October 2020 The MLO Minute: By, Caitlin McAndrews, Esq. and Dennis McAndrews, Esq. During the current pandemic, delays in conducting psychological testing of children with disabilities has often delayed the implementation of appropriate programming for these children, regardless of whether that instruction is conducted in – person or remotely. Most school districts and charter…
October 2020 The MLO Minute: By, Michael Connolly, Esq., Supervising Partner of Special Education If you have watched the nightly news or read the newspaper over the past few years, bullying in schools across the country and its often tragic consequences are undeniable and sobering. Just this past month – September of 2020 – was National…
October 2020 The MLO Minute: By Kim Caputo, Esq. Many voters are ready and eager to participate in the November election. Voting, like many critical adult activities, can and should be part of a transition discussion in an IEP meeting. The Pennsylvania voting process for the upcoming election has been improved to be more accessible.…
October 2020 The MLO Minute: By, Allyson McAndrews, M.Ed. The first full week of October is Mental Illness Awareness Week! The U.S. Congress established Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) in 1990 because of the tremendous advocacy work by The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building…
October 2020 The MLO Minute: By Nancy Potter, Esq. October 3rd and running through October 11th, is the Dignity in Schools Campaign‘s 11th National Week of Action Against School Push Out, bringing, parents, education advocates, lawyers and many others together to amplify the call for schools to move away from punitive, criminalizing policies fueling the…
September 2020 The MLO Minute: By, Katie Ryan, Michael Connolly, Lesley Mehalick, and Dennis McAndrews These have been difficult times for everyone. The challenges faced by families, individuals, businesses, school officials, teachers, and vulnerable populations such as persons with disabilities and the elderly are unprecedented. These circumstances require all of us to adapt and adjust…
September 2020 The MLO Minute: By, Jennifer Simons, Esq. The Covid-19 health crisis has resulted in an increased demand for estate planning. The fear of contracting the virus and becoming seriously ill or dying has prompted people to ensure that their affairs are in order. When preparing your estate plan it is important to remember…
September 2020 The MLO Minute: By, Dennis McAndrews, Esq. On August 31, the United States Department of Education issued a policy statement on special education transition planning to all public school and charter school officials, together with vocational rehabilitation programs. This major statement emphasizes that while “recognizing that COVID-19 has resulted in students accessing educational services…
The Special Education Department at McAndrews, Mehalick, Connolly, Hulse and Ryan P.C. continues to present “Special Education and COVID-19: A Free Virtual Seminar Series” in the upcoming weeks to assist families facing educational issues related to the current health crisis. PART FIVE “IEP Development/Modifications as School Approaches During COVID–19: Issues to Consider and Traps to…
September 2020 The MLO Minute: By, Jessica Wilson, Esq. Dealing with the death of a loved one is always an extremely challenging time, and even more so during the current pandemic. Typically, when an estate needs to be opened the personal representative, either the Executor named in a Will or the Administrator if there is…