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Category: Elementary Info

Published on

DATE:
June 1, 2020

TO:
All Principals

FROM:
Administrator of Schools
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Caleb Olson, Consultant of Planning and Enrollment
Scott Festin, Consultant of Planning and Enrollment

SUBJECT:
Student Enrollment for May 2020

Please see document below.

Published on

Dear Principals:

Instructional Coaching questions are now available as part of the District Approved Interview Questions found on Admin Only under HR Resources - HR Resource Hiring Licensed

When interviewing an instructional coach for your school you may use additional District approved questions as part of the interview.

When hiring, please indicate the questions asked on the interview form using the designated letter and number.

If you have any questions, please call Wyatt Bentley (801)567-8215 or Kim Gibson (801)-567-8216.

https://employment.jordandistrict.org/hr-resource-hiring-licensed/

Published on

At the Tuesday May 26th Board of Education meeting, the Board directed a 5% reduction to certain budgets.

These reductions will be applied to school supply, tech supplies, media, postage and textbook budgets and will be implemented for the 2020-21 school year.

This means a total reduction per student for elementary, middle, and high schools of $4.03, $5.50, and $6.38 respectfully. The revised allocations for 2020-21 are as follows:

_______________________Elementary      Middle            High
Supply                              $40.78             $43.26             $50.31

Tech Supplies                 $10.00             $10.00             $10.00

Media                               $9.74               $11.08             $13.90

Library Media                 $1.23               $1.23                $1.23

Postage                           $1.49               $4.46               $10.81

Textbooks                       $13.32             $34.36             $34.85

Please contact your Administrator of Schools with any questions or concerns.

Published on

On Tuesday, May 26, the Board approved two calendar adjustments.

  • Blackridge Elementary will move to a traditional calendar for the 2020-21 school year and will remain on a traditional calendar moving forward.
  • South Jordan Elementary will remain on a year-round calendar with a delayed start for the 2020-21 school year. This calendar is attached and is also available on the Planning & Enrollment website (http://planning.org). A decision on the calendar for South Jordan Elementary after the 2020-21 has not yet been made.

Published on

Greetings Utah Educators and Leaders!

I hope you are all well and enjoying the fleeting last weeks of the “New Now” school year.  It has been absolutely marvelous to see all of the amazing work that Utah educators are doing to support their students and communities.  Every time I get out of the house for a drive as a break from isolation, I am blissfully berated by beautiful signs, posters, and balloons supporting both students and teachers.  It is a bright spot in my day and makes me smile as I reflect on the monumental work you are all doing.

Last Thursday, the Utah State Board of Education approved five educator licensing rules/amendments; this also makes me smile!  Thanks to feedback from LEAs, educator preparation programs, and educators, we have made some modifications to the pending licensing structure.  I have linked each of the rules’ draft if you want to look at the precise language.  For your convenience in these busy times, I have provided a shortlist of the changes within each rule.

R277-301 – Educator Licensing

  • Communication Disorders license area now called: Audiologist
  • Associate Educator Licenses, License Areas, or Endorsements are valid for THREE years, with a one-year extension available.
  • Currently licensed educators who apply to add an Associate Educator License Area, do not need to complete the Canvas Pedagogical Modules.
  • Applicants with an educator license from out-of-state and at least one year of teaching may waive the content knowledge (PRAXIS) and pedagogical assessment requirements.
  • LEA-Specific licenses may be granted in special education and preschool special education license areas provided the LEA meets other requirements for LEA-Specific licensure and provides educator special education law training within the first month of employment.
  • Eminence License rules outlined, moved from R277-309.

R277-302 – Educator License Renewal

  • Professional educator licenses may be renewed with 100 points in four categories:  professional learning experiences, educator collaboration opportunities, professional service, and alternate learning opportunities.  Note that teaching experience is no longer an option for points’ accrual.  Please see the rule for more details.  Resources and renewal forms from USBE are forthcoming.
  • LEAs are required to provide a minimum of 20 points/hours of professional learning to educators each year.
  • Professionally licensed educators may choose to use the current renewal system (200 points including teaching experience points) until June 30, 2025.

R277-303 – Teacher Preparation Programs

  • An Alternate Pathway to Professional Educator Licensure (APPEL) program may be developed by and individual LEA or a consortium of LEAs.

R277-306 – EPPs for School Psychologists, Audiologists, SLPs, SLTs, and Counselors

  • School Counselor license area requires a master’s degree in school counseling or a master’s degree in a related field and a licensure program.

R277-309 – Appropriate Licensing of Teachers

  • Eminence License rules removed and moved to R277-301.

R277-500 – Licensing Renewal (REPEALED)

As we move into “The Near Future,” services are becoming more available; educator-related services are included!  Specifically, fingerprinting services and testing services are now opening!  Hooray!!!

Some fingerprinting locations have started processing fingerprints on a limited basis.  Please encourage educators who need to complete a background check to call ahead to verify hours and operation precautions, such as wearing a face mask.  If your LEA is doing fingerprinting, please work to establish policies and procedures, including the use of appropriate PPE (gloves, masks, etc.), to keep your employees and those you serve safe.

ETS has announced the Praxis® tests at home solution in response to closures of testing centers. Registration for the first wave of tests begins on May 15 with the first test administration taking place on May 18.  While not all of the content assessments will be offered in the first wave of tests at home, most will be available by June 1st.  ETS’ COVID-19 website has been updated with some key information regarding the at home solution.

As you encourage your educators to meet requirements for licensure, including background checks and testing, the Educator Licensing team is optimistic that these adjustments will help educators become appropriately licensed prior to the upcoming school year.  Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.  I know that many changes to licensing (an already complicated arena) lend itself to more questions.  We are here to help you support teachers!

Thank you for all that you do to support Utah’s students and teachers!  We will charge into “The New Future” together!

Kindest regards,

Malia

 _________________________

Malia Hite, Ed.D.

Educator Licensing Coordinator

Teaching & Learning   |  Utah State Board of Education

Published on

(Change from flyer) A T&L flyer was included on the May 19 Principal Meeting agenda announcing in-person workshops for principals and coaches. Because of many unanswered "COVID yellow phase" questions, the workshops have been rescheduled as virtual workshops. We apologize for any inconvenience. Elementary Administrators (principals and assistant principals), along with the school instructional coaches, are asked to register for one of three virtual sessions of "T&L Review of Programs and Implementation." In this virtual course, participants will review priorities, examine T&L's 5-year implementation plans, preview the JSD Instructional Coaching Institute (ICI), explore ideas and resources for COVID catch-up, and discuss strategies for making the return to school smooth!

Instructional Coaches will be paid from T&L.

Please Register on JPLS -- Course 101585

This virtual course will be held in the Canvas Elementary Principal Faculty Lounge. (More information coming!)

Published on

DATE:    
May 20, 2020

TO:  
Elementary Principals
Elementary Head Administrative Assistants

FROM:   
Laura Finlinson, Administrator of Schools
Becky Gerber, Administrator of Schools
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Doree Strauss, Administrator of Schools

SUBJECT:  
Summer Pool Hours for Elementary Head Administrative Assistants

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

The hours should be used to address matters that typically build up over the summer months such as mail, voice mail, purchase verifications, timesheets, etc.  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 of “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

Published on

DATE:  
May 11, 2020

TO:  
School Psychologists, Elementary Counselors, and School Social Workers

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

SUBJECT:     
May School Psychologist, Elementary Counselor, and School Social Workers Meeting

The meeting for school psychologists, elementary counselors, and school social workers that was scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2020, from 12:00 noon to 3:30 p.m. at the Jordan School District’s Auxiliary Services Building (7905 South Redwood Road) has been canceled due to the soft closure of our schools. Our Fall Guidance meetings are scheduled for August 4, 5, 6, and 7, 2020. More information about the Fall Guidance meetings will be included in your assignment letters.

cc:
Principals

Published on

DATE:
May 1, 2020

TO:
All Principals

FROM:
Administrator of Schools
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Caleb Olson, Consultant of Planning and Enrollment
Scott Festin, Consultant of Planning and Enrollment

SUBJECT:
Student Enrollment for April 2020

Please see document below.

Published on

Below is information from the Resilient Utah Team along with a message from Governor Gary R. Herbert. We're sending you this information, they are asking to be sent out to parents, for your information only. You do not need to send it out. It is being sent to all parents through our Communications Department.

 

Dear Utah Principals,

Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert has declared May 2020 as Utah Resilience Month. Please click on the link below to review important information for principals state-wide.

We are so appreciative of your efforts to support your administrators, faculty and teachers as they and provide students with what they need to succeed during these unprecedented times. Our educators are our heroes.

https://www.resilient-utah.org/urm-principals-message/

Many thanks,

The Resilient Utah Team
www.Resilient-Utah.org

 

Published on

The Central Warehouse is now stocking simple surgical masks to be ordered by schools and departments to distribute as necessary.  Please understand quantities are limited, so only order to cover immediate needs.  Do not order to stockpile for future use, including next school year.  We will be ordering more to satisfy demand, but your cooperation would be appreciated in the short term.  If an employee has a personal mask already, they are encouraged to use their own personal mask.

Masks can be ordered by selecting stock #5800850, and can be ordered like any other inventory item available in the District warehouse.  Quantities are packaged and available in bundles of 50 masks.  Therefore, smaller District departments should coordinate with other small departments to avoid ordering too many.  They will be made available, Friday May 1st.

Published on

K-12 Accident plans are available for injury, at-school accidents, 24-hour accidents, extended dental and football.  See attached flyers (English and Spanish) for additional information.  Please consider including the information in  your school packets.

Published on

The following are new administrative assignments:

Assignment Effective June 1, 2020:

  • Amy Adams, assistant principal at Riverside Elementary, appointed principal at Fox Hollow Elementary, replacing Kevin Pullan who is retiring.

Assignments Effective July 1, 2020:

  • Jill Durrant, consultant of Preschool/Child Development Center, appointed Administrator of Schools – Elementary, replacing Laura Finlinson who is retiring.
  • Kristy Whiteside, principal at Daybreak Elementary, appointed consultant of Preschool/Child Development Center.
  • Leslie Ewell, assistant principal at Foothills Elementary, appointed principal at Daybreak Elementary.
  • Amanda Bollinger, principal at Butterfield Canyon Elementary, appointed consultant in the Special Education Department, replacing Julie Brown who is retiring.
  • Michelle Peterson, principal at Falcon Ridge Elementary, appointed principal at Butterfield Canyon Elementary.
  • Theresa Christensen, assistant principal at Eastlake Elementary, appointed principal at Falcon Ridge Elementary.
  • Kaleb Yates, assistant principal at Herriman & Midas Creek Elementary, appointed principal at Jordan Hills Elementary.
  • Kristie Howe, assistant principal at Oakcrest Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Antelope Canyon & Oakcrest Elementary.
  • Angela Hamilton, instructional coach at West Jordan Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Bastian Elementary.
  • Staci Moore, assistant principal at Butterfield Canyon & Jordan Ridge Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Majestic & Jordan Ridge Elementary.
  • Franco Preston, assistant principal at Bastian & Majestic Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Butterfield Canyon & Herriman Elementary.
  • Ami Shah, assistant principal at Riverton & West Jordan Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Eastlake & West Jordan Elementary.
  • Nathan Price, assistant principal at Silver Crest Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Riverside Elementary.
  • Leilani Brecht, principal at Jordan Hills Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Silver Crest Elementary.
  • Odette Desmarais, Academic Director & IB Coordinator at Providence Hall, appointed assistant principal at Foothills Elementary.
  • Brenda Anderson, assistant principal at Jordan Hills & Rosamond Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Jordan Hills & Riverton Elementary.
  • Elizabeth Pollock, assistant principal at Ridge View Elementary & teacher specialist in Teaching & Learning, appointed assistant principal at Ridge View & Rosamond Elementary.
  • John Scovill, principal at Pioneer Elementary in Idaho School District, appointed assistant principal at Fox Hollow & Midas Creek Elementary, replacing Nancy Ward who is retiring.

 

Published on

If an employee is going to take leave using these days they MUST apply for the time off. Please share this information with them. A flyer explaining the leave time is included as well as a tutorial on how to apply for the time off.

JSD Administrators:

All employees will receive an email in JEM today outlining the recently passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). This act may entitle eligible employees who have worked for the District for 30 days to receive a limited amount of paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.  Attached to this email is a FFCRA notice from the Department of Labor outlining eligibility, paid leave entitlements and qualifying reasons for leave related to COVID-19.

Also attached is a tutorial on how employees can submit a FFCRA Leave application through Skyward Employee Access if they believe they have a qualifying reason.  If employees need assistance in accessing their Skyward employee account, direct them to contact the Information Systems Help Desk at 801-567-8737.  For questions regarding FFCRA, please review the attached notice or contact HR at 801-567-8249.