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The deadline for sending DIBELS parent letters home is February 12, 2016.  Attached are the updated letters (English & Spanish) for the Mid-year benchmark.  Letters are to be sent home for every first, second, and third grade student.  Letters do not go home for kindergarten students.

DATE:  
February 2, 2016

TO:
Self-contained Support Class (Cluster) School Principals
Self-contained Support Class (Cluster) Teachers

FROM:
Laura Finlinson, Administrator of Curriculum/Staff Development & Special Programs
Lisa Robinson, Director of Special Education
Julie Brown, Program Specialist

SUBJECT: 
Projected Self-Contained Support Class (Cluster) Staffing Needs Survey for 2016-17


You will receive a tentative class list from Susan Sudbury for 2016-17. Enclosed is a Self-Contained Support Class (Cluster) Staffing Needs Survey and a Critical Need Justification Survey for next year.  Please note that the class list you received is current as of this date; however, the numbers of students assigned to your classroom(s) could change over the next few months and over the summer.

Please remember that we must continue to provide a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) for all of our students. Therefore, we ask special education teams to work with the special education department to explore creative and conservative ways to serve the students in our special education programs.

Outlined below are directions for completing the projected staffing request:

  • Please check your current 2015-16 staff allocation for accuracy.
  • Self-contained Support Class (Cluster) assistants will be allocated using the following guidelines (pending any State & Federal budget allocations that might require changes).

1)    Self-contained Support Class (Cluster) classrooms will be staffed to provide basic full-day coverage (either two 17-hour or one 35-hour assistant in designated settings). This allocation is assigned by the Special Education Department. The decision will be based on program type, student needs, budget availability and financial constraints.

2)    Additional staffing needs will be considered only if the class has a significant critical need that cannot be addressed in another manner. If there is a significant critical need, school teams must complete/submit the attached Critical Need Justification Survey. This form should objectively describe the specific circumstances and/or student(s) that require the requested CN staffing. Please be creative and conservative as you look at your program needs and available resources.

  • Contact our Placement Specialist, Susan Sudbury, at (801) 567-8355 if you have questions about the number of students assigned to your class for next year. We understand that the number of students assigned to the self-contained support classes could change over the next few months; however, we ask that you count only those students who are confirmed as of this date.  Teachers may revise their staffing needs survey should circumstances change by the end of the year. Please note that classroom numbers will be verified at the start of the 2016-17 school year to account for any changes that occur over the summer.

Note that all additional assistant positions are re-evaluated and re-allocated based upon available funds, caseload data and critical needs. DO NOT assume that you will have the same number of assistants allocated to your school each year.

We have also enclosed a current SCRAM printout. Please review and submit updated SCRAM information to Lisa Robinson at the District Office by Friday, February 12, 2016 for Traditional programs and Friday, February 19, 2016 for Year-Round programs. Even if you do not have any changes, please sign the SCRAM printout (as a team) and return it by the due date.

We appreciate how hard you work to meet all of your students’ needs. Please know that we will do our best to support and facilitate your needs. Your efforts to complete this information accurately will assist us in making fair and objective staffing allocations for next school year.

Return ALL completed staffing information to Lisa Robinson at the District Office by Friday,  February 26, 2016:

Projected Self-contained Support Class (Cluster) Staffing Needs Survey 2016-17

Critical Need Staffing Justification – submit only if there is a significant critical need

 

PLEASE CONTACT THE TEACHER SPECIALIST ASSIGNED TO YOUR SCHOOL

Debbie Nigbur             (801) 567-8329                                   Robin Silatolu    (801) 567-8068

Patricia Matthews      (801) 567-8356                                   Teri Griffiths      (801) 567-8024

Lindsey Baxter            (801) 567-8373

 

THANK YOU FOR WORKING SO HARD ALL DAY, EVERY DAY!
YOU ARE ROCKSTARS!!!

Elementary Principals:

Teachers should complete the mid-year Intervention Report (in Google Drive) by February 19.  Using information from these reports, Administrators can complete the mid-year Literacy Growth Report (in Google Drive) by February 26 (Traditional) or March 4 (Year Round).  Contact Becky Gerber if you have questions.

The 2016 UEPC School Climate Survey window begins Monday, February 1, 2016 at 8:00 a.m.  Please check the Dec. 16, 2015 Intradistrict Communication to make sure your school  is ready to begin the 2016 UEPC School Climate Surveys.

Please contact Clyde Mason if you have any questions about the School Climate Surveys or your preparations to conduct them.

Third District Juvenile court has notified our district that the cut off date for submitting habitual truancy, compulsory education or habitual disruption referrals will be April 29, 2016.  In order to meet this deadline with the Courts, all District submissions need to be turned in to Carolyn Wootton by April 15th. Every effort will be made to address extenuating circumstances.  Thank you for you cooperation in this matter.

Principals:

As per instructions contained in the December 17, 2015 JAM regarding preparations for the 2016 School Climate Surveys (Feb. 1 - Mar. 18, 2016), please be reminded to complete the following before January 22, 2016:

Open each of the following three links to your school's 2016 School Climate Surveys and verify that the names of assistant principals, teachers, and certificated support staff are accurate.  If changes are needed, send the needed changes to Alyssa Messina at UEPC (alyssa.messina@utah.edu).

Student Link:    http://bit.ly/1IQC0sF

Faculty/Staff Link:   http://bit.ly/1NPIXui

Parent Link:   http://bit.ly/1O5llE2

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Clyde Mason.

2016 Outstanding Educator Awards

The 2016 Outstanding Educator Nomination period is now open!

NOMINATION FORM LINK: http://goo.gl/forms/9nQvy67DZy

Superintendent Johnson challenged Jordan Education Foundation to recognize one educator at each school, and we are rising to that challenge! Here is the 2016 process:

  • ONE nomination will be accepted per school.
  • The nomination can be an Educator OR a Special Educator. There will not be separate awards this year.
  • Nominations are due by 11:59 pm Sunday, February 28, 2016.
  • Nominations received by February 28, 2016 will be reviewed and scored based on the rubric.

Every nominee will be recognized by Jordan Education Foundation at their school.

The top 10 nominees will receive a cash award at the 2016 Awards Banquet on April 27, 2016 at Little America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City. The Awards Banquet will also celebrate one Outstanding Principal (selected by district administrators) and one scholarship recipient from the six district high schools.

 

Elementary Principals:

The mid-year SRI window is November 23 – January 22.  This test is mandatory for all 6th-graders and scores will be used to inform Reading Class placement for 7th-grade.  This test is optional for grades 3 – 5.  Please be sure teachers complete the assessment before the window closes so we can report accurate data to the middle schools.

DATE:        
December 16, 2015

TO: 
All School Principals
All School Financial Secretaries

FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Heather Ellingson, Director of Accounting, Budgets and Audits
Daniel Ellis, Accountant/Internal Auditor

SUBJECT:
School Bank Account Balances for December 31, 2015


Please send the following information for each bank account balance as of December 31, 2015 to Accounting by January 22, 2016.  If you have multiple bank accounts, please list each account separately.

School Name-

Name of Bank-         

Type of Account (checking, savings, money market)-

Account Balances-

The balance requested is the balance from your December bank statements, not Skyward.  This information is required annually and will be used to complete reporting requirements for Utah Money Management Council.

If you have questions or need assistance, please call Dan Ellis at (801)567-8389.

Thank you.

Cc:
Michael Anderson, Administrator of Schools
Jill Durrant, Administrator of Schools
Anthony Godfrey, Administrator of Schools
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools
Teri Timpson, Administrator of Schools

 

DATE:   
December 16, 2015

TO:   
All School Principals
All School Financial Secretaries

FROM: 
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Heather Ellingson, Director of Accounting, Budgets and Audits
Daniel Ellis, Accountant/Internal Auditor

SUBJECT: 
Quarterly School Financial Report for October, November, and December 2015


Each school is asked to report the quarter end account balance and transaction detail with the Apple Volume Purchase Program and return with your bank reconciliation.  If your school has no Apple account, please so indicate and return.

Please include the account balance with Apple on the reconciliation sign off form and print a report or screen shot(s) of the balances and quarterly transactions from Apple’s website.  If you need assistance, please contact your Curriculum Technology Specialist – Bonnie, Deana, Harrison, Nancy.

Please photocopy the selected elements and send to Accounting by January 22, 2016.

Please include:

  • The signed attached memo to Accounting
  • A copy of your October, November and December 2015 Reconciliation Worksheets
  • A copy of your October, November and December 2015 Bank Statements
  • A copy of your October, November and December 2015 Skyward Balance Sheets
  • A copy of your October, November and December Outstanding Check Reports
  • Screen shot(s) of your December 31, 2015 Apple Volume Purchase Program transaction history and balance

If you have questions or need assistance, please call Liz Robins at (801)567-8267.

Thank you.

Cc:
Michael Anderson, Administrator of Schools
Jill Durrant, Administrator of Schools
Anthony Godfrey, Administrator of Schools
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools
Teri Timpson, Administrator of Schools

Administrators on an Interim Evaluation should have the Beginning of Year activities completed in JPLS. Administrators on a Full Evaluation will want to review the standards and consider evidence that can be used.  All administrator evaluations are to be completed on JPLS. Those administrators scheduled for an Interim evaluation should log into JPLS and complete the Self-Evaluation and Professional Growth Plan before leaving for the Holiday break. Administrators scheduled for a full evaluation have the year to work on their self-evaluation.  Several documents are provided as resources and include:

The testing window for SLO pre-tests will close November 13.  All teachers, except those who have chosen to take their Spring 2015 SAGE MGP for their student growth component, will need to have SLO pre-tests administered by November 13.  Student growth is a yearly component teachers must demonstrate as part of the total educator effectiveness score.

DATE:
October 22, 2015

TO:
Principals
All Special Educators and Related Service Providers

FROM:
Laura Finlinson, Administrator of Curriculum/Staff Development & Special Programs
Lisa Robinson, Director of Special Education
Julie Brown, Program Specialist-Special Education

SUBJECT:
IMPORTANT DEADLINE--PLEASE READ IMMEDIATELY
SCRAM Data Due BY THE END OF DAY Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Returning D Track Clusters are Due NO LATER than Friday, November 20, 2015
Updating SCRAM for December 1 Funding Count


 

We are fast approaching our December 1 SCRAM count deadline.   Please remember that our funding and other critical data are generated from these counts.  It is important that all information be accurate and current.  The attached report reflects the SCRAM and IEP Services we have received to date.  Please check to see that all students who are currently receiving services are on the SCRAM printout and that all information has been submitted correctly.  Submit a new SCRAM document for any changes.

This report reflects students served during the current school year.   Carefully review the following:

o   Please check that the names, entry dates, service patterns and providers are correct for each student on the printout.  If the information is correct for all service providers, put a check mark (√) in front of the student’s name.  The printout reflects the school’s current special education caseload.

o     If a student being served in special education is not on SCRAM, please submit a new SCRAM document BY THE END OF DAY Wednesday, November 11, 2015.  If they are not on this printout, they are not on record as receiving services at your school.

o   Cross out any students who are not receiving services at your school and submit a SCRAM document with the correct exit date and exit code reason. The exit date is the day after the last day the student receives the services listed.  The new SCRAM entry date will be the same as the exit date.  Please note that the entry date for a student coming from another school who enters your setting during the year is the first date that the student enters the new school (this will be the first date of service).  Remember that there should be no delay in services (violation of IDEA and we lose days of funding).

o     If you are not aware of a student that is listed on the printout (and the student has not been exited from services), you should follow-up with that student who is now in your building.  Many teams are not aware of students who have entered their school and should be receiving services.  A SCRAM document should be submitted which either identifies the services the student will receive or which exits the student from services (procedures must be followed for terminating a student from services).

o   If the IEP team has changed a student’s services, the changes must be documented on the services section of the IEP and a new SCRAM document must be submitted.  Remember that parents must be involved in any decision to amend IEP services and must receive a copy of the revised IEP.

o   Any SCRAM document submitted must reflect all current IEP services.  Every section of the form must be filled out completely or the student’s record cannot be submitted to the State for funding (this includes the classification, all services and amount of time, entry/exit dates, environment and regular percent codes, health services, etc.).  If information is missing, the record will not be sent to the State for funding counts.

Special Education Resource Teams are being sent one complete list of all students in the school who are being served by resource, speech-language, guidance and/or OT, PT, itinerant teachers for the hearing impaired or visually impaired, etc.  Please review and sign the list with ALL team members before sending it back to the SCRAM office.

Cluster Teams are being sent one complete list of all cluster students in the school who are being served by the cluster, speech-language, guidance and/or OT, PT, itinerant teachers for the hearing impaired or visually impaired, etc.   Please review and sign the list with ALL cluster team members before sending it back to the SCRAM office.

All primary SLP and Guidance services will be included on the master list sent to Special Education Resource Teams.  If the provider is serving two different schools, the services will be included on the master list at each school.  Teams are expected to work together to review and complete all required SCRAM information.

SCRAM corrections may be sent through District Mail to the SCRAM Secretary as long as they arrive in the Special Education office by the due date.  If the current report is correct as printed, each team member must sign the report, verifying that it is accurate and return it to the SCRAM Secretary in the Special Education Department at the District Office. If you have questions, please call the Teacher Specialist assigned to your school.  Please sign and return the current report with all corrections/changes marked along with the corresponding SCRAM documents by the following due date:

Due:  By 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Returning D Track Clusters Due Date:

NO LATER than 5:00 p.m. Friday, November 20, 2015

Reminders:

It is critical that information be received by the specified due dates so that all data can be entered by the December 1 due date.

Note
1)  Remember that all IEPs should be completed using the web-based Goalview IEP system and any changes must be reported using the IEP SCRAM Services document.

2)  In the event that a hard copy IEP was used and there are changes to the services listed on the printout, be sure to submit the IEP SCRAM Services document AND enter the hard copy IEP onto the Goalview system.

Private School/Home School Students
If you are providing services to a student who is enrolled in a private school or home school, make sure you have submitted a copy of the Private School and/or Home School Individualized Services Plan (ISP) and a copy of the student service logs to Julie Brown by the Wednesday, November 11, 2015 due date. Private school and/or home school students must be entered on the system differently.

Funding Implications
Special education funding and, therefore, school staffing/assistant allocations, etc. are contingent upon the accuracy of this data.  Your timely and accurate response is critical!  Thank you for all your efforts to get us the correct information in a very short time period.