Jordan School District
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Brandon Conti, Risk Management Coordinator
All chemicals used at work, even “household” chemicals, should be considered potentially hazardous. Always understand the hazards of any chemical that you are using.
See the flyer below for more information.
DATE:
Thursday, March 6, 2025
TO:
Elementary School Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Assessment, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
Elementary Summative Testing Changes for 2024-25
With the change in the ELA core approved by the Utah State Board of Education in recent months, the state’s summative assessments will now reflect those changes. The changes to RISE are highlighted below:
RISE:
Please see the attached RISE updates document released by USBE for more information.
For questions about these changes, please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability.
DATE:
Thursday, March 6, 2025
TO:
All School Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Assessment, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
State Testing Reminders
The following are friendly reminders from the state’s testing ethics policy:
The following additional guidance may help address specific questions that arise from the part of the state’s testing ethics policy quoted above:
Please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability with questions.
DATE:
February 27, 2025
TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Michelle Reyes, Prevention Specialist, Student Services
SUBJECT:
February Attendance Newsletter & Resources
February 2025 Attendance Newsletter
Spring is right around the corner with warmer weather and sunny skies! Although we are all looking forward to warmer weather and longer days, this can make it increasingly difficult to motivate students to attend school. Research by TASC has shown that students are much more likely to miss school during the spring semester. Lessons in the spring tend to be more rigorous and build on groundwork laid in fall semester. Missing spring semester lessons can lead to a more substantial learning loss. Attendance and achievement go hand in hand. Keeping students motivated to attend school through the “Spring Slide” benefits all stakeholders involved in a child’s education.
Spring Slump Attendance Ideas- Supporting Attendance, Engagement & Learning
Included are some ideas to help you reduce the spring attendance slump.
Resources for communicating with families-
Request for Feedback-State Attendance Campaign Slogan Input
The USBE is looking for as much input as they can get on the slogan for a statewide attendance campaign that will launch this summer. Take a minute to fill out a very brief survey to share your input.
Attendance Cohorts-USBE
The USBE is seeking schools interested in being part of an Engagement and Attendance Cohort for the 2025-2026 school year. The Cohort will start in May and will take part in 6 trainings held by the USBE Attendance Specialists. The trainings are collaborative sessions to help develop, build, and implement an attendance system that will work for your school. Reach out to Garrett Russell, garrett.russell@schools.utah.gov, or Megan Menlove, megan.menlove@schools.utah.gov, attendance specialists at the USBE, if you are interested in joining this opportunity.
What’s New: Resource Roundup-
Helpful research and reference articles:
Attendance Works
Attendance Works
Attendance Incentive Ideas
Tier I/Foundational Intervention is vital for combating chronic absenteeism in your schools. Incentives are a great Tier I intervention that reaches all students and can help reduce absences. Here are just a few ideas of ways you can focus on the positive and create incentives that work for your specific LEA.
Attendance Works Incentive Tips from Attendance Works
If you have bright spots with attendance interventions at your school, please share with Michelle Reyes, michelle.reyes@jordandistrict.org.
Upcoming Attendance Training Opportunities/Dates
The Utah State Board of Education will be hosting attendance webinars throughout the year.
Spring Recess Reminder
English-
Facebook Post
Instagram Post
Spanish-
Facebook Post
Instagram Post
Questions? Contact Michelle Reyes at michelle.reyes@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8205.
DATE:
February 26, 2025
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 (LOCKDOWN)
Our monthly drill preparation will be held on March 5th at 3:00 PM with a second session at 3:30 PM. This month we will be covering LOCKDOWN. 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 open to any staff who may be interested.
After each monthly training all school staff should be trained by the administrator over school safety and the School Safety Specialist. After being trained each month, teachers should educate their students on each safety drill. Additionally, schools should communicate with their patrons regarding Standard Response Protocol(s) (SRP) and the drill being conducted each month. Videos, handouts, and other resources can be found at the link(s) below.
Information regarding the LOCKDOWN response protocol can be found in the Jordan School District Safety Manual on pages 12-14. 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.
DATE:
February 26, 2025
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness Consultant
SUBJECT:
Employee Wellness Booster PD offering on March 14, 2025
On March 14, 2025 the Wellness Team will be hosting a “Wellness Booster” professional development workshop is open to ALL employees on PD Day. Participants will be eligible for professional development credit.
This workshop will be held at Juniper Elementary, in the Tech Atrium, from 1:30-3:00 pm.
In honor of Pie Day (3.14), we will be teaching skills for PIE: Presence, Inner Awareness, and Emotion Regulation. The strategies taught are for employees to use in their personal and professional life. All employee types are invited to this hands-on wellness learning experience focused on cultivating one’s skills. PD credit and dessert pie will be offered!
Please share the attached flyer. A link is on the flyer to register for this PD.
DATE:
February 26, 2025
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness Consultant
SUBJECT:
Tier One SEW Curriculum Funds Available!
Our District has been awarded State Prevention Block Grant funds to implement prevention best practices. This award includes $2000 per school for tier one, evidence-based social and emotional wellness (SEW) curriculum implementation for the 2025-26 school year. For information about current curriculum options, concerns regarding curriculum use, or other curriculum questions please reach out to Jodee Packer (jodee.packer@jordandistrict.org).
Each school’s selected SEW curriculum implementation must also be included in each school’s annually updated prevention plan (instructions for this are in the Prevention Plan Update JAM).
To access these funds, school principals must complete this form by March 28th, 2025. Unclaimed funds will be re-distributed to schools that were awarded funds and the total award amount may exceed $2,000 per school after re-distribution. For each school that is awarded funds a new budget code will be created and shared with the school to post the allowable expense. Schools will coordinate the purchase of the curriculum directly with curriculum vendors, including covering any additional costs using other school budgets.
As evidence-based prevention practices are implemented school-wide, schools utilizing grant funds will be expected to schedule a 1-hour professional development with the Wellness Team titled “Fewer Tears, More Tier One.” This professional development is meant for the whole school staff and can occur any time prior to the end of the first quarter (October 17, 2025). This can be during PLC’s, staff meetings, August PD days, or other professional development time at your school’s convenience.
Please note, it is not required that all schools utilize these funds.
For questions, email wellness@jordandistrict.org or contact McKinley Withers (mckinley.withers@jordandistrict.org, extension 88245)
TO:
Elementary Administrators
2nd Grade Elementary Teachers
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Michelle Lovell, Elementary Language Arts Consultant
There have been some updates in Module 3 of Wit & Wisdom for second-grade. Please see below for details.
2nd Grade Wit & Wisdom Module 3 Options
Wit & Wisdom offers an optional version of 2nd grade Module 3 with revised narrative writing craft instruction.
Here is a brief comparison of the two versions:
| Original Version | Optional Version |
|
|
Screenshots of the affected writing assessments are included in the document below.
TO:
Elementary Administrators
Elementary Teachers
Instructional Coaches
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Michelle Lovell, Elementary Language Arts Consultant
See attached flyer for all the details.
TO:
Administrators
Directors
FROM:
Carolyn Gough Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Chris Richards-Khong, Associate Administrator of Teaching and Learning
The Education Tribute Award is a prestigious honor presented annually by the state-wide program ResilientYOU. Each year education organizations and individuals are selected based upon their exemplary efforts in building student resilience in their schools, homes and communities. The Education Tribute Award nominations need to be completed online no later than Friday, March 14, 2025.
Find the nomination form HERE
Nomination categories include:
High School
Middle School
Elementary School
Administrator
Secondary School Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Wellness Professional
Parenting Organization
*School nominations are for school-wide programs and efforts. Please don't feature individuals if you are nominating their school.
TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants
FROM:
Sarah Palmer, Director of Payroll
Please see the document below.
DATE:
February 19, 2025
TO:
All Principals
FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Brian King, Ph.D., Assistant Director of Special Education
Mike Trimmell, Ed.D., Special Education Administrator
SUBJECT:
Professional Development Opportunities for March, April, and May
See the attached memo for a listing of all the professional development opportunities for Special Education Licensed Staff for March, April, and May. A link to sign up for each training will be sent to all Special Education Licensed Staff Members.
TO:
All Licensed Educators
FROM:
Ami Shah, Jordan Native American Program
Jordan Native Program invites you to attend a PD on 'Exploring Native American History: Lessons Beyond Textbooks' by Darren Parry, on March 27th, from 4-5:30 PM, at JATC South.
Darren Parry is the former Chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation. Darren serves on the Board of Directors for Utah Humanities and the PBS Utah. He attended the University of Utah and Weber State University and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education. In 2024, he received an Honorary PhD in Education from Utah State University. Darren is the author of “The Bear River Massacre, A Shoshone History” and teaches in the Environmental Humanities department at the University of Utah. He lectures around the country on Native American issues surrounding history and Indigenous views related to sustainability.
TO:
Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Jared Covili, Consultant in Teaching & Learning
Administrators, 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 2024-25 school year. See the attached flyer and link to our EIP website for more information.
Applications for reimbursement are now being accepted for teachers who completed STEM courses after June 1, 2024. The next round of reimbursement applications is due February 27, 2025, for teachers who completed STEM courses in Fall/Winter 2024.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the content consultant. We would love to talk to you!
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Jason Skidmore, Director of CTE
The CTE Work Based Learning team has been tasked with helping students discover and explore careers at an earlier age. In response, we have created nine 30-minute Career Exploration lessons that coincide with the CTE Career Spotlight posters located near each elementary school's lunch room.
Each lesson plan includes a slide deck with videos for class discussion and an activity that can be presented by school counselors, teachers, or aides during rotations. Lessons can be accessed at cte.jordandistrict.org under the Educators tab and will be updated each year with additional careers. Please reach out to jennifer.price2@jordandistirct.org if you need help with implementing these lessons or with career readiness activities at the elementary level, we are happy to help.
DATE:
February 20, 2025
TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
McKinney Vento Aides
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Sharon Jensen, Consultant, Student Support Services
SUBJECT:
McKinney Vento Aides- Spring Training
McKinney Vento Spring Training will be held on Monday, March 3, from 10:00 am-11:30 am in the ASB Presentation Room, Entrance C.
Please remind your McKinney Vento aides about this required training. Assistant Principals, interns, & administrators are welcome but not required to attend. Please coordinate with your team on meeting attendance.
TO:
Building Principals
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Scott Festin, Planning Consultant, Planning & Enrollment
Caleb Olson, Consultant, Planning & Enrollment
See the 2025-26 FTE Authorization and Enrollment Forecast by grade for all schools using the link.
TO:
Elementary Principals
Elementary Administrative Assistants
FROM:
Michelle Love-Day, Director of Language & Culture Services
We are assisting schools with interpreters. For schools not listed on the form, please reach out to lisa.stonedejimenez@jordandistrict.org to request an interpreter for parent/teacher conferences. We encourage you to reach out to the Latinos in Action students for assistance. Please use this LINK to view your school's services:
If you have an ESP that can help out, we can timesheet them and pay them from our office. Please contact Nicole Woodburn by Feb. 14th, prior to the conferences. We just need to know their names and be pre approved. If we do not have their name, they cannot be paid.
TO:
Elementary Principals
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amanda Bollinger, Associate Administrator, Teaching & Learning
Todd Theobald, Special Projects, Teaching and Learning
Elementary Principals,
Due to the scheduling conflict with the BYU CITES Instructional Leadership Conference, the March 21st Elementary Principal PLC has been rescheduled to March 28th. Please notify your instructional coach(es) that this meeting has been rescheduled and mark your calendars to reflect this change:
Elementary Principal PLC - UPDATE SCHEDULE
DATE: March 28th
TIME: 8:30-11:30 a.m.
PLACE: ASB Auditorium
DATE:
Thursday, February 13, 2025
TO:
Elementary School Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
MOY Acadience Reading and 6th Grade CogAT Tableau Dashboards Updated with Latest Results
MOY Acadience Reading and the 2024-25 6th grade CogAT results are now available in Tableau viewer accounts. Elementary school administrators may access the MOY Acadience Reading dashboard here and the CogAT dashboards here. Results are available at both the district and school level. School administrators may also filter the data by student groups (economically disadvantaged, ML, race/ethnicity, and students with a disability). Both dashboards also contain results for individual students.
Please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability with questions about these dashboards.
