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Category: High School Action Required

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More details regarding the Health & Wellness Day will be coming. In order to give departments and schools time to plan meals the following information is being shared now.

Principals and Department Directors should arrange for lunch or breakfast for all your employees one day from February 6th–9th . Please do not schedule meals on February 10th so all employees feel free to participate in the Health and Wellness Day activities occurring that day.

Traditional schools (i.e. the 42 elementary schools, 13 middle schools and 7 high schools) will receive an additional $12 per employee in the school’s supply budgets. Traditional schools may then charge the cost of this meal to 10 E xxx 0050 1090 639 by submitting the receipt to Accounting through the normal P-Card or NPO process.

All other schools (i.e. Kauri Sue Hamilton (including the Child Development Center), River’s Edge (including the Jordan Family Education Center), South Valley, JATC North, JATC South, Valley High School, and Southpointe Adult High) will also have $12 per employee available. However, these schools will need to charge the cost of this meal to 10 E xxx 9054 1090 639 by submitting the receipt to Accounting through the normal P-Card or NPO process.

District departments will also have $12 per employee available. Departments should charge the cost of this meal to 10 E xxx 9054 yy90 639 by submitting the receipt to Accounting through the normal P-Card or NPO process. The “yy” listed in the account above will differ for each department as follows:

Superintendent – 24
Associate Superintendent – 24
Administrators of Schools – 24
Accounting, Budgets, and Audits – 25
Auxiliary Services – 26
Business Administrator – 25
Career & Technical Education – 22
Central Warehouse – 26
Communications – 28
Custodial and Energy – 26
Equity & Compliance – 21
Evaluation, Research & Accountability – 10
Facilities – 26
Human Resources – 28
Information Systems – 28
Instructional Support Services – 22
Insurance Services – 25
Jordan Education Foundation – 22
Language and Cultural Services – 21
Nurses – 21
Nutrition Services – 26
Payroll – 25
Purchasing – 26
Transportation – 27
Special Education – 22
Student Services – 21
Teaching and Learning – 22
Transportation – 27

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DATE:
Thursday, January 12, 2023

TO:
All School Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT:
CSI/TSI Calculations Released by USBE for All Schools

________________________________________________________________________________

Targeted School Improvement (TSI) and Comprehensive School Improvement (CSI) are two school designations under the state’s ESSA plan and are part of the state’s school accountability system. The purpose of these two school improvement programs is to help schools identify and support student groups that are struggling academically.

Schools are designated as TSI if one or more of its student groups’ total school report card points earned is in the bottom 5% statewide for two consecutive years.

Schools are designated as CSI if one of the following conditions are met:

  • They are a high school with a low graduation rate in the year CSI was calculated (every three years).
  • They are a Title I school that has one or more student groups identified as TSI that haven’t exited after four years.
  • They are a Title I school where the total student population’s school report card points earned is in the bottom 5% of Title I schools statewide in the year CSI was calculated (every three years).

For your information, CSI was calculated for the 2021-22 school year.

USBE has recently released the school report card calculation data for TSI designations, and the results may be accessed in school administrator Tableau accounts. School administrators may use this information to identify student groups that are close to being designated as TSI, or in other words, student groups that have one year below the state’s 5% threshold of the two consecutive years required. The 2021-22 TSI Calculations for All Schools Statewide dashboard may be accessed here.

Title I schools may also see a similar view for CSI calculations for their total student population here. Using this dashboard, school principals will be able to see how close to the 5% threshold their student population came to being designated as CSI for each of the school report card indicators.

For questions about TSI, CSI, school report cards, or the state’s school accountability system, please contact Ben Jameson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability.

 

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DATE:
Thursday, January 12, 2023

TO: 
All School Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT:
Identifying School Procedures to Prevent Plagiarism During WIDA Testing

________________________________________________________________________________

In order to provide targeted supports to multi-language learners, educators need valid and reliable data from assessments that help pinpoint a student's academic language ability. Plagiarism negatively effects the validity and reliability of that data.

As part of normal classroom instruction, many ML students are accustomed to using their device (cell phones or smart watches) to help them communicate and understand their learning. Thus, they have a natural tendency to want to use that technology to help them understand and communicate their learning on the WIDA Access. WIDA test proctors must explicitly communicate to students that their devices are not allowed or needed for the test because we need to understand what they can do without the aid of their device. WIDA test proctors must also implement procedures to ensure students do not have access to their personal technology devices during testing.

The 2022-23 WIDA Access Test Administration Manual states (see page 4):

"A key responsibility of all staff involved in testing is to ensure students are actively monitored during testing and do their own work. Test proctors are to ensure students don't use internet-connected devices, such as cell phones, while testing. Follow your state's test security policies and, whenever possible, have students leave their devices outside the testing room. The use of unapproved devices during testing or the submission of copied or plagiarized responses can result in student scores being invalidated."

The WIDA Access test vendor has the capacity to detect plagiarism from other websites. When this occurs, actions will need to be taken to investigate the issue by the school administration in collaboration with Evaluation, Research & Accountability.

To help schools formulate their procedures regarding student personal technology during the WIDA Access test administration, we are asking school test coordinators, in collaboration with their school administration, to fill out a survey form prior to test day that outlines the step-by-step procedures test proctors will use so that students do not have access to their personal technology devices during testing. The form may be accessed here. A copy of the questions is attached with this memo. In addition, school test coordinators will need to ensure that all WIDA Access test administrators and proctors are aware of and follow the outlined procedures to prevent plagiarism so that ML students have the best opportunity to demonstrate what they know and can do.

Please contact Ben Jameson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with any questions regarding this new requirement.

 

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As a reminder, the following due dates need to be followed when completing all evaluations. 

All Full Evaluations 

    • Due March 31, 2023
    • Stakeholder input and student growth with data uploaded into Perform
    • Goal(s) with both administrator and teacher signatures
    • This encompasses classroom teachers, teacher specialists, psychologists, counselors, BTS, etc.

 Note: Administrator full evaluations are due May 1, 2023.

 All Interim End of the Year Reflection 

    • Due May 31, 2023
    • Reflection on 3 Required Goals
    • Stakeholder input and student growth with data must be uploaded into Perform
    • Signatures from both administrator and teacher
    • This encompasses classroom teachers, teacher specialists, psychologists, counselors, BTS, administrators, etc.

Educational Support Professionals (Classified)

    • Due by the end of the May
    • Complete in Skyward

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The mileage reimbursement rate is based upon the IRS rate. Effective January 1, 2023, the reimbursement rate is $0.655 per mile. Please use the attached form when submitting for mileage reimbursement. All 2022 mileage reimbursement requests should be submitted as soon as possible. Click HERE to access the mileage form online.

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Explore endless opportunities in education at the Jordan Job Fair on Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Oquirrh Hills Middle.

Find out about openings for school bus drivers, classroom assistants, custodians, cafeteria workers, substitute teachers and more. A representative from all schools and departments throughout the district with open positions will be in attendance.

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School/Department Administrators:

We have simplified the process for hiring licensed employees through Frontline. These changes include:

  • A video screening/interview feature
  • Interview documentation simplified
  • Reference forms simplified

Please schedule a training time to see these important modifications. This training is available to administrators and administrative assistants, especially those who are new to Frontline Recruiting/Hiring.

All trainings will be on Zoom. For available dates/times and to schedule a training session, visit the link below.

Frontline Training Schedule for Appointments

Also available on HRConnections and HRAdminOnly are the training videos and tutorials. Contact Brent Burge at #88224 if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Human Resources

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The JEF Outstanding Educator Nomination form is open!  One Outstanding Educator should be nominated from each of the 68 Jordan District schools. Recipients can be nominated by a principal, school administrators, and/or colleagues. However, all nominations must be approved by the nominee's principal. All nominations are due Tuesday, January 17, after the MLK holiday break.  
For more information and to nominate please visit:  Jordan Education Foundation Educator Awards

Published on

DATE:
January 5, 2023

TO:
All School Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
Michelle Love-Day, Director of Language & Culture Services

SUBJECT:
REMINDER: WIDA ACCESS 2.0 Test Administration Training for Schools

REMINDER: Everyone who will assist with WIDA Access testing needs to participate in the annual training.

See the memo below for information, training dates, and times.

 

Published on

DATE:
January 5, 2023

TO:
Middle School Administrators
High School Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT:
Utah Aspire Plus Summative Annual Teacher Training

School administrators are encouraged to share the following information with those who will administer the Utah Aspire Plus assessments in your buildings:

The Utah Aspire Plus assessment window will be open from March 6, 2023, until May 12, 2023. Many teachers only use the Utah Aspire Plus systems once a year, and so need a yearly training on how it all works. Only teachers who will administer the tests need to be trained.

The following teacher training webinars are already scheduled. Each webinar lasts 45 minutes. Teachers can join at the following link on any date/time listed: https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/5434254472?pwd=bnRlV1BSK3pWMXJKSzI2MXNFYkZvZz09

  • Friday, March 3 @ 7:30 AM, 8:15 AM or 2:10 PM
  • Friday, March 10 @ 7:30 AM, 8:15 AM or 2:10 PM
  • Friday, March 17 @ 7:30 AM, 8:15 AM or 2:10 PM
  • Friday, March 24 @ 7:30 AM, 8:15 AM or 2:10 PM
  • Friday, April 7 @ 7:30 AM, 8:15 AM or 2:10 PM
  • Friday, April 14 @ 7:30 AM, 8:15 AM or 2:10 PM
  • Friday, April 28 @ 7:30 AM, 8:15 AM or 2:10 PM

For middle schools, there will be a webinar each Friday at 8:15 am for Utah Aspire Plus and a webinar at 9 am for RISE, so both can be done in the same morning.

Each teacher of a grade 9/10 core ELA, science, and math course will be sent an email with information about the webinar schedule and the link to join.

If you do plan to conduct your own training, slides and other materials are provided here: UT Aspire Plus Teacher Training Materials. Teacher video tutorials are available here: UT Aspire Plus (teachers) Youtube playlist. There is also a Canvas course available: https://jordanpd.instructure.com/enroll/AE9LBK. You could have your teachers participate in the Canvas course in lieu of in-person training. The same material is covered.

Please direct any questions you have regarding this training to Brooke Anderson, 801- 567-8393 or brooke.anderson@jordandistrict.org.

Published on

DATE:
January 4, 2023

TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
All Panorama Users

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services

SUBJECT:
Panorama Q&A with Drop-In Training

There will be a Panorama Q&A / Open Drop-In training on January 9th at 1:30 pm. It will be held via Zoom and administrators, counselors, clinical support staff, psychologists, teachers, teacher specialists, any other user of Panorama is invited to attend. Please share with whom you feel would benefit from this session. It would be a great time to get questions answered, specific training on deep data dives, or general functionality of the platform. Participants may join for all or part of the training and they can come and go as needed. Think of this as ‘drop-in office hours’.

The Zoom link is: HERE

Or copy and paste the following into your browser:

Join Zoom Meeting https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/83226711731?pwd=T0dFd1FDTzE1QUZ1N2hIY25aTVB1UT09

Published on

DATE:  
December 8, 2022

TO:   
All School Administrators

FROM:   
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness
Angie Rasmussen, School Safety & Wellness Specialist

SUBJECT:  
Comprehensive Threat Assessment (CSTAG) Updates and Information

Jordan School District has been invited to participate in a longitudinal study with the University of Virginia and Dewey Cornell. The purpose of this study is to gather data regarding the outcomes for students who have made threats in schools. Comprehensive School Threat Assessment is designed to help all students solve problems that are initially communicated as a threat of violence. We will be gathering data for each threat assessment done in our schools, and following up with additional data as we track the outcomes for those students over the course of a couple years.

Because documentation is vital to gathering the data requested for the study, and because it is best practice, we have several updates to assist with this.

Please see the memo below for the updates.

Published on

DATE: 
December 13, 2022

TO: 
Principals
Assistant Principals

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Kim Lloyd, Director of Student Services
Fulvia Franco, Guidance Consultant

SUBJECT: 
Medicaid Reporting Requirements in EasyTrac

Beginning this year, the state changed how districts report special education services that are eligible to receive funding from Medicaid. Special education service providers are now required to enter services in EasyTrac for Medicaid billing. Medicaid funding is critical to the function of special education services in the District and accurate EasyTrac documentation is vital. Service providers should be logging the services they provide in EasyTrac regularly.

Monthly EasyTrac logging reminders will be sent to school psychologists and other service providers to assist in this effort. It is, however, strongly recommended that Administrators regularly follow up with all special education service providers (special educators, clinical support staff, school psychologists and elementary school counselors) regarding their timely and accurate logging in EasyTrac.

Questions about EasyTrac should be directed to Brenda Cruz in Special Education.

 

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DATE:   
Thursday, December 15, 2022

TO:   
Middle and High School Administrators

FROM:    
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT:  
Utah Aspire Plus Summative Test Coordinator Training

The window for end-of-year Utah Aspire Plus testing is March 6, 2023, to May 12, 2023. To prepare for the 2023 end-of-year Utah Aspire Plus Summative tests, school test coordinators are asked to complete one of the five following training sessions:

  • Tuesday, Feb 7, 2023, 8-11 AM or 12-3 PM (Presentation room near main office in ASB)
  • Wednesday, Feb 8, 2023, 8-11 AM or 12-3 PM (Room 113 in ASB)
  • Thursday, Feb 9, 2023, 8-11 AM or 12-3 PM (Room 103 in ASB)
  • Thursday, Mar 23, 2023, 8-11 AM or 12-3 PM (Room 103 in ASB)
  • Middle school testing coordinator Canvas course: https://jordanpd.instructure.com/enroll/X6TJ98 or high school testing coordinator Canvas course: https://jordanpd.instructure.com/enroll/B8NBBL

Registration for this training is required through JPLS using the course code 101341: https://jpls.truenorthlogic.com/

Principals, please note the following:

  • Anyone acting as a school test coordinator for Utah Aspire Plus is required to complete one of the training sessions.
  • New testing coordinators are recommended to attend an in-person training, even if also completing the Canvas course.
  • Administrators or coaches are welcome to register in addition to testing coordinators.
  • Attendees should bring their device as this will be a hands-on workshop. Extra Chromebooks will be provided.
  • Attendees should make sure they can log in to the UT Aspire Plus system prior to attending: http://utah.pearsonaccessnext.com/pearsonaccessnext/

Please direct any questions you have regarding this training to Brooke Anderson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability, 801- 567-8393 or brooke.anderson@jordandistrict.org.

Published on

DATE:
December 5, 2022

TO:
All Principals
All Special Education Staff

FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Melanie Dawson, Principal of River’s Edge School

SUBJECT:
ASPEN Training Reminder for Special Education Personnel 2022-2023

As we move into the second half of the 2022-2023 school, this is a reminder that ASPEN training is required for all licensed special education teachers, SLPs, school psychologists, elementary school counselors, and for all instructional assistants in SEB and Autism self-contained support classrooms during the 2022-2023 school year. (Exception: Staff with a current Mandt certification will not need to be ASPEN trained).

First year staff and staff who have not completed the full certification ASPEN training should register for the in-person training on JPLS. Training dates and times are attached to this memo. Please note that these are expected to be the final dates for the remainder of the school year.

Although not required, instructional assistants working in any other special education setting may choose to attend ASPEN at the discretion of their building administrator.

If you have more than one teacher or instructional assistant that needs to attend, please consider having them attend on separate days in order to maintain adequate coverage in your school. The Special Education Department will cover the costs of substitutes for licensed special education teachers that will be attending the full certification under budget code 1292. Instructional assistants will be asked to use True Time to record their typical workday hours on the day of the training. Any additional hours spent in the training above their typical workday will need to be recorded on a timesheet.

Staff who participated in a full certification or recertification ASPEN training during the previous school year should plan on taking an ASPEN recertification class that will be offered online. Staff should register at JPLS for the recertification class, they will then receive an invitation within two working days to participate in the online course. Participants will have two weeks during which they can complete the course work at their own pace. This course is expected to take approximately 3 hours and should be completed during available contract hours. Dates for the online sessions are attached to this memo.

Mandt training will continue to be required at Kauri Sue Hamilton and River’s Edge School. Personnel at these schools do not need to attend ASPEN. Others wishing to keep their Mandt training current may do so; however, participation is not mandatory and teachers and instructional assistants will not be compensated for their attendance. If staff members are Mandt certified, they do not need to attend ASPEN training.

For questions please contact: Cassidy Hansen at cassidy.hansen@jordandistrict.org or Daveed Goodrich at daveed.goodrich@jordandistrict.org

Published on

DATE:
Thursday, December 1, 2022

TO:
Principal
Assistant Principal
Panorama SEL Survey Coordinators

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services

SUBJECT:
Panorama Mid-Year Survey

The mid-year Panorama SEL Survey window will open January 9, 2023 until February 3, 2023 for a total of 25 days.

As a reminder, prior to administering the SEL Survey parents should be notified allowing them an opportunity to opt their student out if they desire to do so. Student participation in the survey should never be used for grades and should always be voluntary.

Panorama is, by definition, a student record and the information contained in Student Success, including survey results, may be shared with parents upon request.

Survey Coordinators, in consultation with the administration, are encouraged to begin planning for the administration of the survey as soon as possible.

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Custodial items to be covered before the Winter Recess begins on December 22.

  1. There has been some confusion on which days custodians are off during the winter recess. All full-time custodial staff are contracted for 245 days 8 hours per day. The employee calendar for all 245-day 8 hours per day ESP is attached. School recess is from December 22, 2022 until January 2, 2023 however, contracted custodial staff are scheduled to work December 22, 23, 27, 28, and the 29th. Custodial staff are able to take any leave time that is approved by their school Administration during this time.
  2. If a building is going to be unoccupied during any of the following winter recess days December 22, 23, 27, 28, and the 29, 2022 please notify Lauri Spitzenberger at lauri.spitzenberger@jordandistrict.org so the Alarm Response and Maintenance Teams, can be notified.
  3. Energy Management items: any building or area of a building that is unoccupied, the heating and lighting controls should be turned to unoccupied. The heating is not turned off, the temperature is lowered to a non-freezing but unoccupied level around 55 degrees. All lighting except the security lighting should be turned off. Kitchen doors and serving curtains along with vestibule doors should be open to allow for heat circulation. Kitchen and restroom exhaust fans should be turned off.
  4. Mandatory new work order system training (Brightly) for all Head Custodians on either December 22, 2022 at 8:00 AM. or at the custodial work shop on January 18, 2023 at 8:30 AM. Both trainings will be at the Transportation building. Lead custodians are welcome to attend this training but are not required.

Your head custodian will receive an email with these instruction on Friday December 9th from the Custodial Offices.

Thanks
Steve Peart Director of Custodial/Energy Services
385-272-9530

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Participation is required for all school and District program Administrators/Supervisors with current open positions. Please see the flyer below for all the details.

Date:  January 25, 2023
Time:  6 to 8pm
Location:  Oquirrh Hills Middle, 12949 S 2700 W, Riverton, UT 84065

Published on

The following are reminders to keep in mind when completing evaluations. 

Full UETS-based JPAS -- Teachers on a full UETS-based JPAS will upload student performance information (SLO) and stakeholder input in place of completing the interview portion of the JPAS. Teachers can upload the documents directly from their computer by logging into Perform and choosing “My Folder” -- “Evidence” -- “Add Artifact.” Teachers are asked to name the file and can then choose to upload a document from the computer or add a URL. 

  • Student growth can be recorded on the form that was previously sent out in this issue of JAM. Please review the instructions and make sure teachers have the form for uploading. If any other documentation is being used, please  ensure  that the document includes: 
    • The core standard
    • A growth target
    • Pre assessment information (include dates and scores)
    • Post assessment information (include dates and scores)
    • A summary of student growth
  • Stakeholder input could include climate survey information, copies of emails or descriptive phone logs. The intent is to show personalized communication with parents.

Administrators may access evidence by logging into Perform and  selecting “My Staff” -- “Staff” -- the individual teacher’s Folder -- “Evidence.”  (No action is required.)

The first cycle for provisional and probationary teachers is due December 21, 2022.

Adding Observation Data into Perform (Action Required)

  • Forms must be entered into Perform the day of the observation or at the latest the next day. This is to ensure that policy and procedure are followed and evaluations do not end up out of compliance. 
  • Summative Score Form
    • This form will generate the score for you to view before meeting with teachers. You simply click on Go to Form next to the summative form and then click on Save Progress. This will generate the score so administrators may prepare for the professional development meeting. 
    • This form should not be submitted until the end of the professional development meeting with the teacher. This is due to the goal requirement.