American Rescue Plan Use of Funds and Safe Return Plan for 2023-2024
Pleasant Hill CUSD #3 Return to Learn Plan
2023-2024
Illinois schools have been provided mitigation strategies by the CDC, IDPH and ISBE. Each of these entities along with guidance from legal and liability resources advise schools on how to navigate the pandemic and periods of time with high numbers of illnesses. The use and removal of strategies should be deliberate, strategic and with considered judgment by the Board of Education. Pleasant Hill schools intends to use the strategies promoted by CDC and IDPH throughout the 2023-2024 school year and adjust as local needs determine.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) required schools to return to in-person learning at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. In accordance with the most recent release of CDC, IDPH, and ISBE school guidance, layered mitigations will still be in place, such as increased sanitizing, especially in common areas. If local conditions change, mitigations may be removed or added, as deemed necessary by the Adams County Health Department, the Pike County Health Department, or the Pleasant Hill School Board.
While Pleasant Hill cannot eliminate the risk of COVID-19 or other communicable diseases, schools will work to mitigate risk and related issues. The following information outlines the specific procedures and plans for Pleasant Hill CUSD #3, as known today. These are subject to change as ISBE guidance is updated and changed.
Attendance
- The school day will be 8:15 am - 2:30 pm.
- Students who are not feeling well should not attend school. Parents are asked to contact the school office as soon as possible.
- Students who are sent home ill as well as those who are absent from school will work through a re-entry plan with the school nurse.
- Doctors notes for admittance to school will be followed.
- IPDH guidelines for communicable disease will be followed.
- Students missing school due to illness will have access to technology and tools to access curriculum.
Health Screenings
Only students and staff who are healthy should report to school. Anyone with a fever, measured temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater or vomiting must stay home. The following are a list of other symptoms to consider:
- Fever or chills
- Cough/Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Nausea
Meal Service
K-12 breakfast and lunch will be served in each school's cafeteria. Breakfast will begin at 7:30 am and continue through 8:00 am.
Cleaning, disinfecting and Ventilation
- Schools will promote cleaning, disinfecting and ventilation strategies promoting a healthy learning environment.
- School water fountains will be open.
- Opportunities for “fresh air” activities will be provided as much as possible. Hand and Respiratory Hygiene
- Students will be cued and encouraged to wash hands frequently.
- Students will be cued to use healthy strategies when coughing or sneezing.
Athletics
- School athletics will follow the rules provided by IHSA and IESA in accordance with CDC, IDPH and ISBE guidelines.
Transportation
- CDC/IDPH and ISBE guidelines will be followed.
Student and Staff Resources
For students who need additional academic or emotional support during this school year, please consider the following:
- Contacting the school nurse, classroom teacher or school principal
- Reach out to school guidance staff or social workers.
- Participate in after-school tutoring
- Participate in counseling through the Mental Health Center of Western Illinois
Based on recommendations and new guidelines from the Adams County Health Department and Pike County Health Department, IDPH and CDC the plan can be modified. At a minimum of every 6 months based on these updates the plan will be reviewed and revised for safe to in-person instruction and community services. There will be opportunities for public comment at each scheduled monthly board meeting.
Link to the full Presentation for the American Rescue Plan Use of Funds for 2023-2024. A summary of this year's use of funds is below.
Pleasant Hill CUSD #3’s planned use of funds for the 2023-2024 school year include the following:
Salaries and benefits for educators to reduce classroom size in grades K-2
Smaller class sizes lead to better student outcomes.
Additional PE teacher for grades 7-12
This allows for more versatility in the 7-12 schedule, because a PE class is offered every hour.
Provide additional services from a licensed Social Worker
Expands social work service from 2 days a week to 3 days a week
Provide salary for a Tier 2 Interventionist
Provide reading and math interventions to Tier 2 students which has not previously been possible due to the large number of Tier 3 students. Tier 3 are those most in need of additional instruction.
Provide a library of digital resources for teachers to use to supplement instruction in all subjects
TpT School Access is a program that has lesson plans and supplementary instructional activities for all subjects and curriculums including the reading and math curriculum that Pleasant Hill Elementary and High School use. This will provide the teachers with additional resources to meet the varying levels of need in their classrooms.
After-School Tutor
This salary pays a teacher to give up their prep period to tutor students in grades K-8. The teacher is assisted by two paraprofessionals.
Recess Supervisor
5th-8th grade lunch recess has approximately 100 students on the playground at one time. In order to provide adequate supervision, a teacher is giving up their lunch to supervise and coordinate recess supervision. This money reimburses the teacher for their loss of lunch.
Outdoor Learning Area
To reduce crowding in the all-purpose room at lunch time, students in grades 5-8 are allowed to eat outside. Students currently sit on the concrete on the mall. This money will provide picnic tables for students to sit at to eat outside. To make the outdoor space more versatile, we will also provide a learning board for teachers to write on during an outside lesson. We will also use the money to update the edging on the current playgrounds and to renew the rubber mulch on the playgrounds.
