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Published on

DATE: 
September 1, 2021

TO:  
All Administrators

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness Consultant

SUBJECT: 
Please Update Your School’s SafeUT Dashboard Contacts

Administrators,

As staff members change at each of your schools it’s important to keep our SafeUT Dashboard up to date. Please email any updates or changes to who you’d like to have receive SafeUT tips to McKinley Withers, mckinley.withers@jordandistrict.org. If you need a new account added to the Dashboard for a new hire please include their name and title in your email. For any individual that would like text message notifications, include a cell phone number. Thank you!

If your schools has not yet been added to the SafeUT Dashboard, please fill out the attached spreadsheet to have your school added.

Published on

In order to align calendars at all levels and provide clarity and consistency for families and employees, elementary schools will be adjusting from a trimester to a quarter calendar. Parent teacher conferences will continue to be held twice a year at approximately the end of first and third quarters. An updated 2021-22 calendar is available on the Planning & Enrollment Calendars page.

In the past, report cards have been shared with parents/guardians at parent teacher conferences and at the end of the year as a final representation of a students’ grade for a class. This process will be slightly different this year because of the change from trimester to quarters. As the calendar indicates, parent teacher conferences do not directly align with the end of the quarter. With these changes, teachers will use the progress report to document and provide feedback about what each student is learning and the progress the student is making at the time of the parent teacher conference. Finalized progress reports will be made available to parents through Skyward at the conclusion of each quarter.

Reporting periods.

Progress reports have not changed from last year. We want to acknowledge the standards-based grading work that you have been doing with your teachers. We know your efforts to intentionally identify power standards and create explicit proficiency scales will help students learn and reach their highest potential. We will continue standards-based work throughout the year and hope to let the process prepare us for the implementation of new standards-based report cards in the coming year.

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In an effort to help everyone be aware of everything they need to know about LETRS, we have added a page on the Teaching & Learning home page that is dedicated to keeping you up-to-date on all things LETRS. If there are things you’d appreciate being added to the page, please reach out to Ronna Hoffman at 88242 or ronna.hoffman@jordandistrict.org. This page is intended to be a helpful resource to you and your teachers. Check it out!! Tell your teachers about it!!

Published on

DATE: 
August 12, 2021

TO:  
All Elementary Principals

FROM:  
Administrators of Schools
Shelley Nordick, PhD, Administrator, Curriculum/Staff Development
Norman Emerson, Instructional Support Services/Fine Arts Consultant

SUBJECT: 
Utah Symphony Performance at Abravanel Hall for 5th Grade Students

Once again. we are pleased to announce Utah Symphony concerts for your 5th grade students at Abravanel Hall. The performance dates for 5th grade at Abravanel Hall are February 8 and 9, 2022 at 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. Your school’s date and time will soon be provided on a separate schedule. Please note that there are no assigned seats. Schools will be seated upon arrival.

Study materials for use in preparing your students will be provided by the Utah Symphony in the weeks prior to the performance.

Your secretary will need to complete a transportation request on Skyward (your school's date and time shown on spreadsheet). The number of teachers should be included in your school’s final count. When entering your busing request, please include the correct group name (e.g. Daybreak, 115 Curr). This will ensure that the Curriculum Department will cover the busing fee.

Transportation requests should be completed as soon as possible. Due to the number of buses that need to be used for the Symphony concerts, there will be a moratorium on any other transportation requests for these dates.

Published on

DATE:       
August 20, 2021

TO: 
Elementary Principals

FROM:  
Shelley Nordick, PhD, Administrator, Teaching and Learning
Norman Emerson, Instructional Support Services/Fine Arts Consultant

SUBJECT: 
JSD-Arts Representatives for 2021-22

This year we will continue to have two District Arts Representatives (DARTS) represent your school throughout the 2021-22 school year. We have appreciated the work of past DARTS representatives and how they have helped strengthen arts instruction in your schools. Meaningful progress toward a greater level of arts integration has been made, and we wish this to continue.

DARTS meetings will be held on the following dates: September 15, October 27, December 1, January 26, February 16, March 16, and April 27. The meetings will be held at the Auxiliary Services Building Auditorium from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Please assign two teachers to serve as your school’s DARTS representatives by either selecting a grade-level team, or two teachers from different grade levels. The DARTS representatives will meet once a month for two hours to learn and collaborate.  Teachers will be paid at the inservice rate and will earn relicensure points (Note: In addition to the two regular classroom teachers, your school's BTS arts educator will also be attending the DARTS sessions).

Please email the names of your choices for the JSD DARTS Team for the 2021-22 school year to linda.gold@jordandistrict.org as soon as possible.

Published on

DATE:       
August 12, 2021

TO:  
All Elementary Principals

FROM:   
Administrators of Schools
Shelley Nordick, Phd, Administrator, Teaching and Learning Department
Norman Emerson, Instructional Support Services/Fine Arts Consultant

SUBJECT:   
Utah Symphony Performance at Herriman High for 4th Grade Students

Once again, we are pleased to announce Utah Symphony concerts for your 4th grade students at Herriman High. The performance dates for 4th grade at Herriman High are November 22 and 23 at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Your school’s date and time will be provided on a separate schedule in the near future. Please note that there are no assigned seats. Schools will be seated upon arrival.

Study materials for use in preparing your students will be provided by the Utah Symphony in the weeks prior to the performance.

Your secretary will need to complete a transportation request on Skyward (your school's date and time shown on spreadsheet). The number of teachers should be included in your school’s final count. When entering your busing request, please include the correct group name (e.g. Daybreak, 115 Curr). This will ensure that the Curriculum Department will cover the busing fee.

Transportation requests should be completed as soon as possible. Due to the number of buses that need to be used for the Symphony concerts, there will be a moratorium on any other transportation requests for these dates.

Published on

DATE: 
August 26, 2021

TO: 
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT:   
Youth Services Early Intervention Program

The Utah Department of Human Services Youth Services Model is an early intervention program targeting youth who are struggling in school (grades, attendance, behavior), at home and/or otherwise at risk for getting involved in the Court system. The program supports families by helping them gain access to services in the community that they may otherwise be unaware of or unable to afford.

The services can include psych evaluations, individual therapy, Functional Family Therapy, Families First in-home intervention services, and referrals to other wrap around services. The Department has the funding to provide these services due to recent justice reform efforts.

There is an online referral process that makes it simple for youth ages 10-18, primarily in need of services due to the child’s behavior to get the support they need. Someone from Youth Services will respond to the referral within 48 business hours of submission. To refer a youth, visit: https://jjs.utah.gov/referral.

A program flyer accompanies this memo.

Published on

DATE:   
August 25, 2021

TO: 
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT:
AS90-Illegal Substances

On Tuesday August 24, 2021 the Board approved changes to District Policy AS90-Illegal Substances (formerly AS90-Drugs and Alcohol). There were several changes and it is encouraged that you familiarize yourself with the new policy (attached).

The “Consequences Chart” and the “I Form – Illegal Substances Violation” form have been updated on the Student Support website (https://studentsupport.jordandistrict.org/drugs-alcohol-forms/) to reflect the policy changes. A Spanish version will be uploaded soon.

Several trainings will occur over the next month regarding the changes within the policy.

Please address any questions you may have to Sharon Jensen in Student Support at sharon.jensen@jordandistrict.org or 801.567.8236.

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LETRS FAQs

When will the textbooks arrive?
Textbooks are here and will be delivered to schools beginning Friday, August 27!! Hooray!!! Any not delivered on Friday, will be delivered next week.

What do I need to know about the shipment?
Your school’s shipment will arrive in 2-5 different boxes. It should include: teacher textbooks for Units 1-4, Teacher textbooks for Units 5-8, Administrator textbooks (A PRINCIPAL’S PRIMER FOR RAISING READING ACHIEVEMENT), and a school list of teachers.

  1. Please make sure each teacher has a textbook for Units 1-4 and for Units 5-8.
  2. The green administrator textbooks are for you (principal), your assistant principal, and the school psychologist. Every school was given at least 2 books—one for the principal and one for the school psychologist. If your school doesn’t have one for your assistant principal or intern, it was probably delivered to their other school.
  3. Please sign the enclosed list of teachers once all have been given out and send it to Ronna Hoffman in Teaching & Learning. You are welcome to track this by having teachers sign when they receive the books as well.

What if I have teachers who do not have a username and password?
Please let Ronna know!! Chances are, if they are on your school list, their username and password are in the process of being created. However, we would hate to have someone slip through the cracks. As you hire new teachers (those of you who are still trying to fill positions), please let Ronna know asap so we can get them set up as quickly as possible.

What if I have teachers who are not on the list, but should be?
Please let Ronna know!! Some orders were already being packed when we received your updated lists. We tried to make the changes, but there were a few schools that we missed updating the list before it was packed with the books. 

What if I have teachers who are on the list, but should not be?
Please let Ronna know!! We will update that information. If you have extra textbooks, Ronna will happily pick them up from you (see next FAQ). 

What if I have extra textbooks?
Please let Ronna know!! She will happily pick them up from you and will most likely have a chocolatey treat in exchange.

What if I need more textbooks?
Please let Ronna know!! If other schools have extras, we’ll get you what you need from the extras. Otherwise, we’ll order more through USBE. We automatically order textbooks when we request a username and password for someone. 

Will there be compensation for completing LETRS training?
Teachers, coaches, and school psychs will be paid $400 per completed unit. This includes completing the online  modules and attending the course. There is an extra $100 incentive for all of the above who complete Unit 1 by the end of October.

Most of the in-person session dates for Unit 1 are contract days. Subs will be provided. Teachers can use the “LETRS Training” option when putting in for a sub. The budget code will be coming soon!! If a teacher chooses to attend the in-person session on a non-contract day, they will be compensated for that rather than having a sub. Please have them fill out a time sheet.

**Please note that Grade Transmittal Days are contract days. Teachers are welcome to choose to attend a session on that day, but will not receive compensation. 

Do DLI target-language teachers participate in LETRS?
No. Only the English side teachers of DLI participate.

Do EXCEL/Cluster/SCSC teachers participate in LETRS?
No. If there is an unusual situation and you would like your SCSC teacher(s) to participate, please contact Ronna Hoffman or Shelley Nordick.

Can teachers complete the in-person (via zoom) session from home?
Teachers will need a sub for the in-person sessions, but since they are now via zoom, they are welcome to participate from home. If teams want to participate together, they are welcome to do that as well.

Do teams have to work on each unit together?
No. Though it may be helpful, it’s not required to complete the units as a team.

Is there a timeline to complete the units?
Yes, but there is some flexibility. Unit 1 MUST be started by February 2022!! Otherwise, everyone can take this on his/her own timetable as long as all eight units are completed by the end of the 2022-23 school year.

What do my teachers need to know about registering for the in-person session in MIDAS?
There are only 40 seats per session that we share with many other districts. If a session is full, teachers will have to find another date that works for them.

Please make sure your teachers understand that they should NOT register for a course in MIDAS until they have their username and login AND can complete the entire unit BEFORE the in-person session. Doing so will take seats away from other teachers. If teachers need to un-schedule a session, the MIDAS helpline number is 801-538-7807.

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Did you know that the Safety Patrol program began in the U.S in 1920? AAA Exchange formed this organization over 100 years ago to give students an opportunity to serve their fellow classmates by helping to provide increased campus safety as they go to and from school. AAA provides lots of free resources to schools, such as guide books, videos and supplies to help your school build and maintain a successful Safety Patrol program.

A Safety Patrol Program requires school staff oversight and support. Safety Patrollers can only help with safety on campus. They should never be allowed to stop vehicles and cross students on campus without constant staff supervision and direction. Off campus safety is the responsibility of the city, police and crossing guards.

It is recommended that AAA Exchange be utilized to register and organize a program at your school. Website link:  AAA Safety Patrol Website

For traffic cones, handheld stop signs, or related campus signs and paint, please contact Risk Management Coordinator Jeff Beesley at 801-567-8876, Jeffrey.beesley@jordandistrict.org, or Emergency Operations Manager Lance Everill at 801-567-8623, lance.everill@jordandistrict.org

Published on

DATE: 
August 25, 2021

TO: 
All administrators

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness Consultant

SUBJECT:   
Last Chance! Educator Wellness Representative Opportunity

During the 2020-21 school year, Health and Wellness began a new initiative that allowed schools to select an “Educator Wellness Representative.” Almost all of our District’s schools selected a representative. This group of wellness reps met monthly throughout the school year and collaborated with PEHP, Blomquist Hale, and others to offer opportunities to enhance individual wellness for employees. Wellness reps led efforts across the District that were tailored to their school and several schools secured additional grant funds through this initiative to support their fellow educators.

For the 2021-22 school year we will be able to offer this again!

The purpose of the Educator Wellness Representative initiative is to increase educator wellness by enhancing wellness education and mental health awareness among the school’s adult staff. As part of the initiative, each school may nominate one or two adult staff members (non-administrative) per school as “Educator Wellness Representatives.” Review the information below if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity:

-Each school will receive up to $500 in stipends paid directly to their wellness reps (each wellness representative will receive $250).

-Your wellness representatives do not need to have a background in mental health, it’s best to choose someone who is excited about adult wellness and would take initiative at your school.

-Each school that selects wellness representatives will have access to a set of wellness supplies that could be used to support your teacher wellness initiative. Your school's representative will work with your school and the health and wellness team to identify and use supplies according to school needs.

-Representatives will attend monthly meetings/trainings beginning with a virtual kick-off on September 8th from 4:00-4:30. Wellness reps can split meetings/trainings as their schedule requires if there are two per school.

-It will be expected that your school's wellness representatives will work with your school's administration to set goals and be a resource in communicating essential wellness information and supporting wellness initiatives with your school's staff.

We are excited to use this group to disseminate great information and provide tools and strategies to help your school staff maintain wellness throughout the school year.

To select your wellness representative(s), please fill out this short Google Form by September 3rd. If you have questions, please contact McKinley Withers, 801-567-8245.

Published on

DATE:   
August 25, 2021

TO:   
Principals
Assistant Principals

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services

SUBJECT:  
Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG)

The required Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guideline (CSTAG) training conducted in July consists of two “levels”. Level 1 is a 7-8 hour training conducted online and Level 2 is an in-person training. A Level 2 training was conducted in July and other dates and times will be provided in coming weeks. In order to complete the CSTAG training you must complete both Level 1 and Level 2.

Each school should have already received the manual “Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines: Intervention and Support to Prevent Violence” (1 per school). This manual provides resources to assist you as incidents occur. If your school has not received the manual, please contact Student Services at 801.567.8259. Additional manuals may be purchased for $45 each.

Threat assessments are conducted when there is some reason to be concerned about the behavior. It is not feasible nor necessary to conduct an assessment for insignificant behavior such as playful bantering or joking. However, for behavior that is concerning, the CSTAG manual contains forms to assist you in conducting a threat assessment.

For your convenience, the Threat Assessment Forms from the manual are included with this memo. They are fillable for your convenience. Please note that these forms may also be found online at https://www.schoolta.com/manual. The CSTAG Forms and other resources/documents will also be posted on the Student Support website.

Should you want other staff members in your school to receive the CSTAG training, such as campus monitors, SRO’s, or others, please send an email with their firstname,lastname and district email address to Travis @ travis.hamblin@jordandistrict.org. The cost of the training is $85 per person.

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The following are anticipated payment dates for literacy stipends.

  • Literacy Launch 2-day training stipend ($300.00 for each day attended): August 25, 2021
  • Really Great Reading training for grades K-3 ($300.00): September 25, 2021
    • *We will pay the stipend after units 1 and 2 are completed. Teachers will need to continue to complete all training modules as they become available throughout the year.
  • Additional bonus stipend for implementation of new curriculum in grades K-6 for all teachers responsible for tier 1 instruction ($300.00): October 25, 2021
    • *Principals will receive a form to fill out from Sara Henderson indicating which teachers in their building have started the implementation of Literacy Launch curriculum for their grade level.

Additional information about stipends for LETRS training will be coming soon.

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All kindergarten teachers are invited to join us for a kindergarten night out on September 8th at 4:15 in the auditorium at the ASB. This month we will be talking about strategies to use for our students who need extensions in literacy. This is a great time to collaborate with other kindergarten teachers in the district and also get some free materials. Teachers can sign up on JPLS. We hope to see everyone there!

Published on

DATE:    
August 19, 2021

TO:  
Principals

FROM:
Steve Peart, Director of Custodial/Energy Services
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services

SUBJECT: 
Custodian of the Month 2021-22

The Custodial Department is sponsoring the “Custodian of the Month” award. We want to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our custodians. We are asking that you or a member of your staff write a letter explaining why your custodian deserves this award and why they are a valuable member of your staff. (See Employee of the Month Nomination Form)

Please keep this nomination confidential. We want this to be based on merit; not campaigning for the award by the custodian. Assistants may also be nominated if you feel you have an assistant who deserves this award.

The custodian who is chosen for this month will receive a certificate of recognition from the Custodial Department and Advisory Committee. We would like this award to be presented in a faculty meeting. We hope to be able to recognize the good work that is being done by our excellent custodians.

Nominations are due to the Custodial Director, Steve Peart, by the 25th of every month. If you have any questions, you may contact Steve Peart, Alicea Fratto, or Sally Forman at 801-567-8740.

Thank you for your support and helping us acknowledge the superior custodians who work for Jordan School District.

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For the 2021-2022 academic year, adjustments have been made to the interview requirements for the UETS-based JPAS educator full evaluation. The interview will consist of a review of stakeholder input and student growth performance.  All other interview evidence is waived.

Teachers will be required to upload their evidence for the student growth and stakeholder input directly into the Perform system under the evidence tab.

  • Stakeholder input could include
    • Prior year’s climate survey
    • Current year emails and descriptive phone logs
  • Student Growth Performance Form (Attached)
    • Utah State Core Standard
    • Pre- and post-assessment
    • Growth target and data to support evidence of student growth

Special educators will also be required to complete a file review and provide three IEP checklists as part of their full evaluation.

Specialized subgroups (teacher specialists, counselors, social workers, media, etc.) will be completed on Perform with all required evidence uploaded into the system.  School psychologists will gather required evidence to be reviewed with the evaluator.

Interim Evaluations
All educators on an interim will be required to upload the Student Growth Performance Form and stakeholder input directly into Perform under the evidence tab.