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Category: Elementary Schools

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Elementary Principals: Please pass this information, along with the materials included with this memo, to your kindergarten teachers as soon as possible.

 

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The date for which parents and students will be able to view schedules and teacher assignments in Skyward has been delayed.

The District will send a message tomorrow informing parents that the option to view schedules and teacher assignments will be delayed until later next week.

We will let principals and counselors know ahead of time when schedules and teacher assignments will be available for parents to view.

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The Mental Health Access Program or "MHAP" rolled out to all schools right before the shutdown in early March.  MHAP funds are distributed to any student and family in our District, as identified by the school, who need help accessing mental health services with one of our 13 Mental Health Providers who we've contracted with in the community. The two biggest highlights of MHAP is that the grant will fund the first $800 of mental health services to one of these providers at no cost to the parent before insurance/other funding kicks in.  This amounts to about two months of therapy for a student.  The second highlight of this program is that any student authorized for MHAP funds can start receiving face to face therapy within 10 calendar days of the referral and authorization.  This means students can access mental health services very quickly and seamlessly.

We want to be cautious and would ask that we don't advertise MHAP to parents and families so that we can focus on referring students for whom mental health needs are identified rather than having parents demand free services.

All the information you need about MHAP is in the attached PDF and includes a MHAP Fact Sheet and the Referral form.  If you would like to refer a student to MHAP please follow the instructions on the referral sheet. The grant that funds MHAP is ongoing and will continue throughout this entire school year.

MHAP Combined Facts sheet and referral form

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Administrators,

As you work through your Administrative Assurances Checklist, I’d like to offer some suggestions regarding the section “Plans to support ‘Bussing’”.  Your support and collective efforts are critical to the success of our students loading and unloading school buses.

School bus drivers will generate seating charts for all students assigned to their buses, so you and your staff do not need to develop a separate seating chart.  In terms of loading and unloading and the enforcement of the mask mandate by executive order, you can best assist our drivers and attendants in the following ways.

  • Ensure students are sitting in their assigned seats and wearing face coverings at all times while riding the bus. Drivers and attendants will do their best to make certain students are sitting in their assigned seats and complying with the mask mandate.  However, if a student refuses to comply, the Department of Transportation will contact the school administration.  If a call comes your way, please meet with the student, the student’s parent(s) if necessary, and the driver to enforce assigned seating and/or the wearing of face coverings.
  • There are a few things to be mindful of in preparation of loading buses during school dismissal. If you haven’t done so already, please take time to identify an area within close proximity to the bus lane (typically the entrance to the playground, a playfield or other area large enough to accommodate students who ride the bus).  Once you’ve identified an area, organize all students in lines according to their assigned bus.  As an example, if your school has 4 buses, you should have 4 lines.  School staff (generally teachers) assigned to supervise bus duty will need to communicate with each other when buses are ready to load.  Please load buses according to which bus is first in line then work your way down the line.  You do not need to wait until a bus is completely loaded before the next group of students is excused to load.  Several buses can load simultaneously.

For many of you, this process has already been incorporated at your school and has been working for years.  For those of you who do not currently have a bus loading plan, please generate one prior to the first day of school.

Special Education Support Programs and DK have their own loading process which is currently working great. Therefore this would not apply to the Special Education Programs.

Don’t hesitate contacting me with questions, concerns, or if you would like suggestions on how to manage this process at your school.  You can reach me at 801-567-8820.

Thanks for your support.

Paul Bergera
Director of Transportation
Jordan School District

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Trauma-Responsive Learning Modules:

 Trauma-Responsive Learning Modules:

Through a collaborative effort between the USBE Safe & Healthy Schools Team, USBE Prevention Team, and the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH), we are excited to announce the release of Phase 2: Trauma-Responsive Learning Modules online coursework in Canvas. The Trauma-Responsive Learning Modules are a continuation of the Trauma-Informed Learning Modules (Phase 1) and are designed to move participants from being trauma-informed to developing a trauma-responsive approach.

Both Phase 1: Trauma-Informed Learning Modules and Phase 2: Trauma-Responsive Learning Modules are open to all school personnel (certified and classified) and are designed to support students Pre-K through Grade 12.  More details, including registration information, can be found on the Trauma-Sensitive Schools Professional Development page of the USBE website (https://www.schools.utah.gov/safehealthyschools/resources/eventstrainings).

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Health and Wellness has started a new initiative using funds from Project AWARE. The purpose of the initiative is to increase educator wellness by enhancing wellness education and mental health awareness among teachers. As part of the initiative, each school may nominate one teacher per school as a wellness representative. Review the information below if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity:

-Each wellness representative will receive a $500 stipend (paid in September) to be a resource for your school's staff.

-Each school that selects a wellness representative will have access to a set of wellness supplies that could be used to support your teacher wellness initiative. Your school's representative will work with your school and the health and wellness team to identify and use supplies according to school needs.

-Representatives will attend monthly meetings/trainings which will be held virtually with the Health and Wellness team on the second Wednesday of every month from 3:30-4:30  beginning on September 9th.

-It will be expected that your school's wellness representative will work with your school's administration to set goals and be a resource in communicating essential wellness information and supporting wellness initiatives with your school's staff.

We are excited to use this group to disseminate great information and provide tools and strategies to help your school staff maintain wellness during this unique school year.

To select a wellness representative, please fill out this short Google Form by September 4th. If you have questions, please contact McKinley Withers, 801-567-8245.

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DATE: 
August 13, 2020

TO:  
Principals
Assistant Principals
Administrative Assistants
Secondary Attendance Secretaries

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Administrators of Schools
Travis Hamblin, Planning & Student Services
Sharon Jensen, Consultant, Student Support Services
Caleb Olson, Consultant, Planning & Enrollment

SUBJECT: 
Marking Attendance for Quarantining or Isolating Students

Until the resolution of the current pandemic, it is highly likely that students will be excluded due to quarantine or self-isolation from in-person participation in classroom instructional activities. Many of these students and their parents will desire continued access and participation in these instructional activities during their quarantine or self-isolation periods. It is imperative that students who temporarily cease in-person attendance but continue participation in instructional activities are appropriately marked in Skyward so that they are counted in attendance for average daily membership (ADM) totals.

Please read the complete memo below.

 

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in compliance with the State of Utah Public Health Order, Jordan School District will require students to wear face coverings while at school.

Jordan School District recognizes that some students may have a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering. In order to receive an exemption from the State’s face covering requirements, this form must be completed and returned to the school your child attends prior to your student attending school without a face covering.

Please have your primary care provider complete the Medical Certification by doing one of the following:

  1. Complete and sign the Medical Certification below.
  2. Attach an email or note from the primary care provider outlining the same information as indicated below to this completed form.

2020-2021 Student Face Mask Exemption Request

Mask - FAQs

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Dear Parents,

Thank you for working with us as Jordan School District prepares to reopen schools with in-person and virtual online learning.

As we bring students, teachers and staff back into our schools and buildings, we want you to be aware the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has defined individuals who may be at higher risk for contracting COVID-19.

Everyone is at risk for getting COVID-19 if they are exposed to the virus. While students have been less affected by COVID-19 compared to adults, students with certain conditions may be at increased risk for severe illness. 

According to the CDC, children who are medically complex, who have serious genetic, neurologic, metabolic disorders, and with congenital (since birth) heart disease might be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. 

Other at-risk factors or underlying medical conditions may include: 

  • Cancer 
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) 
  • Immunocompromised (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant 
  • Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher)
  • Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Type 2 diabetes 

Based on what we know now, people with the following health conditions might be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19:

  • Asthma (moderate to severe)
  • Cerebrovascular disease (a disease which affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV/ • AIDS, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
  • High blood pressure or hypertension
  • Liver disease
  • Neurologic conditions such as dementia
  • Pregnancy
  • Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
  • Type 1 diabetes

If any of the above conditions listed above describe your child please indicate by logging into Skyward Family Access at https://skystu.jordan.k12.ut.us/ and completing the “Online Form”.

Skyward Screen Language
The Jordan School District and local health department will use this information to notify parents of at-risk students in the event of a positive Covid-19 diagnosis in your child’s class or school. 

After reading the information above, I would identify my student as “at-risk” for COVID-19. I understand that The Jordan School District and local health department will use this information to contact me in the event of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis in my child’s class or school. 

  • Yes, I identify my student as at-risk.

 

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Last night, after negotiations with JESPA and JEA, the Board of Education voted to approve changes to leave policies for all benefit-eligible employees. Below is a brief summary of what those changes mean, as well as a description of federal leave options available through December 31, 2020.

Changes to Leave Policy

  • 6 weeks of maternity leave is available to all benefit-eligible employees.
  • 2 weeks of paternity leave is available to all benefit-eligible employees (to be taken in the first year of the child’s life).
  • Instead of receiving sick, family sick, and personal leave, employees will receive an equal amount of “annual leave” that can be used for any purpose.
  • Any annual leave days that are not used by July 1 each year will convert to sick leave.
  • All personal and sick leave accrued before July 1 remains available and unchanged.

Federal Leave Assistance through FFCRA

  • The Families First Coronavirus Response Act entitles employees to the following leave above and beyond what is offered through policy:
    • 80 hours of leave for employees who cannot work because of quarantine.
    • 80 hours of leave at ⅔ pay to care for an individual who has been quarantined.
    • 10 weeks of leave at ⅔ pay to provide child care for a child whose school or daycare has closed because of COVID-19.

Additional Information

  • A moratorium has been placed on all low-absence or no-absence incentives.
  • Teachers may be able to teach from home virtually during quarantine, avoiding the need to take leave.
  • Individuals must be employed for at least 30 days to qualify for federal leave.
  • The deadline for using vacation leave accrued during the 2019-20 school year has been extended to December 31, 2020.

Employees should review the documents at the links below and/or consult with the Human Resources department or their supervisor before making decisions about leave. 

Policies - Licensed

Policies - ESP

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Reminder: This deadline of September 1, 2020 is approaching fast! We need your qualified people to apply. Please encourage them!

Do you know someone who should be an administrator? Have them apply by September 1, 2020.

See flyer for further information. Session 1 will be held on October 6, 2020 at the District Office.

 

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To assist all users logging in jsd.instructure.com Canvas, a Google single sign-on authentication has been enabled. When navigating to jsd.instructure.com the landing page will have the option to login as a student, teacher, or parent. When logging in as a teacher or student you will use your JSD provided email username and password. With this change, a new site has been set up for all
https://digitallearning.jordandistrict.org/canvaslogin/ If you are already logged into your JSD email and navigate to jsd.instructure.com you will be automatically signed in. Additionally, as a Google user, you will be able to access jsd.instructure.com by clicking on the Google waffle icon and locating the Canvas icon.

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During this past summer, JSD teachers created curriculum content to use while teaching in the online option for Fall 2020. This content is available to all teachers. To access the content created, follow the directions on the website Instructions for Online Content. As you have questions or need further assistance, please contact your school Coach or Digital Learning Specialist.

 

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The Instructional Coaching Institute is intended to create a united vision and purpose in Jordan School District in order to better support teachers. All district and school instructional leaders, including instructional coaches, Title I coaches, BYU/UVU facilitators, and T&L specialists and consultants are considered part of the Instructional Coaching Institute and attend meetings.

Originally, these meetings were scheduled from 10:00-2:00 every Friday with an adjusted schedule of 8:00-12:00 for the August 7th and August 14th meetings.  In an effort to prioritize coaches being available to support the Professional Learning Communities and PD at the school with the new Friday schedule, we have changed the time to 11:00-2:00 beginning August 28th.  We will keep the original 10:00-2:00 schedule for the meeting on August 21st.  Participants are welcome to bring lunch and eat during the meetings as well as take a 30 min. lunch prior to the start time or after we dismiss.

This weekly communication is intended to inform you about topics and discussions that will be covered in the weekly meetings.  If you would like to attend and receive the information alongside your coach(es) you are welcome to do so.  Parts of the meetings will be recorded and links to the recordings will be included each week in this communication. We will do our best to have the agenda ready each Thursday for you to preview prior to the meeting on Friday.  Please click the link to see the agenda.  Elementary Instructional Coaching Institute (ICI) Weekly Agenda

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DATE:   
Thursday, August 13, 2020

TO:    
Elementary Principals

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

SUBJECT:  
Changes in School Acadience Reading Assessment Dates

With the change in schedule approved by the Jordan School District Board of Education, the dates previously set for testers to come administer Acadience Reading benchmarks to K-3 students are no longer valid. USBE approved an extension of the beginning of the year testing window for Acadience Reading in their board meeting last week and will be releasing specific dates in the near future. Evaluation, Research & Accountability will contact each principal directly with a new Acadience Reading assessment date as soon as we confirm the testing window with the state.

Please contact Shannon Johnson at 801-567-8873 or shannon.johnson@jordandistrict.org  with any questions.

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Attached are all forms and documents distributed during the level meetings at the annual Administrative Leadership Conference held August 5, 2020