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Category: Elementary Schools

Published on

DATE: 
Thursday, July 29, 2021

TO:
School and District Administrators

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

SUBJECT: 
2021-22 Testing Bulletin Now Available

The testing bulletins for elementary, middle and high schools for the 2021-22 school year have been updated. They are updated throughout the year and may be found on the Evaluation, Research & Accountability website: https://assessments.jordandistrict.org/

For your convenience, individual level testing bulletins may also be accessed below:

Elementary School Testing Bulletin
Middle School Testing Bulletin
High School Testing Bulletin

Administrators will be notified if there is a change to any testing windows currently listed in the bulletins.

Published on

DATE:   
Thursday, July 29, 2021

TO:  
Elementary School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:   
Acadience Reading and Acadience Math Canvas Training for Coaches and Teachers

As has been noted in previous JAM memos, the district assessment team will be administering the newly required Acadience Math individual measures in kindergarten and first grade for every school. Both Acadience Math and Acadience Reading will be administered at the same time on the same testing day(s) for each school.

While we have been able to recruit enough assessment assistants comparable to pre-pandemic numbers, we still don’t have enough assessment assistants to administer both the reading and math assessments in the same time period. For this reason, we will once again need the help of building instructional coaches. In order to get them trained on the Acadience Math assessment in a timely manner, elementary school administrators are asked to forward the following training information to their building coach:

Acadience Reading and Math Asynchronous Trainings
We appreciate the priceless assistance coaches offered the assessment team in helping us complete Acadience Reading testing in schools last year. We will once again need help from coaches to complete both Acadience Reading and Acadience Math (new mandate from the state) testing this year.

Acadience Math Training
Acadience Math asynchronous trainings are now available in Canvas. Coaches may access the course using the link below and should enroll in both the kindergarten and first grade modules. Upon completion of the grade level module, participants can complete a form and receive a certificate of completion for that module. This training will need to be completed by the coach prior to the assigned day that district assessment assistants will come to your school to administer the Acadience Reading and Math measures.

Coaches may access the Acadience Math Canvas course here: https://usbe.instructure.com/enroll/96NGXW

After completing the Acadience Math Canvas course, if coaches feel that they need more practice, Evaluation, Research & Accountability will be holding practice sessions with district assessment assistants on Tuesday, August 17th any time between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm in PDC 101, 102, and 103.

Acadience Reading Training
Acadience Reading asynchronous trainings are also available in Canvas. Those who are new to coaching this year will also need to enroll in and complete this course before assessment assistants come to test on your school’s assigned testing day(s).

Coaches may access the Acadience Reading Canvas course here:
https://jordanpd.instructure.com/enroll/E4MAF7

Please contact Ben Jameson (801-567-8243 or ben.jameson@jordandistrict.org) or Shannon Johnson (801-567-8873 or shannon.johnson@jordandistrict.org) with any questions.

 

Published on

DATE:
Thursday, July 29, 2021

TO:      
All Principals and District Department Directors/Consultants

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

SUBJECT:  
2021-22 Required Testing Ethics Professional Development Procedures for Education Support Professionals

Licensed teachers will do their testing ethics training as part of their annual crucial policies and procedures review. Principals do not need to train their teachers on testing ethics for the 2021-22 school year; however, principals will need to conduct a training for any education support professionals (classified employees) who will assist with district, state or federally-mandated testing. This will include computer lab assistants who function as the school’s test coordinator, any classroom aides that assist with testing, literacy aides who assist with Acadience Reading testing or progress monitoring, or any office staff that assist test coordinators with district, state or federally-mandated testing.

The three required procedures for completing this testing ethics professional development are listed on the “2021-22 Principal’s Testing Ethics Checklist for ESPs” form, which is due to the Evaluation, Research & Accountability Department by Friday, September 17, 2021.

As has been done in the past, principals may provide in-person training on testing ethics using the pdf slide deck attached with this memo. Alternatively, principals may refer education support personnel to the YouTube video that provides the same ethics training. Once education support personnel have been trained, either in-person or using the video, they are required to sign the “2021-22 Standard Test Administration and Testing Ethics Policy Training Signature Form.” Principals are asked to keep these signed forms on file at the school.

There are several materials attached with this memo for your use:

  • 2021-22 Principal’s Testing Ethics Checklist or ESPs – This form needs to be filled out and sent to Evaluation, Research & Accountability by Friday, September 17, 2021.
  • Testing Ethics Presentation, 2022-21 – This is the pdf slide deck if principals choose to present the training in-person.
  • 2021-22 Standard Test Administration and Testing Ethics Policy – This document should be distributed to every Education Support Professional that assists with state or federally-mandated testing.
  • ESP Testing Ethics Video – This is the training video that may be used in lieu of in-person training. The video may be found at this link:  https://youtu.be/WW1wXObXPQo
  • Standard Test Administration and Testing Ethics Training Signature Form, 2021-22 – Principals should retain a signed copy of this form for all Education Support Professionals who assist with district, state or federally-mandated testing.

Please contact Ben Jameson or Gaylene Miller in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with any questions.

Published on

DATE:    
Thursday, July 29, 2021

TO:  
Elementary School Administrators

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

SUBJECT: 
KEEP Entry Administration and Materials

Principals are asked to pass this information, along with the materials included with this memo, to their kindergarten teachers as soon as possible.

KEEP Entry administration for the 2021-22 school year is still required by the state.  The KEEP Entry window ends on Monday, September 6, 2021.  Data entry into the Data Gateway is due by Thursday, September 30, 2021.  Those who are administering the KEEP Entry (including kindergarten teachers and classroom aides) should have been trained.  Test administrators can access training in one of two ways:

Included with this memo are the following materials:

  • KEEP Entry Test Administration Manual (TAM) – Kindergarten teachers should use this manual to access the script they should read while testing. The manual also contains instructions on how to administer and score the assessment.
  • KEEP Entry Student Materials – Schools will be responsible for printing their own student materials booklet for each KEEP Entry test administrator. No changes to the assessment have been made, so teachers may use last year’s student materials.
  • KEEP Entry Score Sheet – Kindergarten teachers may fill out the scoring sheet online in their Data Gateway account while administering the assessment. They may also fill out the attached scoring sheet and then enter the data in the Data Gateway at a later time.
  • KEEP Entry Data Entry – Getting Started – This document provides a brief explanation of how to enter KEEP Entry data into the Data Gateway.

If you have questions about the KEEP Entry, please contact the following people:

  • For Data Gateway or test administration questions: Ben Jameson, Evaluation, Research & Accountability: 801-567-8243 or jameson@jordandistrict.org
  • For test administration questions: Liz Williams, USBE Assessment & Accountability: 801-538-7542 or williams@schools.utah.gov

Published on

DATE:       
July 22, 2021

TO:       
All administrators

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

SUBJECT:   
Join our Wellness Center PLC

Are you interested in starting a wellness center at your school? Do you need some extra funds to jazz it up? Do you already have a room and would like to collaborate with other schools to make it better?

Health and Wellness is here to help! Please review these tips for wellness center implementation and consider joining our wellness center PLC!

During the 2021-22 school year there will be a quarterly PLC whose purpose will be to increase collaboration between schools who are implementing (or who are interested in implementing) wellness centers.

If you are interested in participating in this PLC or in sending a representative (or both!) please let McKinley Withers know (mckinley.withers@jordandistrict.org, 801-567-8245) as soon as possible and include the names of any individuals who you’d like to have participate. Dates and times will be coordinated according to the participant’s schedules. We look forward to working with you to enhance wellness in our District!

Published on

If you are a building administrator and  haven’t had the opportunity to come to the Literacy Launch day 2 training, there is still time!  In this training you will receive all the information you need to set up a successful tier 2 structure using the 95% Walk to Read materials.  The following dates are still available:

  • July 27, 8:00-4:00, ASB Auditorium 
  • July 29, 8:00-4:00 ASB Auditorium 

There are also some dates that have been set aside for classroom assistants.  Building administrators are welcome to attend any of the following sessions:

  • August 11, 8:00-11:30 AM, ASB Presentation Rm (50 people)
  • Wednesday August 11 12:30-4:00 PM, ASB Presentation Rm (50 people)
  • Monday August 16, 8:00-11:30 AM, ASB Presentation Rm (50 people)
  • Tuesday August 23, 8:00-11:30 AM, ASB Auditorium (100 people)

There is no need for administrators to sign up in JPLS.  Just come and learn with us!

Published on
Attached you will find information and guidelines regarding the Extended Year Stipend that is available to Special Education Teachers and SLP's. Please be sure to read the instructions carefully. The state has allotted 4 extra days to work either two weeks before or two weeks after your contract ends. The eligible timeline for these days is July 26-Aug 6, 2021 and/or June 7-20, 2022. You can work them all before, all after, or a combination of both. The days you work are turned in on a Qualtrics survey that the state sends us to generate the payroll information. The link will be emailed to you as soon as we receive it.

Published on

DATE:
July 21, 2021

TO:
All Principals

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent

SUBJECT:
Monday, August 2, 2021 Principal Meeting

 

  • Principals only, Monday, August 2, 2021
  • All-day meeting, 8:00-3:30pm
  • ASB Auditorium
  • Light breakfast/beverage service beginning at 7:30am
  • Lunch on your own

Published on

DATE:
July 22, 2021

TO:
Building Principals
Elementary Administrative Assistants
Secondary Registrars

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Caleb Olson, Consultant, Planning & Enrollment

SUBJECT:
Initial Enrollment Without Birth Certificate

Utah Code (§53G-6-603) states that: Upon enrollment of a student for the first time in a particular school, that school shall notify in writing the person enrolling the student (parent or legal guardian) that within 30 days they must provide either a certified copy of the student’s birth certificate, or other reliable proof of the student’s identity and age, together with an affidavit explaining the inability to produce a copy of the birth certificate.

The original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by the Bureau of Vital Statistics is required for initial enrollment into any Jordan School District school. A copy of the certificate should be made and kept in the student’s cumulative folder. When a student transfers between Jordan District schools, it is not necessary to have the parent again supply the birth certificate (especially when the school is able to confirm that a copy of the birth certificate is available in the student’s cumulative folder when it transfers); however, building principals may choose to require birth certificates from transfer students or students entering the initial grade offered by the building provided this requirement is consistently applied to all students.

When a parent or guardian cannot provide a birth certificate at registration, the following steps should be followed:

  • The student is enrolled and allowed to attend school.
  • The parent/guardian is immediately given the 30-day grace period letter. This should be provided in-person at the time of registration.
  • If a birth certificate has not been provided within 30 calendar days, the 10-day warning letter should be provided. If it cannot be provided in person, it should be sent via certified mail. An additional copy of the letter may be sent to the email provided by the parent at registration if delivered via MoveIt.
  • If a birth certificate has not been provided by the end of the 10-day window, the student should remain enrolled and allowed to attend. School staff should notify law enforcement by certified letter. Once notification has been sent, the school’s statutory obligation has been met.

In some instances, the parent/guardian may not have a birth certificate. In this case, “other reliable proof” may be used. The documentation provided must prove the student’s identity and age. The steps below should be followed when using other documentation:

  • The student is enrolled and allowed to attend school.
  • The 30-day and 10-day letters should be provided as explained above.
  • If other reliable proof is brought to the school, the “Affidavit of Birth” document must be completed and notarized. A copy of the documentation and the affidavit should be placed in the student’s cumulative folder.
  • Law enforcement should be notified if documentation is not provided by the end of the 10-day warning window.

Parents and guardians do not need to be sent to Planning & Enrollment for approval of their “other reliable proof” documentation; however, school staff are welcome to consult with Planning & Enrollment about the particulars of documentation provided to the school. Notary services are also available at Planning & Enrollment if they cannot be provided at the school.

The 30-day and 10-day letters, as well as the “Affidavit of Birth” documents, are available on the Planning & Enrollment website (http://planning.jordandistrict.org) in the School Resources section under the “Resources & Forms” tab.

Please contact Planning & Enrollment at 801-567-8183 with questions or concerns.

Published on

Thank you for your efforts to make summer school a positive experience for your students. I have loved hearing stories of what a difference it has made. Please continue to share them! As you finish up your summer school sessions, it is important that the steps below are completed so reimbursements are not held back.

  • Ensure your teachers are getting paid! You must report hours worked to payroll through one of the following:
    • Print the timesheet from your school ESSER II Worksheet and send to payroll
    • Have teachers fill out individual timesheets and send to payroll
    • Complete a group timesheet and send to payroll
    • Have teachers use True Time
  • Provide a list of all teachers and assistants working summer school on your school ESSER II Worksheet. 
  • Provide a summary of summer school to include:
    • Number of students participating
    • Number of credits recovered (9th - 12th grades only)
    • Summary of summer school results such as pre/post scores OR number and list of courses offered OR a written description, etc. (Elementary, 7th, and 8th grades only)  

Please feel free to contact Shelley Nordick (ext. 88122) if you have any questions

Published on

DATE:
July 22, 2021

TO:
Elementary School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
Select Health FREE Social and Emotional Learning Conference

On July 28th Select Health will be hosting a Social and Emotional Learning Conference that is free for those that are interested. Review this flyer for details. Please share with those that would benefit from participating.

 

Published on

Labor Day Annual/Personal Leave Lottery Request

If you are a contracted employee and need to take Annual/Personal Leave before or after Labor Day for any reason not listed in policy DP335NEG or DP335B, you must submit a request as follows:

How to Request
During the window, the employee must send the request through email. Please include your name, school, position, and the date you are requesting the leave. Requests left on voicemail or over the phone will NOT be accepted.

Licensed employees submit their request to: licensedpersonalleave@jordandistrict.org

Education Support Professionals submit their request to: classifiedpersonalleave@jordandistrict.org

The employee will receive an email confirmation within two working days after submitting the request. If the employee does not receive a confirmation email, then Human Resources has NOT received your request and your leave will not be approved.

School Holiday:
Labor Day

Date of Holiday:
September 6, 2021

Window:
July 23 – Aug. 2, 2021

https://employment.jordandistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/PersonalLeaveBeforeAfterHoliday-
21-22-updated-1.pdf

Published on

DATE:
July 22, 2021

TO:
Building Principals
Elementary Administrative Assistants
Secondary Attendance Secretaries

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Caleb Olson, Consultant, Planning & Enrollment

SUBJECT:
Attendance Code Update and Training Opportunities

For the 2021-22 school year, each school will use an updated set of absence type codes in Skyward, plus a reduced list of absence reason codes and a standard method for entering attendance comments. These codes are uploaded for each school thanks to significant work by Information Systems. An updated code list is attached to this memo.

A brief training is required for all attendance staff. Building administrators may attend at their discretion, but participation by at least one administrator per school site is encouraged. Trainings will provided via Zoom to allow staff to participate with the least degree of disruption to the workday during one of the busiest times of the year.

Eight training session are available:
• Friday, August 6: 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 2:30 PM, 3:00 PM
• Tuesday, August 10: 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 2:30 PM, 3:00 PM

Participants are asked to select a training and sign up in advance at the link below so that school participation can be recorded. Training sessions may be canceled at 9:00 AM on the same day if no participants have signed up.

Training Sign-Up Link

Please contact Planning & Enrollment with any questions or concerns.

Published on

Please see the JAM on June 17 and/or July 9, 2021 for information regarding the Level 1 training. An invitation email from NAVIGATE360 was sent on June 30, 2021 (please check your junk/trash folders).

Please contact Travis Hamblin travis.hamblin@jordandistrict.org with any questions or concerns.

Published on

Jordan Education Foundation (JEF) CLASSROOM GRANT applications will be accepted August 1 through October 31, 2021.

JEF funding will be awarded through Monday, November 19, 2021 – as long as funds are available. The funding period will end before November 19 if JEF funds have been exhausted by eligible projects. Bottom line: APPLY EARLY!

We are again using DONORS CHOOSE this year to increase the number of grants awarded to Jordan District teachers. For the past 3 years, our donated funds have been doubled and in some cases tripled using DONORS CHOOSE. This year we hope to do the same or better by capturing additional funds from more matching programs. Historically there are various major foundations (Gates, Chevron, Twitter and others) that pick out a random day or period of time to match projects that are listed with Donors Choose. JEF would like to contribute to these match's so APPLY EARLY IN AUGUST.

2021-22 Classroom Grant Application Process:

Step 1 Go to jordaneducationfoundation.org, and click on the Classroom Grants APPLY HERE link found on the front page.

Step 2 Go to donorschoose.org. Create a Donors Choose account and project. Use the criteria provided within the JEF Google Form to describe your project.

Step 3 Provide contact and project-specific information and the link to your Donors Choose project in Section 2 of the JEF Google Form. (This is how we’ll know which projects to fund).

Step 4 If your project does not meet Donors Choose requirements or is for materials/licenses that are not covered by Donors Choose, please complete the “APPLICATIONS NOT APPLICABLE TO DONORS CHOOSE” Section 3 of the JEF Google Form.

Step 5 Submit application to JEF

JEF will fund UP TO $500 per applicant or $1500 per team of three (3) or more (or department application) to maximize use of the matching funds. Please limit grant requests to $500 per application (or $1500 per team or department).

Restrictions: The following categories are not eligible for funding: Salaries, honorariums, stipends, educator travel, field trips, incentive awards, and food.

We are excited to read your applications and discover projects JSD teachers use to educate our students! We love to fund CLASSROOM GRANTS!

If you have any questions about the application or funding process, please call Jordan Education Foundation at 801-567-8125.

Published on

DATE:
July 15, 2021

TO: 
Jordan School District Administrators

FROM: 
District Administration

SUBJECT: 
2021-22 Annual Administrative Leadership Conference

You are invited to attend the annual Jordan School District Administrative Leadership Conference, “Curious, Intentional, United” scheduled on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Mountain Ridge High, 14100 S Sentinel Ridge Blvd (4500 W), in Herriman.

The conference will follow a full-day format. We will begin in the auditorium at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday after a light breakfast, which will be provided starting at 7:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided, and the meeting will adjourn by 3:45 p.m. Interns assigned to your building are invited to attend. Please RSVP to Nadine Page (801-567-8182 or nadine.page@jordandistrict.org) no later than July 26th if you have an intern that will be attending so they can be included in the breakfast and lunch count.

Plan on bringing an electronic device in order to access the agenda and conference materials.

Please remember to respond to the Google Survey that was shared in the July 15th JAM, to register for the Cornhole activity!

Appropriate dress for the conference is business casual. We look forward to seeing you!

Published on

Last Call ~ Get your registration completed by July 26th!

We are excited to hold the first (and maybe last) cornhole tournament at our Administrative Leadership Conference on Wednesday, August 4th, at Mountain Ridge High School. Whether you are familiar with cornhole or this is the first you've heard about it, we want everyone to participate!

Click Here to go to the registration form! Please complete the form by July 26th!

Published on

While you may be taking a vacation this summer, the NEED for blood donations is not.

Blood Donations have fallen to their lowest point ever this summer. Donating blood takes less than 1 hour and can help save up to 3 lives. An ARUP Blood Services blood donation center is only 20 minutes away.

Your Blood Donation is needed NOW! Please share the attached "Bleed to Feed" flyers to faculty, staff, PTSA members, school social media, family and friends.

Published on

The Teaching and Learning department has brought back 5 teacher specialists in the literacy department to support schools through the coming school year. Refer to the attached document to see which specialist has been assigned to your school. The specialists will be reaching out to principals to schedule a time to meet and go over a check list of items that will help schools have a successful literacy launch.

Teacher Specialist Assignments

Literacy Check List