ESSER III USE OF FUNDSWeatherford Public Schools
Weatherford, Oklahoma 73096
Home of the Eagles
Weatherford Public Schools has been in meaningful consultation with stakeholders through in-person collaboration and a web survey to develop a plan for the use of ARP- ESSER III funds. The following plan resulted from information gleaned during these times of consultation.
(1) Weatherford Public School will use ESSER III funds to implement prevention and mitigation strategies that are, to the greatest extent practicable, consistent with CDC guidance on reopening schools to safely open school and conduct in- person learning. Weatherford Public Schools were open during the entire 2020-2021 school year and learned many management strategies to lean upon for the 2021-2022 school year and beyond. The school will use our local and state health agencies as resources when making the best purchase decisions from ESSER III monies to help prevent our school being shut down during a pandemic situation
(2) Weatherford Public Schools will reserve 20% of our ESSER III funds to address the academic impact of lost instructional time. Weatherford Public Schools has met with students, teachers, community stakeholders and representatives of various groups to gain ideas on how to best spend our funds to close the instructional gap of our students. The ideas that came from our collaboration to use our $493,724.36 include updated textbooks with technology components, providing a credit recovery program for high school students (Alt. Ed. Instructors and curriculum). A virtual learning option with dedicated personnel, after school and summer tutoring, curriculum training and support for teachers. Summer camps using evidence-based interventions. Camps will possibly include, but not be limited to, ACT Prep, a STEM/Engineering camp, science camp, writer’s workshop camp, reading camps that would include book clubs and an artist in residence camp. The ideas will continue to grow and improve during the use of our ESSER III funds availability.
(3) Weatherford Public Schools will spend its remaining ARP ESSER IIII funds consistent with the uses authorized in section 2001(e)(2) of the ARP Act. Our remaining amount, after reserving 20% for academic loss, is $1,974,897.41. Weatherford Public Schools will diligently follow all spending guidelines put forth by the State Department of Education. Ideas include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Add additional transportation units (school bus, suburban’s, etc.)
- Edgenuity - Virtual learning platform
- After School Tutors
- Personnel salaries - school counselors to help with academic, social, emotional and mental health needs of all students
- Schoology - Learning Management System
- Operational needs - Cleaning supplies, heat & air conditioning, utilities
- Powerschool - Communication
- Technology that helps create equal learning opportunities for all students
(4) Weatherford Public Schools will ensure that the interventions it implements, including but not limited to those implemented under section 2001(e)(1) will respond to the academic, social, emotional and mental health needs of students, and particularly those students disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including students from low-income families, children with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, migratory students, and english learners. WPS will work to find ways to provide instruction in first language for students that need it. Tribal students will be given additional information such as ‘how to apply for tribal funds for technology, summer assistance programs, economic stimulus money through tribal grants, and other relevant information that pertains to benefits that may be available to them. Weatherford Public Schools will provide motivating speakers to staff and students, provide leadership opportunities for high school age students and summer enrichment programs to meet the diverse needs of specialized groups. More ideas will be put in place as extended collaboration is held with stakeholders of Weatherford Public Schools.
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