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Author: npage

Published on

DATE:     
June 22, 2021

TO:  
All School Administrators

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

SUBJECT: 
Behavior Survival Training for Administrators – MAKE UP SESSION

As you are aware, a required training was scheduled for all administrators that provided, within a restorative MTSS framework, background information pertaining to why problematic behaviors occur, basic information about behavioral resources that are available, an understanding of basic behavioral concepts, and strategies for effectively dealing with crisis behaviors.

Positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS) are a cornerstone of any restorative MTSS culture. This training will provide the background and understanding to adequately and appropriately manage behavior issues in a supportive environment.

A make-up session has been scheduled for all who were unable to attend one of the June training sessions.

The make-up session will be:

Date:                     Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Time:                    8am-12pm
Location:             Jordan School District Offices, Room 129
                              7387 S Campus View Drive

Please reach out to Travis (travis.hamblin@jordandistrict.org or 801.567.8439) with any questions.

Published on

DATE:    
June 17, 2021

TO:   
All School Administrators

FROM: 
Anthony Godfrey Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
Administrators of Schools
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Planning & Student Services

SUBJECT: 
Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) Training

CSTAG training provides a critical foundation for successful threat assessment responses to ensure a climate of safety, respect, and support for students and staff. Through a restorative/social-emotional foundation this training will provide the processes and tools to help keep our schools safe. CSTAG training is conducted in two (2) levels – Level 1 & Level 2.

CSTAG Level 1 training is provided online and is highly interactive. Level 1 training will take about eight (8) hours to complete and is designed to be completed in sections or segments of time and remembers where you left off at any given point. The training may be completed in one sitting as well.

  • Student Services will enroll every school level administrator that did not completed the CSTAG Level 1 training this last winter (2020-2021 school year).
  • You will receive a username/password from NAVIGATE360 via your district email account after you are enrolled (in the next week or so). You must have the email invitation in order to begin the training. If you do not receive an email from NAVIGATE360 in the next five (5) to eight (8) school days please let Travis know @ hamblin@jordandistrict.org.
  • Every school will receive a CSTAG Level 1 manual later this fall.
  • Principals may include other staff members (counselors, team leads, specialists, etc.). Any additional Level 1 trainings (beyond the administrator(s)) must be paid by the school ($85 each). (Contact Travis in Student Services)
  • All school level administrators will need to complete the Level 1 training prior to the Annual Administrators Conference August 4, 2021.

CSTAG Level 2 training is an in-person training. Multiple opportunities will be provided for you to attend. Dates and times for the Level 2 training will be communicated in the next couple of weeks.

Should you have any questions please contact Travis in Student Services (801.567.8439) or travis.hamblin@jordandistrict.org.

Published on

Schools need to update budget codes for personnel who will be covered through ESSER II funds. Please complete a New Hire/Change Form and code ESSER II Budget #7215 for the following:

  • High Schools 1.0 FTE for a tracker
  • Middle Schools 0.25 FTE for a tracker
  • Elementary Schools 25-hour assistant to support intervention

All CARES (COVID) budgets are closed. If any personnel remain coded to a CARES (COVID) budget, other than ESSER II, an existing school budget will be charged.

Please record the individual name(s) in your school ESSER II Worksheet in Google drive.

Published on

The 12-Week Virtual Camp Adventure

Capstone Reading has created the “Virtual Camp Adventure,” in which students may stay connected to reading, writing, and creative experiences throughout the summer. Enrollment is free, and further information is available at https://vanmeterlibraryvoice.blogspot.com/2020/05/its-time-for-12-week-virtual-camp.html.

Published on

Reminder: The next Assistant Principal meeting will be held on June 22, 2021. The meeting will be held in-person at the JATC-S. No virtual option will be provided. A beverage service will be provided beginning at 7:30 a.m. The meeting will begin at 8:00 a.m. Lunch will be provided. If you have any questions please contact Nadine Page (nadine.page@jordandistrict.org) or 801.567.8182 (x88182). Thank you!

Published on

Starting Fall 2021, Utah’s K-3 educators in 69 Districts and/or charter schools will be engaging in LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) professional learning to advance their knowledge and skills in the science of reading.

In light of Utah’s early reading data over the last several years, Utah State Board of Education has prioritized literacy instruction for K-3 students and has selected LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) professional learning to support teachers in advancing their knowledge about the science of reading. Based on middle of year Acadience Reading growth data from the 2020-2021 school year, 69 school districts and charters were chosen to participate in this training. Jordan District was among the 69 school districts. As part of this initiative, all K-3 classroom and special education teachers and instructional coaches serving grades K-3 in the area of literacy are asked to participate in this particular professional learning. School administrators and school psychologists will participate in a leaders training.

The professional learning sessions will be held in regional locations across the state. Actual locations and dates will be determined in coordination with each school district. Sessions will likely occur between August 2021 through September 2023. Because of the implementation of Really Great Reading and Walk to Read, we have requested to start LETRS trainings as late as possible.  We are currently waiting for approval from USBE.

LETRS training consists of 8 units. Each unit includes online coursework, classroom application with students, and an in-person session. LETRS training will closely align with the training teachers will receive this summer and the work that will be taking place at your schools. An informational handout is attached.

We are sending out a brief introductory message to K-3 teachers regarding LETRS training. We understand we don’t have full information, but we would like teachers to know a little about LETRS before the Literacy Launch training that begins next week. Please feel free to reach out to Shelley Nordick with questions or concerns.

Published on

DATE:  
June 2, 2021

TO:   
Secondary School Principals

FROM:   
Teaching and Learning Coaching Team
Chris Richards-Khong, Amy Kinder, Jared Covili, Pam Su’a, Rebecca Lee, Beth Lewis

SUBJECT:
2021-2022 Secondary Coaching Professional Development and PLC Proposal

The secondary level principals and coaches were surveyed during the month of May regarding logistical preferences for the delivery of the JSD Instructional Coach Institute (ICI) and the Coaching Professional Learning Communities (PLC).

After reviewing responses to the survey, the Teaching and Learning Coaching Team constructed draft models to reflect survey participants’ preferences. The team also consulted the JSD School Board decisions surrounding the future Friday schedule.

Attached to this memorandum are the proposed draft session options. Please review these session options with the coaches who are staffed for the 2021-22 school year as soon as possible. Your considerations and feedback are important in guiding the final model which will be made available to secondary coaches.

A meeting will be hosted for those administrators interested in a dialogue and final drafting of the model. Please contact Chris Westra if you are interested in participating in this meeting so that you may be included on the doodle poll for time and place. The following individuals have been previously noted as interested participants: Dixie Garrison, Michael Glenn, Bryan Leggat, Nicole Johnson, Eric Price. All are welcome. Those principals who are not attending the meeting should submit comments, questions, suggestions, and option preferences to Chris Westra by June 11, 2021 and they will be included in the considerations.

Contact for Chris Westra
Email: christine.westra@jordandistrict.org
Phone: 801-567-8657

CRK:cw

CC:
Brad Sorensen
Cody Curtis
Shelley Nordick

Click HERE for the proposed draft session options or see the attachment below.

 

Published on

The training links for teachers who are new to Really Great Reading have been sent to each teacher’s district email. Please be aware that the links come from messages@matrixlms.com. Since this is an unusual email address, teachers sometimes delete the email. If this happens, please contact Cindy Stevenson and she can have the links resent. This training can be done anytime this summer and the links will stay active for one year. Teachers will receive a $300.00 stipend for completing this training. It is not necessary to contact anyone when teachers have completed the training. The company supplies the district with a report of who has completed the training. If teachers have completed the training earlier this year, it is not necessary for them to do the training again.

Published on

Please share this information with teachers:

This is your last chance to request reimbursement for eligible STEM courses taken between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021. If you want to see a complete list of courses that qualify, or have questions about this program,  please look over the Frequently Asked Questions Document.

In order to qualify for the reimbursement, you must complete the Google Form and include all requested attachments. Read the Google Form carefully to make sure you provide the necessary documentation. Please submit your completed Google Form by June 7 @ 5:00 PM. Link to STEM EIP Google Form

Published on

DATE: 
Thursday, June 3, 2021

TO:  
School Administrators
School Administrative Assistants

FROM:   
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT: 
2021 WIDA Access Hard Copy Individual Student Reports

Hard copies of the 2021 WIDA Access individual student reports were delivered to schools last week. These ISRs as well as a copy of the “Annual Parent Notification Letter” and “Understanding Your Child’s Scores” need to be mailed home to parents as soon as possible. A copy of the ISRs was also included for each school EL lead.

The WIDA Consortium will release student reports and frequency reports on Wednesday, June 9th. These reports will be delivered to schools within a few days afterwards. Principals may review the frequency reports as needed. A copy of the student report should be placed in each student’s CUM folder.

Please see the attached WIDA Test Results Checklist for more detailed instructions.

Please contact JoLynn Snelgrove in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with any questions.

Published on

DATE: 
Thursday, June 3, 2021

TO: 
School Administrators
School Administrative Assistants

FROM:  
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT: 
RISE Individual Student Reports in Skyward

Summative RISE Individual Student Reports (ISRs) are being uploaded into Skyward Family Access student portfolios by the Information Systems Department. Reports for tests completed prior to May 24 are already uploaded. Score reports will continue to be uploaded as RISE testing closes out. The last reports for year-round students will be uploaded the week of June 14. Test scores will be uploaded to the test scores modules in Skyward after the testing window is completed in June.

Included with this memo are step-by-step instructions for parents on how to access these ISRs. Principals are encouraged to disseminate this information to parents via Skylert or by any other means deemed appropriate. Principals may also consider keeping copies of the step-by-step instructions in the main office to distribute to parents as needed.

Please contact Ben Jameson or Brooke Anderson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with any questions about the RISE ISRs.

Published on

The following are new administrative assignments:

New Assignments effective July 1, 2021:

  • Michael Haynes, JEF Board Member appointed director of the Jordan Education Foundation, replacing Steve Hall who is retiring.
  • Amanda Bollinger, consultant in Special Education appointed staff assistant in the Special Education Department.
  • Kaye Rizzuto, Social Studies teacher at Elk Ridge Middle appointed consultant in the Teaching & Learning Department, replacing Pam Su’a who is retiring.
  • Tamara Rajczyk, teacher specialist in Special Education appointed consultant in the Special Education Department, replacing Shelly Davis who is retiring.
  • Audrey Fish, assistant principal at Fort Herriman Middle appointed principal at Sunset Ridge Middle, replacing Kim Searle who is retiring.
  • Lisa Jackson, principal at Southland Elementary appointed assistant principal at Fort Herriman Middle, replacing Audrey Fish who was transferred.
  • Garett York, assistant principal at Westvale Elementary appointed principal at Southland Elementary, replacing Lisa Jackson who was transferred.
  • Tyler (TJ) Davenport, elementary teacher at Plymouth Elementary in the Granite School District, who was offered open contract in February 2021, appointed assistant principal at Westvale Elementary, replacing Garett York who was transferred.
  • Frank Preston, assistant principal at Herriman and Butterfield Canyon Elementary appointed assistant principal at Herriman and Daybreak Elementary.
  • Jennifer Smith, assistant principal at Foothills Elementary appointed assistant principal at Copper Canyon and Welby Elementary.
  • Michelle Kilcrease, assistant principal at Blackridge Elementary appointed assistant principal at Blackridge and Foothills Elementary.
  • Angela Hamilton, assistant principal at Bastian Elementary appointed assistant principal at Bastian and Butterfield Canyon Elementary.
  • Allyson Stovall, assistant principal at Southland and Welby Elementary appointed part-time assistant principal at Southland Elementary.
  • Kami Taylor, teacher specialist in Teaching & Learning appointed consultant for STEM and Computer Science in the Teaching & Learning Department.
  • Todd Theobald, assistant principal at Daybreak Elementary, part-time, appointed part-time administrator on special assignment in the Teaching & Learning Department.

Published on

DATE:  
May 26, 2021

TO:  
All Principals and Administrative Assistants

FROM:
June LeMaster, Administrator of Human Resources
Administrators of Schools

SUBJECT: 
Summer Hours for School Personnel

Please review the schedule of Summer Hours for School Personnel below, with all designated summer school personnel at your location. Extended school office/business hours are acceptable; however, other adjusted schedules are NOT acceptable because they limit public access to school personnel.

Published on

DATE:
May 24, 2021

TO: 
Middle and High School Principals and Administrative Assistants

FROM:  
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Dan Ellis, Director of Accounting, Budgets, and Audits
Jason Mott, Accountant/Internal Auditor

SUBJECT: 
Fee Waivers

In previous years, the accounting department sent a memorandum to each secondary school in May reporting an amount due to the district equal to the textbook portion of your registration fees collected reduced by student fees waived. Because school checkbooks were moved to the district this year and all school accounting is now recorded in Skyward Finance, the accounting department will no longer be sending that memorandum and will record these transfers for you.

The accounting department has already moved the textbook portion of registration revenue from the activity account (program 2160) to a District level account. This amount was determined by multiplying the textbook fee by the October 1 enrollment count.

In order to account for fee waivers correctly and report to the State in a timely manner, we ask that all fee waiver payments be applied in Skyward no later than Tuesday June 8, 2021. After you have finalized all fee waivers, we will clear out account 21 L xxx 0000 9513 888, where fee waiver payments have aggregated throughout the year and move them to a district expense account.

Thank you.

Published on

In an effort to keep you informed about changes in current technology support, Information Systems is announcing the following:

  • Information Systems is now able to support the new Apple operating system, OS 11, also called Big Sur, for devices that are capable of running it. Upgrading to this new operating system will need to be a technician assisted process. To determine if your computer is capable of accepting this upgrade, and to begin the process where applicable, please contact your building computer technician.
  • The newest generation of Apple computers using the M1 chip are now supported. Please see your building computer technician for further assistance with getting these devices deployed.
  • Information Systems is changing the district's antivirus from Sophos to Trend Micro. If you have any questions about this change, please consult your building computer technician.

Published on

DATE:  
Thursday, May 27, 2021

TO: 
Elementary Administrators

FROM: 
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
Amy Kinder, Math Consultant

SUBJECT:  
State-Mandated Early Numeracy Assessment: Acadience Math

In the 2020 Legislative session, the Legislature passed a law (53E-4-307.5) requiring the administration of an early numeracy assessment.  Due to the pandemic, this requirement was suspended for the 2020-21 school year, but the assessment will be administered beginning with the 2021-22 school year.

Please see complete memo below.

Published on

DATE:  
Thursday, May 27, 2021

TO:
All School Administrators

FROM:  
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT:  
2021 USBE School Climate Survey Reports and Data Analysis Protocol

The window for the 2021 USBE School Climate Survey closed on May 7th.  Tableau dashboards have been prepared for school administrators to view survey results for their school as well as the district.

There are four categories of dashboards:

  • Adult School Climate Survey – These dashboards contain survey results for adult respondents, including school administrators, licensed educators, education support professionals and parents.
  • Student Climate Survey:
    • Grades K-2
    • Grades 3-5
    • Grades 6-12

The district report may be found here.

School reports may be found here.

The USBE School Climate Survey dashboards may also be found by going to the Explore menu in your Tableau Viewer account:

Explore > Surveys > USBE School Climate Survey > District Report

Explore > Surveys > USBE School Climate Survey > School Reports

Dashboards containing survey results also have filters that may be used to dig deeper into the survey data: Gender, race/ethnicity and respondent type.  The filters are determined from survey responses.

As a reminder, the USBE School Climate Survey was administered instead of the district’s annual Stakeholder Survey for this year only.  Thus, survey respondents did not have an opportunity to respond to question items regarding individual educators.  No individual educator score reports were generated nor is there a need to distribute them to educators as we have done in the past.  The district’s Stakeholder Survey will return in the 2021-22 school year.

A school climate survey data analysis protocol is also included with this memo.  It is recommended that school administrative teams take some time over the summer break to go through the data analysis protocol together.  It is also suggested that the protocol be used with JELL teams and/or other pertinent leadership teams in the school that deal with school climate issues.  If having a group of teachers work with the Tableau dashboards is something principals are interested in, temporary access to the climate survey results may be granted through Tableau.  Please contact Ben Jameson for more information.

Please contact Ben Jameson with any questions about the dashboards or the survey.