< Previous10 • Allegheny West Magazine • May/June 2020y > Learning Curves Learning Curves Michele P. Conti is an estate planning and elder law attorney. Conti attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Oxford University and Duquesne University School of Law. She received her LL.M. in taxation from Villanova University. She can be reached at (724) 784-0239 or michele@contilawpgh.com. BY MICHELE P. CONTI Imagine if you found yourself in a situation where you had become unexpectedly ill. You might not be able to speak for yourself, manage your financial affairs or make medical decisions concerning your wishes. Though scary, this reality is one that many individuals are finding themselves in during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have been interviewed since the virus reared its ugly head and the most popular question asked is: What advice do you have for those who currently do not have any documents in place? At Conti Law, our answer hasn’t changed since the outbreak of coronavirus. Everyone over the age of 18 should have, at the very least, a financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney and living will. Depending on what assets are owned and the individual’s family makeup, a last will and testament may be a good idea, too. Without these documents, we fear that an individual’s family may experience both financial and medical difficulties. Without the appropriate record, your loved ones may be unable to make medical decisions on your behalf in the event that you are unable to communicate your wishes. Bills may go unpaid and bank accounts may be inaccessible without a proper financial power of attorney, not to mention the potential family infighting and strain over your medical care that can result. Without the essential and most basic estate planning documents in place, your family will have to go to court and request the legal authority to make these decisions on your behalf. They’ll also have to access your accounts to manage your financial needs. Normally, this wouldn’t be too big of an issue. However, like businesses, courts either closed or placed serious restrictions on their hours when the shutdown went into place. This could delay the court’s grant of authority and impact your health exponentially. It may also result in the court appointing someone you would not have personally chosen to act on your behalf. Fortunately, with some simple estate planning, you and your loved ones can be protected from these foreseen situations. We recommend drafting a healthcare power of attorney that includes a HIPAA authorization along with a living will appointing a trusted party to act on your behalf as your medical advocate. In a living will, you are able to outline and determine your desired medical treatment and end-of-life wishes, which include such things as CPR, the use of a ventilator, artificial nutrition and hydration, pain medication, donation of your organs, and the performance of an autopsy upon your passing. When creating a financial power of attorney, you assign an agent with the legal authority to access your bank accounts and manage your affairs without court intervention. They have the ability to make deposits, sign checks, pay bills, and sign contracts and agreements on your behalf. They can also access and sell property, among other things. Another consideration for those who have children who are minors is to update or create a last will and testament naming a guardian to take care of your children if you are unable to do so. If you want to create an estate plan that provides you with the peace of mind that your family, assets and medical care will be taken care of in the event you are unable to do so, we are here to help. At Conti Law, we have assisted thousands of clients with formalizing their wishes so that, upon an unexpected illness or death, their families are able to focus on their loved ones rather than a difficult legal process. Power of attorney during the COVID-19 crisis May/June 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 11Perspectives Perspectives 5 Robinson’s Run Cemetery is a nonprofit, non-denominational cemetery located in South Fayette Township just outside of Oakdale and McDonald. For more information, visit www.RobinsonsRunCemetery.org and see the page at right. She stood on the beach with the tall grass blowing in the warm, summer breeze. No movement, no looking up and down the dunes. She would come on Sundays and look out at the water of Lake Michigan. The first time she came, she knocked on Rosie’s door and timidly asked if she could park her car for a few minutes because she needed to walk over the dunes and all the beach parking was full. She held a small cardboard box and looked at Rosie with so much sadness in her eyes that Rosie quickly granted her permission to park. True to her word, she returned within 15 minutes, got in her car and drove off. Rosie didn’t give it much thought, until the young lady came the next week – and the next and the next after that. Each time she politely knocked on the door of the big red house, and each time Rosie let her park there. After over a month of this early Sunday morning ritual, Rosie’s curiosity overcame her inclination to stay out of this woman’s business. It got to the point that she wanted to know what was going on with this stranger who made her weekly trip to the beach. Quietly, Rosie followed “the parker,” as she became known at Rosie’s house, to the sandy path leading from Lake Shore Drive up over the dunes at Miller Beach. As Rosie neared the top of the dune, she could see the top of the woman’s head, and with each step, she could see more and more of her silhouette staring out at the waves. Suddenly, the woman spun around and was almost immediately standing face to face with Rosie. Rosie was somewhat embarrassed, as was the woman. Stuttering, Rosie said, “I’m sorry to seem like I am spying on you. Its just that every Sunday you stop at the house, park your car, and disappear over the ridge and like clockwork, 15 minutes later you return, get in your car and drive away. If it’s not too nosey of me, would you mind telling me why you come here over and over again?” Feeling obligated to respond since Rosie always gave her permission to park every week, the woman sighed and said, “I’ll tell you. Follow me.” They both went over the ridge of the dune and the woman stood silently for what seemed like minutes, but was closer to 30 seconds, before she again spoke. “When I first came to your house in hopes that you would let me park, I was very upset. My mother had just died, and she made me promise that I would cremate her and put her ashes in Lake Michigan. Mom loved the beach, swimming, the sea gulls and even the smell of the water made her happy.” The woman hesitated, wiped away a tear, and continued. “That first time I stopped, I did what Mom wanted, right there.” The young lady pointed to a spot directly in front of her and Rosie. “When I left, I felt so lonely and so alone and filled with mixed emotions. I was so very sad. I did what Mom wanted, but as I drove away, all I could think about was opening the box with her ashes and letting them slide out of the box and realizing, ‘Oh my God, my mother is gone, and I have no place to go visit her or take a flower.’ It hurt, and I still hurt ... all the time.” Rosie put her arms around the woman, who wept. Rosie was a mother and could not imagine how this poor woman must feel, just tossing her mother’s ashes into the water like that. They stood, arm in arm, for a few minutes, and quietly split apart and both turned to the lake and watched as wave after wave broke on the shore. Finally, Rosie turned to the woman and told her to wait there – that she would be right back. Within minutes, Rosie found herself standing once again next to this poor woman- child. “Honey, I brought you this jar. It might help if you were to scoop up some of the water and some of the sand right where you let your mother go. Take the jar with you and put it someplace safe at your home. I am sure there are times besides Sunday mornings that you feel a need to talk to your mother. Let this jar become a symbol of your loving her enough to follow her wishes. Maybe you will feel that you brought just a little of your mom back home to be with you.” At first, there was a strange look in the young lady’s eyes, but within seconds a spark of love, wonder or who knows what lit up her eyes. She thanked Rosie and ran down to the water’s edge. Rosie made it back to her house and sat in her breezeway, looking toward the grassy knoll. A few minutes later, the woman slowly made her way back to her car and gently placed the jar inside on the floor. As she opened the driver’s side door, she glanced toward the house and her eyes met Rosie’s eyes. No words were spoken as none were needed. They both smiled, nodded, and the loving daughter, who carried out her mother’s wishes to be set free in the waters of Lake Michigan, drove away. In telling this story, Rosie mentioned that she never saw the young lady again, but she knew that she would be all right. Mothers just know these things. This story stuck with me. It happened before I was even in this business. It always seemed like a strange practice to me to blow someone’s cremated remains to the wind or drop them in the ocean or scatter them from a plane. Here was a person of flesh and blood and bone who played such an important role in so many lives and when they die, to me at least, it almost seemed like they were just being thrown away. Cremation ... fine. But I think it offers an awful lot of satisfaction and peace of mind to be able to place them in a permanent resting place where you can visit when the urge hits. Since entering the cemetery and funeral business so many years ago, my feelings have been solidified as people express their regrets for not putting mom or dad or son or daughter in a place of honor ... a place to put a flower. • Mom’s wishes honored BY DANIEL MORAN Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the July 2019 issue of American Cemetery & Cremation, published by Kates- Boylston Publications, and is being shared with permission. Visit www.americancemetery.com to subscribe. It is being reprinted here at the request of Alan Amoroso, board president, Robinson’s Run Cemetery. 12 • Allegheny West Magazine • May/June 2020lLegislative Update Legislative Update BY STATE REP. ANITA KULIK Looking at our “new normal” Spring always comes with much welcome and great anticipation. I always enjoy spring in the area and at the Capitol. The halls are filled with grade school students on tour, winning sports teams, senior tours, and families visiting the area. In the district, there are pancake breakfasts, softball and little league games, and so much more. As I write this, I am in the Capitol, but the feel is much different. No one is in the halls, except maybe a passing legislator or security person. However, the work continues and we are getting ready to address budget issues, just as we do at this time each year. Back home, we do not have little league or softball. Events have been canceled and school is not in session. Things are just so different and not what we want or would like them to be. Our world is much different now and many of the spring rituals we enjoy will not take place. Graduations, religious events and spring sports are not proceeding as usual, though some are still being celebrated. Teachers and other school personnel continue to do their jobs, going above and beyond to keep their students engaged. We are all getting more creative in how we safely socialize. In a lot of respects, we are getting back to simpler lifestyles, as many of us who are a little older fondly remember. Family dinners, board games and backyard play are all things we are doing again, even as much of this is new to children who are accustomed to afterschool activities. We are also communicating with each other in different ways. We are calling our neighbors to make sure they are okay. We are volunteering by working at food drives, donating what we can, making masks for each other, doing the little things that we used to tend to forget to do in our busy lives. It is this creativity and ingenuity that will help us through this unusual time in which we find ourselves. We may not be able to go to ballgames, concerts or fairs, but we will get it figured out and, perhaps, find new ways to entertain ourselves while engaging in more family time. In this current situation, so much is unknown and I know that everyone in the district has been working hard to keep safe. The COVID-19 virus will be with us for a long time. As the medical research continues, we will continue our efforts to keep each other safe. Many of the changes we are experiencing will become our “new normal.” I have no doubt, however, that we will overcome all of this, just as our grandparents overcame the hardships of World War II, and just as we have overcome every other obstacle thrown our way. Please reach out to me at AKulik@pahouse.net or by calling my office at (412) 264-4260 if I may be of assistance during this time. State Rep. Anita Kulik State Rep. Anita Kulik represents Pennsylvania’s 45th District. Her office is located at 1350 Fifth Avenue in Coraopolis. She can be reached at (412) 264-4260. Visit her online at www.pahouse.com/ Kulik. 14 • Allegheny West Magazine • May/June 2020lLegislative Update Legislative Update COVID-19 response I am closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and working with county, state, and federal officials to help protect our communities. Updated COVID-19 resources and news can be found at: senatoriovino.com/covid19. Subscribe to my semi-weekly COVID-19 email updates at senatoriovino.com/subscribe. BY STATE SEN. PAM IOVINO Focus on mental health: improving access, reducing stigma Many of our fellow Pennsylvanians face mental health struggles, including depression and anxiety. According to a study from the University of Southern California, approximately one million adult Pennsylvanians struggled with serious psychological distress at least once in 2015. Of those reporting distress, more than 27 percent had an unmet need for mental health care. Of those expressing an unmet need, 42 percent could not afford to seek care. That is why I applaud Governor Tom Wolf’s “Reach Out PA: Your Mental Health Matters” initiative that will study how our Commonwealth can design policies that increase access to treatment and reduce the stigma associated with mental health. With that goal in mind, on Feb. 10 I co-hosted with secretary of health, Dr. Rachel Levine, one of the roundtables being held around the state at Robert Morris University. The focus of this roundtable was a discussion on maternal mental health. We gathered experts in the field to better understand the scope, barriers and treatments for maternal mental health. If left untreated, maternal mental health disorders such as postpartum depression can be devastating for the mother and family and can have long-term health impacts on the child. The good news is that effective treatments are available, and the insight and expertise we heard at the roundtable will support efforts to develop the programs and improve access to help all mothers and their children live happy and healthy lives. Continuing my efforts to address improving mental health in Pennsylvania, I met with Nicole Fedeli, Director of Public Policy and Engagement for UPMC, to discuss the variety of services offered by UPMC Western Behavioral Health, including mental health and substance abuse disorder treatment. I was especially impressed to learn that their resolve Crisis Services Center, free to all residents of Allegheny County, has responded to more than 119,000 requests for mental health intervention. State Sen. Pam Iovino attended a maternal mental health round table at Robert Morris University (top and bottom left) and met with UPMC to discuss mental health resources. Around the district The new year has gotten off to a busy start both in Harrisburg and the 37th Senatorial District. In February, Gov. Tom Wolf presented his budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. His proposed budget focuses on some of my top priorities, including education, workforce development and public safety. I also was pleased to see no new taxes in the proposal. As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, I have spent a good amount of time over the past few weeks in Harrisburg for the budget hearings listening to testimony from agency secretaries defending their programs, policies and funding needs in this budget. Over the coming months, I look forward to continuing the work of finalizing the details of the 2020 budget and advocating for investments in the working families, businesses and communities of the 37th Senatorial District. Read on for more of my recent work to benefit our communities and our Commonwealth! Funding school safety improvements at Moon Area and Montour Moon Area School District will receive $45,000 and Montour School District will receive $40,000 in grants to invest in school safety and security. Congratulations to both school districts on their strong applications meriting this competitive grant funding. These grants were part of a $60 million package distributed statewide - a funding package I was proud to support in last year’s budget. Keeping our schools safe is prudent and necessary to ensure they are able to maintain facilities for their important work of educating our students. State Sen. Pam Iovino represents Pennsylvania’s 37th Senatorial District. Her Robinson Township district office is located at 5996 Steubenville Pike and can be reached at (412) 788-2967. Visit her online at www.senatoriovino.com. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @senatoriovino. Krystal Biotech groundbreaking On Jan. 24, I joined other elected public officials and Krish Krishnan, CEO/chairman of Krystal Biotech, to break ground on Krystal Biotech’s new pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Findlay Township. The plant is expected to create 225 new jobs after being fully built-out. This groundbreaking is a continuation of the airport area’s economic development under the leadership of Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis, and the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance. It marks a return to our region’s strong and proud manufacturing roots that will bring new opportunity to our economy. State Sen. Pam Iovino May/June 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 15Your SchoolsYour Schools N STORIES AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY ARCHANGEL GABRIEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Archangel Gabriel Catholic School Jello science Students in Mrs. Ford’s seventh grade class were challenged to build a tower out of marshmallows and toothpicks. Each student was to design and build a structure, then place it on top of a layer of Jello inside of a baking dish. They then counted down 10 seconds while vigorously shaking the pan, thereby simulating an earthquake. Students recorded the experiment and shared it virtually. While many structures toppled, some withstood the simulated earthquake. A new way to learn With school buildings across the nation having closed, educators have been forced to reach students and conduct school in alternative ways. In the weeks since the closure, teachers have posted assignments each week on their virtual schoolwork pages. Much like other schools, Zoom and Google Virtual Classrooms have become the norm in the spring of 2020. Now, teachers conduct classes virtually, send videos and pictures, and encourage children to connect remotely with their classmates for small group activities. Some teachers even reach out individually by calling to check in and help with their work. Seeing students’ faces light up as they connect with their teachers and friends online has been a gift for AGS educators. AGS is proud of everyone for their commitment to learn every day and to move forward despite the prevailing challenges. Spreading joy Fourth-graders were given the assignment to spreading joy while studying from home. Students and teachers are being forced to think outside the box these days. While some struggled with this assignment, Brielle chalked her walk with inspirational messages for her neighbors. Dominic, meanwhile, put his artwork in the windows, changing it every few days to share with walking neighbors. It does not take much to spread joy every single day if one just truly thinks of others. Rise of the Knights This year, the school proudly named its new mascot as the Knight. Each athletic team was excited to wear its new uniforms and school colors. Every month, the entire school focused on showcasing a new characteristic of the Knight with the goal of each student becoming one. From honesty and loyalty to kindness, servant leadership and perseverance, these strengths are going to help students overcome barriers in their lives and continue to rise. A Knight’s Week Archangel Gabriel celebrated the school’s spirit week during out-of-school educational time. AGS asked families to participate in fun suggested activities while focusing on the underlying characteristics of the Knight. On Monday, during Virtual Vacation Day, students took virtual trips and invited a friend who has demonstrated kindness. Tuesday was Make it Day and showcased servant leadership. Students made lunch, a treat or a piece of artwork to share with a friend. Some found other ways to help their families. Wednesday, which was also April Fools Day, was Silly Day. While this day may traditionally be filled with tricks, students were asked to demonstrate purity in their creative jokes with the goal of putting a smile on the faces of others. On Thursday, the school community celebrated Random Acts of Kindness Day. Students drew pictures for the elderly, called lonely friends and even helped with chores without being asked. On Friday, students, teachers and parents alike dressed in their AGS Knights colors. Students were even able to see each other live as they participated in their Zoom and Google Virtual Classrooms. It was a great week and many participating families tagged their pictures on social media for all to see. Gym class at home Archangel Gabriel Catholic School absolutely loves teacher Adam Miller. Like so many of the school’s teachers, he goes above and beyond to make sure students are reached in his computer, health and gym classes throughout the school year. He even greeted every single child by name who entered the school’s car rider door each morning. While out of the school building, Miller has found ways to keep his students engaged and is offering continual YouTube gym classes. Students are loving them, and AGS is encouraged by all the new ways the community is finding to keep the school strong, both mentally and physically. The Mattarochia family is ready for a virtual vacation to Disney. Fifth grade teacher Michelle Golden misses her students. Brielle Greer inspires many with her beautiful messages. 16 • Allegheny West Magazine • May/June 2020N Your Schools Your Schools STORIES AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY ST. PHILIP CATHOLIC SCHOOL St. Philip Catholic School Virtual learning St. Philip students have been continuing to learn through live on- line presentations, posted assignments and special activities since schools shut down March 16. Each class is finding unique ways of staying connected and having fun in these very challenging times. Toward that end, the PTG has initiated Virtual Spirit Weeks. Each day of the week has a theme and an accompanying activity posted on Facebook. Activities have given the school community a chance to involve the whole family by sharing each family’s fun with the rest of the St. Philip community. The first week included days such as Green and White Day, Creativity Day (make something and share it), Pgh Spirit Black and Gold Day, Nature Day (get outside and share what you find), and Spiritual Day. Teachers are also expanding learning with virtual field trips, online recess, birthday parties, sing-a-longs, mystery readers, stuffed animal shows, scavenger hunts and more - all online. Art teacher and librarian Margaret McGaughey created videos of some fun art projects to do at home, such as shaving cream marble paintings and brown paper bag stars. During a Zoom session, second-graders shared their screen with Mystery Doug, who invited students into his home for a live, 20-minute science show. Doug answered kids’ questions about the current situation we’re all dealing with and shared a few fun surprises. Gym teacher Virginia Roth also created videos of online gym classes and led a virtual Easter egg hunt through Greentree Park with a round of jumping jacks, windmills and pushups as each egg was found. Learning about and practicing faith have also been addressed. Children continue to worship at school liturgies via the Internet while St. Philip priests offer Mass from Ascension over the Internet. During Holy Week, St. Philip Pastor Rev. Gizler took students on a virtual field trip to the Vatican, where he spent time studying. Computer classes have also been using videos to help students learn the Stations of the Cross and events of Holy Week. In pre-K’s religion class, students are learning how God made helpers. Students have been making hearts and hanging them on their doors to show all of the helpers how thankful they are for what they do. St. Philip will end the year with virtual graduations in kindergarten and eighth grade. Carson Scholar Eighth-grader Julianna Umalin has been named a Carson Scholar for 2020. She and other Carson Scholars were honored in a virtual ceremony May 9. They also received medals and scholarships of $1,000 each. Julianna is among a group of over 4,200 students from across the country who were selected as Carson Scholars. Academic achievements and community service make them stand out as future leaders. Julianna will attend Bishop Canevin High School in the fall. Design Lives Here WQED event Enrichment students worked with the Design Lives Here Project at WQED this school year. Students shared their results with partner schools in the U.S. and India as they completed various engineering challenges aimed at creating inventions to help the environment. The program culminated with a visit to WQED studios, where students completed three more projects by working collaboratively with peers from other schools throughout the Pittsburgh region. Students were challenged to create a shelter from garbage bags and garden posts that could withstand “winds” from a leaf blower; create a paddle boat from a plastic cup and skewers that could move down a channel of water; and fashion a container that could carry as many ping-pong balls as possible down a zip line. Students also presented on their inventions to help the environment. These were videotaped prior to the event. The Jaworski children watch the school librarian read a book online. Julianna Umalin The St. Philip Design Lives Here Team poses for a picture. Super shooter Fifth-grader Shae Trombetta was the District First Place winner in the Elks National Hoop Shoot Contest in the ages 10 to 11 category. Shae went on to the state championships in Harrisburg, where she finished in fifth place. May/June 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 17Your SchoolsYour Schools N Robinson Township Christian School On March 12, it became clear to Bryan Campbell, Robinson Township Christian School’s principal, that a statewide school closure mandate due to the COVID-19 outbreak was imminent. He thus called for an afterschool meeting with teachers and administrators to discuss distance learning options. Campbell felt that the best approach would be to equip teachers with as many tools as possible but permit them to use whatever approach they felt would be most effective for their students. By March 17, teachers had notified families with individualized instruction for distance learning. Just six days later, on March 18, distance learning began for all K-12 students at RTCS. As a smaller school, RTCS has a teacher-to- student ratio of 1:6, allowing for flexibility in adapting to the unique and individual needs of students. This flexibility helped make the sudden transition to remote learning go quickly and smoothly while keeping the school on schedule. Since implementing distance learning, RTCS teachers have been working tirelessly to provide support to parents and students using the FACTS SIS Learning Management System, which is integrated with Google Classrom. This is a tool designed for remote online learning that allows teachers to post lesson materials and assignments. They can also generate quizzes and are able to receive completed assignments from students. For younger K-5 students, teachers have been sending emails with scanned material packets containing lesson plans, worksheets, quizzes and tests. Students have been directed to send assignments back via email or even text message. Kindergarten teacher Teresa Bailley’s world now looks very different as she spends more time creating lesson plans than actually teaching. “I miss seeing those smiling faces entering my classroom each morning and being able to see on their faces when they understand something or when they read something that they didn’t know they could,” she said. “Now I see most of them on the computer screen a few times a week.” Students in grades six through 12, meanwhile, have access to remote learning options that include teacher blogs, links to online instructional material and videos. Some teachers have even created their own YouTube channels with lessons for students. High school math teacher Jenny Au has created a YouTube channel to continue instructing her students to the very best of her ability. With a click, students can now tune into “Golden Math with Ms. Au,” where they will find lessons similar to what they would be receiving in a traditional classroom setting. “I have been learning lots of new technology right along with my students. Most have adapted really well,” said Au. In times like these, adapting, supporting each other and doing the very best that each can do has been beneficial for everyone. RTCS parent Laurie Schmaus, whose children are in grades two, four and six this year, has been finding the silver lining. “My older children have been able to help their younger siblings in certain subjects and that has been fun to watch,” she says. “The gift of extra family time at home is really a blessing in our usually busy and hurried world and I have been so thankful for the amazing access we have to our teachers.” TOP: Fourth-grader Eliana Schmaus practices her spelling words by using baking materials at home. BOTTOM: Jenny Au has created a YouTube channel to continue teaching her students. RTCS makes swift transition to remote learning STORY AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY ROBINSON TOWNSHIP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 18 • Allegheny West Magazine • May/June 2020May/June 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 19Next >