Congress passed three stimulus bills that provided nearly $190.5 billion to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP-ESSER) Fund to help safely reopen and sustain the operation of schools in the current academic year and beyond to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on New York’s students by addressing students’ academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs.

The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Fund (ARP-ESSER), provides $9 Billion to New York State, including over $149,000,000 to East Ramapo Schools.

New York State Education Department Program Funding Priorities:

• Safely returning students to in-person instruction;
• Maximizing in-person instruction time;
• Operating schools and meeting the needs of students;
• Purchasing educational technology;
• Addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on students, including the impacts of interrupted instruction and learning loss and the impacts on low-income students, children with disabilities, English language learners, and students experiencing homelessness;
• Implementing evidence-based strategies to meet students’ social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs;
• Offering evidence-based summer, afterschool, and other extended learning and enrichment programs; and
• Supporting early childhood education.

East Ramapo Central School District's Collection of Input

An Advisory Taskforce consisting of various teams of Teachers, Administrators, Community Members, and Parents was established in the Spring of 2021. The Advisory Taskforce was assembled to collect input in response to the question of how East Ramapo might use anticipated ARP-ESSER funds to define innovative practices, redesign systems, and learn from others. Through planning sessions, the teams brainstormed proposed ideas, actions, and initiatives to implement aligned to East Ramapo newly launched strategic plan.

• The East Ramapo Central School District facilitated virtual town hall meetings for stakeholder input and participation.
• Prior to the start of the current school year, update sessions were held on Thursday, August 26, 2021, and Thursday, September 2, 2021, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm which included discussions on the Responsive Return to School Plan for the 2021-2022 school year, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA-ESSER) and the District Comprehensive Improvement Plan (DCIP) via Zoom

ESSER ARP Summary ENGLISH

ESSER ARP SUMMARY ESPANOL

ESSER ARP SUMMARY KREYOL