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Category: Elementary Action Required

Published on

DATE:  
Thursday, May 27, 2021

TO:
All School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
2021 USBE School Climate Survey Reports and Data Analysis Protocol

The window for the 2021 USBE School Climate Survey closed on May 7th.  Tableau dashboards have been prepared for school administrators to view survey results for their school as well as the district.

There are four categories of dashboards:

  • Adult School Climate Survey – These dashboards contain survey results for adult respondents, including school administrators, licensed educators, education support professionals and parents.
  • Student Climate Survey:
    • Grades K-2
    • Grades 3-5
    • Grades 6-12

The district report may be found here.

School reports may be found here.

The USBE School Climate Survey dashboards may also be found by going to the Explore menu in your Tableau Viewer account:

Explore > Surveys > USBE School Climate Survey > District Report

Explore > Surveys > USBE School Climate Survey > School Reports

Dashboards containing survey results also have filters that may be used to dig deeper into the survey data: Gender, race/ethnicity and respondent type.  The filters are determined from survey responses.

As a reminder, the USBE School Climate Survey was administered instead of the district’s annual Stakeholder Survey for this year only.  Thus, survey respondents did not have an opportunity to respond to question items regarding individual educators.  No individual educator score reports were generated nor is there a need to distribute them to educators as we have done in the past.  The district’s Stakeholder Survey will return in the 2021-22 school year.

A school climate survey data analysis protocol is also included with this memo.  It is recommended that school administrative teams take some time over the summer break to go through the data analysis protocol together.  It is also suggested that the protocol be used with JELL teams and/or other pertinent leadership teams in the school that deal with school climate issues.  If having a group of teachers work with the Tableau dashboards is something principals are interested in, temporary access to the climate survey results may be granted through Tableau.  Please contact Ben Jameson for more information.

Please contact Ben Jameson with any questions about the dashboards or the survey.

Published on

DATE:   
May 20, 2021

TO:
Principals
Special Education Teachers (Preschool and School Age)
Speech-Language Pathologists

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

SUBJECT: 
Updated Extended Year for Special Educator Stipend Days 2020-21

The USBE has set up new guidelines for documenting and reporting Extended Year Stipend Days. A specific group of special educators were allowed to work up to 3.5 additional days for the 2020-21 school year. Eligible staff that have days left to work, and did not work all of their allotted days in the fall, are required to complete a survey to be paid for those days. After you have completed working the days (after your contract ends), simply click on the link below to start the survey. This link will open on June 8, 2021 at 7am.

https://jordandistrict.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3ELRnpb23zVTZbM

Please read the survey carefully, making sure you answer all of the questions listed, as you will be paid according to what the survey generates. Only those that complete the survey will be paid. You are no longer required to submit the worksheet or timesheet after you have worked the days. Any timesheets submitted directly to the Special Ed. or Payroll departments will not be paid. Please note that the window for completing the survey closes June 30, 2021 at midnight.

Please remember you cannot count the days you already worked and were paid for in the fall. You can only count the days you work after your last contract date at the end of the 2020-21 school year. The State Board of Education has discontinued any leniency on dates that you work. You may ONLY work and report the two weeks after your last contract day. Therefore, you will only be paid for dates that are between June 8 to June 21, 2021 and only the number of days you have remaining from the fall of 2020-21.

As you plan for the coming year, keep in mind the legislature will presumably award days for the 2021-22 school year, which you can begin working two weeks prior to your first contract day, August 9, 2021. More information about next year’s days will be forthcoming. If you have questions, or need help with the survey, please contact Amanda Hamblin at amanda.hamblin@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8176.

Published on

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.

Published on

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.

Published on

DATE:   
May 6, 2021

TO:  
Building Administrators

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

SUBJECT:    
Reporting Hiring on the Enrollment Dashboard

In previous school years, building administrators submitted an “FTE Staffing Worksheet” form to Planning & Enrollment to report their hiring using 0050/FTE allocations. This form has been discontinued.

All administrators must report their hiring using 0050/FTE allocations on their Enrollment Dashboard. This report must be completed with current hiring by Friday, May 7, 2021. If changes in hiring or funding sources for staff are made, these changes should immediately be noted on the Enrollment Dashboard.

When entering hiring numbers, be sure to use the “2021-22” tab to enter all totals!

Elementary Schools: Enter hiring in rows 42-52. Use the correct columns (columns I through M) for the funding source used.

Middle Schools: Enter hiring using 0050 in rows 44-55. Enter hiring using alternative funding sources in rows 61-72. Please note that some rows require you to enter the number of individuals and some rows require you to enter the number of periods.

High Schools: Enter hiring using 0050 in rows 44-61. Enter hiring using alternative funding sources in rows 67-81. Please note that some rows require you to enter the number of individuals and some rows require you to enter the number of periods.

Again, building administrators should have their school’s hiring updated on the “2021-22” tab of the Enrollment Dashboard by Friday, May 7, 2021. Changes that take place after May 7 should be noted on the dashboard without delay. Thank you to all schools who have already completed their hiring updates.

Please contact Planning & Enrollment (x88183) with any questions or concerns.

Published on

Please advise your staff that Insurance Open Enrollment for this year will be May 15 - June 15.  Let your staff know that they need to get a confirmation that they have gone in and updated or verified that everything is correct.   Attached are the Open Enrollment Highlights.

Insurance Open Enrollment May 15 - June 15 for a September Effective Date.

InfinityHR/Arcoro ( https://www.infinityhr.com/login ) will be used for all benefit eligible employees to make benefit elections offered at Open Enrollment and for newly eligible employees. All benefit eligible employees should log into the online system to verify dependents, beneficiaries and benefit elections.  Included in the attached Open Enrollment Highlights are online enrollment instructions.

The following changes may be made during the open enrollment period.

  • Enroll in a new insurance plan
  • Change or cancel an existing insurance plan
  • Add or cancel members from an existing plan
  • Flexible Spending election (new elections must be made each year you wish to participate)

Published on

DATE: 
May 5, 2021

TO:   
All School and District Administrators

FROM: 
Administrator of Schools
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Planning & Student Services

SUBJECT:   
Behavior Survival Training for Administrators

A required training is scheduled for all administrators that will provide, within a restorative MTSS framework, background information pertaining to why problematic behaviors occur, basic information about behavioral resources that are available, an understanding of basic behavioral concepts, and strategies for effectively dealing with crisis behaviors.

Positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS) are a cornerstone of any restorative MTSS culture. This training will provide the background and understanding to adequately and appropriately manage behavior issues in a supportive environment.

The training will take approximately four (4) hours and will be provided on three different days with five (5) different sessions to choose from (you only need to attend one session – all sessions will provide the same content). All sessions will be held in the auditorium at Elk Ridge Middle School (3659 W 9800 S, South Jordan, UT.).

Please select one of the following dates/times to attend:

Tuesday June 8:                7:30-11:30am, or 12:00-4:00pm 

Tuesday June 15:              7:30-11:30am, or 12:00-4:00pm 

Thursday June 17:            7:30-11:30am

Click HERE to register for the Behavior Survival Training for Administrators or go to https://forms.gle/ndFyh1w1kMW1UzkN6

Published on

DATE:
April 29, 2021

TO:      
School Principals and Administrative Assistants

FROM:  
Administrators of Schools

SUBJECT: 
Principal Year-End Check Out Materials for 2020-21

Attached is the list of all forms and items to be completed for principal check out.

  • Items highlighted in yellow will be reviewed at check out with your Administrator of Schools.
  • Items highlighted in green require you to bring the requested items to your checkout.
  • Forms provided by the District for principal check out are included with this JAM.
  • You should turn in one completed copy of each form and keep a copy on file in your school for easy reference as you prepare the check out for the next school year.

If you have any questions, please contact your Administrator of Schools’ administrative assistant.

Published on

The state has again received grant money for schools to continue use of early intervention software programs for literacy in the 2021-2022 school year. Schools in the Jordan School District may choose from Lexia, iReady, and Imagine Learning. Please note that the district will be able to do the initial student upload for schools using Lexia. If iReady or Imagine Learning are selected, the schools will need to work with the companies to have the initial student upload completed. Please indicate the choice for your school by filling out the attached form. If you have any questions please contact Mandy Thurman or Michelle Lovell.

Early Intervention Software Survey

Published on

DATE: 
April 22, 2021

TO:  
All Administrators

FROM: 
Administrators of Schools
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Planning & Student Services

SUBJECT: 
Behavior Survival Training for Administrators

A required training is scheduled for all administrators that will provide, within a restorative MTSS framework, background information pertaining to why problematic behaviors occur, basic information about behavioral resources that are available, an understanding of basic behavioral concepts, and strategies for effectively dealing with crisis behaviors.

Positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS) are a cornerstone of any restorative MTSS culture. This training will provide the background and understanding to adequately and appropriately manage behavior issues in a supportive environment.

The training will take approximately four (4) hours and will be provided on three different days with five (5) different sessions to choose from (you only need to attend one session – all sessions will provide the same content). All sessions will be held in the auditorium at Elk Ridge Middle School (3659 W 9800 S, South Jordan, UT).

Please select one of the following dates/times to attend:

Tuesday June 8:
7:30-11:30am, or
12:00-4:00pm

Tuesday June 15:
7:30-11:30am, or
12:00-4:00pm

Thursday June 17:
7:30-11:30am

Click HERE to register for the Behavior Survival Training for Administrators or go to https://forms.gle/ndFyh1w1kMW1UzkN6

Published on

Please use the attached link and fill out the form to indicate what literacy materials the teachers in your building will need for next year. Please include the teachers who teach in self-contained support classrooms in your count. We would like to place necessary orders for your school as soon as possible to give teachers ample time to plan and prepare. Please complete the form by April 23rd, so we can begin the ordering process. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Michelle Lovell or Mandy Thurman.

Literacy Curriculum Needs Survey

Published on

Elementary Principals, this message will be going out in JEM, but please share with teachers and coaches.

Jordan School District has developed an instructional plan for literacy and has adopted curricula to strengthen instruction in both Tier 1 and Tier 2 settings to support all students and address disrupted learning. Please join us to learn about the plan, the curriculum, and the suggested daily schedule to help you prepare for the coming year. All K-6th grade gen ed. teachers, SCSC teachers, and coaches should sign up for a two-day session. Coaches may choose which grade level session to attend. All sessions will be held from 8:00-4:00 in either the ASB Auditorium or Presentation Room. Please check each session for the location. Teachers will be compensated with a $600 stipend upon full completion of the two-day session. Please see the Literacy Launch Packet for dates and agenda. Sessions will be offered in the fall for teachers not attending in the summer. Substitutes will be provided. Dates to be determined.

Literacy Launch Packet

Published on

We are preparing for the second year of our Elementary STEM PLC. This program supports elementary STEM rotations by training teachers/instructional assistants to use the tech tools from the JSD STEM Library. This PLC focuses on the T in STEM and provides both training and technology throughout the school year. This program will not provide a full-year of activities, but we will discuss several online tools that can be used at any time and add your school to a rotation to use a variety of tech tools during the year.

During 2020-2021, 13 elementary schools participated in this program. We will be extending this to an additional 13-14 schools in 2021-2022. The feedback so far has been positive, and I am happy to connect you with participating schools if you would like to ask questions.

All costs for tech tools and teacher/instructional assistant training are covered by a grant from the STEM Action Center. Participants will spend hours outside their regular school contract/hourly commitment, but they will be paid through the grant.

What does your school need to participate?
A scheduled school-wide STEM Rotation that serves the majority of your students
A commitment to using the tech tools when they arrive at your school
A teacher or instructional assistant who can commit to additional hours outside regular contract time

We will meet a few days in August for hands-on training with the tech tools, the plan is to complete this prior to the start of STEM rotations. We will also meet once or twice a month during the school year to share resources, develop lesson plans, and identify best practices.

If your school is interested in participating, please complete this Google Form.

Published on

If your school has surplus PPE corrugated plastic sheets, please email Kris Wishart in Purchasing, kris.wishart@jordandistrict.org. Please provide how many you have and she will schedule to have them picked up from your school.

This is only for the corrugated sheets - no other PPE surplus items will be picked up at this time.

Published on

DATE: 
Thursday, April 8, 2021

TO: 
Elementary School Administrators

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

SUBJECT: 
KEEP Exit Remote Administration Materials

Elementary school administrators are asked to pass this information, along with the materials included with this memo, to their kindergarten teachers as soon as possible.

KEEP Exit administration for the 2020-21 school year is still required by the state.  The KEEP Exit window is scheduled during the end-of-year kindergarten testing days on the following dates:

  • Traditional: May 21-28, 2021
  • Year Round:
    A and B Tracks – May 14-20, 2021
    C and D Tracks – June 4-11, 2021

Data entry into the Data Gateway is due by Tuesday, June 15, 2021.  Those who are administering the KEEP Exit (including kindergarten teachers and classroom aides) should have been trained.  Test administrators can access training in one of two ways:

Testing of Virtual Kindergarten Students:
In an effort to accommodate students who are learning online, the state has released procedures and materials for administering the KEEP Exit virtually.  USBE is recommending that, when possible, schools administer the KEEP Exit in-person, which would mean that schools would need to request appointments from parents of virtual students to bring their kindergarten students into the school building to be tested.  If this is not possible, the following procedures should then be used:

  • The teacher should make an appointment with the parent for the KEEP Exit to be administered to the kindergarten student virtually via Zoom.
  • The parent will need to assist with technology and provide four blank sheets of paper, writing utensil, two sheets of lined paper (provided by the teacher), and 10 basic counters (small objects to count like cereal, pebbles, etc.). The parent should plan on being present for the duration of the test, but should be instructed to not provide answers to their child.
  • Two devices with video capabilities will be required at home – one for the student and one for the parent. The parent’s device will be used to show what the student is pointing to on the student’s screen or writing on the paper (see demo video link below).

Included with this memo are the following materials (they may also be found online here):

  • KEEP Exit Remote Administration Guidelines – Kindergarten teachers should use this document as the script they read while administering the test.
  • KEEP Exit Remote Administration Materials – Kindergarten teachers should use this slide deck to display on their screen so the student can see it.
  • KEEP Exit Score Sheet – This is the same scoring sheet for the in-person KEEP Exit assessment. It is recommended that the teacher record scores on this sheet and then input the scores on the Data Gateway after testing has been completed.
  • KEEP Exit Test Administration Manual – This manual contains procedures for administering the entire assessment.

Kindergarten teachers administering the KEEP Exit online are strongly encouraged to watch the demo video here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16sLQsNQjxmqcAKr9y4hoFObuZvT_36OT

If you have questions about the KEEP Exit, please contact the following people:

  • For Data Gateway or test administration questions: Ben Jameson, Evaluation, Research & Accountability: 801-567-8243 or jameson@jordandistrict.org
  • For remote test administration questions: Liz Williams, USBE Assessment & Accountability: 801-538-7542 or williams@schools.utah.gov

Published on

DATE:    
Thursday, April 8, 2021

TO:   
Elementary School Administrators
Elementary Administrative Assistants

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

SUBJECT:   
EOY 2021 Acadience Reading Testing – In-person and Virtual Students

Acadience Reading Benchmarks are once again required this year by the state – both students receiving their instruction in-person and online.  End-of-year benchmark testing will begin on April 15th and conclude on June 3rd.  This memo contains information on how the benchmark administration will be accomplished for both in-person and virtual students.

Students Receiving Instruction In-person:
Principals should have received an updated Monday-Thursday schedule of when district assessment assistants 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 assessment assistants 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.  If the testing team gets ahead of schedule during the day, we are happy to excuse coaches to go about their other duties.  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 discuss 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 assessment assistants will follow a similar routine for testing that they have followed in previous years.

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 from home this year.  Parents of virtual students can choose to have their student tested in-person at their boundary school or virtually via Zoom.  Testing of virtual students will take place on Fridays at elementary schools throughout the testing window.  Evaluation, Research & Accountability will be sending a small team of 4-5 district assessment assistants to meet with and administer the benchmark assessments in-person to virtual students (principals have already been notified of their assigned Friday).  We are requesting that schools set aside a location for the assessment assistants 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 virtual students for a testing appointment through a Qualtrics survey form.  Schools will not need to schedule anything themselves.  If parents of virtual students or virtual teachers request the link to schedule a testing appointment, schools may provide the following link:
https://jordandistrict.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1ZZwVyBwPCsud4a

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

Published on

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 5 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.

Published on

DATE:  
March 25, 2021

TO: 
Jordan District Administrators, Directors

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Administrators of Schools

SUBJECT: 
Time Schedule for the Last Day of School

Please review the entire memo carefully for your school dismissal time, and convey that information to your students and parents. Once again, we extend our appreciation to the administration and employees who work in the Transportation Department for assisting in the transportation adjustment required to accommodate these changes.

Public Law:
R277 Education, Administration
R277-419-2 Definitions
R277-419 Pupil Accounting
R277-419-4 Minimum School Days

“School day” means a minimum of two hours per day per session in Kindergarten and a minimum of four hours per day in grades one through twelve, subject to the requirements described in Section R277-419-4. All school day calculations shall exclude lunch periods and pass time between classes but may include recess periods that include organization or instruction from school staff.

Cc:
Paul Bergera, Director of Transportation
Jana Cruz, Director of Nutrition Services
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services