Part 6. You Have Nothing to Lose
Part 1. Free and Quick Money for HPE Teachers
The CARES Act (1) provides Coronavirus financial funding for technology in K-12 public and private schools. Within this legislation, K-12 public and private schools are allocated $13.2 billion for emergency funding called the ESSER Fund (2). This emergency funding to schools is a rapid response to the impact that COVID-19 has placed on school programs. As a health and physical education teacher, you should ask for funding for your program. Different from grants, fund-raising activities, and other sources of money for your school program, this emergency funding is readily available for PE and health teachers.
Part 2. ASK
The ESSER funding is available only if you ask. That is the key word- ASK. And here’s how to ask. If at first you ask and you are met with the response “No”, then go around that individual because the funds are available to you if you ask. Go to your physical education and health chairperson. If they are unfamiliar with the ESSER fund of $30 billion, then next go to your school administration, then to your district finance department, then to a school board member, and don’t forget your building administrator or principal. Forward them this six part series.
Part 3. The Success Story
Learn how Amy Wheeler, Supervisor of Health and Physical Education for Loudoun County Public Schools, Virginia succeeded in purchasing HPE group technology, Heart Zones Move, for both online and in-person learning for all 34 schools using CARES Act- ESSER funds. Amy followed three easy steps:
Step 1. Go to the Principal, Building Supervisor, Curriculum Coordinator, Purchasing Officer
Step 2. Make a needs list based on technology and professional development
Step 3. Just Ask
After reading Amy’s story, which is the feature of Part 3, isn’t it worth following her successful footsteps? Isn’t it worth ASKING for technology funding for your physical education and health program? One thing you know for sure, if you don’t ask now, you are not going to get it.
There emergency funds are intended to be quickly released because of the impact of COVID-19. The primary purpose is to buoy the depressed school budgets through an immediate injection of funds spent for you and by you. This is not a grant, as many of you may have experienced before, but a direct stimulus to your PE and health programs. Ask for your share of these dollars today. Read the answers explained in Part 4. FAQ, Frequently Asked Questions:
#1 Question: Who do I ask for to get ESSER funding for me PE and health program?
#2 Question: How do I apply for these emergency dollars?
#3 Question: Where did this emergency $30 billion come from?
#4 Question: How much money can I ask for?
#5 Question: Is there any money left in the CARES Act ESSER funds for me?
#6 Question: When do I need to ask? Is there a funding deadline?
#7 Question: Are charter schools, K-12 public and private, and college and universities eligible for ESSER Funds.
Part 5. The 8 Tips
“The first time I saw Heart Zones school health and physical education group tracking technology at another school, it was National Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year, Ron Trainum, I loved it. Hanover County schools needs this solution for all of our students in all of our schools because it provides immediate feedback for the kids,” shares Adam Otstot, HPE curriculum specialist. A common comment for those experiencing simple to use group technology for heart rate, step tracking smart pedometers, and other sensors, Adam was struck by how implementing smart technology raises his teaching efficiency and his students’ motivation. But, like most (well almost all) equipment that he wanted in order to upgrade the program, he kept asking his building supervisor and PTOs for financial support and was repeatedly turned down with the statements, “we don’t have the money”. That’s all changed. The money is now there for the asking. Read Part 5. The 8 Tips and raise the bar on your HPE program just like Adam.
Part 6. CARES Act Summary
If you want a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to upgrade your health and physical education program, the funding is available for the asking. The CARES Act-ESSER is emergency money that is pouring out of the sky for you to use. As the lyrics from the 1936 song, sung by Frank Sinatra, Pennies from Heaven, read, this is for you:
Don’t you know each cloud contains
Pennies from Heaven
You’ll find your fortunes falling
All over the town
Be sure that your umbrella
Is upside down
Read each of the individual articles in this 6 part series titled Heart Zones Cares and the CARES Act. If you do, if you ask, if you select technology and professional development to learn how to apply online and in-person physical education, you may be raising the bar for yourself and your fellow teachers and wellness school specialist. If you turn your umbrella upside down, you too like so many others, can receive pennies from heaven for your program. After all, you have nothing to lose.
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- CARES: Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act
- ESSER: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER Fund).
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Heart Zones provides technology, professional development, and instructional materials developed, designed, and managed for schools by physical education and health teachers and coaches. Visit or reach out to Heart Zones: https:// heartzones.com or email staff@heartzones.com copyright Heart Zones 2021
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To Learn More – Recommended Resources:
- https://www.ncsl.org/ncsl-in-dc/standing-committees/education/cares-act-elementary-andsecondary-school-emergency-relief-fund-tracker.aspx
- https://www.ncsl.org/blog/2020/04/01/-cares-act-gives-state-education-funding-flexibility-inwake-of-covid-19.aspx
- https://www.grantsoffice.com/eFUNDED/tabid/867/EntryId/236/Grantseeking-in-the-time-ofCOVID-TRADITIONAL-VS-STIMULUS-FUNDED-EMERGENCY-GRANTS.aspx
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Heart Zones Cares and the CARES Act List of Articles:
- Part 1. Free and Quick Money for PE and Health Teachers: https://www.heartzones.com/thecares-act-and-heart-zones-cares-part-1/
- Part 2. ASK – Ask your Principal, your Facility Supervisor, your Purchasing Department: https://www.heartzones.com/the-cares-act-and-heart-zones-cares-part-2/
- Part 3. The Story: How did a District Use CARES Act Money to Purchase Physical Education Technology? https://www.heartzones.com/the-cares-act-and-heart-zones-carespart-3/
- Part 4. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Emergency Dollars: https:// heartzones.com/the-cares-act-and-heart-zones-cares-part-4/
- Part 5. The 8 Tips to Success from Adam Otstot, HPE Curriculum Specialist: https:// heartzones.com/the-cares-act-and-heart-zones-cares-part-5/
- Part 6. Summary: Heart Zones Cares and the CARES Act: https://www.heartzones.com/thecares-act-and-heart-zones-cares-part-6/
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