How Kids Benefit When Principals Get a Say in Spending Federal COVID-19 Aid 8 min read
Nicole Moore, principal of Indian Mills School, in Shamong, N.J., worked with a teacher and the district superintendent to start a summer program using federal aid for COVID-19 relief.Eric Sucar for Education Week Share article Copy URL
In the Shamong Township school district in southern New Jersey, about 30 miles from Philadelphia, a select group of elementary school students will spend part of the summer honing their reading and social-emotional skills under a white, 10 x 20 outdoor tent, not far from their homes.
They’ll read books geared toward building resiliency, and each book will be paired with an activity, including yoga focusing on balance and self-care, nature exploration, and a field trip to a local farm.
Pressure is already mounting for school district administrators across America.
President Joe Biden backed his vision to reopen schools fully in the fall with an $81 trillion American Rescue Plan relief act sent billions flowing to New Jersey schools.
As $2.7 billion makes its way from Washington to the Garden State, Gov. Phil Murphy s vision for education in September is becoming clear.
“We want to be I want to be unequivocal about this,” Murphy said, at a March 24 COVID-19 briefing. We are expecting Monday through Friday in person, every school, every district.”
Can administrators make it happen?
Some South Jersey school districts are already testing in-person education by inviting students back for full days, meals and extra-curriculars.