Page 13 - NAESP Principal - Nov/Dec 2021

Putting ARP Funding to Use in Schools

We reached out to NAESP members to learn more about equipment. Our teachers have been able to attend pro-
what American Rescue Plan funding has allowed them to fessional development focused on MTSS for academics,
do in their schools. Here’s what they had to say: behavior, and SEL.” —Amy Denney, Perry Creek Elementary
• “We were able to fund additional summer learning oppor- School, Sioux City, Iowa
tunities and increased technology availability
for students.” —Mandy Ellis, Dunlap Grade School, • “Increased funding has allowed us to hire part-time
Dunlap, Illinois contract teachers who can assist with interventions. We
are also contracting with local musicians to integrate the
• “We were able to feed our students breakfast, lunch, arts into the core content. The additional personnel will
and send them home with dinner.” —Christopher allow us to build more relationships with students and
Wooleyhand, Pershing Hill Elementary School, Fort Meade, better address any needs that they have academically
Maryland and social-emotionally.” —Amy Mason, Madison County
Elementary School, Gurley, Alabama
• “We have been able to provide tutoring before and after

school. We held an engaging summer ‘camp’ focused • “Additional staff to support interventions during the day
on literacy, math, and hands-on science for our at-risk and afterschool tutoring. Additional social work support
learners. We have hired an attendance specialist to sup- and training for staff in SEL and inclusive teaching.”

port families who are struggling to get their children to —Jessica Hutchison, Washington Elementary School, Park
school regularly. We have bolstered our building cleaning Ridge, Illinois

NAESP Joins Learn From
History Coalition

RESOURCES INCLUDE TALKING POINTS ON MINIMIZING THE
BACKLASH TO CRITICAL RACE THEORY

Extensive recent ac ademic concept taught in some law schools and
survey research con- colleges to explain persistent, stark racial inequities. The
firms that a broad, term CRT is intentionally being distorted and misused.
bipartisan majority NAESP joined the Learn From History Coalition
of Americans want alongside a range of educational organizations to raise
students to learn a thor- public awareness about the dangerous and inaccurate
ough, accurate, and fact-based account of American claims being made about school curricula, how they are
history, and that they trust teachers to teach the “hard taught, and the threat those claims pose to the rigor
parts” of history thoughtfully. Principals provide strong and integrity of our children’s education.
leadership in delivering the best possible instruction
and support to students while keeping students and RESOURCES
staff safe. Access the Learn From History Coalition’s brief guide at

However, this tough task is made more difficult by bit.ly/2XI2vyT for effective, immediate steps you can take

the misinformation spreading in many communities to minimize distraction and disruption while keeping the
about history and social studies curriculum and focus on your students and their needs. If you want to
instruction. The primary falsehood spread is that schools get involved with Learn From History or learn more, text
are teaching critical race theory (CRT), an advanced TRUTH to 67076 or visit LearnFromHistory.org.

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