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Category: High Schools

Published on

DATE:  
September 2, 2025

TO: 
Secondary Principals
Elementary Principals

FROM:  
Carolyn Gough, Administrator, Teaching and Learning Department
Norman Emerson, Fine Arts Consultant

SUBJECT:  
Ballet West 2025-26 Student In-Theater Presentations

Ballet West is again providing free presentations of the following ballets in the Capitol Theater:

  • Romeo and Juliet (Grades 3-12)
  • The Dream (Grades 1-12)
  • The Nutcracker (Grades K-12)
  • Peter Pan (Grades 1-12)
  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Grades 2-12)
  • West Side Story Suite (Grades 4-12)
  • Choreographic Special: Spotlight Utah! (Grades 4-12)

Each program begins with an educational introduction and is followed by a portion of the repertoire currently being performed for the general public.

Further information may be found at Ballet West Student In-Theatre Performances and in this flyer.

If any of your teachers are interested in having their classes attend any of the performances, please have them contact Michelle Bailey at michelle.bailey@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8296. Seating is limited and performance slots will be filled on a first-come come first-served basis.

Transportation fees and bus scheduling are covered by individual schools. Neither Ballet West nor the Teaching and Learning Department will cover transportation costs.

Published on

TO:
School Principals

FROM:
Michelle Love-Day, Director of Language and Culture Services

The first ELD Task Force meeting is next Thursday, Sept. 11th, from 1:30 to 3:30 at the ASB Auditorium.

This meeting is for the admin over MLs, you as the ELD lead, an upper-grade teacher, and a lower-grade teacher. Instructional coaches are also welcome to attend. Admins, please invite the teachers on this Task Force. The half-day sub code for teachers is 7628.

If you need to be added to the ELD Lead Google calendar or if you (or your task force members) need to be added to the ELD Lead and Task Force course on Canvas, please reach out to your Language Teacher Specialist so we can add you.

Published on

TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Rebecca Eastman, HR Generalist

If you are a contracted employee and need to take Annual/Personal Leave on a Critical Day before or after Fall Recess 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
Fall Recess
Licensed		 October 21-24, 2024 Oct. 17 and 27, 2024 Sept. 6 – Sept. 16, 2024
Fall Recess
ESP		 October 23-24, 2024 Oct. 17 and 27, 2024 Sept. 8 – Sept. 18, 2024

Licensed Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day 2025-2026

ESP Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day 2025-2026

Published on

DATE: 
Thursday, September 4, 2025

TO:   
All School Administrators

FROM: 
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Assessment, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT: 
TSI/ATSI Workshops and Funding

School improvement planning workshops for schools designated for targeted support and improvement (TSI) or additional targeted support and improvement (ATSI) will once again be offered during the 2025-26 school year.

See the memo below for all of the details.

 

Published on

DATE: 
September 4, 2025

TO: 
All School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
FREE Mental Health Education for Parents and Caregivers

Jordan District has partnered with the Cook Center for Human Connection to provide ongoing mental health education for parents and caregivers. This collaboration offers FREE access to live, virtual educational sessions covering various topics. Please share the following resources with your school community:

  • A calendar for September’s Mental Health Series sessions is attached. Sessions are offered in both English and Spanish. Previously recorded seminars can be accessed through a comprehensive library of sessions and resources for each topic. You can access the library of recorded sessions at any time by visiting this site: https://parentguidance.org/mhsindex.
  • Ask a Therapist live virtual event. This is an anonymous opportunity to ask questions from a licensed family therapist about your child’s mental health. It is a live event on 23rd at 6 pm with access to the recording afterwards. Registration Link: https://cookcenter.info/ATLSept23
  • Included in the mental health series this September is a "Watch Together Series" to highlight for families. While the Mental Health Series is designed for parents, these “Watch Together” events are for the whole family, especially teens and young adults. In this series, each month, you'll meet a new animated character facing real challenges that teens and young adults experience. Together, you and your family can watch their story and learn how to start meaningful conversations at home.
    • First Event: Meet Amie from My Life is Worth Living. Amie is a bright, ambitious student who worked hard in school. But beneath the surface, she struggled with feelings of guilt and shame that led to a suicide attempt. Her journey shows how hope, support, and honest conversations can help teens find their way forward.
    • Wednesday, September 10 | 6pm MT REGISTER NOW

Please share the attached flyers/resources with your school communities. Should you have any questions please reach out to Angie Rasmussen at angie.rasmussen@jordandistrict.org.

Published on

DATE:   
September 4, 2025

TO:    
All School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
Suicide Prevention Training Video and Staff and Parent Resources

September is suicide prevention month.  

Schools play a critical role in suicide prevention for current and future students. It is important that we expand our knowledge about the warning signs of suicide and how to facilitate opportunities to strengthen connections. Remember: These suicide prevention activities can all be included as part of your schoolwide prevention plan.

In accordance with the Utah State Legislature's Administrative Code (53G-9-704), Student Services has created this short training video for ALL District employees. Here are some ideas on how to show the video to school staff: Send the link in an email and instruct your staff to watch it, show it at a faculty meeting, or allow time during early release/late start

We have also created new guidelines for Secondary Suicide Prevention Classroom Lessons, which can be reviewed at this link: Suicide Prevention Classroom Lesson Guidelines

Here are additional, important Suicide Prevention Resources that can be used as part of your prevention plan:

Published on

TO:
Principals, Assistant Principals, Panorama Survey Coordinators

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

The Fall Panorama student feedback survey window will open on Monday, September 8, 2025 and will close on Friday, October 10, 2025. Student Services provides the opt-in list to Panorama the week prior to the window closing and at least one time midway through the survey window. Survey response rates may be accessed through your Panorama login and results are typically available the week following the last day of the survey window.

The winter survey window is January 29, 2026 - February 27, 2026
The Spring survey window is April 20, 2026 - May 15, 2026

Schools wanting additional Panorama training should reach out to Travis Hamblin (travis.hamblin@jordandistrict.org).

Published on

DATE:  
September 2, 2025

TO:   
Secondary Principals
Secondary Assistant Principals

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Sharon Jensen, Consultant, Student Support Services

SUBJECT:  
Fall 2025 Campus Monitor Training

Fall 2025 Campus Monitor Training will be held in two sessions on Monday, September 15, 2025. The morning session will be held in the ASB presentation room from 7:30 -9:00 am. The afternoon session will be held in the ASB presentation room from 1:30 -3:00 pm.

Please coordinate with your team on meeting attendance. All Campus Monitors are required to attend one session. Assistant Principals, interns, & administrators are welcome but not required to attend.

 

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent

The following professional development days have been added to this year's calendar.

2025-26 School Year Calendar

Professional Development Day (No Students Attend)
Friday, September 26, 2025 (Elementary)
Friday, October 3, 2025 (Secondary)
Friday, March 6, 2026 (Elementary & Secondary)
Friday, April 17, 2026 (Elementary & Secondary)

All employees should work in the building on these days. As you are planning Professional Development in your schools and departments please plan as follows: Principal-Directed School Level Professional Development will be held in the morning hours and optional District-Level Professional Development may begin at 1:00 pm.

Please provide these dates to your employees.
If you have any questions please contact your Administrator of Schools.

Published on

DATE: 
September 2, 2025

TO:  
All Administrators

FROM: 
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Paul Bergera, Director of Transportation
Kitt Soumpholphakdy, Field Trips Coordinator

SUBJECT: 
Transportation Activity/Field Trip Fee Schedule 2025-26

As you make plans for your school’s or department’s field/activity trips this year, please refer to the revised Transportation Activity/Field Trip Fee Schedule 2025-26, which can be found at Jordan Auxiliary Services - Field Trips and will become effective on September 15, 2025.

The Field Trip Office is committed to maintaining fees that reflect current personnel and fuel costs while still providing affordable trips to schools and departments.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kitt at 801-567-8851, Mike at 801-567-8809 or Michele at 801-567-8804.

Published on

DATE: 
September 4, 2025

TO:  
High School Principals
High School Athletic Directors

FROM: 
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools
Bryan Veazie, District Athletic Director

SUBJECT:
New Stadium Lights with Flashing Capabilities

Some high schools have recently had new stadium lighting installed that have flashing capabilities. It is imperative that prior to using this feature, the school has taken the necessary steps to ensure notification of the use of these lights, follow the expectations and be aware of the safety concerns identified by Utah State Risk Management. The district will provide required signage to be posted at the stadium when the light system is installed. Those expectations are as follows:

  • Warning Signs: Ensuring that the appropriate warning signage is posted and visible for all patrons as they enter the stadium where flashing lights will be used.
  • Warning Announcements: Making two announcements at each event at the beginning and again at halftime regarding the same warnings.
  • Flash Rate Limits: OSHA suggests keeping flashing rates under 4 flashes per second to reduce seizure risks. The Epilepsy Foundation recommends a flash rate under 2 Hertz with breaks between flashes.
  • Synchronization: If multiple strobe lights are used in the same field of view, they should be synchronized to flash together, which lowers the overall frequency of flashes and reduces the likelihood of triggering photosensitive epilepsy, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.
  • Placement and Intensity: Strobe lights should be mounted high (above head level) and away from areas like corridors or stairs where disorientation could lead to falls. Diffusers can help soften the brightness, and light intensity should be kept as low as practical.
  • Staff Training: Personnel should be trained to assist individuals who may experience adverse reactions to strobe lighting. Those running the lights should have training with the light manufacturer to ensure the above limits are followed and set as pre-sets for the lights.

Safety Concerns: 

  • Photosensitive Epilepsy- Strobe lights, especially at certain flash frequencies (typically between 3 and 30 flashes per second), can trigger seizures in individuals with photosensitive epilepsy.
  • Visual Disorientation- The rapid on-off cycle can disorient individuals, potentially leading to accidents, particularly in environments requiring clear visibility. This is especially concerning in areas like stairs or corridors.
  • Other Health Effects- Strobe lights can also cause: flicker vertigo (disorientation, nausea, rapid blinking, etc.), headaches, eye strain, and general discomfort. In rare cases, prolonged exposure may lead to more severe, persistent issues.

Published on

DATE:   
September 4, 2025

TO:  
Administrators

FROM:  
Bonnie Brennan, Insurance Services
Brandon Conti, Risk Manager

SUBJECT:    
Reporting Injuries and Incidents

Jordan School District has methods for reporting incidents and injuries. The procedures have not changed, however, as we get ready to start a new school year it is a great time for a reminder/refresher on reporting. It is imperative that significant incidents are reported as quickly as possible, within 24-hours or by the next business day. All incidents, injuries and accidents need to be properly documented, to include photos, video when available and police reports when appropriate. Our priorities are life safety, incident stabilization and property preservation.

911: Always call 911 for all life threatening and severe injuries, incidents, accidents, threats, thefts and vandalism.

JSD 24-hr. Alarm Response (801) 567-8865: It is important to call this number in order to notify key administrators and personnel to expedite support, maintenance and repairs, etc. Alarm Response should always be called prior to conducting a fire drill and in the case of: power outages, floods, natural gas leaks, phone and utility disruption and alarm malfunctions.

Student and Staff Injuries/Accidents Reporting: Call 911 when necessary. Notify JSD Insurance Services and/or Risk Management. Student injuries must be reported using the REDCap online system. Staff injuries need to be reported to the main office at your school or location and you must complete and submit the First Report of Injury form to Insurance. Forms can be located here: Jordan Insurance Services

Asset Essentials Work Order Reporting: Incidents of damage, theft and vandalism should be entered/reported into the Asset Essentials Work Order system for documentation, to begin the repair process and assist with insurance claims. For assistance with using Asset Essentials system, contact Facility Services at: (801) 567-8862.

Thank you,

Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services
Brandon Conti, Risk Management Coordinator

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Brandon Conti, Risk Management Coordinator

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was used in many building materials. It is well-known that asbestos is linked to diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and digestive system cancers. See the flyer below for all the details.

Published on

DATE:     
August 28, 2025

TO:   
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants

FROM: 
Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Manager, Information Systems

SUBJECT:   
ParentSquare Transitioning to 10-Digit Number for Text Messaging

ParentSquare text messages will start to be sent from 10-digit phone numbers instead of the standard 5-digit short code, beginning August 21. This will change text messages from a single text thread to multiple threads organized by conversation and school, making it easier for parents and guardians to save contacts and organize conversations by providing distinct numbers for different types of messages. Direct messages, classroom posts, and school-wide posts will transition to 10-digit numbers with local area codes. Digests, district posts, and alerts will be unaffected.

You can find a sample communication post to send to parents and more detailed information in our help article.

Published on

TO:
School Administrators

FROM:
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools
Cody Curtis, Administrator of Schools
Odette Desmarais, Administrator of Schools
Meredith Doleac, Administrator of Schools
Becky Gerber, Administrator of Schools
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools

A beverage service will be provided at 7:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided.

LOCATION WILL BE AT THE ASB - PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL START WITH ALL LEVELS IN THE AUDITORIUM AT 8:00 AM

Published on

TO:
Assistant Principals

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent

The September Assistant Principal meetings will be held on September 18 (8:00-11:00am) and September 23 (8:00-11:00am). All meetings will be held in-person at the JATC-S. All assistant principals and intern assistant principals are invited. A beverage service will be provided, beginning at 7:30 am at each of the meetings. As a reminder you only need to attend one of the sessions offered. Both sessions will provide the same information. Please CLICK HERE and it will take you to the Google Doc to sign up for which day you would like to attend. If you have any questions please call Nadine Page at 801-567-8182 (x88182).

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Rebecca Lee, HR Administrator-Evaluations

Please review and mark educator evaluation due dates on your calendar. Reach out to Rebecca Lee for any questions or concerns.

Published on

TO:
All Adminstrators

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Brittany Bauer, HR Specialist

Salary Supplement for Highly Needed Educators (SHiNE)
We are pleased to announce the launch of the SHiNE program for Jordan School District teachers. SHiNE stipends will be awarded to teachers in designated high-need areas identified by Jordan School District. These areas will be reviewed annually and may change from year to year. The total award amount for each teacher will depend on the number of courses taught in the qualifying subjects and the number of applicants for the grant. Award amounts will be distributed based on the total grant amount received by USBE. Teachers will be notified of their award amounts via email by October 13, 2025.

Please see the information below regarding the qualifying subjects and application process for the 2025-2026 school year.

The application for the Salary Supplement for Highly Needed Educators (SHiNE) will be open August 28, 2025 and will close September 11, 2025. The application will be in Skyward Employee Access. See the attached tutorial.

2025-2026 Qualifying Course Subjects:
Special Education
Deaf Education
Mathematics
Science areas (specifically Physics, Chemistry, and Integrated Science)
Computer Sciences

Eligibility Requirements:
Only teachers are eligible for this funding per Utah Code 53F-2-504.
Teachers must hold a bachelor's, master's, doctoral degree or have taught as a Utah teacher for 10+ years in one of the content areas listed to qualify for the supplement.
Teachers must have a passing JPAS on their last 3 evaluations.
Those working less than full-time in these courses may receive a partial award adjustment.

Payment Information:
The SHiNE award amount will be included in each eligible teacher’s monthly paycheck as a stipend, divided equally across the remaining pay periods for the 2025-2026 school year.
Before submitting an application, please review Policy DP382 regarding program details and qualifications.

Published on

DATE:
August 26, 2025

TO:
All Principals
All Special Education Staff
School Psychologists
Elementary School Counselors

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

SUBJECT:
ASPEN Training for Special Education Personnel 2025-2026

ASPEN training will continue to be required during the 2025-2026 school year for all licensed special education teachers, SLPs, school psychologists, elementary school counselors, as well as all Education Support Professionals (ESPs) in SEB and Autism self-contained support classrooms who do not have a current Mandt certification. Staff members working in any other special education setting may choose to attend ASPEN at the discretion of their building administrator and at the cost of their school.

Please see the attached memo for dates and registration information as well as other pertinent information. For questions, please contact: stephanie.johnson@jordandistrict.org or cassidy.hansen@jordandistrict.org

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Michelle Love-Day, Director of Language and Culture Services

The Language & Culture Services team is excited to announce a training on ways to conduct proper home visits. Principals, assistant principals, faculty, or staff are invited to attend. Teachers, please get permission from your principal before signing up. The team wants to ensure families are connected to school and the community. Research shows that home visits are effective ways to get parents active in our schools. Come to this half day training to learn more skills for effective communication.

  • Sept. 3, 2025 | ASB Auditorium
  • Morning Session 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. or Afternoon Session 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
  • Trainer: Dr. Michael Gary from Concentric Educational Solutions

Contact Toni Brown for more information.