Tue Jul 14, 2020 | | Charter School Insights, Covid-19, Education

New York State Education Department Releases Guidelines for the Re-Opening of Schools


At its meeting yesterday, the New York State Education Department presented the New York State Board of Regents with a framework and guidance (the NYSED Framework) school districts and school districts must follow when developing guidelines for re-opening their physical facilities and operate them during the continuing COVID-19 Pandemic. The Regents also approved another set of emergency regulations to facilitate learning during the Pandemic.

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Wed Jul 8, 2020 | | Charter School Insights, Covid-19, General

Re-Opening Schools in New York City– Board of NYC Department of Health Votes to Re-Open Day Care Centers; Mayor De Blasio and Chancellor Carranza Unveil plans to re-open New York City Department of Education Schools in September


After originally issuing an order on April 3, 2020 closing New York City-based pre-school and daycare programs in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and related federal, New York State and New York City emergency declarations, and then shortly after the first order issuing a modified order on April 5, 2020, in response to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 202.4 and 202.11 requiring provisions for care for the children of first responders and health care workers as well as the desire to provide care for children of essential workers which closed all but 125 of the more than 3,000 child care programs and pre-schools in New York City, yesterday, the Board of the NYC Department of Health voted in favor of re-opening all NYC child care programs and pre-schools beginning July 13, 2020.

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Tue Jul 7, 2020 | | Charter School Insights, Covid-19

Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 202.48 Issued on July 6, 2020, Extends the Suspension of Certain Open Meetings Law Requirements


Yesterday, Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.48 in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. This order, amongst other things, extended through August 5, 2020, Executive Order 202.1 and its subsequent orders pertaining to Article 7 of the Public Officers Law- the Open Meetings Law (OML) which governs the meetings of the boards of certain public bodies, including charter schools.

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Mon Apr 6, 2020 | | Charter School Insights, Copyright, Education

Distance Learning Technology Update


As schools in New York City enter into their 3rd/4th week of distance learning along with news that for many, the originally-scheduled spring break may not take place, here are a few distance learning technology-focused matters that we have been following:

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Tue Mar 31, 2020 | | Charter School Insights, Covid-19, Education, Technology

Use of School Technology During Distance Learning


As schools continue to roll out more hardware, software and platforms to support students and enable distance learning while school facilities remain closed, it is important for schools to set expectations and provide a roadmap for students and their parents/guardians so that there is clarity around appropriate and acceptable use of school technology.

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Tue Mar 31, 2020 | | Charter School Insights, Covid-19, Education, Technology

Distance Learning and Video Conferencing


Only a few short weeks ago, most video conferencing- whether by Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meet, Google Hangouts and other platforms- were not frequently used by students and teachers.  With the closure of schools, these video conferencing platforms and other platform-based learning tools have quickly become the way millions of students communicate with their teachers and each other as the classroom has transitioned from the school building to desktops, laptops, tablets and phones (when available—unfortunately many students do not have access to the hardware and internet access they need) at kitchen tables, dining room tables and whatever real estate students can find while jockeying for space with their parents, many of whom are using similar tools now that they are not in their offices either. 

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Thu Mar 26, 2020 | | Charter School Insights, Copyright, Covid-19, Education

Remote Learning & Copyright Law Considerations


In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, schools across the country are forced to rapidly institute remote or distance learning plans for their teachers and students. While remote learning has the potential to be a worthy substitute for in-class lessons, it can present numerous challenges in terms of copyright law compliance. School administrators and teachers should familiarize themselves with some basic copyright law considerations when posting lessons online.

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Fri Oct 12, 2018 | | Charter School Insights

Mandatory Sexual Harassment Policies & Training NYC Paid Safe and Sick Leave


Over the last few months, there has been several changes to employment-related laws that are applicable to many businesses and organizations operating in New York City. We hope the below is helpful and encourage you to reach out to us with any questions. NYC Paid Safe and Sick Leave Did you know about the recent changes to New York City’s Paid Sick Leave Law? Effective May 2018, the law is now known as the Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law.

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