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Category: High School Info

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At the Tuesday May 26th Board of Education meeting, the Board directed a 5% reduction to certain budgets.

These reductions will be applied to school supply, tech supplies, media, postage and textbook budgets and will be implemented for the 2020-21 school year.

This means a total reduction per student for elementary, middle, and high schools of $4.03, $5.50, and $6.38 respectfully. The revised allocations for 2020-21 are as follows:

_______________________Elementary      Middle            High
Supply                              $40.78             $43.26             $50.31

Tech Supplies                 $10.00             $10.00             $10.00

Media                               $9.74               $11.08             $13.90

Library Media                 $1.23               $1.23                $1.23

Postage                           $1.49               $4.46               $10.81

Textbooks                       $13.32             $34.36             $34.85

Please contact your Administrator of Schools with any questions or concerns.

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Greetings Utah Educators and Leaders!

I hope you are all well and enjoying the fleeting last weeks of the “New Now” school year.  It has been absolutely marvelous to see all of the amazing work that Utah educators are doing to support their students and communities.  Every time I get out of the house for a drive as a break from isolation, I am blissfully berated by beautiful signs, posters, and balloons supporting both students and teachers.  It is a bright spot in my day and makes me smile as I reflect on the monumental work you are all doing.

Last Thursday, the Utah State Board of Education approved five educator licensing rules/amendments; this also makes me smile!  Thanks to feedback from LEAs, educator preparation programs, and educators, we have made some modifications to the pending licensing structure.  I have linked each of the rules’ draft if you want to look at the precise language.  For your convenience in these busy times, I have provided a shortlist of the changes within each rule.

R277-301 – Educator Licensing

  • Communication Disorders license area now called: Audiologist
  • Associate Educator Licenses, License Areas, or Endorsements are valid for THREE years, with a one-year extension available.
  • Currently licensed educators who apply to add an Associate Educator License Area, do not need to complete the Canvas Pedagogical Modules.
  • Applicants with an educator license from out-of-state and at least one year of teaching may waive the content knowledge (PRAXIS) and pedagogical assessment requirements.
  • LEA-Specific licenses may be granted in special education and preschool special education license areas provided the LEA meets other requirements for LEA-Specific licensure and provides educator special education law training within the first month of employment.
  • Eminence License rules outlined, moved from R277-309.

R277-302 – Educator License Renewal

  • Professional educator licenses may be renewed with 100 points in four categories:  professional learning experiences, educator collaboration opportunities, professional service, and alternate learning opportunities.  Note that teaching experience is no longer an option for points’ accrual.  Please see the rule for more details.  Resources and renewal forms from USBE are forthcoming.
  • LEAs are required to provide a minimum of 20 points/hours of professional learning to educators each year.
  • Professionally licensed educators may choose to use the current renewal system (200 points including teaching experience points) until June 30, 2025.

R277-303 – Teacher Preparation Programs

  • An Alternate Pathway to Professional Educator Licensure (APPEL) program may be developed by and individual LEA or a consortium of LEAs.

R277-306 – EPPs for School Psychologists, Audiologists, SLPs, SLTs, and Counselors

  • School Counselor license area requires a master’s degree in school counseling or a master’s degree in a related field and a licensure program.

R277-309 – Appropriate Licensing of Teachers

  • Eminence License rules removed and moved to R277-301.

R277-500 – Licensing Renewal (REPEALED)

As we move into “The Near Future,” services are becoming more available; educator-related services are included!  Specifically, fingerprinting services and testing services are now opening!  Hooray!!!

Some fingerprinting locations have started processing fingerprints on a limited basis.  Please encourage educators who need to complete a background check to call ahead to verify hours and operation precautions, such as wearing a face mask.  If your LEA is doing fingerprinting, please work to establish policies and procedures, including the use of appropriate PPE (gloves, masks, etc.), to keep your employees and those you serve safe.

ETS has announced the Praxis® tests at home solution in response to closures of testing centers. Registration for the first wave of tests begins on May 15 with the first test administration taking place on May 18.  While not all of the content assessments will be offered in the first wave of tests at home, most will be available by June 1st.  ETS’ COVID-19 website has been updated with some key information regarding the at home solution.

As you encourage your educators to meet requirements for licensure, including background checks and testing, the Educator Licensing team is optimistic that these adjustments will help educators become appropriately licensed prior to the upcoming school year.  Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.  I know that many changes to licensing (an already complicated arena) lend itself to more questions.  We are here to help you support teachers!

Thank you for all that you do to support Utah’s students and teachers!  We will charge into “The New Future” together!

Kindest regards,

Malia

 _________________________

Malia Hite, Ed.D.

Educator Licensing Coordinator

Teaching & Learning   |  Utah State Board of Education

Published on

DATE:  
May 11, 2020

TO:  
School Psychologists, Elementary Counselors, and School Social Workers

FROM:   
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Fulvia Franco, Program Specialist – Guidance

SUBJECT:     
May School Psychologist, Elementary Counselor, and School Social Workers Meeting

The meeting for school psychologists, elementary counselors, and school social workers that was scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2020, from 12:00 noon to 3:30 p.m. at the Jordan School District’s Auxiliary Services Building (7905 South Redwood Road) has been canceled due to the soft closure of our schools. Our Fall Guidance meetings are scheduled for August 4, 5, 6, and 7, 2020. More information about the Fall Guidance meetings will be included in your assignment letters.

cc:
Principals

Published on

DATE:
May 1, 2020

TO:
All Principals

FROM:
Administrator of Schools
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Caleb Olson, Consultant of Planning and Enrollment
Scott Festin, Consultant of Planning and Enrollment

SUBJECT:
Student Enrollment for April 2020

Please see document below.

Published on

DATE:   
Thursday, May 14, 2020

TO:   
High School Principals

FROM:  
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
Pam Su’a, Consultant, Social Studies

SUBJECT:     
Civics Test Graduation Requirement Waiver

Jordan School District applied for a waiver from the USBE for the graduation requirement for seniors to pass the Civics Test. We received the following notice from USBE earlier this week:

The Utah State Board of Education met yesterday, May 7, 2020, and approved the civics test graduation requirement waiver requests made on behalf of those students who were not able to access the assessment.

Passing the Civics Test will still be a graduation requirement for future cohorts beyond the Class of 2020. Please contact Ben Jameson or Brooke Anderson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability for questions about the Civics Test administration. All other questions regarding the Civics Test may be directed to Pam Su’a in Teaching & Learning.

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Below is information from the Resilient Utah Team along with a message from Governor Gary R. Herbert. We're sending you this information, they are asking to be sent out to parents, for your information only. You do not need to send it out. It is being sent to all parents through our Communications Department.

 

Dear Utah Principals,

Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert has declared May 2020 as Utah Resilience Month. Please click on the link below to review important information for principals state-wide.

We are so appreciative of your efforts to support your administrators, faculty and teachers as they and provide students with what they need to succeed during these unprecedented times. Our educators are our heroes.

https://www.resilient-utah.org/urm-principals-message/

Many thanks,

The Resilient Utah Team
www.Resilient-Utah.org

 

Published on

DATE:  
Thursday, May 7, 2020

TO:  
High School Principals

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

SUBJECT:    
Research Project

The Research Review Committee has reviewed a research project in which your school has been asked to participate.

Project Title:     SHINE (Sun-safe Habit Intervention and Education)

Applicant:     Yelena Wu and Bridget Parson, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah

The project has been approved by the District Research Review Committee. The applicant has been directed to contact you to discuss the extent of the project and to obtain your permission to conduct the study at your school. Participation in the study is at your discretion. If you have questions or concerns relating to participation, please contact Ben Jameson at 801-567-8243.

The project will involve teaching a school-based skin cancer prevention program to students in high school health classes. The project will require signed parent permission for students’ data to be used in the study, though all students may participate in the lessons as they pertain to the health core.

Thank you for your assistance.

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The Central Warehouse is now stocking simple surgical masks to be ordered by schools and departments to distribute as necessary.  Please understand quantities are limited, so only order to cover immediate needs.  Do not order to stockpile for future use, including next school year.  We will be ordering more to satisfy demand, but your cooperation would be appreciated in the short term.  If an employee has a personal mask already, they are encouraged to use their own personal mask.

Masks can be ordered by selecting stock #5800850, and can be ordered like any other inventory item available in the District warehouse.  Quantities are packaged and available in bundles of 50 masks.  Therefore, smaller District departments should coordinate with other small departments to avoid ordering too many.  They will be made available, Friday May 1st.

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K-12 Accident plans are available for injury, at-school accidents, 24-hour accidents, extended dental and football.  See attached flyers (English and Spanish) for additional information.  Please consider including the information in  your school packets.

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The following are new administrative assignments:

Assignment Effective June 1, 2020:

  • Amy Adams, assistant principal at Riverside Elementary, appointed principal at Fox Hollow Elementary, replacing Kevin Pullan who is retiring.

Assignments Effective July 1, 2020:

  • Jill Durrant, consultant of Preschool/Child Development Center, appointed Administrator of Schools – Elementary, replacing Laura Finlinson who is retiring.
  • Kristy Whiteside, principal at Daybreak Elementary, appointed consultant of Preschool/Child Development Center.
  • Leslie Ewell, assistant principal at Foothills Elementary, appointed principal at Daybreak Elementary.
  • Amanda Bollinger, principal at Butterfield Canyon Elementary, appointed consultant in the Special Education Department, replacing Julie Brown who is retiring.
  • Michelle Peterson, principal at Falcon Ridge Elementary, appointed principal at Butterfield Canyon Elementary.
  • Theresa Christensen, assistant principal at Eastlake Elementary, appointed principal at Falcon Ridge Elementary.
  • Kaleb Yates, assistant principal at Herriman & Midas Creek Elementary, appointed principal at Jordan Hills Elementary.
  • Kristie Howe, assistant principal at Oakcrest Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Antelope Canyon & Oakcrest Elementary.
  • Angela Hamilton, instructional coach at West Jordan Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Bastian Elementary.
  • Staci Moore, assistant principal at Butterfield Canyon & Jordan Ridge Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Majestic & Jordan Ridge Elementary.
  • Franco Preston, assistant principal at Bastian & Majestic Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Butterfield Canyon & Herriman Elementary.
  • Ami Shah, assistant principal at Riverton & West Jordan Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Eastlake & West Jordan Elementary.
  • Nathan Price, assistant principal at Silver Crest Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Riverside Elementary.
  • Leilani Brecht, principal at Jordan Hills Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Silver Crest Elementary.
  • Odette Desmarais, Academic Director & IB Coordinator at Providence Hall, appointed assistant principal at Foothills Elementary.
  • Brenda Anderson, assistant principal at Jordan Hills & Rosamond Elementary, appointed assistant principal at Jordan Hills & Riverton Elementary.
  • Elizabeth Pollock, assistant principal at Ridge View Elementary & teacher specialist in Teaching & Learning, appointed assistant principal at Ridge View & Rosamond Elementary.
  • John Scovill, principal at Pioneer Elementary in Idaho School District, appointed assistant principal at Fox Hollow & Midas Creek Elementary, replacing Nancy Ward who is retiring.

 

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If an employee is going to take leave using these days they MUST apply for the time off. Please share this information with them. A flyer explaining the leave time is included as well as a tutorial on how to apply for the time off.

JSD Administrators:

All employees will receive an email in JEM today outlining the recently passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). This act may entitle eligible employees who have worked for the District for 30 days to receive a limited amount of paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.  Attached to this email is a FFCRA notice from the Department of Labor outlining eligibility, paid leave entitlements and qualifying reasons for leave related to COVID-19.

Also attached is a tutorial on how employees can submit a FFCRA Leave application through Skyward Employee Access if they believe they have a qualifying reason.  If employees need assistance in accessing their Skyward employee account, direct them to contact the Information Systems Help Desk at 801-567-8737.  For questions regarding FFCRA, please review the attached notice or contact HR at 801-567-8249.

Published on

DATE:  
Thursday, March 26, 2020

TO:
High School Principals

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

SUBJECT: 
Vouchers for 11th Grade Students Needing to Take the ACT

The districtwide 11th grade ACT test administration date was Tuesday, March 3, 2020.  Most of our 11th graders were able to take the test on this date; however, we have a handful of 11th grade students at our high schools who were going to take the ACT during one of the other test dates in April made available by the state.  With the soft closure of schools being extended until May 1st, those April test dates have been cancelled.

However, USBE and ACT have provided another flexible option for those 11th graders that missed taking the ACT on March 3rd and would still like to participate in their “free” ACT test.  Here are the options that are currently approved by ACT:

  • Students can used serialized vouchers to take the ACT on one of two national testing days – either June 13th or July 18th.
    • Serialized vouchers will be distributed by USBE to the district and by the district to students. More information on this process will be released at a later date.
  • USBE and ACT are working on a fall solution as well where this year’s 11th grade students can take the ACT at a national testing site or a local site in the fall, likely in October.

More specific and concrete information will be forthcoming over the next few weeks.

Published on

DATE:  
Thursday, March 26, 2020

TO:    
Middle School Principals
High School Principals

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

SUBJECT:  
Spring 2020 AAPPL Testing for Foreign Language Students

With schools in a soft closure until May 1st, several educators have reached out to us regarding AAPPL testing for foreign language students.  For the spring of 2020 only, AAPPL testing for foreign language students is optional.  LTI, the software platform vendor of the AAPPL test, has made it possible for students to take the AAPPL online at home.  Here are the conditions that would have to be met for this to happen:

  • Foreign language teachers and schools would need to order AAPPL tests as they have done in years past.
  • The student must have access to audio and a microphone on the testing device at home.
  • A parent or another adult at home would have to sign the AAPPL proctoring agreement available here and adhere to its stipulations: https://www.languagetesting.com/pub/media/wysiwyg/remote-admin/aappl-testing-proctoring-agreement-signable.pdf
  • Once the proctoring agreement has been signed and returned digitally to the teacher, the teacher would then send login information to get into the testing platform.
  • Once a student logs into the test, he/she must complete the test within 48 hours.

For more information regarding at-home AAPPL testing, please follow this link: https://www.languagetesting.com/k-12-covid-response

Foreign language teachers have already been sent this information, including guidance on how to use Canvas to have parents download and then upload a signed proctor agreement.

For more information, please contact Brooke Anderson at 801-567-8393 or via email at brooke.anderson@jordandistrict.org.

Published on

DATE:   
Thursday, March 26, 2020

TO:  
High School Principals
Middle School Principals

FROM:   
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
Pam Su’a, Consultant, Social Studies

SUBJECT:    
Civics Test Administration

Passing the U.S. Civics test is still a state-mandated graduation requirement and, under the circumstances where schools are in a soft closure, it can be administered at home and unproctored. The test items are public anyway, and there are few other administration guidelines, unlike other mandated tests. U.S. History I and U.S. Government & Citizenship teachers have already received instructions on how to administer the unproctored test in their Canvas courses.

Counselors received a list of seniors who have not yet passed on Friday, March 20, along with further information about unproctored testing. Students who will take this outside of a Canvas course should use the jordan.utips.org site to test.

Student instructions for accessing the test:
https://assessments.jordandistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/Student-Instructions-US-Civics-Test.pdf

To view your students’ passed/not passed status at any time, go to Skyward → Office → Curriculum & Assessment → Educational Milestones → Reports. From there, you can run a report on the “Passed Civics Test” educational milestone.

Please reach out to Brooke Anderson at 801-567-8393 or brooke.anderson@jordandistrict.org with any question or concerns and thank you for your efforts.

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The Utah Legislative Session wrapped up a week ago. The Utah State Board of Education adopted an amended rule yesterday with changes related to appropriate expenditures for the School LAND Trust Program. This link will take you to a more detailed description. You can also see the document below.

https://site.utah.gov/slt/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2020/03/Attachment-to-End-of-Session-Email.pdf