Jordan School District
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that every year more than 90,000 people receive emergency room treatment because of ladder accidents.
Falls from ladders at any height can result in serious or even fatal injuries.
See the attached document on ways to follow safe work practices when using a ladder.
DATE:
Thursday, October 12, 2023
TO:
Elementary School Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
Rebecca Smith, Consultant, Gifted & Talented
SUBJECT:
CogAT Sample Parent Notification Letter and Parental Exclusion Form
The 6th grade CogAT testing window opens Monday, October 30 and closes Friday, December 1. In preparation for testing, school administrators may wish to communicate with parents about CogAT testing. To facilitate this, a sample parent notification letter in both English and Spanish has been attached with this memo. School administrators are welcome to use the sample letter as it is written or add additional information as they see fit. It is recommended that school administrators send the parent notification letter via Skylert to 6th grade parents rather than sending the note home with students.
If parents express a desire to exclude their student from CogAT testing, the parental exclusion form on the main page of Evaluation, Research & Accountability’s website may be used. That parental exclusion form may be found here.
Questions regarding the 6th grade CogAT may be referred to Kassidy Towery in Evaluation, Research & Accountability or Rebecca Smith and Taryn Cox in Gifted & Talented.
If you are a contracted employee and need to take Annual/Personal Leave before or after Thanksgiving on a “Critical Day” for any reason not listed in policy DP335NEG or DP335B, you must submit a request as follows:
How to Request
During the window, the employee must send the request through email. Please include your name, school, position, and the date you are requesting the leave. Requests left on voicemail or over the phone will NOT be accepted.
Licensed employees submit their request to licensedpersonalleave@jordandistrict.org
Education Support Professionals submit their request to classifiedpersonalleave@jordandistrict.org
The employee will receive an email confirmation within two working days after submitting the request. If the employee does not receive a confirmation email, then Human Resources has NOT received your request and your leave will not be approved.
| School Holiday | Date of Holiday | Critical Days | Window |
| Thanksgiving Recess (Licensed) | November 22-24, 2023 | Nov. 21 and 27, 2023 | Oct. 8 – Oct. 18, 2023 |
| Thanksgiving Recess (242, 245 Contracts) | November 23-24, 2023 | Nov. 21 and 27, 2023 | Oct. 9 – Oct. 19, 2023 |
| Thanksgiving Recess (ESP 180, 184, 187, 206 Contracts) | November 22-24, 2023 | Nov. 21 and 27, 2023 | Oct. 8 – Oct. 18, 2023 |
Licensed Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day 2023-2024
DATE:
October 12, 2023
TO:
School Psychologists and School Psychology Interns
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Fulvia Franco, Program Specialist – Guidance
SUBJECT:
October School Psychologist Guidance Meeting
A meeting for school psychologists and school psychology interns has been scheduled for Friday, October 20, 2023, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Auxiliary Services Building (7905 South Redwood Road). Presentations will address Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans, the Mental Health Access Program, and Section 504.
Part-time Staff: I would appreciate it if you could adjust your schedules in order to attend this meeting.
cc:
Principals
DATE:
October 12, 2023
TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
School Safety Specialists
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Matt Alvernaz, School Safety Coordinator
SUBJECT:
Rescue Task Force Training Opportunity
West Jordan Police and Fire Departments are conducting a Rescue Task Force training at Sunset Ridge Middle School on October 18th beginning at 4:00 PM. They are inviting any interested district employee(s) to attend and closely observe the training as it is conducted in real-time scenarios. WJPD is also in need of volunteers to participate in the training as “role players” as well.
Rescue Task Force is the most up to date standard of response to active attacker related events. This consists of both police and firefighters cohesively entering the building with the goal of immediately addressing the threat (police) and quickly providing medical treatment to patients (firefighters). This new standard greatly increases survivability to all involved.
Even though this training is meant for First Responders, our participation better prepares district employees of what to expect and helps provide the best possible training to our First Responder partners. Given the training is geared toward First Responders it will be fairly realistic in nature. The use of real firearms firing blanks or “simunition” (a small paintball fired from a real gun) are to be expected along with make-up to dress victims. The creation of stress is intentional and can be felt by those observing.
For those wanting to observe, please feel free to arrive at the school by 4:00 PM. If anyone is interested in participating in the training, please contact Matt Alvernaz (School Safety Coordinator) at matt.alvernaz@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8623. A headcount is needed for participation and employees would be expected to arrive early.
DATE:
Thursday, October 12, 2023
TO:
All 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: Understanding the Relationship Among Professional Learning Community Engagement, Collective Efficacy, and Perceived Mattering in Physical Education
Applicant: Zack Beddoes and Keven Prusak
The project has been approved by the District Research Review Committee. The research team will send a recruitment email directly to PE teachers throughout the district. Participation in the study is at each teacher’s discretion. If school administrators have questions or concerns relating to participation, please contact Ben Jameson at 801-567-8243.
Thank you for your assistance.
DATE:
October 4, 20233
TO:
All Principals
FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Brian King, Assistant Director of Special Education
Mike Trimmell, Ed.D., Special Education Administrator
SUBJECT:
Round 2: Optional Unique & Inspire Professional Development
For those that attended the first optional PD on September 22nd, this is the second session.
There are two optional trainings available on October 13, 2023.
Unique Professional Development (all grade levels for self-contained teachers)
Inspire Professional Development (All elementary resource teachers)
Please sign up on JPLS to confirm your attendance.
Unique- VHS
Course #101963
Section #127787
Inspire- BHS
Course # 101964
Section #127786
Check out the attached flyer or use the links below for the latest updates from Teaching & Learning for October. Learn tips and tricks, sign up for upcoming PD, and learn about important updates from the T & L team.
LINK to flyer
DATE:
Thursday, October 5, 2023
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: Teacher Self-Efficacy in the Moral Work of Teaching
Applicant: Sarah Clark and Rich Osguthorpe, BYU-Provo
The project has been approved by the District Research Review Committee. Teachers will receive an emailed invitation to participate in a survey. If you have questions or concerns relating to participation, please contact Ben Jameson at 801-567-8243.
Thank you for your assistance.
Employee Health and Wellness Day is back for 2024! There will be free offers, discounts, in-person, and virtual activities on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.
We are very appreciative of community partners who are supporting our Health and Wellness Day!
More details for Health and Wellness Day will be coming soon. Watch for updates in JAM!
One way to streamline communication despite language barriers is by showing parents and guardians how to translate Skyward into any language. Each user can translate the Skyward site into their preferred language with just a few clicks in Google Chrome. Check out the video below to see how.
*Hint - This tool works on other websites too! Be sure to share this link with families and guardians.
DATE:
September 27, 2023
TO:
School Administrators
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Matt Alvernaz, School Safety Coordinator
SUBJECT:
SRO Training Follow-Up
A training for School Resource Officers (SRO’s) was held on September 8, 2023 in the ASB presentation room. Below is the video recording of that training for your convenience.
DATE:
September 28, 2023
TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
School Safety Specialists
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Matt Alvernaz, School Safety Coordinator
SUBJECT:
Standard Response Protocol (SRP)/Incident Command Training **SAVE THE DATE**
Training for the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and Incident Command will be held at the JATC South on the following dates (choose one date and one time):
This training is for any who have responsibility within the Incident Command system (including schools, the District Office, ASB, Transportation, or other location). Administrators assigned as the school safety administrator and all School Safety Specialists should attend.
The training will be focused on SRP and Incident Command as well as the roles/responsibilities of the School Safety Specialist and school administrator. School-based safety administrators and specialists will receive materials and information to conduct SRP/Incident Command trainings in schools.
No sign up required to attend. Please mark on your calendars the date and time that best works for you and your school.
Please forward this information to your School Safety Specialist or others you deem appropriate.
DATE:
September 29, 2023
TO:
All School Administrators
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness
SUBJECT:
Suicide Prevention Conference Opportunities
Student Services is continuing to offer training opportunities for school mental health team members with suicide prevention funds. We will be sponsoring the registration fees for school-based mental health staff for either the upcoming UVU Conference on Mental Health (taking place during Fall Break) or the Rocky Mountain Suicide Prevention Conference (register for one of the two days or both days). It is expected that staff members receive permission from their administration before registering and ensure that their schools have adequate coverage. An email will be sent to school-based mental health team members with a form to register for one or the other. Please be advised that we are not sponsoring the online or virtual option. This is for in-person attendance only which may be verified after the conference as per grant requirements.
Here is more information about each conference.
2023 UVU Conference on Mental Health, October 27
Rocky Mountain Suicide Prevention Conference, December 4 & 5 at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo UT
The deadline to respond is October 18, 2023 by 5:00 pm.
If any of your school’s mental health team members (school counselors, school psychologists, or clinical support/social workers) would like to attend, please share the form or have them reach out to Angie Rasmussen at angie.rasmussen@jordandistrict.org.
Interviews will be held on Friday, October 13, 2023 - Interview Application Link
See the attached flyer for all the details and the link to the interview application.
Please find your school tab in this google sheet and complete the Elementary Parent/Teacher Conference Reporting Form within two weeks of your conferences. If you have any questions please contact Cherice Thomson or Shannel Hooper.
DATE:
Thursday, September 28, 2023
TO:
Elementary School Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
Rebecca Smith, Consultant, Gifted & Talented
SUBJECT:
6th Grade CogAT Test Administration Training
The test administration window for the 6th grade CogAT opens October 23rd and closes December 1st. 6th grade teachers, in collaboration with school test coordinators, can administer this assessment to their classes.
A test administration training is being offered to school test coordinators as well as 6th grade teachers. School administrators may attend a training session, but it is not required. Testing pool hours may be used for ESPs who are attending a training session outside of their usual hours. There is no funding for substitutes; thus, schools will need to cover the cost of a substitute if a classroom teacher is attending a training session. Attendees should bring a device to the training.
Below are the training session dates, times, and locations. Those who are planning to attend a training session should sign up here.
| Date | Time | Location |
| Tuesday, October 17 | 9:00 – 10:30 am | Presentation Room
7905 South Redwood Rd., West Jordan Entrance C |
| 12:30 – 2:00 pm | ||
| Wednesday, October 18 | 9:00 – 10:30 am | |
| 12:30 – 2:00 pm |
Please contact Ben Jameson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability or Rebecca Smith and Taryn Cox in Gifted & Talented with questions.
Utah State Senate Bill 150 requires schools to assess students in grades 1-3 three times per year (fall, winter, & spring) and inform their parents/guardians of whether or not their child is reading on grade level. Please use the attached letter templates to send information home to all parents/guardians of students in grades 1-3 by October 18, 2023.
In addition, schools are being asked to print the Home Connection letter that can be downloaded from Acadience Reading to send home with the required parent letters. The Home Connection letters give parents more details about their child's reading progress and gives some helpful tips parents can use at home to support their child in reading.
Please see the attachment for instructions to print the Home Connection letters from Acadience Reading.
We are happy to give you assistance with conferences with your Spanish families. Please see the form for your interpreter assignment. Virtual assignments need to use the form provided so we have the teacher's zoom link and information. You can share this information with your faculty as needed. Additional languages can be supported, however, they will also be virtual.
