math is eight-year-old kimora arrington's favorite subject. says she's excited about the extra time in the classroom. >> i like to come to school to read and get smarter and smarter and grow up. school belongs to me. and i want to learn to get in college. that's why i always come to school every, every day. geoff: kimora was in kindergarten when the pandemic started. her dad, darryl arrington, says he noticed his young children drifting off in virtual instruction, and was one of the first parents to sign them up for extended school. >> i wanted the kids to basically have a fresh start as far as when -- yeah, last year they learned this, but when they come back they can refresh their minds so they won't lose focus. i hope my kids gain a lot of experience as far as learning, a lot of education, purpose, and a lot of love. geoff: in 2021, the federal government gave school districts the third and final installment of pandemic aid money, $122 billion, with a requirement to spend at least 20% of those funds on helping students recover academically.