Daystage qualifies for ESSER funding
School newsletter subscriptions are an allowable expense under ESSER's family and community engagement category. We provide invoices, send reports, and documentation support for district purchases.
The federal eligibility basis
The U.S. Department of Education's ESSER guidance identifies activities that support the engagement of families in supporting students' educational progress as an allowable expenditure under ESSER's evidence-based activities category.
Daystage is used by school districts to send families learning recovery program updates, attendance outreach, back-to-school readiness newsletters, and weekly communication about what students are working on. That pattern of use maps directly to the family engagement outcome ESSER was designed to support.
Title I Part A also allows parent and family engagement expenditures under ESSA Section 1116, which requires districts to set aside at least 1 percent of their Title I allocation for family engagement activities. Daystage qualifies under that set-aside as well, giving districts an ongoing funding path after ESSER ends.
What Daystage provides for your documentation package
Subscription invoice
A clean invoice with subscription period, amount, and vendor information. Ready to attach to your purchase order package.
Send reports
Exportable reports showing newsletter frequency, recipient count, and open rates. This is the usage evidence auditors look for.
Subscriber data
Total subscriber counts and list growth over time, demonstrating the scale of family communication your district achieved.
ESSER purchase checklist
Use this checklist when purchasing Daystage with ESSER funds. Check with your state education agency for any additional requirements that apply to your district.
Before purchasing
- 1Confirm your district's ESSER obligation and liquidation deadlines with your state education agency.
- 2Identify the specific ESSER expenditure category: family and community engagement or addressing learning loss.
- 3Document the intended purpose: expanding family outreach, communicating ESSER-funded programs, or improving attendance communication.
- 4Confirm that the subscription period starts within your period of performance.
Documentation package
- 1Purchase order or contract signed before the obligation deadline.
- 2Vendor invoice from Daystage showing subscription period and cost.
- 3Proof of payment: ACH record, check number, or credit card statement.
- 4Written justification connecting the purchase to ESSER family engagement outcomes.
- 5Usage evidence: newsletter send reports showing frequency, recipients, and open rates.
After the grant ends
- 1Identify Title I Part A parent engagement set-aside as the successor funding source.
- 2Document the transition in your budget narrative before ESSER closes.
- 3Retain all ESSER documentation for five years after final expenditure report.
Sample justification narrative
Copy and adapt this for your ESSER documentation package.
“The district purchased a Daystage school newsletter subscription to expand family engagement outreach and ensure consistent, professional communication to all enrolled families. The platform is used to send families weekly newsletters, learning recovery program updates, attendance outreach, and event information. This supports the district's family and community engagement strategy and directly connects to the goals of the ESSER program: re-engaging families affected by pandemic-related school disruption and communicating the district's learning recovery programs to the families of students who need them most.”
Common questions
Is Daystage an ESSER-eligible expense?
Yes. Daystage qualifies under the family and community engagement expenditure category defined in ESSER guidance from the U.S. Department of Education. Districts that use Daystage to send families learning recovery updates, attendance outreach, and school program information have a documented connection to ESSER's intended outcomes. We provide invoices, send reports, and subscriber data to support your documentation package.
Which ESSER expenditure category covers Daystage?
Daystage most commonly falls under the family and community engagement category, which is one of the evidence-based activities listed in ESSER III guidance. Some districts also categorize it under addressing learning loss, when the platform is used primarily to communicate about tutoring, extended learning, and recovery programs. Document the connection at the time of purchase.
Can Title I also fund Daystage?
Yes. Title I Part A requires districts to set aside at least 1 percent of their allocation for parent and family engagement activities. Daystage qualifies under that set-aside. Districts that purchase Daystage with ESSER funds can transition to Title I for renewals, creating a sustainable funding path beyond the ESSER period.
What documentation does Daystage provide for ESSER purchases?
Daystage provides subscription invoices for your purchase order package, and send reports showing newsletter frequency, recipient counts, and open rates as usage evidence. These reports are exportable and give your district the outcome data that strengthens an ESSER expenditure justification.
Does Daystage offer district pricing for ESSER purchases?
Yes. Daystage has district plans designed for multi-school deployments. We can provide a quote for purchase order purposes and support the procurement process your district requires. Contact team@daystage.com for district pricing.
Ready to purchase Daystage with ESSER funds?
We support the full procurement process: purchase orders, quotes, and documentation. Contact us to get started.