Wayside liaisons help keep the Wayside community up to date on several specific topics. If you are interested in being one of our liaisons, please contact waves@waysidepta.org.
GIFTED EDUCATION
The GT Liaison plays a vital role in advocating for the needs of highly able learners by providing a critical link between the school community, the MCCPTA Gifted Education Committee (GEC), and MCPS.
Stay informed by joining the following Facebook group or listserv:
—Gifted Education Facebook group
—Gifted Education Listserv. Go to the group page and ask to join, or send an email to gecparentlistserv+subscribe@googlegroups.com.
GREEN TEAM LEADER
Wayside has been a certified Maryland Green School since 2018, and in 2022, was recertified as a Green School. The Green Team Leader supports ongoing, and can initiate new, environmentally conscious activities and programs at Wayside. In 2023, in collaboration with Ms. Hill and the SGA, composting was implemented in the Wayside cafeteria. In addition, the Green Team Leader collects photos into a Google drive to document Green activities. These photos are used during the next recertification application which will be due in 2026. When that time comes, the Green Team Leader will help to fill out and submit that application. Green Team Leader is an exciting opportunity to engage the students, staff, and Wayside community to create a more sustainable future. If you have any questions, please contact us at greenteam@waysidepta.org.
Relevant links: Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education: https://maeoe.org/
NAACP
The purpose of the NAACP Parents’ Council is to provide a forum through which interested citizens may offer assistance, guidance and support to African American parents and students of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to pursue the highest quality education possible through encouragement, information sharing, positive motivation, critical evaluation and advocacy.
Relevant links: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/evidence-of-learning-framework/equity-accountability-model.aspx
SPECIAL EDUCATION
The Wayside Special Education Liaison provides information and support to parents of children with special needs at Wayside Elementary School. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at SpecialEd@waysidepta.org
Local Resources:
Montgomery County Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is a group of parents/guardians, MCPS staff members, and representatives of county community groups that advocate for students with special needs and serve to advocate for, and advise, the Office of Special Education. SEAC meetings are held monthly.
The ARC Montgomery County provides childcare, work skills training, employment, community living services, resources, respite care and advocacy.
Partnership for Extraordinary Minds (xMinds) is a collaborative partnership of parents, educators, and service providers working together to improve the educational experience and outcomes for autistic students in K-12 education in Montgomery County.
CHADD‘s Montgomery County chapter brings together local families and adults with ADHD, as well as local educators and health care professionals.
The Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County empowers and supports individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community through education, information, public awareness and advocacy.
The GT/LD Network of Montgomery County is a non-profit organization that supports gifted students who learn differently.
Seeking Employment, Equality, and Community (SEEC) provides a wide range of community supports to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live
lives of their choosing.
The Parents’ Place of Maryland empowers families as advocates and partners in improving education and health outcomes for their children with disabilities and special health care needs.
Special Olympics Maryland provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) is Maryland’s designated Protection & Advocacy agency, providing free legal services to Marylanders of any age with all types of disabilities.
The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council advances the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life.
The Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center trains and certifies Academic Therapists and educates teachers, tutors, parents, and school leaders in effective methods to help individuals who are dyslexic or have other learning differences.
Low Intensity Support Service (LISS) is a state program that provides financial assistance to caregivers of eligible children with developmental disabilities with purchasing eligible services and/or items to address their needs.
My Turn is a county program that provides financial assistance to caregivers of children with developmental disabilities and assists caregivers with accessing information, linking to other community resources and designing individual support services.
Learning Disability Association of Montgomery County is a non-profit whose mission is to promote awareness and provide support to maximize the quality of life for individuals and families affected by learning and other disabilities.
Autism Society Montgomery County is dedicated to improving the lives of all individuals affected by autism.
Other Resources
Special Education Rights: A Handbook for Maryland Families and Professionals (Disability Rights Maryland 2013)
School Discipline: A Handbook for Maryland Families and Professionals (Disability Rights Maryland 2016)
Executive, Describing Six Aspects of a Complex Syndrome
ADHD From Stereotype to Science
CDC Guidance on helping children and parents transition back to school
Backpack emergency card