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DATE:   
November 9, 2023

TO: 
All Administrators & Threat Assessment Teams

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness
Angie Rasmussen, Student Safety & Wellness Specialist

SUBJECT:
Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) Level 2 & 3 Training Dates


Traditionally, CSTAG training consists of two (2) training levels and both levels must be completed by all administrators and threat assessment team members. The CSTAG Level 2 workshop is for all who have completed the Level 1 training (the six (6) hour web-based training from Navigate360). This workshop will build upon your knowledge of threat assessment by providing practical application and implementation of the CSTAG process in your school.

If you have already completed level 2, we are excited to announce a new training opportunity, CSTAG level three (3).

This in person Level 2 workshop will:

  1. Review CSTAG level 1
  2. Focus on implementation and use of the threat assessment process
  3. Focus on sustainable ways to use CSTAG in your school
  4. Review and training on the decision tree
  5. Review the CSTAG forms and best practices for documentation
  6. Practice using real-world scenarios.

Level 2 Course #101883 Friday, December 1, 2023

District Office Room 129
8:00am-10:00am Section #127887 or 1:30pm-3:30pm Section #127888

Level 2 Course #101883 Friday, March 1, 2024

District Office Room 129
8:00am-10:00am Section #127889 or 1:30pm-3:30pm Section # 127890

NEW Level 3 In-Person Training

Wednesday, June 5th
District Office Room 129
10:00am-12:00pm Course #101984 and Section # 127891

Please sign up using JPLS for the session you will be attending. Select this  to register for level 2 or 3 sessions of CSTAG training.

If you are not certain about having completed the CSTAG Level 1 or 2 courses or should you have any questions please reach out to Angie Rasmussen at angie.rasmussen@jordandistrict.org.

As a reminder from Principal Meeting on 11/7/23, please fill out the form indicating when you would like to receive all Wit and Wisdom materials for your school. See the attached document for more information.

Wit and Wisdom Implementation and Training Timeline

Wit and Wisdom Implementation Preference

DATE:
Thursday, November 9, 2023

TO:
Middle School Administrators
High School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
2023-24 Stakeholder Input Survey Response Counts


School administrators may view the response counts for the 2023-24 student, parent and faculty Stakeholder Input Surveys using the links below. Please note that the response counts for each of the links are updated live as survey responses are submitted.

Response Count Reports

Student Stakeholder Input Survey

Parent Stakeholder Input Survey

Faculty Stakeholder Input Survey

The survey window closes at the end of the day, Tuesday, November 21, 2023. Please contact Ben Jameson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with any questions about the Stakeholder Input Surveys.

DATE: 
Thursday, November 9, 2023

TO: 
Elementary School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
2023-24 Stakeholder Input Survey Response Counts


School administrators may view the response counts for the 2023-24 student, parent and faculty Stakeholder Input Surveys using the links below. Please note that the response counts for each of the links are updated live as survey responses are submitted.

Response Count Reports

K-3 Student Stakeholder Input Survey

4-6 Student Stakeholder Input Survey

Parent Stakeholder Input Survey

Faculty Stakeholder Input Survey

The survey window closes at the end of the day, Tuesday, November 21, 2023. Please contact Ben Jameson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with any questions about the Stakeholder Input Surveys.

Two-Step Verification for your Jordan School District Google account will soon be required. You can take an active role in securing your account by enabling this feature before that time.

How to Enable Two-Step Verification:

  1. Go to Google's Two-Step Verification setup page.
  2. Follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to complete the setup. You can choose your preferred method for receiving verification codes, be it Google prompts on an iOS or Android device, text message, or a voice call.
  3. Complete the verification process the first time you login on a NEW device. Once logged in, it will not be necessary to verify your account unless you login on a new device/browser or clear your cache and cookies.

Why Enable Two-Step Verification Now?

  1. Immediate Protection
  2. Prevent Potential Issues: Minimize loss of access to your Google account BEFORE Two-Step Verification becomes mandatory.

How to Get Support with Two-Step Verification:

If you have any trouble during the setup process or have questions, our help desk is ready to assist you. Don't hesitate to reach out to them at extension 88737. Also, attached is a pdf tutorial or a video tutorial to guide you through enabling 2-Step Verification. Lastly, on the day that 2-Step Verification becomes required for your school, there will be support staff from Information Systems at your school to help with those that have not yet enabled 2-Step Verification.

We highly recommend that you enable this important security enhancement BEFORE it becomes mandatory, as you may lose access to your Google account if you haven't enabled it by the required date. This proactive step will not only protect your account but also contribute to the overall cybersecurity of your school.

Federal regulations require the district to certify the payroll of any employee being paid with federal funds. Accounting identifies employees that meet this federal criteria and prepares certification forms by location. Principals and department heads please review the attached instruction memo and look for your payroll certification email the week of November 6, 2023. Certifications are due Monday, December 11, 2023. Please review your certifications ASAP and contact Natalie Grange if you have any questions or concerns. natalie.grange@jordandistrict.org, ext. 88312

Attention Principals,

New/updated Labor Law posters have been distributed to all principals/buildings.  We are required by law to post these in a location where employees have ready access to review them (i.e. Faculty rooms).

If you have a need for additional posters in English or Spanish, please contact Human Resources.

Thank you for your assistance.

What are Critical Days?
Critical Days are the days before or after a school holiday when students are in attendance

What if I use an Annual/Personal leave day on a Critical Day?
Employees using annual/personal leave on Critical Days will be docked on their next paycheck as listed below:

  • Licensed - $156, equivalent to 50% of the daily rate of a licensed employee on salary level one
  • ESP - 40% of the employee’s daily rate

Will I still be docked if I don’t need a substitute?
Yes, this is not to cover the cost of a sub

Are there any exceptions in the policy to having my paycheck docked?
Annual/personal leave may be taken on a Critical Day without being docked for the following specific reasons:

  • Observance of religious holidays which fall on a regularly scheduled school calendar workday.
  • Family weddings of near relatives including children, father, mother, brothers, sisters, grandchildren, grandparents, or the same to one's spouse or any other person who is a member of the same household
    as the employee.
  • Graduations of near relatives as defined above.
  • Required court appearances,
  • Deaths not covered by DP330 NEG Bereavement Leave - Licensed.
  • Conferences and conventions which relate to the individual employee's work assignment and are not
    covered by policy DP339 – Released Time—Professional.
  • To attend to personal or business matters which require the employee’s attendance and scheduling is
    beyond the employee’s control.
  • First year employees who notify their supervisor in writing that they are ill.
  • Applying for the Critical Days “lottery” during the appropriate time window and being randomly selected as one of the  imited number of employees allowed. Employees are only eligible for this exemption once per contract year. More information about this “lottery” request process can be found in JEM and at https://employment.jordandistrict.org/annualleave.

What if the reason I’m using annual/personal leave on a Critical Day is an exception in policy as listed above?
The specific reason and exception in the policy must be added in the Skyward time off description

Will I still be docked if my supervisor gives me permission and approves my time off request?
Yes, unless the reason and above listed exception is applicable and entered in the time off description

How do I know when Critical Days are?
Information regarding the use of annual/personal leave on Critical Days is posted on the Human Resource Department’s website at https://employment.jordandistrict.org/annualleave, and is sent in JEM. The Payroll Department also posts these Critical Days on their website at https://payroll.jordandistrict.org, and sends them in JEM during the applicable months.

The holiday season is fast approaching! And with that comes one of the best events of the year! JEF CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS! Christmas for Kids provides a little bit of Christmas cheer for students in Jordan District who would otherwise go without during the holiday season. These deserving students are carefully selected by school counselors, administrators, and Jordan School District specialists due to extreme need and personal circumstances. Please consider giving your time and resources this year to support a deserving middle or high school student in Jordan District! Visit our website www.jefchristmasforkids org for more information and to register to chaperone or donate.

DATE: 
Thursday, November 9, 2023

TO: 
Middle School Administrators
High School Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, 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: Social Media and Mental Health

Applicant: Sarah Coyne, Brigham Young University-Provo

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 some in-class instructional time and a recruitment flyer that will be sent out to your school community via PeachJar.

Thank you for your assistance.

Please submit concerns to be discussed by JAESP committee and cabinet by November 15, 2023. Send items to be discussed to Nick Hansen at Golden Fields, Ann Pessetto at Silver Crest or Kaleb Yates at Jordan Hills. All items are discussed anonymously as we work to provide clarification and solutions to concerns of elementary administrators. Notes of the discussions will be published following the meeting on the Google Doc titled "JAESP committee notes 2023-24" shared previously with Elementary Administrators.

DATE:   
Thursday, October 12, 2023

TO:
Elementary School Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
Rebecca Smith, Consultant, Gifted & Talented

SUBJECT:
6th Grade CogAT Test Administration Training


The test administration window for the 6th grade CogAT opens October 23rd and closes December 1st. 6th grade teachers, in collaboration with school test coordinators, can administer this assessment to their classes.

A test administration training is being offered to school test coordinators as well as 6th grade teachers. School administrators may attend a training session, but it is not required. Testing pool hours may be used for ESPs who are attending a training session outside of their usual hours. There is no funding for substitutes; thus, schools will need to cover the cost of a substitute if a classroom teacher is attending a training session. Attendees should bring a device to the training.

Below are the training session dates, times, and locations. Those who are planning to attend a training session should sign up here.

Date Time Location
Tuesday, October 17 9:00 – 10:30 am Presentation Room
7905 South Redwood Rd., West Jordan
Entrance C
12:30 – 2:00 pm
Wednesday, October 18 9:00 – 10:30 am
12:30 – 2:00 pm

Please contact Ben Jameson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability or Rebecca Smith and Taryn Cox in Gifted & Talented with questions.

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, 2023.  

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.”  Attached is a tutorial to assist in completing the review.

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).

 

DATE:
October 7, 2023

TO: 
Principals
All Special Educators and Related Service Providers

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

SUBJECT:
Important Deadline--Please Read Immediately
SCRAM Data Due by the end of day Monday, November 6, 2023
Updating SCRAM for December 1 Funding Count


We are fast approaching our December 1 SCRAM count deadline. Special Education Resource and SCSC Team Leaders will soon receive a SCRAM report via District Mail of all students who are currently receiving services through your school’s special education program(s). Please pay special attention to the students with the “SCRAM School” highlighted. These students have obvious errors and will need a new SCRAM submitted. These errors are students who are new to your school and are not yet scrammed at your location, likely because they came from preschool or a different school in the district. All team members and service providers need to verify each student on this list as either correct, changed, exited/moved, and/or incomplete. Since only one copy is being sent per “team” (i.e., Resource and SCSC), it is important that resource teams, SCSC teams, SLPs, Guidance Specialists and other itinerant providers work together to check and complete the requested information. It is important to verify every student. Each team member must review and initial the report before returning it to the Special Education Department. Please only return the one original report with all signatures and updated SCRAM documents, please do not send in multiple copies of the report.

We realize that our timeline is VERY tight. Please only send in SCRAM documents for those students who have an error or need a change or correction in services, not those on the report that are already correct. The service provider can be changed on the report without sending in a new scram document by crossing out the current provider and writing in the new one.

All Corrections and SCRAM reports are Due:  By 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 6, 2023