The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP/ESSER) Fund is a one-time federal stimulus fund that has specific parameters in how it may be spent. Funds are provided to State educational agencies and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the Nation’s students. Funds may be spent in the following ways:
- 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.
The Wynantskill UFSD has been awarded $676,254 from the ARP/ESSER Fund. After taking into account input from the community, as well as consideration of our students’ needs and the needs of our District, we have planned to use these funds in the following areas:
Staffing
- Additional teachers for Grades 3, 5 and 7
- Nurse’s Aide
- Social Worker
- Two permanent substitutes
- Special Education Consultation
Technology/Curriculum
- Promethean Boards in every classroom
- New Chromebooks for every student
- IXL Remedial Software
- New reading program and materials for Grades 6-8
- New reading series for elementary in 2022-23