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Category: Elementary Action Required

Published on

TO:
All School Principals

FROM:
Mike Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Lisa LeStarge, Administrative Assistant

Due to a recent State LAND Trust website issue, the Utah State Board of Education has extended the deadline for submissions of School LAND Trust Final Reports for 2024-2025. Final LAND Trust Reports must be submitted on the State website by March 20, 2026.

However, Upcoming Land Trust Plans cannot be submitted until the 2024-2025 Final LAND Trust Reports are completed and submitted, so we highly recommended that Principals submit these Final Reports as soon as possible.

If you have questions, please contact Lisa LeStarge at ext. 88182.

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Jane Olsen, Human Resources Specialist

We are currently in the Teacher Transfer Window from February 1st-28th. The Transfer Fair is Tuesday, February 17th.

Step 1: Advertise Available Position, Encourage  Educators to Attend the Transfer Fair
Principals you may now advertise available positions for the 2026-2027 school year through an internal Google Form. Please click here to advertise your openings for teachers and other licensed employees. This will enable our teachers to view your postings during the Transfer Window. 

Teachers interested in your positions must either complete the Skyward Teacher Transfer Request form in their Employee Access and/or attend the Teacher Transfer Fair on February 17th at Herriman High School. Each Monday during February, a Teacher/Educator Transfer Request Report will be emailed to principals, listing all interested licensed teachers and educators requesting a transfer for the upcoming school year.   

REMINDER
The Teacher Transfer Fair event is exclusively for current JSD educators, JSD interns, and student teachers for the 2025–2026 contract year. If they are not on our intern/student teacher list they will be turned away.
Education Support Professionals (ESPs) and substitute teachers interested in teaching roles are invited to attend the Jordan Job Fair on March 2nd, 2026. Please do not invite ESPs or substitute teachers to the Teacher Transfer Fair, as they will not be admitted.

Step 2: The Transfer Fair
Please park on the North side of Herriman High School and enter through the doors on the North west side, near the gymnasium.
To submit a transfer approval request for these educators, please complete the following form: Transfer Approval Request. This request form will be available until 5 pm on February 27th, 2026.
You will receive an approval/denial email with instructions on how to proceed.

Step 3: Posting Remaining Positions for Competitive Recruitment
Beginning March 1st, current JSD teachers and educators can view openings for the 2026-2027 school year at employment.jordandistrict.org and must apply and be hired through Frontline. Please note current educators may transfer until August 1st, 2026. Posting will be LIVE for 5 business days and interviews are required to include a minimum of two current JSD educators (internal qualified candidates) when available. Student teachers, ESPs and substitutes are not considered internal qualified candidates. Thank you for your attention to this important process and for helping to facilitate opportunities for our educators. 

Step 4: Hiring Current Educators in Qmulativ
After Qmulativ has gone live, you will receive an email with names of educators you have been approved to hire and instructions on how to proceed with hiring them. You will receive JAM reminders as this date comes closer. You can always check with the Recruiting team for status updates of approved transfer educators.

We look forward to seeing your team at the Teacher Transfer Fair.

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Jared Covili, Consultant of Digital Learning

As previously mentioned in principals’ meeting, JSD is looking to open up additional AI tools and opportunities for admin and faculty. There are several different ways for you to share good AI practices in your schools. 

First, we want to provide you with the Jordan School District AI Framework. This document is meant to provide ideas for each member of your school community and how they can use AI responsibly in school. You'll also find quick reference guides that can help your teachers know when it is appropriate to use AI for themselves and for their students.

JSD AI Framework

Second, we have two opportunities for you and your schools to have customized experiences with SchoolAI.  You have the chance to be part of the Admin pilot with features specific to your role and responsibilities.  There are three different options for your involvement.  You can choose any or all of these options.

  1. Access to the SchoolAI Admin Pilot Portal - this provides you with a new interface that allows you to implement AI in your work as an administrator.
  2. Provide feedback as part of an admin user group with SchoolAI - help shape the SchoolAI Admin Portal by providing recommendations and feedback to our partner.
  3. Have SchoolAI visit your school to talk with administrators and teachers about their SchoolAI experiences.

We are looking to provide access to students in a new student portal pilot with SchoolAI.  We are moving forward to explore options for students to have equitable access to AI tools for their learning.  We plan to roster students in a pilot for grades 7-12 and may add upper elementary grades as well. 

These pilots will last through the end of the school year in order to test structured access to AI as part of students’ learning activities.  Please fill out the attached form to indicate your interest in participating in either or both of these pilots. Contact Jared Covili, Admin - DTL, with any questions.

SchoolAI Pilot for Admin and Students Form

Published on

TO:
Principals

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Amanda Bollinger, Associate Administrator of Teaching and Learning

We are excited to announce that we've opened up more spots for the T&L New Educator Cohorts! Please share the attached flyer with your new teachers.

Published on

TO:
All Principals

FROM:
Cabinet

Refer to the links below for the Purple Star Schools application process for the 2026 school year. In addition, there is an annual report link for schools to verify that they have met requirements throughout the year. This is in conjunction with R277-929 State Council on Military Children.
2026 Purple Star Schools Application Open from January 15th through March 30th.
2026 PSS Annual Report Required by November 1st  for all PSS.

USBE Purple Star Schools website

For questions or more information, please contact Cassie Hays.

Published on

DATE: 
January 29, 2026

TO:  
All Administrators

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness Consultant

SUBJECT:
Bullying Action Plan (BAP) Training Dates

Bullying Action Plan (BAP) Training for all school-based administrators is required by State Law (53G-9-605.5). NEW training dates have been made available and are described below. This is the same training that has been offered previously and is intended to accommodate any school-based administrators who are new to the District or have not yet attended the BAP training.

Jordan District has created a “Bullying Action Plan” to support a caring, proactive response to bullying incidents. Training on the Bullying Action Plan (BAP) will occur through in-person, 2-hour sessions. All school-based administrators who are new to the district or did not attend the BAP training last year are required to attend one of the following training sessions:

Wednesday, February 25th, DO Room 129, (8:30am-10:30am)) Register Here
Wednesday, February 25th,  DO Room 129, (1:00pm-3:00pm) Register Here

Register for all sessions on Canvas (https://pd.jordandistrict.org/)

Should you have any questions please reach out to Angie Rasmussen at angie.rasmussen@jordandistrict.org

Published on

DATE:
January 22, 2026

TO: 
Elementary School Administrators
Middle School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
RISE Summative Training

The RISE summative testing window is from April 9-May 28, 2026. RISE passwords get reset each year, so please be sure your teachers log in and reset their passwords for this year at utahrise.org.

Please make sure all testing teachers complete the yearly RISE test administration training. Many teachers only use the RISE systems once a year, so yearly training on how it all works is needed. Only teachers who will administer the RISE test need to be trained. For your reference, here is a link to the Testing Ethics Policy.

School administrators are responsible for making sure all RISE-tested teachers get trained in RISE test administration. Should you choose to hold a training at your school, this fulfills the training requirement. Teachers have two additional options to be trained for RISE testing:

RISE Canvas Course
The RISE test administration training requirement can be fulfilled by completing the Canvas course online. Teachers can self-enroll in the course using this link: Enroll in RISE Summative Test Administration Training 2025-2026.

Access to the course will be available starting on February 2, 2026. A certificate of completion will be available for download at the end of the course.

Zoom RISE Training
Teachers can attend one of the following Zoom RISE trainings to fulfill the training requirement. Here is the Zoom link for these trainings.Meeting ID: 526 613 4800.

  • Friday, March 6 @ 8:45 AM or 1:30 PM
  • Friday, March 13 @ 8:45 AM or 1:30 PM
  • Friday, March 20 @ 8:45 AM or 1:30 PM
  • Friday, April 10 @ 8:45 AM or 1:30 PM
  • Friday, April 17 @ 8:45 AM or 1:30 PM
  • Friday, April 24 @ 8:45 AM or 1:30 PM

For questions about RISE training or test administration, please contact Kassidy Towery in Assessment, Research & Accountability.

Published on

DATE:
January 15, 2026

TO:
Principals
Special Education Staff

FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Kristin Norris, Teacher Specialist-SLP/A, ESY Coordinator

SUBJECT:
Extended School Year (ESY) Qualification Procedures and Timelines
Attached: ESY Eligibility Facts, Tips and Documentation

IDEA directs us to consider all students for Extended School Year (ESY) services. However, ESY services should only be provided if the IEP team determines that it is necessary for the provision of a free, appropriate public education (FAPE).

Please see the attached memo and information.

Published on

TO:
Principals

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning

Mark your calendar and save the date to attend the Literacy Promise Conference. There are some fantastic presenters in attendance this year that you will not want to miss.

T & L will pay registration fees for up to three individuals from each school to attend the Literacy Promise Conference held on March 12-13, 2026. This can include administration, coaches, or teachers. Schools are not required to participate or may choose to send fewer than three individuals. Responses will be accepted through March 4th. Please click on the link below and fill out the form to list the individuals who will be paid through T&L. If your school would like to send more than three individuals, registration can also be done at the school or individual level using the QR link on the enclosed flyer. Schools are responsible for substitute costs as needed.

The conference is March 12-13, 2026 at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Utah.

LINK to register individuals to be paid by T&L.

Published on

Date:
January 15, 2026

To:
All School Principals

From:
Mike Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Lisa LeStarge, Administrative Assistant

Subject:
LAND Trust and TSSA Plans Available for Entry

The School LAND Trust program Final Report for 2024-2025

is now available for entry on the State website. Reports must be submitted on the School LAND Trust reporting site no later than Friday, February 13, 2026.

Final Report expenditures will not be entered by the principal, but will be displayed and space will be available for principals to enter an explanation for those expenditures.

The 2026-2027 Upcoming Land Trust Plan can be submitted after the final report is completed, submitted, and finalized by the District Office. The due date for submitting 2026-2027 Land Trust and TSSA plans is March 20, 2026. This allows sufficient time for plans to be approved by the Board prior to receiving funds for the 2026-27 school year.

TSSA Plan and Folder LINKS: 2026-2027 School TSSA Plans.

Published on

TO:
All Principals

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amanda Bollinger, Associate Administrator, Teaching & Learning
Amy Lloyd, K-12 Math Consultant, Teaching & Learning

The Elementary Math team is excited to invite teachers from your school to participate in upcoming district-wide collaboration sessions on February 9th, 10th, and 11th at the ASB in PDC 101. These sessions are designed for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade teachers and will foster meaningful dialogue around what’s working in math instruction and where we can grow together.

Each interactive session will run for 2.5 hours, bringing together educators from across the district to celebrate successes, share experiences, and identify current challenges. Feel free to invite one lower grade (K–2) and one upper grade (3–5) teacher from your school to attend and contribute their valuable perspectives.

Please add your selected teachers’ names and school name to this spreadsheet. The district will provide half-day substitutes for participating teachers.

Thank you for supporting this opportunity for collaboration and continuous improvement in elementary math. We look forward to learning together.

Published on

DATE: 
January 12, 2026

TO:  
Principals
Special Education Teachers (Resource & Cluster)

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

SUBJECT: 
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Training

Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) is the alternative assessment required for students who are participating in the Essential Elements curriculum. It is a requirement that all new teachers in our district who will be administering this assessment need to be trained. This training will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, from 7:30 to 10:30 am via Zoom. Please sign up through Canvas. https://pd.jordan.com DLM Training for New Teachers.

Rosters from the Canvas course will be used for Elementary teachers to cover any hours outside of their contract. If attendees need class coverage, they should make arrangements with their school team (e.g., use paraeducators).

Please direct any questions or concerns to Jen Birrell for Elementary Teachers and Lucia Evans for Secondary Teachers.

Jen Birrell: 801-567-8905 or jennifer.birrell@jordandistrict.org
Lucia Evans: 801-567-8295 or lucie.evans@jordandistrict.org

Published on

DATE:
January 12, 2026

TO:
All Principals

FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Brian King, Ph.D., Assistant Director of Special Education
Mike Trimmell, Ed.D., Special Education Administrator

SUBJECT:
Professional Development Opportunities for Special Education Teams on De-escalating and ESIs.

The Special Education Department is pleased to announce upcoming training sessions for school-based teams. Content for this training mirrors the training delivered during the January 2026 Principal’s meeting, adapted for team-wide participation. To foster maximum collaboration, we strongly encourage entire teams—including Licensed Special Education Teachers, School Psychologists, and Instructional Assistants—to attend the session together. Principals are welcome to join with their team.

Please note that part-time Instructional Assistants will be compensated for their participation through a JSD Timesheet.

We invite teams to select their preferred training date by completing the specific form below. Because space is limited for each session, we recommend early submission to ensure your first choice.

● March 6, 2026,
○ 1 pm-3 pm
○ ASB Presentation Room (7905 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan, Entrance "C")
○ See attached memo for link to Registration Form

● April 17, 2026,
○ 1 pm-3 pm
○ ASB Auditorium (7905 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan, Entrance "A")
○ See attached memo for link to Registration Form

Attendance is optional.

Published on

DATE:
January 5, 2026

TO:
Principals
Special Education Teachers (Resource & Cluster)

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

SUBJECT:
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Testing Checklist

Attached is the DLM checklist for all special education teachers who will be administering the DLM assessment to any of their students during the 2025-26 school year. You are required to complete and return the checklist to Jen Birrell for all Elementary teachers and Lucia Evans for all Secondary teachers at the District Office by Thursday, March 5, 2026. This form is also available online at specialed.jordandistrict.org/staff/forms on the Special Education website.

Please direct any questions or concerns to Jen Birrell for Elementary Teachers and Lucia Evans for Secondary Teachers.

Jen Birrell: 801-567-8905 or jennifer.birrell@jordandistrict.org
Lucia Evans: 801-567-8295 or lucia.evans@jordandistrict.org

Published on

TO:
All Principals

FROM:
Mike Haynes, Director of Education Foundation

Outstanding Educator Nominations are OPEN. We are excited to recognize an outstanding teacher at your school. Submissions are due by midnight January 20, 2026. The application and additional details can be found on the JEF Website.

If you have questions, contact Carla at extension 88125

Published on

DATE:
January 8, 2026

TO: 
District Employees Who Qualify for Mileage Reimbursement

FROM: 
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Dan Ellis, Director of Accounting

SUBJECT:
Defensive Driving Course Requirement for Mileage Reimbursement

Our insurance carrier, State Risk Management, has asked that every person who receives mileage reimbursement take the Utah Defensive Driving Course. We ask that you complete this free course as soon as possible using the instructions attached to this memo.

A new District Mileage Reimbursement form can be found at this link https://jordandistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/083_MileageReport.xlsx This new form has a box under the title for the individual to enter the completion date of the course. Please note that beginning in January 2026, Accounting will only reimburse mileage that includes the completion date of the Risk Management Defensive Driving Course. The course must be completed every two years. Supervisors approving mileage reimbursement – please remind your employees to complete this course and enter the date at the top of their mileage reimbursement form to avoid delays in reimbursement in January 2026.

The link below provides access to the course in the Utah Learning Portal. Your username is your district email. Click “Sign Up” and fill out the required information. Note that the security key word is Jordan and you may create your own password.

Utah Learning Portal

Once you have passed the course, record the completion date on your mileage reimbursement form and print the certificate. You may use the print option at the top of the final page of the online assessment or print your certificate from the attachment that will be emailed to you. Retain the certificate at your location for audit purposes.

If you have questions regarding the mileage reimbursement form, please contact Dan Ellis, Director of Accounting, Budgets, and Audits at 801.567.8389. If you have questions about the Risk Management Defensive Driving Course, please contact Brandon Conti, Risk Management Coordinator at 801.567.8876.

Published on

DATE:
December 15, 2025

TO:
Elementary School Principals
Secondary School Principals

From:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amanda Bollinger, Associate Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Jared Covili, Digital Administrator of Teaching & Learning

SUBJECT: LanSchool Classroom Management Software Extension

In cooperation with the JSD Purchasing Department, Teaching and Learning has procured an extension for LanSchool classroom management software for all current subscribers through the end of the school year. No new schools are permitted to purchase LanSchool software during this school year, but all currently subscribing schools will be able to extend their current LanSchool contracts through June 30, 2025. Please reach out to Tonya Hodges in Purchasing for more information about extending your current LanSchool contract.

Teaching and Learning will be conducting a new RFP (Request for Proposal) in Spring 2026 to allow all classroom management software vendors to participate in the process for selecting a district-wide solution. This is necessary to ensure that classroom management software works both in classrooms and computer labs. Once the RFP process concludes we plan to have a solution that will work on all computers throughout the schools.

Published on

DATE:
December 15, 2025

TO:
Elementary Principals
Middle School Principals

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Matt Alvernaz, School Safety Coordinator

SUBJECT: 2026-27 Safe Routes to School

It is time to begin our Safe Routes for 26-27. Please go to the Safe Routes Utah website. If you need help getting your log in information or adding a new contact at your school please contact Kristen Hoschouer at khoschouer@utah.gov to request what you need.

Each map must be reviewed, completed with no gaps in the lines, and updated. If the state map does not match the map you submitted, please contact Kristen Hoschouer (khoschouer@utah.gov) at the state directly. Corrections to the maps cannot be edited or amended at the district level.

Instructions from the state require that schools:

  1. Identify a Safe Routes Committee
  2. Create/update the Safe Routes Map and submit for district approval
  3. Create/update the Safe Routes plan report

All of this information, including guides and video tutorials, can be found on the new state website.

The District Safe Routes To School (SRTS) forms from last year have been updated and placed in a shared drive by the corresponding city.  Follow the appropriate link below and find your school.  You will see last year’s information entered by the school still on it for reference and convenience.  Make updates to the form as needed.

Once updates have been completed, these forms will be shared with city governments for review and response.  Because it is shared, you will be able to see the city’s responses to better prepare for our meetings (DATES TBD).  Your schools Safe Routes to School forms are due on or before Friday, February 13, 2026 (but the sooner the better).  If you have any questions please contact the district School Safety Coordinator, Matt Alvernaz matt.alvernaz@jordandistrict.org.

West Jordan Schools        South Jordan Schools

Herriman Schools             Riverton Schools

Bluffdale Schools