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Category: Elementary Info

Published on

TO:
Principals

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

Jordan School District Special Education Summer Conference 2026

The Special Education Summer Conference for the 2026-27 school year will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at West Jordan Middle School. Check-in begins at 7:30 am and the conference begins at 8:00 am. Attendees will receive a $200 stipend, and lunch will be provided. Administrators are also welcome to attend. There will be sessions specifically for Administrators throughout the day.

All Certified/Licensed Special Education staff and school administrators are invited to attend. Please register through PD Catalog by July 31st.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your teacher specialist.

Published on

TO:
Elementary Principals

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning

We have secured one-time funding to purchase K–3 literacy software licenses for summer 2026 and the 2026–27 school year.

Please note an update to the announcement made at the May principals meeting: these licenses may be used in the classroom during the 2026–27 school year, rather than being restricted to home use. Classroom implementation will align with the STEM Action Center grants for math software licenses for the 2026-2027 school year.

License Distribution & Next Steps

  • Existing Requests: If you submitted a Google request form, you will receive the number of licenses you indicated.
  • New Requests: If you did not originally request licenses but would now like them for classroom use, we will provide them based on availability.

To request remaining licenses, please contact Brittney Eldredge at 801-567-8161.

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Director of Teaching and Learning
Jared Covili, Consultant Digital Teaching and Learning

Please join USBE and Google for Education for a series of webinars to help K12 and higher education leaders explore how to deploy AI in safe, effective, and practical ways. These sessions are free and open to all Utah education leaders.

Week of July 13th
AI on Campus - A Practical Guide to Integrity, Policy, and Career Readiness

Week of July 20th
Gemini for Your Campus: A Technical Guide to Deployment and Security

Week of July 27th
The Google AI-Powered Researcher: From Grant Proposal to Final Draft
Inclusive by Design: Using Google AI to Enhance Accessibility and UDL

Week of August 3rd
Gemini for Your Campus: A Technical Guide to Deployment and Security

Week of August 10th
Meet a Google Engineer: Q & A

More information including invites and links to be sent two weeks ahead of the first session. Register in the form at the following link: AI in Education: Leadership Training Series Registration.

Published on

TO:
Administrators
ELD Leads
Staff

FROM:
Mike Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Michelle Love-Day, Director and Language Teacher Specialists

Language and Culture Services wants to make sure you have all of the information at hand to share with your families on WIDA data. In accordance with Title III compliance, we want to ensure the steps are followed to send home the score reports and notification letters. In the document here, you will find those steps along with guidance on compliance and comparing growth data. We also know that many of you will be celebrating the success with your students that have reached proficiency in WIDA. We have added a final tab to have some language that you can use so that everyone, including the ML learner, knows the importance of this test. We would love to attend any of those celebrations, so please let your language teacher specialist and director know. Thank you for all of your hard work this year and being a superhero for our super amazing multilingual students!

Document link here

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning

Now Available! JSD Portrait of a Graduate Proficiency Scales

Based on the district’s strategic plan, Jordan District teacher teams have now completed proficiency scales for Portrait of a Graduate characteristics by grade bands. 

To access the Portrait of a Graduate characteristics and accompanying scales along with resources for planning, instruction, assessment, and feedback, enroll in the new JSD Portrait of a Graduate Proficiency Scales Canvas course.

Key Details:

  • Ongoing Updates: Additional resources will be added directly to the Canvas course.
  • Feedback: A link is embedded in the course for submitting questions, commentary, or resource suggestions.

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning

Now Available! JSD Content Proficiency Scales

Together, district teacher teams and Teaching & Learning have developed power standards and corresponding proficiency scales for Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, PE, Health, and Music (with more subjects coming soon). These scales serve as exemplars and anchors for grade-level expectations, ensuring Level 3 indicators align precisely with the depth and rigor of the Utah Core Standards.

To access the standards, scales, and integration resources for planning, instruction, assessment, and feedback, enroll in the new JSD Content Proficiency Scales Canvas course.

Key Details:

  • Ongoing Updates: Additional resources will be added directly to the Canvas course.
  • Feedback: A link is embedded in the course for submitting questions, commentary, or resource suggestions.
  • More Info: Please review the Canvas homepage for additional details.

⚠️ Important Note on Math Standards: The State Board of Education (USBE) is currently reviewing math standards and is expected to release updates soon. Consequently, the development of math power standards and proficiency scales is paused until those official updates are released.

Published on

TO:
All Principals
All Assistant Principals

FROM:
Administrators of Schools

Please share the attached flyer with the future school leaders in your building.

The BYU School Leadership Program invites educators to learn from current school, district, state, and university leaders about becoming a principal. The Academy is a great way to get a taste of school leadership and learn best practices for applying to principal preparation programs and future leadership positions. The district will cover the cost of your substitute teacher, and BYU will award a $1,000 scholarship to any participants who are accepted to and attend BYU’s Masters of School Leadership Program.

APPLY BY AUGUST 28, 2026.

Published on

TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Brent Burge, HR Administrator

Important Update to FMLA Leave Calculation Method

We would like to inform employees of an upcoming change to the District’s Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave calculation method.

Effective July, 27, 2026, the District will transition from using a fixed 12-month calendar method to a rolling 12-month period from the date FMLA leave is used.

Under the rolling 12-month method, each time an employee uses FMLA leave, the District will look back 12 months to determine how much FMLA leave has already been used and how much remains available. This method is permitted under federal FMLA regulations and is intended to provide a more consistent and equitable administration of leave benefits.

This change may affect how available FMLA leave is calculated for employees who have previously used FMLA leave within the prior 12 months.

If you have questions regarding your FMLA eligibility or available leave balances, please contact Human Resources at leaves@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8429.

Published on

TO:
Elementary Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Mandy Thurman, Elementary Language Arts Consultant of Teaching and Learning
Michelle Lovell, Elementary Language Arts Consultant of Teaching and Learning

Save the date and share the following optional professional development opportunity with your teachers.

Literacy Live: Grades K–6 Fall Conference will be offered during the district’s first teacher professional development day on September 25, 2026. This engaging learning experience is designed to support K–6 educators through breakout sessions focused on effective literacy instruction, practical classroom strategies, and implementation-ready resources. Participants will also have opportunities for collaboration, networking, and prize drawings throughout the event.

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services

Please let your employees know that the Benefits Open Enrollment dates have changed.  This year, open enrollment will be held from July 20, 2026 - August 20, 2026, and all changes will be effective September 1, 2026. You will also be receiving posters like the attached flyer.  Please post them where your staff will see them.

If you or any of your staff have questions, please have them reach out to Insurance Services, insurance@jordandistrict.org, (801) 567-8146. Thank you.

Published on

TO:
Administrators

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

Please share this information with your teachers.

Many of your teachers are pursuing a STEM endorsement (see our EIP website for a full list of endorsements). USBE WILL REIMBURSE THEM FOR THEIR COLLEGE CLASSES. This is called the STEM Endorsement Incentive Program (EIP) and it has been funded again for the 2025-26 school year. Teachers can apply here. See the link to our EIP website for more information.

Applications for reimbursement are now being accepted for teachers who completed STEM courses after July 1, 2025. The next round of reimbursement applications is due May 27, 2026 for teachers who completed STEM courses in Winter/Spring 2026.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your content consultant. We would love to talk to you!

 

Published on

TO:
Second-Grade Teachers
Instructional Coaches
Building Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Michelle Lovell, Elementary Language Arts Consultant of Teaching & Learning

The Elementary Literacy team is cooking up something amazing in 2nd grade!

They are thrilled to announce a new professional development series for the upcoming school year, specifically designed for 2nd-grade teachers!

These courses will help them to meet the quarterly literacy goals and will be centered around the theme of the mentor text, The Best Chef in Second Grade by Katharine Kenah. Participating teachers will get a copy of this book and many other practical tools and supplies to use immediately in their classroom.

Help refine the recipes for student success and connect with other 2nd-grade chefs. Here is a preview of the four "tasty courses" being offered next year:

Quarter 1: Accuracy in Every Bite- Aug. 6 or Sept. 11
Quarter 2: A La Carte Learning- Flexible dates in October-November for a micro PD your team chooses from a menu of offerings.
Quarter 3: Chef’s Special- Jan. 22 or Jan. 29
Quarter 4: The Secret Sauce- March 5

Sign up now for our first session at pd.jordandistrict.org. The team looks forward to cooking up a fantastic year of learning with you!

Published on

TO:
All Schools and Departments

FROM:
Kurt Prusse, Director of Purchasing

Handling Vendor Quotes That Need Signatures

When ordering furniture, software, or renewals, some vendors might ask for a signature on their quote to confirm details or terms before processing your order. Some vendors are treating quotes as their terms and conditions and/or as approval to move forward which can cause double ordering.

To help ensure all agreements align with District terms and conditions and that your Purchase Orders (POs) are approved smoothly, please use the following quick process:

  1. Review & Initial: Have your school administrator review the quote and initial next to the signature line to confirm the details are correct.
  2. Attach in Skyward: Attach that initialed quote directly to your PO Requisition in Skyward Qmlativ before sending anything back to the vendor.
  3. We’ll Handle the Rest: Once we receive your requisition, the Purchasing team will secure the official authorized signatures and finalize your PO.

This simple workflow keeps your orders on track and protects the District from unauthorized purchases and unfavorable terms.

Thank you so much for your help with this! If you have any questions or need assistance getting quotes from vendors, please reach out—we’re always happy to help.

Published on

TO:
All JSD staff who use Qmlativ Finance

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

The Accounting team has created instructions for Qmlativ, with screenshots, demonstrating how to complete cash receipts, journal entries, move money requests, E-checks, etc. Find this information on the Information Systems website, Documentation quick access tab, in the Accounting/Qmlativ folder.

General process updates
1-Accounts Payable Receiving Module/Verifieds: Please hold off on entering items under the receiving module and return to sending in your signed verification forms (i.e., packing slip, PO, invoice). We are working through a process to properly track received items, so please use the old method until we can communicate out a new process.

2- Insurance Corrections: A correction has been posted to the benefits accounts for the issue in April. We will send out reports showing the updated balances as soon as possible.

Published on

Date:
May 21, 2026

To:
All Administrators
All Admin Assistants

From:
Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Manager, Information Systems

Subject:
Got Qmlativ Questions? We’ve Got Answers!

Our recent Qmlativ workshops have been a huge success, and we’re keeping the momentum going by offering additional sessions throughout the summer! Drop in for help with creating journal entries, viewing your budgets, submitting a travel request, approving time off and time tracking submissions, and much more. You can also get help working through processes, setting up views and filters, and customizing your dashboard and dock. Once you feel comfortable navigating the system, we’ll teach you how to submit a time off request to enjoy the hot summer days!

We are available between 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, no appointment needed. Just bring your laptop and drop in when it’s convenient for you. Upcoming dates and locations for workshops:

● Friday, June 12th at the District Office, Room 129
● Friday, June 19th at the District Office, Room 129
● Thursday, June 25th at the District Office, Room 129
● Tuesday, June 30th at the District Office, Room 129
● Thursday, July 9th at the ASB, PDC 101
● Monday, July 13th at the District Office, Room 129
● Monday, July 20th at the District Office, Room 129
● Tuesday, July 28th at the District Office, Room 129

Published on

TO:
Elementary Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Mandy Thurman, Consultant, Elementary Language Arts, Teaching and Learning
Michelle Lovell, Consultant, Elementary Language Arts, Teaching and Learning

We are excited to announce a new professional development series for the upcoming school year, specifically designed for 1st-grade teachers.

These courses will help you to meet the quarterly literacy goals and will be centered around the theme of building strong readers. Participating teachers will receive a copy of the mentor text, Mighty, Mighty Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker, as well as other practical tools to use in their classrooms

Join us as we lay the foundation for student success and connect with other 1st-grade builders. Here is a preview of the blueprint for the 2026-2027 school year.

● Quarter 1: Laying the Foundation: August 5 or September 11

● Quarter 2: Building the Framework: November 6 or November 13

● Quarter 3 and 4: Final Inspection: January 22 or January 29

Sign up now for our first session at pd.jordandistrict.org. We look forward to building a fantastic year of learning with you.

Published on

TO:
Administrators, Administrative Assistants, Employees

FROM:
Sarah Palmer, Director of Payroll

TIME TRACKING AND TIME OFF
Last Day of School - June 4

Please make sure all of your Time Tracking and time off is submitted and approved before leaving for summer break.

Last contract day for the 2025-26 school year
June 4th – last day of school (180 days)
June 5th – teacher checkout (184 and 187 days)
June 12th – last day for elementary administrative assistants (206 days)
June 19th – last day for extended teachers/specialists/coordinators (207 days)