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All employees and their spouses covered on the Jordan School District PEHP medical plan are eligible to participate in the health incentive program. Each employee and their spouse can earn $50 each by participating in the free biometric testing session and completing a questionnaire.

If you would like to schedule a PEHP Healthy Utah testing session for your school, please send an email to bonnie.brennan@jordandistrict.org with the date and time you would like to host the testing session. Healthy Utah is currently scheduling on a limited basis and days fill up fast, so don't delay. Testing sessions can be scheduled between January and April at this time. Please see "First Steps Rebate" on the attached flyer.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate reaching out to the JSD Insurance Department (801) 567-8255.

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District allocations for individual schools were updated in Skyward on November 15.  Adjustments were made based on the October 1 headcount.  Carryforward balances and transfer requests are included in the total allocation.  See the following attachments:

  • Student estimate compared to October 1 headcount.
  • Estimated District Allocation compared to October 1 adjustment.

Please review these adjustments and contact Natalie Grange (801) 567-8312 with any questions or concerns.

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DATE:   
Thursday, November 17, 2022

TO: 
Elementary School Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT: 
Tableau Viewer Accounts for All Elementary Coaches

Please pass this information on to your building coach(es).

In the past, only one coach per building had a Tableau viewer account, but with additional funding, we are now able to provide Tableau viewer accounts for all elementary coaches.

Building coaches will have access to the same data that school administrators see. The only exception will be teacher level data for the Stakeholder Input Survey that only school principals can see.

Coaches should have already received an email from Tableau Online letting them know that their account is now active. They can access the login page using the link below. As with all Tableau logins, they will need enter their district email address. Then it should redirect them to a Google sign-in page where they will re-enter their district email address and then their password.

Click HERE for the Tableau login page.

A Tableau training will be offered to all coaches, both those that have been using Tableau and those who just received new accounts. The training will cover the following topics:

  • How to navigate Tableau
  • How to filter data to see demographic performance
  • How to filter lists to target teachers and students for extra support and help
  • How to use Tableau with teachers they are coaching

In addition, attendees will provide input on what other types of dashboards would be most helpful to them in their role as building coaches.

Interested participants may sign up for a session in JPLS using course #101932.

Date Time Location Comments:
Monday, Nov. 28th 8-11 am PDC 101 Participants need only attend one session.

 

Please bring a device and make sure you can login to Tableau before your session.

 
12:30-3:30 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 29th 8-11 am ASB Presentation Room
12:30-3:30 pm
Monday, Dec. 12th 8-11 am PDC 101
12:30-3:30 pm

Please contact Ben Jameson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with questions about Tableau accounts.

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DATE: 
Thursday, November 17, 2022

TO:  
Elementary School Administrators

FROM: 
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT:   
MOY Acadience Reading and Math Testing Reminders

The middle-of-year Acadience Reading and Math testing window opens on Thursday, December 1st and closes on Tuesday, January 31st. As we prepare for Acadience testing, there are a few friendly reminders that help the district testing teams be as efficient as possible while they are at your school testing students:

  • Because our assessment teams are fully staffed, it is not required that instructional coaches assist with testing, though they are still welcome to help. That said, we will still need coaches to assist us with absent testing. We have left a narrow cushion of two days at the end of the testing window during which we will come test as many students who were absent on the days of testing as is possible, but those days may be used as alternate testing days to cover a snow day.
    • For snow days before the winter break, schools will need to plan on testing the first day back from winter break (Tuesday, January 3rd). For snow days during January, schools will need to plan on testing either on January 30th or 31st. Evaluation, Research & Accountability will contact any school affected by a snow day.
  • Please avoid scheduling kindergarten and first grade classes back-to-back, when possible. They take longer because assessment assistants are administering both the reading and math measures. Staggering them between second and third grade classes helps the team stay on time.
  • Encourage your teachers to be flexible. They need to be prepared to come early or late to their allotted time. When possible, please try not to schedule classes to test around recess or lunch times just in case assessment teams are running early or late.
  • Be sure to have an adult runner available who knows the school and can quickly get the next class to come to the testing area, distribute student cards, and help the testing run as efficiently as possible. If schools don’t have a runner available, a parent who knows where teacher classrooms are is a viable option. If there is no runner, one of our assessment assistants must do it, which means she is testing less students.

We know creating testing schedules can be difficult and we understand that some things are just not possible. We appreciate your efforts to make the process run as smoothly as possible. Please contact Ben Jameson or Shannon Johnson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with any questions or concerns.

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DATE:  
Thursday, November 17, 2022

TO:   
All School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
WIDA ACCESS 2.0 Test Administration Training for Schools

School administrators are asked to pass this information on to anyone who will be proctoring or coordinating the WIDA Access testing in your school this year.

As part of a federal requirement and the state’s accountability system, districts are required to administer the WIDA Access 2.0 annually to all EL students who have earned a Language Proficiency Level (LPL) of less than 5. The 2022-23 WIDA test administration window begins on January 5 and ends on March 3, 2023.

Schools will administer the WIDA Access to students in grades 1-12. Because the WIDA Access test is administered one-on-one to kindergarten students as well as students with severe cognitive disabilities that are eligible for the WIDA alternate assessment, Evaluation, Research & Accountability will complete testing for these students.

All school personnel who will assist with WIDA Access test administration are asked to attend a mandatory test administration training. Participants may choose to attend any one of six training sessions, including one online training. Training participants will need to bring a device. Please note that if schools choose to send a classroom teacher, principals will need to cover the cost of the substitute teacher. Test pool hours may also be used for this.

Those who are to be trained to administer the WIDA should register in JPLS so that we may create their accounts in the testing and training platforms prior to their selected training date. Following are the training dates and times:

Date Time Location Additional Information
Thursday, Jan. 12 8-11 am ASB Presentation Room All participants should register on JPLS – Course #101930.

 

Participants should bring a laptop/device.

 

If schools choose to send a classroom teacher, principals will need to cover the cost of a half day sub.
Friday, Jan. 13 8-11 am
1-4 pm
Wednesday, Jan. 18 8-11 am Zoom
Thursday, Jan. 19 8-11 am ASB Presentation Room
1-4 pm

Please contact JoLynn Snelgrove in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with questions about the WIDA Access test administration and training.

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DATE:   
November 11, 2022

TO:  
Principals and Assistant Principals

FROM:    
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Sharon Jensen, Consultant Student Support Services
Michelle Reyes, Prevention Specialist

SUBJECT: 
November Attendance Newsletter 2022

Research shows that attendance lags following a recess/holiday from school. Now is a good time to review attendance and be aware of students who are struggling. Panorama gives easy access to attendance. This month our newsletter focuses on being successful at school by “showing up”. A well-known quote states, 80 % of success is showing up. The newsletter speaks to what it means to show up and why showing up is important for their student, not only with academics but with academic interventions that may be needed. When the student is not present we aren’t always aware of interventions that need to be addressed.

Included is the November newsletter sent out to parents in PeachJar in English and Spanish. Distributing this in your schools will help spread the word as well. Addressing absenteeism takes a village. Together we can make a difference.

 

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DATE:
November 10, 2022

TO: 
Jordan School District Employees

FROM: 
Carolyn Gough, Teaching and Learning Administrator
Norman Emerson, Instructional Support Services Consultant

SUBJECT:  
Liquidation and Distribution of District Instructional Media Materials

As a result of the availability of digital instructional media, the District IMC will discontinue its collection of recorded media materials, consisting mainly of DVDs and VHS cassettes that have been available for checkout. Schools and District employees who are interested in any of these materials may obtain them according to the schedule outlined below (instructions on how to view the collection’s contents may be found here). Since school media collections are managed by teacher-librarians and media assistants, they will be given the first opportunity to select materials on a first come, first served basis. After that, any other District employees who are interested in obtaining the materials for classroom use may do so.

The collection is housed at the Auxiliary Services Building (Entrance D) and items will be available for pickup from 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. according to the schedule below. Upon arrival at the ASB, individuals should check in with Susy Peterson, who will provide assistance in locating the desired items. Those wishing to pick up materials must come with the titles and catalog numbers of the items they want.

The liquidation will take place as follows:

  • December 5-9, 2022 Teacher-librarians and media assistants may select and remove materials for their schools’ media collections.
  • December 12-16, 2022 Teachers and other District employees may select and remove materials for their classroom media collections.

Any IMC materials remaining after December 16, 2022 will be surplused and materials will no longer be available for checkout.

Please contact Norman Emerson at 801-567-8364 if you have any questions.

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Jordan School District is now offering an easy-to-use mobile app called Zonar MyView. The app provides parents and administrators the option to check on the location of a particular school bus. While the best course of action may be for schools to continue contacting dispatch to inquire where the bus is, you now have the ability to look at the Zonar GPS data in order to identify the precise location of the bus.

Schools interested in participating in the new app program need to do the following:

  • Download the Zonar MyView app from the App Store or Google Play
  • Enter the School Access Code (JOR0431)
  • Identify one student on the designated bus the school wants to track (all schools have access to student ridership on each bus at their school), then enter the student's Skyward student ID number
  • Create alert zones around drop-off and pick-up points

That's really all there is to it. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact Deb McKinlay at deborah.mckinlay@jordandistrict.org.

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We want to share exciting new opportunities in Utah for teachers, campus leaders, students, and families and also take time to celebrate the great work that you are doing to provide early college opportunities in your communities. Please forward this information to AP teachers, AP coordinators and education leaders at your school sites ASAP so they can make their dinner reservation prior to November 28, 2022.

Utah AP Educator Dinner (see link)

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Jordan School District Board authorizes up to four (4) full-time employees to be selected for leave.

Sabbatical Leave
Sabbatical leave provides a 1-year leave for professional study. Educators who have completed at least 7 years of continuous service in JSD may apply. Employees on sabbatical leave receive one-half of their salary. Please read Policy DP333 Neg – Sabbatical Leave for complete information. Applications are reviewed by the Local Professional Improvement Committee and approved by the Board.

Educational Leave
Educators who have worked in Jordan School District for at least three (3) consecutive years may apply for an Educational Leave. Educational leaves are for continued study and must include an outline of studies along with the application. Please read Policy DP332 NEG – Educational Leave for complete information. Educational Leave is without pay.

Applications for 2023-2024 Sabbatical and Educational Leaves are due February 1, 2023. Additional questions can be referred to Chris Westra, 801-567-8657.

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DON’T FORGET! OPT OUT OF YOUR DISTRICT PRINTED W-2 by going to Skyward’s Employee Access by Midnight on December 11, 2022

Choose the electronic W-2 by selecting the “I do not need a printed copy”…

Opt out and win one of many prizes! A drawing for the prizes will be held on December 12th. Employees will be contacted. See the flyer below for details.

 

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The first lady is hosting a virtual symposium focused on educator mental health and would love to extend an invitation for school secretaries and staff to attend. Please share this with the teachers and staff at your school.

Dear Friends,

I want to sincerely thank you for the incredible work you do in Utah’s schools. While I am in the unique position of first lady, I want to do all I can to uplift and sustain the educators of our state. We received great feedback from our first ever in-person educator wellness conference last summer and will be hosting an upcoming virtual event to continue the conversation about educator wellbeing.

I am thrilled to invite everyone in your school to The Show Up for Teachers Virtual Symposium on November 12, 2022 from 8:30-11:30 am. Please share this invitation with your school community.

Kim Strobel, an internationally-known speaker and expert on the science of happiness will be our keynote speaker. In addition, we will hear from local education and government leaders and enjoy a live Q&A with a licensed therapist.

Registration is free to ALL educators and school staff. USBE will offer three relicensure credits to qualified attendees. For registration, please go to www.ShowUpUtah.org/wellness.

-Utah First Lady Abby Cox

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Just a reminder that our annual Utah Skyward User Conference is scheduled for next Wednesday, November 16th. The conference will be held in person this year at Alpine School District.

This conference is an opportunity to learn about Skyward directly from the source as most sessions are being presented by Skyward staff. There are some fantastic sessions being offered this year, including Admin Bootcamp, Communication Tools, Discipline, Data Mining for Beginners, Data Mining for Advanced Users, and Skyward Tips & Tricks.

Please see the attached agenda for additional details. We hope to see you there!

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  • Kindergarten Night Out will be held on November 9th at 4:15 in the ASB auditorium. Kindergarten teachers, coaches and administrators are invited to attend.
  • First-Grade Night Out will be held on November 16th at 4:15 in the media center of South Jordan Middle School. First-grade teachers, coaches and administrators are invited to attend. 
  • The last sessions for LETRS training for Unit 4 through USBE for teachers who started LETRS training last year will be held on November 4th, 9th, and 30th. The Midas course number is 60079. Please remind teachers to sign up for a training if they have not done so already. The book work and online work should be completed prior to attending the full-day training. 
  • The training date for LETRS training for new elementary administrators has been changed to November 18th. Administrators involved will receive an email from Sara Henderson. The Overview section of the book work and online work should be completed prior to attending the full-day training. 
  • The IT department will be changing the usernames and passwords for Lexia on November 7th. If there are any questions about this process, please contact Michelle Lovell. 
  • USBE is asking for some feedback from coaches. They are asking all coaches to fill out a brief survey. Please share this link  with your building coaches.    SURVEY LINK    

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For many years, Apple TVs have been an essential part of the instructional environment in Jordan School District, permitting teachers and students to display their digital screens through the classroom projector. One significant limitation of these devices has been their compatibility solely with the Apple platform, leaving Windows and Chrome platforms without options. A new device has recently entered the marketplace that solves this dilemma.

The Vivi company produces devices that permit all three major computer platforms to project through a single device (see attached for more specifics, reference the company website at http://vivi.io/product/, or view informational videos at the Vivi channel in YouTube, such as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjHO-hO1X3U and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTEj0EKy9GI). This is a tremendous advance in classroom technology, particularly for Jordan District, where the majority of student devices are Chrome-based.

Because of the potential value that Vivi units advertised, Information Systems purchased and tested a number of them at multiple locations throughout the district. The results of these tests indicated that the Vivi units live up to performance levels as promoted. For references, reach out to Curtis Jenson (principal) or Matt Gates (tech), at South Jordan Middle, to discuss their school’s experience with Vivi.

Information Systems wants to ensure that all schools are not only aware of this new technology, but also have an opportunity to try it out so that it can be considered when planning future technology purchases. For schools that have interest, Information Systems will provide one Vivi unit for testing among the school’s instructional staff. If there is sufficient interest, the school can retain the single Vivi unit, and then pursue the purchase of additional units on their own.

The cost for a Vivi Pro unit is $499.00. These units are great not only for classroom purposes, but also for digital signage and other advanced features. Vivi also offers a “Lite” version, which could be considered where additional features are not necessary. The cost for these units is $399.00 each. This pricing is valid through October of 2023. While the pricing for these units is clearly higher than Apple TVs, Information Systems believes that the advantage of projecting screens from computers of any platform makes these devices worth serious consideration.

To arrange for delivery of a Vivi unit to you school, please contact Mark Sowa at 801-567-8392 or mark.sowa@jordandistrict.org. We would like to have these units assigned and distributed by the end of November. If we have not heard from you by that point, it will be assumed that you are not interested in Vivi, and the unit previously reserved for your school will be redistributed to a different location. We look forward to your response.