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Alabama Updates, Notices, and News

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To assist our schools and others with keeping up to date with the most current and relevant information to Alabama, the team here at nSide will use this page to provide curated content. If you know of information that should be posted here, please email it to resources@nside.io.

Governor Ivey Allocates $100 Million for Alabama Broadband Connectivity for Students

RELEASED: July 31, 2020

Governor Kay Ivey has allocated $100 million in CARES Act funding for a public-private partnership to increase access to internet for K-12 students attending school in the fall who may need internet service for distance learning.

Broadband Connectivity for Students: https://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2020/07/governor-ivey-allocates-100-million-for-alabama-broadband-connectivity-for-students/

Governor Ivey Issues Amended Safer at Home Order

RELEASED: July 29, 2020

Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday issued her fifteenth supplemental emergency proclamation containing an amended Safer at Home Order that includes a statewide mask requirement. Individuals will be required to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people, as described in the order. This amended order extends until August 31, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

Amended Safer at Home: https://governor.alabama.gov/assets/2020/07/Safer-at-Home-Order-Final-7.29.20.pdf

Mask Order FAQ: https://governor.alabama.gov/assets/2020/07/Coronavirus.MaskOrderFAQ.0720na.pdf

Governor Ivey Awards $48 Million to Alabama Department of Education, Up to $50 Million for Higher Education

UPDATED: July 23, 2020 (ALSDE MEMO)

The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) received an allocation of $48,851,495 from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) due to COVID-19. The GEER Fund is an emergency appropriation to address the harm to students and the ongoing functionality of local education agencies (LEAs) caused by COVID-19. An LEA receiving the GEER Fund must obligate the funds by September 30, 2022. The purpose of these funds awarded are as follows:

  1. To equip school buses with Wi-Fi capabilities to increase internet connectivity and help bridge the digital divide within the LEA.
  2. To provide additional academic support to bridge learning and achievement gaps of students within the LEA.
  3. To provide before- and after-school tutoring as defined in the Alabama Literacy Act for learning and remediation in schools.

https://www.alsde.edu/sites/memos/Memoranda/FY20–2122.pdf

On July 6th, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey awarded $48 million to the Alabama State Department of Education for COVID-19 relief. A specific allocation is made for equipping school buses with WiFi to bring internet access to children for school work.

“$10 million to equip all school buses with WiFi capabilities to increase internet connectivity and help bridge the digital divide.”

Read the press release from the Alabama Governor’s Office.

Read the press release from the Alabama Governor’s Office.

nSide – The School Safety Platform offers a mobile WiFi solution that gives your students the best opportunity for distance learning: nSide|Fleet+WiFi! The mobile Wifi solution can be installed on school buses and our team can provide a plan for deployment. Our tech solutions ensure a safe learning environment and we provide the best-in-class solutions all together in one platform.

nSide|Fleet+WiFi – https://nside.io/nside-wifi/

Governor Ivey Announces $170 Million for Health Care and Remote Learning in Alabama Public Schools

RELEASED: July 20, 2020

Governor Kay Ivey on Monday awarded $70 million to support the Alabama State Department of Education’s (ALSDE) Education Health and Wellness Grant Program and $100 million to support the Educational Remote Learning Devices Grant Program.

ALSDE Education Health and Wellness Grant Program/Educational Remote Learning Devices Grant Program: https://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2020/07/governor-ivey-announces-170-million-for-health-care-and-remote-learning-in-alabama-public-schools/

Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE)

SOURCE: https://www.alsde.edu/covid-19

The resources below are a timeline of ALSDE communications to help understand the school’s role during a closure and our commitments to Alabama’s students.

The best place to find accurate, up-to-date information is the State Department of Health’s website. The Department of Health has also established a call center to address questions from the public about COVID-19. If you have questions about symptoms or exposure, please call 1-800-338-8374.

In an effort to maintain ongoing communication efforts during this time when “social distancing” is critical, the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) has developed COVID-19 email addresses for parents and school employees.  As new developments occur, we hope this method can be used to submit your COVID-19 related questions.  ALSDE staff will be continuously monitoring submissions and will provide responses in a timely manner.  We will continue to work through this together to support “Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day”. 

If you are a parent and have a COVID-19 related question, click COVID19PARENTS@ALSDE.EDU

If you are a school employee and have a COVID-19 related question, click COVID19SCHOOLS@ALSDE.EDU

State Superintendent Updates To Local Superintendents

  1. Dr. Mackey’s Update (March 6, 2020) – Governors Task Force established,ALSDE coordination
  2. Dr. Mackey’s Update (March 10, 2020) – 24-hour rule
  3. Dr. Mackey’s Second Update (March 10, 2020) – USDA flexibility press release
  4. Dr. Mackey’s Update (March 11, 2020) – Personnel who test positive
  5. Dr. Mackey’s Update (March 13, 2020) – Cancel or limit gatherings of 500 or more/field trips
  6. Dr. Mackey’s Second Update (March 13, 2020) – School closure period March 19 through April 6
  7. Child Nutrition Program (CNP) Meal Service Guidance During COVID-19 (FY20-1006) – Memo on (March 16, 2020)
  8. Dr. Mackey’s Update (March 16, 2020) – Support early closures
  9. Dr. Mackey’s Update (March 26, 2020) – Academic Continuity Plans template
  10. Dr. Mackey’s Update (March 30, 2020) – Letter from Dr. Harris to Superintendents
  11. Dr. Mackey’s Update (April 2, 2020) – FAQs to LEA’s, Sample “skeleton crew” and employee leave form
  12. Dr. Mackey’s Update (April 3, 2020) – Including Public Health Order – APDH order
  13. Dr. Mackey’s Second Update (April 3, 2020) School Staffing and instructional packets and laptops
  14. Dr. Mackey’s Update (April 8, 2020)
  15. Dr. Mackey’s Update (April 16, 2020)
  16. Dr. Mackey’s Update (April 24, 2020)
  17. Dr. Mackey’s Update (April 28, 2020)
  18. Dr. Mackey’s Update (May 06, 2020)
  19. Dr. Mackey’s Update (May 08, 2020)
  20. Dr. Mackey’s Update (May 15, 2020)
  21. Dr. Mackey’s Update (May 21, 2020)
  22. Dr. Mackey’s Update (May 29, 2020)
  23. Dr. Mackey’s Update (June 05, 2020)
  24. Dr. Mackey’s Second Update (June 05, 2020)
  25. Dr. Mackey’s Update (June 26, 2020)
  26. Dr. Mackey’s Update (July 02, 2020)
  27. Dr. Mackey’s Update (July 06, 2020)
  28. Dr. Mackey’s Update (July 15, 2020)
  29. Dr. Mackey’s Update (July 20, 2020)
  30. Dr. Mackey’s Update (July 29, 2020)
  31. Dr. Mackey’s Update (August 03, 2020)

Executive Orders and Public Health Orders

  1. Memo from Dr. Scott Harris, State Health Officer (FY20-2054)
  2. Corona Virus State Government Operations
  3. Alabama State Health Officer Statewide Social Distancing Order (March 19, 2020)
  4. Governor’s Executive Order on the Remainder of the School Year
  5.  Amended Statewide Social Distancing Order (March 27, 2020) 
  6. Public Health Stay at Home Order (April 3, 2020)
  7. Public Health Safer at Home Order (April 28, 2020)
  8. Public Health Safer at Home Order (May 08, 2020)
  9. Public Health Safer at Home Order (May 21, 2020)
  10. Public Health Safer at Home Order (June 30, 2020)
  11. Public Health Safer at Home Order (July 15, 2020)
  12. Public Health Safer at Home Order (July 29, 2020)

Technical Guidance and Manuals

  1. News conference link
  2. Coronavirus Parent Guide
  3. Coronavirus Parent Guide – Español
  4. Coronavirus LEA Guide (revised March 13, 2020)
  5. Coronavirus LEA Guide (revised March 13, 2020 – Español)
  6. School Closure Updates and Technical Guidance (March 20, 2020)
  7. ALSDE 2019-2020 LEA Academic Continuity Plan
  8. Academic & Technical Guidance for Emergency End-of-Year School Closures Manual FINAL (Updated March 30, 2020)
  9. Academic &Technical Guidance for Emergency End-of-Year Closures Manual APPENDIX A
  10. Academic & Technical Guidance for Emergency End-of-Year Closures Manual APPENDIX A & B
  11. Academic & Technical Guidance for Emergency End-of-Year Closures Manual APPENDIX A, B, and C
  12. Academic & Technical Guidance for Emergency End-of-Year Closures Manual APPENDIX D
  13. ADPH COVID-19 Flyer-Stop the Spread
  14. ADPH COVID-19 Flyer-Handwashing
  15. ADPH COVID-19-Social Distancing
  16. Roadmap for Reopening Schools
  17. Planning for Teaching, Learning, Assessments, and Supporting Vulnerable Populations through the Lens of Alabama’s Roadmap to Reopening Schools

Other Guidance: Special Education Services, Child Nutrition, Teacher Prep, Etc.

  1. Free Meals During Short-Term School Closure
  2. Guidance for AMSTI Kits During School Closures
  3. Memo – Parent/Guardian Pick Up Meals Waiver
  4. Memo – CNP Meal Pattern Flexibility Waiver
  5. Memo – Teacher Prep Program Temporary Flexibilities
  6. Special Education Services (SES) COVID-19 Q&A
  7. Memo – CNP Non-Area Eligible Sites
  8. Special Education Services (SES) COVID-19 Q&A (April 1, 2020)
  9. Memo – Educator Certification Flexibilities
  10. COVID-19 Q and A for Students with Disabilities
  11. Special Education Services (SES) IDEA Part B Dispute Resolution Procedures
  12. IDEA Part B Use of Funds
  13. IDEA Part B Fiscal Requirements
  14. CLAS Special Education Webinar, April 20, 2020
  15. COVID-19 Considerations for Special Educators – FREE WEBINAR
  16. Part B Procedural Safeguards
  17. Supplemental Fact Sheet – COVID-19 and Serving Children with Disabilities
  18. SES Q&A (August 19, 2020)

Federal Program Waivers and Funding Applications

  1. Flexibility Waiver For Alabama Under The Cares Act
  2. Al Fiscal Waiver Approval
  3. Alabama ESEA Assessment and Accountability Waiver (March 20, 2020)
  4. AL Covid19 Assessment and Accountability Waiver Approval
  5. LEA Application for ESSER Funds
  6. CARES ACT LEA – GEER Application
  7. Approved ESSER Applications
  8. Approved GEER Applications

FAQS

  1. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  2. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs – Español)
  3. COVID-19 Q&As (March 15, 2020)
  4. FAQs from Local Superintendents Part A
  5. FAQs from Local Superintendents Part B (Updated March 30, 2020)
  6. Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) FAQs
  7. CARES Act FAQs
  8. Roadmap for Reopening Schools Parent FAQs
  9. ALSDE Reopening Roadmap Webinar Series FAQs July 7 – 9, 2020, Hosted by CLAS

State Board Meeting Summary

State Board of Education Meeting Minutes (4/09/2020)

State Board of Education Meeting Minutes (5/14/2020)

Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE): FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

SOURCES: https://www.alsde.edu/COVID19%20Updates/QuestionsfromSuperintendents3-27-20.pdf

https://www.alsde.edu/COVID19%20Updates/QuestionsfromSuperintendents3-27-20B.pdf

Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)

SOURCE: http://alabamapublichealth.gov/infectiousdiseases/2019-coronavirus.html

Situation Summary

In December 2019, a new (or novel) human coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) type emerged in China. At this time, it’s unclear how easily this virus is spreading between people. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath appearing anywhere from 2 to 14 days after exposure. Learn more about coronaviruses, how they present, and how they are tested by visiting Human Coronaviruses.

This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and the CDC are providing updated information and guidance as it becomes available.

School Districts

AS OF: Monday, April 6, 2020

SOURCE: https://www.alsde.edu/COVID19%20Updates/Email%20-%203-26-2020.pdf

As directed by the Governor, beginning at the start of school on April 6, 2020, all K-12 public schools shall implement a plan to complete the 2019-2020 school year using alternate methods of instruction as established by the State Superintendent of Education.

For planning purposes, I am declaring June 5, 2020, as the last day of the 2019-2020 school year. You may set an earlier day at your discretion in consultation with your local school board. Please consider this guidance as applicable through the remainder of this school year, which should be finalized by June 5, 2020.

Dr. Mackey March 26, 2020

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