THE NORTHSIDE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
2020-2023 American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III (ESSER III) Grant Use of Funds Plan (Program Plan and Narrative)
Updated/Posted 2/14/2022
The Northside Independent School District (ISD) received an allocation of $173,011,162 for the ESSER III grant program. The intent and purpose of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) of 2021, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding is to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students. This is one-time funding that expires on September 30, 2024.
Below are program schedules PS3013 and PS3014 from the Northside Independent School District’s (ISD) ESSER III amended grant application submitted to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on December 16, 2021. These schedules provide a summary of the Northside ISD’s plan for use of funds. Please note that the Local Education Agency (LEA) term used throughout this document refers to the Northside ISD.
Public Notification and Comments: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires ESSER III grant recipients to review their Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan every six months to determine if changes are necessary and to seek public and stakeholder input on the plan. To access the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan, click Here. Input on the plan was solicited through surveys and during meetings with stakeholder groups. The most recent survey was open from Friday, January 7th - Monday, January 24th 2022.
Translation: The Northside ISD Website can be translated into other languages by clicking the “Other Languages” button at the top of the screen. This feature allows viewers to read content in Spanish and other languages.
Program Narrative
Schedule PS3013
A. Use of Funds - LEA Allowable Activities
|
Application Response: Use of Funds - Local Education Agency (LEA). Allowable Activities |
Pre- award |
2020- 2021, including summer 2021 |
2021- 2022, including summer 2022 |
2022 -2023, including summer 2023 |
2023- 2024, including summer 2024 (carryover period) |
N/A - Will not expend grant funds on this activity |
|
|
1A |
Any activity authorized under Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
2A |
Any activity authorized under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
3A |
Any activity authorized under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
4A |
Any activity authorized under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
5A |
Coordination of preparedness and response efforts of LEA with State and local public health departments, and other relevant agencies, to improve coordinated responses among such entities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
6A |
Activities to address the unique needs of low-income students, students with disabilities (SWD), English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youth, including how outreach and service delivery will meet the needs of each population |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
7A |
Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of LEA |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
8A |
Training and professional development for staff of the LEA on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
9A |
Purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean the facilities of the LEA, including buildings operated by the LEA |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
10A |
Planning for, coordinating, and implementing activities during long-term closures, including providing meals to eligible students |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
11A |
Planning for, coordinating, and implementing activities during long-term closures, ... including providing technology for online learning to all students |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
12A |
Planning for, coordinating, and implementing activities during long-term closures, ... how to provide guidance for carrying out requirements under IDEA |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
13A |
Planning for, coordinating, and implementing activities during long-term closures, ... how to ensure other educational services can continue to be provided consistent with all Federal, State, and local requirements |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
14A |
Purchasing educational technology (hardware, software, and connectivity) for students ... that aids in regular/substantive educational interaction between students and instructors, including low-income students and SWD, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
15A |
Providing mental health services and supports, including through implementation of evidence based full-service community schools |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
16A |
Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning -- providing classroom instruction or online learning during summer months and addressing the needs of low-income students, SWD, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, & children in foster care |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
17A |
Planning and implementing activities related to ... supplemental afterschool programs -- providing classroom instruction or online learning ... addressing the needs of low-income students, SWD, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, & children in foster care |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
1B |
Addressing learning loss among LEA students, including low-income students, SWD, English learners, racial & ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, & children in foster care -- Administering and using high-quality assessments |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
2B |
Addressing learning loss among LEA students, including low-income students, SWD, English learners, racial & ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, & children in foster care -- Implementing evidence-based activities to meet the comprehensive needs of students |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
3B |
Addressing learning loss among LEA students, including low-income students, SWD, English learners, racial & ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, & children in foster care -- Providing information and assistance to parents & families on effectively supporting students |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
4B |
Addressing learning loss among LEA students, including low-income students, SWD, English learners, racial & ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, & children in foster care -- Tracking student attendance and improving student engagement in distance education |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
5B |
School facility repairs and improvements to enable operation of schools to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards, and to support student health needs |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
6B |
Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including ... mechanical and non-mechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
7B |
Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including ... filtering, purification and other air cleaning, fans, control systems |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
8B |
Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including ... window and door repair and replacement |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
9B |
Developing strategies and implementing public health protocols including, to the greatest extent practicable, policies in line with guidance from CDC for the reopening and operation of school facilities |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
10B |
Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in the LEA |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
11B |
Other activities that are necessary to ... continuing to employ existing staff of the LEA |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
C. LEA (Northside ISD) Needs Process
- Which of the following processes did the LEA follow to determine the needs of the Local Education Agency (LEA) caused by the pandemic that would not be reimbursed by other fund sources (Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Child Nutrition Program, Child Care & Development Block Grant (CCDBG))?
Application Response: Below is a list of the types of activities Northside ISD followed in conducting its process to identify the added needs caused by the pandemic. These activities are listed on the ESSER III grant application:- LEA conducted surveys to district-level staff.
- LEA conducted surveys to campus-level staff.
- LEA conducted surveys to parents.
- LEA conducted surveys to students.
- LEA surveyed community groups (i.e., government officials, business, law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, etc.).
- LEA identified needs as issues arose that were out of the ordinary.
- LEA reviewed documented comprehensive needs assessment considering the pandemic to determine needs.
- LEA consulted with the local school board to determine needs.
- LEA completed an ongoing or partial assessment.
- LEA completed a different needs assessment process not described above.
- LEA focused on instructional continuity needs.
- How did the LEA (Northside ISD) prioritize the needs identified in C1 above?
Application Response: Below is a list of the types of processes Northside ISD followed in prioritizing the needs of the district in determining what activities would be funded with ESSER III funds. These processes are listed on the ESSER III grant application:- LEA focused on Economically Disadvantaged or Socioeconomically Disadvantaged data.
- LEA focused on serving the needs of identified student groups (at-risk, migrant, immigrant, SWD, English Learners, Homeless, Foster, etc.).
- LEA focused on wellness needs.
D. Maintenance of Equity
- Is the LEA (Northside ISD) exempt from the required Maintenance of Equity provision?
Application Response: No
Program Narrative
Schedule PS3014
A. Pre-Award
- Enter the total dollar amount of ESSER III funds to be charged as pre-award costs for the activities indicated in Sections A and B in PS3013 as occurring during pre-award (March 13, 2020, through the application submission date).
Application Response: $129,769
B. Minimum Required Set-Aside
- Enter the total dollar amount of ESSER III funds to be expended to meet the 20% minimum required set-aside for learning loss mitigation, including through afterschool, summer school, extended day/year programs, targeted to students from low-income families, students of color, English learners, children with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, and migratory students
Application Response: $94,547,017
- Briefly describe the activities selected in PS3013 questions A16, A17, B1, B2, and/or B3. A response in at least one of these PS3013 questions is required. (this is referring to the A. Use of Funds - LEA Allowable Activities Chart)
Application Response: Services will include: tutorials; accelerated instruction; middle school (ms) transition camps; expansion of afterschool program; learning tree summer program; learning resources such as elementary school classroom libraries, literacy closets, dyslexia instructional materials, mobile planetarium; expanding services to Pre-K students to full-day; resources for at-risk ms math, targeted scaffolded curriculum at ms; MS math teaching/learning labs at Title I schools; science resources; PE resources; social studies, academic and whole child support for special education students/families; professional development on how to better engage families; Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and professional development resources and professional development to support literacy at all levels; MS social studies vocabulary resources for English Learners (ELs); stipends for teachers supporting accelerated instruction; community outreach and reengagement; Curriculum Management System (CMS) and Schoology integration; Applied Learning Environment (ALE) student field trips; class size reduction for Behavior Management Center (BMC); take-home kits for speech students; Summer School; Additional Days School Year; Technology for students and teachers; internet access for qualifying economically disadvantaged students; and the Instructional Assistant (IA) to teacher residency program.
- Briefly describe the activities selected in PS3013 questions A6, A13, A15, A17, B1, B2, and/or B3. A response in at least one of these PS3013 questions is required. (this is referring to the A. Use of Funds - LEA Allowable Activities Chart)
Application Response: Services will include: tutorials; accelerated instruction; middle school (ms) social studies vocabulary resources for English Learners (ELs); Family Liaisons to support families, reconnection teams to re-engage students; Social Emotional Learning (SEL) grab and go literacy packs; Social Emotional Education & Development with Students (SEED) mental health program for youth; expansion of afterschool program; learning tree summer program; learning tree at the Women’s Shelter; respite and community based instruction; take-home kits and literature for Early Childhood Special Education (ECSPED) students; take-home kits for speech; connection program - backpacks and hygiene kits for homeless youth; professional development (PD) on how to better engage families; living essentials for school age parenting; real-time translation services; early education learning tool in literacy and math for families to use at-home for grades K-2; community outreach and reengagement; Curriculum Management System (CMS) and Learning Management System integration; resources for at-risk ms math; PE resources; social studies, academic and whole child support for special education students/families; ms social studies vocabulary resources for ELs; PD on how to better engage families; Multi-tiered System Supports (MTSS) and PD; resources and PD to support literacy at all levels; ms social studies vocabulary resources for ELs; Summer School; Additional Days School Year; internet access for qualifying economically disadvantaged students; and stipends for teachers supporting accelerated instruction.
C. Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan
- Enter the direct web link to the LEA’s web page where you post your required "Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan" and the PS3013 and PS3014 program schedules to this application, or a separate document containing all the information included in the program schedules, serving as the LEA's plan for the uses of ARP ESSER III funds within 30 days of receiving your ESSER III Grant NOGA. These plans must be reviewed at least every 6 months and updated as appropriate
Application Response: https://www.nisd.net/district/required-postings/arp-esser
D. Prevention and Mitigation Strategies Consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Briefly describe the activities selected in PS3013 questions A5, A8, A9, B5, B6, B7, B8, and/or B9. If none of these activities were selected, enter “No prevention and mitigation strategies funded.” (this is referring to the A. Use of Funds - LEA Allowable Activities Chart)
Application Response: Services will include: Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) equipment for PE to prevent COVID & MRSA; COVID Test Disposal; Clinic Assistants to support nurses at elementary (these staff will rotate among high need elementary schools) and middle schools (a Clinic Assistant will be assigned to each middle school); and school nurse documentation system, and a Health Services Specialist position who will work with COVID response, quarantine, testing, and other related initiatives.