ESSER III Application Development, Initiatives, and Funding

Esser is the elementary and secondary education relief act. This funding is to help ensure that districts and schools can continue to operate safely; support sustained access to in-person instruction; and address the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of students due to the impact of  (COVID-19.)

During the planning phase of ESSER III we elicited input from various stakeholders. The district launched a web based survey. The survey received 334 responses; 70% of respondents were parents/guardians and 30% of the respondents were educators/staff/community members. Results identified priorities as:

• Implementation additional intervention opportunities throughout the district that take place within the school day
• Implementation of after school programs/academic interventions
• Provide additional mental health services and supports
• Continue to repair and improve school facilities to reduce risk of virus transmission

All survey results were reviewed by each individual school improvement team. The school improvement teams consist of a groups of educators and other stakeholders (ie. community members, parents, and students.) Each SIT made specific recommendations for the development of the ESSER III plan. The district Professional Development Advisory Committee, Teacher Leaders and Administrative Team, have also given input/feedback to inform the plan. We also analyzed academic achievement DATA to pinpoint learning gaps as we make plans to to understand student needs resulting rom or relating to the impact of COVID-19.

Examples of how our priorities then become reality are:

• Hiring two student student engagement/assistant counselors at the middle school/high school level to improve communication skills, social engagement and social connectedness by participating in counseling or enrichment activities provided by student assistant counselors 
• Expanding math intervention programs at our middle school, our preliminary results of last year’s program has shown success so we would like to extend that initiative
• Hiring part time teacher assistants at the lower elem level to support students with reading/literacy instruction
• provide high-dosage  (after-school and synchronous evening) tutoring to students to provide instructional support to students increasing reading and math achievement 
• Continue to fund long and short term substitute teachers to support sustained access to in person instruction
• Implement Right to Read Professional Development which is a new law in RI reqirining teachers to participate in the Science of Reading courses which are time consuming and expensive (these funds will help move us along to implement those requirements)
• Hire an additional elementary teacher (similar to what we did this year in second grade) which allowed us to lower class size and implement strategic interventions
• We would also like to continue the window replacement project at the HS, with  the cafeteria being the priority

We will present at School Committee meetings and Budget Committee meetings in terms of how stakeholder input was taken into account as well as communication of the district priorities and plan specifics.

This plan will be reviewed and revisited every six months with each individual school improvement team. The administrative team will also provide bi-annual presentations to the school committee.