Jordan School District
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Electrocutions are the fifth leading cause of occupational injuries. Remember: You don’t have to be an electrician to be exposed to electrical hazards!
See the document below for safety tips.
TO:
All Administrators
Administrative Assistants
FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Please see the attached newsletter.
DATE:
March 7, 2024
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness
SUBJECT:
Mandatory Prevention Plan Updates, Workshops and Support Available!
Throughout March school teams have an opportunity to efficiently update, enhance, and complete their mandatory prevention plans related to suicide, bullying, and violence prevention. Stop by a Prevention Planning Workshop in March to take advantage of this support available!
Prevention Planning Workshop Dates: March 11, 14 (pm only), 15, & 18
All sessions will take place at ASB Presentation Room (entrance C)
Two sessions Each Day (pm session only on the 14th): 8:30-11:00, 12:30-3:00
Choose a workshop time to update and enhance your school’s prevention plan. There will also be targeted support for accessing grant funds that are available for your school’s unique prevention efforts. Substitute costs can be covered so a full team can attend! RSVP for a session here! Stop by even if you don’t RSVP!
*As a reminder, each school is required to maintain and update prevention plans annually. These funds and upcoming workshops are meant to support each school’s prevention plan.
Prevention Plans must be updated and this form completed by April 5th to take advantage of grant funds available!
If you are interested in updating your plan without attending a workshop, visit Jordan Health & Wellness for detailed instructions.
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Administrators:
It is the time of year to schedule many of our school-based activities. There are always many questions about which activities are permitted in schools. In an effort to assist you in determining whether an activity is approved or not approved, an Approved-Not Approved Activity & Procedural Guidelines folder has been shared with each Administrator on Google Drive. The folder contains a Quick Reference Guide, as well as, supporting guidelines for all approved activities mentioned on the list. All considered activities should continue to be approved through your respective AOS.
Please keep in mind, the list and guidelines may be updated on a regular basis to address other Utah State Risk concerns or considerations.
The Approved-Not Approved Activity & Procedural Guidelines folder can be accessed by the following steps:
Google Drive > Shared with me > Approved-Not Approved Activity & Procedural Guidelines
DATE:
Thursday, March 7, 2024
TO:
Elementary School Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
Research Project
The Research Review Committee has reviewed a research project in which your school has been asked to participate.
Project Title: Finding Bright Spots: Elementary Teachers Who Learn Science SMK Through Teaching Experience
Applicant: Ryan Nixon, Brigham Young University-Provo
The project has been approved by the District Research Review Committee. The applicant will send a recruitment email to elementary teachers inviting them to participate in a survey. Some participants may also be asked to participate in an interview and up to two science lesson observations by a member of the research team. Teacher participation is at principal discretion. If you have questions or concerns relating to participation, please contact Ben Jameson at 801-567-8243.
Thank you for your assistance.
DATE:
Thursday, March 7, 2024
TO:
Elementary School Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
Calculator and Visual Representations Accommodations for RISE Math
Principals are encouraged to follow up with their special education caseworkers about the following RISE accommodation clarifications.
Calculation Devices
When it comes to the use of calculation devices or computation tables as an accommodation on the RISE Math assessment in grades 3-6, school administrators, testing coordinators and special education caseworkers should take note of the following stipulations from the Utah Participation and Accommodations Policy:
“All students are allowed to use the online calculation device when it is embedded during the allowed segments of a math assessment… For students in grade 6, the use of a handheld calculation device or printable computation table is considered an accommodation and may be provided (based on need documented in the IEP) during the allowed segment of the assessment. For students in grades 3-5, the use of a handheld calculation device or printable computation table is not allowed during any segment of the math assessment. If provided, the test must be reported as modified, and the student will receive a score of non-proficient and be considered a non-participant for accountability” (see page 40).
While Embrace allows caseworkers to input a calculator accommodation for students on the Summative RISE Math assessment (with a footnote calling attention to the Utah Participation and Accommodations Policy), it is still not an allowable accommodation on the RISE Math assessment.
The policy also states, “During instruction, it is important to determine whether the use of a calculation device or computation table is a matter of convenience or a necessary accommodation. It is also important to know the goal of instruction and assessment before making decisions about the use of calculation devices or computation tables. In some cases, calculators may be adapted with large keys or voice output (talking calculators). Examples of calculation devices are calculators, slide rules, and abacuses. Examples of computation tables are number lines and multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction charts” (see pages 40-41).
For more information on calculation devices, please see USBE’s guidance document.
Visual Representations
Please note that computation tables are not visual representations as defined in the Utah Participation and Accommodations Policy. Visual representations “are manipulatives such as cubes, tiles, rods, blocks, models, etc. They may be used on all sections of the mathematics assessment if they are included in the student’s IEP or 504 Plan” (see page 55).
Please contact Kassidy Towery in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with questions about RISE accommodations.
TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants
FROM:
June LeMaster, Administrator of Human Resources
The dates for the Jordan School District High School Graduation exercises for Copper Hills High School, West Jordan High School, and Valley High School are scheduled for Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Graduation exercises for Bingham High School, Herriman High School, Kings Peak High School, and Mountain Ridge High School are on Thursday, May 30, 2024. Graduation plans and times will vary from school to school.
Principals and Directors are encouraged to provide flexibility to parents or grandparents requesting the opportunity to attend the graduation ceremonies of family members.
Licensed employees are responsible for requesting a substitute through the Frontline Absence Management System, if applicable. In the blue “Notes to Administrator” box, the employee should add “graduation” along with his/her relationship to the graduate.
For additional assistance, please contact the Sub Office at 801-567-8219.
TO:
All Principals
All Administrative Assistants
FROM:
June LeMaster, Administrator of Human Resources
If teacher interns graduating in 2024 are assigned to your location, please see the document below.
TO:
All Principals
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Nadine Page, Administrative Assistant
March 22 – 2024-25 Upcoming LAND Trust Plan and 2024-25 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 2024-25 school year.
Click on this LINK to access the files and information shared in principal meeting and both assistant principal meetings in January. Take a look at the sample plans provided by the State LAND Trust office! Principals using them are finding them very helpful!
Please see the links below for everything you need to know about “Land Trust” and "TSSA".
TO:
All Principals
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Nadine Page, Administrative Assistant
Take note of the following monthly newsletters with important communication about the School LAND Trust (SLT) Program.
Please share the February newsletter with your school community council members.
The newsletters are also accessible online on the USBE Website with different language options.
DATE:
February 29, 2024
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness
SUBJECT:
Social and Emotional Skill Curriculum EXPO – March 5th!!
Don’t miss the Social and Emotional Skill Curriculum EXPO on March 5th at JATC South Auditorium!
In 2.5 hours you will be able to do a deep dive with up to 7 curriculum and implementation experts. Not even ChatGPT could give you that kind of information in 2.5 hours!
This event is a part of supporting each school’s mandatory prevention efforts as implementing a Tier One, school-wide curriculum is an evidence-based approach to reducing problematic behavior, improving academic outcomes, and most importantly, enhancing student well-being!
There are Two Sessions: 8:30-11:00, 12:30-3:00
This event is a hybrid of an open house and a vendor EXPO. There will be various vendors representing curriculum options and expert insights hosting timed, round-table discussions to help you determine which program best fits your school’s needs.
This format will allow school leaders to maximize their time and gather information with intention as they prepare for the upcoming school year! We intend to support school leaders and teams in meeting their unique social and emotional skill development goals.**Substitutes can be paid for upon request.
Please get in touch with McKinley Withers (mckinley.withers@jordandistrict.org) for additional information and questions.
DATE:
February 29, 2024
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness
SUBJECT:
Mandatory Prevention Plan Updates, Workshops and Support Available!
Throughout March school teams have an opportunity to efficiently update, enhance, and complete their mandatory prevention plans related to suicide, bullying, and violence prevention. Stop by a Prevention Planning Workshop in March to take advantage of the support available.
Dates Available: March 6, 11, 14 (pm only), 15, & 18
All sessions will take place at ASB Presentation Room (entrance C)
Two sessions Each Day (pm session only on the 14th): 8:30-11:00, 12:30-3:00
Choose a workshop time to update and enhance your school’s prevention plan. There will also be targeted support for accessing grant funds that are available for your school’s unique prevention efforts. Substitute costs can be covered so a full team can attend! RSVP for a session here!
Stop by even if you don’t RSVP for support in updating and enhancing your school’s prevention plan.
*As a reminder, each school is required to maintain and update prevention plans annually. These funds and upcoming workshops are meant to support each school’s prevention plan.
The Social and Emotional Skill Curriculum EXPO on March 5th at JATC South is intended to support each school’s prevention plan. A fundamental part of each school’s prevention plan is implementing a Tier One, school-wide social and emotional skill curriculum. Tier One skill building is an evidence-based approach to reducing problematic behavior; improving academic outcomes; preventing suicide, bullying, and violence; and most importantly, enhancing student well-being!
This is our 3rd meeting of the year. Prior to the 1 p.m. meeting, we have a work group for secondary at 12:30 p.m. and elementary at 3:00 p.m. The sub code is on the attached flyer.
Admin, this meeting is optional for you, but please encourage and support your ELD lead in attending this meeting. We will have the Digital Learning team sharing great information.
Language & Cultural Services is holding a Newcomer Parent Orientation Meeting & Open House on Wednesday, March 6 from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. at the Copper Mountain Middle School FEC Portable, behind the school.
Please share this flyer with students and parents who are new to our country. They can come and learn what Jordan Schools District can offer their family. There will be information, sign-ups, and community resources, all for FREE!
For more information, please email Ics@jordandistrict.org or visit the L&CS website.
Calling All Bilingual Teachers, Admin, & Staff! Show your students that being Multilingual is a superpower by earning a Seal of Biliteracy.
Can you speak, read, & write one of these languages?
Arabic, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Spanish, Swahili ,Yoruba
Language not Listed?
Visit this link below to view other languages & approved tests.
Once you receive your passing test results, apply on the Global Seal website to submit your test scores and proof of proficiency in your first language. From there, the Global Seal Team will handle the rest and mail you your certificate once it is ready
For additional questions, please email info@theglobalseal.com
A beverage service will be provided at 7:30 a.m. in the auditorium hallway. Lunch will be provided.
LOCATION - PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL START WITH LEVEL MEETINGS AT 8:00 AM
Elementary - Auditorium
Middle/High/Sped - Presentation Room
DATE:
February 29, 2024
TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
School Safety Specialists
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Matt Alvernaz, School Safety Coordinator
SUBJECT:
Monthly Drill Preparation (SECURE)
Our monthly drill preparation will be held on March 6th at 3:00 PM with a second session at 3:30 PM. This month we will be covering SECURE. Each School Safety Specialist is expected to attend along with administrations assigned to oversee school safety. All other administrations are welcomed to attend as well. The meeting is also opened to any staff who may be interested.
Information regarding the SECURE response protocol can be found in the Jordan School District Safety Manual on pages 8-11. We will discuss how to implement and execute the drill. This will be an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas amongst the schools.
We will be holding this meeting over Zoom so please join using this link.
Please see the attached newsletter.
Dustin Jansen, attorney and judge in the tribal court systems and a professor of American Indian studies at UVU, presented on Native communities and cultures last year. Due to popular demand, we are bringing back the recording of that PD on March 7, 2024, in the ASB presentation room (Main entrance, entrance C) from 4 to 6 pm. Professor Jansen will be back in person on April 11th to continue with part II of his last year's presentation. If you missed his first presentation last year, this is an excellent opportunity to watch the recording and prepare for his in-person part II presentation in April. All licensed employees will receive 2 hours of in-service pay and licensure points. Admins are encouraged to attend.
Kindergarten night out will be held on March 16 in the presentation room (just inside the doors of entrance C) at the ASB. The night will be focused on building a strong foundation in numeracy and early math skills. See the attached flyer for more details.
