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Category: High Schools

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Chris Richards-Khong, Associate Administrator of Teaching and Learning

The Jordan Teacher Leader Fellows is searching for sixteen educators from a variety of teaching experiences. During their 2-year cohort, Teacher Leader Fellows will earn an annual $1500 stipend while engaging in a variety of professional learning experiences focused on teacher leadership skills and educational advocacy. Encourage your teachers to apply today for this exciting new opportunity! See the flyer for more details.

Published on

TO:
High School Principals

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amanda Bollinger, Associate Administrator, Teaching & Learning
Tricia Rojas, Specialist, Health & PE

T&L is offering a PD for high school P.E. teachers. The goal is to have every high school represented. One substitute will be funded for each school, but all P.E. teachers are invited. Use the flyer to register.

The goal for this day of collaboration is to identify the needs and challenges of the current model of physical education in our schools. It will be a day of digging into the standards and discussing the future of P.E. and how it could be reinvented to engage more students and increase relevancy as it relates to JSD’s Portrait of a Graduate.

Please share this information with your P.E. teachers.

Published on

DATE:
November 21, 2024

TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
Elementary Administrative Assistants
Secondary Registrars
Secondary Attendance Secretaries

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

SUBJECT:
School Choice Permit Allocations and Procedures

The open enrollment permit window opened on Friday, November 15, 2024. Permit seat totals can be found on each school’s Enrollment Dashboard. Open the “2025-26” tab and scroll down to the permit section.

ACTION REQUIRED: Principals should review the individuals listed on their dashboard in the “Permit” section and ensure that permissions are marked appropriately. Planning & Enrollment will defer to the permissions marked for various staff members when requests for additional seats are made. Please ensure that staff information is updated by December 6, 2024.

Schools should verify all outstanding applications prior to leaving for Winter Recess and verify any applications received during Winter Recess as soon as possible in the morning on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, so that the lottery can be run that afternoon. Once the lottery has been run, schools may immediately begin offering seats (if available). Seats not accepted within two weeks should be revoked (after attempting communication with the parent) and reoffered to the next student in line on the waitlist. At least weekly, schools should verify applications in the 2025-26 school year workspace and prepare them to be processed and moved to the waitlist. At least monthly, schools should verify applications in the 2024-25 school year workspace and prepare them to be processed and moved to the waitlist.

During the early enrollment window (now through February 7), the availability of permit seats is governed by BUILDING CAPACITY. Schools that are the most full will have the least available seats. Adding seats is governed by rules of the tier system established by the Board of Education and, in all instances, requires conversation with the Administrator of Schools for the building. In the late enrollment window (after February 7 and 2.0 allocations are released), schools may request additional seats from their Administrator of Schools. Available seats in this window will be determined by the availability of space, by grade, in the teacher allocation based on current enrollment figures.

One final reminder: the early enrollment window (now through February 7) requires schools to seat students if permit seats are available. Schools MUST follow the waitlist order when offering seats. It is inappropriate – and potentially illegal – for a school to modify the waitlist order so that students who listed the school as a “first choice” are placed before others, regardless of their lottery priority. Schools who follow this practice may lose the ability to seat permit applications themselves. School administrators with concerns over this guideline may raise the issue with their Administrator of Schools.

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Chris Richards-Khong, Associate Administrator of Teaching and Learning

The Jordan Credit Center is hiring instructors of asynchronous virtual courses for original credit, grade replacement credit, and credit recovery. The number of instructors will be based on fluctuating student enrollment. Please see the complete Frontline listing for more details.

Date applications close: 11/26/2024
Date positions begin: January 2025

Published on

TO:
Licensed Personnel

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator, Teaching and Learning

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 2025-2026 Sabbatical and Educational Leaves are due February 1, 2025. Additional questions can be referred to Chris Westra, 801-567-8657.

Published on

TO:
All Principals

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent

Please be sure to provide School Community Councils periodic information about their School LAND Trust budget so they may make determinations on using plan amendments to avoid excessive carryover, which is unallowable for the program. Use the video below as a resource to learn how principals complete the amendment form on the School LAND Trust Website.

Remember that an amendment goes through the same process as a plan and requires Board, District, and USBE approval prior to funds being used for the changes.

HOW TO VIDEO FOR AMENDMENTS

When adding an amendment please put down in the comments at the bottom the changes that you made. This makes it easier for those approving the amendment to know what is different and allows for an easier approval process.

Sample Amendment Comment:

Amendment Comment: I met with my SCC on October 10th and we voted on this new amendment. We did not remove any action plans; we just adjusted some estimated cost. I didn't hire as many periods, so teacher budgets changed. I have another grant for my academic tracker. We looked at cost from last year's credit recovery and readjusted. We purchased a different software that cost a lot less. I then was able to add PD, subs for PLC, technology, and travel.

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Michelle Love-Day, Director, Language & Culture Services

The Language & Culture Services team is happy to have refugee mentors assigned to each feeder system. These mentors will have 25-30 students that will meet them twice a month to follow up with their interests, involvement in school activities, friends, employment, family life, attendance, and grades.

Weekly collaboration to update tracking spreadsheet, share successes, work through student concerns and training/personal development as the opportunities arise. This will assist schools in gaining a better understanding of student needs and learning so that they can be successful in your school.

Please pass out permission slips to get parent permission and we will begin work with you soon.

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Michelle Love-Day, Director, Language & Culture Services

This endorsement program is open to K-12 contracted licensed personnel in Jordan School District.  This does not include substitute teachers or paraprofessionals who are licensed.

IMPORTANT: As of August, 2024, the JSD ESL Endorsement program has been updated to a competency based endorsement that aligns with TESOL standards and USBE requirements. This means the endorsement has undergone some changes and is formatted differently than in previous years. You will earn an endorsement with the Utah State Board of Education. A university credit option through SUU is available at your own expense. Language & Culture Services will not be paying for university credit.

NOTE: Your employee email that ends with  "@jordandistrict.org" will be used for ALL correspondence.

Applicants will be placed in the order in which applications are received.

You can sign up for the endorsement using the link below. For more information, please contact your Language Teacher Specialists.

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Michelle Love-Day, Director, Language & Culture Services
LaTrill Loveridge, Chair, Jordan Ethnic Advisory Counsel

The Jordan Ethnic Advisory Committee and Language and Culture Services cannot wait to see you at the annual "What I Wish You Knew Conference: In our shoes." This year the conference will be highlighting and celebrating our teachers making a difference in the classrooms everyday.

  • Where: Riverton High High
  • Time: 9 a.m. -12 p.m.
  • Date: Jan.21, 2025
  • What: What is working to enhance student leadership to sustain a culture of belonging in school.

Published on

DATE:  
November 12, 2024

TO:  
Principals and Assistant Principals

FROM:   
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Michelle Reyes, Attendance/Prevention Specialist, Student Services

SUBJECT:  
Thanksgiving Break Resources to Communicate with Families

Emphasizing the Value of Regular Attendance

The 2024-2025 school year is well under way with the holiday season rapidly approaching. Although we are seeing less interruptions from serious illness, than in recent years, schools are still struggling with high levels of chronic absence (missing 10% or more of school for any reason). Some students and families are still redeveloping the routine of regular attendance following the Pandemic, making it more important than ever to support the rhythm of attendance through the holiday season. We can take advantage of every opportunity to emphasize the lifelong value of regular attendance for student’s learning, social and emotional development and achievement while also offering empathy and support to students and families.

Schools that use a series of actions that promote the habit of regular attendance to help students avoid absences leading up to and following our seasonal breaks experience better attendance results. The following actions will assist in your attendance efforts this holiday season:

  • Send out a letter (Spanish) to families prior to Thanksgiving and again in the weeks leading up to the winter recess (Spanish).
  • Let families know the dates for the break and when school will resume. Use the resources below to get the word out using email, social media, school and teacher newsletters, and Parent Square.
  • Plan special events for the last day before the break and/or the first day after the holiday break to welcome students back to school. Utilize teachers to message families on Parent Square and remind them of when school will resume.

Premade Resources to Communicate with Families

Questions? Contact Michelle Reyes at michelle.reyes@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8205.

Chang, H. (n.d.). Holiday messaging. Attendance Works. https://www.attendanceworks.org/resources/messaging/holiday-messaging/

Published on

DATE:    
Thursday, November 14, 2024

TO: 
Elementary School Administrators
Middle School Administrators
High School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
2024-25 Stakeholder Input Survey Response Counts

School administrators may view the response counts for the 2024-25 student, parent and faculty Stakeholder Input Surveys using the links below. Please note that the response counts for each of the links are updated live as survey responses are submitted.

Choose either the Elementary or Secondary document below depending on your school level.

Published on

DATE:
November 14, 2024

TO:
All

FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Daniel Ellis, Director of Accounting and Audits
Jaime Barrett, Accounting Administrator

SUBJECT:
2024-2025 Updated Department Budget Code Book

Understanding the proper budget code to utilize when coding payroll for employees has been a struggle for staff. Our current function and object codes are numerous and confusing. In an effort to simplify and streamline our budget codes, Accounting has updated function and object codes. Please see the following attachment:

• JSD Budget Code Book 2024-2025

The attachment is also posted on Accounting’s website:  Click HERE. Please review these adjustments and contact Jaime Barrett (801) 567‐8315 with any questions or concerns.

Published on

DATE:   
November 14, 2024

TO: 
School Psychologists and School Psychology Interns

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

SUBJECT:  
December School Psychologist Guidance Meeting

A meeting for school psychologists and school psychology interns has been scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024, from 12:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Jordan Applied Technology Center South (JATC-South) located at 12373 Park Avenue (2080 West) in Riverton. We will start at 12:00 p.m. with a pot-luck lunch. Ben Springer, Ph.D., NCSP will provide us with a presentation titled Optimistic Teaming: Coordination Strategies for the Toughest Student Situations.

Part-time Staff:  I would appreciate it if you could adjust your schedules in order to attend this meeting.

cc:
Principals

Published on

DATE:  
Thursday, November 14, 2024

TO:   
High School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
2024 Graduation and Dropout Rates

The state recently released a preview of the 2024 graduation and dropout rates as a way for districts and schools to prepare communication with community members. These results are embargoed until the public release scheduled for the first week of December.

Administrators may access graduation and dropout rates over time for the district and each high school in this Tableau dashboard. Viewers may use the filters to view graduation rates for various demographic populations including economically disadvantaged, ML, and minority students as well as students with a disability.

Administrators may also compare graduation and dropout rates by student groups using this student group dashboard.

Finally, administrators may find it useful to examine the various categories within the dropout rate such as the actual dropout rate compared to the withdrawal, pending, adult ed and unknown rates. Thus, administrators are encouraged to check out this line graph.

For questions about these dashboards, please contact Ben Jameson or Brooke Anderson in Assessment, Research & Accountability.

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Chris Richards-Khong, Associate Administrator of Teaching and Learning

Our new website features a variety of graduation credit services offered to JSD students including: original credit, grade replacement, credit recovery and options to demonstrate competency for credit. Check us out by clicking HERE.

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
JSD Cabinet Members

The Administrator of Schools (AOS) is a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet and is responsible to provide leadership and direction in all matters pertaining to both the District programs and to all schools in the assigned administrative area. The Jordan School District is currently posting two (2) Elementary Administrator of Schools positions and the qualifications to be considered are as follows:

  • A minimum of five (5) years of administrative experience is required
  • Principal experience is required
  • Elementary Principal experience is preferred
  • Current references are required, not letters of recommendation

This application will close at midnight on November 24, 2024 and interviews will be held on December 2, 2024. Both internal and external candidates are encouraged to apply in Frontline at the following link:

Apply Here

Published on

The following is a new administrative assignment:

Transfer effective January 2, 2025:

  • April Gaydosh, elementary level Administrator of Schools, transferred as Administrator in the Human Resources Department, replacing June LeMaster who is retiring.

Two elementary level Administrator of Schools positions will be available as of January 2, 2025. Each AOS will supervise approximately 13 elementary schools. Watch for the application to open next week and interviews will be held on December 2, 2024.

Published on

TO:
School Administrators

FROM:
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools
Cody Curtis, Administrator of Schools
Jill Durrant, Administrator of Schools
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Schools
Becky Gerber, Administrator of Schools
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools

A beverage service will be provided at 7:30 a.m. in the auditorium hallway. Lunch will be provided.

LOCATION - 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 November Assistant Principal meetings will be held on November 21 (8:00-11:00am) and November 26 (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:
Directors
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
June LeMaster, Administrator, Human Resources

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.

LICENSED EARLY NOTIFICATION (Resignation or Retirement)
Licensed employees resigning/retiring at the end of the current contract year, who give official early notification in SKYWARD – EMPLOYEE ACCESS, will be eligible for a tiered incentive. To qualify, notification must be submitted on or before the following dates:

  • December 15, 2024  $500.00
  • January 15, 2025    $300.00
  • February 15, 2025  $200.00

The incentive will be paid on the last regular paycheck. Notifications of resignation/retirement received after the dates listed above will not qualify for an incentive. The official District “Notice of Resignation” form is found in Skyward Employee Access under “Task Processes”. Please see District policy DP318 for more detailed information regarding resignations. If you do not know your Skyward username or password please contact the Help Desk at 801-567-8737.

Licensed employees who do not submit an official “Notice of Resignation” form in Skyward Employee Access with at least thirty (30) calendar days’ written notice WILL BE FINED $500, which will be deducted from their final check. Informing your principal/school administrator either verbally or in writing is not sufficient. See District Policy DP318 – Resignations - Licensed.

School/District Administrators must submit an official “Notice of Resignation” form in Skyward Employee Access with at least sixty (60) calendar days’ written notice WILL BE FINED $500 in accordance with District Policy DP318A – Resignations-Administrators.