ARP ESSER Use of Funds Plan
TPS ARP ESSER Use of Funds Plan
1. The extent to which and how the funds will 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;
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tenafly conducted a thorough facility audit of all of the school buildings. The funds will go towards replacing windows and HVAC systems. These projects will give buildings a higher rate of air filtration; Increased Outdoor Air Exchange to provide good indoor air quality to dilute indoor air to reduce viral spread; and humidity controls. Bringing our facilities up to date and ensuring they are safe for students and staff.
2. How the LEA will 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 is prepared to provide additional academic support programs by extending the school day via before/and after school intervention and enrichment programs in STEM, Literacy, VPA areas. These will be offered throughout the school year.
3. How the LEA will spend its remaining ARP ESSER funds consistent with section 2001(e)(2) of the ARP Act; and
A facility audit by our architects of record recommend rethinking systems design and performance in response to the discovery that coronavirus can survive in the air longer than previously thought. The NJDOE Road Back: Restart and Recovery Plan for Education document outlines conditions for learning and it includes ensuring that indoor facilities have adequate ventilation. A school system will have to weigh its ability to create and consistently follow effective health and safety measures to mitigate the risk of infection. The funds will help improve our schools' infrastructure, so that we can operate safely after reopening.
4. How the LEA will 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. Under this requirement, an LEA must engage in meaningful consultation with stakeholders and give the public an opportunity to provide input in the development of its plan. Specifically, an LEA must engage in meaningful consultation with students; families; school and district administrators (including special education administrators); and teachers, principals, school leaders, other educators, school staff, and their unions.
Tenafly will utilize small group evidence-based interventions that support the science of teaching reading by implementing Leveled Literacy Instruction in the fall. The district has curated a series of innovative afterschool programs for the 2021-2022v school year to target learning gaps in the areas of language arts and math.
5. Additionally, an LEA must engage in meaningful consultation with each of the following, to the extent present in or served by the LEA: Tribes; civil rights organizations (including disability rights organizations); and stakeholders representing the interests of children with disabilities, English learners, children experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, migratory students, children who are incarcerated, and other underserved students.
The district plans to have on-going stakeholder meetings to address the needs of children with disabilities, English learners and other underserved students.