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DATE:
January 8, 2024

TO:
All Principals

FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Brian King, Assistant Director of Special Education
Mike Trimmell, Ed.D., Special Education Administrator

SUBJECT:
2024 Special Education Transition Fair


Special Education is excited to announce an in-person, Special Education Transition Fair for 2024 and would love for you to join us! There will be over twenty community resources attending to help answer any post-secondary questions for our students and families.

The Transition Fair will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 4 - 7 p.m. at West Jordan Middle School. We hope that you will be able to attend! For questions please contact Ashley Calhoun at 801-567-8208 or ashley.calhoun@jordandistrict.org

Please make sure to send the flier out to your community.

Special Education Transition Fair Flyer (English/Spanish)

DATE:
January 11, 2024

TO:
Principals
Special Education Staff

FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Kristin Norris, Teacher Specialist-SLP/A, ESY Coordinator

SUBJECT:
Extended School Year (ESY) Qualification Procedures and Timelines
Attached: ESY Eligibility Facts, Tips, and Documentation


In order to afford parents the opportunity to exercise their due process rights, the process outlined is to be followed beginning January, 2024 to March 20, 2024.

Please read the entire memo to ensure proper implementation of all existing and new procedures.

Some procedures and documentation requirements have changed.

Data for ESY should be current from this school year and reflect ongoing needs of the student.

The 2024 ESY Memo and forms will be available on the Special Education Forms website.

If you have questions you can talk with your Teacher Specialist or reach out to Kristin Norris at kristin.norris@jordandistrict.org.

If you are interested in working with the ESY program, applications are currently being accepted (application available online on the SpEd Forms page for current employees). The number of staff hired will be based on the number of eligible students who will be participating in the program. No staffing decisions can be made, until the programming needs and the numbers of participating students are determined. If you have questions, please contact the appropriate ESY coordinator as identified in the attached memo.

DATE:  
January 8, 2024

TO:  
Principals
Assistant Principals
Campus Monitors
School Safety Specialists

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Matt Alvernaz, School Safety Coordinator

SUBJECT:  
School Safety Officer Course


Through a partnership between the Utah Department of Public Safety and the Department of Health, a no cost training for school security personnel is available. This course is taught by instructors from the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO). However, it is not intended for school resource officers. This particular course is intended for school safety officers (administrators, campus monitors, school safety specialists or other individuals) charged with making our schools safe and secure.

This is a single 24-hour course that will be held over three consecutive Fridays (8-hours each): March 8th, 15th, and 22nd. All three sessions must be attended in order to complete the course. The course will emphasize three (3) main areas: Functioning as a security officer in the school setting; Working effectively with students; and School Safety and Emergency Planning.

The link for more information and registration is included below. Create a free account in order to access registration and when registering, please select “invoice me” on the payment option so DPS will receive the invoice at the conclusion of the training.

Link to NASRO Events for Registration

Schools would need to cover the cost of substitutes if needed. Please contact Matt Alvernaz at (801)567-8623 or matt.alvernaz@jordandistrict.org with any questions.

DATE:   
January 3, 2024

TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants
Registrars
DLI Teachers

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Kaye Rizzuto, Consultant Dual Language Immersion
Caleb Olson, Consultant, Planning & Enrollment

SUBJECT:   
DLI Student Permits and Movement Between Levels


The following guidelines will assist schools in identifying where DLI students should be placed when moving between levels within a feeder.

DLI students will generally attend school through the feeder where they began the program. As long as the student remains in the DLI program, a seat will be available for them at each level through high school. This means that a middle school or high school may receive a DLI student who may not live in their boundaries.

  • Students in DLI who are out-of-boundary should be granted a permit manually in Skyward using the “D” reason code.
  • Please do NOT use PowerSchool for DLI out-of-boundary permits, otherwise students must legally be allowed to remain at the school through the last grade offered even if they choose to end their participation in the DLI program.
  • Every year by mid-January, a “sending” DLI school should prepare a list of DLI students who are planning to continue in the program at the next level. This list should specifically identify the students who do not live in the boundaries of the “receiving” school but who qualify to attend because of their participation in the DLI program. This will allow the “receiving” school time to pre-enroll these students in Skyward by the end of January and have these students counted in their yearly 2.0 FTE allocation. An administrative assistant or registrar should review and send this list to the “receiving” school for enrollment.

Additional Considerations:

  • If a student begins a program in one pathway and later becomes a boundary student of a school in a different DLI pathway for the same language, they may enroll at their new boundary school and join the pathway for that school; however, doing so will forfeit any seat or claim on the previous DLI pathway.
  • If a student begins a program in one pathway and later wishes to move to a school in a different DLI pathway for the same language but has not moved into the boundaries for the school they wish to attend, they may do so only if A) space is available in that school’s DLI program, AND B) an out-of-boundary permit seat (in Skyward) is available and can be granted to that student. In this instance, established out-of-boundary permit priorities and waitlist orders must still be followed.

DATE:
January 3, 2024

TO:
All Principals
All Certified and ESPs

FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Melanie Dawson, Program Administrator of Behavior

SUBJECT:
ETT: Cultivating Classroom Management Skills


Seats are limited and fill quickly, so learners need to register on JPLS as soon as possible.

Beneficial for: All general education and special education teachers.
Also welcome: Specialists, mental health providers, ESPs.

 

Upcoming Events and Opportunities - LICENSED TEACHER TRANSFER FAIR

Valued Licensed Employee:

The Human Resource Department is contacting you with important information regarding upcoming events and opportunities.

TEACHER TRANSFER FAIR

This year, the annual Teacher Transfer Fair is open to all CURRENT JSD teacher/educators AND student teachers, interns and those on a 1-year agreement. This event is for current Jordan School District teachers/educators seeking a new teaching/assignment opportunity! The transfer fair will be combined for both elementary and secondary teachers/educators.

Please come prepared with:

  • Your JSD ID badge – required to gain entry, AND
  • Copies of your resume available to distribute.

Come explore your options in JORDAN SCHOOL DISTRICT! (SEE THE ATTAHCED FLYER)

Upcoming Events and Opportunities – LICENSED EARLY NOTIFICATION

Valued Licensed Employee:

The Human Resource Department is contacting you with important information regarding upcoming events and opportunities. Please see the document below for all the details!

REMINDER: There is a 30-day window at the beginning of the school year and then the window shortens to 10 school days for your school to begin the "Task Manager" process and for the LCS & Evaluation departments to test and enter scores into Skyward.

The attached cards are for quick reference but as always please reach out to Nicole Woodburn 801-567-8124 if you have questions.

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events and Opportunities – LICENSE RENEWAL 

Valued Licensed Employee:

The Human Resource Department is contacting you with important information regarding upcoming events and opportunities. Please see the document below for all the details!

The mileage reimbursement rate is based upon the IRS rate. Effective January 1, 2024, the reimbursement rate is $0.67 per mile. Please use the attached form when submitting for mileage reimbursement. All 2023 mileage reimbursement requests should be submitted as soon as possible. Click HERE to access the mileage form online.

DATE:
January 2, 2024

TO:
All Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
District Enrollment as of January 2, 2024


Please see the attached memo.

DATE:   
Thursday, January 4, 2024

TO:  
All School Administrators

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
Michelle Love-Day, Director of Language & Culture Services

SUBJECT: 
Navigating Parental Exclusion Requests with the WIDA Access


The annual administration of the WIDA Access is mandated by the federal government, which uses this assessment to hold schools accountable for providing an equitable education for multi-language learners. This accountability stems from the 1974 Supreme Court case Lau v. Nichols where a California school district was sued because it was not providing language services to many of its ML students. This Supreme Court case essentially ensures that students’ civil right to an equitable education and the government has chosen to use the WIDA Access as a way to hold school districts accountable for doing so.

The WIDA Access is federally mandated, which means that parents cannot opt their students out of taking the test. Because of the part this assessment plays in a student’s educational rights, parents do not have the power to revoke a student’s civil right to take the WIDA Access. Thus, the state was required to remove the WIDA Access from the parental exclusion form a few years ago.

So, what happens when a parent insists that their child not take the WIDA Access? Basic procedures are outlined below:

  • The school administration should discuss any or all of the attached talking points with the student’s parent.
  • If the parent still insists that their child not participate in the WIDA Access, then the school should document the parent’s refusal. Schools should use their school opt out log already available to school test coordinators to note the parental exclusion.
  • Schools may accept a parental exclusion in writing, but they cannot provide an opt out form to exclude students from the WIDA Access.

Please contact Ben Jameson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with any questions or concerns regarding these procedures.

DATE:   
January 4, 2024

TO:  
Principals
Assistant Principals

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Matt Alvernaz, School Safety Coordinator

SUBJECT: 
Required Fire Drill Within the First 10 School Days


All schools are required to conduct a fire drill within the first 10 days of the school year. This provides a great opportunity to review plans, emergency response/Incident Command assignments, evacuation maps, outside rally locations, communications, and related supplies.

Please take special care to orient new students and staff, individuals with special needs and younger students that may not have been exposed to fire alarms/strobes and emergency response protocols. Please be sure to clearly announce that it is a “drill”.

Please call the Jordan School District 24-hr. Alarm Response 801-567-8865 at least 30 minutes in advance of the drill, so the fire department is not dispatched.

Use the JSD Incident Command System Manual - Fire Action Plan as your drill guideline. Jordan School District Safety Manual

Report the drill and any related meetings using the JSD report form on Google Drive. Link: 2023-24 REPORT EMERGENCY — DRILLS, ACTUAL EVENTS, or MEETINGS

Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Matt Alvernaz the District Safety Coordinator at matt.alvernaz@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8623.

Please submit all school allocation budget transfer forms to Natalie.Grange@jordandistrict.org, no later than January 26, 2024.

Budget transfers for this school year cannot be made after January 26. The budget transfer form is attached.

If you are a contracted employee and need to take Annual/Personal Leave on a Critical Day before or after President’s Day for any reason not listed in policy DP335NEG or DP335B, you must submit a request as follows:

How to Request

During the window, the employee must send the request through email. Please include your name, school, position, and the date you are requesting the leave. Requests left on voicemail or over the phone will NOT be accepted.

Licensed employees submit their request to licensedpersonalleave@jordandistrict.org 

Education Support Professionals submit their request to classifiedpersonalleave@jordandistrict.org

The employee will receive an email confirmation within two working days after submitting the request. If the employee does not receive a confirmation email, then Human Resources has NOT received your request and your leave will not be approved.

School Holiday Date of Holiday Critical Days Window
President’s Day February 19, 2024 Feb. 16 and 20, 2024 Jan. 5 – Jan. 15, 2024

Licensed Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day 2023-2024

ESP Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day 2023-2024

The Utah State Board of Education Teacher Salary Supplement Program (TSSP) qualifications and application deadlines are available for 2023-2024. The application deadlines are printed below.  Information regarding the TSSP program and qualifications is found at the following Utah State Board of Education (USBE) link:

Application Term Dates
An application term indicates a preference of when and how often the educator would like to receive any bonus. Applicants may select one of the following terms before the respective deadline:

 

Term      # of Payments      Application Available & Accepted   Application Deadline

Trimester               2              Sunday, October 1, 2023 6:00 AM        Wednesday, November 15, 2023 11:59 PM

Semester               1              Sunday, October 1, 2023 6:00 AM        Wednesday, January 31, 2024 11:59 PM

Annual                   1              Sunday, October 1, 2023 6:00 AM        Tuesday, April 30, 2024 11:59 PM