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DATE:   
May 19, 2021

TO: 
Elementary and Middle School Administrators

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Planning & Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness

SUBJECT: 
LAST CHANCE: 2021-22 Social Emotional Learning Grant Opportunity


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 3 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.

This form will close on May 28, 2021

DATE:    
May 20, 2021

TO: 
High School Administrators
High School Athletic Directors
High School Sport/Activity Coaching or Directing Staff

FROM: 
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Caleb Olson, Consultant, Planning & Enrollment

SUBJECT: 
Participation of Non-Boundary Charter School Students on School Teams/Groups


Utah Code 53G-6-704 and USBE Board Rule R277-494-3 allow a charter or online school student to participate in an extracurricular activity not offered by the student’s charter or online school, provided certain eligibility requirements are met. Most importantly, the student must be “eligible for extracurricular activities at a public school consistent with eligibility standards as applied to full-time students of the public school.” (see UCA 53G-6-704(4))

School administrators (or, by delegation, athletic directors or coaching and directing staff) must ensure that students who try out for a sports team or group are eligible for participation by being an enrolled student of the school. Charter school students are eligible by participation either by residence in the boundaries of the high school or through having been granted an out-of-boundary permit following all established District procedures for granting permits. While building administrators have significant discretion in policy and Utah law in granting permits, Utah Code 53G-6-403(3)(a) specifically prohibits using “athletic or other extracurricular ability” as grounds for awarding a permit. Boundary residency or an out-of-boundary permit qualify a student for tryout and team/group participation; qualifying for or being offered a spot on a team/group alone DOES NOT QUALIFY the student for an out-of-boundary permit.

DATE:  
May 19, 2021

TO: 
Secondary Principals
Secondary School Counselors

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Planning & Student Services
Stacee Worthen, Secondary Counselor Consultant

SUBJECT:   
2021-2022 Comprehensive School Counseling Program (CSCP) Calendar


Please see document below for dates, locations, and times.

Utah State Statute requires that parents are notified of their student’s reading outcomes within three weeks of the close of each Acadience testing window. This year, the end of year Acadience testing window closes on May 28th. Parents should be notified of their student’s results by June 18th. Letters may be sent home with students or mailed home.

Health Special Risk, Inc. is offering two options for supplemental accident insurance, at-school coverage and 24-hour coverage. See attached flyer (English and Spanish) for additional information. Please consider including the information in  your school packets.

The Social Studies program of Teaching and Learning is announcing a summer history academy for teachers grades 4-6. There are 15 slots available. Dates are June 22-25 (4 days), 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and upon completion of the Academy and required work, teachers will receive a $500 stipend. The focus for the Academy is using primary sources to engage students in the study of history.

Please complete the attached application and return to Pam Su’a at pamela.sua@jordandistrict.org. Deadline for receiving applications in the District Office is May 28.

DATE:   
May 13, 2021

TO:
Principals
All Certified Special Education Staff

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

SUBJECT:   
Year-End Checkout for Traditional Schools/Year-Round Schools


The items listed in the attached memo need attention as you prepare to close out the 2020-21school year.

Any questions or concerns that arise should be directed to your school’s Teacher Specialist for clarification.

DATE: 
May 13, 2021

TO:   
Principals
Attendance Secretaries

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

SUBJECT: 
Entering Attendance in Skyward for the Last Six (6) Days of the School Year


Please see attached memo.

Schools have the option of having teachers track their summer school work time in True Time rather than on timesheets. If you would like to do this, please send a list of your teachers to Keelee Leuluai and note that the list is for summer school. Instructions for using True Time can be found here.

It is expected that all ESP employees will use True Time to track their work for summer school. Please send a list of ESP employees participating in summer school to Keelee Leuluai.

DATE:
Thursday, May 13, 2021

TO:  
Elementary School Administrators
Middle School Administrators

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

SUBJECT: 
RISE Reporting Features and Functions


Accessing the reporting feature on the RISE Portal will allow you to view RISE proficiency in real time as well as access student level raw data. Please follow the step-by-step instructions on the documents below to access both reporting features.

Department Directors:

The Human Resource department is excited to roll out a new recruiting system, Applitrack from Frontline.

This new system provides the following advantages:
- A more streamlined process to recruit and hire new employees
- All positions will be on the same recruiting system
- A fully electronic recruiting process
- The same recruitment system for both licensed and ESP employees

Effective July 1, 2021, all ESP and non-licensed positions will be posted using Applitrack. Effective October 1, 2021, all Licensed positions will be posted on Applitrack.

In preparation of the new system implementation, we will be providing training to administrators and administrative assistants. The training for department administrative assistants will be in person on May 17 and May 19. Administration training will begin June 8 through June 29 and will be through zoom.

We will also make available on HRConnections and AdminOnly the training videos and tutorials.

Please use the links below to schedule a training session. Please send this information to your administrative assistants who are responsible to post positions so they can schedule a time as well.

Contract Brent Burge at #88224 if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Human Resources

Administration:  https://jordanschooldistricthr.setmore.com/resourcebookingpage/r49a61444332140831/bookclass

Dept Administrative Assistant: http://my.setmore.com/bookingpage/f57956d4-89fa-4c97-a0c8-2c23dae48da6/class/ca73f1e40e7055fa41865a515e6aa4200f40406d6b 

Arts Are Core: Building Community Online Conference Register Now!

Arts Are Core presents an online conference experience with hands-on arts integration workshops in visual art, dance, music, drama, and poetry. Participate in teacher-created workshops and engaging presentations centered around our conference theme, Building Community. Participants will chat with presenters and fellow educators throughout the conference, walking away with enriched lesson plans connected to core curriculum, including downloadable resources to start the coming school year with creativity and energy!

Keynote Presenter: Glenis Redmond, Award-Winning Poet and Kennedy Center Teaching Artist

  • 8:30AM-2:30PM, August 4th, Online Conference presented by the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Endowed Program for Elementary Arts Education at Utah State University
  • Network with fellow educators, live Q&A with presenters, post-conference access to all recorded sessions, handouts, and resources
  • For a detailed schedule, presenter list, workshop descriptions, and additional conference information see the Arts Are Core: Building Community website
  • Join our conference Facebook Group to chat with other conference attendees

 Registration Costs:

  • $25.00 for Educators
  • $10.00 for University Students

 Re-licensure points, CEU credit, and SUU academic credit available!

For more info visit the Conference WebsiteArts Are Core 2021: Building Community and see the attached flyer. Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook and Instagram!

DATE:  
April 26, 2021

TO:  
High School Principals, Assistant Principals and Counselors

FROM:    
C. Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools
Stacee Worthen, Secondary Counseling Consultant
Jacinto Peterson, Principal, Valley High School

SUBJECT:  
Critical Dates Regarding 24-credit Diploma through Valley High School


Counselors with students planning to graduate with a 24-credit diploma from Valley High School need to be aware of the following date/deadlines:

May 17, 2021
Names of all students planning to graduate with a 24-credit diploma must be submitted to Jacinto Peterson, Principal of Valley High School.

All students who are planning to walk at Valley High School’s graduation ceremony need to contact Jostens at 1-800-JOSTENS immediately to order the Valley High School cap and gown package.  If they have previously ordered from their boundary school, Jostens will help them with the cancellation and reorder of Valley High School colors.

May 24, 2021
Deadline for official transfer of student to Valley High School.
All transfer students must have credits complete and transcripts reviewed by their boundary school before transfer is submitted.  Valley High School registrar will complete all transfers on May 24th.

May 25, 2021
All students who are planning to walk during the Valley High School Graduation Ceremony must attend one of the following meetings at Valley High:
12:30 p.m.                               4:30 p.m.
Each meeting will be approximately one hour.  Students will not be allowed to walk with fellow graduates if they do not attend one of these meetings.  Caps and gowns will be distributed at the end of this mandatory meeting.

June 2, 2021
Valley High School Graduation Ceremony 10:00 a.m.
Zions Bank Stadium – Real Academy
(14787 S. Academy Parkway, Herriman)

June 3, 2021
Students who do not wish to attend the graduation ceremony may pick up their diploma at Valley High School.

Please make note of these important dates and ensure they are communicated to students who are planning to use this option.

*Attached are instructions and the application for a 24-credit diploma through Valley High School.

24-Credit Diploma Critical Dates 2021

24-Credit Diploma through Valley High_MEMO 2021

24-Credit Diploma Application Fillable Form

 

Dear Educators,

We would like to share a new professional learning opportunity with you called Utah Microcredentials. This resource is supported and funded by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and is available to all educators in Utah’s public education system, including teachers, instructional coaches, paraprofessionals, counselors, related service providers, administrators, and other educators.

Microcredentials acknowledge all the different types of professional learning that educators do, both formal, traditional courses and independent, self-directed learning. Realizing that educators are continually honing their craft, Utah Microcredentials provides a way to recognize that learning. Microcredentials represent instructional skills and concepts. A microcredential is competency-based recognition that the holder has demonstrated effective and consistent use of the target skill or concept as a part of their practice. Microcredentials are not earned through seat time, assignments, or tests. They are earned by submitting the required evidence for a specific microcredential on the target skill or concept.

Each Utah Microcredential is worth a 0.5 USBE credit, which may be used for relicensing and for salary changes in certain districts/charters. The cost for each is $20. Earning microcredentials is also a way to demonstrate leadership. Posting earned microcredentials on your webpage, social media, and even outside your door is an invitation to share your skills with others. For more information, you can use these resources:

  • A narrated video that provides an overview of microcredentials,
  • The UEN website for Utah’s Microcredentials,
  • A one-pager of the most frequently asked questions about microcredentials.

You can start earning Utah Microcredentials on MIDAS. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to supporting learning for our Utah students.

DATE:   
April 30, 2021

TO: 
High School Principals
Assistant Principals Responsible for Driver Education

FROM:   
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools

SUBJECT:   
Reduction of .125 FTE Preparation Period for Driver Education


Beginning the 2022-23 school year, the previously allocated .125 FTE for a Driver Education preparation period will no longer be allocated. It has been funded through the Driver Education budget which has its own budgeting system that should sustain its program costs and has not been able to do so for the last several years.  The overall budget balance continues to decrease at a rapid rate.

Schools will be able to choose if they would like to continue to make additional preparation time available for their Driver Education program. If it is decided at the school level to do so, the funding will need to be through the school’s regular allocated funding sources. As a reminder, the district does provide the high school sixteen $500 department chair stipends that can be used for your Driver Education chairperson.

Because we value the opportunity for students to participate in this program during their regular school day schedule as well as doing everything we can to maintain our current pay schedule for the employees involved in the program, it was determined that discontinuing the .125 would be the best way to move forward and balance our budget while continuing to monitor the following factors:

  • Continued efforts to supplement the instructional class periods during the school day where students are taught Driver Education outside of our budget
  • Maintaining the current pay structure (80% of lane salary up to $36.50 per hour) for all driver education instructors helping with behind-the-wheel instruction
  • Continue funding our full-time mechanic that helps maintain our vehicle fleet
  • Maintaining the current fee schedule ($140/$160) for students who participate
  • Continue to monitor expenditures versus revenues
  • Vehicles/Repairs/Supplies/Conference registrations/GPS Software/Gas/etc.

Davis School District is hosting their Intermountain AP Summer Institute in an online format. This could be an option to offer your faculty quality professional development approved by the College Board at a significant cost savings compared to the typical on-site offerings.

Please see the following information for the Intermountain AP Summer Institute This local institute for 4 days of instruction from some of the best College Board consultants.  The institute will be held online from Tuesday, July 6 to Friday, July 9 and the cost is only $500.  Two hours of graduate credit is available for only $30.

There are also additional institutes available Please see the following link for more details on institutes https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/professional-development/workshops-summer-institutes/about-summer-institutes