2021-22 School Year Plan for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds
Overview
The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2, was enacted on March 11, 2021. ARP ESSER provides a total of nearly $122 billion to States 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.
All LEAs must reserve at least 20 percent of funds to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions and ensure that those interventions respond to students’ social, emotional, and academic needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underrepresented student subgroups. The remaining LEA funds may be used for a wide range of activities to address needs arising from the coronavirus pandemic.
ARP Funds Use
Canton CSD meaningfully engaged a diverse and representative set of the applicable stakeholders in developing a plan to use these funds and implementing that plan.
The LEA surveyed staff and community and posted the google form on website for any community member as a way for them to provide the district with feedback on how the funds could be used. An informational presentation was also given at a Board meeting. Information continues to be updated on the district website.
Canton Central School District will gather continuous feedback regarding our ARP Plan from the community through an open online survey posted on our website.
To continuously and safely reopen and operate schools, the district will use funds to implement prevention and mitigation strategies that are, to the greatest extent practicable, consistent with the most recent CDC guidance on reopening schools. Funds will be used for the following:
- Purchase air handler filters to improve the indoor air quality in the school facility;
- Have necessary PPE and sanitizing supplies readily available to include masks, gloves, wipes, and sanitizing sprays and cleaners;
- To allow for outdoor learning spaces and activities to the greatest extent possible, the district will purchase a mower to clear lawn areas; and
- Purchase two floor scrubbers.
We recognize that we will see an increased need in the area of academic intervention services as students return to full in-person learning five days a week beginning in the fall of 2021. To address the academic impact of lost instructional time through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, the required reserve of 20% of funds will be used to:
- Purchase a new comprehensive reading program that thoroughly teaches foundational skills, and significantly supports reading, writing, speaking and language literacy development;
- Appoint a Teacher Assistant at the elementary level to ensure small group instruction at the Tier III intervention level.
- Appoint a part-time literacy assessment teacher for student evaluations and data recording;
- Offer afterschool programming and tutoring that focuses on skills and strategies to build confidence in students as they transition back into in-person instruction providing enrichment, homework help, and instruction on data driven deficits;
- Continue and expand summer learning and enrichment activities for students in grades PK-12 to focus on literacy and math, social emotional learning, enrichment activities, and credit recovery.
- Offer additional academic support during school hours at both the middle and high school levels by hiring two additional teaching staff members assigned to Instructional Resource Rooms; and
- Support classroom instruction by purchasing microscopes, math manipulatives, student non-fiction and fiction books, leveled readers, writing supplies and other teacher requested materials.
To identify student needs and monitor student progress as a result of planned interventions and supports, the district will continue to monitor student progress with i-Ready diagnostic testing, meet regularly to analyze diagnostic results, and develop and implement intervention strategies for struggling learners using a multi-tiered system of supports. In addition, we will utilize progress monitoring data and individual student data (formative and summative assessments and observations) from teachers. Other data we will collect and analyze is attendance, counseling records, and student/parent/teacher feedback surveys results.
The district will ensure that the interventions it implements, including but not limited to the interventions implemented under the required reserve of 20% of funds - to address the academic impact of lost instructional time, will respond to the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of all students. Data will be collected on students’ academic progress via pre and post-tests and i-Ready benchmarking and progress monitoring. Students' social emotional well-being will be monitored via classroom teacher observations and reports, school nurse, counseling services and guidance meetings. Students will be referred to the Instructional Support Team to determine additional needed support to be provided either in school or through support from community agencies.
Canton CSD will utilize remaining ARP funds to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in the district. The district will:
- Continue to employ existing teaching staff; and
- Purchase a truck and plow for facility and grounds landscaping and clean-up, transporting equipment and supplies, and snow removal.
The district appreciates your support and values your input as we remain steadfast in our vision:
In concert with parents, guardians, and our larger educational community, establish a nurturing, safe, and accepting environment conducive to all students, faculty, and staff achieving their individual potentials.
Please feel free to make comments regarding this plan by going to the address below: