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Category: Elementary Info

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The Jordan Ethnic Advisory Committee, Language and Culture Services, and Equity Diversity and Inclusion cannot wait to see you at the annual "What I Wish You Knew Conference"!

Save the date for Tuesday, Jan. 16 from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Bingham High school. More information to come.

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Welcome back to another exciting school year! A lot is happening this quarter. Winter is closely approaching us, along with all the holidays. Daylight savings has made our days seem shorter.We will soon start to see colder weather, and hopefully some rain and snow.

We at LCS hope you and your loved ones can enjoy this holiday season that is quickly approaching us.

The full newsletter can be found at the link below. Stories include:

  • ELLevation Tips and Tricks - Did you know??? If you have an activity that you like, you can choose the Example tab, and select a grade level and content area. It will then give you ideas for incorporating that activity into your lesson!
  • Culture Corner - Teaching about different cultural holidays helps promote awareness, acceptance and diversity in our classrooms. How can you incorporate more culture in your classroom? November: Native American Heritage Month December: Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hannukah
  • Teaching Strategies - Have you ever used the Magic Switch setting on Canva? This allows you to translate a document that was made within Canva by a click of a button. You can choose from 130 different languages. Also, it allows you to translate certain part of your document, while other parts can be in a different language. This really allows educators to translate documents for our ML students easily.
  • Reflective Questions - How much do I really listen to my learners? Do I engage in active observation in my classroom, paying attention to subtle nuances and dynamics among my learners? In my interactions with my learners? Can I describe my own cultural conditioning? For example, what cultural values affect how I behave and communicate with others? What are some of my core beliefs and how have they been culturally influenced?
  • ELD Lead Celebration - Heidi Rivera is a kindergarten teacher & ELD Lead at Riverton Elementary. She works closely with the ML students and helps them develop language proficiency and prepares them for WIDA. She has done a great job of creating a sense of belonging among the ML students and has contributed to a great sense of community and culture among Riverton Elementary.

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DATE:  
December 7, 2023

TO:  
Principals
Assistant Principals

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Sharon Jensen, Consultant Student Support Services
Michelle Reyes, Prevention Specialist, Student Support Services

SUBJECT:   
Attendance Holiday Messaging Strategies

As we approach winter recess and near the end of the second quarter, we would like to offer some messaging strategies to help maintain regular attendance. Absences tend to increase prior to and following a holiday break from school. By this point in the year some students are struggling to get to school on time or at all. Panorama is a great resource for delving into attendance data. It provides easy access to data showing which students are struggling with attendance. You can locate the attendance report in Panorama under Student Success for your school.

As a school you can be proactive by communicating early and often with families about dates and expectations surrounding the upcoming winter recess. Attendance Works provides the following ideas to help with communication:

  • Send a letter out weeks before the longer winter break urging students and families to avoid unnecessary absences. (Sample letter included that you can modify for your needs.)
  • Let students and families know the date when the break will start and when school will resume. (Resources provided for your use to post on Facebook or Instagram.)
  • Include the name and contact information for the school, and organizations that can provide support to families if needed.
  • Consider sharing health guidance flyers (Health guidance flyers from Attendance Works included)
  • Plan a special event for the first day after the holiday break to welcome the students back to school. Send out text messages, phone calls, emails, social media notifications, etc. right before school resumes to remind them of special plans.

For more information on holiday messaging activities, review the holiday messaging guidance from Attendance Works here.

Should you have questions or would like editable copies of the social media resources please contact Michelle Reyes at michelle.reyes@jordandistrict.org or 801.567.8205.

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Language and Culture Services is excited to open our second Family Engagement Center for Jordan District.

Please join us as we celebrate the opening of our West Jordan location on Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. in the Joel P. Jensen media center.

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DATE:   
November 29, 2023

TO: 
All Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
FREE! Well-Being Course with Practical Strategies

Jordan District educators are invited to participate in our 2024 FREE Educator Well-Being Continuing Ed Courses for administrators, teachers, counselors, and specialists. This course is an opportunity for all JSD employees to address their own well-being by exploring practical strategies associated with connection, happiness, self-care, conflict resolution, growth mindset, problem-solving, and more! Participants will collaborate, learn from, and connect with other educators throughout the District as they work towards meeting their own wellness goals.

This course is FREE for JSD employees and Winter, and Summer sessions are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited for this great opportunity!

The class will meet on Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 over Zoom:

January 11, 18, 25
February 1, 8, 15, 20
March 7, 14, 21

Participants can earn continuing education, lane-change, and re-licensure hours from SUU (up to 3 college credits).

Sign up using the attached flier and share this information with professionals in your schools who may be interested in this opportunity.

 

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Update to policy DP380 Maternity/Parent Leave

Last night, after careful consideration, the Board has reduced the length of the contract requirement following the use of maternity/paternity days.

Retroactive applied to 07/01/2023, an employee using maternity/paternity leave days shall agree in writing to repay compensation at his/her daily rate of pay for maternity/parent leave used or granted if he/she terminates employment with the District for other than medical reasons before completion of the current contract year. All other provisions listed in the Maternity/Parent Leave Policy still apply.

If you have further questions, please see the updated policy DP380-Maternity/Parent Leave or contact the HR Generalist at rebecca.eastman@jordandistrict.org.

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DATE:
November 27, 2023

TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants

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

SUBJECT:
Gift Card/Certificate Purchasing Policy

As a reminder, the purchase of gift cards, e-gift cards, prepaid credit cards, or anything with a stated cash value that functions like a gift card is not allowable with funds managed by the district, school, or department, including grants.

Please review the District Financial Accounting Manual for further information.

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DATE:
November 20, 2023

TO:
Principals
Administrative Assistants

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

SUBJECT:
District Allocations by School - October 1 Adjustments

District allocations for individual schools were updated in Skyward on November 15. Adjustments were made based on the October 1 headcount. Carryforward balances and transfer requests are included in the total allocation. See the following attachments:

1) Student estimate compared to October 1 headcount.

2) Estimated District Allocation compared to October 1 adjustment.

Please review these adjustments and contact Natalie Grange (801) 567-8312 with any questions or concerns.

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Jordan School District Board authorizes up to four (4) full-time employees to be selected for leave.

Sabbatical Leave
Sabbatical leave provides a 1-year leave for professional study. Educators who have completed at least 7 years of continuous service in JSD may apply. Employees on sabbatical leave receive one-half of their salary. Please read Policy DP333 Neg – Sabbatical Leave for complete information. Applications are reviewed by the Local Professional Improvement Committee and approved by the Board.

Educational Leave
Educators who have worked in Jordan School District for at least three (3) consecutive years may apply for an Educational Leave. Educational leaves are for continued study and must include an outline of studies along with the application. Please read Policy DP332 NEG – Educational Leave for complete information. Educational Leave is without pay.

Applications for 2024-2025 Sabbatical and Educational Leaves are due February 1, 2024. Additional questions can be referred to Chris Westra, 801-567-8657.

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DATE: 
November 14, 2023

TO:  
School Psychologists and School Psychology Interns

FROM:  
Dr. Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Fulvia Franco, Program Specialist – Guidance

SUBJECT: 
December School Psychologist Guidance Meeting

A meeting for school psychologists and school psychology interns has been scheduled for Friday, December 1, 2023, from 12:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Auxiliary Services Building (7905 South Redwood Road). We will start at 12:00 p.m. with lunch. You have the option of participating in our pot-luck luncheon, or bringing lunch for yourself if that’s your preference. Christy Kane, PsyD, CMHC, will provide us with a presentation titled The Social Anti-Social Brain--How Social Media is Impacting the Mental Health of Kids.

Part-time Staff: I would appreciate it if you could adjust your schedules in order to attend this meeting.

cc:
Principals

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DATE:  
November 15, 2023

TO:  
Principals
Assistant Principals
School Safety Specialists

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

SUBJECT:   
School Safety Specialist Role and Responsibilities

Role Description and Expectations:

The School Safety Specialist helps oversee school preparedness in prevention and/or response to situations threatening the safety of students, staff, and guests. This is done through proactive training and equipment accountability. The School Safety Specialist serves in a support and advisory capacity to school administrators or others designated in leadership positions as per the Incident Command System. This role does not supersede those in leadership roles, such as the Incident Commander. The School Safety Specialist should consult the Jordan School District Safety Manual or the District School Safety Coordinator for further clarification and training.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. All School Safety Specialists shall be trained and certified in level 1 Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG). The School Safety Specialist acts as a member of the school’s interdisciplinary CSTAG team.
  2. Become trained and familiar with the Standard Response Protocols (SRP) and Incident Command System (ICS) as per district guidelines.
  3. Attend regular refresher or update safety training sessions and relay pertinent information back to assigned schools or areas.
  4. Be prepared to train and advise in all matters regarding safety to include SRP and ICS.
  5. Keep records of drills and/or evacuations to ensure compliance with state law and district policy reported annually. Records should be kept and maintained at each school or district building to be made available upon request.
  6. Responsible to maintain and report school Emergency Preparedness Kits in each classroom including Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) kits.
  7. Maintain TECC kits strategically placed throughout the schools.
  8. Maintain the school’s Reunification Operations Kit (ROK) and ensure each is properly equipped.
  9. Conduct visual inspections of fire extinguishers and Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) and note any obvious abnormalities or if missing. Report any potential issues to the school administrators as well as the district facilities department or the School Safety Coordinator.
  10. Additional responsibilities may be assigned by school administrators.

Any of the listed responsibilities are subject to change. Responsibilities may be added or removed by school administrators in consultation from the district School Safety Coordinator.

The School Safety Specialist stipend of $3,000 (for full-time status and before taxes/benefits) will be paid on the May 2024 paycheck.

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DATE:   
November 9, 2023

TO: 
All Administrators & Threat Assessment Teams

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness
Angie Rasmussen, Student Safety & Wellness Specialist

SUBJECT:
Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) Level 2 & 3 Training Dates

Traditionally, CSTAG training consists of two (2) training levels and both levels must be completed by all administrators and threat assessment team members. The CSTAG Level 2 workshop is for all who have completed the Level 1 training (the six (6) hour web-based training from Navigate360). This workshop will build upon your knowledge of threat assessment by providing practical application and implementation of the CSTAG process in your school.

If you have already completed level 2, we are excited to announce a new training opportunity, CSTAG level three (3).

This in person Level 2 workshop will:

  1. Review CSTAG level 1
  2. Focus on implementation and use of the threat assessment process
  3. Focus on sustainable ways to use CSTAG in your school
  4. Review and training on the decision tree
  5. Review the CSTAG forms and best practices for documentation
  6. Practice using real-world scenarios.

Level 2 Course #101883 Friday, December 1, 2023

District Office Room 129
8:00am-10:00am Section #127887 or 1:30pm-3:30pm Section #127888

Level 2 Course #101883 Friday, March 1, 2024

District Office Room 129
8:00am-10:00am Section #127889 or 1:30pm-3:30pm Section # 127890

NEW Level 3 In-Person Training

Wednesday, June 5th
District Office Room 129
10:00am-12:00pm Course #101984 and Section # 127891

Please sign up using JPLS for the session you will be attending. Select this  to register for level 2 or 3 sessions of CSTAG training.

If you are not certain about having completed the CSTAG Level 1 or 2 courses or should you have any questions please reach out to Angie Rasmussen at angie.rasmussen@jordandistrict.org.

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Attention Principals,

New/updated Labor Law posters have been distributed to all principals/buildings.  We are required by law to post these in a location where employees have ready access to review them (i.e. Faculty rooms).

If you have a need for additional posters in English or Spanish, please contact Human Resources.

Thank you for your assistance.