Lake Forest Area Schools Set For Over $650,000 In COVID-19 Aid

LAKE FOREST, IL — Public school districts in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff are due to receive more than $650,000 in grants through the U.S. Department of Education as a result of the the federal coronavirus relief package approved last month.

Public school districts in Illinois are provided $2.25 billion of the $900 billion Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. Schools across the state area getting more than four times as much as they received from the initial round of federal aid to schools, according to Carmen Ayala, the state's superintendent of education.

Lake Forest School District 67 has been allocated $314,971, Lake Bluff Elementary School District 65 is set for $114,655 and Lake Forest Community High School District 115 was allocated $221,325, according to data from the state.

Private school districts are set for about $63 per student from a state set-aside, and there would be a further set-aside for non-public schools in a forthcoming round of the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund, according to Ayala.

The state superintendent recommended administrators put the money toward reducing the digital divide, supplemental learning opportunities and addressing students mental health needs.

"The pandemic continues to take a toll on our students’ mental well-being. I encourage you to invest in greater access to supports and resources for students’ social-emotional health," Ayala told school officials earlier this month.

"To mitigate learning loss, consider a longer school year, before/after-school programs, and summer learning opportunities," Ayala told school administrators.

"Begin planning now to reimagine the school calendar and expand the school day to ensure students receive every opportunity to grow."

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