RSU 56 is slated to receive $2,685,176.00 in American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER 3) Funds. There is a grant application process, which means that our district applies to use the funds set for us. We are beginning the process of applying and want your ideas to help inform our decisions on grant projects.  “These Federal emergency resources are available for a wide range of activities to address diverse needs arising from or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, or to emerge stronger post-pandemic, including responding to students’ social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs and continuing to provide educational services as schools respond to and recover from the pandemic.” A minimum of 20% of this funding must be set aside to address learning recovery for our students. The remaining funds are able to be used to support a variety of activities including, but not limited to: purchasing educational technology for students; providing mental health services and supports; planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and enrichment; training on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases; coordinating preparedness in the event of school closures. For more information, please visit the Maine Department of Education website at https://www.maine.gov/doe/covid-19/fedrelief.

Please provide your ideas for RSU 56 to consider when applying for the ARP/ESSER 3 Grant.