Menendez, Pascrell Tour Garfield Elementary School to Highlight Impact Federal COVID Relief Funding is Having on Addressing Learning Losses, Closing Digital Divide

GARFIELD, N.J. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.-09) today toured a Garfield elementary school along with district and teachers’ union officials to see first-hand how schools around New Jersey are using the more than $3 billion in federal COVID education relief funding to improve education, enrich learning, close the digital gap, and make infrastructure improvements to their schools.

“The ARP ESSER funds have been a game-changer for school districts like this one — and it is made all the more impressive when you see what the money is going towards,” said Sen. Menendez. “This money is being put towards infrastructure improvements, instructional materials, and other social and emotional programming that so many children need to adapt after a year and a half of remote learning. These once-in-a-generation investments are happening here in Garfield and in schools all across New Jersey.”

“The American people entrusted congressional Democrats with the sacred responsibility of bringing America back and the successes in North Jersey communities show clearly that Democrats have delivered,” said Rep. Pascrell. “Through our urgent actions, the American economy is booming and communities like Garfield are back on their feet and running forward. It is no hyperbole to say the American Rescue Plan delivered by President Biden and Democrats is one of the transformative laws enacted by the modern Congress. Senator Menendez deserves special praise and thanks for getting these results over the finish line.”

Between the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and American Rescue Plan (ARP), the Senator and Congressman secured over $3 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding to help New Jersey schools safely reopen and address the academic, social, emotional and mental health needs of their students.

The Garfield Public School District, which has a diverse student population of approximately 5,000 students, has received approximately $13 million over the multiple tranches of education pandemic relief funding. School officials are in the process of a installing a $6.3 million new HVAC and ventilation system for the high school and have purchased new smart boards for every classroom and laptops for every student, as well as STEAM labs with 3D printing, laptops for every student, extended day and summer enrichment programs, and the hiring of additional social workers and counselors.

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“The Garfield Distinct is honored to welcome Senator Menendez and Congressman Pascrell to gain insight into the use of ESSER funds in our district,” said Anna Sciacca, Superintendent of the Garfield Public School District. “The grant funds were allocated to provide a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment for our students. The allowable uses in the three ESSER grants served to address the needs of our students, staff, and families, including desperately needed PPE equipment, technology, social-emotional supports, extended classes, summer programs, and improvement of the HVAC system at Garfield High School. The benefits to our district are immeasurable and we remain very grateful.”

“You invest time and resources in the things you value most. President Biden and the Democrats in Congress demonstrated their commitment to our public education system with the funding districts received through the American Rescue Plan. And in districts throughout New Jersey, our students and communities have reaped the benefits of this historic investment,” said Donna M. Chiera, President of the American Federation of Teachers – New Jersey. “The funding allowed our schools to improve their physical plants, as well as provide more mental health services and academic resources, personnel and programs to support accelerated learning. Today in Garfield with Sen. Bob Menendez, we got to see firsthand how labor, management and families working together can make a difference.”

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan (ARP) that was signed into law last spring included $2.76 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding to help Pre-K-12 public schools across New Jersey safely reopen and address the academic, social, emotional and mental health needs of their students. 

New Jersey’s implementation plan allocated 90 percent of ARP ESSER funding directly to local school districts. School districts must use 20 percent of their funding for learning loss activities that address social, emotional and academic needs and the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on students from low income and minority families. Five percent of the overall ARP ESSER funding was reserved for state-level learning loss activities.

Earlier this year, Sen. Menendez hosted a roundtable in Kearny with Rep. Pascrell, parents, educators, and administrators to discuss the learning loss students have experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.