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- Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
- ESSER: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund
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In 2021, WS/FCS developed a plan to utilize federal ESSER Funds in response to COVID’s impacts on education in our public schools. The plan includes input from 10 townhall style events and will undergo ongoing evaluation of a task force (soon to be formed). WS/FCS has the ability to amend its ESSER Plan and budget as needed.
What is ESSER?Congress has approved three (3) different Acts as a response to the impact of COVID-19. Each Act has parts that are specific to states and school systems to address the impacts of the pandemic through the use of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds.
March 2020 - ESSER I December 2020 - ESSER II March 2021 - ESSER III ESSER I was established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. ESSER I provided direct funding to states and school districts to address the impact COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the nation. ESSER II was created through enactment of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA). As with ESSER I, the core purpose of the ESSER II Fund is to provide funds to states and districts to address the areas most impacted by the disruption and closure of schools caused by COVID-19. For NC, addressing learning recovery was the focus, specifically summer school. The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund was enacted. ARP ESSER (ESSER III) provides direct aid to states and districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of COVID-19 on schools. ESSER III requires each public school unit to use at least 20% of their allotment for addressing learning loss.
What can ESSER II and ESSER III Funding support?
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ESSER Funds can support activities such as:
- Addressing Learning Loss
- Long-term Closure Activities
- Education Technology
- Mental Health Services
- Summer Learning
- Other Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Activities
- Providing Principals/Leaders with Resources (ESSER II only)
- Addressing Unique Needs of Special Populations
ESSER Funds can also support improvements or modifications that help prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus:
- Improving Preparedness and Response
- Training to Minimize Virus Transmission
- Supplies to Sanitize and Clean
- Facility Repairs/Improvement to Minimize Virus Transmission
- Improve Air Quality
- Coordination of Preparedness and Response
WS/FCS Guiding Principles
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WS/FCS asked the following questions to help establish its ESSER Funding Allocations and Priorities.
- How does the investment address current and long-term student needs?
- How does the investment advance the strategic plan and instructional priorities, vision, and goals of the district?
- What do we know already about the efficacy of the investment of the likelihood that a new, innovative initiative will be successful?
- What will it take to effectively and equitably implement the program or strategy?
- How will the investment be sustained or continue to build district capacity after the three years of relief funding ends?
- How will success be measured? What are the metrics that will be employed?
WS/FCS will be diligent to create sustainable activities, improvements, and modifications for the safe operation of its schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the district's students beyond the ESSER Funding periods.
- How does the investment address current and long-term student needs?
You spoke. We listened.
Incorporated Community Ideas into ESSER
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- Literacy coaches to support K-3 teachers
- Standards-aligned field trips and exploration activities
- One-time retention bonuses to all WS/FCS employees
- Creation of outdoor learning areas at schools
- Expanded district hotline with increased hours and responsiveness to seasonal topics/questions
- Enhanced student orientation experiences at schools to support return to in-person instructions, especially for transitional grades (K, 1, 6, 7, 9, 10)
Additional Feedback Included in Other Funding Sources- Social Emotional Learning curriculum to support student needs
- Establishment of wellness rooms for students
- Mentor program, especially for black males, for encouragement and connections to the community
WS/FCS ESSER Use of Funds Highlights
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Addressing Learning Loss
- Coordinate and offer strategic and intensive support for K-3 teachers in the area of literacy from Literacy Coaches (Community Feedback)
- Offer standards-aligned field trips and exploration activities to access prior knowledge and/or build background knowledge (Community Feedback)
- Provide one-time Retention Bonuses to all WS/FCS employees (Community Feedback)
- Assign MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) Interventionists to select schools -- Title I, CSI, and TSI -- to provide supplemental and intensive supports to students *
- Access to current digital resources and curriculum *
- Research Team to evaluate strategies and student progress then partner with community resources *
- Expand partnerships with local community agencies to provide quality after school enrichment opportunities *
- Data-driven professional development in support of instruction to meet student needs, such as “Science of Reading” and follow-up instructional coaching in classrooms
- Engage teachers in Curriculum Writing to provide/improve standards-aligned resources for English Learners (EL) and Exceptional Children (EC)
- Substitute Teacher Staffing Agency Contract
- High School Graduation Coaches to support at-risk students and ensure graduation
(Community Feedback) - added in response to suggestions received from public comments
* Community feedback confirmed staff recommendation
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Providing Mental Health Services and Supports
Increase staff to support student mental wellness *
- Mental Health Coaches
- Social Emotional Learning Coaches
- Social Workers
- Counselors
- Psychologists
Offer Professional Development to increase staff skills and knowledge to support students *
- Youth Mental Health Aid
- School Crisis Prevention Training
- Trauma and Resiliency Framework
* Community feedback confirmed staff recommendation
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Activities Related to Summer Learning and After-School Programs
- Offer extensive Summer School Learning to support learning recovery efforts including English Learners (EL) and Exceptional Children (EC) *
- Continue offering Extended Learning Opportunities during the school year with daytime and/or
after school tutors to address specific student needs * - Extend school year for all Inspire 340 schools to offer additional instructional days
- Continue implementation of Community Learning Centers *
* Community feedback confirmed staff recommendation
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Educational Technology
- Student Chromebooks and cases
- Charging carts/lockers for schools
- Student hotspots for those in need
- Resources to maintain inventory and clean/repair devices
- Software and improved access to technical support among students and instructional personnel through programs/platforms (ex. Zoom, CANVAS)
- Appropriate assistive technology and adaptive equipment for Exceptional Children (EC) students
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Sanitizing and Cleaning, Repairing and Improving Facilities
To help reduce the risk of virus transmission:
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Outdoor learning areas to address social distancing and improved ventilation (Community Feedback)
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Replace water fountains/coolers with touchless bottle-filling water fountains/coolers *
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Additional cleaning supplies for high-touch areas (ex. desks, tables)
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Evaluate/Repair/Update HVAC systems for maximum efficiency
(Community Feedback) - added in response to suggestions received from public comments
* Community feedback confirmed staff recommendation
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Improving the Preparedness/Response Efforts
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Offer enhanced student orientations at schools to support student’s return to in-person instruction, especially for transitional grades - K, 1, 6, 7, 9, 10 (Community Feedback)
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Additional School Nurses to support all student health needs *
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Continue school and district CARES Teams *
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Continue School COVID Coordinators
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Continue team of WS/FCS Contact Tracers
(Community Feedback) - added in response to suggestions received from public comments
* Community feedback confirmed staff recommendation
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Planning and Implementing Activities During Long-Term Closures
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District helpline with increased hours and responsiveness to topics/questions based on time of year (Community Feedback)
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Access to current digital resources and curriculum *
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Software to support preparation of legal documents with electronic signatures *
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Instructional Support Staff with devices to support instruction
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Video conferencing platforms for teaching and learning, including expansion of Virtual Academy’s High School Programs
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Maintain cloud-based security programs to protect against hacking, malware, etc.
(Community Feedback) - added in response to suggestions received from public comments
* Community feedback confirmed staff recommendation
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Additional Community Feedback Included in Other Funding Sources
- Utilize a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum to support student needs
- Establish Wellness Rooms to provide students a place to use coping skills and
re-establish a learning focus - Establish a Mentoring Program for black males for encouragement and connections to the community
January 2022 Community Presentation
Previous Updates
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Click the links below for previous updates on the WS/FCS utilization of ESSER Funds.
Community Presentations
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June 22, 2021 Board Meeting
The June 22, 2021 Board Meeting included an updated ESSER Use of Funds Highlight from Superintendent Tricia McManus, including areas of the use of funds updated as a result of comments and suggestions received from the community in May 2021.
Town Hall (in English)
Town Hall (en Español)
In May 2021, the district hosted several town halls to get feedback from students, families, and community members and stakeholder groups: Public Virtual Town Halls (May 20, May 26 - Spanish Language, and May 27), Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (April 29), Community Learning Center Task Force (May 11), Prinicipals and Managers (May 12), Equity Advisory Council (May 17), and Teacher Adivsory Council (May 20). Joint information sessions were also hosted with the Ministers' Conference of Winston-Salem and Vicinity (May 11) and NAACP (May 18).
Share Your Feedback
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The initial online feedback period closed on June 1, 2021. The information was compiled alongside community meeting feedback and all feedback received helped to develop and guide modifications to the district's initial ESSER (first phase) use of funds plan which is found in the presentation above.
We welcome you to continue sending us additional comments via:
Email
Phone
Call and talk with Elaine Sapp in WS/FCS Marketing & Communicaitons - 336.727.2696
The Board of Education will get regular updates about the funds, and the Superintendent will discuss amendments made to the Use of Funds during Board of Education meetings. Feedback is always welcome during public comment at monthly meetings.
Fast Facts
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How long is ESSER Funding available? Do they expire?
ESSER II Funding is available for use through September 30, 2023.
ESSER III Funding is available for use through September 30, 2024.
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Can the WS/FCS ESSER Use of Funds change?
Yes, WS/FCS can make modifications to its ESSER Use of Funds as it receives community feedback and monitors programs and initiatives for effectiveness.
The initial plan draft in May 2021 was in response to DPI's May 7, 2021, deadline. If the application were submitted after the deadline, WS/FCS would not have access ESSER funding through the summer due to the fiscal calendar. Some resources needed to address learning loss, summer school, planning for a long-term closure, and sanitation are needed during the summer and WS/FCS could not wait to have access to funding until August 2021.
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What determines the district's ESSER Fund allotments?
Congress directed the calculations for ESSER funds to follow the existing formula used for Title I, Part A. However, ESSER funds are to be used for all schools and students in the district and Title I, Part A requirements do not apply. Title I calculations are the sum of the four statutory formulas that are based primarily on census poverty estimates and the cost of education in each state.
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Will there be an ESSER Task Force?
Yes, WS/FCS will create an ESSER Task Force. The Finance Department will work in conjunction with community partners to offer guidance and oversight of the WS/FCS plans for expenditures of federal funds focused on supporting student learning and student needs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Task Force will remain in place as long as ESSER Funds are available through 2024.
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Will there be outcomes associated with ESSER Funding?
Yes, the WS/FCS ESSER Use of Funds includes outcomes that will hold the district accountable for each category of funding. These outcomes will be evaluated on an ongoing basis to inform necessary changes to programs and initiatives, including summer extended learning and additional staffing needs.
Timeline and Public Comment
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May 2021
- WS/FCS ESSER Use of Funds drafted
- Community Stakeholder Feedback through Town Halls and Group Review
June 2021
- June 1: Initial feedback period closes
- by June 7: Feedback compiled for WS/FCS ESSER Use of Funds first round amendments. These amendments may impact summer extended learning opportunities, staffing needs, and other efforts.
- June 22: Revised Use of Funds plan presented to Board of Education
- June 29: Use of Funds Approved by the Board of Education
Ongoing
- Work with Staff to develop Implementation Plans.
- Ongoing evaluation of ESSER Plan via task force and other methods
- Amend ESSER Plan and budget as needed
This timeline will be updated as WS/FCS moves through the phases of ESSER Funding.
Public Comment
As part of receiving ESSER III funds, each school district must post its reopening school plan on its webpage and open a 30-day public comment period. For the 21-22 school year, WS/FCS will reopen with in-person instruction for all students. For families and students interested in virtual learning, WS/FCS offers Virtual Academy for K-12 students. For more information about Virtual Academy, click this link.Public comments were collected for the continuation of in-person instruction from June 17 to July 28, 2021.
- WS/FCS ESSER Use of Funds drafted
