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Author: npage

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DATE: 
October 28, 2021

TO: 
Principals

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

SUBJECT:
Infusing Intentional Social Emotional Learning

We are so lucky to work in education! Our essential, meaningful work is laid out in front of us: to prepare our students for a successful, thriving life in adulthood. When a student is dysregulated (upset/crying/afraid), they cannot access the part of their brain they need to think, complete tasks, process rewards and consequences, or reason. As learners, it is their job to make mistakes. It is their job to get dysregulated so we can support them in learning how to appropriately regulate themselves.

Social and emotional skills are absolutely essential for success. Most “bad” behavior happens because kids don’t yet know another way to deal with a particular situation or how to be in control of their impulses. These skills have to be learned! Often we see these skill deficits as “bad” behavior. Consider this: Listening is a skill that has to be learned through practice. Calming down is a skill that has to be learned and practiced...the list goes on!

The brain considers safety the number one priority at all times! And guess where most of the danger is these days? Not out in the jungle with the lions. Not with the bears. The danger is here at school. It’s learning how to be part of the social world. It’s the fear of getting in trouble, or failing at something that others find easy. It’s the stress of having to learn and pass tests and follow rules. It’s hard and every student needs an environment where they can practice the skills necessary for navigating their world.

Please review the attached Social and Emotional Learning Skills document to familiarize yourself with the "skills" we will discuss. Prior to next week's principals meeting, please complete the following skill "pre-assignment":

Say It Out Loud

  • When you use a skill in your everyday work (or fail to use a skill), say it out loud!
    • Intentional social and emotional learning starts with noticing. Verbalizing your skills in front of students helps you AND your students grow their social and emotional competence. Some examples could be, "I was feeling a little bit frustrated and I took a minute to calm down," "I am writing this down on a sticky note to make sure I follow through."
    • When you notice a student using a skill, say it out loud! Having their use of skills be reinforced (no matter how small) helps them on their journey of social and emotional development. Some examples could be: "I noticed that you stated your feeling," "I can see you are breathing slowly to calm down." You'll know it when you see it and taking a few minutes to notice helps!

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Reminder: The next Assistant Principal meetings will be held on November 4 (1:00-3:30pm) and November 9 (8:00-10:30am). All meetings will be held in-person at the JATC-S. No virtual option will be provided. As a reminder you only need to attend one of the sessions offered per month. Both sessions will provide the same information. If you haven't had a chance to sign up please CLICK HERE and it will take you to the Google Doc. If you have any questions please call Nadine Page at 801.567.8182 (x88182). Thank you!

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The current Think Central platform for Literacy is being phased out by Houghton Mifflin. As a result, this will be the last year that Think Central for literacy will be provided by Teaching & Learning. This change will not affect Think Central for math. All Think Central accounts will remain in operation through the end of this school year. If you have any questions please reach out to Mandy Thurman or Michelle Lovell.

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Administrators:

Please share this information with educators in your building and/or department who might be interested.

The EDLF faculty will be holding a virtual information session on November 1 at 4:00 pm. The attached flyer will enable an individual to access the session and pose questions. Also, feel free to distribute the flyer to any individuals you think have great potential for leadership in JSD.

The session is sponsored by The School Leadership Team in EDLF, including David Boren, Bryan Bowles, Jim Melville and Spencer Weiler.

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Based on policy AA421B, education support professionals may request to take a course to improve their skills or learn new skills that support their work. Please encourage your ESP staff to review courses through organizations such as  Ed 2 Go/Salt Lake Community College or Fred Pryor Institute Courses. The ESP Professional Improvement Committee (ESPPIC) will cover the cost of approved courses up to $300. Visit the ESPPIC website for more information and instructions for registering for a course. Please post the attached informational flyer for your ESP staff.

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To all schools that have participated in the spelling bee in years past, as well as those who would like to participate: The registering portal is now open to sign up to participate.

ENROLL HERE FOR THE SPELLING BEE

They are hoping to have at least 120 Schools participate this year.

51 schools from Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, Weber, Wasatch and Summit Counties have signed up to participate. The more the merrier.

Published on

DATE:
October 26, 2021

TO:
District Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
Fall Enrollment as of October 1, 2021 - Revised

Please see revised memo below.

Published on

Administrators, please share this with your teachers.

Are you interested in or currently pursuing a STEM endorsement? Let US PAY FOR YOUR EDUCATION! This is now called STEM EIP = Endorsement Incentive Program. Have questions? Review our FAQ Document. If your questions aren’t answered, please reach out to your representative. We would love to talk to you!

Applications are reviewed each month, so teachers can submit as soon as they complete a class. There were a couple of updates in October, please use the link to access the most recent application.

STEM EIP FAQ

STEM EIP Application

This is a GREAT opportunity!

Amy Kinder: Mathematics
Jane Harward: Science
Kami Taylor: Computer Science

ELEMENTARY ENDORSEMENTS:

SECONDARY ENDORSEMENTS:

*Please note that the college coursework pathway for the Ed Tech Endorsement is the only one eligible for this program.

 

Published on

DATE: 
Thursday, October 28, 2021

TO: 
Elementary School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
2021 BOY Acadience Reading Dashboards in Tableau

Beginning of the year Acadience Reading data and results are available in school administrator Tableau Viewer accounts. Administrators may view aggregate student participation, proficiency, growth (Pathways of Progress), and measure proficiency by school and grade level over time (2015-present). In addition, school administrators may view individual student data for the fall of 2021. Demographic filters are also available to help school administrators drill down to the data they wish to see.

The following dashboards are available:

School Acadience Reading Analysis, 2015-Present

Explore > Acadience Reading & Early Literacy > School Acadience Reading Analysis, 2015-2022 > 2-School Acadience Reading Analysis, 2015-Present

2021-22 BOY Student Level Data Dashboard

Explore > Acadience Reading & Early Literacy > School Acadience Reading Analysis, 2015-2022 > [School Name] 2021-22 BOY Student Level Data Dashboard

As a reminder, schools have at their disposal a Tableau Viewer account that teachers can access to see aggregate data only for the school and their grade level. No individual student or teacher data are available. Please contact Ben Jameson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability for more information about this tool and to obtain login credentials.

Published on

2021-22 Crucial Concerns Annual Policy Review

Jordan School District Employees are responsible for knowing and adhering to all District policies and procedures. The crucial policy review is available to District employees in Skyward through “Online Forms.” As a condition of continued employment, all employees (i.e. Licensed, ESP, Substitutes, Coaches, Miscellaneous adults, etc.), with the exception of minor students, will be required to complete this training. We ask your assistance in notifying your employees of this required training and ask that this training be completed by November 1, 2021.

A message will appear upon login of Skyward Employee Access for the employee to complete an “Online Form.” Employees can complete the steps at that time or can return to the review at another time by selecting “Online Forms” under “Employee Information.”

Reports of completion will be available through Skyward so you can verify that your staff members have completed this process. A tutorial is attached for your reference. If you or any staff members need technical help, please call the help desk at 801-567-USER (8737).

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Don’t miss out on scheduling a Healthy Utah Testing session for your school!

All employees and their spouses covered on the Jordan School District PEHP medical plan are eligible to participate in the health incentive program. You and your 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 cheryl.matson@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.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to the JSD insurance department (801-567-8255). Please see flyer below.

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Parent Teacher Conferences are fast approaching, and many of you will find your school in need of one or more interpreters in order to serve the needs of your parents. Mirsa Joosten is happy to find an interpreter in each language you need, but this can be extremely difficult when there is not sufficient time for her to make arrangements. Finding interpreters for virtual meetings can be even more challenging. For these reasons, we ask you to please request your interpreter right away by completing the Interpreting and Translation Services Request Form available on the Equity and Compliance webpage, if you have not already done so.

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As you may be aware, USBE is in the process of updating the K-6 social studies standards. Part of the process is to open the standards for public comment. Please invite your teachers to review the standards and complete the survey below regarding the new social studies standards. (The standards are available from the survey form.) Teachers know best what works for their students, so it is important they have a voice in the creation of these standards.

Link to Elementary Social Studies Standard Draft

 

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The following are reminders to keep in mind when completing evaluations. 

Full UETS-based JPAS -- Teachers on a full UETS-based JPAS will upload student performance information (SLO) and stakeholder input in place of completing the interview portion of the JPAS. Teachers can upload the documents directly from their computer by logging into Perform and choosing “My Folder” -- “Evidence” -- “Add Artifact.” Teachers are asked to name the file and can then choose to upload a document from the computer or add a URL. 

  • Student growth can be recorded on the form that was previously sent out in this issue of JAM. Please review the instructions and make sure teachers have the form for uploading. If any other documentation is being used, please  ensure  that the document includes: 
    • The core standard
    • A growth target
    • Pre assessment information (include dates and scores)
    • Post assessment information (include dates and scores)
    • A summary of student growth
  • Stakeholder input could include climate survey information, copies of emails or descriptive phone logs. The intent is to show personalized communication with parents.

Administrators may access evidence by logging into Perform and  selecting “My Staff” -- “Staff” -- the individual teacher’s folder -- “Evidence.”  (No action is required.)

The first cycle for provisional teachers is due December 18, 2021.

Interim --  Teachers on an Interim JPAS will complete a self evaluation and 3 required goals at the beginning of the year and reflect on the 3 required goals at the end of the year. Teachers can access the evaluation by logging into Perform and choosing “My Folder” -- “Tasks” -- “Beginning of Year Interim Form.”  Teachers must click on the “Save and Submit” button once they have completed the beginning of the year form so that the evaluator can access the form for approval.

Administrators may access and approve Interim Evaluations by logging into Perform and selecting “Signatures.”  Evaluations will not be available for approval until after the teacher has “Saved and Submitted.” 

Beginning of the year requirements and approval are due October 31, 2021. 

Teachers on an Interim JPAS will complete an end-of-year reflection by logging into Perform and choosing “My Folder” -- “Tasks” -- “End of Year Interim Form.”  Student growth (SLO) and stakeholder input are uploaded at this time. 

  • Student growth can be recorded on the form that was previously sent out in this issue of JAM. Please review the instructions and make sure teachers have the form for uploading. If any other documentation is being used, please  ensure that the document includes: 
    • The core standard
    • A growth target
    • Pre assessment information (include dates and scores)
    • Post assessment information (include dates and scores)
    • A summary of student growth
  • Stakeholder input could include climate survey information, copies of emails or descriptive phone logs. The intent is to show personalized communication with parents. 

Deadline for completion of Interim Evaluations is May 31, 2022

Information regarding the evaluation of specialized subgroups can be found on the 2021-2022 Evaluation Processes document. 

Published on

DATE:  
October 27, 2021

TO:  
Department Directors/Administrators

FROM:   
HR Administrators

SUBJECT:     
FTE Audit Report 2021-22

Electronic FTE Audit Process:

  • November 1, 2021 – HR will share with directors and department administrative assistants the FTE Audit Report via Google Sheets. Please review the report with your administrative assistant. The report will include verification of faculty/staff, FTE, title and budget code(s). Please refer to the “Instructions” sheet in the document for assistance in completing the audit.
  • November 8, 2021 – DUE DATE for the FTE Audit Report to be completed for HR to process. Check the “yellow” box on the front page to indicate audit completion.
  • THE BEST NEWS OF ALL – All corrections made on the FTE Audit Report will be made by HR upon return. Change forms will not be required; however, new hires not listed on the report will require the submission of a hire sheet to HR.

Thank you for your time and assistance.