Edinburg School District has elected to utilize the ARP ESSER Funds as outlined by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Edinburg Schools will ensure all funds are utilized to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on educational opportunities for students and to upgrade Edinburg facilities to ensure a safe and healthy environment for student to return to in person learning. To ensure all stakeholders are familiar with safety protocols, Edinburg posted a Return to Learn Plan on the district website on August 11, 2021. The plan is reviewed and updated at a minimum every six (6) months with the latest version updated in July of 2022.
In addition, Edinburg School District is creating this ARP ESSER Use of Funds Plan to ensure all stakeholders are aware of how the funds will be allocated to ensure:
- The extent to which and how the funds will be used to implement prevention and mitigation strategies that are, to the extent practicable, consistent with CDC guidance.
- 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.
- How the LEA will use its remaining ARP ESSER funds.
- How the LEA will ensure the interventions it implements will respond to the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of all students, particularly those students disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Edinburg School District created this comprehensive Use of Funds Plan after reviewing the needs of students, staff and community through the collection of information from the 5Essentials Survey, local surveys, public comments at Board of Education meetings, and will continue to utilize these means to ensure public input throughout the implementation of the plan.
Prevention and Mitigation Strategies
Edinburg has budgeted for supplies to reduce contamination and ensure sanitary procedures. Funds are allocated for FY21, FY22 and FY23 school year. This will ensure the facility is a safe learning environment for all ages, student populations, and staff members.
To reduce contamination and ensure sanitary procedures throughout the facility, Edinburg has added  custodial/maintenance staff member. ESSER III funds will be utilized to pay wages and benefits for this staff member.
All prevention and mitigation strategies will follow current CDC guidance.
Academic Impact of Lost Instructional Time
Edinburg Elementary School will provide Summer School in 2022 to address academic needs of all students, particularly those students disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. ARP ESSER Funds will be utilized for Summer School Teacher salaries/benefits and Paraprofessional staff salaries/benefits. Staff will utilize benchmark assessments to determine students selected for the summer school program. At the conclusion of the summer school program, students will be reassessed to determine the impact summer school intervention has on learning loss of the students.
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Throughout the school year, substitute teachers will be utilized to cover teachers quarantined and provide homebound services to students with medical conditions that prevent them from attending in person learning. This service will ensure the maximum amount of in person instruction is provided to all students, particularly children with disabilities and those students disproportionately impacted by the loss of in person instruction at the height of the pandemic. This service will also assist in mitigating homebound student learning loss since they are unable to attend in person classes.
After school program, will serve students identified for support and intervention in deficit areas.
The time with students will be spent specifically to build skills and provide foundational supports. Assistance with homework will be addressed if time permits.
During previous remote learning times, staff experienced difficulties providing materials through online platforms and current curriculum. To mitigate that barrier to providing quality instruction Edinburg staff will be selecting updated curriculum in social studies and science. The new curriculum will enhance learning opportunities through digital resources and opportunities for students required to learn remotely to have equitable access to all learning materials, synchronized learning opportunities, and staff support.
Access to technology to mitigate the digital divide in the Edinburg community has been a long- term project. By collaborating and blending funding opportunities, Edinburg has minimized the digital divide. Funding from ESSER III will provide more digital devices to ensure this long-term project reaches the goal of all students having access to a device and connectivity and allow for staff members to have the devices necessary to effectively provide instruction.
The social and emotional strain on students and staff throughout the pandemic greatly impacts student learning and staff effectiveness. To address the impact of social emotional learning and support staff mental health, Edinburg will utilize these funds to hire a guidance counselor. ESSER III funding will be utilized for the salary and benefits associated.
The impact of the pandemic on our student learning outcomes is paramount in our thoughts. We will utilize ESSER III funding to hire an additional administrator that will oversee our districts response and plan of response to ensure our students are either properly maintaining or planning toward how to bridge the gap within their problem areas. This individual will also coordinate efforts for after school and summer opportunities as well as additional interventions to be utilized within the school day.
ESSER III funding will be utilized to add an intervention aide and a library aide to be utilized by the intervention coordinator to ensure all intervention needs are fulfilled. The salaries and benefits from these positions will be funded by ESSER III.
Remaining Use of Funds
Air quality and ensuring adequate ventilation is another element of the Edinburg plan. ESSER Â III funding will be utilized to update the HVAC at the facility providing reassurance to adequate ventilation for students and staff, will be utilized to for the replacement of windows, and will be utilized to replace carpeting..
Reporting
Edinburg School District will complete all reporting required for receiving ESSER III funding.
Reports will be completed semi-annually or as deemed necessary by ISBE and ESSER III grant requirements.
Edinburg School District will gather evidence and data to report to ISBE on the following interventions:
- Learning renewal strategies: student progress as determined through benchmark assessments.
- After-school activities: monitor students enrolled in these activities through benchmark assessments.
EDINBURG COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT 4
COVID-19 LAYERED MITIGATION MEASURES AND
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY LEARNING PLAN
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Edinburg CUSD has updated it’s COVID mitigation measures and instructional continuity learning plan using the updated guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning and related CDC FAQ (updated as of May 27, 2022).
This updated plan supersedes all prior COVID-19 plans adopted by Edinburg CUSD. The District will continue to collaborate with the Christian County Department of Public Health to address all infectious disease cases among students and staff.
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On February 25, 2022, the CDC released a new framework to monitor the level of COVID-19 in communities that includes hospitalizations, hospital capacity, and cases, which is currently in use.
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COVID-19 Community Level | Prevention Strategy for Masking | Prevention Strategy for Testing |
Low | Support those who choose to continue to mask. | Information and/or assistance provided to aid with access to diagnostic testing for symptomatic persons and those exposed. |
Medium | Persons who are immunocompromised, at high risk for severe disease or have household or social contacts at high risk for severe disease, are encouraged to talk to their healthcare providers about whether they need to wear a mask. | Information and/or assistance provided to aid with access to diagnostic testing for symptomatic persons and those exposed. |
High | Universal masking indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status is encouraged but not required. Persons who are immunocompromised are encouraged to wear a mask or respiratory that provides greater protection. | Information and/or assistance provided to aid with access to diagnostic testing for symptomatic persons and those exposed. |
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Edinburg CUSD is taking the following actions to help prevent the spread of infectious disease, including the virus that causes COVID-19:
- Promote staying up to date with all routine vaccinations.
- Encourage students and staff to stay home when sick.
- Reinforce proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, including maintaining distances of at least six feet from others when feasible.
- Utilize proper cleaning and disinfection procedures.
COVID-19 Diagnostic Test Positive
Individuals testing positive for COVID-19 shall isolate at home for at least five (5) calendar days from the onset of symptoms; return after the five calendars days AND if 24 hours with no fever (without fever-reducing medication), diarrhea and vomiting ceased for 24 hours AND improvement of symptoms. Upon return consistent masking through day 10 is strongly encouraged. The local health department may supply dates as to when a student or staff member can return to school; however, a letter from the local health department releasing the student or staff member from isolation or quarantine is not required.
Remote Learning
Schools must continue to provide remote learning to any student who is under isolation or quarantine for COVID-19 based on the State Superintendent’s Remote Learning Declaration. Vaccination is currently the leading public health prevention strategy to prevent adverse outcomes related to COVID-19.
