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 27, 2020 | | Business, Covid-19, Paycheck Protection Program

Paycheck Protection Program Updates


After the first $350 Billion of funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was exhausted, last week, Congress and the President approved the appropriation of another $310 Billion towards the PPP.  The Small Business Administration (SBA) then issued new guidance through an updated set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) prepared in response to the questions, concerns and requests for clarifications raised during the administration of the first $350 Billion through the PPP. 

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Fri Apr 10, 2020 | | Business, Covid-19, Entrepreneur, Organizations, Startups

Federal and New York City COVID-19 Related Loan and Grant Programs


As businesses, organizations and individuals continue to address the challenges that have resulted from the closure or reduction of their operations, a variety of federal and New York City loan and grant programs have been established to provide assistance. 

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Thu Apr 9, 2020 | | Covid-19, Trademarks

Relief for Trademark Registrants and Applicants Affected by COVID-19


The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is having a major effect on many businesses throughout the country. Due to the pandemic and its effects, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), in accordance with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), is extending the time for trademark applicants and registrants to file certain documents or pay certain fees which would ordinarily have been due on or after March 27, 2020. Such documents include responses to an Office Action, statements of use (or requests for extensions), and renewal applications that were due between, and inclusive of, both March 27, 2020 and April 30, 2020.  Due dates have now been extended by thirty (30) days from the initial date from when the filing or payment was due, as long as the filing is accompanied by a statement that the delay was due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Fri Apr 3, 2020 | | Covid-19, Real Estate, Startups

Getting Documents Notarized in New York State During the COVID-19 Pandemic


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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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