Skip to content

Published on

DATE: 
January 13, 2025

TO: 
Principals and Assistant Principals

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Michelle Reyes, Attendance/Prevention Specialist, Student Services

SUBJECT:  
January Attendance Newsletter & Martin Luther King, Jr. School Recess Resources

January 2025 Attendance Newsletter

Welcome back to school and to the start of a fresh new year! As we head into the second half of the school year it is important to keep momentum with attendance going. New year often equals new goals. We can encourage students and families to make goals surrounding attendance. Included you will find helpful information for your school to use and information to distribute to families in an effort to boost attendance during the winter months.

Check out the memo below for all the information.

Forward this Memo

Published on

DATE:    
January 16, 2025

TO:  
Principals
Special Education Staff

FROM:  
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Kristin Norris, Teacher Specialist-SLP/A, ESY Coordinator

SUBJECT:  
Extended School Year (ESY) Qualification Procedures and Timelines
Attached: ESY Eligibility Facts, Tips and Documentation

IDEA directs us to consider all students for Extended School Year (ESY) services. However, ESY services should only be provided if the IEP team determines that it is necessary for the provision of a free, appropriate public education (FAPE).

Please see the attached memo and information.

 

Forward this Memo

Published on

DATE:
January 16, 2025

TO:
All Principals
All Licensed Staff

FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Melanie Dawson, Program Administrator of Behavior

SUBJECT:
ETT: Cultivating Classroom Management Skills

Effective Teacher Training (ETT) is available for a winter cohort! Seats are limited and fill quickly, so learners need to register on Canvas Catalog as soon as possible.

Please see the attached memo for details.

This course is beneficial for: All general education and special education teachers. Also welcome: Specialists, interventionists, and mental health providers.

Forward this Memo

Published on

DATE:   
January 16, 2025

TO: 
Middle School Administrators
High School Administrators

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Stacee Worthen, School Counselor Consultant

SUBJECT: 
Secondary Counselor Hiring Process

Please find the new process for hiring school counselors at the middle school and high school level below:

  1. Notification—Principal (or designee) informs School Counseling Consultant, Stacee Worthen, of school counselor openings via phone or email, while Human Resources forwards resignation notices to Consultant.
  2. Job Posting—The School Counseling Consultant works with Human Resources to create and post the opening on Frontline.
  3. Application Process—Applicants apply, and the District School Counseling Team screens and verifies their applications.
  4. Screening and Interviewing—District School Counseling Team screen applications and conduct screening interviews for qualified candidates.
  5. Reference Checks—District School Counseling Team conduct reference checks for candidates who clear the screening interview stage.
  6. Candidate List Submission—District School Counseling Team push the final candidate list to the principal through Frontline.
  7. School Team Interviews—It is recommended that the principal (or designee), the counseling team lead and at least one other counselor interview candidates from the final list.
  8. Selection Notification—The principal (or designee) informs the School Counselor Consultant of the selected candidate and the Consultant will collect all interview notes.
  9. Offer Finalization—The School Counseling Consultant will complete the Recommendation for Hire Form and notify the principal (or designee) when they can offer to the candidate.
  10. Offer and Onboarding— The principal (or designee) extends the offer, and the School Counselor Consultant coordinates with Human Resources for onboarding.

*If the candidate declines the offer, return to Step 08.

A handout of this process is attached. Should you have any questions or concerns please reach out to Stacee Worthen – stacee.worthen@jordandistrict.org

Forward this Memo

Published on

TO:
School Administrators

FROM:
JSD Cabinet Members

USBE is now accepting applications for recognition as Purple Star Schools. A school is eligible to be recognized if the school has a designated staff point of contact, has a webpage for military families, has a student-led transition program to help welcome new students, provides training to staff on military student needs, and conducts an annual military recognition event.

Applications are due April 1, 2025 and can be found on the USBE Purple Star School webpage. Additionally, rather than require renewal forms every three years, each purple star school must now file an annual report by April 1st. The link to fill out the report can also be found on the USBE Purple Star School webpage.

For questions, please contact ben.rasmussen@schools.utah.gov.

 

Forward this Memo

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
JSD Cabinet Members

Principals and Department Directors should arrange for lunch or breakfast for all your employees one day from February 3rd–6th. Please do not schedule meals on February 7th so all employees feel free to participate in the Health and Wellness Day activities occurring that day.

Traditional schools (i.e. the 42 elementary schools, 13 middle schools and 7 high schools) will receive an additional $13 per employee in the school’s supply budgets. Traditional schools may then charge the cost of this meal to 10 E xxx 0050 1090 639 by submitting the receipt to Accounting through the normal P-Card or NPO process.

All other schools (i.e. Kauri Sue Hamilton (including the Child Development Center), River’s Edge (including the Jordan Family Education Center), South Valley, JATC North, JATC South, Valley High School, and Southpointe Adult High) will also have $13 per employee available. However, these schools will need to charge the cost of this meal to 10 E xxx 9054 1090 639 by submitting the receipt to Accounting through the normal P-Card or NPO process.

District departments will also have $13 per employee available. Departments should charge the cost of this meal to 10 E xxx 9054 yy90 639 by submitting the receipt to Accounting through the normal P-Card or NPO process. The “yy” listed in the account above will differ for each department as follows:

Superintendent – 24
Associate Superintendent – 24
Administrators of Schools – 24
Accounting, Budgets, and Audits – 25
Auxiliary Services – 26
Business Administrator – 25
Career & Technical Education – 22
Central Warehouse – 26
Communications – 28
Custodial and Energy – 26
Equity & Compliance – 21
Evaluation, Research & Accountability – 10
Facilities – 26
Human Resources – 28
Information Systems – 28
Instructional Support Services – 22
Insurance Services – 25
Jordan Education Foundation – 22
Language and Cultural Services – 21
Nurses – 21
Nutrition Services – 26
Payroll – 25
Purchasing – 26
Transportation – 27
Special Education – 22
Student Services – 21
Teaching and Learning – 22
Transportation – 27

Forward this Memo

Published on

TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Manager

Timekeeping made easier: Information Systems is excited to introduce two easy and effortless ways to log in to TrueTime!

See the documents below for all of the details.

Forward this Memo

Published on

DATE:  
Thursday, January 9, 2025

TO:  
All School Administrators

FROM:  
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
Michelle Love-Day, Director of Language & Culture Services

SUBJECT: 
Navigating Parental Exclusion Requests with the WIDA Access

The annual administration of the WIDA Access is mandated by the federal government, which uses this assessment to hold schools accountable for providing an equitable education for multi-language learners. This accountability stems from the 1974 Supreme Court case Lau v. Nichols where a California school district was sued because it was not providing language services to many of its ML students. This Supreme Court case essentially preserves a student’s civil right to an equitable education and the federal government has chosen to use the WIDA Access as a way to hold school districts accountable for providing an equitable education to English learners.

The WIDA Access is federally mandated, which means that parents cannot opt their students out of taking the test. Because of the part this assessment plays in a student’s educational rights, parents do not have the power to revoke a student’s civil right to take the WIDA Access. Thus, the state was required to remove the WIDA Access from the parental exclusion form a few years ago.

So, what happens when a parent insists that their child not take the WIDA Access? USBE has provided the following guidance:

“Parents/guardians can elect to exclude students out of language services, but they cannot exclude students from WIDA ACCESS. LEAs must provide the student with the opportunity to test. LEAs should document everything if parents/guardians refuse to allow their student to test. Parents/guardians always have the ultimate right, but LEAs cannot provide parents/guardians a testing exclusion form to sign in order to opt the student out of testing. The only way a student can be deemed proficient and be reclassified as a former EL is by taking ACCESS.”

The following are the recommended procedures to follow when a parent/guardian wants to opt their student out of the WIDA Access:

  • The school administration should discuss any or all of the attached talking points with the student’s parent.
  • If the parent still insists that their child not participate in the WIDA Access, then the school should document the parent’s refusal using their school opt out log already available to school test coordinators to note the parental exclusion.
  • Schools may accept a parental exclusion in writing, but they cannot provide an opt out form to exclude students from the WIDA Access.

Please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability with any questions or concerns regarding these procedures.

Forward this Memo

Published on

DATE:   
January 16, 2025

TO:
All Administrators

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director, Student Services
Caleb Olson, Enrollment Consultant, Student Services
Scott Festin, Planning Consultant, Student Services

SUBJECT: 
District Enrollment as of January 6, 2025

On a previous version of this memo, enrollment totals for Oak Leaf ES were not included. The error has been fixed.

Forward this Memo

Published on

TO:
Principals

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Nadine Page, Administrative Assistant

Please take note of the following timeline items:

Jan. 15 - Final Reports & Upcoming Plans open up on the State website for principals to start working on.

Watch the videos below to prepare for reviewing these program requirements.

Feb. 14 - Final Reports completed and submitted on the State website. (2025-26 Upcoming LAND Trust plans cannot be submitted until the Final Report is completed and submitted)

Mar. 21 – 2025-26 Upcoming LAND Trust Plan and 2025-26 TSSA Plans are due to be completed and submitted. This date is necessary in order to get all of the approvals done and the Plans approved by the Board in order to receive funding for the 2025-26 school year.

Click on this LINK to access the file with the timeline, examples of level specific goals, and the council signature form.

  • Hints and Tips:
    • Plans need to be student-centered
    • Be specific in action steps and expenditures
    • Have your SCC sign the signature form at your final meeting when you approve your plan (see the link above for the signature forms we've provided). Send a copy to Nadine Page when your plan is completed and submitted, no later than March 21, 2025. Keep the original in your school for three (3) years.
    • I can't stress this enough------please use the correct categories for the expenditures as you add them to your goals. They need to be distributed correctly. Don't put everything under salaries/benefits. Call Nadine Page (x88182) if you have questions of what category it should go under. 

Please see the links below for everything you need to know about “Land Trust” and "TSSA".

School Land Trust Program

TSSA Program

Forward this Memo

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator in Teaching and Learning
Todd Theobald,  Special Projects, Teaching and Learning

The end of the semester is just around the corner, and we know that there are still a lot of questions about the new standards based gradebook in Skyward and how to enter scores for the report card. To help answer some of the most commonly asked questions, we have just added a series of short videos in the FAQ section of the Proficieny Based Learning Canvas course. To find these short 1-5 minute videos, click on the FAQ link in the course navigation on the left hand side of the page, and then scroll down toward the bottom of the FAQ page. The videos are linked under the Skyward section of the FAQ page.

If you’re already enrolled in the course use the link below to go directly to the FAQ page!

Forward this Memo

Published on

TO:
Administrators
Directors

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator Human Resources
Jane Olsen, Recruiting, Licensing & Hiring in Human Resources

Please see the documents below for all of the information!

Forward this Memo

Published on

DATE:  
January 6, 2025

TO:  
Elementary School Administrators
Middle School Administrators
High School Administrators

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Stacee Worthen, School Counselor Consultant

SUBJECT:  
School Counselor Training and Professional Development

The training and professional development for the month of January 2025 for school counselors is below. Your efforts to ensure your counselors participate is greatly appreciated. Please don’t hesitate to contact Stacee Worthen with any questions or concerns.

January 8

  • BRISC Monthly Call
    • All Counselors (optional)
    • 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (Zoom)

January 10

  • Secondary Counselor PLC
    • All Secondary Level Counselors
    • 7:30 am – 9:00 am (Valley High School, Auditorium)
  • Elementary Counselor PLC
    • All Elementary Level Counselors
    • 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm (Valley High School, Auditorium)

January 24

  • Elementary Small Group PLC
    • All Elementary School Counselors
    • 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm (various Elementary School locations)

January 28

  • West Jordan Feeder Meeting
    • All West Jordan Feeder Counselors K-12
    • 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Terra Linda Elementary School)

January 29

  • New Counselor Training
    • All New Counselors K-12
    • 8:00 am – 11:00 am (JATC-South, Auditorium)

January 30

  • School Counselor Collaborative Committee Meeting
    • Appointed School Counselors
    • 8:00 am – 11:00 am (Jordan School District Office

 

Forward this Memo

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Ami Shah, Jordan Native American Program

The Jordan Native American Program has created a presentation that will enlighten our students about the rich history and culture of Native American tribes across the United States.

They will explore the challenges Native Americans have faced throughout history and learn about how to show respect and support for Native cultures today. Through real-life examples of notable Native American leaders and artists, students will gain a deeper understanding of Native American contributions and the importance of using accurate and respectful language. This engaging and educational presentation aims to promote cultural awareness and respect among students.

For those interested in having our team come to their classroom to give this presentation, please fill out this Google Form, and one of our team members will contact you to schedule a date/time. It is encouraged to group classes together, so we can utilize our team's schedules.

 

Forward this Memo

Published on

TO:
Directors
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator, Human Resources

The Utah State Board of Education Teacher Salary Supplement Program (TSSP) qualifications and application deadlines are available for 2024-2025. The application deadlines are printed below. Information regarding the TSSP program and qualifications is found at the following Utah State Board of Education (USBE) link:

Application Term Dates

An application term indicates a preference of when and how often the educator would like to receive any bonus. Applicants may select one of the following terms before the respective deadline:

Term # of Payments Application Available & Accepted Application Deadline
Semester 2 Tuesday, October 1, 2024 6:00 AM Friday, January 31, 2025 11:59 PM
Annual 1 Tuesday, October 1, 2024 6:00 AM Wednesday, April 30, 2025 11:59 PM

Please note that the 2024-2025 school year will be the final funding opportunity under the current TSSP. The Utah Legislature has approved the new Salary Supplement for Highly Needed Educators (SHiNE) Program in the 2024 session that will go into effect July 1, 2025.

Forward this Memo

Published on

TO:
Directors
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator, Human Resources

Upcoming Events and Opportunities – LICENSED EARLY NOTIFICATION

 Valued Licensed Employee:

The Human Resource Department is contacting you with important information regarding upcoming events and opportunities.

LICENSED EARLY NOTIFICATION (Resignation or Retirement)

Licensed employees resigning/retiring at the end of the current contract year, who give official early notification in SKYWARD – EMPLOYEE ACCESS, will be eligible for a tiered incentive. To qualify, notification must be submitted on or before the following dates:

  • January 15, 2025    $300.00
  • February 15, 2025  $200.00

The incentive will be paid on the last regular paycheck. Notifications of resignation/retirement received after the dates listed above will not qualify for an incentive. The official District “Notice of Resignation” form is found in Skyward Employee Access under “Task Processes”. Please see District policy DP318 for more detailed information regarding resignations. If you do not know your Skyward username or password please contact the Help Desk at 801-567-8737.

Licensed employees who do not submit an official “Notice of Resignation” form in Skyward Employee Access with at least thirty (30) calendar days’ written notice WILL BE FINED $500, which will be deducted from their final check. Informing your principal/school administrator either verbally or in writing is not sufficient. See District Policy DP318 – Resignations - Licensed.

School/District Administrators must submit an official “Notice of Resignation” form in Skyward Employee Access with at least sixty (60) calendar days’ written notice WILL BE FINED $500 in accordance with District Policy DP318A – Resignations-Administrators.

Forward this Memo

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Jared Covili, Consultant in Teaching & Learning

Check out the links below for the latest updates from Teaching & Learning for January. Learn Tips and Tricks, Sign Up for Upcoming PD, and Learn about Important Updates from the T & L team.

Forward this Memo

Published on

DATE:    
January 6, 2025

TO: 
All Principals

FROM: 
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Brian King, Ph.D., Assistant Director of Special Education
Mike Trimmell, Ed.D., Special Education Administrator

SUBJECT:
2025 Special Education Transition Fair

Special Education is excited to announce an in-person, Special Education Transition Fair for 2025. There will be over twenty community resources attending to help answer any post-secondary questions for our students and families.

The Transition Fair will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 from 4 - 7 p.m. at South Jordan Middle School. For questions please contact Ashley Calhoun at 801-567-8208 or ashley.calhoun@jordandistrict.org

Please make sure to send the flyers out to your community.

Special Education Transition Fair Flyer (English)

Special Education Transition Fair Flyer (Spanish)

Forward this Memo