On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). Nearly $9 billion in federal funding is available to New York State to support schools in safely reopening and sustaining safe operations while meeting students' academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Chautauqua Lake School District is expected to receive an allocation from American Rescue Plan funding passed through the NYS Education Department. Funds will give the students more opportunities to participate in healthy outdoor activities, access to state-of-the-art classroom technology, and additional social and emotional support for students in need. 

The district has a vision for greater student participation in school-sponsored outdoor adventure activities such as hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking. Plans include the development of hiking and biking trails on school property, kayak rentals to explore our local waterways, and creating an outdoor classroom space for our students to enjoy. Other expenses for the outdoor adventure activities will include bikes, protective gear, and other outdoor equipment. These are lifelong activities that can continue for students many years after graduation. In order to help accommodate these activities, the district is also looking to construct flexible storage space on the grounds.

Other funds will bring state-of-the-art technology into the classrooms. Budget items include updates to existing classroom smartboards, and for greater mobility and flexibility, smartboards will also be mounted on carts. The Makerspace classroom continues to allow students to think creatively and complete hands-on projects and activities. Materials purchased for this room include a 3D printer, CAAD software, paint and other art supplies, curriculum, computers, and other interactive technology.

Additional funds will support mental health programming and staff. Sources of Strength, a program designed to harness the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and culture, focusing specifically on the prevention of self-harm, bullying, and substance abuse, has already been established in the secondary school. A Community Cares specialist will also be contracted to further assist students who may need social and emotional support. 

Chautauqua Lake continues to make the steps forward to sustain a culture of excellence and an inspiring environment to allow our students to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.