ESSER MID-YEAR REVIEW

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Robertson County Schools has received grant funds administered through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) Fund was authorized to provide states with funding to support the nation's schools in safely reopening and sustaining safe operations of schools while meeting the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of students resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In August we released our Public and Safe Return to School Continuity Plan, describing how Robertson County Schools will provide the safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services for all schools. The plan was built based on feedback we received on our initial ESSER community surveys.

These one-time ESSER Federal funds must be used to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operations of schools and address the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s students. We are required to reserve at least 20 percent (approximately. $2,900,000) of our funds to recover learning loss. Robertson County's Public and Safe Return to School Continuity Plans are aligned with the United States and Tennessee Department of Education allowable expenditure categories; Academics, Student Readiness, Educators, Foundations, and Safe Return to School and Continuity.

After School Tutoring Program

Tutoring is available for students in grades K-12 three hours per week for 28 weeks. Students are selected for the program based on risk database criteria and reevaluated every quarter.

New Math Textbook Adoption

The math textbook adoption supports the need for high quality math materials and the need for online access to textbooks.

Personalized Learning Programs and Curricular Resources

District-wide licenses for online learning programs and instructional resources to address and mitigate learning loss.

Contract Instrumental and Vocal Specialists

Instrumental and vocal specialists to identify, remediate, and realign instructional gaps in music instruction.

REVISIONS:

After discussion and consultation with building principals and teachers, 3 Contract Intervention Teachers to teach RTI groups in schools with high percentages of students in Tiers II and III have been removed from the plan and 4 Behavior Technicians have been added in the Student Readiness section to provide on-going consultation and support for school teams with students experiencing behavioral challenges. This initiative address expansion of mental health support services referenced in the Needs Assessment.

Translator at Springfield High School

A full-time translator at Springfield High School.

District Behavior Technicians

Behavior Technicians to provide on-going consultation and support for students experiencing behavioral challenges.

Video Library of Exemplary Lessons

A video library of exemplary skills lessons for students to make up for lost learning opportunities and regain lost credits via a web-based self-paced program.
Online Curriculum for CTE

These online curriculums support Fundamentals of Automotive, AgScience, Business and Finance, Culinary Arts, Health Science and allow CTE students to participate in competency-based instruction.

REVISIONS:

The Floating Nurse, will now be funded through the ELC grant, was removed from the Foundations section, and replaced with a full-time translator at Springfield High School located in the Student Readiness section. Jan Richardson intervention materials for Tiers II and III intervention in reading, writing, word study, and comprehension were added to Curricular Resources.

Mentor/Coach for New Administrators and Teachers

A contract consultant to work with educators and administrators on growth plans and plans of improvement. The consultant will also serve as a mentor/coach for new administrators.

Specialized Training for Educational Assistants

Specialized training for Educational Assistants.

HVACs

New HVAC systems at Krisle Elementary, Westside Elementary, and Springfield Middle School to reduce the risk of airborne transmission of the COVID-19 virus and increase the safety of in-person learning.

Greenbrier Middle School Renovation

To address facility needs and deferred maintenance/infrastructure and overcrowding funds will be used for the renovation of Greenbrier Middle School.

Devices to Support the 1:1 Technology Initiative

ESSER funds will be used to support moving the 1:1 initiative down through the 6th grade.

2 District Information System Technicians

IT Technicians to install hardware and troubleshoot computer issues, respond to IT questions from users and update malware protection devices to prevent viruses or computer hacking.

Band Instruments and Sound Systems

Band instrument replacement to allow for student participation without the need to share. Sound systems will provide for enhanced instruction and modeling.

Technology Tutors

To support nine Technology Tutors who will support the 1:1 initiative in grades 6-12.

Graphing Calculators for Springfield High School

To support “at risk” Springfield High School students as recommended by the State ATSI consultant.

Rest Mats for Preschool Classrooms

Additional mats will eliminate the need to share mats among pre-k students, which will reduce the spread of germs and viruses.

ESSER Coordinator & Facilities Manager

These positions support the additional auditing and reporting requirements necessary to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

REVISIONS:

Rest Mats for Preschool Classrooms

Funding for additional mats was added under the Foundations section to eliminate the need to share mats among pre-k students, which will reduce the spread of germs and viruses.

Floating Nurse

The Floating Nurse, will now be funded through the ELC grant, was removed from the Foundations section, and replaced with a full-time translator at Springfield High School located in the Student Readiness section.

District Health Clinic

Funding for a contract with Five Points for health clinic and personnel to be located within the district to improve attendance through efficient medical care leading to growth in student academic achievement, as well as a reduction in insurance and workers’ compensation costs.

Nurse in each building

Nurse for contact tracing

Hepa Filtration Systems

UV Cleaning Wands

Purchase of PPE for schools

Renovations and upgrades to building nursing stations

Due to the ever-changing nature of the ongoing pandemic priorities may shift, and we want to ensure our community has a chance to share its thoughts on the plan, which is intended to be a living document that outlines efforts to support all students. The plan will be reviewed at least every six months, and Robertson County Schools will seek and consider public input during the review process. To provide your feedback on the plan, please use the survey link below. Thank you in advance for your input.

Email: danielle.kaminsky@rcstn.net
Website: https://www.rcstn.net/departments/federal_programs/e_s_s_e_r_information
Location: 800 M. S. COUTS BLVD, SUITE 2, SPRINGFIELD, TN 37172
Phone: 615-384-5588