Category: Government Actions

USDA Final Rule Expands Free Meal Access at High-Poverty Schools (October 30, 2023)

Due to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) final rule that took effect on October 26, 2023, approximately 3,000 more school districts will be eligible to serve free breakfasts and lunches to all students under an expansion of the Community Eligibility Provision. The final rule amended the Community Eligibility Provisionā€™s minimum threshold for low-income schools and school districts, lowering the minimum ā€œidentified student percentageā€ (i.e., the percentage of students enrolled who are certified as eligible for free school meals) from 40% to 25%. It also allows all students in a school district to receive free meals without requiring families to fill out applications.

For more from K-12 Dive, click here.

PAPSA Steps Up Advocacy Efforts, Joins Student Services Coalition (October 30, 2023)

PAPSA has stepped up its advocacy efforts by joining theĀ PA Coalition of Student Services Associations. Along with PAPSA, six other educational associations have joined together to advocate for the effective delivery of pupil/student services in the commonwealth and will be calling on the Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC) to ensure that funding for student services professionalsĀ is included in the outcome of the Commissionā€™s work and in keeping with Chapter 12 requirements.Ā Those organizations are: PA School Counselors Association (PSCA), PA Association of Student Assistance Professionals (PASAP), PA Association of School Nurses and Practitioners (PASNAP), Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania (ASPP), and PA Association of School Social Work Personnel (PASSWP).

Interested parties can contact [email protected] with suggestions with regard to these advocacy efforts.

FCC Approves E-rate Funds for Wi-Fi on Buses (October 24, 2023)

As reported by K-12 Dive, on October 19, 2023, by a 3-2 vote, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved an expansion of the E-rate program to support Wi-Fi on school transportation vehicles. The support will help schools to address inequities for students who lack internet access at home, particularly those who live in rural, tribal or high-poverty neighborhoods. Supporters said that using E-rate funds for school bus Wi-Fi will help close the ā€œhomework gapā€ caused by some students lacking connections to broadband internet at home.

The two “no” voters cited concerns over limited evidence showing that the expansion would support studentsā€™ academic success.

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CDC Eyes Unpredictable Flu Season (October 23, 2023)

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, last school yearā€™sĀ influenza seasonĀ was more severe for children and youth and also started earlier than most previous seasons. The report showed cases emerged in early October 2022 and peaked in late November and December. Rates of flu-related medical visits and hospitalizations were higher for children and adolescents ages 5-17 than any other season since 2016-17.

Among those hospitalized during the 2022-23 season, a lower percentage were vaccinated than in previous seasons. However, flu-related deaths remained low and consistent with past seasons.

In itsĀ guidance for educators, the CDC warns that ā€œflu seasons are unpredictableā€ in their timing, severity and duration.Ā The agency said schools should:
-Encourage students, parents and staff to get vaccinated, top the spread of germs by staying home when sick, and wash their hands.
-Establish relationships with local and state public health officials.
-Provide enough supplies like tissues, soap and water to maintain proper hygiene.

TheĀ CDC also advises schoolsĀ to routinely and correctly clean and disinfect.

Click to access Guidance for School Administrators to Help Reduce the Spread of Seasonal Influenza in K-12 Schools from the CDC.

Click to access How To Clean and Disinfect Schools To Help Slow the Spread of Flu from the CDC.

For more from K-12 Dive,Ā click here.

PDE Offers Ukrainian Refugee School Impact Grant (October 23, 2023)

Pennsylvania Department of Education, please see the letter with notice of the Ukrainian Refugee School Impact Grant (URSI) Request for Application (RFA). The application is currently open in eGrants and the submission deadline is 12:00 PM on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

You may email additional questions to: [email protected] or to Joseph J. Eye, Refugee School Impact State Coordinator, Division of Student Services, Bureau of School Support, at [email protected], or contact by phone at 717-783-3755.