Note: This article was originally published in the School Band & Orchestra (SBO) Magazine and can be found here: https://sbomagazine.com/covid-19-relief-funding-includes-support-for-music-education/

COVID-19 relief funds have been set aside to support education. Since the passage of the CARES Act in 2020, there have been two subsequent relief acts passed. All three provide increasing amounts of support through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER I, II, and III).

First, a little background: CARES I, II (CRRSA), III (ARP)

In March 2020, Congress set aside approximately $13.2 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER I). In December 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, (CRRSA, aka CARES II), became law and provided an additional $54.3 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER II). In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP, aka CARES III) was signed into law thereby providing a third round of funding for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III) an additional $122 billion on top of what was already provided for ESSER I and II.

With additional help on the way through these ESSER funds, now is the time for directors to reach out to building principals to discuss what items might be needed to conduct music classes more safely when they return to teaching in person. The principal will either have spending authority for these funds or will be able to help submit a request for music-related purchases at the district level. As these resources are considerable, directors may want to also share this useful information with fellow educators, administrators, and even parents.

There are fifteen (15) numbered categories of “allowable use” from the statute. A list was provided by the Nebraska Department of Education to every district in their state and is available to view here: http://bit.ly/NE_ESSER. Directors can download this document to use as a guide. Below are some suggestions that have been correlated to the appropriate category of allowable use to help you get started making your own list of anticipated needs.

Instruments, Supplies and Materials to Help Ensure Health and Safety

Individual instruments for each student to eliminate sharing (3,5)

Individual mouthpieces for each student​ ​(3,5)

Rental programs so that each student will have their own instrument (3,5)

PPE, Cleaning Supplies and Sanitation

Appropriate cleaning and sanitizing materials (7)

Sonic instrument cleaning of all instruments

Mouthpiece cleaner

Ensuring Health and Safety (3, 5)

Additional instruments/mouthpieces so students are not required to share

Items referenced in the recommendations from the NFHS research studies (13, 14, 15) http://bit.ly/NFHSResearch

Instrument masks and bell covers

Pet training pads to accommodate spit valves

Choral masks

Appropriate instrument cleaning products

Supplies to sanitize and clean facilities (7)

Hand sanitizer

Disinfectant wipes and spray

Facility Considerations

Supplies and materials to make instructional environment meet recommended standards (barrier tape, portable carts, tents/​canopies​ for outdoor instruction, folding chairs/folding tables (15)

Signage

Equipment required to accommodate social distancing (12)

Instructional Support

Hiring new staff to expand beginner programs to reach students who were unable to participate during the 20/21 school year

Tools and resources for distance education/learning (9)

Teacher training for online resources, software programs (9)

Support for low-income students with resources to help them with online learning (4, 9)

Instruments for every child

Instrument supplies such as reeds, rosin, trumpet grease, etc.

Online private or group lessons

Group instruction outside normal school hours to address student needs. (11)

Summer Programs

Planning and implementing activities related to learning loss. (12)

Opportunities to bring students into well-rounded learning experiences and rekindle their enthusiasm about returning to school. (12)

Addressing the needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, English language learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. (11, 12)

Enrichment activities (examples: musical theatre, band, guitar, keyboard, mariachi, music technology, ukulele, melodica, drum circles, steel drum band) (11)

Planning

Developing and implementing plans for the next school year. (1, 2, 5, 8)

Professional development time to plan for return to school

Professional development time to plan and coordinate new course offerings

SPECIAL NOTE: These funds are not Title I funds even though they are being allocated to districts based on Title I formulas. They may be used to benefit any school regardless of that school’s Title I status. Funds may be used on districtwide activities and/or to benefit any individual school.

Additional Important Resources:

Download the ESSER fact sheet and view all three (3) ESSER funds side by side: https://bit.ly/ESSERFacts

Reference a more extensive list of ideas on how your program might benefit from ESSER funds: https://bit.ly/38X026c

Discover more about ESSER funding in your state, search ESSER Funds “Name of State” or visit http://bit.ly/StateESSERTracking and enter the name of your state.

To get ESSER fund questions answered, email: [email protected].