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Category: Elementary Info

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As students return to the classroom, the focus of instruction must be on grade-level standards, along with appropriate scaffolds that make the standards accessible to all students. Instead of sending students backwards to fill in all the potential gaps in their learning, teachers are encouraged to focus on filling in the most critical gaps at the moment they’re needed (just-in-time) rather than halting progress on grade-level instruction to address deficiencies in previous grade-level standards (just-in-case). Providing “just-in-time” scaffolds addresses the content knowledge and skills students need to engage in the most immediate work of the grade at the moment it is needed.

In a context of uncertainty, it can be challenging to monitor how well students have retained skills and are learning new skills, while keeping mindful of students' social-emotional wellness.

The JSD Assessment and Intervention Flowchart is provided to guide the process of assessing and intervening during this unique time. Schools are encouraged to use the attached assessment flow chart, summarized below:

  • SCREENER (All Students) Screeners are typically quick to administer and provide predictive information about academic successes. Screeners are not designed to map out completely what students’ specific knowledge and skill deficits might be. Screeners are used to determine which students are performing below grade level or proficiency level.

o   K-3 Screener: Acadience

o   4-6 Screener: SRI

  • DIAGNOSTIC (Specific Students) Diagnostic testing is provided to students identified through the screener in order to better understand the specific knowledge and skills needing reinforcement and provide appropriately targeted interventions.

o   K-3 Diagnostic given to students scoring well below benchmark (See chart for options)

o   4-6 Diagnostic given to students scoring below grade level (See chart for options)

  • BENCHMARKS (ALL Students) Benchmarks are given to all students periodically through the year. Benchmarks are used to measure progress towards the core standards. They can serve as a reference of rigor in formative assessments. Benchmarks, used in conjunction with formative assessments, help drive instruction.

 

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Getting a flu shot is an easy way to help protect you and your family.
No cost to you with your insurance card.
Two district clinics have been scheduled for flu shots this year (see attached schedule).
Clinics have also been scheduled at most schools.  See your individual school for dates and times.
You can also go to your physician, or any pharmacy that accepts PEHP insurance.

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DATE:    
September 4, 2020

TO: 
Elementary School Principals

FROM:    
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Michelle Lovell, Elementary Language Arts Consultant

SUBJECT: 
Acadience for grades 4-6

This year we have a couple of options for Acadience testing for students in grades 4-6. Although testing for grades 4-6 is not required by the state of Utah, we offer testing options for schools who would like to use the system to do progress monitoring for students.

The first option is to use the Acadience.net system. This is offered to all students and it is paid for through the district. The use of this system is fairly inexpensive at around $1.00 per student. The benchmarks and prompts are the same as students would receive in Amplify but the student and school reports are not available. Acadience.net will be loaded for all schools who are not purchasing Amplify for their upper grade students and schools have the option of testing students as needed. The district is only charged for the students who are tested.

The other Acadience option for grades 4-6 is Amplify. The cost for Amplify is around $7.00 per student and includes all of the reports and options that are included in Amplify for the lower grades. It is the school’s responsibility to purchase Amplify if they choose to use this program. Schools will need to contact Amplify and pay for the program. Once the invoice is paid, the IT department can load the program. If you choose to use Amplify this year for grades 4-6, please let Michelle Lovell know as soon as possible.

Thank you!

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Mark your calendar for September 17 for the first JELL session of 2020-2021. Todd Theobald will continue the work from the August Professional Development Day and address Proficiency Scales. The meeting will be virtual from 8:30 – 3:00. Watch for a checklist in next week’s JAM that will help you prepare for the meeting. For now, please do the following:

  • Identify a location for the September 17 Virtual Meeting.
  • Send Shelley Nordick a list of the members of your leadership team.
    • Because all schools will be participating, please keep participation on the 17th to a minimum. (Recommended attendees: Principal, Coach, Upper Grade Teacher, Lower Grade teacher, and one other determined by school.)
    • Arrange for substitutes. (T&L will cover the costs of three substitutes.)
  • Watch for a checklist in next week’s JAM.

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DATE:
August 26, 2020

TO: 
Elementary Principals

FROM:  
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Michelle Lovell, Elementary Language Arts Consultant

SUBJECT:     
Really Great Reading Phonics Program

As you are aware, a phonics supplement from Really Great Reading is being offered to teachers this year in grades K-2. We understand the circumstances surrounding this year and want to make sure teachers understand that this is being offered, but not required at this time. Any teacher, group of teachers, or school has the option to receive the program this year. There will be other opportunities to adopt the program in the future.

The teachers who have requested the program this year should have received a training link through email. All of the training for the program is done online. The kindergarten program is called Countdown, the first-grade program is called Blast, and the second-grade program is called HD Word. Teachers will only need to do the training for their grade level. The coaches will have links to all three levels of training. The teacher and student materials are in the ordering process and we are hopeful that they will arrive within the next couple of weeks. The materials will be delivered directly to the schools. Once the teachers receive their materials they can begin implementation. Coaches will receive additional information about the program in their district coaching meeting so they will be prepared to support teachers. If you have additional questions, please contact Michelle Lovell.

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DATE:   
Thursday, August 27, 2020

TO: 
All Principals

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

SUBJECT: 
2020 WIDA Screeners

Whenever parents indicate that another language besides English is spoken in the household and the student(s) is new to the district, Evaluation, Research & Accountability is required by the federal government to administer a WIDA screener to see if the student qualifies for second language services. The WIDA screener is administered to students learning in-person and online.

Schools are asked to set aside a testing location in which district testers may administer the screener. Typically, a space the size of a conference room will suffice.

The district testers will be contacting schools individually to set up a date, time and testing location within the school building so that they can administer the WIDA screener. Depending on when students register and we receive the documentation, district testers may come to your school multiple times throughout the school year.

Evaluation, Research & Accountability will also contact parents of online students to set an appointment at the school so that they student may be screened.

Please see the document entitled WIDA Screener Testing Protocols and Procedures for COVID-19 that accompanies this memo for information regarding the cleaning and disinfecting routines district testers will be using.

Please contact JoLynn Snelgrove at 801-567-8419 or jolynn.snelgrove@jordandistrict.org with any questions.

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We are getting requests from schools and teachers to approve or deny the use of individual cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing products. As a reminder, the district cannot police every product and cannot be held responsible for any product that is not specifically provided by the district. We recognize that teachers and staff are purchasing and bringing to schools many different products. Please consider these products often contain alcohol or bleach, may cause skin irritation or injury, intoxication, illness, and may be flammable.

Please do the following when using these products:

  • Obtain non-toxic products if possible.
  • Keep hand sanitizer and cleaning products secured and away from unsupervised students.
  • Keep the SDS on file and readily available for proper handling, protective equipment advisory, first aid and other safety information.
  • Use these products only with staff supervision.
  • Be aware of allergies and sensitivities.

The building administration is responsible for any outside products introduced into the school environment. When approached by a staff member please ask them to seek out and find the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) online and submit that to the building custodian and administration for approval.

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Great news about First Offenders classes!

New this year the District’s First Offenders classes will be on-line. The curriculum is from an outside vendor named 3rd Millennium. Each course is tailored to the type of substance involved in the AS90 Drug & Alcohol Policy violation and the course will take the student 3 to 4 hours to complete. This year the cost of the class will be covered by Student Support Services.

The process is still the same four steps:

  1. The Administrator calls to determine if it is the student’s first offense. Please call
    1. Dara White                        88298  Database Aide or
    2. Janie Hyde                         88326  Admin Assistant  or
    3. Sharon Jensen                  88187  Student Support Services Consultant
  2. Fill out the I,C,M form including a Student Statement with the student & parent; send the form and statement in District mail to Dara White, Student Support, District Office.
  3. She will register the student and send the link for the class to the student’s school email, @my.jordandistrict.org, and she will CC the Administrator on the email.
  4. When the student completes the class, Dara will send the confirmation to the student’s administrator.

School Administrators no longer have to wait for students to attend the first class before returning to school. Administrators will use their judgement and the context of the situation to determine consequences and/or suspension lengths.

 

Nicotine Violations: Vaping & Cigarettes:

  1. 3rd millennium also has Nicotine classes which can be used as one of an Administrator’s many tools to try to reduce Nicotine use. The cost of the class will be covered this year by Student Support Services.
  2. You may assign a student the on-line Nicotine class by calling Dara White (88298) or emailing her at white@jordandistrict.org. Then fill out the T-form with the student and send it in district mail to Dara White, Student Support, District Office.
  3. She will register the student and send the link for the class to the student’s school email, @my.jordandistrict.org, and she will CC the Administrator on the email.
  4. When the student completes the class, Dara will send the confirmation to the student’s administrator.
  5. The End Nicotine Dependence class or ENDs is still being taught at our Jordan Family Education Center for students who continue to have violations on campus with nicotine. The class is separated into Middle School and High School students and is taught every Wednesday night from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. The student should attend four weeks in a row but we are flexible. A parent must attend with the middle school student. High school students may attend alone or with a parent. END classes begin on Wednesday, September 16th and will be held every Wednesday that school is in session.

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This is the FAQ document that will hopefully answer all of your questions regarding Distance Learning and getting back to school this year. Please read it over very carefully. Most of the questions you will have can be answered here. Remember, this is a fluid document and will be updated as needed like it was in the Spring. As it is updated, the information that is added will be highlighted so that you know what is new information vs what has been there all along.

JSD Special Education Return to School FAQ 2020

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DATE:    
August 17, 2020

TO: 
All Schools

FROM:    
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Derek Anderson, Director of Budgets

SUBJECT: 
School Year 2020 – 2021 TSSA Budget Allocation Update

The TSSA budgets (program 5678) has been updated. The new allocation amount is $150.49 per student. This is based on the 2.1 enrollment numbers. When the October 1st enrollment numbers are finalized it will be updated to reflect your actual enrollment.

Attached is the TSSA detail which shows your current year allocation and your carryover from the previous year.

Please call or email Derek with any questions.
Ex - 88275
E-Mail – derek.anderson2@jordandistrict.org

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The Mental Health Access Program or "MHAP" rolled out to all schools right before the shutdown in early March.  MHAP funds are distributed to any student and family in our District, as identified by the school, who need help accessing mental health services with one of our 13 Mental Health Providers who we've contracted with in the community. The two biggest highlights of MHAP is that the grant will fund the first $800 of mental health services to one of these providers at no cost to the parent before insurance/other funding kicks in.  This amounts to about two months of therapy for a student.  The second highlight of this program is that any student authorized for MHAP funds can start receiving face to face therapy within 10 calendar days of the referral and authorization.  This means students can access mental health services very quickly and seamlessly.

We want to be cautious and would ask that we don't advertise MHAP to parents and families so that we can focus on referring students for whom mental health needs are identified rather than having parents demand free services.

All the information you need about MHAP is in the attached PDF and includes a MHAP Fact Sheet and the Referral form.  If you would like to refer a student to MHAP please follow the instructions on the referral sheet. The grant that funds MHAP is ongoing and will continue throughout this entire school year.

MHAP Combined Facts sheet and referral form

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Administrators,

As you work through your Administrative Assurances Checklist, I’d like to offer some suggestions regarding the section “Plans to support ‘Bussing’”.  Your support and collective efforts are critical to the success of our students loading and unloading school buses.

School bus drivers will generate seating charts for all students assigned to their buses, so you and your staff do not need to develop a separate seating chart.  In terms of loading and unloading and the enforcement of the mask mandate by executive order, you can best assist our drivers and attendants in the following ways.

  • Ensure students are sitting in their assigned seats and wearing face coverings at all times while riding the bus. Drivers and attendants will do their best to make certain students are sitting in their assigned seats and complying with the mask mandate.  However, if a student refuses to comply, the Department of Transportation will contact the school administration.  If a call comes your way, please meet with the student, the student’s parent(s) if necessary, and the driver to enforce assigned seating and/or the wearing of face coverings.
  • There are a few things to be mindful of in preparation of loading buses during school dismissal. If you haven’t done so already, please take time to identify an area within close proximity to the bus lane (typically the entrance to the playground, a playfield or other area large enough to accommodate students who ride the bus).  Once you’ve identified an area, organize all students in lines according to their assigned bus.  As an example, if your school has 4 buses, you should have 4 lines.  School staff (generally teachers) assigned to supervise bus duty will need to communicate with each other when buses are ready to load.  Please load buses according to which bus is first in line then work your way down the line.  You do not need to wait until a bus is completely loaded before the next group of students is excused to load.  Several buses can load simultaneously.

For many of you, this process has already been incorporated at your school and has been working for years.  For those of you who do not currently have a bus loading plan, please generate one prior to the first day of school.

Special Education Support Programs and DK have their own loading process which is currently working great. Therefore this would not apply to the Special Education Programs.

Don’t hesitate contacting me with questions, concerns, or if you would like suggestions on how to manage this process at your school.  You can reach me at 801-567-8820.

Thanks for your support.

Paul Bergera
Director of Transportation
Jordan School District

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in compliance with the State of Utah Public Health Order, Jordan School District will require students to wear face coverings while at school.

Jordan School District recognizes that some students may have a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering. In order to receive an exemption from the State’s face covering requirements, this form must be completed and returned to the school your child attends prior to your student attending school without a face covering.

Please have your primary care provider complete the Medical Certification by doing one of the following:

  1. Complete and sign the Medical Certification below.
  2. Attach an email or note from the primary care provider outlining the same information as indicated below to this completed form.

2020-2021 Student Face Mask Exemption Request

Mask - FAQs

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Dear Parents,

Thank you for working with us as Jordan School District prepares to reopen schools with in-person and virtual online learning.

As we bring students, teachers and staff back into our schools and buildings, we want you to be aware the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has defined individuals who may be at higher risk for contracting COVID-19.

Everyone is at risk for getting COVID-19 if they are exposed to the virus. While students have been less affected by COVID-19 compared to adults, students with certain conditions may be at increased risk for severe illness. 

According to the CDC, children who are medically complex, who have serious genetic, neurologic, metabolic disorders, and with congenital (since birth) heart disease might be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. 

Other at-risk factors or underlying medical conditions may include: 

  • Cancer 
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) 
  • Immunocompromised (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant 
  • Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher)
  • Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Type 2 diabetes 

Based on what we know now, people with the following health conditions might be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19:

  • Asthma (moderate to severe)
  • Cerebrovascular disease (a disease which affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV/ • AIDS, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
  • High blood pressure or hypertension
  • Liver disease
  • Neurologic conditions such as dementia
  • Pregnancy
  • Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
  • Type 1 diabetes

If any of the above conditions listed above describe your child please indicate by logging into Skyward Family Access at https://skystu.jordan.k12.ut.us/ and completing the “Online Form”.

Skyward Screen Language
The Jordan School District and local health department will use this information to notify parents of at-risk students in the event of a positive Covid-19 diagnosis in your child’s class or school. 

After reading the information above, I would identify my student as “at-risk” for COVID-19. I understand that The Jordan School District and local health department will use this information to contact me in the event of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis in my child’s class or school. 

  • Yes, I identify my student as at-risk.