Apple Springs ISD

SAFE RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING AND CONTINUNITY OF SERVICE

Federal American Rescue Plan Act, Section 2001(1)

As of January 20, 2022

Statement of Purpose

Apple Springs ISD has no greater responsibility than the health and safety of all students and staff members.  The District is committed to all reasonable and achievable measures to prevent and mitigate the spread of communicable illnesses.  This document is designed to serve as a guide and reference to all ASISD stakeholders.  

1.  Health and Safety Protocols

A.  Daily Body Temperature Scans

All students, staff, vendors, and guests will have their temperature taken by an ASISD staff member prior to entering any portion of the building.  This will be done daily using non-touch, laser thermometers.  Any person with a body temperature of 100(F) or higher will be;

(1) denied access to any portion of the campus

(2) immediately isolated away from the general population

(3) sent home and not allowed to return to school without a medical release 

B.  Air Quality Improvement

Apple Springs ISD employs a network of air humidifiers that use high concentrations of oxygen to sanitize both the atmosphere and hard surfaces.  A device is used in every 

classroom, commons area, cafeteria, and offices.  These devices are operational during all normal school hours.

C.  Restroom and Drinking Fountain Safety

Apple Springs ISD made the commitment to replace all toilets, restroom lavatories, and drinking fountains with new, no-touch fixtures.   These fixtures were installed in June of 

2021.  

D.  Daily/Weekly Cleaning Schedule

The District will continue to utilize the enhanced cleaning scheduled first implemented in March of 2019.  This schedule includes daily sanitizing of all classrooms, school buses, and commons areas such as the cafeteria.  Additionally, restrooms and drinking fountains

are cleaned a minimum of three times per day.  The weekly schedule includes deep cleaning with power aids of all high traffic areas.  

E.  Personal Hygiene

All staff and students are issued frequent reminders and encouraged to practice 20 second handwashing, proper covering of coughs and sneezes and respect for the personal space of others.  

F.  Personal Supplies.

The Apple Springs Booster Club, a student support organization of the district, purchased and donated enough school supplies so that students will not have to share any personal school supplies.

G.  Personal Face Coverings

The Board of Trustees of the Apple Springs Independent School District voted in March of 2021 to comply with Governor Greg Abbot’s order not to require masks or face coverings.  Students and staff members who wish to wear face coverings are welcome to do so.

H.  Adherence to Official Health and Safety Guidance

Apple Springs ISD does and will continue to follow the most current health and safety requirements that may be issued at the Federal, State and Local Levels.  The superintendent schedules weekly time to attend in-person and virtual meetings from such agencies.  

I.  Individuals with Confirmed or Suspected Cases of COVID-19

Apple Springs ISD will follow the most current guidance provided by the Texas 

Education Agency and the Texas Department of Health and Human Services in 

establishing the need to require quarantine and removal from campus for staff and 

students who may have direct exposure to the virus, be symptomatic or have a test-

confirmed case of COVID-19.  Updates to this guidance will be posted on the 

District’s website and social media platforms.

2.  Continuity of Services

Apple Springs ISD is firmly committed to providing the highest quality of educational 

services and opportunities to all students regardless of gender, race, economic standard or ability level.  Insuring these services are continual and consistent is of great priority to this district. 

The administration and teaching staff of ASISD understand and appreciate the potential learning loss and academic regression of some students caused by the coronavirus pandemic.  All students are assessed in the core subjects of math, language arts, science, and social studies at least three times per school year to determine both current academic status and progression or regression.  

This district enjoys a 12:1 student to teacher ratio which allows the data from assessments to be used to create and implement personalized plans for all students to achieve academic growth and success.  Just as importantly, the District is committed to meeting the social and emotional needs of all students, regardless of personal situations.  Both district and campus level personnel consistently monitor the mental health and wellness of students and often implement corporate and individual programs designed to foster social well-being and improve the emotional health of students.  

3.  Stakeholder Support and Input

The Superintendent of Apple Springs ISD established a COVID-19 Task Force to address and establish this document as well as the daily operating procedures as they pertain to pandemic strategies and mitigation efforts.  This task force consisted of district employees, parents, community members and students.  The recommendations of the task force were presented and ratified by the Apple Springs ISD Board of Trustees.

School districts are required to review and revise, if necessary, the Safe Return to In-Person Learning and Continuity of Services Plan at least every six months through September 30, 2023.  This district also has this issue on its public agenda for monthly board meetings during the months of August through May.  Public input at these meetings is always welcome.  

In addition to public meeting opportunities, district stakeholders are sent periodic communications advising them of any changes to the operating procedures used in connection with the COVID-19 situation.  Anyone wishing to have this or any other communication presented in a language other than English, be orally translated or provided in another format as outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act may contact the District Webmaster at 936-831-3344 or chead@asisd.com.

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Apple Springs ISD  

ESSER III Funding Plan   January 20, 2022

I.  Grant Definition

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Act provides 

additional funding from the Federal Government to each state in an effort to assist public and charter schools to combat both financial and learning losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Governor of Texas and the Texas Education Agency proclaimed that the third phase ESSER funding will flow directly to individual public and charter school districts within Texas via a formula basis which takes into account enrollment and compensatory education data.  The state has also declared that Local Education Agencies (LEA’s) may use ESSER III funds at their own discretion, including supplanting normal operational

budgets so long as the intent of the funds meets with the spirit of the of the grant’s purpose.  Specific guidelines are found in the Program Guidelines 2020-2023 ARP/ESSER of April, 2021 (PG A/EIII).  

The state of Texas has also pledged no reduction or other impact on all traditional forms

school funding as a result of ESSER III allocations.  

III.  Appropriation Amounts 

Texas: $11,176,729,900.00

Apple Springs ISD $809,067.00

IV.  Duration of Grant

Pre-Award: March 1, 2020

Post-Award: December, 2023

V.  Specific Grant Requirements

A.  School Administrators must create a spending plan for all ESSER III allocations       which includes a budget using the standard E-Grant categories.

1.  The plan must have Board approval prior to submission or use of funds.

2.  The approved plan must be posted on the LEA’s website no later than 30 days

    from the receipt of the Notification of Grant Award (NOGA).  

B.  At least 20% of the first NOGA must be set aside specifically for learning loss     mitigation.  For ASISD, that amount is $161,814.00

C.  Unallowable Activities (PG A/EIII, p. 14)

• Debt Service (lease-purchase)

• Hosting or Sponsoring of Conferences

• Subsidizing Salaries/Benefits of Individuals NOT Employed by the LEA

• Expenditures Related to Teacher/Faculty Unions or Associations

• Bonuses or Merit Pay Unless Specifically Related to Disruptions Caused by COVID-19

VI.  Analysis, Assessment, and Planning

A special committee was formed after the announcement of the forthcoming ESSSER III

allocation.  This committee was comprised of representation from the following 

stakeholder groups.

• Students

• Superintendent

• CFO

• Campus Administration

• Teachers

• Paraprofessionals

• District Nurse

• Parents

• Community Members

An overview of the ESSER III program and the direct impact to Apple Springs ISD was presented to the committee.  A needs assessment profile for the District was created.  This was done with the primary focus of this assessment being learning loss mitigation for all students.

Committee members formed the needs assessment and a proposed budget was prepared.  The budget was reviewed and adjusted by committee.  The final proposed budget was presented at a public hearing held in conjunction with a Board of Trustees meeting.  

The Board of Trustees of Apple Springs ISD ratified the ESSER III budget as presented by District Administration.