WCPS Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee-SECAC

08/27/2026

As we settle into a new school year, Washington County SECAC wants families to know you have places to connect, ask questions, and learn alongside other families.

Parents’ Place of Maryland offers Coffee & Conversations, giving families an opportunity to talk about Special Education and disability resources, share experiences and frustrations, ask questions, and connect with parents and caregivers who understand the journey.

Choose the group that fits your family:

☕ Birth through Kindergarten
https://www.tfaforms.com/5015965

☕ Elementary School
https://www.tfaforms.com/5015976

☕ Middle & High School
https://www.tfaforms.com/5015970

☕ Spanish-Speaking Families
https://www.tfaforms.com/5016003

SECAC believes informed and connected families are an important part of strong Special Education communities.

Grab a cup of coffee and join the conversation. Your questions, experiences, and voice matter.

08/27/2026

As we begin a new school year, now is a great time for families to learn more about the IEP process and their role as an important member of their child’s educational team.

IEPs and 504 Plans often come with a lot of information, meetings, paperwork, and questions. Understanding the process helps families feel prepared to participate and advocate for their child.

Parents’ Place of Maryland is offering an IEP Basics workshop designed to help families:

• Learn the basics of IEPs and 504 Plans
• Understand your role during school meetings
• Learn practical advocacy strategies
• Feel more prepared to participate in decisions about your child’s education

Whether your child already has an IEP or 504 Plan, you are beginning the evaluation process, or you simply want to better understand Special Education, this is a great opportunity to learn.

Knowledge helps families become informed and active members of the IEP team.

Register through Parents’ Place of Maryland:
https://www.ppmd.org/event/iep-basics/

Washington County SECAC is committed to connecting families with information, education, and resources throughout the school year.

08/27/2026

Congratulations, Nicole Cochran Beattie on winning a large cheese pizza from Gios Pizza! 🍕

08/25/2026

Welcome back to school, Washington County! 🍎📚

To our parents, teachers, staff, and students, we hope your first day back is a great one!

SECAC is kicking off the new school year with our friends at Gio’s Pizza because after the first day of school, nobody wants to cook! 🍕❤️

We’re giving away a FREE LARGE PIZZA from Gio’s Pizza to one randomly selected commenter!

Tell us below:

🍎 What are you or your student looking forward to most this school year?

OR

☕ Parents and caregivers, what are YOU doing once the kids are off to school?

Coffee? A quiet house? Back to work? Celebrating with friends? We want to hear it!

Drop your answer in the comments for your chance to win.

A huge thank you to Gio’s Pizza for supporting our SECAC families and helping us celebrate the start of another school year! ❤️🍕

08/24/2026

Tomorrow is the first day of school! 💙📚

Tonight, families across Washington County are packing backpacks, laying out first-day outfits, checking bus schedules and trying to remember everything for the morning.

For many families of students with disabilities, getting ready for school includes a few extra things.

Communication devices charged.
Sensory items packed.
Medications and health plans ready.
Transportation confirmed.
IEPs reviewed.
Comfort items tucked into backpacks.
And sometimes, a whole lot of reassurance about what tomorrow will bring.

However your family is preparing tonight, SECAC is thinking of you.

Tomorrow is more than the first day of school. It is the beginning of another year of learning, growth, advocacy, friendships and opportunities.

To our students, families, educators, paraeducators, therapists, nurses, bus drivers and everyone helping our children walk, roll or ride through those doors tomorrow, welcome back.

Here’s to a school year where every student is seen, supported, included and given the opportunity to belong. 💙

WCPS SECAC
Supporting students with disabilities and the families who love and advocate for them.

08/20/2026

Grief can impact the whole family. Join us for Space for Healing: Navigating Grief & Healing in Togetherness to learn practical strategies for supporting children through grief in a safe and compassionate way. Reserve your spot at https://www.ppmd.org/event/space-for-healing-navigating-grief-healing-in-togetherness/.

08/20/2026

Become lifelong agents of change through Maryland Partners in Policymaking®! Applications for the year-long program are now open, and you are invited to learn more during an info call on August 17th at 6:30 PM. Register and learn more at https://thearcmd.org/partners/

08/20/2026

08/19/2026

BACK TO SCHOOL WITH WCPS 🎒

Important Resources for Special Education Families

As we get ready for the 2026–2027 school year, SECAC wants families to have important WCPS information in one easy place. Save this post so you have these resources when you need them!

📅 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Tuesday, August 25, 2026

WCPS School Calendar:
WCPS Calendar⁠

https://www.wcpsmd.com/calendar

🧩 SPECIAL EDUCATION
Find information about IEPs, Special Education programs, services, resources and supports.

WCPS Special Education⁠

https://www.wcpsmd.com/departments/special-education/special-education-resources

❤️ FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCE CENTER
Families looking for help understanding Special Education, IEPs, transitions or available resources can reach the Family Support Resource Center.

📞 301-766-8221

Special Education Resources

⁠ https://www.wcpsmd.com/departments/special-education/special-education-resources

🚌 TRANSPORTATION
Questions about your child’s bus, route or transportation?

📞 301-766-2902

WCPS Transportation⁠

https://www.wcpsmd.com/departments/transportation?utm_source=chatgpt.com

📍 FIND YOUR BUS
WCPS provides an online Bus Route Finder for families.

Bus Routes & Route Finder⁠

https://www.wcpsmd.com/departments/transportation/bus-routes?utm_source=chatgpt.com

📱 PARENTVUE
Use ParentVUE to access your child’s schedule, attendance, assignments, grades and other school information.

Need help accessing your account or need an activation key? Contact your child’s school.

ParentVUE / StudentVUE⁠

https://www.wcpsmd.com/academics/parentvue-studentvue?utm_source=chatgpt.com

❓ HAVE A SPECIAL EDUCATION QUESTION OR CONCERN?

Families are encouraged to communicate with their child’s teacher, Special Education case manager and school administration when questions arise.

WCPS Questions & Concerns⁠

https://www.wcpsmd.com/departments/public-information/questions?utm_source=chatgpt.com

☎️ WCPS MAIN OFFICE
301-766-2800

WCPS Family Resources⁠

💗 SECAC IS HERE FOR FAMILIES

You do not have to know every answer as the school year begins. SECAC is here to help families connect, learn, ask questions and better understand Special Education.

Wishing all of our students, families, teachers and staff a wonderful start to the 2026–2027 school year!

08/17/2026