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Category: Elementary Info

Published on

DATE:   
Thursday, April 16, 2026

TO:  
All School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
USBE Educator Engagement Survey Results

The window for USBE’s Educator Engagement Survey closed on March 31st. Survey results are now available in Tableau. 1,255 JSD educators responded to the survey this year, which is a 38% response rate (considered a good response rate with an excellent response rate being over 40%).

Educators responded to a variety of multiple-choice and open response questions. Dashboard viewers may view results at the district and school level for the following categories:

  • Survey participation
  • Mentoring
  • Preparation and expectations
  • School leadership
  • Teacher collaboration
  • Professional learning resources
  • Career growth and advancement
  • Job satisfaction

Open responses may be viewed according to school-based permissions.

For questions about the Educator Engagement Survey, please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability.

Published on

TO:
All Administrators
Admin Assistants

FROM:
Sarah Palmer, Director of Payroll

Please see the attached documents from payroll for Information and deadlines regarding the Qmlativ transition. Please post the time tracking and sub deadlines in an area where the employees can see them.

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Michelle Love-Day, Director, Language and Culture Services

Language & Culture Services will be starting new ESL Endorsement cohorts in August, 2026. It takes one school year to complete (August, 2026 - June, 2027) and is competency-based.

Format: Hybrid - virtual modules with one in-person session per month.

Credit options: USBE credit (free) or SUU credit ($69 per course). Both credit options can be applied towards a lane-change. Participants will receive 15 credits (3 per course) and 1 more USBE Credit upon completion of a Capstone Portfolio.

Please view the information linked within the application and reach out to Krista Mecham or Chelsey James if you have further questions.

Apply for the 2026-2027 ESL Endorsement Cohorts here.

Published on

DATE:  
Thursday, April 9, 2026

TO:  
Administrators

FROM: 
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amanda Bollinger, Associate Administrator, Teaching & Learning
Jared Covili, Administrator of Digital Teaching & Learning

SUBJECT:
Second Instructional Coaching Endorsement Administrator Cohort

We are excited to announce the launch of our second cohort of Instructional Coaching Endorsement for Administrators. This professional development opportunity is open to all administrators and is designed to deepen your skills in instructional coaching and leadership.

Please see the attached memo for additional information and a link to the endorsement sign up form.

Published on

Date:  
April 9, 2026

To: 
All Administrators, All Admin Assistants

From: 
Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Manager, Information Systems

Subject:
Qmlativ Finance Workshops

Now that you’ve attended a few Qmlativ training sessions and had the opportunity to explore Qmlativ, it would make sense that you’ve got questions ~ Come get answers!

Join the Information Systems team for an open-house style workshop designed to help you navigate the Qmlativ finance database with confidence. Sessions will be held multiple times beginning April 17th through May 22nd. April Sessions are focused on hands-on practice in the training database, while May Sessions will have real-time support in our live database.

Below are the dates and times for these workshops. Reserve your spot as workshops may fill up quickly.

 

Date Time Location
April 17 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Auxiliary Services, PDC 101
April 22 9:00 am - 3:00 pm District Office, Room 129
April 23 9:00 am - 12:30 pm District Office, Room 129
April 27 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Auxiliary Services, Presentation Room
April 29 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Auxiliary Services, PDC 101
May 13 9:00 am - 3:00 pm District Office, Room 129
May 15 9:00 am - 3:00 pm District Office, Room 129
May 20 9:00 am - 3:00 pm District Office, Room 129
May 22 9:00 am - 3:00 pm District Office, Room 129

 

 

 

Published on

DATE:
Thursday, April 9, 2026

TO: 
All Elementary School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
Research Project

The Research Review Committee has reviewed a research project in which your school has been asked to participate.

Project Title: Supporting Students’ Diverse Reading Needs Using Formative Assessment and Differentiated Instruction in Tier I Small Groups

Applicant: Lisa Hendricks, Michigan State University

The project has been approved by the District Research Review Committee.  The applicant has been directed to contact you to discuss the extent of the project.  Participation in the study is at your discretion.  If you have questions or concerns relating to participation, please contact Ben Jameson at 801-567-8243.

Participation in the study is optional. Participating teachers will take a survey and, depending on willingness and eligibility, may be asked to participate in subsequent focus groups about their use of formative assessment in instruction.

Thank you for your assistance.

 

Published on

DATE:  
April 9, 2026

TO:  
All administrators

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

SUBJECT:
SafeUT Updates

Please note the following clarifications regarding SafeUT:

Imminent Risk
Imminent risk is considered when a SafeUT clinician (not a District employee) has determined there is a high enough risk for harm to themselves or others that the individual requires immediate attention. These are situations such as: an individual expresses both a desire and intent to die or harm others, has a specific plan and access to lethal means, or is reported by a reliable informant to be in such a state, active self-harm, active abuse, or is reported by a third party to be in such a state.

Tip Delivery Protocol

  • Non-Imminent Risk Tips
    • Sent during regular school hours (Mon–Fri, 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.).
    • Batched during non-school hours and weekends for the following school day at 7 a.m.
  • Imminent Risk Tips
    • During school hours: Sent using the school’s priority contact list.
    • Outside school hours: SafeUT attempts to gather sufficient information to contact parents or law enforcement for a welfare check. SafeUT will contact individuals according to assignments in the Dashboard, for which Matt Alvernaz is the after-hours priority for all schools. If Matt cannot be reached, McKinley Withers is the next contact. If neither is available, SafeUT may contact school administration or the AOS for assistance. If an after-hours contact handled the concern, it will be documented in the notes of the tip.
  • Email and Text Notifications
    Text and email notifications are based on an individual’s settings in the SafeUT Dashboard, if you are not receiving text notifications and would like to, email Angie Rasmussen (angie.rasmussen@jordandistrict.org) and include your cell phone number.
  • Even if a tip is handled by an after-hours contact, it may still come through as a text/email after hours to ensure follow-up and awareness of the concern. There may also be instances where after-hours tips are sent by SafeUT, and the after-hours contacts are not called. If school staff log in to the dashboard after hours, it will show SafeUT that the tip was received by school staff, and they may not call the after-hours contact.

If you have any questions, please contact McKinley Withers or Angie Rasmussen.

Published on

DATE:  
April 9, 2026

TO: 
Principals
Assistant Principals
Survey Coordinators

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services

SUBJECT: 
Panorama Student Feedback Survey Window – Spring 2026

The Spring 2026 Panorama student feedback survey window will open on Monday, April 20, 2026 and will close on Friday, May 15, 2026. Schools may access their student opt-in list by running this data mining report. Student Services provides the opt-in list to Panorama the week prior to the window closing and at least one time midway through the survey window. For additional information and resources please see the Panorama Student Feedback Survey Dates and Opt-In Report JAM sent on July 17, 2025. Other resources for administering surveys, survey questions, or general information about Panorama may be found on the Student Services website here.

Survey response rates may be accessed through your Panorama login and results are typically available the week following the last day of the survey window. Panorama has recently expanded the survey reporting tools and schools now have access to detailed disaggregation by demographics, cohort, trending, etc. There are also optional enhanced survey response training sessions from Panorama that are free for Jordan District. Please sign up here if you or anyone is interested at your school.

To assist with future scheduling, the 2026-27 survey windows are as follows:

  • Fall
    • Tuesday, September 8 – Friday, October 9, 2026
  • Winter
    • Friday, January 22 – Friday, February 19, 2027
  • Spring
    • Monday, April 19 – Friday, May 14, 2027

Schools wanting additional Panorama training should reach out to Travis Hamblin (travis.hamblin@jordandistrict.org).

 

Published on

DATE:  
April 8, 2026

TO: 
School Psychologists and School Psychology Interns

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

SUBJECT:
May School Psychologist & School Psychology Interns Meeting

A meeting for school psychologists and school psychology interns has been scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2026, 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 a pot luck luncheon. Sam Goldstein, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist at Huntsman Mental Health Institute, will provide us with a presentation titled “The Resistance Shield:  Building Protective Systems Around At-Risk Youth.

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

cc:       Principals

Published on

DATE: 
April 9, 2026

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 and Wellness Specialist

SUBJECT:
CSTAG and FERPA Short Training Video

Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and staff is our highest priority. A well-understood threat assessment process is a vital component of a safe school environment. Health and Wellness is creating a series of "mini" training videos, focused on the critical aspects of the school threat assessment process. Each training video is under 5 minutes in duration and will review important components of CSTAG with the goal of increasing the use and benefits of threat assessment with fidelity.

5th Topic:
CSTAG and FERPA

This brief video is designed to provide all threat assessment team members with a review of critical components of threat assessment. This video demonstrates a CSTAG-focused team discussion following a very serious substantive threat assessment finding. The discussion reviews general points regarding FERPA and CSTAG.

Other important CSTAG reminders: If you want to train a staff member or threat assessment team member in CSTAG level 1, please email the request with the person’s name, title, and email address to Angie Rasmussen (angie.rasmussen@jordandistrict.org). CSTAG Level 1 is web-based through Navigate 360, and the training costs $100 per person. A request for reimbursement will be sent to the school after the staff member has been added.

To access CSTAG documents and resources use this link: CSTAG Resources

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning Department
Chris Richards-Khong, Associate Administrator of Teaching and Learning

The Jordan Teacher Leader Fellows program is searching for sixteen educators from a variety of teaching experiences. During their 2-year cohort, Teacher Leader Fellows will earn an annual $1500 stipend while engaging in a variety of professional learning experiences focused on teacher leadership skills and educational advocacy.
Check out our website for more details about the JSD Teacher Fellows Program at https://teacherfellows.jordandistrict.org

Applications close on May 15th, 2026.

Jordan District Teacher Fellows Application Link.

Published on

TO:
Principals

FROM:
Mike Haynes, Director of Jordan Education Foundation

The 2026 Challenge Run is back, and the stakes are higher than ever! This year, Jordan Education Foundation is awarding a $1,000 Grant to the school with the highest percentage of participation. This could be YOU!

The Challenge Obstacle Run is a family-friendly fundraising obstacle course run open to all ages and created to make a difference in Jordan District classrooms! Sponsored by local businesses and Jordan Education Foundation, 100% of proceeds go directly toward JEF Classroom Grants benefiting students & teachers in Jordan District!

Teachers are invited to participate for free by using promo code "Teacher2026".

The Challenge Run is open to the community with participation from all of our schools. The Run begins at 9 a.m. and ends with a free, fun family festival with lots of giveaways. Encouraging your school community to select your school when registering will increase your chances of winning the $1,000 Grant.

If you haven't participated in the Challenge Run, we would encourage you to give it a try either by participating in the race, or just dropping by for the post-race party! Bring your family, friends, and neighbors for a super fun morning!

Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Time: The race starts at 9 a.m., and the party will conclude around 12:00 PM
Location: Veterans Memorial Park, West Jordan
Note: A T-shirt is included in registration

Come see what all the fun is about! Click here for more details and to register online.

Published on

Date:
March 26, 2026

To:
All Administrators
All Office Staff

From:
Steffany Ellsworth, Manager - Information Systems

Subject:
Scheduled System Downtime - June 15, 2026 (Juneteenth Holiday)

Please be aware of an upcoming critical system maintenance that will affect the availability of internet and core Skyward systems for the entirety of the day Monday, June 15th (Juneteenth Holiday).

The following systems will be inaccessible during the entire maintenance window:

● Skyward Systems (Finance and Student)

● Phone Systems, Including Voicemail

● Internet Connectivity

● Department and School Websites

Systems will be restored once the maintenance is finalized and assessed. Thank you for your patience as we complete these essential improvements to our systems and its stability.

Published on

DATE:
April 2, 2026

TO: 
All School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
FREE Mental Health Education for Parents and Caregivers

Jordan District has partnered with the Cook Center for Human Connection to provide ongoing mental health education for parents and caregivers. This collaboration offers FREE access to live, virtual educational sessions covering various topics. Please share the following resources with your school community:

  • A calendar for April’s Mental Health Series sessions is attached. Sessions are offered in both English and Spanish. Previously recorded seminars can be accessed through a comprehensive library of sessions and resources for each topic. You can access the library of recorded sessions at any time by visiting this site: https://parentguidance.org/mhsindex.
  • Ask a Therapist live virtual event is an anonymous opportunity to ask questions from a licensed family therapist about your child’s mental health. It is a live event on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 with access to the recording afterwards. Registration Link: https://cookcenter.info/ATLApr21
  • Included in the mental health series is a "Watch Together Series" to highlight for families. While the Mental Health Series is designed for parents, these “Watch Together” events are for the whole family, especially teens and young adults. In this series, each month, you'll meet a new animated character facing real challenges that teens and young adults experience. Together, you and your family can watch their story and learn how to start meaningful conversations at home.
    • April Event: Together, teens and parents will watch an animated story about Danny. After surviving a fire that left him physically changed, Danny feels like he’s lost the life he once had. This session opens a powerful discussion on body image, grief, and one's mental health after trauma. In this interactive session, parents and teens will cover the role of validation, practical coping strategies, and how to build a support team.
    • Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm MST REGISTER NOW

Please share the attached flyers/resources with your school communities. Should you have any questions please reach out to Angie Rasmussen at angie.rasmussen@jordandistrict.org.

Published on

TO:
Administrators and Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Sarah Palmer, Director of Payroll

IMPORTANT: Payroll Deadlines & Skyward Qmlativ Transition

Jordan School District is upgrading the payroll, finance, and HR system from Skyward SMS to Skyward Qmlativ. To facilitate this data migration, there will be significant Skyward Finance downtime and several temporary, modified deadlines. Please review the schedule below carefully to ensure your time is recorded and paid correctly.

⏳ Payroll Phase 1: Closing Out Skyward SMS (April 19 – April 23)

All "True Time" data must be finalized before the migration. True Time that has not been fully approved and paid will not carry over to Qmlativ.

● April 19: Last day to enter/submit all True Time in Skyward SMS (for time worked through April 19).

● April 20: Last day for all approvers to approve True Time in Skyward SMS (TT that is not approved and paid will not carry over to Qmlativ and will not be available after this date).

● April 23 (Final SMS Payday): Contract pay, sub pay from April 1–15, and True Time through April 5 paid as usual.

○ Note: True Time for April 6–19 will also be paid on this check, resulting in a larger paycheck than usual.

○ Last day to enter/approve Time Off in Skyward SMS.

🛠️Payroll Phase 2: Skyward SMS Unavailable & Manual Tracking (April 24 – May 10)

The Skyward SMS system will be down during this window.

● April 20 – May 10: Employees must manually track True Time. A Google time card will be available on Payroll’s website (payroll.jordandistrict.org) for tracking TT on the home page, or each location can create their own. Employees will record this data into the new Qmlativ system once it opens on May 11.

● April 24 – May 5: Total Skyward Finance downtime for the Qmlativ transition.

● May 5: Payroll department data review (Qmlativ remains closed to end users).

● May 8: NO SEMI-MONTHLY PAYROLL FOR SUBS. Sub pay from April 16-30 is delayed until May 22 due to the transition.

🚀 Payroll Phase 3: Launching Skyward Qmlativ (May 11 – May 22)

Welcome to the new system! "True Time" is now officially called Time Tracking.

● May 11: Qmlativ opens for all users for Time Tracking and Time Off requests.

● May 12: Time Tracking first approvals due for Apr 20 - May 3

● May 13: Time Tracking final approvals due for Apr 20 - May 3

● May 22 (First Qmlativ Payday):

○ Time Tracking: Covers April 20 – May 3. Because previous time was paid early on April 23, this will be a smaller paycheck than usual.

○ Subs: Will receive a larger check covering April 16 – May 15 plus the April sub bonus.

Summary of Key Payroll Dates

April 19

True Time Deadline

Last day to enter and submit all hours worked through April 19 in SMS.

April 20

True Time Approval Deadline

Last day to approve True Time through April 19 in SMS. Any unapproved and unpaid TT will not carry over to Qmlativ and will not be available..

April 23

Final SMS Payday

Includes early payout of April 6–19 True Time with larger paycheck than usual.

Apr 24 – May 10

Skyward Finance Down

No access to Skyward SMS or Qmlativ.

May 8

No Sub Pay

No semi-monthly payroll will occur on this date. Sub pay will be on May 22.

May 11

Go-Live

Start using Qmlativ for Time Tracking (True Time) and Time Off. Employees must add their manually tracked TT from April 20 - May 10.

May 12

Time Tracking 1st Approval Deadline

TT from April 20 - May3 must be approved to be paid on May 22.

May 13

Time Tracking Final Approval Deadline

TT from April 20 - May 3 must be approved to be paid on May 22.

May 22

First Qmlativ Payday

Regular contract pay, catch-up pay for subs with larger paycheck than usual, smaller paycheck than usual for Time Tracking.

Published on

DATE:
March 26, 2026

TO:  
All Principals
Elementary and Middle School Resource Team Leaders
High School Special Education Team Leaders

FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education

SUBJECT:
Special Education Resource Instructional Assistants for 2026-2027
Special Education Support Class Instructional Assistants for 2026-2027

The attached memo is designed to explain how special education instructional assistants will be allocated to each schools’ special education program(s) for the 2026-27 school year. We want to make sure everyone has the support staff necessary to meet students’ individual IEP needs.

Please read the memo for instructions and deadlines. If you have any questions, please contact your assigned teacher specialist or program administrator.

Published on

Date:
March 16, 2026

To:
Applicable School Principals and Administrative Assistants
All Area Administrators of Schools and Administrative Assistants

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

Subject:
External Audit Visits

The external auditors (Squire & Company, PC) will be visiting the following schools on the dates indicated. They will be reviewing school fees (appropriate amount charged, waivers, etc.) and financial information. Once finished, the auditors will want a few minutes with the Principal. If the Principal is unavailable, an Assistant Principal may meet with them. The auditors are planning on coming to the schools in the order listed beginning around 8 am. Exact times of arrival will vary depending on length of stay at earlier schools and travel time. There will be two auditors going to different locations this year on Monday-Wednesday. If you have any questions or if your administrative assistant will not be available, please call Natalie Grange at (801) 567-8312.

April 27th-Monday:
Copper Hills HS
Copper Canyon ES
Antelope Canyon ES
Sunset Ridge MS

April 27th-Monday:
West Jordan HS
Joel P. Jensen MS
Columbia ES
Oquirrh ES

April 28th-Tuesday:
Herriman HS
Copper Mountain MS
Hayden Peak ES
Mt Shadows ES

April 28th-Tuesday:
Mt. Ridge HS
Juniper ES
Fort Herriman MS

April 29th-Wednesday:
Bingham HS
Elk Ridge MS
Aspen ES

April 29th-Wednesday:
Riverton HS
Oquirrh Hills MS
Hidden Valley MS

April 30th-Thursday:
Rocky Peak ES
Kelsey Peak MS
Kings Peak HS