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DATE:    
Thursday, April 8, 2021

TO:   
Elementary School Administrators
Elementary Administrative Assistants

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

SUBJECT:   
EOY 2021 Acadience Reading Testing – In-person and Virtual Students

Acadience Reading Benchmarks are once again required this year by the state – both students receiving their instruction in-person and online.  End-of-year benchmark testing will begin on April 15th and conclude on June 3rd.  This memo contains information on how the benchmark administration will be accomplished for both in-person and virtual students.

Students Receiving Instruction In-person:
Principals should have received an updated Monday-Thursday schedule of when district assessment assistants will be in schools to administer the state-mandated K-3 Acadience Reading Benchmarks.  For questions about scheduling, please contact Shannon Johnson at 801-567-8873 or shannon.johnson@jordandistrict.org.

There will be 7-8 district assessment assistants during your assigned testing time.  We also ask that the instructional coach, who was trained in September on Acadience Reading testing, assist with testing students as well.  If the testing team gets ahead of schedule during the day, we are happy to excuse coaches to go about their other duties.  To better be able to social distance between individual testing areas, we are requesting that schools use one of two room options:

  1. Schedule the media center.
  2. Schedule two classrooms that are close together. This allows classes to be easily funneled into both classrooms.  It also allows team leads to gather cards easily and assist with technology glitches quickly to minimize lost testing time.

If neither of these room options is possible, please contact Ben Jameson at 801-567-8243 to discuss other arrangements.

Each district tester is equipped with an 18x18 plexiglass shield along with their Chromebooks and student materials.  For this reason, student desks do not provide enough table space for everything.  We are requesting tables with chairs to accommodate our testers’ equipment.

For information on the cleaning and disinfecting procedures district testers will follow after each student, please see the document entitled Acadience Reading Testing Protocols and Procedures for COVID-19 that accompanies this memo.

Besides the changes listed above, our district assessment assistants will follow a similar routine for testing that they have followed in previous years.

Students Receiving Instruction Online:
We are required to administer the Acadience Reading Benchmarks to all students – including our students who have opted to learn online from home this year.  Parents of virtual students can choose to have their student tested in-person at their boundary school or virtually via Zoom.  Testing of virtual students will take place on Fridays at elementary schools throughout the testing window.  Evaluation, Research & Accountability will be sending a small team of 4-5 district assessment assistants to meet with and administer the benchmark assessments in-person to virtual students (principals have already been notified of their assigned Friday).  We are requesting that schools set aside a location for the assessment assistants to administer the benchmarks that will have access to larger table spaces to accommodate the plexiglass shield, Chromebooks and student materials.

Evaluation, Research & Accountability will schedule virtual students for a testing appointment through a Qualtrics survey form.  Schools will not need to schedule anything themselves.  If parents of virtual students or virtual teachers request the link to schedule a testing appointment, schools may provide the following link:
https://jordandistrict.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1ZZwVyBwPCsud4a

Please contact Ben Jameson with any questions or concerns.  We look forward to working with you on a smooth Acadience Reading test administration.

Published on

Every elementary and middle school in Jordan District has an opportunity to receive schoolwide access to Second Step on our District's Project AWARE Grant for the 2021-22 school year. Second Step's evidence-based K-8 curriculum includes weekly lessons, advisory activities, home links, reinforcement strategies, school-wide announcements, and more! The lessons are easy enough for any person to teach with minimal prep time and the digital platform makes this even easier. Second Step is now fully digital and any school that joins will be able to grant full access to the content to anyone in their school.

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity at your school, please take 5 minutes to fill out this brief form that outlines our promise to you as you continue to find ways to support your student's social and emotional needs. If you have questions, reach out to McKinley Withers, mckinley.withers@jordandistrict.org, 801-448-1404.

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With District and Health Department approval, beginning April 14th, 2021, JSD Nutrition Services will transition from our current meal service as follows:

  • Discontinue the use of hinged Styrofoam containers (except curbside/door-side meal service and ‘grab and go’ meals offered to virtual learners and students who are not able to eat in the school cafeteria.)
  • School cafeterias will return to a pre-COVID meal service utilizing serving lines.
  • Meals will return to an offer vs serve format, where students may choose or refuse some menu choices. Menu items that students choose/pick up themselves must be wrapped or in a portion cup with a lid.
  • Nutrition Workers will monitor students in serving areas, so students touch only the item(s) they are choosing.
  • Manual meal counting will continue for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year (No registers will be in use.)
  • Elementary schools will return to serving lunches on washable trays.
  • Secondary schools will return to serving meals on disposable plates, boats etc.
  • Cafeterias will maintain current district social distancing guidelines.

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Volunteer reports need to be submitted to Insurance Services.

Workers' Compensation insurance costs are based on numbers submitted by schools.   It is important that this information be accurate and complete.

PTA figures must be separate from other volunteer hours.

Attached is a copy of the Volunteer Report for the period from December 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

Please complete this form and return it to Cheryl Matson, Director of Insurance Services, by April 30, 2021.

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Principals:

Reminder: Two LAND Trust reports are due tomorrow, Friday, March 26, 2021.

2019-20 Final Report
2021-22 Upcoming LAND Trust Plan

Spring Break is next week. Please complete your reports by tomorrow so you can enjoy your time off! As a side note, I will also be off enjoying spring break next week. Please contact me, Nadine Page, at 801-567-8182 or nadine.page@jordandistrict.org, today or tomorrow if you have any questions regarding the completion of these two reports.

Here are previous JAM links to help you in preparing these reports:

JAM - Feb 11th
Recap of the principal meeting training as well as helpful documents.

JAM - Mar 11th
Information regarding the deadlines and how to prepare the reports. You each received an email on March 11th with important information pertinent to your individual school to help in preparing these reports.

Thanks for all of your help in getting these reports to the AOS and Board Members responsible for reviewing and approving the reports.

 

 

Published on

DATE:  
March 25, 2021

TO: 
Jordan District Administrators, Directors

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Administrators of Schools

SUBJECT: 
Time Schedule for the Last Day of School

Please review the entire memo carefully for your school dismissal time, and convey that information to your students and parents. Once again, we extend our appreciation to the administration and employees who work in the Transportation Department for assisting in the transportation adjustment required to accommodate these changes.

Public Law:
R277 Education, Administration
R277-419-2 Definitions
R277-419 Pupil Accounting
R277-419-4 Minimum School Days

“School day” means a minimum of two hours per day per session in Kindergarten and a minimum of four hours per day in grades one through twelve, subject to the requirements described in Section R277-419-4. All school day calculations shall exclude lunch periods and pass time between classes but may include recess periods that include organization or instruction from school staff.

Cc:
Paul Bergera, Director of Transportation
Jana Cruz, Director of Nutrition Services
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services

Published on

Hope you were able to register for the Instructional Leadership Conference, “Teaching Begins with the Learner.” In the next week, participants will receive an email from “Summit Events” with a username, password, and information to access the conference sessions. You will have access to the sessions from April 3 - April 12.

Visit Session Summaries for a small collection of questions to guide your viewing.

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Jordan School District has developed an instructional plan for literacy and has adopted curriculum to strengthen instruction in both Tier 1 and Tier 2 settings to support all students and address disrupted learning. Please join us to learn about the plan, the curriculum, and the suggested daily schedule to help you prepare for the coming year.  Two dates have been provided so every elementary school building principal and assistant principal can attend.  The dates are April 8th and 13th from 8:30-4:00 in the ASB Auditorium.

Register in JPLS. Search for Literacy Launch, or Course 101669

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Next steps for planning summer school...

  • By March 26 -- Determine dates and times of summer school. Record on “Summer School Schedule” sheet in your school ESSER Worksheets document.
  • (Optional) By March 26, school administration -- Indicate the number of summer school curriculum packages needed. Record on “Summer School Schedule” sheet in your school ESSER Worksheets document.
  • School Folder Link

IMPORTANT NOTE: T&L needs this information to begin preliminary transportation planning and to order curriculum packages.

  • T&L will share start and end times with transportation for preliminary planning. Schools will be notified if scheduling adjustments need to be made.

Published on

DATE:  
Thursday, March 25, 2021

TO: 
All Principals

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

SUBJECT:  
2021 USBE School Climate Survey Response Rate Links

Principals are encouraged to use the following links to monitor the response rates for the student and adult USBE School Climate Surveys.

As a reminder, all students in grades K-12 should have time scheduled during the school day to take the school climate survey.

An email went out on Monday, March 22, 2021, inviting all school employees to take the climate survey for their school. Evaluation, Research & Accountability will send out emails reminding school employees to take the survey.

An email will be sent out soon inviting all parents to take the climate survey for each school at which they have a student enrolled. Principals will be notified when this email has been sent to parents. Once the initial parent invitation has been sent, principals are encouraged to post the link to the adult survey on their website and send out reminder Skylerts to parents to take the survey.

Response Rate Links:

Parent Survey Response Counts:
https://jordandistrict.az1.qualtrics.com/reports/public/am9yZGFuZGlzdHJpY3QtNjA1OGM1NzA5ZGQzODgwMDBmMGI1NjY2LVVSXzAzMXVIbmNFMUpyaGtZUg==

Teacher and Staff Survey Response Counts:
https://jordandistrict.az1.qualtrics.com/reports/public/am9yZGFuZGlzdHJpY3QtNjA1OGMzYjJjOWMyNjUwMDExOGM2ZTllLVVSXzAzMXVIbmNFMUpyaGtZUg==

Grades K-12 Student Survey Response Counts:
https://jordandistrict.az1.qualtrics.com/reports/public/am9yZGFuZGlzdHJpY3QtNjA1OGMwNTYzZDZkY2EwMDBmNTMyZjk3LVVSXzAzMXVIbmNFMUpyaGtZUg==

Grades 3-5 Student Survey Response Counts:
https://jordandistrict.az1.qualtrics.com/reports/public/am9yZGFuZGlzdHJpY3QtNjA1OGMwZmU3N2I4ODMwMDE3ZTQ2MTQ2LVVSXzAzMXVIbmNFMUpyaGtZUg==

Grades 6-12 Student Survey Response Counts:
https://jordandistrict.az1.qualtrics.com/reports/public/am9yZGFuZGlzdHJpY3QtNjA1OGJkMWJmYTdmOTEwMDEzMmU2MGEyLVVSXzAzMXVIbmNFMUpyaGtZUg==

Published on

DATE:   
Thursday, March 25, 2021

TO: 
Middle School Principals
High School Principals

FROM: 
Shelley Nordick, Ph. D., 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: Examining Teacher Grading Perceptions and Practices

Applicant: Michael Anderson, Brigham Young University

The project has been approved by the District Research Review Committee. The applicant has been directed to contact you to discuss the extent of the project and to obtain your permission to conduct the study at your school. Participation in the study is at your discretion. If you have questions or concerns relating to participation, please contact Ben Jameson at 801-567-8243.

The project will involve dissemination of a survey to all secondary educators.

Thank you for your assistance.

Published on

DATE:
March 17, 2021

TO:
Principal
Elementary and Middle School Resource Team Leaders
High School Special Education Team Leaders

FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education

SUBJECT:
Special Education Resource Instructional Assistants for 2021-22
Special Education Support Class Instructional Assistants for 2021-22

This memo is designed to explain how special education instructional assistants can be requested and will be allocated to each schools’ special education program(s) for the 2021-22 school year. If you have any questions, please contact your assigned teacher specialist or program administrator. We want to make sure everyone has the support staff necessary to meet student’s individual IEP needs.

You will receive an email including the Projected Resource Staffing Needs Survey form that is specific to your school or program. This form will include your current staffing allocations (this is your current staff minus your current critical needs staff). Please use this form to summarize the additional instructional assistants needed to meet the collective needs of the students you submitted on Checklist of Existing Environmental and Instructional Supports and Rubric to Determine Need for Critical Need Support. This request should be agreed upon by all team members and your building principal or assigned administrator should sign the request.

Please Submit all three forms to your assigned teacher specialist by Friday, April 16, 2021. You will receive a preliminary critical needs instructional assistant allocation by Friday, May 7, 2021. Additional Critical Needs may be requested after school starts or if the students in your class or program change significantly.

Published on

High School Principals:

Please share the following information and flyer with the appropriate employees and students.

The deadline for Utah’s annual STEM Signing Day, hosted by Boeing and the Utah STEM Action Center, is quickly approaching. STEM Signing Day is an annual event celebrating high school seniors choosing to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) degrees at technical programs and two and four-year colleges and universities. Just like signing days for athletes, STEM Signing Day is full of excitement and fanfare, and honorees sign a letter of intent to pursue their STEM goals.

Read below for additional details and the link to apply.

Who should apply?
All Utah high school seniors graduating Spring 2021 and planning to pursue a STEM degree at a technical program or two or four-year college or university are encouraged to apply.

How does a student apply?
Students must have a complete profile on Tallo and submit a STEM Signing Day application. Visit the 2021 Utah STEM Signing Day website to create your profile and complete the application.

When is the application deadline?
Wednesday, March 31

SAVE THE DATE!
Due to the pandemic, Boeing is hosting a virtual STEM Signing Day on Thursday, April 29 for student honorees and their guests from across the nation. Following a special presentation and keynote, Utah honorees will be recognized in a breakout session where they will sign their letters of intent. Students will also have the opportunity to sign up for an ongoing mentorship program with Boeing leaders.

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Job postings can be viewed at: https://www.teachers-teachers.com/employer/jordan-school-district-5390

As per, District Policy DP304 -Teacher Transfers, principals will interview at least two (2) qualified transfer candidates if available through June 1.

During screening, Principals will consider both internal/current applicants listed on the Teacher Transfer Request Report, which is generated by email each Monday, and external applicants listed in K12jobspot. Human Resources will also review both lists to ensure this policy is followed before approving any new hire request.

Applicant Process:
Internal (Transfer) - Current JSD teachers apply by submitting a request through the Teacher Transfer Request located in Skyward Employee Access. A Teacher Transfer Request Report is emailed to Principals each Monday.

External - New applicants apply through K12jobspot and these applications are immediately available to principals and/or designated administrators.

For additional assistance, please contact
Stacy Krahenbuhl, Elementary - stacy.krahenbuhl@jordandistrict.org,
Jill Lisonbee, Secondary - jill.lisonbee@jordandistrict.org

DP304 NEG Teacher Transfer Policy

Published on

DATE:
March 8, 2021

TO:
All Principals
All Budget Directors

FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
June LeMaster, Ph.D., Administrator, Human Resources
Daniel Ellis, Director of Accounting, Budgets & Audits
Derek Anderson, Director of Accounting, Budgets & Audits
Cheryl Matson, Director of Insurance Services
Michael Heaps, Director of Information Systems
Sarah Palmer, Director of Payroll
Kurt Prusse, Director of Purchasing

SUBJECT:
Year-End Processing Deadlines

Please observe the following critical deadlines, listed in the memo below, regarding the financial year-end processes for the 2020-21 year. Please review these dates as they could have a major effect on your location’s ability to operate.

Published on

Please complete the “Summer School Schedule” sheet in your school ESSER Worksheets document before April 26th as follows:

  • High Schools indicate your intention to request transportation.
  • Middle Schools record your summer school start and end dates, the days of the week, the start and end time, and indicate your intention to request transportation.
  • Elementary Schools record your summer school start and end dates, the days of the week, the start and end time, indicate your intention to request transportation, and (optional) indicate the number of summer school curriculum packages. Training dates for SORing to Summer Success curriculum package (optional).