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Important Reminders:
Submit required Mid-Year Report through Survey Monkey to NYSED by February 25, 2022.
Conduct 3rd Advisory Board Meeting, to include evaluator (Feb-March).
Ensure that students’ State ID numbers (RoS) or OSIS ID (NYC) are entered for every student enrolled and teachers' names are entered for every student in grades 1-5.
Review budget and prepare budget amendment (if needed).
Run data checks monthly to keep up on required EZreports information.
Mandatory end-of-grant closeout information session March 9 at 11am. Stay tuned for more information.
USDOE School Meal Waiver (USDA) Fact Sheet Update
The US Department of Education updated their fact sheet regarding the waivers granted by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the school meal programs through Jun 30, 2022. This replaces the fact sheet that the Department released last January 4. Specific information for 21st CCLC programs is in this section, “Although the USDA, not ED, administers the Federal meal programs listed above, there is a connection between some of these programs and some State-administered formula programs under the ESEA. This connection occurs in two primary ways, as described in this fact sheet. The first connection between an ESEA program and the USDA waivers involves coordination at the local level between the Title IV, Part B – Nita M. Lowey “21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, administered by ED, and the CACFP, administered by USDA. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION 2 Specifically, CACFP provides afterschool meals to children and youth who participate in the 21st CCLC program. This has raised a question as to whether the At-Risk Afterschool Meals Component of CACFP, which operates during the regular school year, may operate simultaneously with the SSO during the implementation of the USDA waivers. Under waivers issued by USDA for school year 2021-2022, the At-Risk Afterschool Meals Component of CACFP may operate simultaneously with the SSO during the regular school year. See USDA’s full response to this question, which is available here.”
Access the fact sheet here: https://oese.ed.gov/files/2022/01/ED-USDA-Fact-Sheet-Revised-1-12-2022.pdf
Students in Foster Care Toolkit
The Department and the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) have revised the Students in Foster Care Toolkit which was released this week.
The revised toolkit may be accessed on the NYSED Foster Care Webpage
Included in the revision are new forms for local departments of social services to use to better communicate with schools, increased clarification on transportation costs, and dispute resolution.
To further assist schools in using the revised toolkit, a webinar will be held on February 10, 2022, from 3:00-4:00pm. Schools are encouraged to have their foster care Point of Contact (POC) review the revised toolkit and attend the webinar. To join the webinar:
1. Go to:
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Enter the session password: r3VPCx2BB6c
4. Click "Join Now" and follow the instructions.
This webinar will also be recorded and posted on the NYSED Foster Care Webpage for futureviewing and to train new school personnel.
For questions, please contact the Office of Student Support Services at 518-486-6090 or studentsupportservices@nysed.gov.
Guidance Related to the Cancellation of the January Administration of the Regents Examinations
See this Frequently Asked Question guidance document related to the memo issued by Commissioner Rosa dated December 21, 2021 announcing the cancellation of the January Regents Examinations.
Further questions related to the cancellation of the examinations and the impact on diploma requirements can be directed to emscgradreq@nysed.gov.
Eligibility for State Reimbursement of Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Expenditures
NYSED has issued a memorandum providing additional information to school district officials on the eligibility of expenditures made with federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds for state reimbursement.
While expenditures made with federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act are eligible for state reimbursement, consistent with the treatment of the vast majority of other federal and state grant programs, expenditures of CRRSA or ARP funds are not eligible to generate state reimbursement through current state aid formulas. Districts should ensure that these expenditures are not reported in the State Aid Management System (SAMS) in a manner that would generate aid.
Since federally funded CRRSA and ARP expenditures may not be used to generate state aid through any of the state reimbursement programs (building aid, BOCES aid and transportation aid), districts may wish to use their federal funds on non-aidable expenditures, thus freeing district general fund revenues to be used for reimbursable expenses.
In addition, districts are reminded that local maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements for certain federal grants remain in place. Districts must ensure that their use of CARES, CRRSA and ARP funding does not negatively impact the ability to meet local MOE requirements.
New and Existing Federal COVID-19 Testing Resources For Schools
On January 12, 2022, USDE Secretary Cardona released this letter to share new and existing resources from the federal government that can help school access tests and implement COVID-19 testing programs.
The resources shared include:
Use your state’s COVID-19 testing program(s) and resources, funded by the CDC Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) program: Schools can review state offerings and reach out to their state to tap into ELC-funded testing providers, programs, and resources by visiting the CDC ELC webpage. To learn more about and access state testing resources please visit the CDC ELC webpage of state ELC school testing contacts.
Access free lab-based testing through the CDC Operation Expanded Testing (OpET) program: Additional lab-based tests for schools are available through the Operation Expanded Testing (OpET) program. Districts across the country have been successfully using the OpET program since its launch last spring. This program may be particularly useful for those schools where staff are already conducting sample collection.
Schools can reach out to request COVID-19 tests right away by visiting Operation Expanded Testing | CDC or by contacting the regional hub at http://www.operationet.com/. If you have any questions about OpET and how this resource may be able to fit into your overall testing plan, please contact eocevent589@cdc.gov.
Connect with school COVID-19 testing vendors – and use your ESSER funds to set up a testing program at your school: Schools received Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds under the American Rescue Plan Act, which may be used to arrange for testing and testing-related services alongside other important mitigation strategies. You can learn more about available providers and how to set up school-based testing programs by using the Rockefeller Foundation’s one-pager testing how-to start-up guide. An additional resource to explore test provider options and considerations is available at Open and Safe Schools Partners.
Partner with a community COVID-19 testing site near your school that your students and staff can use: Schools may consider referring students, teachers, and staff to community-based testing sites. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has partnered with pharmacies and retail companies to provide testing for more Americans in communities across the country. Additionally, the federal government is working with state, territory, and tribal partners to establish free, convenient testing sites in the hardest-hit and highest-risk communities. State leaders can incorporate school testing into community-based testing sites, including by locating testing sites on or near school grounds and establishing specific operating hours for schools. To learn more, visit Coronavirus Community Based Testing Sites.
In addition, also on January 12, 2022, the White House released a fact sheet announcing that FEMA’s Public Assistance Program has made 100% reimbursement available to schools to set up COVID-19 diagnostic and screening test programs to set up COVID-19 diagnostic and screening test programs: FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Increases COVID-19 Testing in Schools to Keep Students Safe and Schools Open.
More information on New York State specific resources can be found at the New York State Center for School Health at New York State Center for School Health.
OCFS has released updated guidance on COVID-19 isolation and quarantine protocol for staff and children. Providers should read the full Dear Provider Letter carefully. Find the letter at the link below:
OFCS will be partnering with our local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies to distribute more than 214,000 at-home COVID-19 test kits to licensed/registered child care programs. See the “Dear Provider” Letter.
Resources
Jumpstart your family engagement plan in February! Learn best practices for building respectful relationships with parents and create a plan to keep them involved in all aspects of our program. Use the link below to learn more about this upcoming webinar.
Launching February 10, a pre-recorded webinar, “Community Learning Hubs”, will help you identify key features and benefits of community learning hubs, strategies to operate them, and explore examples of successful programs and community partnerships.
NYS Community Schools TAC is offering a pre-recorded webinar titled “How to Develop & Staff Summer Learning Programs”. Discover the relevance and impact of summer learning initiatives, identify key components for developing your programs, and explore examples of meaningful summer learning programs.
Network for Youth Success has information and ideas about funding and sustainability, establishing school-community partnerships, professional development, ACES and trauma, diversity, equity and inclusion, family engagement, STEM and so much more! https://networkforyouthsuccess.org
You for Youth has a monthly newsletter that highlights new content available on their website. Learn more about STEAM initiatives and resources, listen to archived webinars, explore family engagement resources, and hear stories from other colleagues in the field.
The New York State Center for School Safety has resources for creating safe schools for all students, resources for trauma-informed schools, and training sessions for Emergency Response Plans. Check out their website for more information.
PD/Events
Feb 10: Webinar: Creating a Family Engagement Plan with Parents of English Language Learners, Part I
Mar 3: Webinar: Creating a Family Engagement Plan with Parents of English Language Learners, Part II
Mar 9: Mandatory end-of-grant closeout information session. Stay tuned for more information.
https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/NewYorkStateNetworkforYou/Conference-1-1-1-1.html
Save the date: June 8 is our End of Year Spring Conference!
The end-of-year conference will be held virtually this year. In addition to the end-of-year event, grantees are expected to participate in two of the following professional development webinars as well. The dates for these offerings are April 13, May 11, May 18, and May 25 from 10-11:15am. More information will be coming soon.
RoS Spotlight
Central Park Middle School Supports the Community
Eighth graders in the 21st Century Afterschool Program at Central Park Middle School in Schenectady worked on a service-learning project to address food insecurity in their community. Staff and students created and designed a Food Pantry that would be accessible to students, families, and the Central Park community. The afterschool students are working on another project that ties in with the food pantry. They will create meal kit packages that will include ingredients along with a recipe to prepare and cook a 30-minute meal. This is all created, designed, and packaged by the students. Thirty-minute meals are a practical idea! Great work responding to the needs of the community!
NYC Spotlight
P.S.165 Brings Us the Power of Service & Learning
P.S. 165 in District 3 closed out the holiday season and reminded us of the power of learning and service with their toy drive & Library Card Campaign. P.S.165 collaborated with Toys for Tots and the United States Marine Corps Brooklyn chapter to give away 348 toys to students this holiday season. Students in temporary housing were the first to receive their gifts.
In addition, the Community School Director Cesar Pagan, and staff from Young Audiences New York, worked with the New York Public Library to co-host three workshops for parents, highlighting library offerings and benefits. As a result, the Parent-Teacher Association has partnered with the library and hosted Saturday events. Currently, 143 students have applied and received a library card for the first time.
Young Audiences New York has been the lead Community School partner at PS 165 for over three years. Young Audiences New York programs are designed to use art, in all of its forms, as a catalyst for exploring creativity and advancing equity among youth, families, and communities in New York City.