Jordan School District
DATE:
Thursday, November 18, 2021
TO:
All School Administrators
FROM:
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
WIDA ACCESS 2.0 Test Administration Training for Schools
The 2021-22 WIDA test administration window begins on January 6 and ends on March 4, 2021. Please see memo below for all the important details!
All updates to the Financial Accounting Manual are highlighted in yellow. Please review with pertinent fiscal and administrative staff. Significant modifications were made in the following sections.
Link to Updated Financial Accounting Manual
Jordan School District Board authorizes up to four (4) full-time employees to be selected for leave.
Sabbatical Leave
Sabbatical leave provides a 1-year leave for professional study. Educators who have completed at least 7 years of continuous service in JSD may apply. Employees on sabbatical leave receive one-half of their salary. Please read Policy DP333 Neg – Sabbatical Leave for complete information. Applications are reviewed by the Local Professional Improvement Committee and approved by the Board.
Educational Leave
Educators who have worked in Jordan School District for at least three (3) consecutive years may apply for an Educational Leave. Educational leaves are for continued study and must include an outline of studies along with the application. Please read Policy DP332 NEG – Educational Leave for complete information. Educational Leave is without pay.
Applications for 2022-2023 Sabbatical and Educational Leaves are due February 1, 2022. Additional questions can be referred to Chris Westra, 801-567-8657.
DATE:
October 28, 2021
TO:
Principals
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness Consultant
SUBJECT:
Infusing Intentional Social Emotional Learning
We are so lucky to work in education! Our essential, meaningful work is laid out in front of us: to prepare our students for a successful, thriving life in adulthood. When a student is dysregulated (upset/crying/afraid), they cannot access the part of their brain they need to think, complete tasks, process rewards and consequences, or reason. As learners, it is their job to make mistakes. It is their job to get dysregulated so we can support them in learning how to appropriately regulate themselves.
Social and emotional skills are absolutely essential for success. Most “bad” behavior happens because kids don’t yet know another way to deal with a particular situation or how to be in control of their impulses. These skills have to be learned! Often we see these skill deficits as “bad” behavior. Consider this: Listening is a skill that has to be learned through practice. Calming down is a skill that has to be learned and practiced...the list goes on!
The brain considers safety the number one priority at all times! And guess where most of the danger is these days? Not out in the jungle with the lions. Not with the bears. The danger is here at school. It’s learning how to be part of the social world. It’s the fear of getting in trouble, or failing at something that others find easy. It’s the stress of having to learn and pass tests and follow rules. It’s hard and every student needs an environment where they can practice the skills necessary for navigating their world.
Please review the attached Social and Emotional Learning Skills document to familiarize yourself with the "skills" we will discuss. Prior to next week's principals meeting, please complete the following skill "pre-assignment":
Say It Out Loud
Administrators:
Please share this information with the licensed educators in your building/department. The window closes on November 19, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
Administrators:
Please share this information with educators in your building and/or department who might be interested.
The EDLF faculty will be holding a virtual information session on November 1 at 4:00 pm. The attached flyer will enable an individual to access the session and pose questions. Also, feel free to distribute the flyer to any individuals you think have great potential for leadership in JSD.
The session is sponsored by The School Leadership Team in EDLF, including David Boren, Bryan Bowles, Jim Melville and Spencer Weiler.
Administrators, please share this with your teachers.
Are you interested in or currently pursuing a STEM endorsement? Let US PAY FOR YOUR EDUCATION! This is now called STEM EIP = Endorsement Incentive Program. Have questions? Review our FAQ Document. If your questions aren’t answered, please reach out to your representative. We would love to talk to you!
Applications are reviewed each month, so teachers can submit as soon as they complete a class. There were a couple of updates in October, please use the link to access the most recent application.
This is a GREAT opportunity!
Amy Kinder: Mathematics
Jane Harward: Science
Kami Taylor: Computer Science
ELEMENTARY ENDORSEMENTS:
SECONDARY ENDORSEMENTS:
*Please note that the college coursework pathway for the Ed Tech Endorsement is the only one eligible for this program.
All employees and their spouses covered on the Jordan School District PEHP medical plan are eligible to participate in the health incentive program. You and your spouse can earn $50 each by participating in the free biometric testing session and completing a questionnaire.
If you would like to schedule a PEHP Healthy Utah testing session for your school, please send an email to cheryl.matson@jordandistrict.org with the date and time you would like to host the testing session. Healthy Utah is currently scheduling on a limited basis and days fill up fast, so don’t delay. Testing sessions can be scheduled between January and April at this time.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to the JSD insurance department (801-567-8255). Please see flyer below.
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.
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 teachers is due December 18, 2021.
Interim -- Teachers on an Interim JPAS will complete a self evaluation and 3 required goals at the beginning of the year and reflect on the 3 required goals at the end of the year. Teachers can access the evaluation by logging into Perform and choosing “My Folder” -- “Tasks” -- “Beginning of Year Interim Form.” Teachers must click on the “Save and Submit” button once they have completed the beginning of the year form so that the evaluator can access the form for approval.
Administrators may access and approve Interim Evaluations by logging into Perform and selecting “Signatures.” Evaluations will not be available for approval until after the teacher has “Saved and Submitted.”
Beginning of the year requirements and approval are due October 31, 2021.
Teachers on an Interim JPAS will complete an end-of-year reflection by logging into Perform and choosing “My Folder” -- “Tasks” -- “End of Year Interim Form.” Student growth (SLO) and stakeholder input are uploaded at this time.
Deadline for completion of Interim Evaluations is May 31, 2022
Information regarding the evaluation of specialized subgroups can be found on the 2021-2022 Evaluation Processes document.
School budget allocations will be updated by the end of the month for actual October headcounts. If you would like a transfer to be processed, please fill out the budget requests form, found at the link below, and mail or email to Natalie Grange in Accounting, Budgets, and Audits.
Please call or email if you have questions.
Natalie Grange
Extension 88312
Email Natalie.Grange@jordandistrict.org
https://jordandistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/083_budgettransfer.pdf
DATE:
Thursday, October 14, 2021
TO:
Middle School Administrators
High School Administrators
FROM:
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
2021-22 Stakeholder Input Survey Preview and Administration Materials
Jordan School District will be administering its own student, parent, and faculty/staff stakeholder input survey this year. The student survey will be administered to all students in grades K-12. The survey window opens Monday, November 1, 2021, and closes Friday, November 19, 2021. At the beginning of October, schools were sent a list of licensed educators and licensed support staff at your school and were asked to submit any changes to that list. Those verified and updated lists have now been added to the Stakeholder Input Survey. If schools have hired licensed faculty since October 8, 2021, please contact Evaluation, Research & Accountability as soon as possible so that we can update your school’s surveys.
To prepare for, and administer, the 2021-22 student, parent, and faculty/staff stakeholder surveys, please make sure the following activities are completed for each of the stakeholder input surveys:
Student Survey
Faculty/Staff Survey
After the survey window opens, individual licensed faculty and classified staff will receive an email from the district with a link inviting them to participate in the Stakeholder Input Survey. Principals may consider notifying teachers and staff that such an email will be forthcoming. School administrators will also receive the link to the faculty survey that they can distribute to school personnel as needed.
Parent Survey
After the survey window opens, parents will receive an email from the district with a link inviting them to participate in the Stakeholder Input Survey. Schools may wish to send out a Skylert and post the link to the parent survey on school websites. School administrators will receive a link to the parent survey that they can distribute to parents as needed.
School administrators may preview the surveys by using the links below. We would ask that school administrators verify that all of the licensed classroom teachers and licensed support staff show up in the survey for your school. If the survey is missing a licensed educator, please email Ben Jameson at ben.jameson@jordandistrict.org as soon as possible with the educator’s full name and position description (licensed classroom teacher or licensed support staff). Once the survey goes live, we will not be able to make any changes to the survey.
Student Surveys:
https://jordandistrict.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9vlEt5ySWrfS2jk
Parent Survey:
https://jordandistrict.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cCjRHbpUfQqcgm2
Faculty Survey:
https://jordandistrict.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eRlNQk8FsnOwVq5
Please direct any questions or concerns regarding the Stakeholder Input Survey to Ben Jameson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability.
DATE:
October 8, 2021
TO:
Principals
All Special Educators and Related Service Providers
FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
SUBJECT:
Important Deadline--Please Read Immediately
SCRAM Data Due by the end of day Monday, November 8, 2021
Updating SCRAM for December 1 Funding Count
We are fast approaching our December 1 SCRAM count deadline. Special Education Resource and Cluster Team Leaders will soon receive a SCRAM report via Move-It of all students who are currently receiving services through your school’s special education program(s). All team members and service providers need to verify each student on this list as either correct, changed, exited/moved, and/or incomplete. Please check that the names, entry dates, scram school, service patterns, weekly minutes and providers are correct for each student on the printout. If a correction needs to be made, a new scram document should be submitted.
All Corrections and SCRAM reports are Due:
By 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 8, 2021
Special education funding and, therefore, school staffing/assistant allocations, etc. are contingent upon the accuracy of this data. Your timely and accurate response is critical! Thank you for all your efforts to get us the correct information in a very short time period.
Additional Incident Command System training is available for anyone in Jordan School District that has a key role in conducting drills and responding to emergencies, such as administrative assistants, custodians, campus monitors, school resource officers, etc. This will be a refresher on the Incident Action Plans basics, a general review of response roles, and a chance to ask questions and dialogue.
The same course is available either in the morning, or in the afternoon for your convenience. It will be led by Emergency Operations Manager Lance Everill.
Auxiliary Services Building
Entrance C
Presentation Room C100
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
or
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Please register using JPLS: Link
Relicensure: 1.5 credit hours/points
Questions, contact: Lance Everill 801-567-8623, lance.everill@jordandistrict.org
Elementary focus: Wednesday, 11/3, 9-11 AM and 1-3 PM
Each training will be held at the ASB Auditorium and is capped at 50 participants. Please register at the link below:
School/Department Administrators:
Effective October 1, 2021, all licensed job postings must be submitted and posted using Frontline (Recruiting/Hiring).
ESP and Miscellaneous positions have been posted on Frontline since July 1, 2021.
We will be providing additional training opportunities for administrators in October. All trainings will be at the District Office room #129. Please bring a laptop for the hands-on training. For available dates/times and to schedule a training session, visit the link below. Space is limited in each session. Additional sessions will be added if needed.
Also available on HRConnections and AdminOnly are the training videos and tutorials. Contract Brent Burge at #88224 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Human Resources
Date: October 7, 2021
To: Administrators
From: John Larsen, Business Administrator
Sarah Palmer, Director of Payroll
Subject: True Time Access from Home
Effective October 11, 2021, recording and submitting True Time from home will no longer be accessible. As always, employees will still be able to view their True Time status and history from any location with Internet access.
If you have special circumstances where an employee at your school or building needs access from home, please complete and email the following form to sarah.palmer@jordandistrict.org. This form will be available for future use on the Payroll Department’s webpage.
Thank you.
JSD SPED Compliance Dashboard Protocol 2021-2022
| School Team Leader Compliance Google Sheet Reporting Due Date | Teacher Specialist Verification &
Dashboard Input Due Date |
Date Updated Compliance Data will be on Tableau for Administrators |
| September 27, 2021
October 4, 2021 |
September 30, 2021
October 6, 2021 |
October 1, 2021
October 8, 2021 |
| October 27, 2021 | October 29, 2021 | November 1, 2021 |
| November 23, 2021 | November 30, 2021 | December 1, 2021 |
| December 15, 2021 | December 17, 2021 | January 3, 2022 |
| January 27, 2022 | January 31, 2022 | February 1, 2022 |
| February 25, 2022 | February 28, 2022 | March 1, 2021 |
| March 28, 2022 | March 31, 2022 | April 1, 2022 |
| April 26, 2022 | April 29, 2022 | May 2, 2022 |
| May 27, 2022 | May 31, 2022 | June 1, 2022 |
Date: September 24, 2021
From: Special Education Department
Subject: Paraprofessional Training Courses
Basic Paraprofessional Course
All special education paraprofessionals that are new to the district (As of the 2021-22 school year) must take the Basic Paraprofessional Course. This course aligns with the Utah State Board of Education Paraprofessional Handbook on the critical understandings for a paraprofessional. It is a 5-hour Canvas course that the paraprofessional should complete off contract time. They may receive payment for up to 5 hours and will have 3 months to complete the course from the date they are invited to the Canvas course. Payment for the course follow verification of course completion.
Advanced Paraprofessional Course
All paraprofessionals that are assigned in a support classroom or special school must take the Advanced Paraprofessional Course. The objectives of this course focus on additional information on behavior, data collection, instruction, and the application of the coursework in their placement. This is a 35-hour course, with 20 hours of coursework on Canvas outside their school day and 15 hours of practical project. The para will get paid an hourly rate for up to 20 hours for the off-contract coursework. They are not eligible for payment for the 15-hour practical project because that time will occur during their contract time. It is anticipated that the completion of this course should take place over an extended period of time, but must be completed within six months of the date of the invitation to the course. Paraprofessionals will receive payment for the course and credit of completion after receipt of their timecard and verification of course completion.
*Paraprofessionals that have completed both courses and have worked for the district for at least one year may be eligible for a lane change from Lane 2 to Lane 3 if they meet the highly qualified requirement. Lane change requests must include the Lane Change form (attached in the Canvas course Completion Module) and a copy Certificate of Completion that the paraprofessional will receive via district mail after verification of course completion. The lane change request and certificate of completion should be emailed to Amanda Hamblin at amanda.hamblin@jordandistrict.org.
Goalview Paraprofessional Training
Secondary clerical paraprofessionals must complete the Basic Canvas course and the Paraprofessional Goalview training course before they are given access to Goalview.
Registration for All Courses
To register for any of the paraprofessional courses, the paraprofessional’s supervising teacher or team lead should email Malynda Tolbert at malynda.tolbert@jordandistrict.org with the paraprofessional’s name, school, assignment (e.g., cluster paraprofessional, resource paraprofessional, clerical paraprofessional), and the course that the paraprofessional should be registered. The paraprofessional will get a Canvas email invitation and an invitation from Malynda within 48 hours of the request. The supervising teacher or team lead will be cc’d on the invitation.
DATE:
September 30, 2021
TO:
All administrators
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness Consultant
SUBJECT:
G Suite Content Monitoring (BARK) notification procedures
The G Suite content monitoring software (BARK) is now active. As the program begins roll-out and we get an idea of the implementation, you will begin receiving communications from Angie Rasmussen, the Student Safety and Wellness Specialist. Once an alert is received, an organized process will be followed and the attached document is an overview of how BARK alerts will be processed and communicated. Please review the attachment. Additional training and information will be provided as needed in coming weeks.
It will be critical that all administrators keep Angie Rasmussen’s contact information readily available (we would encourage you to keep her contact information in your cell phone contacts). Her contact information is:
Email: angie.rasmussen@jordandistrict.org
Work Phone: 801-567-8197
Cell Phone: 801-859-5022
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we implement this critical safety and wellness measure. Please direct any questions directly to Angie.
DATE:
October 1, 2021
TO:
All Medicaid Time Study Participants
Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Aides, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapist Aides, School Psychologists, Elementary Counselors, Elementary School Social Workers, Audiologists, Speech and Language Pathologists and Assistants, RNs, LPNs, Augmentative/Assistive Communication Teams, and all Special Education Staff and Assistants Providing Direct Services
FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Kami Ridd, Coordinator - Health Services Department
SUBJECT:
Procedures for the 1st Medicaid Random Moment Time Study of 2021-2022 School Year
You have been identified as a participant in the Medicaid Time Studies during the 21-22 school year.
This year, the State of Utah has transitioned to a new way of completing the time study. Instead of entering codes for activities that you are doing for a 5-day week, for 3 different times during the school year, we will be using a model called “Random Moment Time Study”.
This model will ask you what you are doing for a 15 minute “moment” in your work day. Our vendor will randomly select a participant from our district participant list and send out an email asking simple questions about what you were doing during the “moment” selected.
If you are randomly selected, you will receive an email notification 24 hours prior to your selected moment in time. The emails will come from utmac@pcgus.com.
The email notification will provide you with a link to access the on-line Random Moment Time Study form. The hyperlink to respond to the moment will be included in the email. Email notification will be sent 24 hours before the moment and again at the exact time of the moment.
Notifications for completion will continue to be sent at 24 hours, 48 hours, and again at 68 hours after the moment has passed. After the 3rd reminder notice you will only have 4 hours to complete the study. Failure to complete the time study within the 3-day timeframe eliminates our ability to include that portion in our time-study reimbursements.
The first-time study window is from October 1 through December 31, 2021. You may be chosen multiple times or not at all. You will receive a randomly generated time study email anytime during this window. Please check your email each work day during normal work hours.
We are excited that this new method for required participation is available and more conscientious of your time and hope that it will ease the burden that has existed in the past. We so appreciate all your efforts to document these crucial services to students. Your efforts assist us in helping to secure beneficial funds for our students and programs. Thanks again for all you do.
Questions – please reach out to Kami or Ruth in the Health Service office:
Kami Ridd
801-567-8516
kami.ridd@jordandistrict.org
Ruth Hendriksen
801-567-8515
ruth.hendriksen@jordandistrict.org
