Wednesday, February 19, 2025
The impact of COVID-19 on student engagement was far-reaching, with extracurricular activities — a vital part of student development — completely unavailable. In Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), these activities were put on hold from March 2020 until spring 2021, leaving students without the opportunity to connect socially, pursue interests, or develop important skills.
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund (ESSER III), part of the federal response to the pandemic, provided an unprecedented opportunity to address the challenges brought on for students. With a focus on five key priorities — Accelerating Learning, Health and Wellness, Facilities, Technology, and Extracurricular Engagement — the funding allowed MPS to invest millions in numerous areas including extracurricular opportunities and improving its athletic facilities, which had long been inferior to those of surrounding communities.
By prioritizing extracurricular engagement and athletic facility upgrades, MPS aimed to reignite student enthusiasm and rebuild pride in the educational experience.
“It really is about investing in our students. Our students really deserve the best facilities that we can provide, and [utilizing] the ESSER funds for that was definitely a step in the right direction for our district," South Division High School principal Jose Trejo said. "It allows our students to understand that we are investing in them, that we believe in them, and that we support their education here.”
These efforts were designed to help students reconnect, recover socially and emotionally, and get excited about their academic and extracurricular pursuits once again. The ESSER III investment in these areas was a crucial step in re-engaging students and supporting their long-term success.
“ESSER III funding allowed us to remove barriers and create opportunities for our students across every aspect of the educational experience," Milwaukee Recreation coordinator Leighton Cooper said. "From providing free sports physicals to expanding after-school programs, we’ve been able to support our students’ growth both in and out of the classroom. These investments furthered our commitment to developing well-rounded students and providing them with the tools they need to succeed.”
This final report on ESSER III Extracurricular Engagement offers a look at the substantial investment made in upgrading district athletic facilities and expanding extracurricular program offerings for students during the ESSER III performance period of March 13, 2020 - Sept. 30, 2024.
Athletic facility upgrades included:
- South Division Fieldhouse
- North Division Fieldhouse
- Vincent Fieldhouse
- Wick Playfield diamonds
- Swimming pools
- Championship tennis courts & gymnasium floors
- Indoor athletic amenities
- Stadium turf & upgrades
Extracurricular engagement programs included:
- MPS Overnight Camp Program
- Free sports physicals
- Transit vehicle for youth sports equipment
- Pregame study hall for student-athletes
- Life skills labs
- Additional spaces in MPS Drive, a driver education program
- Additional program dates for Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers
- Mini-grants to support after-school clubs
- Credentialing for child care camp staff
- Transportation services for extracurricular clubs
The success of this initiative would not have been possible without the invaluable support and collaboration of our partners. We are grateful to all who contributed their time, expertise, and resources to bring these projects and efforts to life.