Jordan School District
The Utah State Board of Education School and Student Safety Office has informed the District that regular fire evacuation drills (going outside) are to resume as of March 1, 2021. You can no longer substitute evacuation instruction in lieu of an actual exercise. Please practice Covid-19 safety precautions during all drills.
Questions, contact: Lance Everill, Emergency Operations Manager 801-567-8623, lance.everill@jordandistrict.org
The 2021 School Safety Survey will be administered to building administrators, through Qualtrics, beginning April 12th and closing May 21st. Please schedule some time to complete this survey.
The School Safety Survey is the current method of gathering state-wide data on the implementation of best-practices, challenges, programs being used, innovations, and current issues in school safety. The topics include (but are not limited to) building security, law enforcement partnerships, school-based mental health efforts, student threat assessment, and prevention programs. The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Safe and Healthy Schools Team will be sending out additional information and details in the next month.
DATE:
Thursday, March 4, 2021
TO:
All Principals
FROM:
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
Kim Gibson, Licensed Administrator, Elementary
Wyatt Bentley, Licensed Administrator, Secondary
SUBJECT:
Pedagogical Performance Assessment Parental Permission Forms
To become a teacher licensed by the State of Utah, student teachers, intern teachers, and teacher candidates must submit to a pedagogical performance assessment (PPA) (see R277-502-3-(4)). A PPA assesses the basic competencies of all newly licensed Utah teachers regardless of their university preparation program, thus ensuring that all K-12 students have access to competent teachers. The PPA requires the teacher candidate to submit the following:
Whenever students are part of a video recording or their classroom work is given to a third party outside of the school district, we are required to obtain parent signed permission (see R277-487-3). As of the date of this memo, there are two state-approved programs that provide a pedagogical performance assessment product:
ETS uses their own permission form, which satisfies the requirement to obtain signed parent permission (sample copy attached with this memo). Pearson, and perhaps other vendors that are eventually approved by the state, rely upon districts to use their own forms. As such, a new Teacher Pedagogical Performance Assessment (PPA) for Pre-service Teacher Candidates parent permission form has been created to fill that need. This form is attached with this memo and should be used unless the ETS form is being used.
All permission forms for a pedagogical performance assessment should be kept, either physically or digitally, on file by the school for three years.
For any questions about teacher candidate licensure or pedagogical performance assessments, please contact Wyatt Bentley at 801-567-8215 or wyatt.bentley@jordandistrict.org or Kim Gibson at 801-567-8216 or kim.gibson@jordandistrict.org For any questions about permission forms or student data privacy, please contact Ben Jameson at 801-567-8243 or ben.jameson@jordandistrict.org.
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. The virtual format can make finding interpreters even more difficult. 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.
The following are new administrative assignments:
New Assignments effective as soon as possible:
The ESPIC (Educational Support Personnel Improvement Committee) is looking for courses that would be appropriate and effective for ESP professional learning. We are seeking your input regarding skills and knowledge that would be helpful for various ESP job categories. We would appreciate you taking 10-20 minutes to complete this survey. Survey link: https://jordandistrict.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b44jgy9K3VEMqx0
This is a reminder that JELL Sessions will be held next week, Tuesday, March 2nd and Thursday, March 4th. The sessions will be virtual. You will access the Zoom link from the Canvas JELL Course -- https://jordanpd.instructure.com/enroll/DRNC6Y -- 8:30 - 3:30
Schools scheduled for Tuesday, March 2. (Schools supervised by Lisa and April) Columbia, Heartland, Majestic, Oquirrh, Riverside, West Jordan, Westvale, Blackridge, Butterfield Canyon, Copper Canyon, Eastlake, Foothills, Herriman, Jordan Ridge, Monte Vista, Ridge View, Riverton, Rosamond, Silver Crest.
Schools scheduled for Thursday, March 4. (Schools supervised by Becky and Jill) Antelope Canyon, Bluffdale, Daybreak, Oakcrest, South Jordan, Terra Linda, Westland, Bastian, Elk Meadows, Falcon Ridge, Fox Hollow, Golden Fields, Hayden Peak, Midas Creek, Mountain Point, Mountain Shadows, Rose Creek, Southland, Welby, CDC
The Utah Department of Health as issued an updated State Public Health Order. The School Manual and School Manual Summary have also been updated.
Utah Department of Health School Manual
This information can also be found by clicking HERE and going to Moving Forward at Jordan District.
Jordan Education Foundation requests each of the (7) Jordan School District High School Principals, in collaboration with their counselors and staff, to select one senior student who has overcome a significant personal hardship, shown marked improvement in academic success, and has made a commitment to continue their education beyond high school to receive a $2,000.00 scholarship to the university, college, or trade school of their choice.
Principals: Please call Steven Hall (801-567-8261) at the Foundation with any questions.
One of the board rule requirements of being able to use LEA-specific licenses (Formerly known as letters of authorization) is that we post the percentage of the different types of licenses that are used in the individual schools. Chad Margetts has worked behind the scenes to help us get this requirement fulfilled. (Thank you, Chad!!) You may notice an additional link at the bottom of your school website “Educator Licensing”. This link will take you to the HR website with some additional licensing information including the required information on LEA-Specific licenses.
Reduction In Staff (RIS) resources for administrators are included below. Please contact an HR administrator and/or your respective AOS with any questions.
This policy includes a link to the RIS Guidelines (RIS Rubric Criteria for Teachers and Counselors)
By February 26, 2021, principal are to submit their RIS recommendation(s) to their Administrator of Schools and the Administrator of Human Resources for approval. However, if additional time is needed, please contact your AOS and respective HR Administrator. Once RIS requests are approved, principals will then receive a letter from an HR administrator for each approved RIS, which will prompt principals to meet with the RIS’d employee, complete the Right To Return Form, obtain signatures and return this form to the respective HR administrator.
Please see attachment.
Please see attachment.
Please see attachment.
This is a reminder that there are plenty of Chromebooks available for temporary loan. If you are in need while waiting for an existing order to be fulfilled, or for any other reason, please contact Mark Sowa. Keep in mind, these will still be loaner machines that will need to be returned at the end of the school year.
Similarly, the Loaner Kajeet Program has many devices still available. If a student has Internet access concerns (such as slow Internet, or too many people in the home trying to share limited bandwidth, or even student travel that would necessitate mobile Internet access), these could be solved with an additional point of Internet access. If you believe any of your students could benefit from having Kajeet devices at no cost to the school or students, please contact Mark Sowa to make arrangements for a loan.
Mark can be reached at mark.sowa@jordandistrict.org, or at 801-567-8392.
DATE:
Thursday, February 25, 2021
TO:
All Principals
FROM:
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
USBE School Climate Survey
Please see the attached memo and documents that are mentioned in the memo.
DATE:
Thursday, February 25, 2021
TO:
Middle School Principals
High School Principals
FROM:
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
Teacher Training for Utah Aspire Plus Testing
With end-of-year testing season starting in a month (or two), it’s a good time to plan for teacher training. Please work with testing coordinators and administrators to schedule or facilitate faculty training at school. The format of the training is flexible and can be done as an all-in-one meeting, or you can ask teachers to complete the UT Aspire Plus Canvas course, or a combination thereof. All administrators, elementary coaches and grade 9 & 10 core teachers will be added to the Utah Aspire Plus Canvas course, so each teacher has access to the same resources: https://jordanpd.instructure.com/enroll/8D4KK4
If you’d like Brooke Anderson to lead a 45-minute overview of UT Aspire Plus testing, please join her via Zoom during one of the dates & times below:
Friday, March 5 @ 9 AM:
https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/89059597166?pwd=ZmpIYW95U3luNllGWml2YWxiNWpkUT09
Meeting ID: 890 5959 7166
Passcode: 033639
Friday, March 12 @ 11 AM:
https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/87669950276?pwd=cXNra05palhKRUpZQzQwSmk0b1lFQT09
Meeting ID: 876 6995 0276
Passcode: 136046
Friday, March 19 @ 11 AM:
https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/87650171550?pwd=RUZTeWZnQXBPOVU1cHpqY3IyeC81UT09
Meeting ID: 876 5017 1550
Passcode: 253584
Please contact Brooke Anderson at 801-567-8393 or brooke.anderson@jordandistrict.org if you need to set up another training at a different time/date than the ones above.
DATE:
Thursday, February 25, 2021
TO:
Elementary School Principals
Middle School Principals
FROM:
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
Teacher Training for RISE Summative Testing
With end-of-year testing season starting in a month (or two), it’s a good time to plan for teacher training. Please work with testing coordinators and administrators to schedule or facilitate faculty training at school. The format of the training is flexible and can be done as an all-in-one meeting, or you can ask teachers to complete the RISE Canvas course, or a combination thereof. All administrators, elementary coaches and RISE-testing teachers will be added to the RISE Canvas course, so each teacher has access to the same resources: https://jordanpd.instructure.com/enroll/6XW9EE
If you’d like Brooke Anderson to lead a 45-minute overview of RISE testing, please join her via Zoom during one of the dates & times below:
Wednesday, March 10 @ 4:00 PM:
https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/89177570866?pwd=bElTZWJsZkN4YWYwOGh0d3lRZ05YUT09
Meeting ID: 891 7757 0866
Passcode: 414957
Friday, March 12 @ 8:30 AM:
https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/89781595565?pwd=T2VOVlgxci9LL2o4L21PN0hoTWtPUT09
Meeting ID: 897 8159 5565
Passcode: 784457
Friday, March 19 @ 9:00 AM:
https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/82987533837?pwd=cmwwZ2VTTXhkTk5SUm1RYjhjUXordz09
Meeting ID: 829 8753 3837
Passcode: 508653
Please contact Brooke Anderson at 801-567-8393 or brooke.anderson@jordandistrict.org if you need to set up another training at a different time/date than the ones listed above.
DATE:
February 22, 2021
TO:
Principals
Special Education Staff
School Secretaries
FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
SUBJECT:
Special Education Budget Closeout for the 2020-21 School Year
Please note that Special Education purchase orders/requisitions for the 2020-21 school year must be received by Friday, April 16, 2021 @ 5:00 p.m. Please remember the following:
Staff will be notified of the new budget allocation amount prior to the start of the new school year. Keep in mind that new purchase orders/requisitions will not be processed until mid-July when all of the current year’s budgets have been closed out.
As you close out your budgets for the current school year, please note the following:
Coding for P.O.s/Requisitions, NPOs, P-Cards, ECHECKS:
| FUND | TYPE | LOCATION | PROGRAM | FUNCTION | OBJECT |
| 10 | E | (School #) | 1295 | 1090 | Use object code |
If you have questions regarding your Special Education budget, please call Debbie Fairbourn at
(801) 567-8177.
DATE:
Thursday, February 25, 2021
TO:
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: “The Relationship of Adaptive Clothing on the Social Participation and Self-Esteem of Adolescents with Disabilities”
Applicant: Emmalee Brown, Utah State 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 a survey distributed to and taken by parents of students with disabilities.
Thank you for your assistance.
