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Category: Elementary Info

Published on

TO:  
All Principals and Administrative Assistants

FROM:  
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources

Based on an evaluation of the classroom assistant (playground) allocations for elementary schools and the multiple requests for additional "Hot Spot" assistants for student safety, all elementary schools will receive a baseline allocation of three classroom assistants (playground) paid from 0050 beginning with the 2025-26 school year.
Human Resources will send revised allocation letters. Contact HR if you have any questions.

Published on

TO:
Principals
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Katie Bastian, Director of Nutrition Services

Please share this flyer with your school community.

Nutrition Services is sponsoring the Summer Meals Food Service Program. This program provides nutritious meals free of charge to children 18 years of age and younger.

Dates: June 9 - Aug. 1

* No service June 16, July 4, July 24 and 25

Times: Breakfast Service: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Lunch Service: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Locations: Columbia Elementary, Heartland Elementary, Majestic Elementary, Oquirrh Elementary, and Westvale Elementary

Adults can also purchase breakfast for $2.50 or lunch for $4.10. The District assumes no responsibility during the operation of this program. This is an equal opportunity provider.

 

Published on

TO:
All Principals
All Assistant Principals

FROM:
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Steve Peart, Director of Custodial

We would like to make school administrators aware of the custodial summer cleaning responsibilities. Included are three summer cleaning responsibility checklists for your reference, as well as two links for training videos. These may help you track the progress of the inside cleaning and grounds upkeep of your schools throughout the summer.

Classroom Summer Cleaning Video
Summer Restroom Cleaning Video

 

This week, let's have "remember" as the winning word. The first person to email nadine.page@jordandistrict.org will win the prize. ~Thanks for reading JAM! We have a winner for this week. Good luck the next time we play!

Published on

DATE:  
May 19, 2025

TO:  
All Administrators
All Financial Administrative Assistants

FROM:  
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Daniel Ellis, Director of Accounting, Budgets and Audits
Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services

SUBJECT:   
FY26 Updated Composite Rate

For fiscal year 2026 the insurance composite rate will be increasing to $16,332 annually or $1,361 per month. This rate represents the District’s portion of medical and life insurance premiums for an individual employee. Please ensure you are using this amount when forecasting personnel budget costs for next year.

If you have questions or need assistance, please call Dan Ellis at (801)567-8389.

Thank you.

Published on

TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Rebecca Eastman, HR Generalist

Based on our Employee-Funded Sick Bank Policy, Employees are automatically enrolled in the sick bank each year through the annual donation of one (1) annual leave day to the sick bank.

More information regarding the Employee-Funded Sick Bank can be found in policies, DP326NEG -Sick Leave-Educational Support Professionals and DP324NEG -Sick Leave-Licensed.

For employees who wish to opt out of participation in the Employee-Funded Sick Bank, instructions will be sent out in JEM during the month of July. Automatic deductions are taken July 1st at the beginning of each contract year. Those who opt out of Sick Bank through the process in Skyward will see their day refunded to them around the end of October.

* First Year Educational Support Professionals and hourly employees are not eligible for sick bank; therefore, a sick bank day will not be deducted (if applicable).

Published on

DATE:   
May 19, 2025

TO: 
All School Principals
All School Financial Secretaries

FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Daniel Ellis, Director of Accounting, Budgets and Audits
Katie Bastian, Director of Nutrition Services

SUBJECT:  
Over the Phone Nutrition Payment Option

Payments for student lunch balances may be made over the phone starting Tuesday May 27th. The associated phone number is 801-567-8757 (ext 88757) and will be available for payments during school operating hours. Payments related to debt collections or where the school has previously paid the balance will be directed back to the school.

If you have questions or need assistance, please call Dan Ellis at (801)567-8389.

Thank you.

Published on

DATE:
May 22, 2025

TO:
All Principals
All Licensed Staff

FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Melanie Dawson, Program Administrator of Behavior

SUBJECT:
ETT: Cultivating Classroom Management Skills

Effective Teacher Training (ETT) will be offered this summer! Seats are capped at 100 and are only available to learners who have never taken ETT previously. Register on Canvas Catalog.

Direct registration link: Summer ETT 2025
Or search “ETT” at pd.jordandistrict.org

See the attached memo and flyer for more information.

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Brittany Bauer, HR Recruiting

The Human Resources Department will be running Frontline Recruiting and Hiring Training PD sessions during the month of June. These sessions are intended for any principal, assistant principal or department administrator (current or new).  We want to teach you how to use various functions in Frontline and best practices to help you in recruiting and retaining the BEST candidates. All training sessions will be held at the JSD District Office (room 129) in West Jordan. Please bring your laptop.

Please use the link below to view available dates/times and to sign-up.

Frontline Training Schedule for Appointments

Contact Brittany Bauer at #88214 if you have any questions.

Published on

TO:
Elementary School Administrators

FROM:
Michelle Lovell, Consultant in Teaching & Learning

Several schools have reported that their copies of the "Bud, Not Buddy" books from the Wit & Wisdom series are damaged and falling apart. In response, Great Minds is dispatching replacement books to these schools, and orders are now arriving in schools. Upon receiving your order, please verify its accuracy. Should you encounter any discrepancies, kindly contact Great Minds directly using the contact information provided on the packing slip included with your order. Note that Great Minds permits a period of 60 days to make any necessary adjustments.

Published on

DATE:  
Thursday, May 22, 2025

TO: 
All School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
2025 WIDA ACCESS Results in Tableau

2025 WIDA ACCESS results are now in Tableau. Viewers may see language proficiency levels over time for the following categories:

  • Overall Composite Score
  • Composite Scores (Comprehension – listening and reading; Literacy = reading and writing; and Oral = listening and speaking)
  • Subtest: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing

Viewers may also see growth target data over time based on the state’s growth goals for each student as well as student participation over time on the WIDA ACCESS.

Included in the dashboard is a student list with historical WIDA ACCESS results going back to 2022. Viewers may filter results using a variety of demographic and assessment filters to create lists of students for support and intervention planning for the 2025-26 school year.

Viewers may access the WIDA ACCESS summary dashboard here.

For questions about the WIDA ACCESS assessment and results or this summary dashboard, please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability.

Published on

TO:
Elementary Principals
K-5 Teachers

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amy Kinder, Consultant in Teaching & Learning

Dear Principals and Teachers,

We want to share an update regarding student workbooks. As a district, we did not purchase workbooks this year because many teachers reported preferring whiteboards and scratch paper over the printed books.

Why Are We Decreasing the Size of Student Workbooks?

  • Ensure equal spacing and eliminate wasted space on each page
  • Make materials more manageable for students
  • Make nearly every lesson a single page (front and back)
  • Reduce paper use and help protect the environment

Most importantly:
The focus should be on learning, not on completing a worksheet!

We know some teachers still value workbooks, so we created two streamlined versions:

  • Condensed Workbook: Almost all lessons are now just one double-sided page.
  • Even More Condensed Workbook: An even shorter version, with warm-ups (typically discussion-based) removed and space for reflection.

Both versions, along with an editable Word document, are linked in this document.

Many teachers are now choosing to do some lessons on whiteboards or with scratch paper, using slides to guide instruction. This new approach to mathematics focuses on problem-solving and using multiple tools—whiteboards, scratch paper, and manipulatives—instead of simply completing worksheets.

Parents can still view every component of the lesson on the student site, with no login required.

For more ideas on reducing workbook size, contact your elementary mathematics specialist.

K-5 Mathematics Workbooks

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Rebecca Smith, Consultant in Teaching & Learning

Jordan District will offer Gifted & Talented endorsement classes during the 2025-26 school year. Classes are open to all licensed personnel in Jordan District.

Gifted & Talented Teaching Endorsement
During the 2025-2026 school year, Jordan School District will offer coursework for a gifted and talented (GT)
teaching endorsement in partnership with Southern Utah University (SUU).

How will a GT teaching endorsement benefit me?

  • A GT endorsement will build a knowledge base about an important sector of education.
  • A GT endorsement will help teachers build a repertoire of instructional strategies to challenge all students by
    adding depth, complexity, higher-order thinking, and creativity to daily instruction.
  • A GT endorsement will help teachers develop differentiation strategies to better meet the unique needs of
    high-ability learners in all classrooms.
  • A GT endorsement will qualify educators to teach in an ALPS classroom and to hold other positions in gifted
    and talented programming.

What are the credit requirements for a GT endorsement?

  • Four core classes are required for the Endorsement. Two courses are offered each school year.
    • EDUC 5400 3 Credit Hours Learning, Development, and Individual Differences in Gifted Education
    • EDUC 5420 3 Credit Hours Assessment in Gifted Education
    • EDUC 5430 3 Credit Hours Curriculum and Instructional Planning in Gifted Education
    • EDUC 5440 3 Credit Hours Learning Environments for Gifted Students
  • A “professional learning activity” is also required for the GT endorsement. Examples of this include participation in an additional class, webinar, or conference specific to gifted and talented education. A wide variety of opportunities at local, state, or national levels will satisfy this requirement.

What are the current costs for a GT endorsement?

  • SUU Recording Fees: $23 per credit hour / $69 per 3-hour core class.
    • The GT Department will cover the recording fees for the 2025-2026 classes for JSD participants.
  • Books are available for checkout from the Gifted and Talented Department.
    • Participants can purchase personal copies of books if they choose (approximately $50 per class).

What format will be used for instruction? When and where will the classes be held?

  • Jordan District instructors provide classes in a combination of live and asynchronous instruction.
  • Most live sessions will be in-person (ASB PDC 112 - Entrance D). Some live sessions are held over Zoom.
  • Asynchronous sessions are self-paced, and often include practical classroom applications.
  • Two courses will be offered during each school year. See the 2025-26 class schedule for complete details.
    How do I register for the classes offered in the 2025-26 school year?
  • You can take the classes in any order!
  • Participants often begin the classes with EDUC 5420 and EDUC 5440, then take EDUC 5400 and EDUC 5430
    the second year.
  • If you would like to participate in the 2025-26 classes, please complete this form to be on the contact list.
  • Those on the contact list will be notified when SUU registration opens in early August 2025.

Contact Rebecca Smith with and questions you may have: 801-567-8368 (88368) rebecca.smith@jordandistrict.org

Published on

DATE:     
May 12, 2025

TO:
All Elementary 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 UFLI in Special Education Training

Attached is a listing of the professional development opportunities for Elementary Special Education Licensed Staff for UFLI in Special Education Training. A link to sign up for each training will be sent to all Elementary Special Education Licensed Staff Members.

Published on

DATE:
April 28, 2025

TO:
Administrators of Schools
Elementary and Secondary Principals

FROM:
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Katie Bastian, Director of Nutrition Services

SUBJECT:
Student Meal Deficit School Responsibilities

District approved procedural guidelines for meal deficit collection can be found on the Nutrition Services website under the online payments tab.  Click HERE

Per approved guidelines:

  • Inactive students, students transferring within the district and graduating students or students moving up grade levels to another school (i.e. 6th to 7th, 9th to 10th, and seniors) with uncollectable meal deficits, of any dollar amount, are the responsibility of the school and must be paid by the principal at the end of the current school year.
  • All staff meal deficits must be paid by the end of the year.

 

Thanks for reading JAM! Be the first person to email Nadine Page (nadine.page@jordandistrict.org) this week’s word, “Emerald” the birthstone for May, and your office wins a prize - We have a winner for this week! Check back next week. Thanks for reading.

 

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Manager, Information Systems

Please be aware of a new DANGEROUS TikTok challenge that we've been experiencing in our schools. Students have learned that putting pencil lead into the USB port will cause a short circuit, causing the Chromebook to smoke and short out. Inserting pencil lead into a USB port can be dangerous. Pencil lead contains graphite, which is conductive, and can cause a fire when inserted in the USB port.

How to identify if this has possibly happened to a Chromebook:

  • The pencil lead will create a short, which may melt the USB port.
  • The Chromebook will likely not power on as it has a short circuit.
  • The USB port stops charging the device, or headphones and other peripherals will not work on the affected port.

What to do:

  • Do not attempt to remove the lead. This is dangerous and could further damage the port or the device.
  • Do not try to charge or use the device. This could worsen the damage or create a fire hazard.
  • Take the Chromebook to your school tech for disposal or repair.
  • Contact your Administrator of Schools if you are considering sending a message to parents.
  • Contact your Administrator of Schools for any questions related to disciplinary action.