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Connecticut absentee program, Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (LEAP), reports success since its launch

The Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (“LEAP”) reports success since its launch in April 2021. The program was established using federal Covid-19 relief funding with the goal of curbing student chronic absenteeism in the districts of Bridgeport, CREC, Danbury, East Hartford, Hartford, Manchester, Meriden, New Haven, New Britain, New London, Norwich, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury and […]

NEWLY UPDATED: Guidance on School Obligations to Highly Mobile Children with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Education recently issued a Letter to State Directors of Special Education on Ensuring a High-Quality Education for Highly Mobile Children, updating guidance and resources originally set forth in the Department’s July 19, 2013 Dear Colleague Letter. The purpose of the letter is to provide a list of resources and reminders to […]

NEW: Discrimination Based on Pregnancy and Related Conditions Resource

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released a resource to remind school communities that Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects students and employees from discrimination based on pregnancy and related conditions. Protections for Students Title IX protects students against harassment by school employees or other students because of their pregnancy […]

State Department of Education Publishes Guidance on Remote Learning and Dual Instruction

On September 27, 2022 the Connecticut State Department of Education [“CSDE”] released Guidance on the recent legislation surrounding Remote Learning and Dual Instruction [“Guidance”]. Definitions The Guidance reiterates that Sections 10-4w(c-d) prohibit dual instruction as part of remote learning. “Dual instruction” was defined as “the simultaneous instruction by a teacher to students in-person in the […]

SB 1 Guarantees Teachers a Minimum 30 Minute Uninterrupted Lunch

By: Floyd J. Dugas, Esq.

In the waning hours of the recently concluded session, the Legislature added a provision to a bill on childhood mental health requiring that all certified staff having direct contact with students receive a minimum uninterrupted lunch of 30 minutes.  While legislation (C.G.S. §10-156a) already existed requiring that teachers be provided a duty free lunch, it […]

Governor Announces Plan to End Statewide Mask Mandate for Schools and Childcare Centers

By: Rebecca Goldberg

Governor Lamont announced a plan to end the statewide mask mandate for schools and childcare centers in Connecticut effective February 28, 2022.  The plan places the decision whether to require masks in schools and childcare centers with local authorities. With Governor Lamont’s emergency powers set to expire on February 15, 2022, the governor reached an […]

Governor’s Emergency Powers Extended

As anticipated, late Monday night, the State legislature extended Governor Lamont’s emergency powers by February 22, 2022. Yesterday, the Governor issued Executive Order No. 14, which extends the deadlines for several previous Orders, including the most recent ones dealing with mandatory vaccines for certain health care workers, state employees, school employees, and those working in […]

Executive Order Extends Emergency Paid Sick Leave for School Employees

On February 4, Governor Lamont issued Executive Order 10, extending Emergency Paid Sick Leave for employees of local and regional boards of education in Connecticut.  This extension is only applicable to boards of education and not to private-sector or other municipal employers. The Executive Order extends the Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) available under the […]

Attorney Christine Sullivan Named Senior Partner

Berchem Moses PC is pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2021, Christine Sullivan has been elected as Senior Partner. “It is with great pride that we announce the promotion of Christine Sullivan to Senior Partner at Berchem Moses PC,” said Marsha Belman Moses, Named Senior Partner. “Christine is an amazing lawyer, both exceedingly competent […]

Breakthrough Reached On Trans Athletes

By Emily HayesPublished in the New Haven Independent on September 23, 2020 New Haven Public Schools and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights have come to a tentative agreement that would allow transgender athletes to continue to play on teams of their choice — without the city losing millions of federal dollars. […]