Please email securep@cespta.net if you have any questions.
SECAC
Under law, Howard County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) advises the school system on the needs of students with disabilities. SECAC collaborates with other community disability advocacy groups to improve special education and the lives of our students in Howard County, MD.
Thanks to everyone that came out to hear Dr. Gilbert speak last week. There was a great, collaborative discussion that we are sure will mean great things in the future. Dr Savage and other members of the Department of Special Education gave updates on Inclusive Schools Week (Dec 2-6), SECAC BOE Liaison Vicky Cutroneo spoke about the start of budget season and parent Shannon Cannedy presented what she learned at the Wright’s Law Seminar that SECAC sponsored her to attend. The minutes from the meeting are available here: https://howardcountysecac.com/nov-13th-meeting-notes
The December meeting will be an end of the year social event. It will be on Dec 11th in the Wilde Lake Middle School cafeteria from 7-9pm. The SECAC Board will provide water and paper products. We are asking members to bring their favorite sweet or savory snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages, to share with the group. Bring enough to serve about 15-20 people. Signups for food can be found here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040C49A5AC29A6FC1-secac
In addition to socialize and get to know other community members, we will be discussing forming committees and ways to get more involved with SECAC.
It’s a been a great school year for SECAC so far and we hope to continue that into 2020! See you all in December!
Thank you,
Beth Stolte
SECAC Secretary 2019-2020
For more information contact SECACChair@gmail.com or visit www.howardcountysecac.com.
Other meetings this school year will be:
- January 8
- February 12
- March 11
- April 15
- May 13
- June 10
All are held at Wilde Lake Middle School from 7-9:00pm.
Previous meeting notes:
November 13
October 7
September 11
Questions about Special Education in Howard County?
HCAS offers advice, guidance, and support through consultations, workshops, and seminars. Topics include IEPs, school services, modifications, accommodations, and regulations under state and federal law. If necessary, a free phone consultation with an attorney specializing in special education law can be arranged.
Call: 410-290-3466
E-mail:AskusSpEdquestions@howard-autism.org
Visit: Special Education News Center on our website
AMC Sensory Friendly Films
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Tuesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. Please check your local theatre listings for specific showtimes, and don’t forget to share your family fun with #AMCSensoryFriendly.
https://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films
SENSORY FRIENDLY STORIES & FUN
Children of all abilities and their caregivers are welcome to this supportive, judgment-free class that includes stories, music, and movement in a small group. Ages 3-5 with adult; 30 min. If you would like a reminder for this class, please provide an email address. Registration is required.
Check with your nearest Howard County Library branch to find out when and where.
Support Groups
Howard County Autism Society, 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD
Asperger’s Family Support Group
December 12, 2019 – 7:30 – 9:00pm
January 9, 2020 – 7:30 – 9:00pm
February 13, 2020 – 7:30 – 9:00pm
March 12, 2020 – 7:30-9:00pm
General Support Meeting
December 17, 2019 – 7:00-8:30pm
January 14, 2020 – 7:00-8:30pm
February 18, 2020 – 7:00-8:30pm
March 17, 2020 – 7:00-8:30pm
2019 Inclusion Jingle Bash
Friday, December 13, 2019 at 6 PM – 10 PM
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
2892 MD-97, Glenwood, Maryland 21738
Camp Inclusion presents the 2019 Inclusion Jingle Bash! Our organization is putting on a fun event for children, teens and young adults on December 13th, 2019. We would like to provide our parents of students with special needs the opportunity to have a date night from 6-10 PM while their child/young adult joins us for a fun night of holiday activities, hot cocoa, and dancing! This event is open to all individuals interested in our inclusion program.
The cost will be $40 per individual to cover care expenses for the 6-10 time frame. Sign up link coming soon!
Check our Facebook event for updates: https://www.facebook.com/events/676782589463731/
ROBINSON NATURE CENTER SENSORY FRIENDLY SUNDAY
Sunday, December 15, 2019 11:30am-12:30pm
Monthly on the second Sunday, until Dec 17, 2019
Robinson Nature Center
6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044, USA
This monthly event is designed for families with kids, teens, and adults with sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities. The center opens early, allowing visitors to enjoy a calm environment. Explore the exhibits, Discovery Room, nature trails and/or outdoor NaturePlace play area. Sensory alert maps, sensory backpacks and quiet areas are available. While walk-ins are welcome, we encourage you to reserve your space ahead of time by visiting Howard County Recreation and Parks.
To find out more about what you can expect, see http://www.howardcountymd.gov/RNC/sensoryfriendlyvisit
Sunday, September 8, 2019 11:30am-12:30pmSunday, October 13, 2019 11:30am-12:30pmSunday, November 10, 2019 11:30am-12:30pm- Sunday, December 15, 2019 11:30am-12:30pm
PLAYGROUP!
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 9:30-11:00 amNovember 6 & 20 2019 9:30-11:00 am
December 4 & 18, 2019 9:30-11:00 am
Roger Carter Center
3000 Milltowne Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
The Family Support and Resource Center is pleased to offer a playgroup for parents and their children that receive Early Intervention Services (ages birth through preschool). Come join us for an informal morning of play and actual adult conversation! Playgroup will meet the first and third Wednesday of every month through June 3, 2020 and is open to any family who has a child with an IEP or IFSP. Siblings are always welcome. Please call the Family Support and Resource Center at 410 313-7161 with questions. We look forward to seeing you! If school is delayed or cancelled due to weather, the group will not meet. There will be no playgroup on January 1, 2020.
FREE Yoga for Children & Teens with Autism
November 16, 2019 –3:30-4:30pm December 7, 2019 –3:30-4:30pm
December 21, 2019 –3:30-4:30pm
Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to start time to sign in and get ready.
Yoga Center of Columbia, 8950 MD-108, #109, Columbia, MD
Made possible through a grant from The Hussman Foundation
HCAS Shine In Your Own Light Showcase: Performances and Visual Art by Teens and Adults with Autism
January 24, 2020 – 7:00pm (Interested artists/performers contact momofzoe@hotmail.com)
Howard County Arts Council, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043 (Tickets go on sale January 1)
Special Needs Camp Fair – FREE To attend!
January 28, 2020 – 6:30-8:30pm (Camps interested in participating should email info@howard-autism.org)
Cedar Lane School, 11630 Scaggsville Road, Fulton, MD (Snow date is February 4, 2020)
Howard County Autism Society Pieces of the Puzzle Gala — CASINO NIGHT!
April 25, 2020 – 7:00-Midnight
Turf Valley Resort, Ellicott City, MD
Howard County Autism Society
Event Calendar: http://www.howard-autism.org/hcas-events/
Pathfinders for Autism
Event Calendar: https://pathfindersforautism.org/calendar/
Camp Inclusion
Event Calendar: https://www.facebook.com/pg/campinclusion/events
HCPSS
Special Education Parent and Guardian Calendar: https://www.hcpss.org/special-education/calendar/