ARP Act ESSER III funds may be used to implement prevention and mitigation strategies that are, to the greatest extent practicable, consistent with the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  and Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) guidance on reopening schools, in order to continuously and safely open and operate schools for in-person learning. Houston County Schools will use approximately $6,308,781 of its ARP Act ESSER III funds to implement prevention and mitigation strategies as described below:

• Additional teachers will be provided to reduce class size, to encourage social distancing, to address social/emotional needs, and to address learning loss

• A mental health coordinator will be hired to address issues experienced by students, staff, and faculty concerning social/emotional and educational needs

• Provide additional nurses and nurse substitutes at local schools

• Additional Classroom space will be provided to allow for social distancing

• Classroom renovations will also be made in some facilities to allow for social distancing

• Improvements and repairs to restroom facilities will be made to reduce the risk of virus transmission in addition to reducing the risk of environmental health hazards

• Upgrades will be made to our HVAC systems to improve indoor air quality in schools

• Funds will be allocated to provide additional maintenance and janitorial services at each school in addition to cleaning and sanitizing supplies

• Remove and replace carpet in schools with flooring that can be effectively sanitized

Section 2001(e)(1) of the ARP Act requires each LEA to use twenty percent of its formula funds to address the academic impact of lost instructional time (learning loss) through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive after school programs, or extended school year programs. Houston County Schools will use approximately $3,462,024 of its ARP Act ESSER III funds to add additional staff to address learning loss, students’ academic and social emotional needs, reduced class size ratios for more individualized instruction, and provide additional tutors and expanded summer school programs. 

Houston County Schools will be provided additional funding for evidence based instructional materials to target key areas across content areas. For example, because math has been identified as one of the highest areas of learning loss, the school division will devote ESSER III funds to purchase materials and manipulatives that teachers can use to provide differentiated instruction based on students’ needs. Additionally, Houston County teachers will continue using collaborative teacher teams to inform instructional planning and content delivery. Programs Instructional Coaches and the Programs Instructional Coordinator will also support this work by providing coaching and direct support to the teachers. Intervention programs that address learning loss across all subject and grade areas will also be provided. To address the specific needs of our EL students, supplemental instructional, diagnostic, and support programs will be made available at all schools. Similarly, additional literacy instructional materials will be provided to support small group instruction paired with professional learning and support from reading specialists, literacy coaches and division content coordinators.

Houston County Schools serves a diverse community of learners with a myriad of needs and abilities. The population includes students from low-income homes, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. While the pandemic has been difficult for all students, some of the division’s most fragile young people and their families have suffered greatly. Houston County Schools has set aside funds from ESSER III to provide additional classroom teachers, a mental health coordinator, and academic tutors to assist struggling students in specific subject areas.

Other Uses of Funds:

Section 2001(e) of the ARP Act permits school divisions to use the ARP Act ESSER III funding not reserved to address unfinished learning to address the impacts of COVID-19 in a variety of ways. Houston County Schools will use its ARP Act ESSER III funds in accordance with Section 2001(e) of the ARP Act as described below. 

Students will have the option to continue to learn virtually for the 2021-2022 school year. ESSER III funds will be used to procure the Edgenuity Learning platform for students who are learning 100% online as well as providing staff for the Houston County Virtual Academy. This will allow Houston County teachers to focus primarily on in-person, face-to-face instruction five days a week while providing families the choice for a virtual option for the 2021-22 school year. 

Funds will be utilized to continue funding for personnel hired under ESSER II including  classroom teachers, instructional programs coaches and coordinator. Schools will also be provided with more resources for instructional materials to target key areas in different subjects.

The CSFO and accounting staff will oversee the allocation and establish a procedure for interim audits to ensure an appropriate use of funds. The local schools will be required to provide current and past data that will then be passed on to local community members and stakeholders. It will also be posted on each school’s local websites and FaceBook pages.

Involving families in the education of our students is crucial to their success. Beyond just involving families, schools need to strive for family engagement and the creation of partnerships between school, home, and community. These partnerships, or connections between “stakeholders”, are important for promoting student well-being and success. When there is a greater focus on fostering more meaningful and personal connections, the school, community, and families can work together to provide the support, structure and make decisions for the benefit of student achievement. 

Houston County Schools use every available means of communication to share key information, dates, timelines and provide opportunities for families and community members to provide input. By using social media tools such as FaceBook, school leaders and classrooms can transmit messages quickly and with a far reach. Tools such as Remind, Bloomz, Class DoJo, and Seesaw enable teachers and parents to communicate and also share information quickly. These programs offer translation capabilities which promote digital equity and accessibility. By using these tools, teachers and parents communicate instantly, privately, and as often as needed throughout the year. Sharing news about student work, or creating a lesson for students to view outside of class, can be done with tools such as Schoology and Aristotle. Teachers can record videos of weekly announcements or special events, or even teach a lesson and share the links with parents, which will create a more supportive connection between home and school. Schoology can also maintain a classroom space in the form of a blog that students and families can refer to one centralized location to obtain class updates, ask questions, or read about class events. It also aids in resolving the barriers of time and lack of information, as families can refer to these spaces when convenient.

Houston County will implement these strategies for schools to use to keep families informed and involved. The key is to find the way to not only make an initial connection, but to build and engage the “family to school” partnership and continue to collaborate and grow together. These connections will lead to the creation of a solid and supportive relationship between school and home, which promotes student achievement and enhances their sense of belonging.