SECAC Frederick County MD

Did you know there was a special hockey team in Frederick?!

Next weekend on August 8th the Frederick gargoyles will be hosting a Try Special Hockey event.

Totally free, and all gear will be available to borrow for the event!!! Come on out and see what special hockey is about.

https://facebook.com/events/s/gargoyles-first-shift-try-spec/1299677192361926/

📣 We’re Looking for New SECAC Members!

Do you have a passion for supporting students with disabilities and strengthening special education in Frederick County? This is your opportunity to make a difference!

The Frederick County SECAC (Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee) is currently seeking:
• 4* Parent Members
• 2 Community Members
• 1 FCPS Staff Member

*parent member update as of 8/3/2026

At SECAC, we work together to put children first. Through open and honest communication, collaboration, and advocacy, we focus on improving the effectiveness and accountability of special education services, identifying systemic issues, and advocating for the resources students need to succeed.

Working alongside FCPS Special Education leadership, parents, staff, and community members, SECAC strives to create positive change in the delivery of special education services while supporting the success and achievement of students with disabilities.

If you’re ready to use your voice to help shape the future of special education in Frederick County, we’d love to have you join us!

💙 Together, we can make a lasting impact for our students and families.

👉 Apply by scanning the QR code below or going to https://forms.gle/Mk1nydiF8m41SQ8H9

The Penn-Mar Human Services LISS Department is excited to announce that the Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) random Selection Application for Fiscal Year 2027 is open and will remain available until September 15, 2026.

Please note these important updates for this year:
​The maximum grant amount has been reduced from $2,000 to $1,000.

​There will be only one round of applications this year.
​The random selection will occur on October 1, 2026.
​
Apply here: https://pcis.health.maryland.gov/liss-service/apply

The Penn-Mar Human Services LISS Department.
310 Old Freeland RD
Freeland, MD 21053
P: 877.282.8202
F: 410.357.4767
[email protected]

💙 SECAC Community Listening Session – Tonight! 💙

Join us tonight for our final Community Listening Session!

📍 Tuesday, July 28
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
📚 Brunswick Library

SECAC members are providing an opportunity to connect with families, educators, and community members to hear shared experiences, discuss current needs, and identify priorities for students with disabilities in Frederick County Public Schools.

Your voice matters, and your feedback helps shape meaningful conversations and advocacy that support students and families across our community.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, student, educator, or community member, your perspective is valuable. We hope you’ll join us, share your experiences, and help us continue building a more inclusive future for students with disabilities in FCPS.

Thank you again to everyone who attended and supported our other listening sessions—it was a huge success! We look forward to seeing everyone tonight!

🎥✨ SECAC Champion for Special Education Spotlight – Shout Outs! ✨🎥

This week, we’re proud to spotlight the incredible Expressions Program at Governor Thomas Johnson Middle School in our latest SECAC interview!

A special thank you to Mrs. Kaelyn Capotosto, Expressions Coordinator, for representing the program and sharing how the team supports students with complex communication, academic, and functional needs every day.

This spotlight also recognizes the outstanding Expressions Team:

Coordinator
• Kaelyn Capotosto

Teachers
• Jenna Harrison
• Jason Smith
• Lucas Alves
• Sandra Burdette (Retired Mid-Year Teacher)

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP)
• Meghan Sinisgalli
• Jennifer Bolling

Behaviorist (BCBA)
• Michael Manchester

Special Education Instructional Assistants
• Sarah Greening
• Sarah Crabill
• Callie Mills
• Robert Simone
• Ashley Medders
• Julie Tobery
• Madeline Crampton
• Jessica Call
• Peggy Frankel

Thank you to this amazing team for your dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to helping every student find their voice and reach their fullest potential. Your work truly makes a difference for students, families, and our school community. 💙

▶️ Watch the full interview here: https://canva.link/tjms-expression

📢 Listening Session Update

Due to the severe weather conditions expected this evening, tonight’s Listening Session (July 21) at Myersville Library has been canceled.

We encourage all families to join us at our next Listening Session on Tuesday, July 28, at the Brunswick Library. We look forward to connecting with you then!

Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe. Safety is our top priority!

💙 SECAC Community Listening Sessions 💙

Reminder tonight’s listening session:

📍Tuesday, July 21
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
Myersville Library

** SECAC is monitoring the serve weather this afternoon and will update between 3:00-4:00pm to see if we are canceling and post-posting this listening session. Safety is our top priority!**

SECAC members are holding the opportunity to connect with families, educators, and community members to hear their shared experiences, discuss current needs, and identify priorities for students with disabilities in Frederick County Public Schools.

Your voices matter, and your feedback helps shape meaningful conversations and advocacy that support students and families across our community.

📣 We’d love to see you at one of our upcoming sessions:

📍 Tuesday, July 21
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
Myersville Library

📍 Tuesday, July 28
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
Brunswick Library

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, student, educator, or community member, your perspective is valuable. Join us, share your experiences, and help us continue building a more inclusive future for students with disabilities in FCPS.

Thank you again to all SECAC members who helped and came to support this listening session… it was a huge success!

📣 We’re Looking for New SECAC Members!

Do you have a passion for supporting students with disabilities and strengthening special education in Frederick County? This is your opportunity to make a difference!

The Frederick County SECAC (Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee) is currently seeking:
• 3 Parent Members
• 2 Community Members
• 1 FCPS Staff Member

At SECAC, we work together to put children first. Through open and honest communication, collaboration, and advocacy, we focus on improving the effectiveness and accountability of special education services, identifying systemic issues, and advocating for the resources students need to succeed.

Working alongside FCPS Special Education leadership, parents, staff, and community members, SECAC strives to create positive change in the delivery of special education services while supporting the success and achievement of students with disabilities.

If you’re ready to use your voice to help shape the future of special education in Frederick County, we’d love to have you join us!

💙 Together, we can make a lasting impact for our students and families.

👉 Apply by scanning the QR code below or going to https://forms.gle/Mk1nydiF8m41SQ8H9

💙 SECAC Community Listening Sessions 💙

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Urbana Library for our second Community Listening Session! SECAC members had the opportunity to connect with families, educators, and community members to hear their shared experiences, discuss current needs, and identify priorities for students with disabilities in Frederick County Public Schools.

Your voices matter, and your feedback helps shape meaningful conversations and advocacy that support students and families across our community.

📣 We’d love to see you at one of our upcoming sessions:

📍 Tuesday, July 21
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
Myersville Library

📍 Tuesday, July 28
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
Brunswick Library

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, student, educator, or community member, your perspective is valuable. Join us, share your experiences, and help us continue building a more inclusive future for students with disabilities in FCPS.

Thank you again to all SECAC members who helped and came to support this listening session… it was a huge success!

💙 SECAC Community Listening Sessions 💙

Join us today!
Wednesday, July 15
6:30–8:30 PM
Urbana Library

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Walkersville Library for our first Community Listening Session! SECAC members had the opportunity to connect with families, educators, and community members to hear their shared experiences, discuss current needs, and identify priorities for students with disabilities in Frederick County Public Schools.

Your voices matter, and your feedback helps shape meaningful conversations and advocacy that support students and families across our community.

📣 We’d love to see you at one of our upcoming sessions:

📍 Wednesday, July 15
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
Urbana Library

📍 Tuesday, July 21
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
Myersville Library

📍 Tuesday, July 28
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
Brunswick Library

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, student, educator, or community member, your perspective is valuable. Join us, share your experiences, and help us continue building a more inclusive future for students with disabilities in FCPS.

🎥✨ SECAC Champion for Special Education Spotlight - Shout Outs! ✨🎥

This week, we’re excited to feature Edward Murray, Special Education Teacher at Brunswick High School, in our latest SECAC (video) interview!

Edward shares his experiences as a special educator, what inspires him each day, and why advocating for students with disabilities is at the heart of his work.

A special thank you to SECAC member Sukhmana, who conducted the interview and helped highlight Edward’s story and dedication to our special education community.

Thank you, Edward, for the difference you make in the lives of students, families, and our school community. 💙

▶️ Watch the full interview here: https://canva.link/8f0t7mccdllqms6