FY2024: Playful Learning Institute Grant Program (Continuation)

Fund Code: 347

Purpose:

The purpose of this federally-funded continuation grant is to further the work of the Playful Learning Institute with districts who were awarded the Playful Learning Institute, PK–3 Grant, Fund Code (FC) 347 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023.

The Playful Learning Institute is designed for district and school administrators, Preschool through 3^rd grade (PK–3) inclusive classroom educators, and Out-of-School Time (OST) program staff and administrators. Participants gain tools and strategies needed to intentionally design and embed playful learning across the course of the day that supports deep dives into content, creates equitable access to learning for all children, and creates many varied opportunities for authentic assessment, particularly during instructional blocks across the content areas.

The professional development provided in FY2023 resulted in grade level action plans for each team to implement in the 2023-24 school year. The grade-level action plans will focus on implementation strategies at each grade level of at least one of the following:

• Boston Public Schools' Focus Curriculum; and/or

• Implementation of two or more of the playful learning instructional practices (Community Meeting, Read Alouds, Center/Studios, Writing, Storytelling/Story Acting, and Thinking and Feedback) that are utilized in this integrated curriculum; and/or

• Other playful learning strategies learned through the professional development.

For the 2023-24 school year, coaches will be assigned to work with PK–3 educators for 3–5 hours per month, as well as to coach district/school leaders for 1–2 hours per month. This in-classroom/school coaching model will be aligned with and support implementation of the action plan created by the district/school team.

Priorities:

The main priorities for this continuation grant are to continue the work with the Playful Learning Institute FY2023 school teams which include educators working with historically marginalized students, including but not limited to English learners; students on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs); students who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC); and students experiencing homelessness, in foster care and/or who are migratory.

Eligibility:

Districts awarded FC 347 in FY2023 that reserved funds or have unspent funds* to support FY2024 grant activities are eligible to apply. Anticipated districts and eligible amounts are as follows:

• Pioneer Valley RSD — $14,800**
• Woburn PS — $49,000

*Districts with unspent funds must file their FY2023 Final Financial Report (FR1) and, if applicable, return any unspent funds to the Department before a FY2024 award can be made.

**This amount is estimated and will be confirmed upon submission of the district's FR1.

Funding Type:

Federal CFDA (84.425) ESSER — Federal Coronavirus Relief Programs
Federal grant funds must adhere to:

• UGG (2 CFR 200)
• EDGAR As Applicable
• EDGAR General Fiscal Administration 34 CFR Part 76

Funding:

Approximately $63,800 is available.

This RFP is the governing document for these grant funds.

Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.

Fund Use:

Funds may be used to support participation of team members in activities related to the school team's action plan that will be implemented in coordination with coaches in the 2023-24 school year, evaluation activities and voluntary professional learning opportunities.

Fund use can include coordinator time, stipends, substitutes, supplies and materials.

Funds cannot be used for equipment, building/construction projects and/or curricular programs.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval (No earlier than 9/1/2023)* – 6/30/2024

* Grant start date cannot be prior to DESE receiving a substantially approvable Application Submission as directed in this RFP's Submission Instructions. Goods and Services cannot be procured prior to Grants receiving and approving an application submission. Funds cannot exceed the project duration end date.

Program Unit:

Student and Family Support

Contact:

Kelly.Meehan-Rooney@mass.gov

Phone:

(781) 338-6334

Date Due:

Friday, September 1, 2023

Applications must be submitted on or before 9/1/2023 for a 9/1/2023 start date.

Required Forms:

• Part I — General — Program Unit Signature Page — (Standard Contract Form and Application for Program Grants)

• Part II — FY2024 Budget (entered into EdGrants form directly)

• Part III — Program Narrative

EdGrants Submission Instructions:

Submit all required grant materials through EdGrants.

In EdGrants, grantees are required to create and name the project. Please use the following naming convention for your "Applicant Project Name" in EdGrants:

• FY24 347 Playful Learning [District Name]

All required forms should be uploaded / attached in the Attachments List of the Application Submission. This includes a signed / scanned PDF of Part I / Coversheet with Executive Director's signature.

For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides and Information.

Please note: It is up to the grantee to determine who they want to add as EdGrants Front Office users in order to submit the grant application as well as payment request information. Please review the EdGrants: User Security Controls document to make informed decisions regarding assigning your district level users.

Last Updated: August 1, 2023