Ensuring the safety of students and staff has been critical to reopening and keeping schools open for in-person learning. Through local partnerships, we implemented an extensive layered mitigation strategy, supported facility-related re-opening needs, and helped schools reorient outdoor spaces into new learning environments. We have also made supplemental recovery funds available to public schools not eligible for ESSER funds to support a safe reopening and strong recovery. 

Key Strategies​

We are employing the following strategies to support a safe reopening:​

• Support layered mitigation strategies: Implement a comprehensive COVID-19 testing strategy for School Year 2021-22, including distributing rapid test kits to public and public charter schools in the District; funding school-based staff to oversee COVID-related responsibilities; and facilitating close contact identification, reporting and communication after positive cases of COVID-19 to mitigate community spread.
• Fund charter reopening needs: Provide a formula-based grant to help charter schools fund facility-related reopening needs, such as enhancements to ventilation systems or new materials needed to facilitate social distancing, in order to help ensure comparable and appropriate supports for charter facilities.
• Create safe learning spaces: Offer tools, training and technical assistance to support schools with implementing the latest COVID health guidance, evaluating indoor air quality, and expanding the innovative use of outdoor learning spaces.
• Provide supplemental recovery funds to public schools not eligible for ESSER: Make supplemental recovery funding available to public schools not eligible for the ESSER, which targeted K-12 schools that qualify for Title I funds based on the percentage of low-income students they serve.