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Earthquake Preparedness

Thank you to all of the schools that participated in the Great Utah Shakeout earthquake drill on April 20, 2017, or at some other time during last week. 

A 2016 report from the Utah Seismic Safety Commission states that there is a 43% chance that the Wasatch Front will experience an earthquake of at least a 6.75 magnitude within the next 50 years. 

The Jordan School District Incident Command Manual - Earthquake Action Plan and Standard Operating Guidelines detail the response protocols and position descriptions for school personnel.  Preparing students and staffs for this type of an event is vital.

Additional earthquake awareness information and preparedness resources can be found at:  http://www.shakeout.org/utah/

DATE:  
April 20, 2017

TO:  
Elementary Principals

FROM:    
Laura Finlinson, Administrator of Curriculum and Staff Development
Clyde Mason, Director of Evaluation, 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:     “Teacher Use of Year-End Summative Assessments in Sixth Grade Mathematics”

Applicant:     Dr. Dee Dee Mower, Weber 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 and to obtain your permission to conduct the study at your school.

This study involves your 6th grade teachers being asked to complete a questionnaire about their use of 5th grade Summative SAGE data for 6th grade math instruction. You will likely receive an email from the researcher asking that you forward it to your 6th grade teachers. If you have questions or concerns relating to participation, please contact Clyde Mason at 567-8243.

Thank you for your assistance.

Effective immediately IHC Workmed will be our preferred provider for all Workers Compensation injuries. Attached is a list of providers, their locations and hours of operation.

We frequently get inquires on the process of reporting employee injuries. To help with the process, attached is an injury management flow chart.

DATE:   
April 24, 2017

TO:
School Psychologists

FROM: 
Laura Finlinson, Administrator of Curriculum/Staff Development & Special Programs
Lisa Robinson, Director of Special Education
Fulvia Franco, Program Specialist – Guidance

SUBJECT: 
May School Psychologists’ Meeting


A school psychologists’ meeting has been scheduled for Friday, May 5, 2017, from 12:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the Jordan School District Auxiliary Services Building Auditorium (7905 South Redwood Road). We will begin with an end-of-the-year potluck luncheon. Ryan Anderson, Ph.D. will provide us with a presentation on internet gaming disorder. His presentation will provide an overview of this issue, as well as interventions to use with students.

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

cc:
Principals

DATE:
April 20, 2017

TO: 
All Principals, Directors and Coordinators

FROM:  
June LeMaster, Ph.D., Administrator, Human Resources
Administrator of Schools
Brent Burge, Human Resource Administrator - Classified

SUBJECT:   
Optional Classified Assistant Employment Evaluations- 2016–2017 School Year


With the end of the school year fast approaching, you have more work to do than time to complete it.  We would like to lighten your workload a little this year.  Formal evaluations for classified part-time assistants are now optional.  However, we always recommend providing constant performance feedback to employees.

With these evaluations being optional, you may still feel the need to conduct an evaluation.  The evaluation documents can also be crucial in justifying employee terminations or unemployment claims. If you determine that a more formal evaluation should be completed, the forms can be found as outlined below.

All forms are available on the HR website on the “AdminOnly” or the “SecretaryConnections” page under the “Part Time Classified Evaluations” link.

You will find the following forms:

  • Part-Time Classified Assistant Evaluations Guideline -outlining the procedure for evaluating part time employees in your school/department.
  • Assistants-Employment Review/Status form.

If you choose to conduct an evaluation, you need to inform the employee of his/her employment status for the upcoming year and the employee’s signature is required.

As part of your meeting with the assistant, please remind him/her that part-time employees with Jordan School District are considered "at will". That is, either the employee or Jordan School District may end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, or for no reason.  There is no expectation of continued or guaranteed employment.

If you have any questions or if you need additional help, review the evaluation guideline on the website or you may contact our office at 801-567-8224.

Thank you for your assistance.

DATE:    
April 17, 2017

TO: 
All Jordan School District Principals – with bus route students

FROM:     
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Herb Jensen, Director of Transportation
Kathy Simmons, Transportation Trainer/Risk Coordinator

SUBJECT:
State Required Bus Evacuations and School Bus Safety 2016-17


State required semi-annual school bus evacuations have been scheduled for this spring.  This applies to those students that ride the bus daily to and from school.

The evacuations will be conducted during the week of:

Monday, April 24, 2017 thru Friday, April 28, 2017 

Your school’s regular bus driver will perform this evacuation as they drop your students off in the morning, one day during that week.  This procedure takes place at your school and is located in your normal bus drop off/pick up zone.  All professional school bus drivers that transport students are required to perform evacuation procedures in case of an emergency.  Bus evacuation will be through the rear door, side door, front door or a combination.  Students will then, under the direction and supervision of the bus driver, evacuate and meet in a safe place approximately 100 feet away from the bus.

Your assistance is welcome but not mandatory to complete this required evacuation drill quickly, safely and effectively.

We appreciate all you do to help us safely transport your students.

Cc:  Jordan School District Cabinet Members

 

Hey Utah Schools:

How did your school use its School LAND Trust Funds this school year? Show and tell us, and you could win an extra $1000 in School LAND Trust Funds for your school.

  • Take a fun photo showing how your school used its School LAND Trust Funds this school year
  • Post to Instagram with a short description, including your school's full name, district, and #SITLAfunds17

​OR​

Email it to sitlanews@utah.gov by April 28 and we'll post it for you

  • Get students, teachers, parents, everyone to vote for your photo
  • Two schools will win $1000 each

1) photo with the most likes, and 2) judges' choice photo

This contest is co-sponsored by the School Children's Trust Office at the Utah State Board of Education and the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA). Visit the #SITLAfunds17 website for more information.

https://trustlands.utah.gov/sitlafunds17/

Thank you for remembering computers purchased with K-3 Literacy Grant funds should be used for Early Intervention Software Programs until the end of the year.  This will ensure year-end diagnostic assessments can be administered and students will have the opportunity to meet their usage goals.  Funding for next year may be in jeopardy if usage goals are not met.

Utah State Risk Management Annual Facility Self-inspection Survey - Now Closed

Due to technical issues that Utah State Risk Management has encountered with the Self-Inspection Survey System, they have had to shut it down early.  As a result, Jordan School District is not required to submit any additional surveys for 2016-2017.  If your school's survey has not already been submitted, you do not have to complete it for this school year.  USRM appreciates all of the effort that many of you have already made and sincerely apologizes for every inconvenience.

USRM hopes to have a new version available to you for next year.  The new system will be similar in design and they hope to include all prior data.

If you have any further questions, please contact JSD Risk Management Coordinator Ron Boshard: 801-567-8876, or ron.boshard@jordandistrict.org

Ten JSD social studies teachers will have an opportunity to participate in the Jordan/Granite Civics Academy this summer, June 5-9, 8:30-3:00.  Participants will receive a stipend of $750 for successful participation and completion of the Academy.  There will be readings pre-Academy and a project of the teachers choice with students during the 2017-18 school year.

To apply, please send an email to Pam Su’a at pamela.sua@jordandistrict.org giving your name, the school and grade taught.

DATE: 
March 21, 2017

TO:
School Psychologists

FROM: 
Laura Finlinson, Administrator of Curriculum/Staff Development & Special Programs
Lisa Robinson, Director of Special Education
Fulvia Franco, Program Specialist – Guidance

SUBJECT:  
April School Psychologists’ Meeting


A school psychologists’ meeting has been scheduled for Friday, April 7, 2017, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Jordan School District Auxiliary Services Building Auditorium (7905 South Redwood Road). Jennifer Slade, Director of Special Education in Park City School District and former Section 504 Specialist from the Utah State Board of Education (USBE), will be providing us with a training on Section 504.

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

cc:
Principals

DATE: 
March 27, 2017

TO: 
Elementary Principals

FROM: 
Laura Finlinson, Administrator of Curriculum and Staff Development
Clyde Mason, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT: 
Research Project


The Research Review Committee has reviewed a research project in which the parents of your kindergarten students may be asked to participate.

Project Title:     “Salt Lake County Preschool Study”

Applicant:     Jeremy Keele and/or William Powers, Sorenson Impact on behalf of Salt Lake County Human Services

The project has been approved by the District Research Review Committee.  It is not expected that you or your staff will be directly involved in this study.  Instead, the District’s Communications Department will be assisting the researcher in the distribution of email survey link invitations to parents of your kindergarten students.

If you have questions or concerns relating to this study, please contact Clyde Mason at 567-8243.

Thank you for your assistance.

DATE: 
March 27, 2017

TO: 
Principals

FROM: 
Laura Finlinson, Administrator of Curriculum and Staff Development
Clyde Mason, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT: 
Research Project


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

Project Title:     “Students’ Social Interaction during Historical Reading and Writing”

Applicant:     Dr. Jeffery D. Nokes, History Department, BYU

The project has been approved by the District Research Review Committee.  The applicant will be working with Pam Sua to identify one 5th, 8th, and 11th grade history classroom to participate in this study.  If one of these classes is in your school, your approval will be required prior to beginning the study.  If you have questions or concerns relating to participation, please contact Clyde Mason at 567-8243.

Thank you for your assistance.

DATE:
March 22, 2017

TO: 
Principals

FROM:  
Laura Finlinson, Administrator of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
Clyde Mason, Director of Evaluation, 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:     “Who Cares about Digital Badges? An Examination of Employers’ Perceptions of the Usefulness of Open Badges”

Applicant:     Dan RANDALL, Department of Instructional Psychology and Technology, BYU

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 and to obtain your permission to conduct the study at your school.  If you have questions or concerns relating to participation, please contact Clyde Mason at 567-8243.

Thank you for your assistance.