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DATE:  
Thursday, December 3, 2020

TO: 
Elementary School Principals

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

SUBJECT:  
Updates for Fall Testing


Reading Inventory
Reading Inventory (RI) is up and available for all elementary (4-6) schools. Please contact the teachers at your school to make sure they know that it is available and ready to use. All in-person teachers and virtual teachers should have access to the Reading Inventory test. If teachers are unable to login, please have them email kira.jensen@jordandistrict.org. Kira is now able to easily add any virtual classes that could not be added with the original upload.

Additionally, Teaching & Learning has just purchased more licenses so that all the students who qualify to use RI can test! This means no more shuffling licenses at your schools!

CogAT Testing for 6th Graders
Schools that have gone virtual for two weeks can still complete their CogAT testing when students return to school. We will be extending the testing window until December 18, 2020, to allow for the change in circumstances. Please contact kira.jensen@jordandistrict.org if you need help with CogAT, or if you have any questions or concerns.  Principals are strongly encouraged to not wait until the end of the window to test students, if at all possible.

AAPPL Testing for DLI Schools
The AAPPL testing window has now been extended through January 15, 2021. If any teachers at your school do not complete their AAPPL testing by the original deadline of 12/11/2020, they can still test until 01/15/2021, but they will need to let us know so we can contact the State Office. Please email that information to kira.jensen@jordandistrict.org.

 

DATE:   
Thursday, December 3, 2020

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: 
Reading Inventory Updates


Reading Inventory

Reading Inventory (RI) is up and available for all secondary schools (grades 7-12). Please contact the teachers at your school to make sure they know that it is available and ready to use. All in-person teachers and virtual teachers should have access to the Reading Inventory test. If teachers are unable to login, please have them email kira.jensen@jordandistrict.org. Kira is now able to easily add any virtual classes that could not be added with the original upload.

Additionally, Teaching & Learning has just purchased more licenses so that all the students who qualify to use RI can test! This means no more shuffling licenses at your schools!

2020 has certainly brought its share of challenges.  We recognize with so many unique educational & life situations, a 2021 JEF Outstanding Educator may look much different compared to previous years.

Please use the attached as a guide for your 2020-21 outstanding educator nomination from your school, not the rubric from previous years. 

DATE: 
Thursday, December 3, 2020

TO:   
Elementary 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: COVID-19 Survey for Educators

Applicant: Evelyn Urrieta, Southern Utah 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 that will be administered to your teachers.

Thank you for your assistance.

The Assistant Principal meetings will be held at the JATC-S this Thursday, December 3rd from 1:00-3:30 pm; and again on Tuesday, December 8th from 8:00-10:30 am. Both sessions will provide the same information. If you haven't had a chance to sign up for December, please CLICK HERE and it will take you to the Google Doc that has the sign up sheets. A virtual option will be provided for the December 8th meeting. If you have any questions please call Nadine Page at 801.567.8186 (x88186). Thank you!

JORDAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
PRINCIPAL MEETING AGENDA
December 1, 2020
8:00 A.M. - Welcome in Level Meetings
LOCATION - ASB Assigned Rooms by Level or Zoom Links below.
Please feel free to attend either in-person or through the following Zoom Links. A beverage service of water and soda will be offered beginning at 7:30 am in the entry by the auditorium. 

  • Whole Group Link for Time Certain Presentations (8:15) 
    • Join Zoom Meeting - https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/6428973869?pwd=WFM2TVREZkdxSFhNdHdObUtBOGNkQT09

Meeting ID: 642 897 3869
Passcode: 282824

  • Elementary/Special Ed Principals - ASB Auditorium  
    • Join Zoom Meeting - https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/6428973869?pwd=WFM2TVREZkdxSFhNdHdObUtBOGNkQT09

Meeting ID: 642 897 3869
Passcode: 282824

  • Middle - ASB Presentation Room 
    • Join Zoom Meeting - https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/5208512121?pwd=aFNTSjYxK0pFTFpVZEIwRm9oallhZz09

Meeting ID: 520 851 2121
Passcode: 399526

  • High - PDC Room D113 - ZOOM Link
    • Join Zoom Meeting - https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/81365317575?pwd=cThDcXgyNFZJTXhSK2JSZHRRVlNMZz09

Meeting ID: 813 6531 7575
Passcode: 407141

The following departments should plan to join virtually using the whole group and level meeting links above.

  • Teaching & Learning Administrators
  • HR Administrators
  • Student Services Administrators
  • Special Education Dept. Administrators

 

The application to be considered for an Administrator of Schools position has been posted. Elementary principal experience is strongly preferred.

To apply click here:

https://employment.jordandistrict.org/apply/  or apply through your Employee Access.

The deadline to apply is midnight on December 3, 2020.

DATE:    
November 19, 2020

TO:        
All Schools

FROM:   
Derek Anderson, Director of Budgets

SUBJECT:   
School Year 2020 – 2021 Budget Allocations


Attached is the fiscal year 2020-21 final budget allocations summary. There was an error in the PDF with the In Lieu budget that was sent out in the previous JAM. The amount in Skyward is the correct amount. The attached PDF is to reflect that amount.

Please note, if you received school startup funds or have made budget transfers those are reflected only in the total budget number.

Please call or email Derek with any questions.

Ex - 88275
E-Mail – derek.anderson2@jordandistrict.org

Attached is the DLM checklist for all special education teachers who are administering the DLM assessment to any of their students. The completed checklist must be completed and returned to Jen Birrell at the District Office by January 20, 2021.

Please direct any questions to Jen Birrell at 801-567-8905 or jennifer.birrell@jordandistrict.org

Any and all websites that are domain specific to Weebly or Wix will be blocked by the JSD iBoss Filter on January 18, 2021. All Weebly or Wix sites content will need to be transferred to a JSD supported website. For assistance please contact your school Digital Coach and your school assigned Digital Learning Specialist, Contact Us.

All Elementary and Middle School Principals:

It’s that time of year to start the process of developing your school’s Safe Routes Utah Plan for next school year.  The 2021-22 Safe Routes Utah Plan Form (Word doc) is attached, as well as a PDF form with municipal representatives contact information. Your school’s municipal representative (city engineer) would like to be included in the initial planning process if possible.  As you work with your safety team and school community council, please feel free to invite your municipal representative to the planning/SCC meeting.

The attached 2021-22 Safe Routes Utah Plan Form Word doc must be downloaded to begin working on it.

All 2021-22 Safe Routes Utah Plans for elementary and middle schools are DUE TO RISK MANAGEMENT AT AUXILIARY SERVICES BY FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2021.

Due to Covid-19, this year Bluffdale, Herriman, Riverton, South Jordan and West Jordan schools plans will be reviewed in a virtual meeting with each respective city.  The District will schedule an approximate 15-minute virtual appointment with each school administrator for the day of the meeting.

Save the date:
South Jordan City schools will be on Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Riverton City schools will be on Wednesday, February 24, 2021
West Jordan City schools will be on Thursday, February 25, 2021
Bluffdale City schools will be on Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Herriman City schools will be on Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Please contact Risk Management Coordinator Jeff Beesley 801-567-8876 jeffrey.beesley@jordandistrict.org, or Administrative Assistant Judy Bird 801-567-8625 judy.bird@jordandistrict.org, with any questions.

For assistance with the Safe Routes Utah UDOT mapping software, contact Stacy Allen of Penna Powers, sallen@pennapowers.com, 801-487-4800, cell 801-694-7710.  Her contact information is also included on the attached Municipal Representatives Contact document.

DATE: 
November 17, 2020

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:   
December 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, December 4, 2020, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. The link for this meeting will be sent to you before the meeting, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey will speak to our group at 12:35. Melissa McCart, Ed.D., Director of Oregon Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Teams, The Center on Brain Injury Research and Training at the University of Oregon, will provide us with a presentation on traumatic brain injury.

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

cc:
Principals

DATE:  
Thursday, November 19, 2020

TO:    
Elementary Principals
Elementary Administrative Assistants

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

SUBJECT:  
MOY 2020 Acadience Reading Testing – In-person and Online Students


Acadience Reading Benchmarks are once again required this year by the state – both students receiving their instruction in-person and online. USBE has extended the middle-of-the-year testing window by one week to Friday, February 5, 2021. This memo contains information on how the benchmark administration will be accomplished for both.

Students Receiving Instruction In-person:
Principals should have received an updated Monday-Thursday schedule of when district testers 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 testers 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. 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 make 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 testers will follow a similar routine for testing that they have followed in the past.

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 this year.  Parents of online students can choose to have their student tested in-person at their boundary school or virtually via Zoom.  Testing of online students will take place on Fridays at each elementary school.  Evaluation, Research & Accountability will be sending a small team of 4-5 district testers to meet with and administer the benchmark assessments in-person to online students (principals have already been notified if their assigned Friday).  We are requesting that schools set aside a location for the testers 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 online students for a testing appointment.  Schools will not need to schedule anything themselves.  If parents of online students or online teachers request the link to schedule a testing appointment, schools may provide the following link:
https://jordandistrict.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5mYuLUZcEtt9QOx

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

If your building has extra PPE that is going unused or if your building desires extra PPE currently located at another building, please let Kris Wishart in Purchasing (x88708) know. She will try to match up any existing surplus with existing desires across the District.

To better provide access to all students for participation in online learning, the District has acquired mobile hotspots to loan out to schools who have students with inadequate Internet access at home. These hotspots are from a company called Kajeet, and they provide access to CIPA compliant filtered Internet service specifically for educational use. Each device comes with unlimited data, and can accommodate up to three simultaneous users. The devices and Internet service are being paid for through a grant, so there is no up-front charge to the student or school.

The term of the device loans from the district is variable, with the potential to extend up to the end of the school year. By accepting the loan, Schools agree to be responsible for the devices, and then use their own methods of distribution and tracking to loan them out to students in need. Sample checkout agreements for schools to customize and use with parents and students are available, as well as device usage instructions, and will be provided upon execution of the initial loan from the district. As per the terms of the district loan agreement, the devices are expected to be returned to the district on the agreed upon date in good working condition, otherwise the school will incur the costs of repair or replacement. Depending on demand, loans may be subject to recall at any time in order to accommodate situations of greater need.

To qualify for participation in this program, interested schools will need to designate a local Kajeet administrator to manage checkout and support of the devices. This should not be your building computer technician. Many schools have found success with their Media Coordinator designated as this person. The name and contact information for this person will be required on the loan agreement.

If you have interest in this program, please call Mark Sowa at 801-567-8392 (x88392).