your name, click "Join Group" on the right and enter the join code: WMZZX-P57DN.
- You can receive weekly emails from Schoology that will help you track your student's grades and missing assignments. Watch this short YouTube video to find out how to set up the notifications on your account.
- Learn at home with PBS Kids offers a vast array of activities, tips and crafts for children ages 2-8 that can easily be implemented at home and in your community.
- Disability Rights Maryland’s (DRM) Education Team is hosting a weekly live Q&A to help parents and families understand their children’s rights to special education services for the coming school year. Live sessions are on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Join in via the DRM Facebook page.
- Research shows that brain breaks helps kids re-energize, refocus and retain more information? Here are 50 quick and easy brain breaks from weareteachers.com. Try them out with your kids and see if you can find some favorites!
- Daily schedules and learning contracts can help keep kids motivated and on task especially during remote learning. Check out these samples from understood.org and tweak them to fit your family's needs.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
- Athletes Serving Athletes
- Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group
- Baltimore Chesapeake Chapter Autism Society of America
- Special Olympics Maryland
- Club 1111
- KEEN Greater DC-Baltimore
- Pathfinders for Autism
- The Parents' Place of Maryland
- The Image Center
- Spirit Club Fitness for All
- Maryland Coalition of Families
SERC LENDING LIBRARY
SHOUT OUT TO PARENTS
Thank you BCPS parents for all you do! You are amazing and we couldn't do this without you. Your tireless efforts are recognized and genuinely appreciated!