January 24th is our final job fair of the2023-2024 school year! This is a great opportunity to fill mid year vacancies. See flyer below for all the details.
Category: High School Info
Associates Reunion Conference – February 6, 2024
The BYU - Public School Partnership, which Jordan School District is a part, will celebrate its 40th Anniversary during 2024. As part of the anniversary celebration, there will be an Associates Reunion Conference. It will take place on Feb 6, 2024 at the Provo Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.
We encourage past participants of Associates to attend and reignite your passion for the commitments. Please help your teachers who have participated in Associates to register and encourage them to sign up for a substitute ASAP.
The past participants of Associates will be emailed an invitation directly with the registration. Principals, please help teachers to attend by covering the cost of the registration and substitutes.
Withdrawing Non-Attending Special Education Students
DATE:
December 14, 2023
TO:
Building Administrators
Elementary Administrative Assistants
Secondary Attendance Secretaries
Secondary Registrars
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Caleb Olson, Enrollment Consultant, Student Services
SUBJECT:
Rule Change: Withdrawing Non-Attending Special Education Students
In December's Principal and Assistant Principal meetings, the Special Education Department presented the following (see attached memo) updated rule from the June 2023 update of the USBE Special Education Rules:
Pre-Transfers Started on December 7, 2023
In anticipation of next year's enrollment planning and scheduling, Information Systems turned on pre-transfers the afternoon of December 7th. You are able to start running reports and see your next year's students.
Below are a few reminders about pre-transfers:
- A pre-transfer is an active student who is currently attending Jordan School District and will be attending next year at a different school within Jordan School District. The student's record will pre-transfer to the student's next year boundary school based on their current address.
- Once pre-transfers are turned on, the School Path tab shows the current year permits under Previous Reason Code and next year permits under Reason Code.
- Current permits for 6th and 9th grade students have been removed for next year as of December 7th. This will allow these students to pre-transfer to their new entity for next year.
- In addition to turning on pre-transfers, the course master has been rolled over for next year's scheduling preparation.
Please contact the help desk (ext. 88737) with any questions or concerns regarding the pre-transfer process.
Save the Date for the “What I Wish You Knew” Conference
The Jordan Ethnic Advisory Committee, Language and Culture Services, and Equity Diversity and Inclusion cannot wait to see you at the annual "What I Wish You Knew Conference"!
Save the date for Tuesday, Jan. 16 from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Bingham High school. More information to come.
December 2023 Language & Culture Services Newsletter
Welcome back to another exciting school year! A lot is happening this quarter. Winter is closely approaching us, along with all the holidays. Daylight savings has made our days seem shorter.We will soon start to see colder weather, and hopefully some rain and snow.
We at LCS hope you and your loved ones can enjoy this holiday season that is quickly approaching us.
The full newsletter can be found at the link below. Stories include:
- ELLevation Tips and Tricks - Did you know??? If you have an activity that you like, you can choose the Example tab, and select a grade level and content area. It will then give you ideas for incorporating that activity into your lesson!
- Culture Corner - Teaching about different cultural holidays helps promote awareness, acceptance and diversity in our classrooms. How can you incorporate more culture in your classroom? November: Native American Heritage Month December: Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hannukah
- Teaching Strategies - Have you ever used the Magic Switch setting on Canva? This allows you to translate a document that was made within Canva by a click of a button. You can choose from 130 different languages. Also, it allows you to translate certain part of your document, while other parts can be in a different language. This really allows educators to translate documents for our ML students easily.
- Reflective Questions - How much do I really listen to my learners? Do I engage in active observation in my classroom, paying attention to subtle nuances and dynamics among my learners? In my interactions with my learners? Can I describe my own cultural conditioning? For example, what cultural values affect how I behave and communicate with others? What are some of my core beliefs and how have they been culturally influenced?
- ELD Lead Celebration - Heidi Rivera is a kindergarten teacher & ELD Lead at Riverton Elementary. She works closely with the ML students and helps them develop language proficiency and prepares them for WIDA. She has done a great job of creating a sense of belonging among the ML students and has contributed to a great sense of community and culture among Riverton Elementary.
What’s Up in Teaching & Learning for December 2023?
Check out the attached flyer and use the links for the latest updates from Teaching & Learning for December. Learn tips and tricks, sign up for upcoming PD, and learn about important updates from the T & L team.
2023 Destruction of Special Education Records
DATE:
December 1, 2023
TO:
High School and Center-Based School Principals
High School Special Education Team Leaders
FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
SUBJECT:
Destruction of Special Education Records
As of January 31, 2024, such notice will have been advertised to parents for students whose birthdates are prior to September 1996 (i.e., students who are 27 years of age). Any records for students over the age of 22 will be stored off site until they are ready to be destroyed when the student turns 27 years of age.
See the full memo below.
December 2023 Special Education Newsletter
See the attached newsletter.
December 2023 School Counselor Updates and Newsletter
Empowering Students Through Caring Support
Please see the attachment.
2023 Holiday Attendance Messaging and Strategies
DATE:
December 7, 2023
TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Sharon Jensen, Consultant Student Support Services
Michelle Reyes, Prevention Specialist, Student Support Services
SUBJECT:
Attendance Holiday Messaging Strategies
As we approach winter recess and near the end of the second quarter, we would like to offer some messaging strategies to help maintain regular attendance. Absences tend to increase prior to and following a holiday break from school. By this point in the year some students are struggling to get to school on time or at all. Panorama is a great resource for delving into attendance data. It provides easy access to data showing which students are struggling with attendance. You can locate the attendance report in Panorama under Student Success for your school.
As a school you can be proactive by communicating early and often with families about dates and expectations surrounding the upcoming winter recess. Attendance Works provides the following ideas to help with communication:
- Send a letter out weeks before the longer winter break urging students and families to avoid unnecessary absences. (Sample letter included that you can modify for your needs.)
- Let students and families know the date when the break will start and when school will resume. (Resources provided for your use to post on Facebook or Instagram.)
- Include the name and contact information for the school, and organizations that can provide support to families if needed.
- Consider sharing health guidance flyers (Health guidance flyers from Attendance Works included)
- Plan a special event for the first day after the holiday break to welcome the students back to school. Send out text messages, phone calls, emails, social media notifications, etc. right before school resumes to remind them of special plans.
For more information on holiday messaging activities, review the holiday messaging guidance from Attendance Works here.
Should you have questions or would like editable copies of the social media resources please contact Michelle Reyes at michelle.reyes@jordandistrict.org or 801.567.8205.
New West Jordan Family Engagement Center Open House – December 6, 2023
Language and Culture Services is excited to open our second Family Engagement Center for Jordan District.
Please join us as we celebrate the opening of our West Jordan location on Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. in the Joel P. Jensen media center.
FREE! 2024 Well-Being Course with Practical Strategies & College Credit
DATE:
November 29, 2023
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness
SUBJECT:
FREE! Well-Being Course with Practical Strategies
Jordan District educators are invited to participate in our 2024 FREE Educator Well-Being Continuing Ed Courses for administrators, teachers, counselors, and specialists. This course is an opportunity for all JSD employees to address their own well-being by exploring practical strategies associated with connection, happiness, self-care, conflict resolution, growth mindset, problem-solving, and more! Participants will collaborate, learn from, and connect with other educators throughout the District as they work towards meeting their own wellness goals.
This course is FREE for JSD employees and Winter, and Summer sessions are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited for this great opportunity!
The class will meet on Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 over Zoom:
January 11, 18, 25
February 1, 8, 15, 20
March 7, 14, 21
Participants can earn continuing education, lane-change, and re-licensure hours from SUU (up to 3 college credits).
Sign up using the attached flier and share this information with professionals in your schools who may be interested in this opportunity.
Policy Update: DP 380 – Maternity/Paternity Leave
Update to policy DP380 Maternity/Parent Leave
Last night, after careful consideration, the Board has reduced the length of the contract requirement following the use of maternity/paternity days.
Retroactive applied to 07/01/2023, an employee using maternity/paternity leave days shall agree in writing to repay compensation at his/her daily rate of pay for maternity/parent leave used or granted if he/she terminates employment with the District for other than medical reasons before completion of the current contract year. All other provisions listed in the Maternity/Parent Leave Policy still apply.
If you have further questions, please see the updated policy DP380-Maternity/Parent Leave or contact the HR Generalist at rebecca.eastman@jordandistrict.org.
Payroll Newsletter December 2023
Please see the attached newsletter.
Unemployment Insurance Fraud Alert
Administrators,
Please take note of this information regarding Unemployment Insurance Fraud. This was previously posted in JEM on Jan 27, 2022.
2023-24 Reminders Regarding Purchases of Gift Cards
DATE:
November 27, 2023
TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants
FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Daniel Ellis, Director of Accounting and Audits
SUBJECT:
Gift Card/Certificate Purchasing Policy
As a reminder, the purchase of gift cards, e-gift cards, prepaid credit cards, or anything with a stated cash value that functions like a gift card is not allowable with funds managed by the district, school, or department, including grants.
Please review the District Financial Accounting Manual for further information.
2023-24 Field Trip Sack Lunch Reminder
School lunch staff require at least 2weeks notice for field trip sack lunches. This ensures the food can be planned for, ordered, and delivered in time.
See attached flyer.
Please Review the October 1, 2023 Headcount Adjustments to School Allocations
DATE:
November 20, 2023
TO:
Principals
Administrative Assistants
FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Daniel Ellis, Director of Accounting and Audits
Natalie Grange, Accounting Administrator
SUBJECT:
District Allocations by School - October 1 Adjustments
District allocations for individual schools were updated in Skyward on November 15. Adjustments were made based on the October 1 headcount. Carryforward balances and transfer requests are included in the total allocation. See the following attachments:
1) Student estimate compared to October 1 headcount.
2) Estimated District Allocation compared to October 1 adjustment.
Please review these adjustments and contact Natalie Grange (801) 567-8312 with any questions or concerns.
2024-2025 Sabbatical and Educational Leave
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 2024-2025 Sabbatical and Educational Leaves are due February 1, 2024. Additional questions can be referred to Chris Westra, 801-567-8657.
