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Classroom Setup Safety Reminders

As we are preparing schools and classrooms in advance of students coming for the new school year, it is important keep safety in mind. 

Teachers and staffs need to keep themselves safe during setupUse ladders safely, instead of standing on tables or chairs. Lift heavy objects with your legs, or ask for assistance, to prevent back injuries.  Stage classrooms so they are not only stimulating for students, but are also safe and functional.

Please see the attached PDF, 2 page document:  Common Safety Violations in School Classrooms. This can be used as a guide to setup and maintain a safe learning environment.

Have a great school year!

Free and reduced eligible school meals applications for the 2017-18 school year are now available for parents to complete and submit online at:

Free and Reduced Meal Application 2017-18

Hard copy applications are also available from your school office or from Nutrition Services. If parent/guardian is completing a hard copy application the completed application can be given to the lunch clerk at your school or sent to Nutrition Services at 7905 So. Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah  84088.

DATE:  
July 7, 2017

TO: 
Principals
Special Education Teachers (Preschool and School-Age)
Speech-Language Pathologists

FROM: 
Laura Finlinson, Administrator of Curric./Staff Development & Special Programs
Lisa Robinson, Director of Special Education

SUBJECT:  
Extended Year Special Educator Stipends 2017-18


See attached memo and documents outlining changes for the 2017-18 school year.

DATE:       
July 5, 2017

TO:  
Secondary Principals
Secondary Media Specialists

FROM:    
Administrators of Schools
Laura Finlinson, Administrator, Curriculum/Staff Development
Norman Emerson, Instructional Support Services/Fine Arts Consultant

SUBJECT:  
Networking Meetings for Secondary Media Specialists


In order to prepare and train secondary library media specialists to effectively provide services to their schools and to build consistency across the District’s library programs, several networking meetings have been scheduled for the 2017-18 school year. The participation of your media specialists in these meetings is appreciated.

The meetings will be held on the following dates from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.:

  • September 20, 2017
  • October 18, 2017
  • November 29, 2017
  • January 24, 2018
  • February 21, 2018
  • March 9, 2018 (UELMA)
  • April 25, 2018
  • May 16, 2018

Please feel free to contact Norman Emerson (801-567-8364) if further information is needed. Thank you for your continued support of the library media programs in Jordan District.

DATE:  
June 29, 2017

TO:   
All Administrators

FROM:  
Laura Finlinson, Administrator, Curriculum & Staff Development
Norma Villar, Consultant, Student Intervention Services

SUBJECT:
Suspension to a District-Level Hearing


You might be interested to know that during the 2016-2017 school year we held 102 appeal hearings.  The breakdown is as follows:

High School                          21
Middle School                      55
Elementary School              26
Retention/Acceleration       0

The Board Policy AS67, Discipline of Students, Handbook for Administrators is a resource for administering the policy. It will answer many frequently asked questions regarding this policy. Please feel free to contact Student Intervention Services to clarify any information in the guide.

Please go through your files and any files in your attendance office to discard all old forms relating to this policy. All forms continue to be updated online.

DATE:  
June 10, 2011

TO:  
Principals and Secretaries on Traditional Calendars

FROM: 
June LeMaster, Administrator, Human Resources
Administrator of Schools

SUBJECT: 
Summer Hours for School Personnel


The District Administration appreciates and values the relationships you have established with the patrons in your communities and we believe it is critical that school personnel remain accessible to the public throughout the year.  We also understand that traditional elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools are on the traditional calendars and may be without or with fewer students during the months of June, July, and August.

Please review the schedule of Summer Hours for School Personnel below, with all designated summer school personnel at your location.  Extended school office/business hours are acceptable; however, other adjusted schedules are NOT acceptable because they limit public access to school personnel.

Traditional Elementary Schools
Head Secretary                      10-month Contract
Principal                                  12-month Contract
Office Hours                            8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., weekdays, June and August

Middle Schools
Head Secretary                      12-month Contract (Funding for vacation/office coverage is allotted)
Principal/Asst. Principal      12-month Contract
Office Hours                            8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., weekdays, except holidays June, July and August 

High Schools
Head Secretary, Secretary, Registrar (2 or 3) – 12 month Contracts (Funding for vacation/office coverage is allotted)
Principal/Asst. Principal      12-month Contract
Office Hours                            8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., weekdays, except holidays June, July and August 

Thank you for your assistance with this important matter.

Transportation Moratorium Field/Activity Trips Dates 2017-18

When scheduling Field/Activity Trips for the 2017-2018 school year, please make note of the moratorium dates and times when Transportation will not be able to accommodate Field/Activity trips. (See attachment below)

Please contact us with any questions. Kitt at 801-567-8809 or Michele at 801-567-8804

 

DATE: 
May 22, 2017

TO: 
Principals
Elementary and Middle School Resource Team Leaders
High School Special Education Team Leaders

FROM:   
Laura Finlinson, Admin. of Curriculum & Staff Development
Lisa Robinson, Director of Special Education
Julie Brown, Program Specialist
Courtney Titus, Program Special

SUBJECT:
Information Regarding Beginning of 2017-18 School Year


The 2016-17 school year is quickly rolling to a close and the Special Education Department wants to send out a big thanks to all of you for a great school year. We’ve had many challenges, but even more celebrations, and the work you all do each day for students is our biggest celebration.

In looking forward to the coming school year, there are several items that we wanted to make you aware of prior to leaving for the summer:

  1. Summer Special Education Conference - This year the Special Education Department will be providing professional development in a conference format – Teachers Matter, Teaching Matters: Engagement Strategies for Student Success. The date will be July 31, 8:00 a.m. at Elk Ridge Middle School. All special education staff and all administrators are invited to attend. If you are a special educator and are not on contract that day you will receive a $150.00 stipend for attending the full day. If you are on contract in a year-round school and would need a substitute to attend the conference, we are happy to provide one. Use the program code 1292. We have a great keynote speaker and breakout sessions for everyone. There will also be a specific strand for administrators. You can sign up on JPLS by searching for Special Education Summer Conference (flyer attached). Those that sign up before May 31st will have their names put into a prize drawing at the conference.
  2. Extended Year for Special Education Teacher Stipends – Next year (2017-18) the legislature has funded 5 days of stipend options for Special Education Teachers, Special Education Preschool teachers, and Speech-Language Pathologists. The details and timesheets will be sent to your school July 1, but we wanted to inform you of the option to use these 4.5 extended days to complete IEP related duties the two weeks prior to or following your contract days beginning July 1, 2017. Year-round off-contract options are also available.
  3. Compliance Reviews – In an effort to continue to use technology as an efficient PD delivery tool, we will have compliance modules sent out near the beginning of the year. Other PD and compliance training will be provided in small group formats with options for pay or substitutes.
  4. IEP File Reviews – the chart below indicates those schools that are on the rotation for file reviews (chart attached). You will get more information from your teacher specialist in the fall. Additional file reviews may be requested by administrators or for follow-up purposes from this year’s file review. Those will be scheduled on an individual basis. Also, if you are due for a full JPAS evaluation in 2017-18, please remember that you must have a file review completed with your assigned teacher specialist prior to completing your JPAS evaluation with your administrator. Please schedule those early in the year.

Thanks again for all you do and we look forward to another great year!

Teachers!

Now is a great time to plan for the upcoming year before the busy summer rush. The staff in the Instructional Support Center (ISC) will be happy to help you with classroom teaching materials.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Check out the ISC website to see everything offered:
instructionalsupport.jordandistrict.org

The ISC accepts orders by phone, fax or email.
Phone: 801-567-8238
Fax: 801-567-8092
Email: ISC@jordandistrict.org

The ISC is located in the Jordan School District Auxiliary Services Building at 7905 South Redwood Road, West Jordan.

Hours of operation:
Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(July 5th - July 21st, summer hours 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

Keep in mind:

  • Before you purchase and prepare student planners, the ISC spiral binding machine won’t punch plastic folders.
  • Personal and non-school related material may not be reproduced at the ISC.
  • JSD employees must wear approved District identification badges when visiting the ISC.
  • Volunteers and PTA members as submitted and approved by principals and department administrators may use the ISC.
  • Long-term substitutes may use the ISC, however regular substitutes are not eligible to use the ISC.
  • Home school patrons may use the center if they are on the approved list provided by JSD’s Planning and Student Services Department.

Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

As the school year is coming to a close think safety first.  Slips, trips and falls are second only to motor-vehicle accidents as a cause of death in the United States.  Falls account for 15-20 percent of all workers’ compensation costs.  The good news is falls are easy to prevent.  Take the time to watch for and correct hazardous conditions, and you can lower your chance of injury. Use these suggestions to make your workplace safe:

  • If you need to reach for something, get help. Don’t use your desk, table, box, wastebasket, chair, bookcase or a ledge!  Use the correct ladder or stepstool for the given task.
  • Take your time. Many falls happen when people are walking fast or running.
  • Never stand on the top rung/step of a ladder. Secure and stabilize all ladders before climbing them.
  • Keep walkways free of clutter.
  • Clean up spills as soon as they happen.
  • Don’t carry more than you can handle. Loads that are too heavy or too big don’t allow you to see properly.
  • Make sure computer and telephone cords are not underfoot.

Always think safety first!

Protect Your Child with Student Accident Insurance

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.

Earthquake Preparedness

Thank you to all of the schools that participated in the Great Utah Shakeout earthquake drill on April 20, 2017, or at some other time during last week. 

A 2016 report from the Utah Seismic Safety Commission states that there is a 43% chance that the Wasatch Front will experience an earthquake of at least a 6.75 magnitude within the next 50 years. 

The Jordan School District Incident Command Manual - Earthquake Action Plan and Standard Operating Guidelines detail the response protocols and position descriptions for school personnel.  Preparing students and staffs for this type of an event is vital.

Additional earthquake awareness information and preparedness resources can be found at:  http://www.shakeout.org/utah/