ESSER Grant

 

 

District 95 conducted a stakeholder survey (staff members, family members) Fall 2021 in order to determine stakeholder needs and priorities for use of ESSER funding. ESSER fund uses were also discussed in the following public formats: Teaching & Learning Committee; regular meetings of the Board of Education. The LEA intends to include all required information for ESSER III grant submission.

 

District 95 has a comprehensive instructional plan (linked HERE), which outlines all facets of returning students and staff to learning (i.e., academic plans, operational plans, health office supports), on the District website. District 95 has additionally posted the fund allocation categories on the District's website (above).

 

With respect to review and updating, the District leadership will assess use of funds and revisit stakeholder feedback on a quarterly cycle using existing structures (District leadership meetings, Student & Staff Success Team, etc.).

 

District 95 intends to utilize a portion of ESSER III funds (at least 20%) to fund summer learning opportunities to address the academic impact of lost instructional time. Summer school opportunities funded by ESSER III (in part) will target students with standardized assessment scores that indicate they are not meeting/exceeding state standards in the areas of ELA/math. Students will be identified using NWEA MAP scores primarily, and evidence-based strategies for remediating identified gaps will be employed during summer programming.

 

District 95 additionally intends to utilize a portion of ESSER III funds to address the mental health needs of students (using evidence-based practices) for those students most impacted by the pandemic (e.g., students experiencing trauma, students who experienced loss, students whose families no longer have the means to address mental health needs). Funds will be utilized to pay for groups facilitated by contracted social work staff - designed to address stress management, anxiety/depression management, and other target skills. Two evidence-based resources have been identified to support student mental health needs as part of the group process. Funds will also be utilized to provide individual therapy and psychiatric services to those students identified as in need. The District will identify students in need through multiple means (i.e., Student Services team member referrals, parent requests). 

 

The LEA additionally plans to utilize funds to increase internet connectivity in its buildings so that all students have access to high-quality internet to support instruction during the school day and to maximize students' in-person learning experiences.

 

With regard to using funds to support diverse populations, both summer learning and social-emotional supports implemented via ESSER III funds are designed to meet the needs of marginalized student groups (e.g., student groups that historically under-perform, such as low-income populations and students of color, students whose families do not have the resources to address mental health needs).

 

The following opportunities for stakeholder feedback have already occurred (or are scheduled to occur): Student & Staff Success Team review of ESSER III funding/initial stakeholder feedback survey development (convened 9/27/2021); initial proposal for use of some ESSER III funds shared at Teaching & Learning Committee (11/4/2021); survey sent to both external and internal stakeholders on 11/5/2021 (regarding how ESSER funds should be utilized/priorities for spending); Student & Staff Success Team meeting on 11/16/2021 to review stakeholder data.

 

The following opportunities (in addition to the survey sent to all families and staff members in District 95) have been or will be scheduled: Teaching & Learning Committee (Board committee, open to the public) meeting on 11/4/2021; Board Meeting on 11/4/2018 (initial updates shared); Board Meeting on 12/4/2021.

 

District 95 does not intend to utilize funds to address the following approved uses of ESSER monies: