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Category: Elementary Action Required

Published on

DATE:
April 23, 2024

TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
School Safety Specialists

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

SUBJECT:
Monthly Drill Preparation (SHELTER)

Our monthly drill preparation will be held on May 1st at 3:00 PM with a second session at 3:30 PM. This month we will be covering SHELTER. Each School Safety Specialist is expected to attend along with administrators assigned to oversee school safety. All other administrators are welcomed to attend as well. The meeting is also opened to any staff who may be interested.

Information regarding the SHELTER response protocol can be found in the Jordan School District Safety Manual on pages 20-24. We will discuss how to implement and execute the drill. This will be an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas amongst the schools.

We will be holding this meeting over ZOOM so please join using this link.

Published on

DATE:  
April 18, 2024

TO: 
All Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
2024-2025 School Wellness Representatives

The wellness team is excited to announce the continuation of our Educator Wellness Reps Program that is intended to support employee health and wellness. The Educator Wellness Representatives will primarily be responsible for supporting faculty/staff wellness efforts within your schools.

Educator Wellness Representatives Duties include:

  • Will attend bi-annual in person training on 9/18/24 & 1/8/25
    • **Schools will need to cover the cost of the sub**, administrators are invited to attend with their school representative
  • Promote wellness initiatives at the District and school level
  • Lead and support faculty/staff wellness efforts at your school throughout the year
  • Maintain a connection with District Wellness Specialists
  • Model educator wellness for the school community

Steps to having an educator wellness rep for your school or department:

  1. Consider the following:
    1. Nominees must be a licensed, non-administrative staff member. We highly recommend using a non-mental health team staff member. Also, we recommend they work with a leadership team or social committee at your school.
    2. Principals may work with their current reps to see if they’re interested in doing this important work again for the upcoming school year.
  2. Principal nominates ONE educator wellness representative for each school using this form.
  3. Attend the twice per year training with your representative and cover the cost of the substitute
  • Action Items for administrators:
    • Please nominate your Educator Wellness Representative for the 24-25 school year!

Published on

DATE:   
April 18, 2024

TO:  
Principals and District Administrators

FROM: 
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools

SUBJECT: 
Stipend for Department Chairs and Team Leaders

Stipends for Department Chairs and Team Leaders will be paid in May.

  • Elementary Schools may pay $300 for 8 Team Leaders.
  • Middle Schools may pay $500 for 12 Department Chairs or Team Leaders.
  • High Schools may pay $500 for 16 Department Chairs or Team Leaders.

A multiple timesheet roster should be submitted to the Payroll Department by May 2, 2024. All Department Chairs or Team Leaders will be paid out of the same program number from which their salary is paid. Each roster should be clearly marked “Stipend for Department Chair” or “Stipend for Team Leader.”

Kauri Sue, River’s Edge, South Valley, and JATC will be paid as middle schools. If a school houses an additional special education program (cluster program or preschool program), the school will have an additional team leader allocation.

Budget Code

10 xxx xxxx 2216 131

10 xxx 7551 2216 131 (Special Education)

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Becky Gerber, Administrator of Schools

The BYU School Leadership Program is looking for summer mentors for students pursuing an administrative endorsement. If you are interested in mentoring a BYU administrative intern this coming summer and have some meaningful work for them to do, please take a few minutes to complete this brief form. Thank you!

Link:
Mentor a BYU Administrative Intern this Summer

 

 

Published on

DATE:  
April 10, 2024

TO:   
Principals
Assistant Principals
School Safety Specialists

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

SUBJECT: 
Great Utah Shake Out Earthquake Drill 2024

On Thursday, April 18 2024, at 10:15 A.M. a million Utahns will “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” in the annual Great Utah Shake Out Earthquake Drill.

All schools are encouraged to participate in this drill, or to conduct an earthquake drill sometime in the month of April. This is an opportunity to incorporate emergency preparedness in classroom lessons and to include proper ways to protect oneself during an earthquake.

The Jordan School District has registered as a whole to participate in the Great Utah ShakeOut. You can find more information at: The Great Utah ShakeOut!

Please review the Jordan School District Safety Manual - Earthquake Action Plan and Standard Operating Guidelines on pages 28-31 for planning, drilling and responding to an earthquake.

For additional information or guidance please contact the District School Safety Coordinator, Matt Alvernaz at matt.alvernaz@jordandistrict.org or by phone at 801-567-8623.

Published on

DATE:
April 10, 2024

TO: 
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT:  
Safe Routes To School Meeting Sign Up (Riverton Schools ONLY)

The City of Riverton has reviewed the Safe Routes To School (SRTS) forms we submitted and is prepared to meet with each administration to discuss them.

The meetings will be held on April 26th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM over ZOOM. Each meeting will be held in 15-minute increments. Please select a time slot on the SIGN-UP sheet provided. Times are on a first come first served basis. Feel free to work with one another as needed.

If more time is required to discuss an issue in depth, then we will schedule a time with the city soon after to do so.

Take a moment to review your maps on the new website, found at Safe Routes Utah, please ensure the routes are accurate and complete.

For any additional assistance or clarification please contact Matt Alvernaz at matt.alvernaz@jordandistrict.org or by phone at 801-567-8623.

ZOOM Link

SIGN-UP Link

Published on

TO:
School Administrators

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

The USBE Digital Teaching and Learning (DTL) Grant provides opportunities and tools for teachers in Jordan School District to address and close student achievement gaps through the use of high quality instruction that integrates technology. This survey will help us determine technology training and hardware/software needs for the 2024-2025 school year.

Click HERE to complete the end of year DTL Survey from USBE. Survey is due by 4/29/24.

Published on

DATE:
April 4, 2024                      

 TO:
Jordan District Administrators, Directors

 FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
 Administrators of Schools

SUBJECT:
 Time Schedule for the Last Day of School  

Please review this memo carefully for your school dismissal time, and convey this information to your students and parents.

Published on

DATE:    
April 4, 2024

TO:  
Principals
Assistant Principals
SEL Testing Coordinators

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services

SUBJECT:  
Early Warning (Panorama) Spring SEL Survey

The final SEL survey window for the 2023-24 school year will open on Monday, April 15, 2024 and close on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 12am. Please ensure that you are following the guidance provided in the August 10, 2023 JAM (found here) regarding SEL survey windows, administration, and communication with parents. Please know that you may share the survey questions, with anyone interested, that are included in the August 10, 2023 JAM link above.

It is strongly encouraged that schools administer this survey at least twice a year.

Published on

DATE:  
April 4, 2024

TO:  
Principal
Assistant Principal

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

SUBJECT:  
Safe Routes To School Meeting Sign Up (Herriman Schools ONLY)

The City of Herriman has reviewed the Safe Routes To School (SRTS) forms we submitted and is prepared to meet with each administration to discuss them.

The meetings will be held on April 15th from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM over ZOOM. Each meeting will be held in 15-minute increments. Please select a time slot on the SIGN-UP sheet provided. Times are on a first come first served basis. Feel free to work with one another as needed.

If more time is required to discuss an issue in depth, then we will schedule a time with the city soon after to do so.

Take a moment to review your maps on the new website, found at Safe Routes Utah, please ensure the routes are accurate and complete.

For any additional assistance or clarification please contact Matt Alvernaz at matt.alvernaz@jordandistrict.org or by phone at 801-567-8623.

ZOOM Link

SIGN-UP Link

Published on

DATE:  
April 4, 2024

TO:  
Principal
Assistant Principal

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

SUBJECT:  
Safe Routes To School Meeting Sign Up (West Jordan Schools ONLY)

The City of West Jordan has reviewed the Safe Routes To School (SRTS) forms we submitted and is prepared to meet with each administration to discuss them.

The meetings will be held on April 23rd from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM over ZOOM.  Each meeting will be held in 15-minute increments.  Please select a time slot on the SIGN-UP sheet provided.  Times are on a first come first served basis.  Feel free to work with one another as needed.

If more time is required to discuss an issue in depth, then we will schedule a time with the city soon after to do so.

Take a moment to review your maps on the new website, found at Safe Routes Utah, please ensure the routes are accurate and complete.

For any additional assistance or clarification please contact Matt Alvernaz at matt.alvernaz@jordandistrict.org or by phone at 801-567-8623.

ZOOM Link

SIGN-UP Link

Published on

TO:
Principals
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Michelle Love-Day, Director of Language & Culture Services

It's been a great year with our digital ML Identification Task Manager. Thank you to all office assistants that have worked diligently with the LCS and Evaluation teams.

It is now time to clean up your HOME tab Task Manager with any pending, duplicate, or returned tasks. Please see the attached instructions or give Nicole Woodburn a call (801-567-8124).

Published on

DATE:   
April 4, 2024

TO: 
Principals – South Jordan Schools ONLY

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

SUBJECT:  
Safe Routes To School Meeting Sign Up (South Jordan Schools ONLY)

The City of South Jordan has reviewed the Safe Routes To School (SRTS) forms we submitted and is prepared to meet with each administration to discuss them.

The meetings will be held on April 16th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM over ZOOM. Each meeting will be held in 15-minute increments. Please select a time slot on the SIGN-UP sheet provided. Times are on a first come first served basis. Feel free to work with one another as needed.

If more time is required to discuss an issue in depth then we will schedule a time with the city soon after to do so.

Take a moment to review your maps on the new website, found at Safe Routes Utah, please ensure the routes are accurate and complete.

For any additional assistance or clarification please contact Matt Alvernaz at matt.alvernaz@jordandistrict.org or by phone at 801-567-8623.

ZOOM Link

SIGN-UP Link

Published on

TO:
Elementary Principals

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amanda Bollinger, Staff Assistant in Teaching & Learning

Principals,

Please be sure that your 6th grade teachers and special education teachers who work with 6th grade students on the core curriculum are aware of the required April 12 6th Grade Mathematics Kickoff to Our PD Learning Series Focusing on Refining and Elevating Our Practice “Our Work, Our Students”.

This is the Professional Development Kickoff Part 1 of our 3 part Learning Series focused on high-effect size evidence-based mathematical teaching practices.

Published on

DATE:   
March 14, 2024

TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
Elementary Administrative Assistants
Secondary Finance Secretaries
Secondary Attendance Secretaries
Secondary Registrars

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director, Student Services
Caleb Olson, Enrollment Consultant, Student Services

SUBJECT: 
Digital Cumulative Folder Training

In April 2024, the District will begin the process of transitioning from paper-based student cumulative folders to digital cumulative folders housed in Skyward. From July 1, 2024 onward, all new students must be enrolled with a digital cumulative folder and blank copies of paper cumulative folders will no longer be available.

Digital folders provide multiple benefits to schools and staff, including:

  • Immediate transfer of folders between schools as students move or advance
  • Easier accessibility of records to staff
  • Elimination of expense of mailing records between schools

Staff at each school will be responsible for “weeding” unnecessary documents from current student cumulative folders and will scan and upload documents to Skyward. As part of the transition, parents will gain the ability to scan and upload some of the required documents to Skyward during New Student Online Enrollment (NSOE), which will provide additional time savings to staff.

Participation in the training is mandatory for elementary administrative assistants, secondary attendance secretaries, and secondary registrars. Others who assist with gathering documents at registration (including during summer hour coverage) or maintaining cumulative folders should also attend. Staff at each school location must be trained before the school begins using digital cumulative folders. Training will be offered six times during the first week of April in the ASB Auditorium (see individual tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet) . School teams may attend any number of sessions to ensure office coverage.

Each individual attending must register for the training at the following link:  April Digital Folder Training Link

Published on

DATE:
Thursday, March 14, 2024

TO: 
Elementary School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:   
URGENT: New Acadience Testing Platform and Touchscreen Testing Devices

As announced in the February principal meeting, the state’s contract with Amplify came to end and, through an RFP process, the state has procured a new testing vendor for the Acadience Reading assessment. The new vendor is Acadience Learning and their platform is called Acadience Learning Online or ALO. The Acadience Reading assessment will remain the same, but how it is recorded in the new testing system is different. More information about the new testing platform and a host of training options will be released in the future.

URGENT: The state recently communicated important information regarding the devices used for benchmark and progress monitoring testing. With mClass, several schools have been using click-only testing devices, meaning that the tester uses a track pad or mouse to input student responses. ALO does not allow for click-only devices when administering the benchmark and progress monitoring probes. To administer benchmark and progress monitoring probes in ALO, the testing device must be touchscreen enabled. Additionally, smart phones are not compatible with ALO.

Thus, classroom aides and teachers who are currently administering the Acadience Reading benchmarks and/or progress monitoring probes in grades K-6 using a click-only device will need access to a touchscreen device beginning with the fall of the 2024-25 school year.

A document containing the ALO device and system recommendations is attached with this memo.

Please contact Ben Jameson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with questions about this issue.

Published on

DATE: 
March 7, 2024

TO: 
All Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
Mandatory Prevention Plan Updates, Workshops and Support Available!

Throughout March school teams have an opportunity to efficiently update, enhance, and complete their mandatory prevention plans related to suicide, bullying, and violence prevention. Stop by a Prevention Planning Workshop in March to take advantage of this support available!

Prevention Planning Workshop Dates: March 11, 14 (pm only), 15, & 18
All sessions will take place at ASB Presentation Room (entrance C)
Two sessions Each Day (pm session only on the 14th): 8:30-11:00, 12:30-3:00
Choose a workshop time to update and enhance your school’s prevention plan. There will also be targeted support for accessing grant funds that are available for your school’s unique prevention efforts. Substitute costs can be covered so a full team can attend! RSVP for a session here! Stop by even if you don’t RSVP!

*As a reminder, each school is required to maintain and update prevention plans annually. These funds and upcoming workshops are meant to support each school’s prevention plan.

Prevention Plans must be updated and this form completed by April 5th to take advantage of grant funds available!

If you are interested in updating your plan without attending a workshop, visit Jordan Health & Wellness for detailed instructions.

Published on

DATE:   
Thursday, March 7, 2024

TO:  
Elementary School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
Calculator and Visual Representations Accommodations for RISE Math

Principals are encouraged to follow up with their special education caseworkers about the following RISE accommodation clarifications.

Calculation Devices
When it comes to the use of calculation devices or computation tables as an accommodation on the RISE Math assessment in grades 3-6, school administrators, testing coordinators and special education caseworkers should take note of the following stipulations from the Utah Participation and Accommodations Policy:

“All students are allowed to use the online calculation device when it is embedded during the allowed segments of a math assessment… For students in grade 6, the use of a handheld calculation device or printable computation table is considered an accommodation and may be provided (based on need documented in the IEP) during the allowed segment of the assessment. For students in grades 3-5, the use of a handheld calculation device or printable computation table is not allowed during any segment of the math assessment. If provided, the test must be reported as modified, and the student will receive a score of non-proficient and be considered a non-participant for accountability” (see page 40).

While Embrace allows caseworkers to input a calculator accommodation for students on the Summative RISE Math assessment (with a footnote calling attention to the Utah Participation and Accommodations Policy), it is still not an allowable accommodation on the RISE Math assessment.

The policy also states, “During instruction, it is important to determine whether the use of a calculation device or computation table is a matter of convenience or a necessary accommodation. It is also important to know the goal of instruction and assessment before making decisions about the use of calculation devices or computation tables. In some cases, calculators may be adapted with large keys or voice output (talking calculators). Examples of calculation devices are calculators, slide rules, and abacuses. Examples of computation tables are number lines and multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction charts” (see pages 40-41).

For more information on calculation devices, please see USBE’s guidance document.

Visual Representations
Please note that computation tables are not visual representations as defined in the Utah Participation and Accommodations Policy. Visual representations “are manipulatives such as cubes, tiles, rods, blocks, models, etc. They may be used on all sections of the mathematics assessment if they are included in the student’s IEP or 504 Plan” (see page 55).

Please contact Kassidy Towery in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with questions about RISE accommodations.

Published on

Dustin Jansen, attorney and judge in the tribal court systems and a professor of American Indian studies at UVU, presented on Native communities and cultures last year. Due to popular demand, we are bringing back the recording of that PD on March 7, 2024, in the ASB presentation room (Main entrance, entrance C) from 4 to 6 pm. Professor Jansen will be back in person on April 11th to continue with part II of his last year's presentation. If you missed his first presentation last year, this is an excellent opportunity to watch the recording and prepare for his in-person part II presentation in April. All licensed employees will receive 2 hours of in-service pay and licensure points. Admins are encouraged to attend.

Click here for registration

Published on

DATE: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

TO:
Elementary and 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 March 12 - June 7, 2024. RISE passwords get reset each year, so please be sure your teachers log in and reset their passwords for this year at utahrise.org.

As testing is nearly underway, 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.

Your school is responsible for making sure all testing 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. All teachers in grades 3-8 have been added to the course, should you choose to have them complete the training through this method. A certificate of completion for relicensure points 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:
https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/5266134800
Meeting ID: 526 613 4800

  • Friday, March 8 @ 8:45 AM or 1:30 PM
  • Friday, March 15 @ 8:45 AM or 1:30 PM
  • Friday, March 22 @ 8:45 AM or 1:30 PM
  • Friday, April 5 @ 8:45 AM or 1:30 PM
  • Friday, April 19 @ 8:45 AM or 1:30 PM
  • Friday, April 26 @ 8:45 AM or 1:30 PM
  • Friday, May 3 @ 8:45 AM or 1:30 PM

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