SJHS given covid relief money
In early November, St. Joseph Public Schools received 3.2 million dollars from the American Rescue Plan. The American Rescue Plan of 2021, signed by President Joseph Biden on March 11, is a 1.9 trillion dollar bundle designed to directly go toward COVID-19 relief. Stakeholders—students, teachers, and others who contribute to this school—were sent out a survey on November 15, regarding which area the funds are most necessary. Examples of these areas are preparedness for COVID-19, facilities and operations (such as heating and air conditioning), instructional materials and resources, learning supports and interventions, staff recruitment, attention and support, and mental health education and support.
“The goal of the survey is to better understand our stakeholders' priorities in regard to allocating federal dollars, which are essentially the stakeholder's tax dollars at work. If we can find a general consensus, then we can better meet the needs and desires for those we serve,” SJPS Superintendent Mrs. Jenny Fee said.
The SJPS Board of Education, while taking into account the input of the community, has the final say for where the money goes.
As stated, students also received the survey; Ms. Fee made it clear that the opinion of the student’s was important and necessary for our school.
photo by meghan meier
“Students are the reason we are all here, and their voices in matters of the school—particularly in how we spend money that is being provided for their support—is valuable and insightful. The federal guidelines require us to consult with parents, community members, and employees on how the money is to be allocated, yet we feel that students (at least at HS level) are important, capable, and knowledgeable stakeholders who should also have a voice,” she said.
Out of over 1,000 responses, a majority of them seem to be in favor of improvements to facilities and operations and instructional materials and resources for students. The money will be split up between “learning loss, summer school and enrichment, after school programming, and on groups of students that are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic (homeless, foster care students, racial and ethnic minorities, and students for whom English is a second language),” Mrs. Fee said.
Also, a certain amount of the money may go to “summer school programming; after school programming through the Benton Harbor Boys and Girls Club; Ventilation, filtration, and air conditioning; Interventions for struggling students, or resources to address trauma and social emotional needs,” Mrs. Fee added.