ARP Esser III

ESSER III Plan For Use of Funds

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 to continuously and safely open and operate schools for in-person learning.

The District will collaborate with the local health agency to keep schools safe while conducting in-person learning. TPS will continue to use the funds for face masks, personal hygiene supplies, social distancing efforts, and frequent cleaning since these are critical components of employee and student safety. In addition, all District buildings will have high traffic areas and frequently used surfaces cleaned regularly. Funds will be used to maintain indoor air quality and sufficient ventilation in the building by servicing particular school-level HVAC systems, installing air conditioning, and installing air vents in the most needed schools.

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 after school programs or extended school year; (0 of 2000 maximum characters used)

The District will work with key stakeholder groups and use educational priorities to leverage ARP ESSER funds to provide students with access to high-quality, evidence-based extended learning time programming. TPS plans to provide innovative and academic enrichment summer school and extended day/year opportunities during the 2022 school year through summer 2024. Educators from the district and community partners will work collaboratively to provide tutoring and other help outside of the school day, as well as summer academic recovery and enrichment programs in Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Writing, STEM, Art integration, Academic Mentoring programs, and High School and Middle School transition. TPS will also hire part-time Paraprofessionals to conduct tutoring during the school day. Teachers will get extensive professional development in the areas of assessment, differentiation, and student engagement to promote accelerated learning, educational quality, and improved student learning.

3. How the LEA will spend its remaining ARP ESSER funds consistent with section 2001(e)(2) of the ARP Act; and (0 of 2000 maximum characters used)

TPS has collaborated with educators and community partners to develop a three-year plan for the ARP ESSER Funds, which will ensure the District's preparedness to educate and support our students, families, and staff regardless of any health and safety situations that may arise. Funds not used specifically for learning loss and safety will be used to;

  • Provide training on interventions for trauma-informed practices for staff.
  • Provide specialized services for high school girls experiencing homelessness.
  • Provide a transition high school and college and career readiness program for students.
  • Provide mental health training and support for teachers and students.
  • Hire additional attendance support staff to address Chronic Absenteeism.
  • Hire District social workers to work within the schools to address the social-emotional well-being of all students.
  • Hire additional support to help monitor grant program compliance.
  • Retention pay to support for transportation staff shortage.
  • Work-Based Learning opportunities for students with disabilities.
  • Purchase additional technology for student and staff use.
  • Purchase technology and communication support services to address the growing number of technology needs within the school district.
  • Purchase tools to improve family and community engagement and customer service operations.

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.

TPS will coordinate federal and ARP ESSER funds to address the needs of students who the pandemic has disproportionately impacted. The required 20% set aside of ARP ESSER funds will be dedicated to programs that will target students and families that meet this definition. The District will assess the needs of the students through diagnostic and observational methods and design interventions to meet their academic and social-emotional-mental health needs.

Interventions include small academic groups and individual instruction/tutoring, robust afterschool and summer school programs, and coordination of services (mental health) in the community for students and families. In addition, the District will continue to develop partnerships with community organizations that are helping families in the area.

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.

In developing the ARP ESSER plans, the District has hosted a series of meaningful consultations with stakeholders, staff, parents, union members, and the community to discuss and collect input for the ARP ESSER Funds.

Topic: American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Funds

  • Accelerated Learning and Coaching
  • School Supports
  • SEL and Mental Health Services for students and staff
  • Beyond the School Day services and program

Additionally, The Trenton Talks radio show was broadcast on WIMG 1300 - in October (2021) to allow for additional community input in addition to being posted on the District's YouTube and Facebook pages.