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Merkel ISD 2021-2022 School Year
Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan
Updated: 7/15/2021
In order to comply with Section 2001(i)(1) of the ARP Act and U.S. Department of Education’s Interim Final Rule, each school district that receives ARP ESSER III funds is required to submit a plan that describes how it will safely return to in-person instruction and ensure continuity of services, including school districts that have already returned to in-person instruction. This plan is published on the district’s website.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Guidelines for 2021-2022 School Year 2020-2023 ARP ESSER III
Introduction
The purpose of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III Fund is to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impacts of COVID-19 on the nation’s students by addressing students’ academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. This plan describes how Merkel ISD will maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other school and district staff during and following the return to full in-person instruction.
The primary goal of MISD continues to be to safely offer in-person instruction to the greatest extent possible under the guidelines provided by the Governor’s Office, Texas Department of State Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Texas Education Agency. Merkel ISD is planning to continue in-person learning five days a week for all PreK-12 students beginning August 18, 2021.
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Guidelines for 2021-2022 School Year
Maintaining Health and Safety
Merkel ISD has taken and will continue to take actions to ensure the health and safety of students, educators, and other school and district staff. The MISD health mitigation plan will continue to focus on the following guiding principles:
● Promoting behaviors that reduce the spread of COVID-19;
● Maintaining healthy environments and operations;
● Preparing for and acting when someone gets sick and/or presents with symptoms.
MISD may provide age-appropriate signage and material to all facilities to promote healthy hygiene. Materials may be posted in the entrances, hallways, classrooms, food service areas, restrooms, nurse’s offices, and other areas as deemed appropriate by the campus principal and/or Central Office staff. MISD will clean and disinfect each building regularly, with special attention to frequently touched surfaces, transport vehicles, and it will ensure adequate cleaning supplies are available for custodial use.
Registration
All students will need to register for the 2021-2022 school year through the Skyward Family Access system. Parents will have until August 5, 2021 to complete the registration process. If you are unable to complete the online enrollment forms, on-campus enrollment opportunities will be held on August 4, 2021 from 9:00am - 3:00pm and August 5, 2021 from 9:00am - 3:00pm at any of the four MISD campuses.
Instructional Schedule
Merkel ISD students will interact with academic content through live interaction with a teacher. MISD DOES NOT plan to provide virtual or remote learning.
● Content that covers the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for the required grade level/subject/course via the scope and sequence of the Merkel ISD curriculum will be provided.
● The MISD scope and sequence will be adjusted to reflect intentional use of evidence based interventions and evidence based activities to mitigate learning loss. In addition, the scope and sequence will address learning loss among MISD students, including low-income students, students with disabilities, English Learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care.
● High quality assessments will be provided by the district in all grade levels and content areas in order to identify individual student needs, and to progress monitor the closing of pandemic related gaps. During regularly scheduled PLC’s, reflection of student data and progress will be used as a means to improve student services and instruction.
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Additional Services
In order to address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students, additional services will be provided to students.
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CounselingCounselors will develop strategies and support for students, families, and staff members. Counselors will develop a referral system for individuals who need targeted support as well as access to school-employed and community mental health professionals. Students in need of social-emotional support will be provided tiered interventions which could involve referral for additional school-based services or referral for outside mental health support.
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Community in Schools SupportA Community in Schools liaison will coordinate with the MHS and MMS staff to provide social services support to students. This support will be supplemental to services already provided and will serve to address trauma and hardship resulting from the pandemic.
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Special ProgramsStudents currently participating in special program services, e.g., special education, 504, Bilingual/ESL, GT, etc. will continue to receive services. As mentioned above, student-centered documents (IEPs, TELPAS, etc) will provide campus staff with additional resources for effective and evidence based interventions.
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Dual Credit and Dual
Enrollment Courses
Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment courses in the core content will be offered according to the daily schedule. The student will be responsible for communicating daily with their MISD teacher of record and/or their college professor.
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Technology DevicesThe district has procured devices for staff and students. Information concerning the use of district-owned devices and distribution will be provided to parents by the student’s home campus.
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Material Design
Merkel ISD utilizes a full, TEKS-aligned curriculum that is revised each year by highly qualified, internal staff.
For the purpose of in-person learning, all unit maps were reviewed and revised to include resources and tools for evidence-based interventions.
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Merkel ISD’s Instructional Materials
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Math Instructional Materials
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Grade Level:Instructional Materials:Print or Online Instructional or Data ToolWhat resources are included to support students with disabilities?What resources are included to support ELs?Progress Monitoring:Is it TEKS Aligned, or how will it be adopted?
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PKFrog StreetPrint and online instructionText to speech capabilities, online tools such as calculation aids, content and language supportsVocabulary, Growth measure Both English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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K-8Go MathPrint and online instructionText to speech capabilities, online tools such as calculation aids, content and language supportsBoth English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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K-12IXL
(Math)
Online assessment, instruction, and data toolSkill plans for mastery of goals and standards.Intervention and acceleration resources.Digital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
Online assessment, instruction, and data tool
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K-12MAPOnline assessment and data toolThis tool helps teachers identify gaps and adjust based on student needs.This tool helps teachers identify gaps and adjust based on student needs.Digital Assessments to measure student growthDiagnostics, Online Analytic Tool
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9-12Algebra 1,
Algebra 2, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Mathematics of Money with
Algebra(HMH)
Print and online instructionText to speech capabilities, online tools such as calculation aids, content and language supportsBoth English and Spanish.Digital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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9-12EdgenuityOnline assessment, instruction, and data toolSkill plans for mastery of goals and standards.Intervention and acceleration resources.Digital Campus Based AssignmentsOnline assessment, instruction, and data tool
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9-12Khan Academy/MClassOnline assessment, instruction, and data toolSkill plans for mastery of goals and standards.Intervention and acceleration resources.Digital Campus Based AssignmentsOnline assessment, instruction, and data tool
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K-12TEKS Resource SystemN/A (teacher planning tool only)This tool helps teachers identify gaps and adjust based on student needs.This tool helps teachers identify gaps and adjust based on student needs.Digital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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K-12EduphoriaDiagnostics, Online Analytic ToolCampus created assessment can be tailored to meet IEP and 504 requirements for students with disabilitiesBoth English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssessmentsYes
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ELAR Instructional Materials
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PKFrog StreetPrint and online instructionText to speech capabilities, online tools such as content and language supportsVocabulary, Growth measure Both English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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K-8HMHPrint and online instructionText to speech capabilities, online tools such as calculation aids, content and language supportsBoth English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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PK-3Really Great ReadingPrint and online instructionText to speech capabilities, online tools such as calculation aids, content and language supportsBoth English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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K-2Handwriting Without TearsPrint and online instructionText to speech capabilities, online tools such as calculation aids, content and language supportsBoth English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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3-5Education Galaxy/MclassOnline assessment, instruction, and data toolSkill plans for mastery of goals and standardsIntervention and acceleration resourcesDigital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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K-12IXL
(Reading)
Online assessment, instruction, and data toolSkill plans for mastery of goals and standards.Intervention and acceleration resources.Digital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
Online assessment, instruction, and data tool
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K-12MAPOnline assessment and data toolThis tool helps teachers identify gaps and adjust based on student needs.This tool helps teachers identify gaps and adjust based on student needs.Digital Assessments to measure student growthDiagnostics, Online Analytic Tool
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9-12HMHPrint and online instructionText to speech capabilities, online tools such as calculation aids, content and language supportsBoth English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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9-12EdgenuityOnline assessment, instruction, and data toolSkill plans for mastery of goals and standards.Intervention and acceleration resources.Digital Campus Based AssignmentsOnline assessment, instruction, and data tool
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K-12TEKS Resource SystemN/A (teacher planning tool only)This tool helps teachers identify gaps and adjust based on student needs.This tool helps teachers identify gaps and adjust based on student needs.Digital Campus Based AssessmentsYes
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K-12EduphoriaDiagnostics, Online Analytic ToolCampus created assessment can be tailored to meet IEP and 504 requirements for students with disabilitiesBoth English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssessmentsYes
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Science Instructional Materials
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PKFrog StreetPrint and online instructionText to speech capabilities, online tools such as content and language supportsVocabulary, Growth measure Both English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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K-8Science Fusion/Think CentralPrint and online instructionText to speech capabilities, online tools such asBoth English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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calculation aids, content and language supports
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9-12Biology, Integrated Physics and Chemistry, Human Anatomy and Physiology (HMH)Print and online instructionText to speech capabilities, online tools such as calculation aids, content and language supportsBoth English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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9-12EdgenuityOnline assessment, instruction, and data toolSkill plans for mastery of goals and standards.Intervention and acceleration resources.Digital Campus Based AssignmentsOnline assessment, instruction, and data tool
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K-12TEKS Resource SystemN/A (teacher planning tool only)This tool helps teachers identify gaps and adjust based on student needs.This tool helps teachers identify gaps and adjust based on student needs.Digital Campus Based AssessmentsYes
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K-12EduphoriaDiagnostics, Online Analytic ToolCampus created assessment can be tailored to meet IEP and 504 requirements for students with disabilitiesBoth English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssessmentsYes
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Social Studies Instructional Materials
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PKFrog StreetPrint and online instructionText to speech capabilities, online tools such as content and language supportsVocabulary, Growth measure Both English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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K-5Studies WeeklyPrint and online instructionVocabulary Learning strategies embeddedIntegrates into Google ClassroomDigital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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6-8District Adopted CurriculumPrint and online instructionVocabulary Learning strategies embeddedIntegrates into Google ClassroomDigital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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9-12American Republic Since 1877, US
History Modern America, US Government, World Geography, World History, Economics (HMH)
Print and online instructionText to speech capabilities, online tools such as calculation aids, content and language supportsBoth English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssignmentsYes
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9-12EdgenuityOnline assessment, instruction, and data toolSkill plans for mastery of goals and standards.Intervention and acceleration resources.Digital Campus Based AssignmentsOnline assessment, instruction, and data tool
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K-12TEKS Resource SystemN/A (teacher planning tool only)This tool helps teachers identify gaps and adjust based on student needs.This tool helps teachers identify gaps and adjust based on student needs.Digital Campus Based AssessmentsYes
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K-12EduphoriaDiagnostics, Online Analytic ToolCampus created assessment can be tailored to meet IEP and 504 requirements for students with disabilitiesBoth English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssessmentsYes
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Social and Emotional Learning
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Pre-K - 12RhithmPrint and online instructionText to speech capabilities, online tools such as content and language supportsBoth English and SpanishDigital Campus Based AssignmentsDistrict Adopted
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Student Progress
In Merkel ISD, the system for tracking academic progress to inform instruction and provide regular feedback to students on their progress remains unchanged and will occur every three weeks. Clear expectations exist for formative assessments in the classroom as well as providing feedback to students.
Specific progress monitoring guidance provided to staff included the following:
● Grading will be subject to the MISD grading guidelines;
● District progress monitoring assessments will be utilized to ensure skill growth for students;
● Diagnostic assessments will be implemented in order to delve deeper into skill gaps, so that evidence-based interventions can be more purposefully designed for students;
● State-mandated progress monitoring assessments and/or summative assessments will be implemented per state guidelines;
● Merkel ISD’s primary measure of student progress will remain in the data provided by CBAs.
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Implementation
Merkel ISD has designed and will implement a professional development calendar for administrators and teachers.
In addition to a professional development plan, Merkel ISD will maintain the following expectations for stakeholder groups: District Administrator Responsibilities:
● Provide technology resources and support to all students and teachers;
● Provide aligned curriculum for all grade levels and content areas;
● Monitor student participation and engagement;
● Communicate with parents, students, teachers, and campus administrators regarding all aspects of instruction and intervention;
● Provide professional development based on LEA expectations.
Campus Administrator Responsibilities:
● Create and maintain a campus wide plan for delivery of intervention to mitigate learning loss;
● Monitor to ensure high quality instruction is being delivered daily;
● Monitor student participation and engagement;
● Maintain contact with parents to ensure student participation and engagement;
● Monitor student attendance weekly;
● Provide professional development based on LEA expectations and teacher choice.
Teacher Responsibilities:
● Deliver high quality instruction daily;
● Monitor student engagement in learning activities;
● Provide instruction in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for the required grade level/subject/course while following the Merkel ISD curriculum;
● Participate in PLC’s with team members to plan effective delivery of instruction
● Attend professional development based on LEA expectations and teacher choice.
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Support for Parents
In order to support in-person learning, Merkel ISD will provide explicit communication and support for families through our school communication system, ParentSquare, Parent/Teacher conferences, and campus newsletters.
2020-2023 ARP ESSER III
Funding
To support a safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services, Merkel ISD is eligible for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021. This funding will be utilized by the district to implement the plan presented in this document. Please refer to the Merkel ISD Use of Funds plan for information regarding funding allocation.
Opportunity for Public Comment
In developing the ARP ESSER Plan, Merkel ISD sought public input and took such input into account. Community, parent, student, and staff input was collected through surveys and public comment opportunities at advertised school board meetings.
Making the Plan Available to the Public
Merkel ISD has taken the following steps to make this plan available to the public:
● The plan was sent to parents via our school parentsquare;
● The plan is posted at www.Merkelisd.net
● The plan was included in the July School Board meeting packet and opportunity for public comment on the plan was provided;
● Upon request, a parent who is an individual with a disability as defined by the ADA may be provided with the plan in an alternative format accessible by contacting any campus principal.
Periodic Review and Revision of Plan
During the period of the ARP ESSER award (until September 2023), Merkel ISD will periodically review and, as needed, revise its plan for the safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services. The plan will be reviewed at least every six months. MISD will seek and take into account public input during the review process. Public notice will be provided through board meeting notices and posted on the district’s webpage.
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