Greenon Local Schools

American Rescue Plan (ARP) ESSER Local Use of Funds Plan

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) emphasizes the importance of transparency and information about actions to be taken and how financial resources will be used. In addition to the “Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services” the District must develop a “Local Use of Funds” plan detailing how ARP funds will be used at the local level.  The plan can be updated.  The Greenon Local School District team collaborated to develop this plan.  The district worked hard to provide a safe in-person learning environment for the 2020-2021 school year.  We plan to continue with in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year. Our expectations have not and cannot change because of the pandemic. ARP funds will be used by the District to continue providing an excellent education while responding to the ever-changing needs of our students and families during this COVID 19 pandemic.

The district had to answers the questions below as we developed our plan:

1. How will ARP ESSER funds be used to implement prevention and mitigation strategies that are, to the greatest extent practicable, consistent with the most recent CDC guidance on reopening schools, in order to continuously and safely open and operate schools for in-person learning?

The district will utilize ARP ESSER Funds to cover expenses related to the following mitigation strategies: 1. The district will invest ARP ESSER funds to add additional classrooms to the elementary wing.  Adding additional classrooms will space students out farther making it safer for social distancing to exist.  2. The district will invest ARP ESSER funds to upgrade our wastewater treatment system and improvements to our drinking water system at the athletic complex.  Replacing these will reduce the risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards. 3. The district will invest ARP ESSER funds to replace and add custodial equipment, including floor, wall, and window scrubbers along with a scissor lift.  The equipment will reduce the risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards.  4. The district will invest ARP ESSER funds to replace a John Deere Gator Utility Vehicle and Plow/Salt Truck.  The vehicles allow our sidewalks, parking lots, and roadways to be cleared for in-person school to take place.  It ensures continuity of services for all students and helps ensure geographically isolated students can attend school.  It also supports students returning to the classroom.  (Please note history log with Morgan Brown from ODE.)  5. The district will invest ARP ESSER funds to install vaping detectors in the school.  Adding detectors will reduce the risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards.  6.  The district will add carpet rugs in our elementary classrooms.  Adding the rugs will space students out in the classroom during circle time and small group instruction, which will help reduce the risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards.  

2. How will the LEA use the funds it reserves under section 2001(e)(1) of the ARP Act to address the academic impact of lost instructional time through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive afterschool programs, or extended school year?

The district will address the academic impact of lost instruction through evidenced-based interventions such as: Providing summer school instruction to students in grades K-12.  Providing extended school year services for special education students as needed. Providing credit recovery options for at-risk high school students through in-district options.  Providing in-school tutoring to students in grades K-6.  Providing after-school tutoring to students in grades 2-12.  The district will also allocate funds towards a math coach, reading paraprofessional, technology paraprofessional, Response to Intervention teacher, special education paraprofessional, and an additional elementary teacher to reduce class size.  All of these positions will be beneficial to address the academic impact of lost instructional time.  

3. How will the LEA spend its remaining ARP ESSER funds consistent with section 2001(e)(2) of the ARP Act?

The district will allocate ARP ESSER funds for the purchase of technology for the staff and students we serve. This technology includes, but is not limited to hardware, software, and connectivity that supports staff and students including low-income and IDEA.  The district will use ARP ESSER funds for a contract for a full-time nurse aide to effectively maintain the health and safety of the students and staff.  

4. How will the LEA ensure that the interventions it implements, including but not limited to the interventions implemented under section 2001(e)(1) of the ARP Act to address the academic impact of lost instructional time, will respond to the academic, social, emotional and mental health needs of all students, and particularly those students disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including students from low-income families, students of color, English learners, children with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, children in foster care and migratory students.

The district will utilize ARP ESSER funds to pay for a certified Mental Health Therapist 4 days a week.  The therapist will assess and help students cope with mental and emotional disorders, relationship issues and life challenges.  The therapist will use different strategies including sources of strength training to help students cope and navigate through their struggles during the pandemic.  This will ensure that the needs of all the students, including students from low-income families, students of color, English learners, children with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, children in foster care and migratory students receive appropriate interventions.  

5. Briefly describe how the LEA determined its most important educational needs as a result of COVID-19.

On February 9, 2021, Governor DeWine asked schools and districts to work with their communities and educational stakeholders to help students continue to advance academically and to make up for any learning that may have been lost or delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic and related disruptions. We developed a plan to address the following key components: A. Impacted Students: How will schools and districts identify which students have been most impacted by the pandemic in terms of their learning progress (with a focus on the most vulnerable student populations) B. Needs Assessment: How will schools and districts identify the needs of those students? Resources and Budget: What resources are available to address those needs? Generally, what is the budget for the plan? C. Approaches: What approaches can best be deployed to address those needs? (This may include approaches such as ending the school year later than scheduled, beginning the new year early, extending the school day, summer programs, tutoring, and remote options.) D. Partnerships: Which local and regional partners (such as Educational Service Centers, Information Technology Centers, libraries, museums, after-school programs, or civic organizations) can schools and districts engage. This may include but is not limited to Student Wellness and Success Fund plans, remote learning plans, improvement plans, CCIP-related plans, and graduation plans.

6. Briefly describe the LEA's proposed timeline for providing services and assistance to students and staff with these funds.

The district plans to utilize funds to support students and staff during FY22, FY23, and FY24 through the needs of certified tutors in the elementary, supporting a math and literacy coach, Response to Intervention teacher at the high school, paraprofessionals in the elementary, and an elementary online assessment and instructional platform that helps teachers provide all student a path to proficiency and growth in reading and mathematics, which can also assistance parents at home.  

7. Briefly describe the extent to which the LEA intends to use ARP ESSER funds to promote remote learning.

The district will utilize ARP ESSER funds to provide remote learning for students with disabilities for whom it is deemed medically necessary to learn remotely.

8. Describe the LEA's plan for addressing learning loss by: administering and using high-quality assessments to assess students' academic progress and meet students' academic needs, including through differentiating instruction; implementing evidence-based activities to meet the comprehensive needs of students; providing information and assistance to parents and families on how they can effectively support students, including in a distance learning environment; and/or tracking student attendance and improving student engagement in distance education.

The district will utilize ARP ESSER funds by administering high quality assessments to assess students’ academic progress with a focus on at-risk students including students from low-income families, students of color, English learners, children with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, children in foster care and migratory students.  Summer school will be offered to these at-risk students along with tutoring during the day and after school implementing evidence-based activities, such as an Orton Gillingham approach, to meet the comprehensive needs of students.  The elementary staff will also utilize i-Ready during the school day and assist parents and families on how they can effectively utilize i-Ready at home to support their child. Credit recovery will be offered to high school students to help meet graduation requirements.  

Summary:

Greenon Local Schools is extremely proud of our students, families, and community for adapting to our current reality.  The 2020-2021 school year was tough, but we worked together to have a successful year.  The staff met the students' needs both educationally and emotionally.  The safety protocols and logistical operations of each building were outstanding and reflected the expertise and dedication of our team. The District continues to be thankful for our supportive parents and families, as well as our entire staff.  We have and will continue to collaborate with the Clark County Health Department as situations arise and make decisions centered around the best interest of our students and staff.  Overall, the ARP funds will allow the District to continue to provide the level of services the community expects, as we continue to navigate the COVID 19 pandemic. As always, it is encouraged to check the Greenon website at greenonschools.org for the most current information.