Learning, Support & Growth for All

Niskayuna’s Plan for Federal COVID Education Funds

Two Sources of Federal Funding

Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act American Rescue Plan

Approved December 2020 March 2021

Niskayuna Allocation$3,653,147

Niskayuna Allocation$1,946,908

Must be “obligated” by September 30, 2023 Must be “obligated” by September 30, 2024

Funding for Niskayuna from the first federal coronavirus relief package, The CARES Act (March 2020), was used by NYS to backfill a cut in 2020-21 state aid.

American Rescue Plan: Focus on “Learning Loss” Districts must use at least 20% of funds to address learning loss.

CRRSA Also Focuses on Summer and After School ProgrammingStipulates that a specific portion of the money must go toward summer enrichment and after school programming.

Remaining funds can be used for a “wide range of activities” including:

● COVID-19 safety measures● Addressing the needs of children from

low-income families, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth.

● Educational technology● Providing mental health services and

supports● Summer and after-school learning

opportunities● Other activities necessary to maintain

operation and continuity of services

Reflecting on the Impact of COVID-19 on Students & Learning

COVID-19 has further reinforced: ➔ The importance of focusing on the skills and content

we want students to attain - what we want them to know, understand and be able to do.

➔ The importance of ongoing high-quality assessments

➔ The importance of using evidence to understand the impact of instructional decisions on student learning and adjustments that are needed.

➔ These were major themes of the department program reviews conducted before the pandemic.

Social-emotional learning and the connections that students feel to their peers, teachers and staff and their learning are as important as ever.

What do we know about what Niskayuna students need at this moment?

The trajectory of learning in terms of meeting grade-level standards is not as strong compared with a non-COVID year. Students need time to finish learning that is unfinished.

➔ K-5 Additional intervention teachers/TAs for reading and math.

➔ Grades 6-8: Interventions focused on math, science, ELA, social studies and world language; Given the middle school schedule, use time in the summer and after school.

➔ NHS: Interventions focused on math, science, ELA, social studies, world language and study skills support; Given the high school schedule, use time in the summer and after school.

Additional social-emotional learning opportunities and support as students transition back to more “normalcy” at school.

Enrichment: Opportunities for students to explore new topics, connect with peers, move and be excited about learning.

ARP Recommendations from “Chiefs for Change”

➔ Focus on students’ social and emotional well-being➔ Staffing models that ensure students are taught by

teachers with deep subject-matter and instructional expertise while other educators provide one-on-one academic and social-emotional support.

➔ Adopt high quality instructional materials with robust teachers supports aligned to formative and summative assessments.

➔ Prioritize early literacy initiatives. ➔ Transition to a longer and more flexible academic year.

Priority areas include opening schools and accelerating learning

Learning, Support & Growth for All

Niskayuna Plan for Federal Funds

Expanded Summer & After School Learning OpportunitiesYear 1, 2021-22

➔ K-12 Summer 2021 Enrichment Program (no charge to families)

➔ Summer Learning Club 2021◆ K-5 ELA, Math◆ Grade 8 World Language Proficiency support

➔ MS/HS Summer School

➔ 2021-22 After School Support & Enrichment◆ K-5 ELA, Math, Art, Music & World Language◆ 6-12 Math, Writing, Social Studies, Science,

World Language Labs

➔ English as New Language◆ Expanded K-5 Summer Program◆ 6-12 After School Program

Enhanced Academic SupportYear 1, 2021-22

➔ Additional intervention teachers for K-5 to support reading and math interventions (1 teacher/building)

➔ K-5 TA partners to support differentiation/small groups in Math

➔ Grade 6-12 Building Subs

➔ 1st Grade Classroom Teacher at Hillside

➔ High School Study Skills Homeroom TA

➔ Additional ENL Standalone Grades 9-10

➔ Enhanced experiences for high school support programs (HSAT, ISP, ASL)

➔ STEAM Bus support

Social-Emotional, Mental Health Support, EquityYear 1, 2021-22

➔ K-8 school social worker push-in for whole class SEL instruction

➔ Curriculum development and resources for 9th Grade Health Seminar

➔ Additional secondary level school psychologist

➔ Multicultural Book Club Pilot

➔ Additional mental health and wellness learning for students in grades 7 & 9-12- sexual assault awareness, healthy teen relationships & consent

➔ Further development of the K-8 Counseling Curriculum

Strategic Investments in Curriculum, Materials & EquipmentYear 1, 2021-22

➔ K-2 phonics and phonemic awareness resources

➔ English as a New Language Literacy Footprint and Word Work Kit and multicultural library books

➔ Extended School Year Program Guided Reading K-6 Curriculum

➔ Scholastic Phonics Readers K-2

➔ Textbooks/materials for departments that have completed program reviews (Science Engineering/Tech, World Language, Art, Social Studies, Business, ELA and Music)

➔ Classroom Audio Enhancements

➔ Flexible furniture

➔ Art, music, and athletics equipment

Professional Development for Faculty & StaffYear 1, 2021-22

➔ Mental Health & Wellness ◆ SEL, Equity, Mental Health, Restorative

Practices

➔ Middle school Project Lead the Way

➔ Music faculty professional development

Staffing Summary - Year 1Summer 2021 2021-22 School Year

Summer Learning Club Coordinator 15 hours/week (4 weeks) Elementary Reading & Math Intervention Teachers 5 FTE

2 Teaching Assistants 12.5 hours/week (4 weeks) 5 Elementary Math Intervention TAs 5.5 hours/day

6 Elementary Teachers 15 hours/week (4 weeks) Secondary Level School Psychologist 1.0 FTE

2 World Language Teachers 12.5 hours/week (4 weeks) Increase Craig Special Education Teaching Staff 0.3 FTE

34 Summer Enrichment Instructors 1 Week Sessions 6-12 ENL Teacher 1.0 FTE

ENL Summer School Teacher 17.5 hours/week Hillside Classroom Teacher 1.0 FTE

TA for HS Study Skills Homeroom 2 hours/day

40 EAs for Lunch Supervision K-12 3 hours/day

After School K-5 Teachers Math and ELA Labs, Art, Music, World Language & Study Skills Clubs

5 Days/Week Each

After School MS Teachers for 6-8 Math, Writing, Social Studies, Science, French, Spanish Labs

3 Days/Week Each

NHS Study Skill After School Teacher 1 Day/Week

3 Teachers for Grades 6-12 ENL After School Program (one per school) 1 Day/Week

3 Dedicated Building Subs (VA/Iroquois/NHS) Full Day

Strategic, Multi-Year Use of Funds

(In Millions)

$3 Million

$2.6 Million

NextSteps

School district that receive funds through the CRRSA and ARP must track funds separately and submit reports as to how the funds are used.

Districts receiving these funds are required to post and seek public comment on their plan to use them. This will be posted on the district website. Comments can be submitted to: publiccomment@niskyschools.org.

The funds will be used over multiple years. As we move forward, the plan will change based on feedback from stakeholders, continued monitoring of student assessment data, and input from teachers.