Important COVID Updates

Vaccination will shift to phase 1b in the coming weeks, which will include K-12 educators.  AWSA’s communication partner, the Donovan Group, is providing these communication templates for school and district leaders.  

New Tools: The DHS has announced two new free tools: a) an at-home testing kit and b) a contact tracing app.

Federal Stimulus: The President signed into law a new COVID stimulus package on December 27th.  The package includes grant funds for schools, known as the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER II).  Initial estimates for the  ESSER II allocation indicates the amount will be four times what was awarded under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER I) under the prior stimulus package last spring.  Districts will be able to spend their ESSER II award for expenses through September 30, 2023.  The DPI must submit a plan for approval to the Joint Committee on Finance before it makes the funds available.

Student Assessment: Last summer, the AWSA/SAA released a package of proposals for statutory flexibility needed in the COVID era.  The package included the suspension of student assessments for this school year (see #6). While the Governor included suspending the requirement for state testing in his COVID relief Legislation neither the Assembly or Senate COVID bills included this language.  Therefore, at this time, state assessment is required by both federal and state law and the DPI is planing on administering assessments this spring.