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Category: Elementary Info

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The following are new administrative assignments:

New Assignments effective July 1, 2021:

  • James Groethe, assistant principal at Copper Hills High appointed assistant principal at Bingham High School, replacing Kenneth Damron who resigned.
  • Sterling Hunt, assistant principal at West Jordan High appointed assistant principal at Copper Hills High, replacing James Groethe who was transferred.
  • Noelapoomaikala (Noelani) Ioane, teacher specialist in Teaching & Learning appointed assistant principal at West Jordan High, replacing Sterling Hunt who was transferred.
  • Josh Sullivan, assistant principal at Channing Hall, appointed assistant principal at Bluffdale and Antelope Canyon Elementary.
  • Aubri Moench, teacher at Fox Hollow Elementary, appointed assistant principal, on an open contract, at a location to be determined.

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We have translated the following forms:

Home Language Survey
Fee Waiver
Chrome Book Agreement
Student/Family Residency
ACT Letter and Consent Release Form
Discrimination Complaint
Parental Exclusion

You can access the forms in 9 (nine) translated languages here. Please contact the Language and Culture Services Department (ELS) for more questions.

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Date:
June 10, 2021

To:
All School Administrators

From:
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

Subject:
2021 WIDA Access Results and Dashboard

Results for the 2021 WIDA Access assessment administered in January-March this year are now available on your Tableau Viewer account. School administrators may access the following data:

  • District level data
  • School level data
  • Student level data

School administrators may interact with the data using the following demographic filters:

  • School year
  • Grade level
  • Gender
  • Economically disadvantaged
  • Race/ethnicity
  • Students with a disability

A data analysis protocol has been provided to help school leadership and EL teams examine the assessment data and brainstorm possible responses or implementations to further support the learning of EL students.

As a reminder, if having a group of teachers work with the Tableau dashboards is something principals are interested in, temporary access to the 2021 WIDA Access results may be granted through Tableau. Please contact Ben Jameson for more information.

 

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Starting Fall 2021, Utah’s K-3 educators in 69 Districts and/or charter schools will be engaging in LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) professional learning to advance their knowledge and skills in the science of reading.

In light of Utah’s early reading data over the last several years, Utah State Board of Education has prioritized literacy instruction for K-3 students and has selected LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) professional learning to support teachers in advancing their knowledge about the science of reading. Based on middle of year Acadience Reading growth data from the 2020-2021 school year, 69 school districts and charters were chosen to participate in this training. Jordan District was among the 69 school districts. As part of this initiative, all K-3 classroom and special education teachers and instructional coaches serving grades K-3 in the area of literacy are asked to participate in this particular professional learning. School administrators and school psychologists will participate in a leaders training.

The professional learning sessions will be held in regional locations across the state. Actual locations and dates will be determined in coordination with each school district. Sessions will likely occur between August 2021 through September 2023. Because of the implementation of Really Great Reading and Walk to Read, we have requested to start LETRS trainings as late as possible.  We are currently waiting for approval from USBE.

LETRS training consists of 8 units. Each unit includes online coursework, classroom application with students, and an in-person session. LETRS training will closely align with the training teachers will receive this summer and the work that will be taking place at your schools. An informational handout is attached.

We are sending out a brief introductory message to K-3 teachers regarding LETRS training. We understand we don’t have full information, but we would like teachers to know a little about LETRS before the Literacy Launch training that begins next week. Please feel free to reach out to Shelley Nordick with questions or concerns.

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The training links for teachers who are new to Really Great Reading have been sent to each teacher’s district email. Please be aware that the links come from messages@matrixlms.com. Since this is an unusual email address, teachers sometimes delete the email. If this happens, please contact Cindy Stevenson and she can have the links resent. This training can be done anytime this summer and the links will stay active for one year. Teachers will receive a $300.00 stipend for completing this training. It is not necessary to contact anyone when teachers have completed the training. The company supplies the district with a report of who has completed the training. If teachers have completed the training earlier this year, it is not necessary for them to do the training again.

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DATE: 
Thursday, June 3, 2021

TO: 
School Administrators
School Administrative Assistants

FROM:  
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT: 
RISE Individual Student Reports in Skyward

Summative RISE Individual Student Reports (ISRs) are being uploaded into Skyward Family Access student portfolios by the Information Systems Department. Reports for tests completed prior to May 24 are already uploaded. Score reports will continue to be uploaded as RISE testing closes out. The last reports for year-round students will be uploaded the week of June 14. Test scores will be uploaded to the test scores modules in Skyward after the testing window is completed in June.

Included with this memo are step-by-step instructions for parents on how to access these ISRs. Principals are encouraged to disseminate this information to parents via Skylert or by any other means deemed appropriate. Principals may also consider keeping copies of the step-by-step instructions in the main office to distribute to parents as needed.

Please contact Ben Jameson or Brooke Anderson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with any questions about the RISE ISRs.

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The following are new administrative assignments:

New Assignments effective July 1, 2021:

  • Michael Haynes, JEF Board Member appointed director of the Jordan Education Foundation, replacing Steve Hall who is retiring.
  • Amanda Bollinger, consultant in Special Education appointed staff assistant in the Special Education Department.
  • Kaye Rizzuto, Social Studies teacher at Elk Ridge Middle appointed consultant in the Teaching & Learning Department, replacing Pam Su’a who is retiring.
  • Tamara Rajczyk, teacher specialist in Special Education appointed consultant in the Special Education Department, replacing Shelly Davis who is retiring.
  • Audrey Fish, assistant principal at Fort Herriman Middle appointed principal at Sunset Ridge Middle, replacing Kim Searle who is retiring.
  • Lisa Jackson, principal at Southland Elementary appointed assistant principal at Fort Herriman Middle, replacing Audrey Fish who was transferred.
  • Garett York, assistant principal at Westvale Elementary appointed principal at Southland Elementary, replacing Lisa Jackson who was transferred.
  • Tyler (TJ) Davenport, elementary teacher at Plymouth Elementary in the Granite School District, who was offered open contract in February 2021, appointed assistant principal at Westvale Elementary, replacing Garett York who was transferred.
  • Frank Preston, assistant principal at Herriman and Butterfield Canyon Elementary appointed assistant principal at Herriman and Daybreak Elementary.
  • Jennifer Smith, assistant principal at Foothills Elementary appointed assistant principal at Copper Canyon and Welby Elementary.
  • Michelle Kilcrease, assistant principal at Blackridge Elementary appointed assistant principal at Blackridge and Foothills Elementary.
  • Angela Hamilton, assistant principal at Bastian Elementary appointed assistant principal at Bastian and Butterfield Canyon Elementary.
  • Allyson Stovall, assistant principal at Southland and Welby Elementary appointed part-time assistant principal at Southland Elementary.
  • Kami Taylor, teacher specialist in Teaching & Learning appointed consultant for STEM and Computer Science in the Teaching & Learning Department.
  • Todd Theobald, assistant principal at Daybreak Elementary, part-time, appointed part-time administrator on special assignment in the Teaching & Learning Department.

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DATE:  
May 26, 2021

TO:  
All Principals and Administrative Assistants

FROM:
June LeMaster, Administrator of Human Resources
Administrators of Schools

SUBJECT: 
Summer Hours for School Personnel

Please review the schedule of Summer Hours for School Personnel below, with all designated summer school personnel at your location. Extended school office/business hours are acceptable; however, other adjusted schedules are NOT acceptable because they limit public access to school personnel.

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In an effort to keep you informed about changes in current technology support, Information Systems is announcing the following:

  • Information Systems is now able to support the new Apple operating system, OS 11, also called Big Sur, for devices that are capable of running it. Upgrading to this new operating system will need to be a technician assisted process. To determine if your computer is capable of accepting this upgrade, and to begin the process where applicable, please contact your building computer technician.
  • The newest generation of Apple computers using the M1 chip are now supported. Please see your building computer technician for further assistance with getting these devices deployed.
  • Information Systems is changing the district's antivirus from Sophos to Trend Micro. If you have any questions about this change, please consult your building computer technician.

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DATE:  
Thursday, May 27, 2021

TO: 
Elementary Administrators

FROM: 
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
Amy Kinder, Math Consultant

SUBJECT:  
State-Mandated Early Numeracy Assessment: Acadience Math

In the 2020 Legislative session, the Legislature passed a law (53E-4-307.5) requiring the administration of an early numeracy assessment.  Due to the pandemic, this requirement was suspended for the 2020-21 school year, but the assessment will be administered beginning with the 2021-22 school year.

Please see complete memo below.

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DATE:   
May 20, 2021

TO: 
Elementary Principals
Elementary Head Administrative Assistants

FROM: 
Becky Gerber, Administrator of Schools
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Schools
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Jill Durrant, Administrator of Schools

SUBJECT:   
Summer Pool Hours for Elementary Head Administrative Assistants

As a reminder, elementary school head administrative assistants have up to forty (40) hours to use during the summer months.  These hours remain optional and flexible and are to be used in coordination with the school principal.

It is suggested the hours be spread out over the summer months and be used to keep registration current in Skyward and address other matters that typically build up over the summer months (voicemails, purchase verifications, timesheets, etc.).  These hours should not be used for summer school coverage.  The hope is that these summer hours will aid the school in a successful opening for the students.

The hours should be reported through True Time under the heading “Contract Pool Hours” and will be charged to account number: 10 E xxx 0050 2483 152.

JL/jc

cc:
Cabinet
Sarah Palmer, Director of Payroll

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Each school may spend up to $300 for summer school supplies from ESSER II funds. This is a per school allocation and not a per teacher allocation. The $300 summer school allocation from the ESSER II funds must have expenses coded directly to the 7215 program number. All purchases must have original documentation (scans if submitting an echeck in the Skyward system) attached for auditing purposes. Include a clear description of items purchased on the check request or on the p-card so purchases are easily identifiable. Include in the description that the supplies are being used for summer school. Purchases can include supplies and materials directly tied to summer school. Purchases cannot include food, incentives, toys, or clothing.

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DATE:
May 19, 2021

TO:
Elementary, Middle, High Schools Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
“NEW Behavioral and Mental Health Crisis Resource”

The Utah Department of Human Services has recently created the Stabilization and Mobile Response Team. This is meant to be an alternative to the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT). This resource is available for children and families from 7am-11pm. This resource can be reached by calling 1-833-SAFE-FAM (1-833-723-3326). This resource is meant for any parent or caregiver that is experiencing any of the following challenges with a child: threatens to inflict harm on self or others, is verbally or physically aggressive, uses substances, destroys or steals property, has difficulty in school, often runs away, bullies or is bullied, demonstrates severe changes in mood, experiences depression or anxiety, is withdrawn from friends and peers.

Here is a brief description of how this team will assist with these challenges.

Mobile Response Services

Provided to you in your home or at school to ease an immediate challenge and provide support.

  • Minimize the impact of the challenge on you and your family
  • Create safety plans
  • Connect you and your family to other helpful resources

Stabilization Services

Short-term services may be provided in addition to mobile response to help ensure your family’s long-term success.

  • Teach skills to improve family functioning
  • Create plans that prepare you for and prevent future challenges
  • Prevent the need for out-of-home services
  • Equip you with ongoing resources and support

For more information visit their website and review the attached flyer.

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Health Special Risk, Inc. is offering two options for supplemental accident insurance, at-school coverage and 24-hour coverage. See attached flyer (English and Spanish) for additional information. Please consider including the information in  your school packets.

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Schools have the option of having teachers track their summer school work time in True Time rather than on timesheets. If you would like to do this, please send a list of your teachers to Keelee Leuluai and note that the list is for summer school. Instructions for using True Time can be found here.

It is expected that all ESP employees will use True Time to track their work for summer school. Please send a list of ESP employees participating in summer school to Keelee Leuluai.

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DATE:
Thursday, May 13, 2021

TO:  
Elementary School Administrators
Middle School Administrators

FROM: 
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT: 
RISE Reporting Features and Functions

Accessing the reporting feature on the RISE Portal will allow you to view RISE proficiency in real time as well as access student level raw data. Please follow the step-by-step instructions on the documents below to access both reporting features.

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Arts Are Core: Building Community Online Conference Register Now!

Arts Are Core presents an online conference experience with hands-on arts integration workshops in visual art, dance, music, drama, and poetry. Participate in teacher-created workshops and engaging presentations centered around our conference theme, Building Community. Participants will chat with presenters and fellow educators throughout the conference, walking away with enriched lesson plans connected to core curriculum, including downloadable resources to start the coming school year with creativity and energy!

Keynote Presenter: Glenis Redmond, Award-Winning Poet and Kennedy Center Teaching Artist

  • 8:30AM-2:30PM, August 4th, Online Conference presented by the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Endowed Program for Elementary Arts Education at Utah State University
  • Network with fellow educators, live Q&A with presenters, post-conference access to all recorded sessions, handouts, and resources
  • For a detailed schedule, presenter list, workshop descriptions, and additional conference information see the Arts Are Core: Building Community website
  • Join our conference Facebook Group to chat with other conference attendees

 Registration Costs:

  • $25.00 for Educators
  • $10.00 for University Students

 Re-licensure points, CEU credit, and SUU academic credit available!

For more info visit the Conference Website: Arts Are Core 2021: Building Community and see the attached flyer. Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook and Instagram!