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Category: Elementary Info

Published on

TO:
All Administrative Assistants

FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Kurt Prusse, Director of Purchasing

With the new Qmlativ finance system, finding things is different from the old SMS system. Here is a brief tutorial of how to check on the status of a PO and whether or not it has been paid. You will be able to see if it has been paid for or is still waiting for some other approval or process. When a purchase order is paid, it will not move to a History status; it will remain Open until the end of the month. The tutorial will walk you through how to see this.

If there are other helpful tips you need, please don't hesitate to contact the Purchasing Department so we can help you. It may be something other people are struggling with too. There are other useful tutorials on our website that may be of help to you.

Published on

TO:
Administrator, Administrative Assistants

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Rebecca Eastman, Leaves Specialist

If you are a contracted employee and need to take Annual/Personal Leave on a Critical Day before or after Winter Recess for any reason not listed in policy DP335NEG or DP335B, you must submit a request as follows:  

How to Request
During the window, the employee must send the request through email. Please include your name, school, position, and the date you are requesting the leave. Requests left on voicemail or over the phone will NOT be accepted.

• Licensed employees submit their request to licensedpersonalleave@jordandistrict.org

• Education Support Professionals submit their request to classifiedpersonalleave@jordandistrict.org

 The employee will receive an email confirmation within two working days after submitting the request. If the employee does not receive a confirmation email, then Human Resources has NOT received your request and your leave will not be approved.

*Critical Days are the first student attendance days before or after a school holiday. If a non-student attendance day falls before or after a school holiday, the Critical Day is the day before or after that non-student attendance day when students are in attendance.

Licensed
Licensed Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day 26-27

ESP
ESP Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day 26-27

Published on

TO:
All Principals

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent

Principals,
We would like to remind you about the Jordan Parent Advisory Committee (JPAC) meeting this week. Please make sure your SCC Presidents are aware of the meeting. If they are unable to be there, they may ask another SCC parent representative to attend in their place.

Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026
Time: 6:30–8:00 pm
Location: Jordan Learning Center, 3706 W. 9800 S., South Jordan. (The Learning Center is located directly across the street from Elk Ridge Middle School.)

Published on

TO:
Principals & Administrative Assistants

FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Daniel Ellis, Director of Accounting and Audits
Natalie Grange, Accounting Administrator

District allocations for individual schools were updated in Skyward on October 30. Adjustments were made based on the October 1 headcount. Carryforward balances and transfer requests are included in the total allocation.

Budget transfers can be submitted, using the attached form, to Natalie.Grange@jordandistrict.org.

If you have questions please contact Natalie Grange at 88312 or at Natalie.Grange@jordandistrict.org.

 

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Brandon Larsen, Performing & Fine Arts Consultant, Teaching & Learning

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) is now accepting nominations for the 2027 Sorenson Legacy Awards for Excellence in Arts Education (SLA Awards).

This is a fantastic opportunity to recognize outstanding leadership and teaching across Jordan School District. Awards highlight excellence in Dance, Music, Theatre/Drama, Visual Arts, and Film/Media, as well as specialized categories for administrators, exemplary arts programs, and elementary teachers who integrate the arts into general instruction.

• Who Can Nominate: Principals, teacher peers, parents, and students.
• Nomination Link: Sorenson Legacy Awards Nomination Form
• Deadline: November 30th at 11:59 PM

Please share the nomination link and attached flyer with your staff and school communities. Final candidates for each category will be selected in December to complete a full application.

For questions regarding the nomination process or award applications, please contact Liz Bunker at liz.bunker@schools.utah.gov.

 

Published on

TO:
All Elementary, Middle, and High School Administrators

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

See the memo for how your school may be involved in this research project.

 

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Rebecca Eastman, Human Resources Leaves Specialist

Please find attached the Leave Overview for each employee group: Administrators, Licensed staff and ESP (Eductional Support Professionals). If you have questions please contact Rebecca Eastman, Human Resources Leaves Specialist.

Published on

TO:
Elementary Principals and Assistant Principals

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Buddy Alger, Director of Student Services
Fulvia Franco, School Psychology Administrator

We are excited to invite your elementary school psychologists and school psychology interns to a monthly PLC beginning November, 20 2026.

These meetings provide an opportunity to build shared knowledge, exchange effective practices, and collaboratively problem-solve challenges related to school psychology services. We will also share relevant district updates, resources, and guidance on policies, procedures, and practices to support school psychologists in their work with students and school teams. Through ongoing professional collaboration, school psychologists can strengthen their practice and identify effective ways to better meet student needs.

Principals are encouraged to support their school psychologists and interns in participating in these opportunities for professional collaboration and growth. Participation is optional.

Meetings will be held via Zoom from 3:00–4:00 p.m. on the following dates:

• November 20, 2026
• December 18, 2026
• January 22, 2027
• March 12, 2027
• April 16, 2027
• May 21, 2027

There will be no PLC in February.

We look forward to collaborating and appreciate your continued support of our school psychologists and interns!

Published on

TO:
Elementary Administration

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Brandon Larsen, Performing & Fine Arts Consultant, Teaching & Learning

Jordan School District Fine Arts is thrilled to announce that we have officially established a new Student Art Gallery right here at the Auxiliary Services Building (ASB)!

Our goal is to celebrate the incredible creativity across Jordan School District, starting with elementary schools, and fill our hallways with vibrant, student-created masterpieces. To make this gallery a success, we need your help showcasing the amazing talent thriving in your classrooms.

How to Participate:
We are inviting each elementary school to nominate and submit student artwork for display. Whether it's visual arts from a dedicated art class or outstanding projects created during regular instruction, we want to show it off! We are happy to coordinate artwork pickup if needed and will assist with any barriers to participation.

Please use the link below to submit the details and artwork of the student(s) you would like to feature:
Submit Student Artwork Nominees

Thank you for your help in spotlighting our young artists and making the ASB a brighter, more inspiring place for everyone who visits.

Published on

DATE:
October 29, 2026

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Buddy Alger, Director of Student Services

SUBJECT:
Suicide Prevention Funds and Conference Registration

Administrators,

Suicide Prevention Grant funds are available for allowable expenses up to $1,000 per school. Schools may use these funds to pay for HopeSquad or Sources of Strength program renewal fees or to conduct suicide prevention training. These funds cannot be used to purchase supplies or food related to suicide prevention programming (NO T-shirts, incentives, fidgets, etc.). For questions, contact Buddy Alger (buddy.alger@jordandistrict.org) in Student Services.

As part of this allocation, schools may choose to register relevant staff members (school psychologists, school counselors, school-based therapists) for the Rocky Mountain Suicide Prevention Conference and code the P-Card registration fee to the grant.

Schools may register one individual for elementary, three individuals for middle school, and up to five individuals for high school, using the grant. Administrators can code the expense to program 5674 on the P-Card Reconciliation. There will not be District personnel registering school staff this year.

Here is the registration link for the Rocky Mountain Suicide Prevention Conference. It is held on December 1st and 2nd at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, UT.

If school staff have already been registered and your school would like to be reimbursed, contact Carmen Covarrubias (carmen.covarrubias@jordandistrict.org).

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Ami Shah, Compliance Officer

The Jordan Native American Program invites teachers to bring authentic Indigenous perspectives to their classrooms. We are now booking engaging, age-appropriate presentations to build cultural awareness and enrich your curriculum.

We know classroom time is precious. Our presentations can be fully tailored to your unit, and all we ask for is 30 to 45 minutes of class time.

While November is Native American Heritage Month, these conversations matter every day. If your schedule cannot accommodate a guest speaker this November, schedule us for a later winter or spring date.

Click Here to Request a Presentation

Thank you for helping broaden our students' perspectives. We look forward to visiting your classroom!

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Cherie Oliver, Jordan Education Foundation

Costa Vida is hosting a fundraising event that supports the whole district! On November 4th, eat at one of three Costa Vida locations and 20% of proceeds will come back to Jordan Education Foundation. Details on attached flyer.

Published on

TO:
All principals and administrators responsible for facility assessment

FROM:
Ian Roberts - Director of Facility Services

Starting at the beginning of November, Facility Services will be reaching out to arrange a meeting with principals and custodians to discuss and review facility needs. This event typically takes place from January through February, however, recent changes in legislation will result in additional time needed to meet time line requirements for the Division of Facilities and Construction Management oversight.

The purpose of the annual facility assessment is to provide a collaborative opportunity for the principal, custodian, and facilities coordinator to review and prioritize the building’s most critical needs. Guided by the prioritization philosophy established by the district and Board of Education, the team works together to make strategic, responsible decisions with a primary emphasis on student and staff safety. The assessment also helps schools identify significant facility improvement needs, such as roof replacements or major mechanical and building system upgrades. In addition, the process provides an opportunity to discuss other facility concerns, needs, and desired improvements and to categorize them appropriately—for example, as routine work orders, school-funded special projects, or larger capital projects for future consideration.

We understand the demands on administrators' time, particularly with the upcoming holidays and their numerous responsibilities. That said, we respectfully request that principals prioritize this assessment review.

Published on

DATE:
October 15, 2026

TO:
All Administrators and Administrative Assistants

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources

SUBJECT:
Administrative Assignments

The following are new administrative assignments:

New Assignments effective Oct. 20, 2026:

  • Katie Mintiloglitis, Assistant Principal at Rivers Edge School, transferred as Consultant to the Special Education department.
  • Becky West, Behavior Specialist in Granite School District, appointed Assistant Principal at Rivers Edge School.
  • Keith Klein, teacher at Jordan Ridge Elementary, appointed Assistant Principal at Bluffdale Elementary.
  • Polla Slade, Intern Assistant Principal at Foothills Elementary, transferred as Intern Assistant Principal at Aspen Elementary.

Published on

TO:
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Michelle Love-Day, Director of Language & Culture Services

We have a few spots open for Spanish for Office Staff. Our goal is to provide tools and resources for office staff so that you can sharpen the Spanish skills, whether this is your first time being exposed to Spanish or you learned in high school, we encourage all office staff who have students that speak Spanish to take this 5 week course from our DLI educators. Please sign up here. 

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Michelle Love-Day, Director of Language and Culture Services

Language & Culture Services wants to provide you with one place to find the information to support the language and culture in your school. In this newsletter you will find:

  • We had an excellent turn out at our annual Multilingual Family Night! We celebrated multilingualism with great food, student performances, and by celebrating our MLs that tested proficient on WIDA last year! Thank you to our JSD employees that attended, Foothills Elementary DLI students, our other student speakers and performers, and all of you that support our Multilingual Learners!
  • Strategy Highlight - ELLevation has a catalog of high-quality strategies that can be implemented into Tier 1 instruction. Each strategy also provides scaffolding suggestions for Multilingual Learners. You can find the Strategy Catalog by logging into ellevationeducation.com, then use the “Strategies” tab, and go to “Browse Catalog.”
    This month we’d like to highlight the following strategy: Vocabulary Rating - Benefits for Multilingual Learners Develop Academic Language with Weighted Words: Increased exposure to and meaningful practice with vocabulary words and phrases will support a deeper understanding of language at all levels. How To: Identify a list of vocabulary to focus on during the lesson and have students self-assess their vocabulary knowledge. Best used for: Hook/Intro of a lesson, as an Assessment
  • Announcements - Reminder: ELLevation Tasks are due! Exit Letters: Any remaining letters left in “Not Started” should be printed & sent home. Exit Interviews: Interviews need to be conducted with parents/guardians of students that tested proficient last Spring. Quarter 1 Monitoring: Forms are due Oct. 16. For support, please reach out to your school’s ELD Lead, Admin over MLs, or Language Teacher Specialist!

  • Culture & Diversity - Hispanic Heritage Month: Sept. 15 - Oct.15 | Recognize the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Hispanic Heritage Month Information Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead): Nov. 1 -2  | a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated to honor, remember, and welcome back the spirits of deceased family and friends. Day of the Dead Resources.

Published on

TO:
All School Principals

FROM:
Mike Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Lisa LeStarge, Administrative Assistant

The School LAND Trust team will host a virtual training session for School Community Councils on November 10, from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. It is highly encouraged that principals and SCC chairs attend this training.

Join the session using the link below:
Join the School Community Council Training Zoom Meeting

This training will cover essential topics, including:
• Program implementation: School LAND Trust Program requirements and practices
• Council responsibilities: Roles and expectations for council members
• Plan development: How to develop a School LAND Trust Plan
• Support resources: Guides and tools available to support your council

A recording of the session will be posted afterward for council members to review at their convenience. If you have already completed local training at your school covering these topics, you have fulfilled the annual training requirement and are not required to attend this session.

Published on

DATE:
Thursday, October 15, 2026

TO:
Elementary School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
2026 BOY Acadience Reading Dashboards in Tableau

2026 beginning-of-year Acadience Reading data and results are available in Tableau.  Administrators may view aggregate student participation, benchmark proficiency, and measure proficiency by school and grade level over time.  In addition, school administrators and instructional coaches may view individual student and teacher data. Demographic filters are also available to help school administrators drill down to the data they wish to see.

These dashboards may be accessed through the Explore menu in Tableau or directly using the links below:

Acadience Reading, 2015-Present

Explore > Assessments > Acadience Reading & Early Literacy > Acadience Reading Analysis, 2015-Present

The Progress Monitoring Fidelity Report in Tableau has also been updated to include the following:

  • Completion rates by school
  • Completion rates by course
  • Completion rates by teacher
  • Completion rates by student

The progress monitoring dashboards contain a link to guidance and recommendations from Teaching & Learning about the frequency at which students should be progress monitored.

Acadience Reading results may be accessed in ALO, including the new Time of Year Report, which can be accessed from the main dashboard page in ALO or by clicking on the kebab menu under the Students tab:

OR

Please contact Ben Jameson or Brooke Anderson in Assessment, Research & Accountability for more information about these dashboards.  For questions about progress monitoring recommendations, please reach out to your school’s district literacy specialist.