Jordan School District
TO:
Elementary Administrators
FROM:
Michelle Lovell, Consultant in Teaching & Learning
We are pleased to announce that we have secured funding from the literacy software grant for the upcoming year. To ensure your school receives its portion of the funds, please complete the attached form by May 30th. Please keep in mind that schools are not obligated to use a literacy software program.
TO:
Administrators
FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Brittany Bauer, HR Recruiting
The Human Resources Department will be running Frontline Recruiting and Hiring Training PD sessions during the month of June. These sessions are intended for any principal, assistant principal or department administrator (current or new). We want to teach you how to use various functions in Frontline and best practices to help you in recruiting and retaining the BEST candidates. All training sessions will be held at the JSD District Office (room 129) in West Jordan. Please bring your laptop.
Please use the link below to view available dates/times and to sign-up.
Frontline Training Schedule for Appointments
Contact Brittany Bauer at #88214 if you have any questions.
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Jason Skidmore, Director of CTE
Julie Scherzinger, CTE Consultant
Check out the May newsletter.
DATE:
May 22, 2025
TO:
Principals
Elementary Administrative Assistants
Secondary School Registrars
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Caleb Olson, Consultant, Planning & Enrollment
SUBJECT:
Permanent Records – Transfer Processes and Procedures
See attached memo. Principals, please ensure registrars and record staff receive a copy of this memo.
DATE:
May 22, 2025
TO:
Principals
Elementary Administrative Assistants
Secondary Attendance Secretaries
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Caleb Olson, Consultant, Planning & Enrollment
SUBJECT:
Entering Attendance in Skyward for the Last Six (6) Days of the School Year
See attached memo. Principals, please ensure a copy is provided to your attendance staff.
TO:
Elementary School Administrators
FROM:
Michelle Lovell, Consultant in Teaching & Learning
Several schools have reported that their copies of the "Bud, Not Buddy" books from the Wit & Wisdom series are damaged and falling apart. In response, Great Minds is dispatching replacement books to these schools, and orders are now arriving in schools. Upon receiving your order, please verify its accuracy. Should you encounter any discrepancies, kindly contact Great Minds directly using the contact information provided on the packing slip included with your order. Note that Great Minds permits a period of 60 days to make any necessary adjustments.
DATE:
Thursday, May 22, 2025
TO:
All School Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Assessment, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
2025 WIDA ACCESS Results in Tableau
2025 WIDA ACCESS results are now in Tableau. Viewers may see language proficiency levels over time for the following categories:
Viewers may also see growth target data over time based on the state’s growth goals for each student as well as student participation over time on the WIDA ACCESS.
Included in the dashboard is a student list with historical WIDA ACCESS results going back to 2022. Viewers may filter results using a variety of demographic and assessment filters to create lists of students for support and intervention planning for the 2025-26 school year.
Viewers may access the WIDA ACCESS summary dashboard here.
For questions about the WIDA ACCESS assessment and results or this summary dashboard, please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability.
TO:
Assistant Principals
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Save the date of June 9, 2025 from 9-11 am, to come and celebrate the end of the 2024-25 school year. More details to come in a later JAM.
TO:
Elementary Principals
K-5 Teachers
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amy Kinder, Consultant in Teaching & Learning
Dear Principals and Teachers,
We want to share an update regarding student workbooks. As a district, we did not purchase workbooks this year because many teachers reported preferring whiteboards and scratch paper over the printed books.
Why Are We Decreasing the Size of Student Workbooks?
Most importantly:
The focus should be on learning, not on completing a worksheet!
We know some teachers still value workbooks, so we created two streamlined versions:
Both versions, along with an editable Word document, are linked in this document.
Many teachers are now choosing to do some lessons on whiteboards or with scratch paper, using slides to guide instruction. This new approach to mathematics focuses on problem-solving and using multiple tools—whiteboards, scratch paper, and manipulatives—instead of simply completing worksheets.
Parents can still view every component of the lesson on the student site, with no login required.
For more ideas on reducing workbook size, contact your elementary mathematics specialist.
TO:
Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Jared Covili, Consultant in Teaching & Learning
With generous support from the Community Foundation of Utah, ISTE+ASCD will provide Utah educators with world class professional learning on computer science, computational thinking, artificial intelligence, and innovative strategies for using technology to transform learning at no cost to the district, school, or educator.
ISTE+ASCD is seeking Utah district and school partners to nominate cohorts of educators to participate in one of our incredible professional learning experiences in Fall 2025.
Transform Computer Science is an amazing opportunity for districts and schools to engage in paradigm-shifting professional learning at scale. ISTE+ASCD is excited to be a catalyst for transforming learning experiences in your school or district through technology and impactful pedagogy to support educator growth.
ISTE Certification
Internationally recognized credential for educators who have demonstrated mastery of the ISTE Standards and implemented innovative uses of technology to transform learning.
The Utah State Board of Education recognizes ISTE Certification as a competency pathway for the Educational Technology Endorsement. More information can be found here (https://www.schools.utah.gov/licensing/endorsements#item-d26e279) and here (https://www.schools.utah.gov/licensing/endorsements/Educational%20Technology%20Endorsement%20Specs.pdf).
To earn certification, educators complete 40 hours live, instructor-led professional learning over 10 weeks, then 40 hours to assemble an e-portfolio that includes artifacts and reflections on their learning over six months.
$1,000 stipend for successful completion ($500 upon completion of professional learning, $500 upon submission of e-portfolio)
Program Dates: 9/24/2025 - 12/5/2025 (professional learning course), 1/15/2026 - 7/31/2026 (portfolio)
Districts and schools may nominate cohorts of 5-15 educators to participate in Certification
If you are interested in being considered for the ISTE Certified Educator group from Jordan, please complete the following form by May 30th.
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Rebecca Smith, Consultant in Teaching & Learning
Jordan District will offer Gifted & Talented endorsement classes during the 2025-26 school year. Classes are open to all licensed personnel in Jordan District.
Gifted & Talented Teaching Endorsement
During the 2025-2026 school year, Jordan School District will offer coursework for a gifted and talented (GT)
teaching endorsement in partnership with Southern Utah University (SUU).
How will a GT teaching endorsement benefit me?
What are the credit requirements for a GT endorsement?
What are the current costs for a GT endorsement?
What format will be used for instruction? When and where will the classes be held?
Contact Rebecca Smith with and questions you may have: 801-567-8368 (88368) rebecca.smith@jordandistrict.org
TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants
FROM:
Jeri Gamble, Information Systems Support Services
Please be mindful of the Finance year end deadlines. Click here to see deadlines and information for May 15-22.
DATE:
May 14, 2025
TO:
Principals
Special Education Teachers (Preschool and School Age)
Speech-Language Pathologists
FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
SUBJECT:
Extended Year for Special Educator Stipend Days 2024-25
The legislation allows a specific group of special educators to work up to 5 additional days for a $200/day stipend (plus applicable benefits). The Bill applies to Special Education Teachers (Preschool and School- Age) and Speech-Language Pathologists only (Speech-Language Technicians are not included). The number of days and stipend amount are based upon the educators assigned FTE equivalent. Teachers who have been hired with an Associate Educator License will count as licensed teachers and will be eligible for the stipend. Days can be worked 2 weeks before or after your contract.
Eligible staff that have days left to work, and did not work all of their allotted days in the fall, are required to complete an online survey to be paid for these days. After you have completed working the days, simply click on the link below to start the survey. Days worked must be full or half days and not a combination of assorted hours and must be worked in your assigned building(s).
The days available for you to work are: June 10-13th, 17-20th, and 23-24th. Please remember that June 9th is the last contract day and June 16th is a holiday. These days do not count toward Extended Year Days.
It is important to remember:
Below is the link to submit the days after you have worked. When asked for the approver for your submission do not put your principal or LEA. Please put amanda.hamblin@jordandistrict.org so that the submission can be approved through the Special Education office and be sent to the State Office for payment. If you list your building supervisor as the approver, your request will not be submitted for payment.
Please read the survey carefully, making sure you answer all of the questions listed, as you will be paid according to what the survey generates. Only those that complete the survey will be paid. Any timesheets submitted directly to the Special Ed. or Payroll departments will not be paid. Please note that the window for completing the survey closes June 26, 2025.
Please remember you cannot count the days you already worked and were paid for in the fall. You can only count the days you work after your last contract date at the end of the 2024-25 school year. The State Board of Education has discontinued any leniency on dates that you work. You may ONLY work and report the two weeks after your last contract day. Therefore, you will only be paid for dates that are between June 10 to June 24, 2025 (excluding weekends and holidays) and only the number of days you have remaining from fall 2024-25.
As you plan for the coming year, keep in mind the legislature will presumably award days for the 2025-26 school year, which you can begin working two weeks prior to your first contract day, which is August 11, 2025. More information about next year’s days will be forthcoming. If you have questions, or need help with the survey, please contact Amanda Hamblin at amanda.hamblin@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8177.
DATE:
May 12, 2025
TO:
All Elementary 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:
Professional Development Opportunities for UFLI in Special Education Training
Attached is a listing of the professional development opportunities for Elementary Special Education Licensed Staff for UFLI in Special Education Training. A link to sign up for each training will be sent to all Elementary Special Education Licensed Staff Members.
DATE:
April 28, 2025
TO:
Administrators of Schools
Elementary and Secondary Principals
FROM:
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Katie Bastian, Director of Nutrition Services
SUBJECT:
Student Meal Deficit School Responsibilities
District approved procedural guidelines for meal deficit collection can be found on the Nutrition Services website under the online payments tab. Click HERE
Per approved guidelines:
Thanks for reading JAM! Be the first person to email Nadine Page (nadine.page@jordandistrict.org) this week’s word, “Emerald” the birthstone for May, and your office wins a prize - We have a winner for this week! Check back next week. Thanks for reading.
TO:
Administrators
FROM:
Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Manager, Information Systems
Please be aware of a new DANGEROUS TikTok challenge that we've been experiencing in our schools. Students have learned that putting pencil lead into the USB port will cause a short circuit, causing the Chromebook to smoke and short out. Inserting pencil lead into a USB port can be dangerous. Pencil lead contains graphite, which is conductive, and can cause a fire when inserted in the USB port.
How to identify if this has possibly happened to a Chromebook:
What to do:
DATE:
May 8, 2025
TO:
Administrators of Locations with Employees Paid with Federal Dollars
FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Dan Ellis, Director of Accounting
Natalie Grange, Accounting Administrator
SUBJECT:
Federal Program Work Certification
Federal Regulations require the district to certify the payroll of any employee being paid with federal funds. Accounting identifies employees that meet this federal criteria and prepares certification forms by location. Principals and department heads please review the attached instruction memo and look for your payroll certification email the week of May 8, 2025. Certifications are due Friday, May 30, 2025.
Please review your certification ASAP and contact Natalie Grange if you have any questions or concerns. natalie.grange@jordandistrict.org, ext. 88312
TO:
Principals
FROM:
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Brian King, Ph.D., Assistant Director of Special Education
Mike Trimmell, Ed.D., Special Education Administrator
Attached is the Special Ed Newsletter for May 2025.
TO:
All School Administrators
FROM:
Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Manager, Information Systems
See the attached information regarding Chromebook kiosks for lunch payments.
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Manager, Information Systems
Please see this document regarding the need to replace your TrueTime time clock.
