Category: Government Actions

PA Ed Sec Ortega Encourages Healthy Habits (October 28, 2021)

On October 28, 2021, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Secretary Dr. Noe Ortega visited Waverly Elementary School in Abington Heights School District to highlight how students in the region are staying healthy and safe during an unprecedented new school year, and encourage them to adopt healthy, lifelong hygiene habits.

“The past two years have been anything but normal, so it is refreshing to get back into the classroom to interact with students as they’re learning in person,” said Sec. Ortega. “I applaud Abington Heights School District and Waverly Elementary School for their efforts to keep students and teachers safe and get back to learning, socialization, and activities.” 

During the event, Sec. Ortega read the book “A Germ’s Journey” to a first-grade class. The book, written in 2011 by Thom Rooke, MD and illustrated by Tony Trimmer, teaches children the importance of good hygiene practices like washing their hands and covering coughs and sneezes. 

Throughout the 2020-21 school year, PDE regularly provided technical assistance and guidance to local education agencies (LEAs) to support instruction while navigating the pandemic, and PDE will continue to support LEAs as they navigate the 2021-22 school year. This includes through the latest chapter of PDE’s Roadmap for Education Leaders; Accelerated Learning through an Integrated System of Support. This toolkit includes a professional learning series for school leaders and educators to help address students’ learning loss and other issues caused by the pandemic. 

Additionally, PDE has sent regular correspondence to schools with up-to-date processes, procedures, and information as it develops. Those updates can be accessed on the What’s New page on PDE’s website.  

Currently, students 12 and older are eligible and encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19, which is one of the best ways to keep students learning in-person. The state Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable, and efficient to all Pennsylvanians. Use Vaccine Finder to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you. 

PDE Informs LEAs of Availability of Supplemental Equipment Grant Applications (October 25, 2021)

On October 25, 2021, Lee Burket, Ed.D., PDE Director, of Bureau of Career and Technical Education, released a PennLink message titled Supplemental Equipment Grant Applications Available. The message states that the Bureau of Career and Technical Education is now accepting applications for the 2021-22 Supplemental Equipment Grants.

Approximately $5,550,000 in state funds are available for the purchase of equipment and for the purchase of a complete set of tools for use in the hands-on instruction of students enrolled in Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)-approved career and technical education (CTE) programs.

Pennsylvania secondary school districts and career and technical centers with PDE approved CTE programs are eligible to apply for this grant. The equipment and a complete set of tools must be a minimum of $3,000 per unit. The equipment must meet industry standards, and the Occupational Advisory Committee must have recommended each piece of equipment. Each grant will be awarded based on the funding formula. A match of local funds is not required.

The 2021-22 Supplemental Equipment Grant guidelines contain the application information and are available at Career and Technical Education Grants.The deadline for applications is November 30, 2021, at 5 p.m. 

Applications are submitted through the eGrant system. Application questions should be directed to Janelle Smith at [email protected] or 717-783-6990. Questions related to available funds should be directed to Ben Hanft at [email protected] or 717-787-5423.

USDE Provides “Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral and Mental Health Needs” (October 24, 2021)

The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has released a new resource for state and local education systems. Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral and Mental Health Needs provides information and resources to promote mental health and the social and emotional well-being of students.
Included in the resource are seven key challenges to providing school or program-based mental health support across early childhood, K–12, and higher education settings, as well as seven corresponding recommendations, including the use of federal COVID-19 relief funding to hire additional staff.

For more from K-12 Dive, click here.

CDC Issues COVD-19 FAQ for School Administrators (October 23, 2021)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an FAQ on COVID-19 for school administrators. Among the topics addressed are vaccinations, testing and screening, masks, mealtimes, funding and more. The guidance is based on the CDC’s earlier recommendations for COVID-19 prevention in K-12 schools.

Click here to view the FAQ or go to
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/admin-faq.html#anchor_1634072007476

Source: K-12 Dive

PDH Releases October 2021 School Health Update (October 22, 2021)

On October 20, 2021, Colleen Schultz, PDH Chief of the Division of School Health, released the PDH October 2021 School Health Update. The Update consisted of three items:

The update can also be accessed at the Downloads option of the Resources drop-down on the PAPSA website by clicking here.