For Immediate Release From Center for Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships!
ED NEWS
COVID-19 Handbook, Volume 2: Roadmap to Reopening Safely and Meeting All Students' Needs. Today, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) released the COVID-19 Handbook, Volume 2: Roadmap to Reopening Safely and Meeting All Students' Needs
https://www2.ed.gov/documents/coronavirus/... which compliments Volume 1: Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools.
https://www2.ed.gov/documents/coronavirus/... Volume 2 provides additional strategies for safely reopening all of America's schools and to promote educational equity by addressing opportunity gaps that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief
On March 17, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced the amount of American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding that each state, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia will receive to support their efforts to reopen K–12 schools safely this month and equitably expand opportunity for students who need it most. The ARP ESSER funds may be used to address the many impacts of COVID-19 on pre-K through 12 education, including funding crucial summer, after-school, and other extended learning and enrichment programs. Secretary Cardona encouraged states to make sure students who have been hit hardest by COVID-19 are provided with the resources and support they need to emerge from this pandemic stronger.
Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 Through Summer Learning and Enrichment
On March 29, the Department and the Center to Improve Social and Emotional Learning and School Safety at WestEd hosted the virtual discussion “Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 through Summer Learning and Enrichment.”https://www.wested.org/resources/addressing-the-impact-of-covid-19-through-summer-learning/?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= The webinar elevated the evidence-based components of high-quality summer and enrichment programming, described how ARP funds can be used to support their design and implementation, and detailed how these opportunities may be available this summer and beyond by building capacity, including the role of philanthropy and community-based partners.
“Lessons from the Field: Safely Reopening and Sustaining In-Person Instruction” Webinar
In March, the Department hosted the first in its “Lessons from the Field: Safely Reopening and Sustaining In-Person Instruction” webinar series
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/... running bi-weekly through June.
https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/even... The webinars focus the following key topics across early childhood, K–12, and postsecondary education: safe and healthy environments; providing supports for students; and teacher, faculty, and staff well-being, professional development, and supports.
*Note: The Department is seeking information on reopening schools and child-care centers submitted to bestpracticesclearinghouse@ed.gov for its Safer Schools and Campuses Best Practices Clearinghouse.
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/... Department of Education Discharges Over $1.6 Billion in Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ Capital Finance Debt
On April 2, the U.S. Department of Education announced
https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/dep... the recently discharged approximately $1.6 billion of debt provided to Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that participate in the HBCU Capital Financing Program.
https://www2.ed.gov/programs/hbcucapfinanc... This action will provide debt relief to 45 HBCUs — 13 public and 32 private institutions.
“Our HBCUs have long been on an uneven playing field, financially, as compared to many other postsecondary institutions,” said Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “This relief will further support these mission-critical institutions and help to ensure they have more resources to educate and graduate students during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.”
NEWS FOR FAMILIES
“A School Year Like No Other Demands a New Learning Day: A Blueprint for How Afterschool Programs & Community Partners Can Help”
The Afterschool Alliance
http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/?utm_co... created a blueprint for how after-school programs and community partners can assist with in-classroom and remote learning. This resource is for all education leaders at the national, state, and local levels.
http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/?utm_co... College Signing Day
May 1 is College Signing Day
https://www.bettermakeroom.org/collegesign... a day were students commit to pursue their education past high school. Over the last 7 years, thousands of schools and organizations have celebrated millions of students. Help celebrate the hard work and commitment of students you know who have decided to pursue a postsecondary degree or join the military.
Uplifting Women and Girls
On March 6, President Biden signed two executive orders establishing a government-wide focus on uplifting the rights of women and girls in the U.S. and around the world.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/s... The first order establishes the White House Gender Policy Council to ensure that the current administration advances gender equity and equal rights and opportunity for women and girls.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/p... The second order directs the Department to review all of its existing regulations, orders, guidance, and policies for consistency with the Biden administration’s policy to guarantee education free from s*xual violence, including the Title IX regulation issued under the previous administration and any actions taken pursuant to that rule.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/p... COVID-19 Screening Testing Teachers, Staff, and Students
The CDC is providing $10 billion to states to support COVID-19 screening testing for teachers, staff, and students.
https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/03/17/... Also, the Department of Health and Human Services, partnering with the Department of Defense, plans to expand COVID-19 testing for K–8 schools and underserved populations in congregate settings through testing hubs by the end of April through a $650 million pilot program. These programs showcase the importance the Biden administration is placing on continued testing — even as vaccinations roll out.
https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/02/17/... OTHER CENTERS' NEWS
COVID-19 Public Education Campaign
On April 1, the Department of Health and Human Services launched the COVID-19 Community Corps, an all-hands-on-deck effort to get communities vaccinated and end the pandemic.
https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/04/01/... COVID-19 Vaccine Community Features
“As the COVID-19 vaccination program is implemented across the United States, jurisdictions and organizations confront this historic and challenging undertaking, tailoring programs to their population’s needs. Learn about their unique approaches to distributing the COVID-19 vaccine and educating their populations.”
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/heal... AmeriCorps VISTA Sponsoring Agency Request for Concept Papers
The AmeriCorps Vista program seeks concept papers from organizations and agencies working to alleviate poverty and address poverty-related problems in local communities.
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/45... Closing date: June 1, 2021.
Home Depot Community Impact Grants Program
The Home Depot Foundation Community Impact Grants provide funding for nonprofit organizations and public agencies in the U.S. that use volunteers to improve communities, with a focus on veterans and diverse, underserved communities. Grants are given in the form of gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials, and services. Ongoing until Dec. 31,
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/25... April OBSERVANCES
During April the following observance dates will be recognized: Good Friday (April 1), Autism Awareness Day (April 2), Easter and last day of Passover (April 4), National Librarian Day (April 6), and Yom Ha’atzmaut (April 14).
https://www.calendarr.com/united-states/yo...
Posted By: agnes levine
Friday, April 9th 2021 at 1:08PM
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