Four Delaware County schools received a visit Monday from the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten to see how federal American Rescue Plan funds are working out at the local level, writes Pete Bannan for the Daily Times.

Marten visited Bywood, Garrettford, Evans, and East Lansdowne elementary schools in the Upper Darby and William Penn School Districts. She was joined by Pennsylvania Deputy Education Secretary Sherri Smith.

The American Rescue Plan included $130 billion for recovery of K-12 schools from the pandemic.

Marten appreciated parents going beyond just teacher meetings to be engaged and focus on student needs, and she was impressed that Upper Darby designed supports to meet individual student needs.

 “You can walk into a school and know where the investments are being made when you look at the students and see how they are thriving and learning and are happy to be back together and getting the supports they need,” Marten said.

Over at William Penn, Superintendent Dr. Eric Becoats talked about bringing back a popular summer program for the students, using the federal dollars strategically so they last.

 Read more at the Daily Times about the visit by U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten.

Here is an Upper Darby School District video covering Cindy Marten’s visit.