ARPA-ESSR Funding Plan
Introduction
The 2021-22 enacted state budget includes language requiring local education agencies, such as school districts, that receive funding from the Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund allocated by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA-ESSER), to post a plan by school year on their website of how these funds will be spent.
New York has been allocated nearly $9 billion in ARPA-ESSER funds, with a minimum of $8.09 billion (90 percent) going to local education agencies, including public schools. The Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central School District has been allocated $3,245,654.
A portion, $499,996 must be allocated to address “Learning Loss” through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as: summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive after-school programs, or extended school year programs. It must also ensure that such interventions respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on the student subgroups.
Pursuant to applicable legislations and corresponding regulations, school districts are also required to prioritize spending on non-recurring expenses in the following areas:
- Safely returning students to in-person instruction;
- Maximizing in-person instruction time;
- Operating schools and meeting the needs of students;
- Purchasing educational technology;
- Addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on students, including the impacts of interrupted instruction and learning loss and the impacts on low-income students, children with disabilities, English language learners, and students experiencing homelessness;
- Implementing evidence-based strategies to meet students’ social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs;
- Offering evidence-based summer, afterschool, and other extended learning and enrichment programs; and
- Supporting early childhood education.
In addition, districts must identify programs and services that will continue beyond the availability of these federal funds and how local funds will be used moving forward in order to minimize disruption to core academic and other school programs.
Reflecting on the Impact of COVID-19 on Students & Learning
The Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central School District strives for every student to experience an enriching environment where they will master the skills necessary for 21st century learning and reach their full potential for applying knowledge. All OESJ students will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful and authentic learning through teachers’ use of research based, innovative instructional practices. Although the efforts and endeavors of the district were complicated, to say the least, by the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain true to our mission and our commitment to each and every one of our students.
COVID-19 has further reinforced:
- The importance of strong, curriculum based approaches.
- Prioritization of skills and content students know, understand and achieve.
- Culturally responsive, equitable approaches and environments to foster engagement
- Authentic learning experiences that address multiple intelligences and learning styles
- Integration of technology to support independent learning and solution building
- The importance of using evidence to understand the impact of instructional decisions.
- Social-emotional learning and the critical nature of relationships…peers, teacher-student and staff
- Safety is valued and fosters a further sense of normalcy
To that end, with a keen focus on realizing the district goals and objectives, this plan is posted to get public feedback and take such comments into account in the finalization of the plan for submission of information into the NYSED Portal. Some key reminders to consider as you review the information below:
- This is a multi-year plan, hence it is fluid, recognizing the changing facts and factors. Specific utilization or expenditures may change, but the major categories are not negotiable
- Spending will be prioritized based on non-recurring expenditures
- Equitability of expenditures shall be applied as much as practicable
Sustainability of expenditures, meaning the capacity to use local resources beyond the availability of federal dollars, hence avoiding a potential funding cliff.
CATEGORIES AND PROPOSED USE OF FUNDS
Safely returning students to in-person instruction
Plan Summary:
Coordinating preparedness and response efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. The district will follow recommendations and guidance from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), New York State Education Department (NYSED), Montgomery County Public Health Department, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The OESJ CSD will also continue to use and provide personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves as well as sanitation equipment and supplies needed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as directed.
- provide training and professional development on sanitizing to minimize the
- spread of infectious diseases to all staff
- purchase supplies to sanitize and clean buildings and classrooms=
- repairing and improving school facilities to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards
- improving air quality and HVAC systems
Maximizing in-person instruction time & Operating schools and meeting the needs of students
Plan Summary: Focus on accelerating students’ learning by meeting them where they are, and providing them with the right tools and content to ensure success in the coming years.
- Additional intervention for grades K – 6 in reading and math
- Tier-1 interventions K – 6 (revamped RTI plan for both instruction and behavior)
- Addressing challenges with attendance and participation
- Social-Emotional Learning supports for both students and adults
- Additional programs to respond to the social and emotional learning of all students
- Curriculum supports
- Repurposing of existing learning spaces
- Develop opportunities through the purchase of furniture that enhances and creates social, collaborative learning experiences
- Hiring additional staff to increase literacy supports and small group learning
Purchase of educational technology
Plan Summary:
Enhancing learning experience and eradicating “learning loss” while adhering to EdLaw-2D compliance.
- Instructional Technology (interactive screens for classrooms, devices)
- Enhancements to agriculture and technology education equipment to expand those learning opportunities for students
- To align to the required NIST Cybersecurity Framework, additional security investments must occur
- The district will continue to replace Chromebooks as they become damaged or obsolete
- The district will also continue to provide hotspots for students who do not have reliable internet access
Addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all students, including low-income students, students with disabilities, English language learners, and students experiencing homelessness
Plan Summary:
Preserve equity in opportunities through expansion and access.
- High School Credit Recovery Programs (APEX)
- Elementary & Jr./Sr. Summer School
- Extended school day (beyond the bell) for students struggling in reading and math
- Homework help to overcome learning disruption
Implementing evidence-based strategies to meet students’ social, emotional, mental health and academic needs
Plan Summary:
The OESJ CSD may use funds to support evidence-based strategies to support social, emotional, mental health and academic needs through Learning enhancement, improving engagement, and bridging learning opportunities
- The district will support initiatives to provide a positive school climate
- Data from assessments will be utilized to set targets, provide information for small group instruction, and allow for differentiated instruction.
- Equity and Mental Health educational resources.
- Potential contractual services for added mental health supports
- Funds may also be used to support outdoor instructional learning spaces
Offering evidence-based summer, afterschool, and other extended learning and enrichment programs
Plan Summary:
The OESJ CSD may use funds to offer evidence-based summer, afterschool, and other extended learning and enrichment programs. Additional learning opportunities for academics and enrichment programs, including clubs, sports, and fine arts will be supported through the use of ARP funding.
- Summer Literacy programs for targeted elementary students to address potential “learning loss”
- Jr./Sr. HS Summer School summer school and credit recovery programs
- Revamped and expanded CTE programs
- Late buses in the district for students after school
Supporting early childhood education
Plan Summary:
Focus on the importance of early education by providing expanded opportunities, enhanced curriculums, and interventions to support both students and staff.
- Literacy interventions for elementary primary levels
- Expansion of Pre-Kindergarten program
- K – 6 ELA & Math Curriculum development
- Professional development for staff in regards to RTI and curriculum
For the purpose of developing this plan, stakeholder feedback was collected from parents and caregivers through a survey that received 200 responses. We appreciate your participation. Meetings have also been conducted with faculty leadership teams, administration, and departments in technology, buildings & grounds, transportation, and athletics.
In order to continue to take stakeholder feedback into account, we will continue to allow public comment on the plan until Friday, July 9th.
Please share any additional comments by clicking on this LINK .
We thank you in advance for your continued feedback and support.