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Category: High School Info

Published on

DATE:   
February 14, 2024

TO: 
Principals
Assistant Principals
School Financial, Main, Attendance, and Counseling ESP’s
Registrars

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Sharon Jensen, Student Support Services Consultant
Vickie Barker, YIC Teacher Specialist
Carolyn Curran, YIC Coordinator

SUBJECT: 
Youth in Care (YIC) Enrollment Process

YIC students are those that are, in some manner, considered to be in State Custody (Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS), Juvenile Justice and Youth Services (JJYS), or Department of Health and Human Services (DSPD) and include students in foster care.

YIC students should not be enrolled at the school until cleared and authorized by the YIC Coordinator in Student Services. Prior to enrollment schools will be contacted and receive the YIC student’s Intake Forms after they have been processed by the YIC Coordinator in Student Services. Intake forms are found on the Student Support Services website here. When YIC enrollment is sought at the school without prior notification from the YIC Coordinator, the school should inform them that they cannot be enrolled at this time and provide them the contact information below to obtain the clearance to enroll.

DCSF, JJYS, DSPD, or foster care guardians should be referred to Carolyn Curran, the YIC Coordinator in Student Services at 801.567.8328 or carolyn.curran@jordandistirct.org if prior authorization has not been received by the school.

Should you have any questions or require any help or clarification please contact one of the following:

Carolyn Curran, YIC Coordinator
801.567.8328
carolyn.curran@jordandistrict.org

Vickie Barker, YIC Teacher Specialist
801.567.8351
vicki.barker@jordandistrict.org

Published on

In order to maintain a professional work atmosphere for students and staff members, respect staff time, and to avoid ethical and fraudulent conflicts of interest with vendors, building administrations are asked to abide by the following:

  1. Vendors are not allowed into District schools/facilities to solicit business from employees during business hours. Building administrations may allow vendors to leave promotional materials (e.g. brochures, business cards, posters, etc.) with the front office and request these materials be placed in an area, such as the employee break room or bulletin board, so staff may view them and take one, if they so choose. Materials may not be placed in staff boxes. Vendors are not allowed to make sales pitches during faculty or staff meetings. Vendors are not to provide a snack, treat, or meal for employees in the break rooms while the vendor remains to solicit business. Building administrations may allow a vendor to leave a snack, treat, or meal along with promotional materials and a note indicating who brought the items and who employees should contact if more information is desired. Employees, including building and district leadership, should never feel like they are required to meet with vendors and hear their sales pitches.
  2. Decision makers are advised to avoid gifts from vendors in order to guard against the appearance of misconduct. A vendor providing a gift or meal for the staff or large groups is a very nice gesture of thanks and support. A vendor providing a special, private gift or lunch to only the decision maker(s) can create an ethical conflict of interest that can influence decision making.
  3. Vendors must follow the same protocol expected of all other visitors to District buildings by checking in at the front office and proceeding beyond the front office only after being invited to do so.
  4. If an employee desires to meet with a vendor at a District location to discuss services the vendor may offer to them personally, the employee and vendor must meet outside of normal business hours for that building. For schools, this means no contact between one-half hour before school starts and one-half hour after school ends, including lunch time and prep time. These hours are considered work hours and must be respected by the employee and vendors.
  5. The District’s finance system is not to be used to pay for employees’ personal business (e.g. mortgage payments, utility payments, insurance payments, donations to churches, credit card payments, etc.). Payroll deductions are not permitted for non-Jordan District purposes unless the funds are tax sheltered through a District-allowed plan (see #6 below). It is not appropriate for the District to engage in employee personal bill pay at taxpayer expense. Any payment arrangements made by employees with vendors should be done using the employees’ personal financial institution.
  6. As a taxpayer funded subdivision of the State of Utah, Jordan School District participates in the Utah Retirement Systems (URS). While employees have the private option of authorizing financial advisers or others to manage their retirement funds, there are inherent risks associated with any investment strategy. Jordan School District and Utah Retirement Systems does not and has not endorsed, contracted out, authorized, advocated, recommended, sponsored, or vetted other entities, including 403b agents, to represent them in these matters. Instead, URS employs retirement advisors, with a URS email and phone number, who will meet with and advise JSD employees free of charge. URS is a nonprofit trust and their advisors never earn commissions. If you want help with URS questions, please contact URS and if you choose to go outside of URS, please compare commissions and fees.
  7. As a taxpayer funded entity, Jordan School District, its departments and schools must only work with businesses that have first gone through the proper procurement process. Competing vendors are to be treated fairly without personal preference or bias.

Published on

Skylert Messaging Protocol:
The Department of Transportation has received calls regarding proper protocol for Skylert messaging when buses are running late due to weather, mechanical failure, traffic delays, etc. As indicated in “FAQ for Administrators/Schools” on the Transportation web page, Transportation will send a Skylert message to all families and schools that may be impacted during the morning route. When a school is notified that buses are running late in the afternoon due to weather, mechanical failure, traffic delays, etc., the Skylert message comes from the school.

Field Trip Requests:
When scheduling your school’s field/activity trip on busHive, please make sure to include details and/or information in the “special instructions” section that the bus driver should be aware of prior to arriving at your school. This includes, but is not limited to, specific pick up or drop off locations either at the home school or the destination, service animals, lunch location request, etc. The more information our bus drivers have in advance of the field/activity trip, the better overall experience for students, staff and parents.

Notification of Special Education Students Who Get Suspended:
When special education students who are bused get suspended from school, please make sure to notify Stephanie Erickson, Special Education Route Coordinator, at stephanie.erickson@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8846 in order for the student’s bus driver to be notified. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

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In preparation for upcoming presentations to the Board and making projections for future school years, Planning & Enrollment needs to update records of how rooms are being used at school sites. This is not a formal walkthrough and room-by-room count; this is a verification of how rooms are being used during the current school year. The update will require a brief (10-15 minutes) visit with a principal, assistant principal, or administrative assistant who can answer questions about how rooms are being used. Given the short turnaround time for this project, we will be unable to schedule appointments with schools and ask for your cooperation and time as we make these visits over the next few weeks.

Moving forward, we anticipate a similar verification visit with each school in late summer or early fall each year, with a formal walkthrough and room count occurring every 2-3 years.

If there is a significant conflict in the next few weeks or if you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to Planning & Enrollment:

• Scott Festin, x88370
• Caleb Olson, x88251

Published on

DATE:    
February 8, 2024

TO: 
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT: 
2024 Prevention Funds Available for Your School!

Jordan District is focused on supporting each student’s well-being. As a part of this ongoing effort, there are funds available for each school’s prevention efforts. Please review the following information:

*As a reminder, each school is required to maintain and update prevention plans annually. These funds and upcoming workshops are meant to support each school’s prevention plan.

Positive Behaviors Plan 2023-2024
E-cigarette and Nicotine Prevention Funds 

Prevention Block Grant Funds

  • $2,000 towards the evidence-based social and emotional skill-building curriculum of your choosing for the 2024-25 school year as part of your school’s prevention plan.
  • Instructions and support for accessing these funds will be offered through the upcoming SEL Expo (3/5) and Prevention Planning Workshops throughout March as part of the Prevention Palooza (See Prevention Palooza JAM for details)!
  • Prevention Plans must be updated to include these funds by March 22nd to receive reimbursement. Unspent funds will be redistributed to schools that have submitted plans after that deadline. Again, instructions and support will be provided in the Prevention Planning Workshops throughout March. 

Annual Suicide Prevention Grant Funds

  • $1,000 towards training staff and students on preventing suicide, which can be part of an evidence-based suicide prevention program (Sources of Strength, HopeSquad, etc.)

If you are looking for support in coordinating and streamlining prevention efforts around common goals, attend the 2024 Prevention Palooza in March!

For questions and more information on these available funds and updating or enhancing your school’s prevention plan, contact McKinley Withers, 88245, mckinley.withers@jordandistrict.org

Published on

DATE:
February 8, 2024

TO:   
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT:  
2024 Prevention Palooza–Workshops and Support Available!

Jordan District is focused on supporting each student’s well-being. As a part of this ongoing effort there will be several opportunities throughout Spring 2024 to enhance and expand each school’s prevention program during the Prevention Palooza! Save the date for the following events:

Social and Emotional Skill Curriculum Expo
Tuesday, March 5th
JATC South in the Auditorium
Two Sessions: 8:30-11:00, 12:30-3:00
Interested in learning more about what curriculum options are out there that support your school’s social and emotional skill development goals? This upcoming event presents a valuable opportunity to explore several Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum options that may fit your school's needs. The event will feature various vendors who will take the time to answer questions and preview their evidence-based curriculum in an open-table discussion format. Administrators who attend will be able to spend time exploring the curriculum that best fits their needs.

Prevention Planning Workshops
Dates Available: March 6, 11, 14 (pm only), 15, & 18
ASB Presentation Room (entrance C)
Two sessions Each Day (pm session only on the 14th): 8:30-11:00, 12:30-3:00
Choose a workshop time to update and enhance your school’s prevention plan. There will also be targeted support for accessing grant funds that are available for your school’s unique prevention efforts. Substitute costs can be covered so a full team can attend!

More information on times and sign ups to come!

Published on

Positions considered Critical Need/Hard to Fill are eligible to begin posting immediately.

Remember to complete the Date Position Available field on your Requisition to assist us in accurately identifying positions available for 2024-2025 school year and support our upcoming recruitment efforts nationwide.

Reminder: For tutorials to assist you with completing requisitions and all things Frontline, there is a link on your Frontline Message Board. If you have any questions, please contact your HR Recruiting Team.

Published on

Through the month of FEBRUARY, current JSD licensed teachers and/or educators may view transfer opportunities for the 2024-25 school year. If you are interested in a transfer to another school location in the District for the 2024-25 school year, you must submit a transfer request through the Teacher/Educator Transfer Request located in Skyward Employee Access and/or attend the Teacher/Educator Transfer Fair on Feb. 12, 2024. A Teacher/Educator Transfer Request Report listing all interested licensed teachers and/or educators is emailed to Principals each Monday during the month of February with the names of those teachers/educators who are requesting a transfer to a new location for the 2024-25 school year.

On March 1, current JSD teachers/educators may view openings for the 2024-25 school year at employment.jordandistrict.org and must apply in Frontline. Transfer requests will be accepted through August 1, 2024.

Published on

DATE:
February 1, 2024

TO:
Principals and Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Cody Curtis, Middle School Level AOS
Brad Sorensen, High School Level AOS

SUBJECT:
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences for Secondary Schools

The dates for Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences for secondary schools are Tuesday, February 13, 2024 and Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 4:00 pm until 7:30 pm.

Here is the schedule that the schools will follow:

  • Middle Schools:
    • Tuesday, February 13, 2024 - Virtual
    • Thursday, February 15, 2024 - In Person
  • High Schools:
    • Tuesday, February 13, 2024 - In person
    • Thursday, February 15, 2024 - Virtual

Published on

Intermountain AP Summer Institute is the only institute of its kind held in the state of Utah. 2024 marks the 14th year of operation as a College Board endorsed training. APSI offers the highest quality professional development in 18 content areas. Make the most of your AP dollars by speaking with Chris Richards-Khong in the Teaching & Learning Department about how you can help sponsor registration and stipends for AP teachers.

Published on

DATE:
February 1, 2024

TO:
Middle School Administrators
High School Administrators

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Stacee Worthen, School Counselor Consultant

SUBJECT:  
2023-24/2024-25 Approved Course Requests

For your information, the attached memo is an updated list of courses approved over the last two academic school years. All courses have been added to the Jordan School District Course Catalog.

Published on

DATE:  
February 1, 2024

TO:      
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT:  
Safety Training Opportunity

Webinar: The Role of Principals in School Safety Efforts

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools and its Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center will host a webinar on Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  This webinar will focus on the role that principals play in preventing, protecting the school community from, mitigating, responding to, and recovering from threats and hazards.

The objectives of this 60-minute webinar are to

  • Highlight the importance of establishing a collaborative planning team for school emergency operations plan (EOP) development, as outlined in Step 1 of the Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans.
  • Reinforce how principals can contribute to EOP development and ensure school safety, security, emergency management, and preparedness.
  • Share relevant resources to be used by principals and core planning teams.

Register on Zoom to participate in the Webinar.

Guest Panelists

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida

  • Ty Thompson, former Principal

Ocali Charter High School in Ocala, Florida

  • Elizabeth Brown, Principal

Hudson High School in Hudson, Ohio

  • Michael Sedlak, Unit Principal

Sandy Hook Elementary School

  • Kathy Gombos, Principal

Panel Moderator
Janelle Hughes, Project Director, REMS TA Center

Published on

First, the "Discipline Notes" released in previous memos have been consolidated into a single document, available at this link: Discipline Notes

Second, there are four new "Discipline Notes" entries based on items identified in recent discipline review committee meetings. The new entries are:

• "Targeted" Offenses
• Fighting / Mutual Altercation
• Commentary in Log Entries
• Actions in Offense Comments