As schools districts begin to implement their plans for re-opening amid the COVID-19 pandemic, safety protocols are constantly being updated. On the heels of recommendations by the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), as of August 17th, 2020, Pennsylvania’s Department of Education (“PDE”) is requiring everyone within the school community to wear face … [Read more...] about Face Mask Faceoff: PDE Requires Face Coverings at School At All Times
School Law Bullet
Play Ball? Schools Stuck in the Middle of Fall Athletics Debate
While the question of how to reopen schools is still up in the air, school districts have more recently been pressed to make a decision on fall sports, specifically whether it is reasonable and safe to allow a fall sport schedule. Governor Tom Wolf strongly recommended to postpone the season until January 1, 2021 due to the amount of uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 and concerns about … [Read more...] about Play Ball? Schools Stuck in the Middle of Fall Athletics Debate
Gifted, Section 504, and Other Considerations for Reopening Schools
School Boards and staff continue to monitor ever-changing guidance from state agencies regarding health, safety and educational concerns related to the impending start of school. KingSpry attorneys are in the trenches with our clients and are providing a summary of our suggestions in response to recent questions from school administrators. We attended your webinar that addressed special education … [Read more...] about Gifted, Section 504, and Other Considerations for Reopening Schools
New Regulations for K-12 Schools Regarding Title IX
Big changes are mandated by the new Title IX Regulations, and they become law August 14, 2020. In this presentation, KingSpry attorneys Brian Taylor and Dr. Kathleen Conn discuss the most important changes for K-12 schools, duties of the Title IX Coordinator, supportive measures, investigation details, grievance procedures, and continuing duties for appeals and final resolutions. If you have a … [Read more...] about New Regulations for K-12 Schools Regarding Title IX
New Law Clarifies Mental Health Treatment for Teens… At Least a Little Bit
The new law, signed by the governor on July 23, strives to reduce confusion around implementation of a 2004 law. Act 147 of 2004 established that minors between the ages of 14-18 and their parents each have the right to consent to and to refuse mental health treatment on behalf of the minor. The law includes an expedited hearing process to address instances when a minor and his/her parents … [Read more...] about New Law Clarifies Mental Health Treatment for Teens… At Least a Little Bit
Third Circuit Tells Schools Hands Off Students’ Off-Campus Speech
In a controversial June 30, 2020 decision, the three judges of the Third Circuit re-interpreted the reach of public schools’ power to regulate, or to discipline students for, off-campus speech posted online. The result of this decision is that within Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, the states in the Third Circuit, students’ off-campus speech, even if crude, offensive, or puerile, is … [Read more...] about Third Circuit Tells Schools Hands Off Students’ Off-Campus Speech
