Skip to content

Author: npage

Published on

Dear Educators,

We would like to share a new professional learning opportunity with you called Utah Microcredentials. This resource is supported and funded by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and is available to all educators in Utah’s public education system, including teachers, instructional coaches, paraprofessionals, counselors, related service providers, administrators, and other educators.

Microcredentials acknowledge all the different types of professional learning that educators do, both formal, traditional courses and independent, self-directed learning. Realizing that educators are continually honing their craft, Utah Microcredentials provides a way to recognize that learning. Microcredentials represent instructional skills and concepts. A microcredential is competency-based recognition that the holder has demonstrated effective and consistent use of the target skill or concept as a part of their practice. Microcredentials are not earned through seat time, assignments, or tests. They are earned by submitting the required evidence for a specific microcredential on the target skill or concept.

Each Utah Microcredential is worth a 0.5 USBE credit, which may be used for relicensing and for salary changes in certain districts/charters. The cost for each is $20. Earning microcredentials is also a way to demonstrate leadership. Posting earned microcredentials on your webpage, social media, and even outside your door is an invitation to share your skills with others. For more information, you can use these resources:

  • A narrated video that provides an overview of microcredentials,
  • The UEN website for Utah’s Microcredentials,
  • A one-pager of the most frequently asked questions about microcredentials.

You can start earning Utah Microcredentials on MIDAS. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to supporting learning for our Utah students.

Published on

DATE:   
April 30, 2021

TO: 
High School Principals
Assistant Principals Responsible for Driver Education

FROM:   
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools

SUBJECT:   
Reduction of .125 FTE Preparation Period for Driver Education

Beginning the 2022-23 school year, the previously allocated .125 FTE for a Driver Education preparation period will no longer be allocated. It has been funded through the Driver Education budget which has its own budgeting system that should sustain its program costs and has not been able to do so for the last several years.  The overall budget balance continues to decrease at a rapid rate.

Schools will be able to choose if they would like to continue to make additional preparation time available for their Driver Education program. If it is decided at the school level to do so, the funding will need to be through the school’s regular allocated funding sources. As a reminder, the district does provide the high school sixteen $500 department chair stipends that can be used for your Driver Education chairperson.

Because we value the opportunity for students to participate in this program during their regular school day schedule as well as doing everything we can to maintain our current pay schedule for the employees involved in the program, it was determined that discontinuing the .125 would be the best way to move forward and balance our budget while continuing to monitor the following factors:

  • Continued efforts to supplement the instructional class periods during the school day where students are taught Driver Education outside of our budget
  • Maintaining the current pay structure (80% of lane salary up to $36.50 per hour) for all driver education instructors helping with behind-the-wheel instruction
  • Continue funding our full-time mechanic that helps maintain our vehicle fleet
  • Maintaining the current fee schedule ($140/$160) for students who participate
  • Continue to monitor expenditures versus revenues
  • Vehicles/Repairs/Supplies/Conference registrations/GPS Software/Gas/etc.

Published on

Davis School District is hosting their Intermountain AP Summer Institute in an online format. This could be an option to offer your faculty quality professional development approved by the College Board at a significant cost savings compared to the typical on-site offerings.

Please see the following information for the Intermountain AP Summer Institute This local institute for 4 days of instruction from some of the best College Board consultants.  The institute will be held online from Tuesday, July 6 to Friday, July 9 and the cost is only $500.  Two hours of graduate credit is available for only $30.

There are also additional institutes available Please see the following link for more details on institutes https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/professional-development/workshops-summer-institutes/about-summer-institutes

Published on

DATE:   
May 6, 2021

TO:  
Building Administrators

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Scott Festin, Consultant, Planning & Enrollment
Caleb Olson, Consultant, Planning & Enrollment

SUBJECT:    
Reporting Hiring on the Enrollment Dashboard

In previous school years, building administrators submitted an “FTE Staffing Worksheet” form to Planning & Enrollment to report their hiring using 0050/FTE allocations. This form has been discontinued.

All administrators must report their hiring using 0050/FTE allocations on their Enrollment Dashboard. This report must be completed with current hiring by Friday, May 7, 2021. If changes in hiring or funding sources for staff are made, these changes should immediately be noted on the Enrollment Dashboard.

When entering hiring numbers, be sure to use the “2021-22” tab to enter all totals!

Elementary Schools: Enter hiring in rows 42-52. Use the correct columns (columns I through M) for the funding source used.

Middle Schools: Enter hiring using 0050 in rows 44-55. Enter hiring using alternative funding sources in rows 61-72. Please note that some rows require you to enter the number of individuals and some rows require you to enter the number of periods.

High Schools: Enter hiring using 0050 in rows 44-61. Enter hiring using alternative funding sources in rows 67-81. Please note that some rows require you to enter the number of individuals and some rows require you to enter the number of periods.

Again, building administrators should have their school’s hiring updated on the “2021-22” tab of the Enrollment Dashboard by Friday, May 7, 2021. Changes that take place after May 7 should be noted on the dashboard without delay. Thank you to all schools who have already completed their hiring updates.

Please contact Planning & Enrollment (x88183) with any questions or concerns.

Published on

Due to student demand, JSD has added a second location for Code to Success. This six-week, summer coding camp will be held at Fort Herriman Middle School. Classes are Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM-12:00 PM during the six weeks from June 14 to July 23. The program is open to current 7th - 12th grade students.

Please post the flyer (image file) on your website and use the video as part of your school announcements.

Students can register online at https://www.ctsutah.org/apps/student/

Please contact Kami Taylor if you have questions.
801-567-8621
kami.taylor@jordandistrict.org

Link to Flyer (image format)
Link to Video (youtube video)

Published on

Please advise your staff that Insurance Open Enrollment for this year will be May 15 - June 15.  Let your staff know that they need to get a confirmation that they have gone in and updated or verified that everything is correct.   Attached are the Open Enrollment Highlights.

Insurance Open Enrollment May 15 - June 15 for a September Effective Date.

InfinityHR/Arcoro ( https://www.infinityhr.com/login ) will be used for all benefit eligible employees to make benefit elections offered at Open Enrollment and for newly eligible employees. All benefit eligible employees should log into the online system to verify dependents, beneficiaries and benefit elections.  Included in the attached Open Enrollment Highlights are online enrollment instructions.

The following changes may be made during the open enrollment period.

  • Enroll in a new insurance plan
  • Change or cancel an existing insurance plan
  • Add or cancel members from an existing plan
  • Flexible Spending election (new elections must be made each year you wish to participate)

Published on

DATE:    
May 3, 2021

TO:   
Principals and Administrative Assistants

FROM:  
John Larsen, Business Administrator

SUBJECT:  
Legislative Supply Envelopes – Due May 1, 2021

We thought a few reminders might be helpful as you collect legislative envelopes.

1)   Carry-Over of Unused Supply Funds.  Principal approval is required if a teacher would like to carry-over unused funds to the next school year. If approval is given, the principal should sign the envelope in the bottom right-hand box.  The Guidelines state that “As a general rule, balances less than $50 should be carried over to the next year.” However, carry-over amounts are at the principal’s discretion. Also, if a teacher has an amount remaining at the end of the year of $5 or less, no return of the funds is needed.

A list of all teachers who have carry-over amounts should be kept so this information can be written on the teacher’s envelope for the 2021-22 school year and added to the amount of the current year funds. As a reminder, if a teacher with a carry-over amount transfers to a different school within the District and the principal allows the teacher to use the carry-over funds at the new school, please communicate this to the administrative assistant at the new school so they can record the information on the teacher’s envelope. If the principal does not approve the use of funds at the new school, the teacher will need to return the unused funds.

2)   Payroll Deductions.  For teachers not approved to carry over unused funds, a payroll deduction will be needed. The request for a payroll deduction should be sent to Sarah Palmer, director of Payroll, and can be emailed to her at: sarah.palmer@jordandistrict.org. Please provide Sarah with the employee name(s), school location, amount of the deduction, and an explanation about the need for the deduction. Please provide this information by May 10 for the May 25 paycheck or by June 10 for the June 25 paycheck.

3)   Principal Use of Unused Supply Funds.  Unused supply money that is returned to the District via payroll deduction or other means (check or cash) will be made available to the principal to use at his/her discretion. After a payroll deduction is completed, the Payroll Department will provide the Accounting Department with the school location and amount and a journal entry will be done to transfer the funds to the school’s 2000 account.

4)   Teachers that Resign During the School Year.  If a teacher resigns during the school year, please ask for the return of his/her legislative supply envelope before they leave. If there is a balance remaining of unspent funds, this money needs to be returned to the District via a payroll deduction made before the employee receives his/her final paycheck. If your school has a check-out procedure for teachers that resign, it might be helpful to add the return of the envelope to the procedures to insure the legislative envelope and unused funds are returned.

5)   Storing Legislative Envelopes.  After collecting the envelopes on May 1, please keep them in a secure location at the school for a period of four years. The envelopes are subject to random audits by District auditors.

Thank you for your help with legislative supply money. If you have questions, please contact my administrative assistant, Jeri Clayton, at 801-567-8120 or email: jeri.clayton@jordandistrict.org.

jc/jl

Attachment:  Helpful Information About Legislative Supply Money (This document has the information listed above, as well as other important information about legislative supply money.)

Published on

DATE: 
May 5, 2021

TO:   
All School and District Administrators

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

SUBJECT:   
Behavior Survival Training for Administrators

A required training is scheduled for all administrators that will provide, 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.

The training will take approximately four (4) hours and will be provided on three different days with five (5) different sessions to choose from (you only need to attend one session – all sessions will provide the same content). All sessions will be held in the auditorium at Elk Ridge Middle School (3659 W 9800 S, South Jordan, UT.).

Please select one of the following dates/times to attend:

Tuesday June 8:                7:30-11:30am, or 12:00-4:00pm 

Tuesday June 15:              7:30-11:30am, or 12:00-4:00pm 

Thursday June 17:            7:30-11:30am

Click HERE to register for the Behavior Survival Training for Administrators or go to https://forms.gle/ndFyh1w1kMW1UzkN6

Published on

DATE:
April 29, 2021

TO:      
School Principals and Administrative Assistants

FROM:  
Administrators of Schools

SUBJECT: 
Principal Year-End Check Out Materials for 2020-21

Attached is the list of all forms and items to be completed for principal check out.

  • Items highlighted in yellow will be reviewed at check out with your Administrator of Schools.
  • Items highlighted in green require you to bring the requested items to your checkout.
  • Forms provided by the District for principal check out are included with this JAM.
  • You should turn in one completed copy of each form and keep a copy on file in your school for easy reference as you prepare the check out for the next school year.

If you have any questions, please contact your Administrator of Schools’ administrative assistant.

Published on

DATE: 
May 3, 2021

TO: 
School Psychologists, Elementary Counselors, and School Social Workers

FROM:    
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Fulvia Franco, Program Specialist – Guidance

SUBJECT:   
May School Psychologist, Elementary Counselor, and School Social Workers Meeting

A virtual meeting for school psychologists, elementary counselors, and school social workers has been scheduled for Friday, May 14, 2021, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Melissa Heath, Ph.D. will provide us with a presentation on Strengthening Youth with Supportive Stories and Metaphors, and Ben Springer, Ph.D., BCBA-D will provide us with the following presentation: Happy Kids Don’t Punch You in the Face.

Part-time Staff:  I would appreciate it if you could adjust your schedules in order to attend this meeting.

cc:
Principals

Published on

DATE:    
April 29, 2021

TO:  
High School Principals

FROM: 
John Larsen, Business Administrator
June LeMaster, Administrator, Human Resources
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools
Brent Burge, Human Resource Administrator, ESP

SUBJECT: 
Additional Summer Pool Hour Request - High Schools

This is a reminder to all HS principals of the additional 100 summer pool hours previously approved.  The following guidelines are to be followed to ensure consistency and proper use of the additional pool hours:

  • The HS Principal may choose the School Administrative Assistant-Attendance and/or the School Administrative Clerk to use the additional summer pool hours.
  • There is a maximum of 100 hours that may only be used after the 206 contract ends June 16, 2021 and before the contract begins July 26, 2021. The employee may not exceed 40 hours in any week and any time not used will be forfeited.
  • No other assistant (full or part time) may use these pool hours.
  • These hours must be reported through TrueTime under the heading of “Contract Pool Hours” and will be charged to 10-E-xxx-0050-2483-152.

We hope these additional summer pool hours will help you provide adequate coverage for the students and patrons you serve.  Please contact Human Resources if you have any questions.

Cc:
Cabinet
Payroll

Published on

The literacy department is inviting all administrators to come to a question and answer/work session to plan and prepare for the Literacy Launch that will take place in the 2021-2022 school year. The sessions will be held on May 5th and 6th from 9:00 to 11:00 or from 1:00 to 3:00 (sessions will be repeated and you can choose to come to one or more). Members of the T&L department will be available in the sessions to answer questions about training, programs and will provide support in creating a master schedule for the coming school year. All sessions will be held in PDC room 103.

Administrators are also encouraged to sign up and come to the Teacher Literacy Launch training in the summer.  Each session consists of 2 days of training and principals and assistant principals will find day 2 to be especially helpful because it will cover all the details of the Walk to Read Intervention Model by 95% Group.  Day 1 training will be similar to the training that was recently provided for principals and assistant principals in April.  In JPLS the option is to sign up for 2 days of training, but administrators can choose to come to one or both days.

Published on

The state has again received grant money for schools to continue use of early intervention software programs for literacy in the 2021-2022 school year. Schools in the Jordan School District may choose from Lexia, iReady, and Imagine Learning. Please note that the district will be able to do the initial student upload for schools using Lexia. If iReady or Imagine Learning are selected, the schools will need to work with the companies to have the initial student upload completed. Please indicate the choice for your school by filling out the attached form. If you have any questions please contact Mandy Thurman or Michelle Lovell.

Early Intervention Software Survey

Published on

Attention Secondary Schools:

We have excess corrugated plastic in 4' x 8' sheets that we are collecting from the elementary schools. These would be great to use by clubs, organizations, teams, theater groups, etc. to make signs. Corrugated plastic can be scored and cut on one side and then folded to make 3-dimensional barriers. They are most familiar as yard signs for student activities recognition or political advertising. If you are interested, please contact Kris Wishart in Purchasing with quantities you would be interested in. Otherwise we will surplus to the public and sell them.

Attached is a photo of what we have available.

Regards,
Central Warehouse

 

Published on

Teachers can work with a JSD Cohort to complete the Professional Level USBE Programming & Software Development Endorsement. Cohort begins May 10, 2021. Some of the endorsement requirements are waived through working in this cohort. Plan is approved by USBE and USU. One college course will be taken per semester, with the Professional Level Endorsement completed by Summer 2023. Tuition costs may be reimbursable through the STEM Endorsement Incentive Program.

Interested teachers should complete the Cohort Survey by May 5th. Link to Survey

If you need more information or have questions, please reach out to Kami Taylor, kami.taylor@jordandistrict.org, 801-567-8621.

Published on

Multiple Federal agencies are investigating numerous fraud schemes targeting the unemployment insurance (UI) programs across the United States.  Fraudsters, some of which are transnational criminal organizations, are using the stolen identities of U.S. citizens to open accounts and file fraudulent claims for benefits, exploiting the unprecedented expansion of the benefits provided in response to economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Many victims of this crime have no knowledge that criminals have applied for UI benefits in their name.  You may only discover that you were a victim of this crime upon seeing the following red flags:

  1. You are told by a current or former employer that a UI claim has been submitted with your information;
  2. You did not apply for UI benefits, but you receive a determination letter from your state or another state regarding a UI claim filed under your name;
  3. You receive a notification that you failed the security verification process for your UI claim;
  4. You file a lawful UI claim and you receive a notice that your claim was rejected because the state has already received a claim under your name.

The District Human Resource department is taking immediate steps to address suspected fraudulent claims.  These include:

  • Contacting current employees to verify if the employee filed a UI claim.
  • Immediately notifying the state agency of confirmed fraud claims.
  • Providing impacted employees steps to follow to report fraud.

For more information or if you believe you may be impacted, please visit the following websites for information on reporting fraud and protecting your credit.

Utah Attorney General (https://www.identitytheft.gov/UnemploymentInsurance)

“Unemployment Insurance Fraud Consumer Protection Guide” (https://www.oig.dol.gov/public/Unemployment%20Insurance%20Fraud%20Consumer%20Protection%20Guide,%20Final.pdf)

Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Labor (https://www.oig.dol.gov/public/media/DOL-OIG%20UI%20Fraud%20Alert.pdf)