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Category: Elementary Action Required

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The Instructional Coaching Institute is intended to create a united vision and purpose in Jordan School District in order to better support teachers. All district and school instructional leaders, including instructional coaches, Title I coaches, BYU/UVU facilitators, and T&L specialists and consultants are considered part of the Instructional Coaching Institute and attend meetings.

Originally, these meetings were scheduled from 10:00-2:00 every Friday with an adjusted schedule of 8:00-12:00 for the August 7th and August 14th meetings.  In an effort to prioritize coaches being available to support the Professional Learning Communities and PD at the school with the new Friday schedule, we have changed the time to 11:00-2:00 beginning August 28th.  We will keep the original 10:00-2:00 schedule for the meeting on August 21st.  Participants are welcome to bring lunch and eat during the meetings as well as take a 30 min. lunch prior to the start time or after we dismiss.

This weekly communication is intended to inform you about topics and discussions that will be covered in the weekly meetings.  If you would like to attend and receive the information alongside your coach(es) you are welcome to do so.  Parts of the meetings will be recorded and links to the recordings will be included each week in this communication. We will do our best to have the agenda ready each Thursday for you to preview prior to the meeting on Friday.  Please click the link to see the agenda.  Elementary Instructional Coaching Institute (ICI) Weekly Agenda

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We are offering ongoing training for existing programs. Teachers can register in JPLS. If you have a larger number of teachers who have not been trained in these programs and would like to request a school training please contact Michelle Lovell or Mandy Thurman.

Heggerty
Wednesday, August 12 4:30 - 7:30
Monday, August 17 5:00 - 8:00

MSRC
Thursday, August 13 4:00 - 7:00
Thursday, August 20 1:00 - 4:00
Thursday, August 20 4:00 - 7:00

 

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We have received the following information from the USBE regarding safety in administration of the KEEP Entry for kindergarten.

  • All kindergarten students will need to take the KEEP Entry in an in-person, one-on-one setting.
  • Schedule time with parents for individual testing appointments and follow school safety protocols that are in place (cleaning of materials, social distancing, etc.).
  • Optional safety protocols:
    • Have test administrators download a virtual copy of the Student Materials and project them on the white board to allow distancing while administering the assessment.
    • Use disposable manipulatives (lima beans, dried goods, etc.) as a way to cut down on time between testing appointments.

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Some schools were using the Follett system to inventory and track the books in the guided reading libraries. The technology for this system is no longer supported. Old computers may have been removed by the school tech. If you have a manual check out system (clothespins or popsicle sticks), this does not affect you. If you were using the Follet system, and would like to continue to use an electronic checkout system, please contact Michelle Lovell or Mandy Thurman.

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Think Central licenses for literacy have expired (math is not affected).  After using the program for several years, we know that there are teachers who use Think Central regularly and that there are some who don’t use it at all. In an effort to spend funds wisely we need to know how many licenses to purchase. Please forward this survey, Elementary Literacy Survey to teachers so that we can get their feedback and purchase the needed licenses.

 

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As you know, our district-wide PD day this year will take place on Tuesday, August 11th in each of your individual schools.  A preparation packet is provided with a sample schedule, a detailed agenda and an overview of each section of the day.

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DATE: 
July 1, 2020

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:  
Extended Year Special Educator Stipends 2020-21

Please read the attached information and instructions carefully. There is a different procedure for submitting Extended Days for payment than previously used.

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DATE: 
August 5, 2020

TO:  
Elementary Principals
Elementary Media Assistants

FROM:  
Administrators of Schools
Dr. Shelley Nordick, Administrator, Curriculum/Staff Development
Norman Emerson, Instructional Support Services/Fine Arts     Consultant

SUBJECT:  
Quarterly Training Meetings for Elementary Media Assistants

In order to prepare and train elementary library media assistants to effectively provide services to elementary schools and to build consistency across elementary library programs, several training meetings have been scheduled for the 2020-21 school year. The participation of both of your library assistants in these meetings is appreciated. The meetings are to be included in the assistants' allotted 17 hours. With the exception of the August 18, 2020, the meetings have been scheduled on Fridays since the media assistants will not have regularly scheduled class visits on those days.

The meetings will be held at the venues shown below from 9:30-11:30 a.m.:

  • August 18, 2020 - ASB Auditorium (In order to maintain social distancing, one of the assistants will attend in person, and the other will access the meeting online)
  • October 9, 2020 - Mt. Ridge HS Auditorium (all assistants in person)
  • January 22, 2021 - Viridian Event Center (all assistants in person)
  • April 9, 2021 - Mt. Ridge HS Auditorium (all assistants in person)

Please feel free to contact Norman Emerson (801-567-8364) if further information is needed. Thank you for your continued support of the library media programs in Jordan District.

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Nutrition Services – Principal Start-up Reminders for the Cafeteria

  • Please remember that meals must also be available for ‘Electronic Learners’. These students will need to pick up meals from the cafeteria.
  • You have received a Friday Schedule Outline. Please note that in regards to student meals offered, breakfast will only be served at your school if you are ‘normally’ a breakfast serving site.
  • To better ensure student safety in the cafeteria, students will not enter lunch numbers (their student ID number) into keypads. Nutrition Services will provide elementary lunch clerks with all the supplies needed to make ‘meal’ cards for their schools. These cards will show the students name, Teacher, ID# (numerical), grade and the barcoded ID#. Clerks will scan the barcoded ID number into our meal counting system. Elementary school clerks will also be offered ‘binders’ with printouts, by class, of all students with their barcoded ID# next to their name. Clerks with the support of their site manager and principal can choose this ‘card less’ meal counting option.

Secondary students will be using their Student ID cards when receiving meals in the cafeteria. Cashiers will scan the barcode student ID into our meal counting system. Please be aware that students must have their student ID cards with them when they receive meals (electronic learners must also have their ID cards with them to receive meals). Please ensure that students have their ID cards the first day of school and remind them that they will need their ID cards with them when receiving meals in the cafeteria.

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When enrolling new students, the Entry/Withdrawal screen in Skyward should be reviewed to ensure that August 17th is the official start date for the 2020-2021 school year. Students should be enrolled in courses with the official start date of August 17th, as well. After August 17th, students shall be enrolled using their actual start date.

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As outlined in the State Public Health Order, employees, students, or visitors, on school property or on a school bus shall wear a face covering unless a medically directed exemption is in place. 

Schools have the responsibility to enforce this order. 

Individuals who are unwilling to comply with the order may be excluded from school after reasonable efforts have been made.

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As you are aware, the Board delayed the start of school by 5 days. Up to 8 hours of principal-directed professional development or training may be used during the week of August 17-21. Faculty meal time is not counted as part of this time. 

School plans for the week of August 10-14 may remain in place. Please remember to give as much time as possible to teachers for classroom preparation.

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Classroom assistants are being allocated to help with any needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This may include covering classes when substitutes are not available. These positions are being funded through the CARES Act for the 2020-21 school year. Principals may post, interview, and hire immediately. Hiring ratios are as follows:

Elementary: One 25-hour assistant

Middle: One 25-hour assistant and one 17-hour assistant

High: Two 25-hour assistants

Specialized Schools: One 25-hour assistant

The position will be a lane 1, 2, or 3 depending on their highly qualified status. The normal process will decide the lane placement.

Budget Code:   10 E xxx 7211 1084 165

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Access the Google document HERE to see an outline of components to include as you plan your Friday schedules. These plans should be reviewed with your AOS prior to sharing the plan with employees and parents/guardians.

The attached lunch schedule will be in effect for the week of August 17-21 only. See notes in Friday Schedule Outline.

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1) Rubber bands are being delivered to schools to wrap around the necks of the large hand sanitizer bottles to limit the amount of sanitizer coming out with a single push.

2) Although students are expected to bring masks from home, USBE provided masks intended for student use which will be distributed to schools from the warehouse. We did not receive sufficient quantities for every student. We will be distributing these masks to schools based proportionately on their 2.1 enrollment projections. These masks can be distributed or used at the Principals discretion. For example, they could be held at the office for students who forget a mask or to be given to students who may have a harder time obtaining a mask. Important - Elementary Schools - please remove the paper insert in the masks which show underwear before handing out to students.

3) Although staff are expected to bring masks from home, the District is providing 2 masks with a white "J" on the right cheek for each employee. The warehouse will be delivering these masks to schools and buildings soon.

4) Lighter, more temporary face masks continue to be available for order by schools or departments from the District Warehouse.

5) Please work with your head custodian to see that each classroom has a paper towel dispenser, with paper towels, and a cleansing spray bottle.

6) If you have a need for a clear face mask contact your AOS.

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DATE:   
June 20, 2020

TO:  
All Elementary, Middle, and Traditional High School Principals

FROM:     
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Derek Anderson, Director of Accounting, Budgets, and Audits

SUBJECT:  
New School Budget Allocations Transfer Process

Starting for School Year 2020-2021, a new process for school allocation budget transfers will be in place. If you are needing to do a school allocation budget transfer you may do so at any time.

There is now a form on the District website on the accounting page. The web address is https://jordandistrict.org/departments/accounting/.

Please see attached memo for full instructions and sample accounting page.

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DATE:   
Thursday, July 9, 2020

TO:  
All Principals

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

SUBJECT:   
ELL Assessment Profile Dashboard

An assessment profile for ELL students has been created with next year’s projected enrollment data included. Those with a Tableau Viewer account may look up individual EL students to see longitudinal WIDA, SAGE/RISE, Utah Aspire Plus, ACT, and Acadience Reading assessment data all based on next year’s enrollment at your school.

This dashboard will be useful as schools identify and target EL students for extra support, remediation and enrichment for the 2020-21 school year.

Tableau users may access this dashboard here:
https://10az.online.tableau.com/ - /site/benstableau/views/ALS_NextYear_Student_Profile/ALSNextYearStudentProfiles?:iid=1

Explore > Student Profiles > ALS Next Year Student Profile

Please contact Brooke Anderson or Ben Jameson with questions about understanding or using this dashboard.

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DATE:  
Thursday, July 9, 2020

TO:   
All Principals

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

SUBJECT:     
Formative Assessment Trainings as Preparation for Fall School Reopenings

Student's prior learning and current needs vary a lot in a good year; under current circumstances, those differences will likely be more profound. There are no pre-packaged tests that will figure out what each student needs, but teachers can use formative assessment processes to build responsive instruction. The Evaluation, Research, and Accountability Department is offering a course on building and using assessments. The Canvas course, JPLS course #101586 - Assessment for Learning, will be open for enrollment on July 17 with three modules to start with. Each module is designed as a stand-alone learning experience and they do not need to be completed in order:

  1. RISE Benchmarks: Teachers will learn how to select and administer these tests, as well as how to view the results. A protocol to help teachers use benchmarks to examine student learning gaps is included. Completion time should be 2-3 hours.
  2. Learning Progressions: Teachers will isolate an essential skill or concept from an essential standard, then develop a hierarchy of what must be learned first, next, last, etc. By the end of the module, teachers will produce an anchor chart for use with students, as well as formative assessment and enrichment opportunities that can be immediately implemented for fall instruction and remediation. Completion time should be 4-5 hours. This complements the information presented by Kim Rathke, formative assessment specialist at USBE, in her course:https://usbe.midaseducation.com/site.php?page_id=1210&subpage=1275&course_id=58224
  3. Pre-Assessment: Teachers will learn the various forms and purposes of pre-assessment, and follow steps to create a pre-assessment of their own. The emphasis of this module is using pre-assessments to see student needs and support differentiated instruction. Completion time should be 4-5 hours.

The self-enroll link for teachers is https://jordanpd.instructure.com/enroll/D4PT6K and the course number in JPLS is 101586. If you would like to arrange in-person or blended (recommended!) training for faculty, please email Brooke Anderson at brooke.anderson@jordandistrict.org with dates and times.

Principals may wish to consider allocating professional development funding to incentivize teachers to take these courses over the summer as they prepare to identify and fill learning gaps this fall.  Principals are encouraged to send this information to their teachers.