school emergency Archives

3 reasons to spend ESSER funds on school-home communications

Key points:

School-home communication is critical in boosting attendance and decreasing absenteeism

A thoughtful school communication plan is as important to good schooling as a great teacher

See related article: 5 ways video improves school-home communication

When you think about Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, do you think “HVAC?”

While ESSER funds were vital for making schools safer during the pandemic, they cover more than infrastructure. The true goal of ESSER funding is learning recovery, and the heart of learning recovery is attendance.…Read More

1 2

How our school handled the chaos of an active shooter hoax

Key points:

Every moment is critical during a school emergency, and having the right tools is a must

An emergency response app helped one school leader receive and deploy clear communication

I was in a meeting when I heard the sirens. I immediately excused myself and saw the first squad car screech to a halt in front of our doors and knew it was bad. The police department had just received a call saying there was an active shooter somewhere at Spanish Fork High School and two students were deceased.

As it turns out, we were the victim of a coordinated hoax that targeted schools throughout Utah and other states, but for the next 24 minutes, this was our reality and as principal, I had to act. My emotions almost got the better of me; not only do I care deeply about each and every one of our 1,469 students, I also have a daughter who was in class just down the hall. I almost lost my motor skills but was able to pull my phone from my pocket to instantly lock down the school with the push of a button and watch our emergency plan unfold almost flawlessly before my eyes. …Read More

1 2

5 ways to use ESSER funds to create cleaner environments

Funding is often schools’ biggest obstacle when it comes to enhancing the learning environment beyond the basics.

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund is providing a significant influx of resources for schools across the nation. However, an interesting problem revealed itself as schools find themselves struggling to decide how to spend the largely unexpected funds. In fact, according analysis of the federal ESSER data by the National Conference of State Legislatures, only 19.1 percent of the program’s funding has been used as of Feb. 28, 2022.

The relief package, which provided nearly $190.5 billion to the ESSER Fund through three separate stimulus bills, is incredibly helpful and impactful in addressing the impact that COVID-19 has on schools across the U.S. For many schools, which are historically underfunded and lacked resources, this money gives them the opportunity to make facility updates that have been needed for years.…Read More

1 2

What’s keeping districts from spending COVID relief funding?

2020 and 2021 saw $190 billion in federal relief funds go to schools through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER).

But why aren’t schools spending the money? The answer–or, more accurately, answers–offers a glimpse into the complicated state of post-COVID education.

Districts received funds based on their Title I funding, and ESSER funds must be spent by September 2024. While many districts have planned how they’ll use their funding, they have not actually spent it to date.…Read More

1 2

Eight Keys To Building A Better Master Schedule

Building a school master schedule isn’t easy. There are many moving parts to consider, including the required and elective classes for what often amounts to hundreds of students. Making all of these pieces fit together harmoniously is an art form, like conducting a thousand-piece orchestra.

If building a master schedule is like conducting an orchestra, then Jesus Amaya is a maestro. As the assistant principal of Raymondville Early College High School in Texas, Amaya has been compiling master schedules for years. Here, he reveals his secrets to doing so successfully.

Collaborative Mental Health Efforts

Educators, students, parents, and the greater community are facing a mental health crisis.

Fortunately, with the right knowledge and tools, every stakeholder across the community, district, school, and classroom can advocate for mental wellness. By knowing how to help connect students to the right resources and providing comprehensive support for student mental health needs, we can all build a healthy, safe learning environment.

Comprehensive Mental Health in Schools is Necessary

As young people respond to global circumstances, there is a new urgency to address mental health needs for all students. Learn the four reasons why schools should provide comprehensive mental health services for their students.

Happier kids, better students. Improve achievement through student well-being.

Social and emotional learning is critical for students’ mental well-being. And it may just be helping improve their academic achievement. Find out how.

Keep your best teachers from burning out, and leaving the job they love.

Teaching consistently ranks as one of the most high-stress occupations. Find out how you can STOP teachers from leaving a profession they love with mindful, strength-based strategies and interventions that really work.

How K-12 School Districts Can Take Advantage of ESSER Funds

Learn how schools will be using ESSER funds, and as a result, ramping up processes that DocuSign can help streamline, like parent consent for IEPs and assessments, teacher and staff hiring and onboarding, and student admission enrollment forms.

6 benefits of immersive learning with the metaverse

The metaverse is a tool that blends experiences typically associated with either the virtual or physical worlds. It can deliver greater immersive learning for students while also creating some new and exciting teaching opportunities. For educators, it is crucial to not only understand what the metaverse is and its uses within education but to also realize the benefits of immersive learning with the metaverse.

Building a Successful Certification Program at Your Institution

In a world where competition for jobs, pay increases, and academic success continues to increase, certifications offer hope to candidates and educators. Certification helps to build a skilled workforce that meets the needs of local employers and government tech initiatives.

3 reasons to spend ESSER funds on school-home communications

How our school handled the chaos of an active shooter hoax

5 ways to use ESSER funds to create cleaner environments

What’s keeping districts from spending COVID relief funding?

YouScience® Administers Over 1 Million Certification Exams In The 2022-2023 Academic Year

Discovery Education and its Corporate Partners Offering Free Resources for Families to Keep Learning Alive All Summer

Wayside Publishing to Enhance New and Future Products After Acquisition

ParentSquare Releases Back-to-School Resources, Including Updated Checklist for Successful Home-School Communications

Login