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Category: Elementary Info

Published on

DATE: 
May 22, 2017

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

FROM:   
Laura Finlinson, Admin. of Curriculum & Staff Development
Lisa Robinson, Director of Special Education
Julie Brown, Program Specialist
Courtney Titus, Program Special

SUBJECT:
Information Regarding Beginning of 2017-18 School Year

The 2016-17 school year is quickly rolling to a close and the Special Education Department wants to send out a big thanks to all of you for a great school year. We’ve had many challenges, but even more celebrations, and the work you all do each day for students is our biggest celebration.

In looking forward to the coming school year, there are several items that we wanted to make you aware of prior to leaving for the summer:

  1. Summer Special Education Conference - This year the Special Education Department will be providing professional development in a conference format – Teachers Matter, Teaching Matters: Engagement Strategies for Student Success. The date will be July 31, 8:00 a.m. at Elk Ridge Middle School. All special education staff and all administrators are invited to attend. If you are a special educator and are not on contract that day you will receive a $150.00 stipend for attending the full day. If you are on contract in a year-round school and would need a substitute to attend the conference, we are happy to provide one. Use the program code 1292. We have a great keynote speaker and breakout sessions for everyone. There will also be a specific strand for administrators. You can sign up on JPLS by searching for Special Education Summer Conference (flyer attached). Those that sign up before May 31st will have their names put into a prize drawing at the conference.
  2. Extended Year for Special Education Teacher Stipends – Next year (2017-18) the legislature has funded 5 days of stipend options for Special Education Teachers, Special Education Preschool teachers, and Speech-Language Pathologists. The details and timesheets will be sent to your school July 1, but we wanted to inform you of the option to use these 4.5 extended days to complete IEP related duties the two weeks prior to or following your contract days beginning July 1, 2017. Year-round off-contract options are also available.
  3. Compliance Reviews – In an effort to continue to use technology as an efficient PD delivery tool, we will have compliance modules sent out near the beginning of the year. Other PD and compliance training will be provided in small group formats with options for pay or substitutes.
  4. IEP File Reviews – the chart below indicates those schools that are on the rotation for file reviews (chart attached). You will get more information from your teacher specialist in the fall. Additional file reviews may be requested by administrators or for follow-up purposes from this year’s file review. Those will be scheduled on an individual basis. Also, if you are due for a full JPAS evaluation in 2017-18, please remember that you must have a file review completed with your assigned teacher specialist prior to completing your JPAS evaluation with your administrator. Please schedule those early in the year.

Thanks again for all you do and we look forward to another great year!

Published on

DATE:   
May 17, 2017

TO:   
Principals
Elementary Special Education Resource Math Teachers

FROM:  
Laura Finlinson, Administrator of Curriculum/Staff Development & Special Programs
Lisa Robinson, Director of Special Education
Courtney Titus, Program Specialist

SUBJECT: 
Professional Development for Elementary Resource Math Teachers

The Special Education Department is hosting two professional development training days for elementary resource math teachers. This training will address the effective use of resource math block time, strategies to build student ability and increase grade-level understanding, and key concepts at each grade level. The first training will be held on June 8, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for teachers who teach grades K-3. The second training will be held on June 13, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for teachers who teach grades 4-6. Both trainings will be at the District Office in room 129. Please register at https://jpls.truenorthlogic.com and search for course 101194 and choose the appropriate section. If a sub is needed, please use budget code 1292. If you teach both levels and would like to come to both sessions, please contact Trevor Warburton, Teacher Specialist in Mathematics at 801-567-8174.

Published on

Teachers!

Now is a great time to plan for the upcoming year before the busy summer rush. The staff in the Instructional Support Center (ISC) will be happy to help you with classroom teaching materials.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Check out the ISC website to see everything offered:
instructionalsupport.jordandistrict.org

The ISC accepts orders by phone, fax or email.
Phone: 801-567-8238
Fax: 801-567-8092
Email: ISC@jordandistrict.org

The ISC is located in the Jordan School District Auxiliary Services Building at 7905 South Redwood Road, West Jordan.

Hours of operation:
Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(July 5th - July 21st, summer hours 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

Keep in mind:

  • Before you purchase and prepare student planners, the ISC spiral binding machine won’t punch plastic folders.
  • Personal and non-school related material may not be reproduced at the ISC.
  • JSD employees must wear approved District identification badges when visiting the ISC.
  • Volunteers and PTA members as submitted and approved by principals and department administrators may use the ISC.
  • Long-term substitutes may use the ISC, however regular substitutes are not eligible to use the ISC.
  • Home school patrons may use the center if they are on the approved list provided by JSD’s Planning and Student Services Department.

Published on

Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

As the school year is coming to a close think safety first.  Slips, trips and falls are second only to motor-vehicle accidents as a cause of death in the United States.  Falls account for 15-20 percent of all workers’ compensation costs.  The good news is falls are easy to prevent.  Take the time to watch for and correct hazardous conditions, and you can lower your chance of injury. Use these suggestions to make your workplace safe:

  • If you need to reach for something, get help. Don’t use your desk, table, box, wastebasket, chair, bookcase or a ledge!  Use the correct ladder or stepstool for the given task.
  • Take your time. Many falls happen when people are walking fast or running.
  • Never stand on the top rung/step of a ladder. Secure and stabilize all ladders before climbing them.
  • Keep walkways free of clutter.
  • Clean up spills as soon as they happen.
  • Don’t carry more than you can handle. Loads that are too heavy or too big don’t allow you to see properly.
  • Make sure computer and telephone cords are not underfoot.

Always think safety first!

Published on

Protect Your Child with Student Accident Insurance

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

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/

Published on

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.

Published on

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.

Published on

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

Published on

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.

Published on

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