New Trier Township Schools Set For About $1.8M In Coronavirus Aid

WINNETKA-GLENCOE, IL — Elementary schools in Glencoe and Winnetka are receiving more than a half-million dollars in COVID-19 aid, as New Trier High School and its six feeder districts have been allocated nearly $1.8 million, combined, in grants through the U.S. Department of Education as a result of the federal coronavirus relief package Congress 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.

Here's how the funding breaks down for the township's seven public school districts:

Sunset Ridge School District 29 — $234,399
Glencoe School District 35 —$256,822
Winnetka School District 36 — $281,222
Avoca School District 37 — $201,046
Kenilworth School District 38 — $147,001
Wilmette School District 39 — $314,082
New Trier Township High School District 203 — $352,903

Compared to nearby high school districts, New Trier was estimated to receive more than Stevenson High School, with about $317,000, and Lake Forest High School, at just over $221,000.

But New Trier's allocation was less than the approximately $833,000 headed to Glenbrook high schools, the about $439,000 allocated for Highland Park and Deerfield high schools, $1.06 million to Evanston Township High School and nearly $2.3 million for Niles Township high schools.

Unlike many other north suburban high school districts, students at New Trier High School began returning to campus for a hybrid of in-person and remote learning in October. Its feeder districts have also offered hybrid or fully in-person learning.

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 Illinois' school 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 told school administrators this month.

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

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

Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Winnetka and Glencoe area news
Check out the Events calendar for what's going on around town
Patch Mobile: Get app for iPhone and Android