VC 21 Meeting- CRRSA and ARP
The Valley Central School District held a Viking 21 meeting on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 6:30 pm at Berea Elementary School. A Google Form survey is available for public comment.
At this meeting, the District provided an updated spending plan and information on the grants under the Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) and the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
What is the CRRSA Act?
Federal emergency funds were given to a State or Local Educational Agency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are funded through two grants: GEER 2 and ESSER 2.
The funding can be used for a wide range of activities to address the needs of the school district which arose or were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This range includes funding toward student social-emotional and mental health needs, academic needs, funding additional staff, facility repairs, and improvements and sanitation supplies, ventilation improvements, and health and safety needs.
Valley Central was granted $3,926,767. This grant requires the district to spend the money first and then be reimbursed for whatever is spent.
Geer 2
ESSER 2
(If you have trouble accessing the application(s)/documents, please email jennifer.thompson@vcsdny.org)
What is ARP (American Response Plan) Act?
Federal emergency funds were given to a State or Local Educational Agency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is funded through the ARP-ESSER Grant and requires that districts spend a specific portion of their funding on learning loss, summer learning and enrichment, and Extended Day programs throughout the school year.
The remaining funds can be used on the same items as the CARES Act Grant which includes: sanitizing supplies, repairing, and improvement of facilities to reduce the risk of COVID spread, air quality improvement, and addressing the needs of students with disabilities.
Valley Central was granted $6,332,599. This grant requires the district to spend the money first and then be reimbursed for whatever is spent.
Valley Central has a 3 Year Plan for Summer programs that include an enrichment program (and supplies), Secondary Summer School faculty and staff, and a Social Emotional Learning camp. This plan will be carried out in Summer 2021, Summer 2022, and Summer 2023. This is funded from a state-level grant that is part of the total grant funding from our ARP Allocation.
Valley Central also has a has plan for after-school programs that include Secondary After School Social-Emotional Support programs at the middle school and high school and includes funding for supplies. Before School programs are being funded from this grant at our elementary schools. There is also a Fitness, recreation, and SEL Intramural program, and its supplies are being funded from this program. This is funded from a state level grant that is part of the total grant funding from our ARP Allocation.
A portion of the grant is geared to recovering learning loss from the pandemic. A three-year budget has been developed to cover Elementary Summer School including faculty and staff, supplies, transportation, and a food program. Additional school year staffing includes the addition of an elementary school counselor, additional mental health counselors at the secondary level, additional PE/Health teachers, an ESOL teacher, and a Technology teacher. In addition, a mindfulness room is being established in the middle and high schools, and a Check and Connect program is being established at the secondary level.
ESSER 3
ARP Learning Loss
ARP Learning Loss FS-10 Document
ARP Learning Loss FS-10A Document
ARP Summer Learning and Enrichment
ARP Summer Learning and Enrichment Budget Narrative
ARP Summer Learning and Enrichment FS-10 Document
ARP Summer Learning and Enrichment FS-10A Document
ARP Summer Learning and Enrichment FS-10F Document
ARP Comprehensive After School
ARP Comprehensive After School Budget Narrative
Other District Needs Being Met With This Grant
- Library books to represent all cultures and races
- Panorama Survey
- Portable air conditioners for summer school
- Tang Math Software for all the elementary schools
- Virtual Reality Software
How Grant Funds Support District Goals
Increase Student Achievement
- Provide an expanded summer school program for elementary and secondary students
- Offer new summer enrichment opportunities
- Add extended day programs
- Foster a diverse and inclusive culture
- Provide social-emotional support
- Expand academic offerings
Attract/Retain Knowledgeable/Dedicated Staff
- New school and mental health counselors
- Additional ENL teacher
- Additional PE/Health teacher
- Additional instructional technology teacher
Serve as the Cornerstone of the Community
- Establish partnerships based on open communication, trust and collaboration with the community
- Maintain high-quality schools that are an investment for our community
- Maintain a welcoming and accessible environment for the whole child, whole staff, and whole community
Maintain and Support Facilities
- Improve ventilation
- Facility repairs/upgrades
- Pavilions to provide additional outdoor classroom space
- Flexible seating