Three months remain to spend federal school rescue funds

Michigan schools face a critical deadline with only three months remaining to use $650 million in remaining ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds to address the evolving educational challenges brought on by the pandemic. The deadline for spending these funds is September 30, 2024. A total of $5.63 billion was received by Michigan […]

Portage Public Schools and Air Zoo: Fueling Student Curiosity in Science

When Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding became available in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Portage Public Schools educators embraced the opportunity to bolster student interest in the wonders of flight, science and technology. The Portage educators planned to apply the federal funding, made possible by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, toward […]

ARP funds help Northview students reconnect, reengage post-pandemic

Educators in West Michigan’s Northview Public Schools realized students required more than tutoring and other academic supports to reintegrate into school life following months of isolation during the pandemic. To help students reconnect with friends and re-engage with school activities, the Northview educators designated American Rescue Plan funds to launch the Belonging and After School […]

Huron students benefit from COVID relief funding for trauma, mental health

Amid the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Huron School District educators recognized the rise in student trauma and behavioral health concerns and immediately took steps to address both pressing issues. Specialized training was initiated for district social workers and counselors, fueled by federal funding from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. The goal was […]

Eastern UP internet connectivity supported by ARP funding

In the best of times, Michigan’s rural public-school districts face major hurdles in accessing reliable internet service to provide instructional technology that helps students succeed in remote parts of the state. This is particularly true in the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District (EUPISD), where educators realized early on during the COVID-19 pandemic that a […]

Midland Public Schools invests COVID-19 School Rescue Funds in classroom libraries

In the heart of Michigan’s landscape, a recent decision has sparked a narrative of prioritizing literacy in our schools. To support their literacy vision statement and new reading curriculum, Midland Public Schools allocated over $500,000 in federal ESSER III (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds, part of the American Rescue Plan, to build classroom […]