ESSER Newsletter: November 2022
- Fri, Nov 18 2022
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Greetings, school leaders!
In 2021, the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and the Superintendent utilized federal COVID-19 relief funding to bring the award-winning Discovery Education learning platform to all educators and students at no cost. Since the partnership began, over 70% of Arizona educators have utilized the state-of-the-art platform.
As part of that partnership, we are excited to announce a new resource available to all users today: Native Stories of the Southwest Channel (grades 3-12). Today, there are 22 federally recognized Native American tribes in Arizona. Each tribe honors unique values, heritage, and connections to geographic roots. This collection unpacks the diversity, rich history, and multitude of traditions of Native American tribes in Arizona and across the Southwest. Explore the channel to find:
- First-person stories and perspectives
- Ready-to-use instructional activities
- Resources on changemakers and their influence
- A Get to Know Arizona section for the context of the history and geography of Arizona
Stay tuned for professional learning sessions that deep dive into the channel and its resources! Please visit our website if you still need to sign up for Discovery Education. It’s an easy process for both LEAs and educators.
Explore the Native Stories of the Southwest Channel
LEA ESSER Reminders
Grants Management Reminders
- ESSER l – The project end date was 9/30/22. Completion Reports (CR) are due no later than 12/30/22.
- ESSER ll – The project end date is 9/30/23. All funds must be obligated by this date. Only one completion report is required. Completion reports may be submitted once ALL funds have been expended. Submitting the completion report ends the grant funding. Any remaining funds are forfeited. There is NO carryover. The final CR due date is 12/30/23.
- ESSER lll – The project end date is 9/30/24. All funds must be obligated by this date. Only one completion report is required. Completion reports may be submitted only when ALL funds have been expended. Submitting the completion report ends the grant funding. Any remaining funds are forfeited. There is NO carryover. The final CR due date is 12/30/24.
ESSER Completion Reports Guidance
Construction, Remodels, and HVAC Projects
Prior approval is required for all large projects. Prior approval requires acknowledging requirements by signing and uploading the construction/HVAC assurances into related documents in GME. Projects are not pre-approved until this form is received, even if the budget has been approved. To avoid unintended costs outside of the ESSER funding, it is critically important that all contracts include a completion date BEFORE project end dates, ESSER ll, 9/30/23, and ESSER lll, 9/30/24. Assurances can be found at https://www.azed.gov/esser-i-ii or https://www.azed.gov/esser-iii
ESSER Set Aside Opportunities
The following opportunities are funded and supported by the Arizona Department of Education’s ESSER I, II, and III (ARP) set-aside investments:
Education Forward
Education Forward, the leading organizing group for three ESSER-funded projects, Ask Benji, College Access Professional Training, and College Knowing and Going – has several upcoming training dates:
Postsecondary Advising for Middle Grades Counselors 1/13/23 – 2/20/23 | In this course, you will learn about the critical role middle school plays in shaping students’ postsecondary readiness and the barriers to college that many students face. You will also learn about school cultures of educational equity and how to use your schools’ data to identify and address equity issues. Register at: https://educationforwardarizona.org/cap |
Postsecondary Advising for Elementary School Counselors 1/13/23 – 2/20/23 | In this course, you will learn about school cultures of educational equity and how to use your schools’ data to identify and address equity issues. You will also learn how to expose students to the latest career options, how to help students develop the soft skills needed for academic and career success, and how to help students transition into Middle School. Register at: https://educationforwardarizona.org/cap |
Financial Aid I Introduction to Financial Aid 1/13/23 – 2/20/23 | This course provides an overview the different types of financial aid programs available to learners pursuing education after high school, including grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study. Information is provided about working with students in special circumstances (such as homelessness, foster care, and various immigrant categories). Participants will learn what expected family contribution (EFC) is and how EFC is compared to each institution’s total cost of attendance to determine individual student needs. Two forms used to determine individual student needs, the FAFSA and the CSS Profile, are defined and compared. Register at: https://educationforwardarizona.org/cap |
Financial Aid II Financial Aid Programs 2/17/23– 3/20/23 | This course provides an overview of the various financial aid programs offered by the federal Department of Education and the student qualifications for each. Participants will learn about and compare different types of loans as well as the process that must be followed to qualify, utilize, and repay student loans. Register at: https://educationforwardarizona.org/cap |
Save the Date: Saturday, January 21, 2023, Mathematics Educator Appreciation Day Conference (MEAD)
MEAD is the largest mathematics education conference in Arizona, and this year promises to be the largest ever, with over 100 sessions available to participants either in-person or online. For the first time, MEAD will be a HYBRID conference, allowing teachers to return to in-person learning at Tucson High Magnet School and online sessions to increase access to educators from across the state. The conference and keynote address are open to PK-16 teachers and administrators and offered at NO COST to Arizona educators.
LEA Spotlight: Payson Unified School District
Before COVID-19 relief funding, Payson Unified’s Lil Longhorns Preschool could only offer preschool education services to students with special needs. Thanks to federal funding, they renovated an existing building to expand their early childhood learning center capacity and provide services to all students (ages 3-5).
