Gillette Law June 2017

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ILLETTE

GAZETTE

JUNE 2017

WE ALL HAVE GIFTS TO SHARE YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL RECORDS

TRUST ME — THEY’RE WORTH SAVING

School will soon be out, and if your children are like my four children, they are ready to put the hard work of school behind them and enjoy the freedom of summer. But if your child is living with a disability, there may be important work for you to do if they may need to apply for disability benefits in the future. Read on to learn how you can help secure your child’s future. After your child stops attending school, you may believe that it is no longer necessary to save any of their educational records. This belief can be a costly mistake, especially if your child needs to apply for Social Security disability benefits as a young adult. Often, it’s important to be able to prove that a disabling mental or physical condition began before the age of 22.

Second Edition (Vineland-II) measures the personal and social skills of individuals from birth through adulthood. These types of records can be very helpful when pursuing a disability claim.

School records can make the difference between winning and losing a claim for benefits. Now that the school year is coming to an end, you would be wise to ensure that you have a complete copy of your child’s educational records. But don’t the schools keep the records for years, especially for kids with disabilities who may need them in the future? Unfortunately, most school systems destroy

If your child has ever seen a school counselor, occupational therapist, or BCBA (board-certified behavioral analyst), these records may be included as well. The occupational therapist or BCBA records will include psychological and psychiatric reports, which will assist in showing patterns of behavior. Standardized testing and grades provide important information on how your child compares with his or her peers who do not have impairments.

“Most school systems destroy most educational records within five years of the student graduating, transferring, or withdrawing.”

How Do You Request School Records?

most educational records within five years of the student graduating, transferring, or withdrawing. If your child received special education services, or had a Section 504 plan, you would be wise to obtain, and safely store, your child’s school records.

You can request school records in a variety of ways. The best way to request school records is to contact the school where your child was most recently enrolled and request a copy of all records. You can do this with a letter to the school’s principal detailing what records you need. If the school is unable to provide you with the records, a request can be made through the school system. You can also check online for information on how to request records from a particular school system.

Why Do You Need School Records?

School records can be critical to prove that a young adult meets or equals the requirements of the Social Security Administration’s Listing of Impairments. The listings describe, for each major body system, impairments considered severe enough to prevent an individual from doing any gainful activity. Along with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), psychological evaluations, and IQ scores; school records will include standardized testing records,grades, progress notes, and evaluations from the teachers. School records will show progress in areas of education and social development. The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales,

N e x t D o B

If you think that your child may need to apply for Social Security disability in the future, it’s a good idea to make a request before their school records are destroyed!

Wishing you and yours a warm and happy June,

– Brian Gillette

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DIY FOODS THAT SAVE MONEY

cup of tahini, the juice of one lemon, and two tablespoons of olive oil in a blender. Mix until smooth and add salt to taste.

Granola Savings per box: $5

Food is one of the biggest expenses for every family. An easy way to cut down on costs is to make items you normally buy premade. Here are some of the biggest offenders when it comes to an inflated grocery bill.

It’s a great breakfast option, and one that comes with a steep markup, but granola doesn’t even require cooking. Combine oats, dried fruit, and nuts, and you’re done. You can also add honey and bake the mixture, and then you have homemade granola bars.

Salad Dressing Savings per bottle: $3

Breadcrumbs and Croutons Savings per jar: $2.50

Not only is bottled dressing expensive, but it’s often packed with additives you want to avoid. Dressing is a simple formula: oil, plus acid (vinegar or lemon juice), plus other added flavors. You’ll be shocked how easy and delicious it is to make.

The price of breadcrumbs is outrageous. When your loaf of sourdough goes stale, don’t throw it out. Cube it, toss in some olive oil, and bake it into croutons. Alternately, crush it up and use it to bread meats or make stuffing. The next time you’re at the market, ask yourself which items in your basket can just as easily be made at home. Put in the effort to do it yourself, and your checkbook and taste buds will thank you.

Hummus Savings per tub: $3.50

Hummus pairs with nearly everything, but can cost $5 per tub. Canned chickpeas and tahini paste? They are a lot cheaper. And making hummus couldn’t be easier. Add one can of chickpeas, ¼

SUMMER READING FOR TEENS

Summer is finally here, which means your teen is going to have plenty of time on their hands. A great way for your teen to keep their mind sharp and ease the transition back to school in the fall is by reading interesting books throughout the summer. “Success for Teens™” is a book written by the Success Foundation® that illustrates the importance of clarifying goals, practicing the small efforts necessary for success, and accepting responsibility for one’s own destiny. The book is organized in an easy-to-read format and sprinkled with engaging exercises, action steps, and stories from real teens. “Success for Teens™” helps your child embrace eight principles that will allow them to shape the future they want. The Success Foundation® believes that every teen needs to be directed toward a path that enables them to achieve their goals, pursue a career, and become a productive citizen. “Success for Teens™” will guide your child along the path to doing just that. The Success Foundation® believes that youth can better meet today’s many challenges by using the principles of personal development skills, including goal setting, dream building, self- motivation, time management, and creating high self-esteem and a sense of purpose. Gillette Law Group seconds these beliefs and wants to help you set your child up for success.

This month, we will be giving away copies of “Success for Teens™” to clients who have teens in need of some useful summer reading. There is a limited supply, so these books will be given out on a first- come, first-served basis. If you would like a copy, make a request on GLGVIP.com and we will mail you one. Happy reading!

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Community Action Agencies and the War on Poverty

The WJCC agency’s programs are many, but they fall under four general banners:

• Head Start, which includes English as a second language learning, health and family services, and fatherhood programs

• Weatherization & Housing Assistance Program, helping people weatherize their homes, manage multi-family housing, and become energy efficient • Community Services, which offers a wide range of programs including job readiness training, emergency services, and community gardens • Youth Services, including neighborhood basketball leagues and sport camps, Project Discovery, and Walking in Queenly Ways for the girls We support the WJCC in all they do for the homeless, impoverished, and struggling members of our community. To learn more about our local CAA and to get involved, visit wjcc-caa.org.

Thirty years ago, the federal government began fighting on a new front: the war on poverty. To attack the problem head-on, they signed the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which made provisions to create Community Action Agencies (CAAs) to help with the fight. CAAs are nonprofit private and public organizations created to enable people to help themselves achieve self-sufficiency. Fifty-one years after the Economic Opportunity Act, there are over 1,000 CAAs serving people in every U.S. state. Our local CAA is the Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency (WJCCA). They provide basic support and training services for a hefty chunk of the 153,000 individuals — including 52,000 children — helped by CAA activities in Virginia.

Classic Pimento Cheese

PET OF THE MONTH!

Ingredients

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½ cup mayonnaise, preferably Duke’s One 4-ounce jar diced pimentos, drained 1 tablespoon grated Vidalia onion with juice 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 ½ cups lightly packed coarsely shredded extra-sharp yellow cheddar cheese 1 ½ cups lightly packed coarsely shredded extra-sharp white cheddar cheese ½ teaspoon kosher salt

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TANK IS A 5-YEAR OLD, PUREBRED PIT BULL THAT OUR LEAD CASE

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MANAGER, ELISSA, AND HER HUSBAND, BRANDON, HAVE

Directions

RESCUED.HE LOVES WALKS AND GOING TOWORK WITH BRANDON. HE HATES THUNDERSTORMS! HE’S A GREAT COMPANION AND A MELLOW, LOVING DOG.

1. In a medium bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, pimentos, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and cayenne together.

2. Fold in the cheeses with a rubber spatula to thoroughly combine.

3. Transfer to a container, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Use within 1 week.

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FREE TEEN BOOK OFFER INSIDE! FOR SUCCESS TEENS

INSIDE this issue

School Records — Worth Saving page 1 DIY Foods That Save Money page 2 Summer Reading for Teens page 2

Fighting the War on Poverty page 3

Classic Pimento Cheese page 3

How to Journal Without Journaling page 4

DEAR DIARY ... How to Journal if You Don’t Like Journaling

Journaling is both a chance to organize your thoughts and an opportunity for therapeutic release, but traditional journaling isn’t for everyone. If you hit a wall every time you try to put pen to paper or worry you’ll have to burn your journal when you’re done, there are other ways you too can enjoy the benefits of journaling.

you heard waiting in line at the coffee shop, or some of the “darndest things” your kids say.

Go Digital

Write Letters to Your Kids

Apps like Day One for iOS or Journey for Android are perfect for recording your thoughts quickly. Journaling apps are as easy as scrolling down social media, but can be locked for your eyes only. Integrate written segments with photos to create entries you can reflect on from your phone, tablet, or computer.

Framing journal entries as letters to children can help provide a starting point for you. Many parents journal like this with the intent of letting their kids one day read the letters, but that doesn’t have to be your end goal. Nor do you have to write to your kids. You can address your letters to your spouse, a close friend, your mother, or even a loved one who’s passed away.

Record Quotes

Quotes are special because they capture a profound feeling in just a few words. By recording some of your favorite quotes, you’re able to capture those feelings and reflect on why they resonate with you. Include quotes from historical figures, books, song lyrics, something

There are as many reasons to journal as there are options for alternative journaling. Whatever you decide, just make sure it’s something you’ll enjoy doing every day. Happy journaling!

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