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TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Manager in Information Systems


Introducing ParentSquare: Our New Communication Platform Launching July 1st!

We are excited to announce the launch of our new school communication platform, ParentSquare, which will be available July 1st! Does this mean that Skylert is no longer available? That’s correct, Skylert will no longer be accessible after June 30, 2024. The good news is that ParentSquare is capable of so much more!

See the document below for all the exciting details!

 

TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Jeri Gamble, Customer Support in Information Systems


Reminders!!
Accounting Magicians: Please, for the love of all things numerical, **do not** enter any cash receipts, check requests, mileage, or electronic journal entries. The deadline was June 19. Yes, you read that right, JUNE 19. Everything should have been approved by June 20. Fear not, you can begin submitting your precious cash receipts, electronic journal entries, check requests, and mileage again on July 2, but make sure you select the year 2024-25. Time travel is tricky, folks.

SKYWARD FINANCE ROLLOVER: Brace Yourselves!
We will be performing the grand year-end processes on Monday, July 1. On Friday, June 28, I'll be donning my janitor hat for some serious cleanup. Here’s how you can assist:

  • Check Requests: Make sure there are no check requests loitering around awaiting approval.
  • Cash Receipts: No current year cash receipts should be lounging in WIP or Batch status.
  • Journal Entries: Keep those current year journal entries out of Batch or Open status. Trust me, it’s for the greater good.

Pro Tip: It’s best to stay out of Skyward Finance on July 1. If you must enter, please don’t touch anything. Seriously, just look, don't touch. We don't need any rollover mishaps.

SKYWARD STUDENT ROLLOVER/ONLINE PAYMENTS REMINDER:
**Heads Up** The Skyward Student Rollover will occur on Tuesday, July 9. During this thrilling event, Skyward Student will be completely unavailable. It’s like it’s going on a digital vacation.

Our dear parents won’t be able to make any food service or student fee payments online from July 1 to July 9. The system needs some "me time" to complete the year-end processes and the rollover. Buckle up, everyone! It's going to be an exciting end-of-year ride!

Note: Chat GPT helped me spruce up this week’s email. 😊

DATE:
June 27, 2024

TO:   
Principals
Administrative Assistants

FROM:   
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent

SUBJECT:  
Fee Waiver Materials 2024-25


Schools need to collect and maintain the following, which may be requested as part of the school fees monitoring visits:

  • Students given waivers
  • Students denied fee waivers
  • Students who worked in lieu of a waiver

All USBE School Fees Notices and School Fee Waiver Applications can be found by clicking HERE.

Forms can be found under Grades K-6 and Grades 7-12 in multiple languages. The Fee Waiver Application, for both elementary and secondary was revised February 2024. Use the current form when having parents fill out the application. 

Attention: Students who previously showed verification of eligibility do not need to resubmit documentation. It may be necessary for the principal (or designee) to contact the previous school of transferring students for verification of fee waiver status. Kindergarten students coming into the school, new students to the District, and students with extenuating circumstances will still be required to submit documentation.

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning


Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, Teaching & Learning will no longer have AV equipment for check-out. Schools may wish to purchase these items for a small fee to use at your own school. Please review the link to see the materials available (microphones, mic mixers, speakers, etc).

LINK to view materials

 

DATE:      
Thursday, June 27, 2024

TO:   
All Administrators

FROM:  
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT:   
2023-24 Assessment Results Now in Tableau


All state assessment results for the 2023-24 school year are now available in Tableau. Viewers will be able to see results for the district, schools and individual students. Where relevant, viewers may also see results by classroom teachers (except with the ACT, Utah Aspire Plus, and the WIDA Access, which are not connected to classroom teachers). The links below will help administrators navigate directly to the updated results for each assessment:

AAPPL for DLI

Acadience Math

Acadience Reading

ACT 11th grade administration

6th grade CogAT

Growth Measure

RISE (growth scores will be available in the fall)

Utah Aspire Plus (growth scores will be available in the fall)

WIDA Access (growth targets will be available in the fall)

AP exam results will be available in Tableau by the end of July (pending a release date from the College Board of July 15th). The state will release DLM results for students with significant cognitive disabilities sometime in the fall.

 

For questions about these dashboards, please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability. To request additional data or to see these results in another way, please contact the district’s data scientist, Brooke Anderson, in Assessment, Research & Accountability.

DATE:   
June 20, 2024

TO:  
Principals and Administrative Assistants

FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator

SUBJECT:
Classroom Supplies Appropriation - Payments and Reports


The State Legislature approved HB105 recently, which changed Classroom Supply funding qualifications and amounts for the 2024-25 school year. As previously explained in JAM, only Classroom Teachers will receive legislative supply funds, however the District will provide School Counselors with $175 “legislative funds” for one more year (2024-25). After this year, School Counselors will not receive these funds.

Please note that Legislative Funds (for teacher supplies and materials) have increased this year as follows:

  • Full-time Pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade teachers will receive $500
  • Full-time 7th through 12th grade teachers will receive $250
  • School Counselors will receive $175 for this school year only
  • These amounts will be adjusted, based on FTE percentage, for teachers who work part-time

In late September, ACH deposits will be completed to the licensed employees that qualify for legislative supply funds. At that time, schools will also receive a disbursement and FTE report with instructions and helpful information about legislative supply money.

If you have questions, please contact my administrative assistant, Lisa LeStarge, at 801-567-8120 or via email: lisa.lestarge@jordandistrict.org.

 

 

 

jl/ll

TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Jeri Gamble, Customer Support in Information Systems


JUNE 20
Accounting: Last day for principals, directors, and Administrator of Schools to approve check requests.

JUNE 24
Inventory: Last day for delivery of non-food 2023-24 Inventory orders

Reminders!!
Accounting: Do not enter any cash receipts, check requests, mileage and electronic journal entries. The last day for entering was June 19. Principals should approve check requests and mileage by June 20. You may begin submitting cash receipts, electronic journal entries, check requests and mileage on July 2, making sure you select 2024-25.

SKYWARD FINANCE ROLLOVER: All Schools and Departments
We will be doing Finance System year-end processes on Monday, July 1, so on Friday, June 28, I’ll be doing some cleanup. To assist us, please be aware of the following for Friday, June 28, after noon:

  • Check Requests: There cannot be any check requests awaiting approval.
  • Cash Receipts: There cannot be any current year cash receipts in WIP or Batch status.
  • Journal Entry: There cannot be any current year journal entries in Batch or Open status

Don’t forget that if possible, it’s best to stay out of Skyward Finance while we do the rollover on the 1st. If you need to get in, do not make any changes since it may cause errors in the rollover process.

SKYWARD STUDENT ROLLOVER/ONLINE PAYMENTS REMINDER
Skyward Student Rollover will be Tuesday, July 9. Skyward Student will not be available during this time.
Parents will not be able to make food service or student fee payments online from Monday, July 1 – Tuesday, July 9, while we complete year-end processes and the rollover.

TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services


Volunteer reports need to be submitted to Insurance Services.

Worker's 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 April 1, 2024 to End of School Year.

Please complete this form and return it to Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services, by June 30, 2024.

If you have questions, I can be reached at bonnie.brennan@jordandistrict.org or (801) 567-8285.

Thank you.

TO:
Secondary Administrators
Secondary Financial Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Jeri Gamble, Customer Support in Information Systems


See attached file for deadline dates and information regarding student fees.

SKYWARD YEAR END ROLLOVER/ONLINE PAYMENTS

Skyward FINANCE Rollover will be July 1. It’s best to stay out of Skyward Finance if possible. If you need to get in, do not make any changes since it may cause errors in the rollover process.

Skyward STUDENT Rollover will be Tuesday, July 9. Skyward Student will not be available during this time.

Parents will not be able to make food service or student fee payments online from Monday, July 1 – Tuesday, July 9, while we complete year-end processes and the rollover.

TO:
District Administrators
District Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Jeri Gamble, Customer Support in Information Systems


SKYWARD YEAR END ROLLOVER/ONLINE PAYMENTS

Skyward FINANCE Rollover will be July 1. It’s best to stay out of Skyward Finance if possible. If you need to get in, do not make any changes since it may cause errors in the rollover process.

Skyward STUDENT Rollover will be Tuesday, July 9. Skyward Student will not be available during this time.

Parents will not be able to make food service or student fee payments online from Monday, July 1 – Tuesday, July 9 while we complete year-end processes and the rollover.

JUNE 11
Payroll: Don’t forget to approve True Time off requests. They should have been approved by June 11.

JUNE 19
Accounting (Secondary Schools and Departments): P-Card reconciliations due.
Accounting (Secondary Schools & Departments): Last day to submit electronic cash receipts and electronic journal entries. You may resume on July 2.
Accounting (All Locations): Last day to submit check requests, mileage, and verifieds. You may resume submitting check requests on July 2.

JUNE 20
Accounting (All Locations): Last day for principals, directors, and Administrator of Schools to approve check requests.

TO:
Elementary Administrators
Elementary Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Jeri Gamble, Customer Support in Information Systems


SKYWARD YEAR END ROLLOVER/ONLINE PAYMENTS

Skyward FINANCE Rollover will be July 1. It’s best to stay out of Skyward Finance if possible. If you need to get in, do not make any changes since it may cause errors in the rollover process.

Skyward STUDENT Rollover will be Tuesday, July 9. Skyward Student will not be available during this time.

Parents will not be able to make food service or student fee payments online from Monday, July 1 – Tuesday, July 9 while we complete year-end processes and the rollover.

TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Manager in Information Systems


Do you have an Apple ID using your district email address?

Your Apple ID is your Apple account for App Store downloads, iCloud storage, and other Apple services. Not all staff with an Apple device have an Apple ID. Only staff who have used the App Store, iCloud or other Apple services have an Apple ID. Some Staff are using an Apple ID that they created using their district email address. These Apple IDs are in the format of firstname.lastname@jordandistrict.org. Despite the fact that these Apple IDs are using your district email address, these are personal Apple IDs that are managed by Apple and not Jordan School District. You will no longer be able to use your district email address for these Apple IDs. If you have an Apple ID using your district email address, then you will be receiving an email from Apple instructing you to choose a different email address.

What to expect if you want to continue using this Apple ID: 

  • Wait for the email from Apple before updating your email address.
  • Choose an email address that is not your district email address.
  • Previous purchases and iCloud data will not be affected.

What to expect if you DO NOT want to continue using this Apple ID:

  • You can ignore the email from Apple and any notifications you receive over the next 60 days.
  • Previous purchases and iCloud data associated with this Apple ID will become unavailable.

Who Can I Contact?

If you have any questions, please contact your building IT Support Technician or the Information Systems help desk at 801-567-8737.

TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Paul Bergera, Director of Transportation


When scheduling Field/Activity Trips for the 2024-2025 school year, please make note of the following moratorium dates and times when Transportation will not be able to accommodate Field/Activity trips. (See attachment below)

Please contact us with any questions. Kitt @ 801-567-8809, Michele, @ 801-567-8804 and Annette @ 801-567-8334.

Thank you so much for your assistance and support.

DATE:   
June 4, 2024

TO:  
Principals and Assistant Principals

FROM:   
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Michelle Reyes, Prevention Specialist, Student Services

SUBJECT:    
Attendance Summer Tips and Resources for Families


The arrival of summer provides an opportunity to take a deep breath, rest, and prepare for the coming school year. It is also an ideal time to set the tone for the upcoming year for staff, students, and families surrounding attendance. Utilize the summer to dive into data, identify students who struggled to attend, reach out to families, build relationships of trust, and make a plan to build the capacity of staff to address attendance issues.

The White House Summit-Every Day Counts Summit 2024 addressed the issue of chronic absenteeism and increasing student engagement. Presenters from research-based initiatives and districts leading the way with improving chronic absence shared best practices surrounding attendance. The key ingredient to moving the needle is increasing student connectedness.

Attendance Works has created a model for outreach and intervention regarding connection with students and families to reduce chronic absence. Included are models for summer, the first month of school, and ongoing practices and events.

AT A GLANCE-
Things you can do now to help with attendance later:

  • Drive with Data-Review attendance data from the 2023-2024 school year, note students chronically absent this year in need of support.
  • Make a Plan-Make a plan to provide extra support to these students and families throughout the summer and for the upcoming year.
  • Personalized Invites-Send personalized invites and make personalized phone calls to these families informing them of and inviting them to important upcoming events (orientations, first day, back to school night, etc.)
  • Build relationships-As you visit with families listen to what they need, look for opportunities to build the relationship, and remove barriers they may be facing.
  • Assign a mentor-Assign these students a champion in the school to mentor them from the first day of school.
  • Set one school goal aimed at attendance for the 2024-25 year.

For more guidance or help, contact Michelle Reyes-michelle.reyes@jordandistrict.org or (801)567-8205.

DATE:
June 13, 2024

TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
Counselors

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director, Student Services
Caleb Olson, Enrollment Consultant, Student Services

SUBJECT:
Student Records: Gender, Pronouns, Names


A student’s education record belongs to the parent/guardian and is available for use in the school setting to carry out the educational mission of the school and district. Please review the items below regarding certain fields of the student education record in Skyward and when or how changes to these fields may be appropriate.

Sex and Gender:
There are currently two fields in Skyward where information about sex and gender are recorded: “GENDER” and “GENDER IDENTITY.” The definitions of these fields for Skyward may not necessarily match how staff, students, and patrons understand and use the terms. 

GENDER: This field has the same legal definition as “SEX” or “BIOLOGICAL SEX” or “SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH”. This field must match the sex marker on the student’s legal birth certificate and may only be changed when the sex marker on the legal birth certificate is officially changed.

GENDER IDENTITY: This field will be blank by default and will not necessarily be the same as “SEX”. It can be updated by a parent/guardian (through the summer registration process or through written parent/guardian request to school administration) to show the student’s preferred or expressed gender identity. Please note that this field does not override any other fields in Skyward and the value of the “GENDER” field described above will display on class rosters and other reports.

Name and “Other Name”:
NAME: This field in Skyward must match the student’s legal name as shown on the birth certificate. It may only be changed in one of two ways:

  1. When the student’s legal birth certificate is officially changed through the court system, or
  2. When the parent/guardian completes a “Name Change Affidavit” and submits it to the school.

In the event that the name is changed through either of these methods, school administration should ensure that office staff processing the request contact Information Systems prior to changing the field in Skyward to avoid complications and service disruption for the student.

The Name Change Affidavit should be saved to the student’s digital cumulative folder in Skyward.

OTHER NAME: This field in Skyward allows a parent/guardian to indicate (by written request) an alternative name that they would like their student to be called. Updating this field does not automatically overwrite other fields in Skyward; however, unlike the “GENDER IDENTITY” field, certain reports (such as the Class Roster report or the Teacher Gradebook screen) contain an option to allow the “OTHER NAME” field to display in place of the legal name. 

The “OTHER NAME” field may be used by schools in programs, documents, and certificates. If no “OTHER NAME” entry exists, the legal name should be used.

The written documentation of the parent request to update the “OTHER NAME” field should be saved to the student’s digital cumulative folder in Skyward.

Name Use and Pronouns:
When a student requests that a teacher or staff member use a different name or pronouns to refer to the student, the following guidelines may be helpful:

  • When the requested name is an alternative form of the legal name or “OTHER NAME” in Skyward, the teacher or staff member may use the name.
  • When the requested name or pronouns do not appear to align with the “GENDER” on record in Skyward, the teacher or staff member should consult with the building principal regarding the requested name.
  • Teachers or staff members who have questions about using a student’s name or preferred pronouns (either communicated by the student, by a parent/guardian, or entered in the “OTHER NAME” or “GENDER IDENTITY” fields in Skyward) should communicate with their building principal or principal’s designee, who should be the primary point-of-contact between the school and the parent/guardian on this issue. Building principals should communicate with their Administrator of Schools as needed. 
  • Utah code §53E-9-205 prohibits policies or actions of the school from “shield[ing] a student's education record from the student's parent” or “interfer[ing] with a parent’s…freedom of access to information regarding the parent's child.” In the event the student expresses concerns about a parent/guardian receiving information about a student’s preferred name, preferred pronouns, or gender identity, the student should be referred to school administration, counselors, or social workers for further support.

NOTE: The rights listed above as belonging to or able to be exercised by the parent/guardian transfer to the student at age 18.