Grants Funded Announcements

School Food Authority Grant 

The School Food Authority (SFA) Grant is a funding initiative designed to support and enhance the nutrition programs within school districts. This grant aims to improve the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of school meal programs, ensuring that students receive nutritious, balanced meals that support their academic and physical well-being. 

Total Amount Awarded: $99,100

Nature Everywhere Grant

A grant to support environmental education initiatives through the Nature Everywhere program, along with technical assistance for the regional team. This grant is a program that helps increase access to nature for children, helping communities advance their nature connection goals. 

Total Amount Awarded: $50,000 and technical assistance

Park Environmental Education Project (PEEP) 

Supports early childhood education programs through the PEEP initiative, providing resources and tools to enhance learning for young students. This grant program is designed to fund environmental education initiatives that take place within park settings, often connecting people with nature through hands-on learning experiences and raise awareness about conservation issues within a park area. 

Total Amount Awarded: $23,000

Cyber Security Pilot Grant

A grant to fund the development and implementation of a cyber security pilot program, ensuring students and staff are prepared for the digital challenges of the future. This grant is designed to provide funding to test and evaluate new cybersecurity solutions or approaches with the goal of identifying effective strategies. 

Total Amount Awarded: $1,201,805

 

LASO 3 AP Computer Science Principals Grant

Supports the expansion of Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles courses, increasing access to computer science education and preparing students for future careers in technology.

Total Amount Awarded: $15,000
 

LASO 3 Blended Learning Planning Grant 

Funds the development and implementation of blended learning models that integrate technology and personalized instruction to improve student outcomes in Reading Language Arts and Math.

Total Amount Awarded: $375,000

 

LASO 3 Instructional Leadership

Provides targeted support for instructional leadership development at Clover Elementary, enhancing teaching practices and student learning experiences.

Total Amount Awarded: $81,500

 

LASO 3 Technology Lending Grant

Enabled the purchase of Chromebooks for student use, ensuring equitable access to digital learning tools and resources.

Total Amount Awarded: $225,000

 

Empowering Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Grant

Supports innovative strategies to strengthen instructional practices and empower educators to meet the diverse needs of all learners.

Total Amount Awarded: $70,000

 

 

Texas Strategic Staffing Grant – $81,000

Assists the district in developing strategic staffing models that align educator placement and professional growth with student learning needs.

Total Amount Awarded: $81,000

 

Texas School Ready (TSR) Grant

Expands early childhood education initiatives, supporting high-quality Pre-K instruction and readiness for long-term academic success.

Total Amount Awarded: $557,238.96

 

Phone-Free School Award

Promotes a positive learning environment by supporting phone-free campuses, encouraging engagement, focus, and social interaction among students.

Total Amount Awarded: $197,275

 

MS CLASS Grant 

Supports middle school initiatives focused on literacy, leadership, and academic success through evidence-based instructional programs. This opportunity aims to enhance professional development and improve classroom instruction for Emergent Bilingual (EB) students in grades 6-8.

Total Amount Awarded: $30,000

 

TWC Dual Credit Healthcare CTE Grant – $38,478

Expands access to dual credit healthcare courses, providing students with hands-on experience and pathways to high-demand careers in the medical field.

Total Amount Awarded: $38,478

 

Justin J. Watt Foundation Grant

Awarded to Kennedy Middle School, the grant funded the purchase of new baseball and basketball uniforms for the boys’ athletic program, in partnership with BSN Sports. The new uniforms help promote school spirit and support athletic excellence.

Total Amount Awarded: $8,215.27

 

Strong Foundations Planning

A planning grant to further develop and refine strategies for the Strong Foundations initiative, preparing for the implementation of the program in the upcoming year. The purpose is to support an instructional framework in math or literacy to guide key decisions about teaching and learning and implement high-quality instructional materials.

Total Amount Awarded: $300,000

Strong Foundations Implementation

Funding for the implementation of a comprehensive educational framework designed to strengthen core instructional programs and improve student outcomes across the district. This includes high quality professional learning for teachers, instructional coaches, school leaders, campus administrators, and district leaders.  

Total Amount Awarded: $2,256,000

Strong Foundations Implementation 

Additional funding to fully implement the Strong Foundations framework, ensuring comprehensive support for educators and students across the district. 

Total Amount Awarded: $603,000

Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles 

The purpose of this grant is to improve Advanced Placement course offerings within regions, increase the number of students meeting College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) outcomes, and prepare students to succeed in a computer science related profession. The grant also provides students with a rigorous and high-quality introduction to computer science concepts.

Total Amount Awarded: $32,000

Technology Lending Grant 

Provides resources for the district to lend out technology devices to students and families, ensuring access to digital tools for learning both in and outside of the classroom. The purpose is to ensure that students have are able to  

Total Amount Awarded: $200,000

Math Supplemental Curriculum (MSC) grant

Additional licenses to support the district’s LASO MSC initiative, including the expansion of resources and services for students and teachers. Grant program provides licenses to school districts for high-quality math materials for accelerated instruction activities like high impact tutoring in math. 

Total Amount Awarded: $10,000 additional licenses

Texas Reads Texas Leads Initiative (TXRL) Finalists 

TXRL grant initiative showcases strategies for using best practices supported in science of teaching reading and blended learning pedagogy to improve reading outcomes. The grant offers three years of technical assistance to help develop and scale educational programs, with the potential for an additional $250,000 award based on project outcomes. 

Total Amount Awarded: Potential additional $250,000

Community Partnerships Grant 

Supports the district’s efforts to build and strengthen community partnerships, enhancing educational and extracurricular opportunities for students. The community partnerships grant supports school districts in addressing the needs of the whole child, expanding family engagement, and building strong relationships to improve academic and developmental outcomes for students. 

Total Amount Awarded: $764,563

The Liink Project  

A grant to support the development of collaborative networks with Texas Christian University (TCU), fostering educational innovation and student success. The LiiNK project transforms school environments for learning and mental health through implementation of unstructured, outdoor play throughout the day. 

Total Amount Awarded: $10,000

2023 - 2025 Texas School Ready (TSR)

The purpose is to provide an effective, research-supported, early childhood classroom model that prepares at-risk children to enter kindergarten at or above grade level. Throughout the school year, educators enrolled in the TSR program will be provided the tools to help them learn more regarding the specific instructional needs of the children in their classrooms through engaging lessons and activities. These educators will be provided feedback from the TSR coaches to help them improve their teaching skills, which in turn will positively affect the learning environment and educational experiences of the children. The funding contract will include administrative and management support of 8%, calculated based on actual expenditures for 1 Coordinator and 2 Coaches. The 8% is a formula from the Texas Workforce Commission.

Start Date: 08/1/2023
End Date: 07/31/2025
Funder: TSR at Children's Learning Institute at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Reimbursement Program

2022 - 2025 School Safety Standards Formula Grant

To assist LEA’s in meeting the new school safety standards and to include other security related costs like metal detectors, cameras, and monitoring tools such as those allowed under the school safety allotment, the SB500 19-21 School Safety and Security Grant, and the 22-24 Silent Panic Alert Technology Grant. The purpose of this program is to first allow LEAs to implement the new safety standards applicable to Chapter 61, Sub-chapter CC, 61.031 of Commissioner’s Rules (expend all its SB500 school hardening funds). Generally allowable safety standards activities include procurement and installation of: fencing, exterior doors, glass doors not within a secured area, ground level exterior windows, silent panic alert technologies, and other required rule components around emergency responder radios, exterior door numbering, and exterior secure master key lock boxes. Once minimal compliance with the rule is met, the LEA may choose from a variety of school security-related activities, such as: security cameras and equipment, communications systems, district peace officers, private security officers, school marshals, active shooter training, emergency response training, prevention, identification, and management of emergencies. PSJA ISD will be purchasing a door barricade device for all classroom doors as a silent panic alert.

Start Date: 07/25/2023
End Date: 04/30/2025
PSJA ISD Entitlement Eligibility = $1,269,698.00

Coastal Conservation Support Project U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Department of the Interior

The project allows PSJA ISD to continue creating sustainable projects and to adopt the curriculum into PSJA ISDs high school science curriculum with such lessons on Habitat Restoration Projects, Endangered &Threatened Species, and Food Webs with an emphasis on Migratory Birds. Student Outdoor Learning Spaces projects include predominantly native landscapes, pollinator gardens, Purple Martin houses, lighted walking trails, covered teaching stations, amphitheaters, and interpretive signs. With this funding, students will now have tree planting stations within these spaces where they will be preparing and planting some of the native seedlings that will grow through this sustainable project. Eventually, all outdoor learning sites will have Interpretive Sign Projects that will describe lifecycles, food webs, bird behaviors and ecosystems. Students will be learning how to create info/graphics and brochures on colonial nesting birds and their desired habitats. The seedlings will be delivered to the Laguna Atascosa Spoil Islands for the Colonial Nesting Birds. Partnership with Santa Ana National Refuge, PSJA Sotomayor ECHS, Buell Central, PSJA Jefferson TSTEM ECHS, and PSJA Collegiate HS campuses.

Start Date: 07/15/2023
End Date: 06/30/2024

Awarded: $20,000.00

2023 - 2024 Dyslexia Grant Award Program Year 2

The funding is available through House Bill 1525 passed by the 87th Texas Legislature. The purpose of this project is for school districts to increase local capacity to appropriately serve students with dyslexia and related disorders by providing high-quality training for dyslexia to classroom teachers and staff and training for intervention for staff resulting in appropriate credentialing related to dyslexia.
 
Start Date: 05/16/2023
End Date: 08/31/2024

Awarded: $162,858.00

Texas College and Career Readiness School Model (CCRSM) Blueprint Best Practices Subgrant

The CCRSM Blueprint Best Practices program is a subgrant to provide financial and technical support to three of PSJA ISDs Early College High School (ECHS) campuses for their expertise in implementing CCRSM best practices. As a recipient, PSJA ISD will  showcase Blueprint Best Practices through the CCRSM website, conferences, workshops and learning tours; create resources such as videos, guides, informational brochures, and communication materials; host webinar(s) or trainings(s) of developed resources facilitated by CCRSM leaders; and provide on-site video production in collaboration with Educate Texas. Awarded: $30,00 per campus for 3 Campuses: PSJA Memorial ECHS, PSJA Early College HS, and PSJA Jefferson T-STEM ECHS.

Start Date: 05/1/2023
End Date: 04/5/2024

Awarded: $90,000.00

2022 - 2023 Student Success Initiative (SSI) Community Partnerships Implementation Year 4

The purpose of this program is to support significant improvements in education and development outcomes for children and youth who live in distressed communities by providing access to great schools and creating strong partnerships to increase family and community support that will prepare students to receive an excellent education from early learning and progressing to college and a career. The 22-23 continuation funding will provide support and technical assistance to become aware of new state initiatives of NAEYC accreditation (National Association for the Education of Young Children). Funding will also support peer visits (travel) to exemplary schools, partnership training, and purchasing and expansion of classroom & outdoor learning spaces for early childhood. Eligible Applicants: Dallas, Houston, Sanger, and PSJA ISD. 
Participating schools: Garza-Pena Elem., Gus Guerra Elem., Palacios Elem., Ramirez Elem., Early Start.

Start Date: 02/07/2023
End Date: 8/31/2023
PSJA ISD Eligibility = $150,000

Amendment #1 Additional Funding & Extension date 
Start Date: 02/07/2023
End Date: 08/31/2024
PSJA ISD Eligibility = $200,000 

Total: $350,000.00

2022 - 2024 Silent Panic Alert Technology (SPAT) Grant

The SPAT funding will provide funds to purchase silent panic alert technologies for campuses as a measure of school safety. The silent panic alert technology is generally defined as a silent system signal generated by the activation of a device, either manually or through software applications, intended to signal a life-threatening or emergency situation (such as an active shooter, intruder, or other emergency situation) requiring a response from the law enforcement and/or first responders. PSJA ISD was allotted through entitlement eligibility. PSJA ISD will be purchasing and installing HALO2 devices that have the capability to detect: health index, air quality, carbon Monoxide & Dioxide, Humidity, TVOC, particulates, Help (spoken words), panic button, gunshots, aggression, motion, light level, tamperage, THC, Vape, and Vape Masking.

Start Date: 01/31/2023
End Date: 06/30/2024
PSJA ISD Entitlement Eligibility = $79,996.00

2023 - 2024 National Board Candidacy Cohort Grant

The National Board Candidacy Cohort is a two-year program to increase teacher effectiveness and retention through a cohort-based approach to pursuing and achieving National Board certification. The funding will support our efforts that provide an opportunity to build capacity. Grantees will design an NBC cohort model and use grant funds to secure partnership with an external entity to execute their model. Teacher candidates will receive support through a series of at least eight meetings and 1:1 National Board-focused mentoring. Services require that facilitators and mentors must be certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. PSJA ISD will support a cohort of 15 recipients per eligibility standards.

Start Date: 01/10/2023
End Date:  08/31/2024

Awarded: $50,000.00

2021-2023 Covid -19 School Health Support Grant Extension on grant dated 11/4/2021 to 3/31/23

The primary purpose of the Grant is to establish, expand, train, and sustain the State of Texas (the “State”) public health workforce to support jurisdictional COVID-19 prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery initiatives, including school-based health programs. TEA will collaborate with Education Service Centers (ESCs), Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), and schools to hire and train qualified health professionals, including, but not limited to, school nurses and administrators.

Extension on grant dated 11/4/2021 to 3/31/23

2022-2024 School Action Fund Continuation - Create a New School as a District-Managed Campus

The purpose of the 2022-2024 School Action Fund Continuation Grant is to assist PSJA ISD with the implementation and execution of a strategically planned school action that will provide an opportunity for PSJA ISD to create a new and improved learning environment that will sustainably increase student achievement.  This school action will increase the number of students in highly rated schools through creating a new school for students. 

Start Date: 7/1/2022 
End Date:  07/31/2022

Awarded = $1,000,000.00

2022-2024 School Action Fund CONTINUATION for Implemention - Redesign a Campus with a District-Designed "Blended Learning" Model

The purpose of the 2022-2024 School Action Fund Continuation Grant is to assist PSJA ISD with the implementation and execution of a strategically planned school action that will provide an opportunity for PSJA ISD to create a new and improved learning environment that will sustainably increase student achievement.  This school action will increase the number of students in highly rated schools through redesigning Ballew High School for students. 

Start Date: 7/1/2022
End Date:  07/31/2022

Awarded  = $500,000 

 2021 - 2023 Crisis Response Cooperative Agreement: COVID-19 Public Health Workforce Supplemental Funding Nursing Grant

he purpose of the nurse grant is to establish, expand, train, and sustain the public health workforce, specifically to support regional and LEA COVID-19 prevention, preparedness, response and recovery initiatives; this includes school-based health programs, specifically nurses or other personnel. This funding will assist in meeting the student population and district needs of the region, and to ensure we are equitably equipped with school nurses. Region I will equip every district without a nurse at every campus. Region I to provide reimbursement for hiring and training one regional FTE nurse who will serve as a PSJA ISD resource.

Start Date: 12/03/2021
End Date: 05/31/2023

Awarded: $102,700.00

Code Camp - Texas Workforce Commission Grant (TWC)

The TWC is offering a grant opportunity to provide computer coding and programming summer camps for middle school students in Texas grades 6th-8th. The purpose is to increase interest in STEM-related careers and increase the exposure of Texas middle school children for coding and programming through hands-on experiences in summer camps that include challenging and innovative concepts and experiences in learning, problem solving, and analytical skills.

Start Date:  04/11/2022 
End Date: 8/31/2022 

Awarded = $25,000

2021 - 2022 Texas Migrant Interstate Program

The purpose of this program is to provide migratory children with the opportunity to meet the same challenging State content and performance standards that the State has established for all children. The goals of the TMIP are to increase the graduation rate of migratory secondary students by facilitating interstate coordination efforts among all the contiguous states to which Texas migrant students travel; to provide technical assistance to migrant education programs that serve Texas home-based students by coordinating the exchange of critical student information between home base and receiving schools; and to assist the development of guidebook and tools.

The grant application is developed and submitted by TMIP Department annually. 

Start Date: 09/01/2021
End Date: 08/31/2022

Awarded: $455,304.00

2021 TCLAS High Quality Afterschool Program
2021 TCLAS Decision 11a: Personnel for HQ Afterschool Program - will support PSJA ISD  by providing personnel costs to design, implement, and continuously improve a high-quality afterschool program aligned with research-based strategies for academics and enrichment.                                

Start Date: 2022-2023  
End Date:  2023-2024 
Awarded:  = $187,500.00  

2021 TCLAS Decision 11b: Technical Assistance - will support PSJA ISD with technical assistance to design, implement and/or continuously improve afterschool programs that are aligned to meet the needs of school/campus.                                                         

Start Date: 2022
End Date:  2024   
Awarded  = $250,000.00  + Technical Assistance

 

2021 TCLAS Decision 11c Option B: HQIM for Afterschool Program - will provide access to high-quality instructional materials and aligned professional learning to support academics in afterschool programs at Ballew High School and Sotomayor High School.                                                                   

Start Date: 2022-2023 & 2023-2024 
End Date:  2024   
Awarded  = $150,000.00

2021-2022 School Improvement Grant

The Title I, 1003 - School Improvement Grant will provide Ballew High School with support for their continuous improvement efforts and the implementation and/or support of their targeted improvement plan. Title I, Part A will provide support to implement a schoolwide program, a targeted assistance program and/or facilitate instructional continuity and distance, remote, and/or virtual learning for Comprehensive Support and Improvement campuses. PSJA ISD requested $14,285.00 to support costs for professional and contractual services.

Start Date: 08/01/2021
End Date: 09/30/2022

Awarded = $14,285

2021-2022 American Rescue Plan: Humanities Grants for Libraries

The purpose of the American Rescue Plan: Humanities Grants for Libraries is to assist libraries engage people in reading and discussing literature, host authors and speakers to stretch their patron’s understanding of the world around them. This funding will help anchor libraries as strong humanities institutions as they emerge and rebuild from the corona virus pandemic.

Start Date: 2/1/2022

End Date: 8/31/2022

Funded: $10,000

Texas COVID Learning Acceleration Supports (TCLAS)

Texas COVID Learning Acceleration Supports (TCLAS) was a set of funding and targeted supports available to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to accelerate student learning in the wake of COVID-19, utilizing state and federal funds. To streamline accessing support, TCLAS was available in one streamlined application to LEAs.

 

Decisions Funded:

1A-LEA strategic planning and coaching (and additional cohort-and campus-based support)

1B-Funds for data fellow FTE

3C-Decodable Texts for Learning to Read

3E-College Prep Course Support

4A-Paraprofessional stipends for tuition, fees, living stipend

4B-Stipends for HS Education and Training (E&T) teacher

4C-Implementation & Growth Funds for E&T Programs

8A-Technical Assistance and Learning Community Support

8B-Funding for ADSY Project Manager

8C-Operational Funding for Academic Calender Adjustments

9B-P-Tech Network Success

TIA Texas Teacher Mentor Allotment

HB 3 established the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) to recognize effective teachers on three different levels, recognized, exemplary, and master. These teacher designations generate additional teacher-focused allotment funding for districts in order for them to reward top performers. Teachers earn designations through two different routes. First, National Board Certified teachers are eligible to earn a recognized designation. Second, districts may designate their effective teachers when they are approved for a local teacher designation system. The approval process is multi-step and includes the submission of a system application to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and then a data validation process through Texas Tech University. The teacher incentive amounts range from $3,000-$32,000.

S.T.E.P.S. Expansion Grant: S.N.A.P. 2021 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program "SNAP-Ed" Project

The purpose of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program "SNAP-Ed" grant is to gather information and data regarding how, when, and to what effect, states use third party income databases to verify earned income, and the cost of these services. The SNAP-ED mission is to increase the probability SNAP target audience will select healthier food choices on a limited budget and elect more physically active lifestyles. Funds awarded will deliver nutrition education and obesity prevention services to PSJA Pre-K students. The goal is to decrease obesity, increase physical activity and consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in preschool children and families. *UTRGV is set as the fiscal agent.

Start Date:10/21/2021 
End Date: 9/30/2025 
Funded: $149,989

2021-2022 SSI Community Partnerships Initiatives Continuation

The purpose of this program is to support significant improvements in educational and developmental outcomes for children and youth who live in distressed communities by providing access to great schools and creating strong partnerships to increase family and community support that will prepare students to receive an excellent education from early learning and progressing to college and career.

Start Date: September 1, 2021
End Date: August 31, 2022
Funding: $150,000

2021-2023 Texas School Ready

PSJA ISD personnel will serve as Lead Agents to deliver the Texas School Ready Comprehensive program through the Children’s Learning Institute (CLI) at the University of Texas Health Science Center. By partnering with local community Child Care Centers (Head Start, child-care centers, public school-integrated partnership programs), educators will provide effective, research-based, early childhood services to at-risk children to prepare them to enter kindergarten at or above grade level.

Funding: Contingent on performance for reimbursement

2021-2022 Cycle 5 School Action Fund-Creating a New School District-Managed Campus

The School Action Fund grant is a grant available through the Texas Education Agency that provides funding and technical assistance support to schools interested in pursuing a range of school actions. All school actions have the following components:

• Effective School Framework (ESF) alignment
• High Quality Instructional Materials
• Student Diagnostic assessment
• High Dosage Tutoring
• Extended Day or Year

The grant aims to increase the number of students in Great Schools by providing customized planning support to PSJA ISD to expand access to world-class learning environments for students. Using a school action model, PSJA ISD will partner with a TEA approved technical assistance provider throughout the grant’s planning year (2021 – 2022) to determine the best action plan to pursue for struggling schools.

Start Date: August 12, 2021
End Date: July 31, 2022
Funding: $155,000

2021 – 2022 Cycle 5 School Action Planning Grant – Redesign a Campus with a District-Designed “Blended learning” Model

The School Action Fund grant is a grant available through the Texas Education Agency that provides funding and technical assistance support to schools interested in pursuing a range of school actions. All school actions have the following components:

Effective School Framework (ESF) alignment
High Quality Instructional Materials
Student Diagnostic assessment
High Dosage Tutoring
Extended Day or Year
The grant aims to increase the number of students in Great Schools by providing customized planning support to PSJA ISD to expand access to world-class learning environments for students. Using a school action model, PSJA ISD will partner with a TEA approved technical assistance provider throughout the grant’s planning year (2021 – 2022) to re-design a campus with a district-designed blended learning model and addressing mental health and social resiliency.

Start Date: August 12, 2021
End Date: July 31, 2022
Funding: $137,500

 

Start Strong 2021-2022 Resilient Schools Support Program: Virtual and Hybrid School Accelerator

2021-2022 Resilient Schools Support Program (RSSP) funding will support PSJA ISD to address challenges posed by COVID 19. Support will include technical assistance over the course of April 2021-June 2022 and bi-weekly coaching, professional development, and implementation support in alignment of the district’s individual needs and priorities to improve student outcomes.

PSJA will design and launch a Virtual and Hybrid School Accelerator (VHSA) in the 21-22 academic year with the assistance of TEA vetted technical assistants. These supports will include, but are not limited to, a model design, strategic staffing, academic strategy, family engagement, supporting diverse learners, developing teachers, and other topics related to virtual and hybrid school programs.

Non-Funding Source - Technical Assistance Services Only

Transportation "100 Best Fleet" - Americas Best Fleet Award

The 100 Best Fleets in the Americas program recognizes peak-performing fleet operations. This program identifies and encourages the ever-increasing levels of performance improvement and innovation within the public fleet industry.

The purpose of this program is to help:

-foster pride in the industry.

-build recognition within the national fleet community.

-increase levels of productivity and operational effectiveness.

-encourage more individuals to consider fleet operations as a career choice.

This is a Non-funding source

 

2021-2022 TEA Principal Residency Grant, Cycle 4

The purpose of the Principal Residency grant is to support Local Education Agencies (LEA) with an opportunity to increase the number of well-prepared and diverse instructional leaders by building sustainable leadership pipelines and growing quality principal residency programs.

 

Funded:  $350,000

2020-2021 Elementary & Secondary Emergency Relief Grant (ESSER I) Title VIII of Division B of the Cares Act

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) I grant program is authorized in Title VIII, Division B, of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law in March 2020. Under the ESSER Fund, established as part of the Education Stabilization Fund in the CARES Act, 1 State educational agencies (SEAs) will award subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to address the impact that the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the Nation.

-The Entitlement amount was allocated by TEA per eligibility allocating ESSER Funds
-The Business Office has taken the lead in completing and submitting the application

Start Date: 08/20/2020
End Date: 09/30/2022
Awarded =  $12,524,964   Entitlement 

2020-2021 Elementary & Secondary Emergency Relief Grant (ESSER II) Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA)

The Elementary & Secondary Emergency Relief Grant (ESSER II) Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA). 
In 2020 and 2021, Congress passed three stimulus bills that provided nearly $190.5 billion to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. States receive funds based on the same proportion that each state receives under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title-IA. States must distribute at least 90% of funds to local education agencies (LEAs) based on their proportional share of ESEA Title I-A funds. States have the option to reserve 10% of the allocation for emergency needs as determined by the state to address issues responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

-The Entitlement amount was allocated by TEA per eligibility allocating ESSER
-The Business Office will take the lead in completing and submitting the application

Start Date: 10/11/2021
End Date: 09/30/2022
Awarded =  $53,681,530   Entitlement

2020-2021 Elementary & Secondary Emergency Relief Grant (ESSER III) American Rescue Plan Act (ARP)

The Elementary & Secondary Emergency Relief Grant (ESSER III) American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) in general is to award subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools. The intent and purpose of ARP of 2021, ESSER III funding is to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students.

-The Entitlement amount allocated by TEA per eligibility allocating ESSER Funds

-The Business Office has taken the lead in completing and submitting the application

TEA School Improvement Grants (SIG) program 2020-2021 Texas Title I Priority Schools

This program is designed to provide supplemental resources to local education agency’s (LEA) to help schools with a high concentration of students from low-income families to provide high-quality education to enable all children to meet federal student performance standards.  Title I support schools in the implementation of a schoolwide program, a targeted assistance program and/or facilitate instructional continuity and distance, remote, and/or virtual learning for campuses that have been affected by COVID-19.  School Improvement grant supports are designed to aid schools with their school improvement efforts and the implementation and/or in support of their targeted improvement plan.

Funded: $100,000

2020-2021 STEPS-PS CIGNA - Food Insecurity Program

The purpose of the STEPS-PS CIGNA Food Insecurity Program is to collaborate with UTRGV to coordinate efforts to decrease pre-kinder students' risk of developing food insecurities by applying the South Texas Early Prevention Study-Preschool (STEPS-PS) Food Insecurity Project. The STEPS-SP project begins with pre-kinder students in the Fall of 2020 and continues the same effort for one year until Spring of, 2021.

 

Funded:  $142,083

BBVA 2020 Inspirational Volunteer Grant

The purpose of the BBVA 2020 Inspirational Volunteer grant is to help maintain general cost operations of our PTI LIFE House Program for students with special needs between the ages of 18-22 years old.  Students’ skills will be enhanced and developed through courses such as horticulture, carpentry, culinary arts, photography, and daily living.  Our community business partners are incorporated into our lessons as job training sites.  

 

Funded:  $7,500

TEA - 2020-2021 SSI Community Partnership Implementation Grant, Cycle 2, Year 2 Continuation Funding

The TEA Community Partnership/Student Success Initiative grant to public schools will support the creation of school and community partnerships. The grant will provide support and technical assistance to schools and communities for wrap-around and holistic services for students. This collaborative approach will increase the competency within our community to effectively serve and support students and their families.

 

Funded: $54,474

2019-2021 Instructional Continuity Grant

The Instructional Continuity grant is designed to provide supplemental resources to local education agency’s (LEA) to support improved student outcomes on targeted support and improvement campuses.  These funds are used to increase the capacity of LEA’s to facilitate instructional continuity and distance, remote and/or virtual learning on Title 1 campuses that serve targeted support and improvement schools.

 

Funded:  $56,000

Emergency Meals-to-You (eMTY)

This partnership brings Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty together with McLane Global, PepsiCo, and the USDA for a rural student feeding feeding program in response to COVID-19. US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Baylor Collaborative, McLane Global, and PepsiCo announced a plan to deliver meals to students in rural areas affected by COVID-19 school closures. In response to the COVID-19 crisis and extensive school closures, USDA asked the Collaborative to expand this program nationwide to serve eligible schools in rural areas and in areas shut in by the quarantine. eMTY - Emergency Meals-to-You (eMTY) provided PSJA ISD weekday breakfasts and lunches to students who were receiving those meals through the National School Lunch Program at a free or reduced price but temporarily cannot receive school meals due to emergency school closures due to COVID-19.

 

US Fish & Wildlife Coastal Division Wetlands restoration Project

The Coastal division of the US Fish and Wildlife’s Coastal Program, a voluntary, community-based program that provides technical and financial assistance through cooperative agreements with coastal communities, conservation partners, and landowners to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat on public and private lands, has invested in a “Conservation Project Partnership with PSJA ISD Buell HS whereas they will serve as a model project to support funding to for students to plant and grow to over 400 trees and shrubs for the Colonial Nesting Birds habitat at the Laguna Atascosa Spoil. For the past 6 years, PSJA ISD has been growing “Environmentally wise and engaged students. Whereas all our campuses have students participating in planting and creating school yard habitats. Through a partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife and the Santa Anna National Refugee, PSJA ISD has helped make and contribute to successful conservation projects including a year-round curriculum service-learning green project at Buell High School.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Funding = $20,000

 

The Molina Foundation-Families Learning Together Program Grant

National Nonprofit The Molina Foundation has awarded PSJA ISD a grant that offers the district 35,400 books as part of their Families Learning Together Program.  Nora Galvan, Director of Library Services applied for the grant in late June.  The books were delvered on Thurs., July 23, 2020  - the books are for all grade levels and has an in-kind value of $309,396.00

2020 Jobs & Education for Texans Grant Program EQUIPMENT ONLY GRANT

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is seeking Applications from Eligible Applicants to purchase, repair, or replace Equipment to support new or existing Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs between lower-division Institutions of Higher Education (IHE)s and Texas school districts. PSJA ISD, partnered with South Texas College to purchase or replace equipment related to a specific CTE program, targeting a high-demand occupation within the designated area.      The grant will help purchase and install equipment to provide 140 students with training in the occupation of automotive service technician and mechanic.
Start Date: June 22, 2020
End Date:
= $269,624.00 funding for EQUIPMENT ONLY

2019-2021 School Safety and Security Grant

The purpose is to provide supplemental grant funding to Texas public schools for safety and security (hardening) of campuses. PSJA ISD will conduct a needs assessment to identify the needs of campuses to ensure campuses are always safe and secure. PSJA ISD will use funding for professional services for the installation of door locking systems. The SMART door locking systems will be installed based on order of campus priority. 

Start Date: 01/30/2020
End Date: 05/31/2021   Extension End Date: 5/31/2022

Funded = $528,827.00

 

2020 Back on Track in Texas Funding from: Greater Texas Foundation Pass through entity: Jobs for the Future

The purpose of the Back on Track in Texas is to supplement the continued support from the Greater Texas Foundation to strengthen dropout recovery schools and programs across Texas. The grant will provide support and T/A for internships to - Students will participate in a job shadowing and / or internship program with local businesses in their areas of career interest, while providing the students an Academic Persistence Officer who will mentor them academically and connect them with job opportunities related to their career interests. The Academic Persistence (APO) Officer will serve as a job site / Liaison (Coordinating services to students)
Start Date: 01/01/2020 End Date: 12/15/2020
Funding = $100,000.00

"Steps-PS" Food Insecurity Project

The proposal is to prevent childhood obesity. This is a collaborative effort among our school district, the La Joya ISD and the UTRGV. This collaboration will address the high rates of childhood obesity along the Texas-Mexico border.  The proposed grant will bring funds to improve the health of elementary school children.  Because of its coordinatoed approach, the program proposes to work with school administrators, teachers, food service staff, parent liaisons, students and particulary, parents.  The intervention consists of health class, physical education, food service and parent workshops through the Bienstar/NEEMA curriculum. The school food service curriculum is the Bienstar Chlid Nutrition & School Food Service, Eat to Live   (The well-being) A school diabetes prevention program.
Start Date: 06/01/2020 end Date: 07/30/2020
= $142,083.00 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING - YEAR GRANT  
SAHRC as Fiscal Agent: The Social and Health Research Center (501(c) (3) Principal investigator: Dr. Roberto Trevino
   =$6,400 Year 1 PSJA ISD to receive as a Sub Award over 3 year period   

TEA - 2018-2020 SSI Community Partnerhsip Grant Cycle 2 Funding "Bulding Blocks"

The TEA Community Partnership/Student Success Initiative grant to public schools will support the creation of school & community partnerships. The grant will provide T/A to schools and communities for wrap-around and holistic services for students. The grant provides pre-vetted TEA T/A to identify other community organizations that will help plan and implement innovative and educationally sound ideas that contribute to the achievement and well-being of students in the schools and community. A partnership collaborative approach will deliver services to increase the competency within a community to effectively serve and support students and their families.
FUNDING = $166,666.00 **
**Grant requirement to match program costs @ 20% is = $33,333 
Partners: 42 LOCAL PSJA ISD Day Care Centers
1. DANIEL RAMIREZ ELE. - iKids Academy, Little Dreamers, LIttle Explorers Dev't. & Learning Center II, New Generation Day Care Center, Super Kids Academy
2. AUGUSTO GUERRA ELE. - Kids Quest Learning Center #2, Looney Tunes Day Care II, We are the Future, Child Time Academy
3. BERTA PALACIOS ELEM. - Kaleidoscope Early CHildhood Learning, Kids on Duty II, Little Explorers Dev't. Learning, Campanita's Day Care, Futuros Lideres Learning
4. AMANDA GARZA-PENA ELEM. - LIttle Heavan's L.C., Kids Academy Day Care, Children's Educaiton Center

National Fish Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Lower Rio Grande Valley Learning Landscapes Project Fiscal Agent: Friends of the Wildlife Corridor

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is supporting 49,997.00 in cash for the creation and development of ecosystems and outreach services for: Learning Landscapes at 4 local ISD's. This project restores about 10 acres of native habitat by creating 40 plant gardens at each Elementary School campuses in 4 partnering school districts. All local ISD's and partners will meet a matching contributions of $147,666.00 in donated volunteer time, services, land, and/or other donated goods. PSJA ISD has committed to donate $111,396.00 in INKIND contributions. The PSJA ISD Elementary schools participating in this project include: Chavez, Ford, Clover, Trevino, Longoria, Escobar, Garza-Pena, Dr. Long, and Santos Livas Elementary.

Partners: USFWS the South Texas Refuge Complex, Friends of the Wildlife Corridor, Friends of Laguna Atascosa, Santa Ana Wildlife of Alamo, Quinta Mazatlan, Learning Landscapes Collaboration. Additional ISD's in Partnership with Grant: Harlingen ISD, Donna ISD, McAllen ISD

2019-2021 PTECH/ICIA Success Grant RFP# 701-19-108 Computer Application Specialist Program TEA - US Department of Education

P-TECH and ICIA Success grant prom will provide a smooth transitional experience for Sotomayor ECHS students to participate in work-based education programs on or before the sixth anniversary of a student's first day of high school, by expanding innovative HS models that provide wrap around services to students through mentoring, articulation of credits from HS to college, flexibility in scheduling, and work-based learning. Utilizing partnership agreements with employers and IHE's, the P-TECH and ICIA Success grant program will offer a coherent sequence of classes leading to a HS diploma, an associate’s degree, a credential, and work experiences with opportunity for students to receive priority in interviewing with partnering employers when they have completed the program.
Start Date: 06/01/2019 End Date: 06/15/2021
=$171,192.00 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING - 2 YEAR GRANT
@ 20% PSJA ISD contribution of Cash Match year 2: Career Academic Coach Salary Year 2 (only $34,239)
Partners: STC and NAFT Federal Credit Union

Legacy Foundation through grant funds received from The Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation, Harlingen, Texas Project Fit America

Project Fit America (PFA) is a program designed to enhance and augment, not replace, Physical Educaiton programming currently in place at your school. Funding to support the development of the PFA program will provide state of the art outdoor fitness equipment, indoor fitness equipment, curriculum, lesson plan supplies, PE training with a PFA PE teacher coming to the school.
FUNDED = $25,406.00
$18,206.00 is Outdoor & Indoor Equipment (non cash)
$7,200 cash stipend to offset the installation costs
TWO Schools were awarded: Sgt. Leonel Trevino Elementary & Glover Elementary School

Project SSTARC (Social Studies Through Authentic and Relevant Content)

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in partnership with PSJA ISD and Harlingen CISD have been awarded a $99,991 grant by the National Endowment of the Humanities to design and organize culturally relevant Social Studies curriculum in English and Spanish for Kinder through 5th grade students. Project SSTARC (Social Studies Through Authentic and Relevant Content). This is a two-year collaborative project between the Center for Bilingual Studies and the Center for Mexican American Studies at UTRGV and the local school districts. The project aims to provide an opportunity for elementary school (K-5) teachers to gain better knowledge of local and regional history, create relevant social studies content for their students in both English and Spanish, and disseminate the content on a wide scale to enrich the schooling experience of students by introducing them to authentic and relevant humanities content early on in their lives. As part of the grant, 21 teachers in PSJA ISD and Harlingen CISD will be taking part in the development of curriculum that will include Mexican American Studies lessons.

=$99,991.00 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING - 2 YEAR GRANT
UTRGV FISCAL AGENT
PSJA to receive services

Texas Internship Initiative Grant

Texas Internship Initiative grant initiative offers an opportunity for junior and senior year high school students attending technical dual-credit college course(s) to receive an internship experience, and education credential (community or technical college-based dual credit), and a stipend. Participating high school students from PSJA ISD will participate during one semester for 10 weeks, 10 hours a week, and will receive a $1,018 stipend. Courses identified as growing and in demand for this area include: Automotive Service Technicians & Mechanics, Computer User Support Specialist, Computer Network Support Specialist, Electricians.

=$ TBD (June 6, 2019- June 5, 2020)

High Demand Job Training Program

Texas High Demand Job Training Program between LRGV Workforce Development Board, Pharr EDC, and PSJA ISD.  PSJA ISD CTE students will receive Level 1 and Level 2 certifications in: carpentry, construction technology, plumbing, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and electrical through the “High Demand Training Program” funding for NCCER training & certification.

=$58,924 TOTAL (April 1, 2019-April 30, 2020)

Perkins Reserve Grant-Cybersecurity Program

The purpose of this grant is to provide preparation of students who enroll in career and technical education (CTE)course for high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations in current or emerging fields; strengthening linkages between secondary and postsecondary CTE programs of study as well as establishing or strengthening partnerships with business and industry; establishing or strengthening partnerships with business and industry to include work-based learning opportunities; fostering innovation of CTE programs, practices, strategies, which may include practices and strategies that prepare individuals for nontraditional fields; or promoting the development, implementation, and adoption of programs of study or career pathways aligned with Texas-identified in-demand occupations or industries.

=$700,000 TOTAL 
Grant Developer In-House NO FEE

Partners: South Texas College, Valley View ISD, Hidalgo ISD, City of Pharr, Code4RGV, Frontera, Texas Valley Communities Foundations, NAFT, R3ST Cyber Compliance Solutions

Buell Central The Green House that Gives Back
The LOWE's project will support a Green House project at Buell High Shool to include aquaponic, hydroponic, and growing organic horticulture. Our green house will grow organic fruits and vegetables that will then be distributed to the Rio Grande Food Bank. Our goal is to create "the green house that gives back" a school portable approximately 800 sq. feet will be converted into a hypro-ponic/deep water culture organic farm. This project will allow out of the box thinking on how to grow the equivalent of an acre inside the portable using non-toxic and eco friendly methods.

=$23,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING

DO4RGV Initiative
The Digital Opportunity for the Rio Grande Valley will serve as a demonstration project serving students and their families within PSJA ISD. It will focus on computer financing, broadband, bilingual training to ensure adoption and bilingual tech support. It will also provide educational content for youth and adults.

=$96,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING
=$90,000 Sept 2017
=$6,000 Feb 2018

Partners: Dallas Federal Reserve Bank, UTRGV, BBVA Compas

Educate Texas : T-STEM Externship Program
The Educate Texas’ T-STEM Externship Program, a component of the 2017-2018 TEA “Innovations to Advance Blueprint Implementation” grant, is to provide grants to T-STEM Academies to develop an externship program focused on program expansion for leaders, student guidance for counselors and lesson development for teachers. The premise is for the adult experience in workforce and industry to generate program design, student support, and lesson development centered on the skills students will need to fill the high-demand occupations in the Governor’s Industry Clusters.

=$15,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING

2018-2019 Technology Lending Grant
The purpose of the Technology Lending Grant is to implement a technology lending program to loan students the equipment necessary to access and use of digital instructional materials. The Technology Lending Grant assists LEAs in implementing digital learning as envisioned by the Texas Long-Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 (LRPT). The LRPT emphasizes the needs of today’s students to engage in meaningful learning, supported by digital materials through robust connectivity. To promote academic excellence, the LRPT recommends that learners must have access to relevant technologies, tools, resources, and services for personalized learning.

=$149,940 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING

 

2018-2020 SSI Community Partnerhsip Grant
TEA awarded 8 Community Partnership/Student Success Initiative grants to Texas public schools to innovatively support the creation of school and community partnerships. The grant will provide support and technical assistance to schools and communities for wrap-around and holistic services for students. The grantee must work with technical assistance providers to identify other community organizations that will help plan and implement innovative and educationally sound ideas that contribute to the achievement and well-being of students in the schools and community. This collaborative approach will deliver services that increase the competency within a community to effectively serve and support students and their families.

=$1,100,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 
=$350,000 PLANNING (06/27/2018 - 01/31/2019)
=$750,000 IMPLEMENTATION (02/01/2019 - 05/31/2020

Partners: 
DANIEL RAMIREZ ELE. - iKids Academy, Little Dreamers, LIttle Explorers Dev't. & Learning Center II, New Generation Day Care Center, Super Kids Academy

AUGUSTO GUERRA ELE. - Kids Quest Learning Center #2, Looney Tunes Day Care II, We are the Future, Child Time Academy

BERTA PALACIOS ELEM. - Kaleidoscope Early CHildhood Learning, Kids on Duty II, Little Explorers Dev't. Learning, Campanita's Day Care, Futuros Lideres Learning Center

AMANDA GARZA-PENA ELEM. - LIttle Heavan's L.C., Kids Academy Day Care, Children's Educaiton Center

 

Jobs and Education for Texans Grant (JET) Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse (Associate Degree in Nursing, Radiologic technology Associate)
The Jobs and Education for Texans Grant (JET) provides grants to purchase and install equipment necessary for the operation of career and technical education courses or programs in a high-demand occupation. The JET program allowed the start-up costs associated with developing career and technical education programs. PSJA ISD received funding to support PSJA ISD’s early college high school CTE seniors who are pursuing Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse (Associate Degree in Nursing, Radiologic technology Associate) thus, increasing the number of students declaring their pathway in the Business Industry Field so they can attain a high demand occupation and have access to cutting edge equipment and trainig while still enrolled in high school.

=300,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 03/01/2017 to 02/28/2018
=$285,000 (95% TWC Funding)
=$15,000 (5% PSJA ISD CTE Department CASH Match)

Partners: Nuestra Clinica Del Valley, South Texas Behavioral Health Center, PSJA ISD Clinic (HealthSmart), Mid Valley Behavioral Health & Psychological Services, Brighter Smiles Dental

 

Establishing the 3E's Nutrition Grant Program "Garden Beds"
The 3E Nutrition Grant project will improve children's understanding of nutrition education and improve participation in physical activity. Children will learn about the importance of nutrition and health through educational activities such as the development or improvement of a school garden, a garden to plate program, taste testing, and field trips. Children will participate in creating a raised garden bed, planting their own fresh organic vegetables, creating a pollinator garden, and learn where their food comes from. They will read, write, explore, measure growth of vegetables, create art projects, learn about their environment and how it contributes to their health. Learning about the seasons, in the Summer, Fall and Spring students will pick fresh organic vegetables and have a garden to plate taste testing. Students will take field trips to the Food Bank RGV's Gem Valley Farm and explore the beautiful open gardens maintained by Chris Bueno. Teachers will deliver developmentally appropriate lessons that correlate to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Texas Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines.

=$43,500 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 08/31/2018 to 08/30/2019

Partners: RGV Food Bank, Gem Valley Farm

Dollar General : Kennedy Middle School
Three Dollar General representatives visited Kennedy Middle School Wednesday, Nov. 28 to award the campus with a $10,000 Dollar General Youth Literacy Foundation Grant. The donation is part of Dollar General’s “Thanks Giving” campaign, which aims to serve their communities by supporting literacy and education ahead of the upcoming holidays.

"Teacher Mini Grants"
Founded in 2013, the PSJA Education Foundation is an independent non-profit organization operating exclusively for the benefit of PSJA ISD students and staff. With the help and support of community sponsors and the generous monthly contributions of PSJA ISD employees, the Foundation awards competitive teacher grants each year, to fund creative classroom projects, student scholarships, and library grants to support literacy initiatives district-wide. A total of 47 grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 were selected from over 200 applications submitted. Educators at 25 campuses in Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA) were surprised with PSJA Education Foundation Mini-Grants during their annual prize patrol held Dec. 13-14. During the two-day period, the Foundation awarded $39,000 in educational grants to fund creative classroom project proposals.

=$ 39,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING

Meadows Foundation-New Teacher Mentor Program
PSJA ISD in partnership with the New Teacher Center, funded by the Meadows Foundation to support its New Teacher Mentor Program as part of the district’s efforts to ensure all new teachers are paired with knowledgeable and experienced mentors during their first years in the field. The PSJA New Teacher Mentor Program will provide high-quality training and support to veteran teachers to prepare them to be effective mentors.  Principals and colleagues selected the first cohort of about 110 teacher mentors from across the district, due to their outstanding effectiveness in the classroom.  Mentors in each cohort will be strategically paired with a new teacher at their campus every year over the next five years. According to the PSJA Director for New Teacher Support, by the end of the 5-year program, the district estimates to have impacted over a thousand educators.

= $216,500 TOTAL GRANT FUNDED

The Next Generation of ECHS Grant Program- Welding Academy
The purpose of the program is to provide students opportunities to earn postsecondary course credit prior to high school graduation combined with applied learning opportunities in high-demand occupations within targeted industry clusters, including opportunities for internships, externships, apprenticeships, mentorship programs, and career counseling. This grant is intended to support districts and charters in forming partnerships with business and industry to raise industry and career awareness and increase meaningful career and post-secondary programs that lead to opportunities in high-demand occupations.

Structural Welding Program at PSJA ECHS (Welding Academy)

=$332,568.00 TOTAL GRANT FUNDED 02/01/2017 to 05/31/2018
=$66,000 Matching Grant INKIND from Industry Partnerships (Internship Contributions)

Pre-K Planning Grant
PreK Partnership Planning Grants are to assist school districts in developing partnerships with Texas Rising Star (TRS) 4-Star private child care providers to expand access and service delivery models for provision of 3 and 4 year old prekindergarten. The partnerships established will increase continuity of instruction, Kindergarten Readiness and successful transition of young children from private to public schools settings.

One Year Planning Grant 02/15/2017 to 06/30/2018

Partners: Kids at Play Learning Center and iKids Academy 

School Improvement Grants (SIG) program 2016-2020 Texas Title I Priority Schools (TTIPS)
This program is designed to substantially raise the achievement of students in Title I low-performing schools, and enable the schools to meet annual goals and program-term measurable objectives. Funding is intended for schools with the greatest need for the funds and the strongest commitment to provide adequate resources to support schools in meeting the criteria to exit priority or focus status. The intent of the TTIPS grant program is to achieve lasting positive reforms in the state’s most struggling campuses through highest-quality implementation of strong evidence-based interventions. These interventions are designed within a framework of one of seven school reform models: PSJA ISD proposed Elvis J. Ballew ECHS - The District chose to implement the TTIPS Texas-State-Design Model (5 year grant)

= $4,670,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING

4 YEAR GRANT 02/15/2017 to 07/31/2020

= $900,000 Year 1
=$1,350,000 Year 2
=$1,215,000 Year 3
=$1,205,000 Year 4

(AMT)-Advanced Manufacturing Technology- Machinist
The Jobs and Education for Texans Grant (JET) provides grants to purchase and install equipment necessary for the operation of career and technical education courses or programs in a high-demand occupation. The JET program allowed the start-up costs associated with developing career and technical education programs. PSJA ISD received funding to support PSJA ISD’s early college high school CTE seniors who are pursuing Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT), Structural Welding, Architectural and Visual Technology, Industry Based Certifiactions: PPG (Pittsburgh Paints), I-CAR (Collision Repair), Automotive Service Excellence thus, increasing the number of students declaring their pathway in the Business Industry Field so they can attain a high demand occupation and have access to cutting edge equipment and trainig while still enrolled in high school.

=342,740.00 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 03/01/2017 to 02/28/2018
=$342,740.00 (95% TWC Funding)
=$18,039.00 (5% PSJA ISD CTE Department CASH Match)

Partners Include: Humanetics, Universal Metal Products, Windsor Mold Group, Royal Technologies, and Clark Chevrolet

"PSJA Tri-City Safety Improvement Project" Development of Sidewalks
The Transportation Alternative Program (TAP), a reimbursable federal funding program, was authorized under the transportation bill entitled Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). FHWA and TxDOT have developed guidance for the consistent implementation of the use of TAP funding across the state but it is the HCMPO’s duty to award funding to the applicant, within its planning area, that develop projects that focus on expanding alternative modes of transportation. Those eligible projects are selected and prioritized through competitive process administered by the HCMPO, in consultation with TxDOT. As delegated by federal guidance, it is up to the MPO’s discretion “about how to establish project priorities, or whether to fund (or not fund) particular categories.

Total collaboration funding for Sidewalk projects in PSJA ISD: 
=$1,577,340.00 The City of Pharr Fiscal Agent
=$708,660.00 (31%) Local Cash Match: PSJA ISD (11% is $251,460.00), City of Pharr (20%), City of San Juan (20%) and City of Alamo (20%)

Partners: City of Pharr, City of Pharr EDC City of San Juan, City of San Juan EDC, City of Alamo, City of Alamo EDC, Chamber of Commerce of Alamo

Camp Code for Girls
The JavaGirlz - Just Code program will serve 200 6th and 7th grade, at-risk, low-income, firs-generation Latina students with a high quality three week computer science education camp. The JavaGirlz- Just Code program will target the high number of female Hispanic students not endorsing STEM pathways and provide them the opportunity to gain insight of STEM careers while learning coding skills through hands-on activities. A three week summer coding camp will motivate, educate, prepare, and equip these students with computing skills while empowering them to choose a STEM-related four year degree.

= $100,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 04/15/2017 to 12/14/2017

Farm to School Grant- Improving Student Achievement Planning Grant
PSJA ISD's Improving Student Achievement through Nutrition is a Farm to School Grant that will allow PSJA ISD the opportunity to procure local partnerships and purchase fresh produce from local farmers to serve in our schools. At PSJA ISD our Child Nutrition Program’s mission is to provide high quality, nutritious and appealing meals to all students; to help educate all students about healthy eating and being physical active. Initiating Farm to School activities at our campuses will allow our students to keep their minds focused on their ability to learn with hands-on gardening, be an active producing citizen in their community and succeeding in school.

= $44,646.52 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 06/26/2017 to 12/31/2018
=$12,000 Matching Contribution in Fruits & Vegetables from local Farmer Partners

Foster Youth Dropout Prevention and Recovery HS Completion
The Texas Workforce Commission (Agency) is seeking proposals from Eligible Offerors to deliver dropout prevention and recovery services to current and former foster care youth for high school completion and to provide them with pathways to post-secondary education and work. Texas Child Protective Services staff currently works with local school districts on credit recovery efforts for youth in foster care. The purpose of this project is to greatly enhance and supplement these valuable efforts.

=$291,727.00 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 07/01/2017 to 06/30/2019
80 PSJA ISD Foster Youth to receive direct services

Five Star & Urban Waters Restoration Program 2017
PSJA ISD will partner with the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in support of the creation of a native thorn scrub habitat at Buell Central High School through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s – Five Star & Urban Waters Restoration program. This collaboration will provide high school students the opportunity to participate in a hands-on Second Chance Conservation Program, creating Ambassadors in our communty.

=$50,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 07/03/2017 to 05/31/2019
=$51,000.00 INKIND Match Contribution from: PSJA ISD-$10,000 INKIND Transportation school buses; Hidalgo County-$30,000 INKIND Facility Space green house lab; Non-Federal- $5,000 INKIND private land Native Habitat 365 acres; City of Pharr Athletic League (PAL)- $6,000 INKIND Leadership Parks & Rec Program

Texas School Ready
Texas School Ready (TSR) is a comprehensive preschool teacher training program that combines a research-based, state-adopted curriculum with ongoing professional development and progress monitoring tools to help children be more prepared for kindergarten and beyond. Teachers from child care centers, Head Start programs, and public school pre-kindergarten participate in TSR.

Grant Funded 08/01/2017 to 07/31/2019
=$158,822.00 (year 1) estimated
=$143,955.00 (year2) estimated

Health Kids School Grants 2017-2018
A School Breakfast Grant to help schools implement health and wellness practices and to achieve its goal to make every child healthy and ready to learn. Increase school breakfast participation by implementing alternative breakfast models like Breakfast in the Classroom, Grab and Go or other innovative models.

Award: $2,100.00 per school x 5 schools = $12,600.00 Total

Expanding 3E's Grant #X3E-17-040
The LIFE Pathway program is requesting funding to expand on our educational activities by providing agriculture and nutrition education lessons and other experiential learning opportunities to teach our students about Texas agriculture. Through the Farm to School initiative, the LIFE pathways will incorporate horticulture curriculum through the use of an operational handicap accessible green house.

= $10,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 08/01/2017 to 08/31/2018
Green House to provide a vegetable garden for SPED Students to make & sell Sals

2017 - 2019 School Redesign Grant, Pilot Cycle HS
PSJA North Early College H.S. has been identified as a Focus campus that demonstrates the greatest need for assistance in developing and implementing a school redesign that creates new and improves existing learning that creates new and improves existing learning environments to substantillay increase student achievement. Utilizing funds obtained from the School Redesign grant, the district will implement the Turnaround Model designed to assist in making comprehensive changes in the staff and instructional model.

 

08/28/2017 TO 09/31/2019

= $1,5000,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING

2017 - 2019 School Redesign Grant, Pilot Cycle MS
Escalante M.S. has been identified as a Focus campus that demonstrates the greatest need for assistance in developing and implementing a school redesign that creates new and improves existing learning environments to substantially increase student achievement.  Utilizing funds obtained funds obtained from the School Redesign grant, the district will implement the Turnaround Model designed to assist in making comprehensive changes in the staffand instrucrional model.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         FUNDING 08/28/2017 TO 09/31/2019 

  = $1,5000,000 TOTAL GRANT

 

"Steps" - South Texas Early Prevention
The proposal is to prevent childhood obesity. This is a collaborative effort among our school district, the La Joya Independent School District and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). This collaboration will address the high rates of childhood obesity along the Texas-Mexico border. The proposed grant will bring funds to improve the health of elementary school children. Because of its coordinatoed approach, the program proposes to work with school administrators, teachers, food service staff, parent liaisons, students and particulary, parents. The intervention consists of health class, physical education, food service and parent workshops.

= $344,689 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING - 3 YEAR GRANT 09/30/2017 to 06/30/2020
= $344,689 UTRGV as Fiscal Agent
=$72,740 Year 1-3 PSJA ISD to receive as a Sub Award over 3 year period

RGV Focus-Gates Grant Program
To increase capacity of college guidance professionals to improve the effectiveness of student choices by creating a data sharing model between UTRGV, South Texas College, and PSJA ISD. The funding is supported by the Gates Foundation to improve tools for dramatically increasing equity in achievement results to expand student access to high quality pathways. Data Sharing Hub Servicee

= $12,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 10/06/2017 to 10/31/2017

Catalyzing Career & Technical Education Through Pay for Success To: Create or Expand CTE Programming
2017 Catalyzing Career and Technical Education Through PFS. The need to conduct a feasibility study to explore the potential of using PFS financing to expand the new CTE Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Program. The program goals include increasing the number of students completing courses in the food, agriculture, natural resources and human (FANH) sciences, providing K-12 community awareness in FANH career fields through presentations, social media, publications, and school functions to promote more females and underrepresented minorities into the FANH sciences field; establishing more robust MOU’s; and providing at least one partnership annually with businesses/organizations that can lead to externships and internship opportunities.
Through Pay for Success, private funders / impact investors will provide upfront capital to scale an effective CTE intervention provider.

TOTAL FUNDING TO JFF BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION = $2 MILLION

Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF)
This program provides funding for projects that develop and implement performance-based teacher and principal compensation systems in high-need schools. Performance-based compensation systems must consider gains in student academic achievement as well as classroom evaluations conducted multiple times during each school year among other factors and provide educators with incentives to take on additional responsibilities and leadership roles.

=$24,604,361 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 

5 YEAR GRANT 09/01/2017 to 08/31/2022

=$1,772,072 Year 1 (09/01/2017 - 08/31/2018)
=$5,708,072 Year 2 (09/01/2018 - 08/31/2019)
=$5,708,072 Year 3 (09/01/2019 - 08/31/2020)
=$5,708,072 Year 4 (09/01/2020 - 08/31/2021)
=$5,708,072 Year 5 (09/01/2021 - 08/31/2022)

 

2017-2018 Perkins Career Cluster "Focus 3"
Focus 3: Under the umbrella of a Medical Coding and Health Information Technician, a Medical Coding Specialist is the preferred program to pursue to attain an Associate’s Degree, however it requires 38 college credit hours which could prove difficult to complete for a typical high school student in two years while still in high school. PSJA ISD Career and Technology Education Program (CTE) will offer under HB5, a Public Service pathway that provides a sequence of courses to earn a certificate as an Electronic Health Records Specialist. The Electronic Health Records course will prepare the students for entry level positions with knowledge and skills required to transition from a paper based record to an electronic health record, learn the basic functions and the use of the technology for the Electronic Health Record (EHR).

=$75,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING

2017-2018 Perkins Career Cluster "Focus 4"
Focus 4: PSJA ISD Initiative: Establishing our school district as an approved testing site. Becoming an approved testing site for specific industry certifications related to an end program of study in CTE. PSJA ISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program currently provides numerous opportunities of study. PSJA ISD received $10,000 to support the certification fees and licensing required to operate as a licensed PEARSON VUE testing center administering certificate programs.

=$10,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING
Testing Site / Licensing Instructor

Early College High School Demonstration Site Grant
The ECHS Demonstration Site Grant provides financial and technical support to high performing ECHS campuses that are implementing best practices. ECHS demonstration site campuses will provide mentoring, technical assistance, webinars and open house opportunities to new and prospective ECHS school leaders. The selected ECHS demonstration sites will also share best practices content (as defined by the ECHS blueprint) through the ECHS website and regional and statewide conferences.

PSJA ISD was awarded 2 ECHS Demonstration Site Grants: North ECHS and      T-STEM ECHS

= $56,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDED

1 YEAR FUNDING (06/01/2016 - 05/31/2017)

=$28,000.00 PSJA North ECHS
=$28,000 T-STEM ECHS

Early Head Start Child Care Centers
Early Head Start provides center based services for 300 children at an Early Head Start Expansion campus at PSJA. 72 children are serviced by licensed child care centers. UTRGV is serving as the grantee providing oversight and ensuring that all Early Head Start services meet the Head Start Performance Standards. The goal is to provide comprehensive services in a center-based settings and to deliver quality early care, developmentally appropriate education, and other services to eligible infants, toddlers and their families. UTRGV Dr. Hilda Medrano, Principal Investigator. **The renovation budget are for upgrades for the Buckner facility.

UTRGV as Fiscal Agent Funded: 05/15/2015 to 08/31/2019 (Yearly Renewal)

= $27,347,636 TOTAL GRANT - PSJA ISD as a Sub Award Recipient 
=$5,129,296 Year 1 Napper (05/15/2015 - 12/31/2016)
=$2,337,160 Year 1 Buckner RENOVATION** (2015-2016)

=$4,914,884 Year 2 Napper (2016 - 2017)
=$ 728,800 Year 2 Sotomayor (2016 - 2017)
=$4,231,861 year 2 Buckner RENOVATION** (2016 - 2017)

=$5,070,669 Year 3 Buckner (2017 - 2018) 
=$ 186,968 Year 3 Buckner RENOVATION** (2017 - 2018)
=$ 170,777 Year 3 Sotomayor (2017 - 2018)

= $4,169,015 Year 4 Buckner (2018 - 2019)
=$ 408,204 Year 4 Sotomayor (2018 - 2019)

Emergency Medical Technician -Basic Classroom Ambulance Simulator EMT Program
The Jobs and Education for Texans Grant (JET) provides grants to purchase and install equipment necessary for the operation of career and technical education courses or programs in a high-demand occupation. The JET program allowed the start-up costs associated with developing career and technical education programs. PSJA ISD received funding to support PSJA ISD’s early college high school CTE seniors who are pursuing a certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-Basic thus, contributing to the job growth in the health science field industry meeting the high demand for registered nurses in our region, state, and nation. The funding will assist in offsetting the costs to install equipment necessary to provide students the realistic hands-on training – A fully functioning Type III Ambulance Simulator built inside the PSJA ISD Allied Health building – EMT classroom.

= $218,889.00 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 08/31/2016 to 08/31/2017
=$211,213.00 (95% TWC Funding)
=$11,116.45 (5% PSJA ISD CTE Department CASH Match)

Gear Up Ready, Set, College!
This discretionary grant program is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP provides six-year grants to states and partnerships to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools. GEAR UP grantees serve an entire cohort of students beginning no later than the seventh grade and follow the cohort through high school. GEAR UP funds are also used to provide college scholarships to low-income students. ($302,000.OO PER YEAR)

= $1,208,000 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 

4 YEAR GRANT 09/01/2014 - 08/31/2018

=$302,000 Year 1 (09/01/2014 - 08/31/2015)
=$302,000 Year 2 (09/01/2015 - 08/31/2016)
=$302,000 Year 3 (09/01/2016 - 08/31/2017)
=$302,000 Year 4 (09/01/2017 - 08/31/2018)

New Leaders Grant Principal Supervisors Program
New Leaders grant provides services related to developing the individual and collective skills of the District’s Principal Supervisors. The program is designed to build capacity of principal supervisors to develop the instructional leadership skills of the principals they manage. To accomplish this goal, program activities increase principal supervisor expertise in three key areas: Knowledge of Key Instructional Strategies to the District’s Vision for School Improvement, Improving Practice through Ongoing Feedback and Effective Coaching, and Effective Management of the Principal Supervisor Responsibilities.

The Wallace Foundation provides New Leaders a grant to enable services to Districts (at a discounted price)

= $125,000.00 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 07/01/2016 to 04/01/2017
= $250.000.00 PSJA CASH Match to the New Leaders Fee

Project HEAL2- Health Education for All
Region One, in response to (AP1), proposes Project Health Education and Leadership for ALL (HEAL2) in collaboration with Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance (DHR). Project HEAL2 will increase the Health-integrated (STEM-design) Nursing competencies of low-income and under-represented students (specifically individuals from minority, and Hispanic, backgrounds) through creativity, innovation, and engagement as well as promote Diversity in education by creating a culturally diverse Nursing Workforce pipeline prepared for the 21st century and beyond. The objectives Project HEAL2 are as follows: 1: Increase the academic performance and preparation for Associate Degree Nursing/postsecondary education of underrepresented student, specifically individuals from minority, Hispanic, and low-income backgrounds, 2: Increase the rate of high school graduation including awareness, readiness, and participation in postsecondary education of students, 3: Increase the culturally diverse Nursing Workforce pipeline from high school to college to a career by creating an effective and efficient Nursing Program.

= $2,999,901.00 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 3 YEAR GRANT Region I Fiscsal Agent
PSJA ISD Nursing Students to receive direct services

Safe Schools Research Initiative (SSRI)
NIJ provides funding to public charter schools recognized as LEAs, or State education agencies (SEAs) interested in testing initiatives that enhance school safety.

= $4,137,034 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 

3 YEAR GRANT 10/01/2014 to 09/31/2017 (Extension: 03/31/2018)

=$1,439,952.00 Year 1 (10/01/2014 - 09/31/2015)
=$1,348,541.00 Year 2 (10/01/2015 - 09/31/2016)
=$1,348,541.00 Year 3 (10/01/2016 - 09/31/2017)
Note: = $1,432,571.00 Fund Balance for No-Cost Extension (09/31/2017 - 03/31/2018)

Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF)
This program provides funding for projects that develop and implement performance-based teacher and principal compensation systems in high-need schools. Performance-based compensation systems must consider gains in student academic achievement as well as classroom evaluations conducted multiple times during each school year among other factors and provide educators with incentives to take on additional responsibilities and leadership roles.

= $27,740,662 TOTAL GRANT FUNDING 

5 YEAR GRANT 9/01/2013 - 8/31/2017

=$1,888,702 Year 2 (09/01/2013 - 08/31/2014)
=$4,286,050 Year 3 (09/01/2014 - 08/31/2015)
=$6,077,350 Year 4 (09/01/2015 - 08/31/2016)
=$7,528,960 Year 5 (09/01/2016 - 08/31/2017) 
=$7,959,600 Year 6 Additional Extension ( 09/01/2017 - 08/31/2018) 

Children & Families HHS-2016-ACF-ACYF-SR-1197 Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Grant
The purpose of the SRAE Educate. Empower. Encourage (E3) Program for 11-14 year old 7th grade students at all 8 PSJA ISD Middle Schools program is to fund projects to implement sexual risk avoidance education that teaches participants how to voluntarily refrain from non-marital sexual activity. The goal of the SRAE program is to educate youth on how to voluntarily refrain from non-marital sexual activity and prevent other youth risk behaviors. Promoting Healthy Transitions to Adulthood Through Positive Youth Development. The BCFS Health & Human Services (BCFS HHS) included PSJA ISD as partners to receive the services: Through the proposed Educate. Empower. Encourage (E3) program, BCFS HHS will utilize the evidence-based, medically-accurate Promoting Health Among Teens! Abstinence Only (PHAT-AO) curriculum to provide school-based sexual risk avoidance education for 7th grade students (4,250) on PSJAISD middle school campuses.

BCFS Health & Human Services Fiscal Agent (Direct Services Provided by BCFS to PSJA ISD)

=$ 442,019.00 (36 month program)

College for All
The College for All Initiative is an opportunity for PSJA ISD to stage and share proven practices in ECHS, college readiness, access, and completion. This financial support will allow PSJA ISD to continue sharing strategies and progress on key initiatives by scaling up as a 1) demonstration site; 2) refining site visits and tours; 3) enhancing the Early College Academic Residency; 4) Developing a Summer Leadership Residency; and 5) continuing a College for All Annual Conference

= $352,520.00 TOTAL GRANT 

4 YEAR GRANT / Rollover Funding 08/01/2015 to 07/31/2018

=$150,000.00 Year 1 (08/01/2015 - 07/31/2016)
=$125,000.00 Year 2 (08/01/2016 - 07/31/2017)
=$67,520.00 Year 3 (08/01/2017 - 07/31/2018)
=$10,000.00 Year 4 (08/01/2018 - 07/31/2019)