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Category: Middle School Action Required

Published on

DATE:
August 24, 2017

TO:
Secondary Principals

FROM:
Laura Finlinson, Administrator of Curriculum and Staff Development
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
Pam Su’a, Consultant, Social Studies

SUBJECT:
U.S. Civics Test and UTIPS

In order to facilitate record keeping more easily and lessen the burdens of social studies teachers, we will be administering the U.S. Civics test required for high school graduation (see Utah Code 53A-13-109.5 and Board Rule R277-700-8) via UTIPS.

The plan for administering the U.S. Civics test is as follows:

  • Students will continue to take the test starting in 8th grade as part of their U.S. History course. Seniors will also be given a chance as needed to pass the test through their required U.S. Government and Citizenship course.
  • Social studies teachers of all grades can give the test.
  • Testing results will be entered in Skyward under Educational Milestones so that counselors can continue to track this graduation requirement. A ‘passed’ indicator will then print on student transcripts.  The Evaluation, Research & Accountability department will facilitate this process.  Individual schools and school personnel will no longer need to input Civics test scores into Skyward.
  • The Civics test will be administered online through UTIPS: https://jordan.utips.org/.
  • Students can take and re-take the test as needed in order to pass under a teacher’s direction or in a school computer lab/testing center.
  • If an IEP team determines a student qualifies for an alternate assessment, the teacher can administer a 10-question oral exam where the student only needs to pass 6 questions correctly, following the same process as we have in the past. In this case, that student’s score will need to be entered into Skyward by the school.
  • On January 1, 2018, all graduating seniors become eligible to take a 10-question version of the test with a 60% passing threshold. This 10-question version of the test will be posted and available on UTIPS by January 1st.

Social studies department chairs have already been trained on this updated process.  Teachers have already received updated UTIPS accounts, with demo accounts, so that they can see what the student sees.  They have also received the instructions and materials to administer the Civics test as needed.

Building principals will be receiving an individual email in the near future from the Evaluation, Research & Accountability department with individual UTIPS usernames and passwords.  This account access for principals will allow for another level of completion tracking for this graduation requirement, at each principal’s discretion.

For more information on the Civics test administration, please visit the district’s assessment website under Assessments tab and US Civics Test: http://assessments.jordandistrict.org/assessments/citizenship-test/.

Please call the Evaluation, Research & Accountability department with any concerns or questions you may have at 801-567-8017.

Published on

DATE:
August 23, 2017

TO:
All Principals

FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Laura Finlinson, Administrator of Curriculum & Staff Development
Ron Bird, Director of Information Systems
Michael Heaps, Support Services Manager, Information Systems
Mark Sowa, Instructional Technology Consultant

SUBJECT:
Canvas Licenses

Many of you may have heard that Canvas licenses have been purchased by the State for all students in Utah public schools. This is accurate. However, funding has only been committed for the current school year. There is no current plan or guarantee that the State will pay for licenses after this school year.

If you are interested in using Canvas at your school under the current free licensing, please contact Michael Heaps or Steffany Ellsworth in Information Systems (801-567-8140) for more information and instructions on how to begin this process.

You will also want to consider a professional development component to implementation. To discuss this further, please contact your respective Instructional Technology Teacher Specialist.

Published on

DATE:
July 1, 2017

TO:    
Principals
Head/Financial Secretaries
Special Education Teachers (Resource and Cluster)
Speech-Language Pathologists

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

SUBJECT:  
Special Education Budget Allocations 2017-18

See attached memo and budget guidelines.

Published on

JPLS Reminder:

Administrators, please remind all administrative assistants to not create default accounts for new teachers on JPLS.  New teacher accounts are created on JPLS within a week of HR updating information on Skyward. If you have questions please contact the JES office at (801) 5f67-8239 or (801) 567-8369. Thank you.

Published on

In compliance with our Employee Immunization policy (DP377) and State Health Regulation #38 (attached), many schools have arranged for Community Nursing Services (CNS) to come to their schools to provide immunizations for their staff. Attached is a list of dates, locations, and times for employee immunization clinics in our district. You may attend a clinic at a location other than your own.

If you are planning to attend, please bring your insurance card with you. You may want to bring proof of immunizations that you have already received, as well. CNS will enter them into the State website for you. These are not immunization clinics for students. If you have questions, contact Educational Support Services for additional information.

Published on

The solar eclipse is an incredible event that many may want to witness. However, because of the dangers involved in viewing it, we have secured guidelines from the National School Nurse Association and from State Risk Management. If you, your classes, or your families plan to view the eclipse, please read and share the information in the two attached documents.

Published on

DATE:  
July 15, 2017

TO:    
All Principals
Elementary Administrative Assistants
Registrars
Attendance Secretaries

FROM:   
Administrators of Schools
Anthony Godfrey, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Planning and Student Services

SUBJECT:  
Enrollment 2017-18

This memo is a reminder of the issues you may face when enrolling students for the upcoming school year.  This should help when assisting patrons in enrollment.

Kindergarten:  The student must be at least 5 years of age on or before September 1,

2017 to enroll in Kindergarten.  Utah State Law 53A-3-402 which states: (6) Except as provided in Section 53A-1-1001, a board may enroll children in school who are at least five years of age before September 2 of the year in which admission is sought.  Active military children are an exception.

Legal Guardians:  Please make sure the child is enrolling with their Legal Guardian.  Check the birth certificate and Identification to make sure the enrolling adult belongs to the enrolling child.  If they are not their legal guardian, either a Durable Power of Attorney needs to accompany the paperwork or legal guardianship through the courts.

Custodial Parents:  Please make sure you obtain legal documentation (signed by a judge) in divorce situations when necessary.  The Court orders parents’ behavior in their enrollment decisions, not schools.

Foreign Exchange:  Students coming from other countries without a legal guardian need to be referred to the Planning & Student Services Department for enrollment.

Please be consistent in your enrollment process with all students.  Ask questions to determine individual situations, show patience and understanding and contact Planning & Student Services for any issues you may need help in resolving.  We know this is a busy time for you and we are here ready to help with individual situations.

Published on

DATE:   
August 3, 2017

TO:  
All Principals

FROM: 
Administrators of Schools
Anthony Godfrey, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Planning and Student Services

SUBJECT:  
FTE and Enrollment Counts

FTE and staffing enrollment counts for the 2017-18 school year will occur on the dates listed below. As a reminder, student enrollment will be taken from Skyward and manual student counts are not needed for this process.

  • 1st Day A, B, C Tracks               Wednesday, July 26, 2017
  • 10th Day A, B, C Tracks               Monday, August 8, 2017
  • 1st Day D Track (A,B,C included)               Wednesday, August 16, 2017
  • 1st Day High School               Tuesday, August 22, 2017
  • 6th Day D Track (A,B,C included),               Wednesday, August 23, 2017
    1st Day Traditional (Elem. & MS)
  • 14th Day Traditional (all schools)               Tuesday, September 12, 2017
    All 10 day/no shows must be entered in by this date.
  • October 2, 2017
  • January 3, 2018

If there have been any changes to your FTE Staffing and Enrollment spreadsheet, please send an updated spreadsheet to Travis Hamblin in Planning and Student Services. Your staffing report and attendance combine to determine your FTE eligibility.

Questions regarding FTE and/or enrollment should be directed to Travis Hamblin or your Administrator of Schools.

Please staff conservatively.

Published on

The process for SLOs and Stakeholder input have changed slightly this year. Instead of reporting SLOs, stakeholder input, and performance as three different weighted components, SLOs and stakeholder input will be included within the JPAS evaluation.  In an effort to add structure to the process, teachers are asked to complete a form as part of their SLOs. A copy of the form, along with a set of instructions is included. Ideally, planning for SLOs will take place with teams as part of the PLC process. Using PLC time will also provide an opportunity for you to approve the SLOs.

Published on

Beginning this new school year, the Payroll Department will no longer accept paper time sheets for current True Time employees.  Using True Time for all of their pay (even for one hour) will:

  • Prevent duplicate pay and overlapping time
  • Avoid lost time sheets
  • Keep personal information secure in the system
  • Track all hours worked as required by Utah Retirement Systems and overtime pay laws
  • Assist in the accuracy and efficiency of budget reporting

Please email keelee.leuluai@jordandistrict.org (preferred), or call Payroll to set up the proper pay code(s) for True Time. Time sheets received in Payroll for current True Time employees during the school year will be returned, and Payroll will assist and train the employees on how to enter the information from the time sheet into True Time (pool hours, testing, playground, etc).

Please let all current True Time employees at your location know of these changes.

Due to reporting requirements, the following currently do not use True Time: insulin shots, Home & Hospital, USTAR, athletic and activity differentials, and Camps & Clinics (high schools).

Please contact Payroll if you have concerns so we can better accommodate your needs.

We appreciate your ongoing support and assistance in paying Jordan District employees.

Published on

Secondary Principals:

A mistake was found on the principal checklist that was included in JAM last week. It has been corrected and replaced within that edition of JAM and a revised form can also be found below.

Please take note that when you send in the fee waiver forms to Mike Anderson or Nadine Troxel there are two different forms that need to come in, the Principal Checklist and 2 (two) copies of the Certificate of Compliance.

Thank you!

Published on

DATE:   
June 16, 2017

TO: 
Principals

FROM:  
Administrators of Schools
Laura Finlinson, Administrator of Curriculum and Staff Development
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT: 
2017-18 Required Testing Ethics Professional Development Procedures

Instructions, materials, and documentation forms for the required 2017-18 Testing Ethics professional development are being sent to schools via the Jordan Administrative Memo (JAM). These materials will also be available online at http://assessments.jordandistrict.org/ethics/ . The four required procedures for completing this testing ethics professional development are listed on the “2017-18 Principal’s Test Ethics Checklist” form provided in the materials.

It is important that all school leaders and teachers be reminded that the professional testing ethics required for all State-mandated assessments such as SAGE, ACT, and WIDA Access, also apply to all District-mandated assessments such as benchmark tests, SLO assessments, and other District-created assessments including MasteryConnect® assessments. Students must not be given secured assessment questions as homework or discussion items. Any use of secured assessment questions for instruction, discussion, or homework compromises the validity and integrity of the assessment questions and constitutes a violation of professional testing ethics protocol.

Principals are to make sure that teachers understand that professional testing ethics must be followed when working with District-mandated as well as State-mandated assessments. Principals are also to remind teachers that any potential disciplinary action specified for violating professional testing ethics on State-mandated assessments, also applies to any violation of professional testing ethics on District-mandated assessments.

 

Published on

DATE:   
June 15, 2017

TO: 
All School Principals
All School Financial Secretaries

FROM:   
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Heather Ellingson, Director of Accounting, Budgets and Audits
Daniel Ellis, Accountant/Internal Auditor

SUBJECT:
School Bank Account Balances for June 30, 2017

Please send the following information for each bank account balance as of June 30, 2017 to Accounting by July 28, 2017.  If you have multiple bank accounts, please list each account separately.  For elementary schools who have completely closed their separate accounts please indicate so on the form.

School Name
Name of Bank
Type of Account (checking, savings, money market)
Account Balance

The balance requested is the balance from your June bank statements, not Skyward.  This information is required annually and will be used to complete reporting requirements for Utah Money Management Council.

If you have questions or need assistance, please call Dan Ellis at (801)567-8389.

Thank you.

Cc:
Michael Anderson, Administrator of Schools
Jill Durrant, Administrator of Schools
Anthony Godfrey, Administrator of Schools
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools
Teri Timpson, Administrator of Schools

 

Published on

DATE:
June 15, 2017

TO: 
All School Principals
All School Financial Secretaries

FROM: 
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Heather Ellingson, Director of Accounting, Budgets and Audits
Daniel Ellis, Accountant/Internal Auditor

SUBJECT:
Quarterly School Financial Report for April, May, and June 2017

Each school is asked to report the quarter end account balance and transaction detail with the Apple Volume Purchase Program and return with your bank reconciliation.  If your school has no Apple account, please so indicate and return.

Please include the account balance with Apple on the reconciliation sign off form and print a report or screen shot(s) of the balances and quarterly transactions from Apple’s website.  If you need assistance, please contact your Curriculum Technology Specialist – Bonnie, Deana, Harrison, Nancy.

Please photocopy the selected elements and send to Accounting by July 28, 2017.

Please include:

  • The signed attached memo to Accounting
  • A copy of your April, May and June 2017 Reconciliation Worksheets
  • A copy of your April, May and June 2017 Bank Statements
  • A copy of your April, May and June 2017 Skyward Balance Sheets
  • A copy of your April, May and June 2017 Outstanding Check Reports
  • Screen shot(s) of your June 30, 2017 Apple Volume Purchase Program transaction history and balance

If you have questions or need assistance, please call Liz Robins at (801)567-8267.

Thank you.

Cc:
Michael Anderson, Administrator of Schools
Jill Durrant, Administrator of Schools
Anthony Godfrey, Administrator of Schools
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools
Teri Timpson, Administrator of Schools

Published on

DATE:     
May 31, 2017

TO: 
All Principals, Administrative Assistants and Custodians

FROM:   
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Paul Bergera, Staff Assistant of Auxiliary Services
Dave Rostrom, Director of Facilities Services
Lance Everill, Facility Operations Manager
Sandi Abplanalp, Facility Systems Coordinator

SUBJECT:  
Summer Card Access Scheduling

With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, the need to re-evaluate current access levels of your staff may be necessary.  Employees with 24/7 access will remain the same, however, access may need to be altered for your teachers, staff and sweepers.  Please be aware that if teachers retain their current access levels during summer months their badge will allow them access into the building regardless of whether or not the building has been disarmed.  If your sweepers will be working days, let Sandi Abplanalp know what hours they are authorized to have access.

Please note that District Maintenance workers and District delivery drivers’ access will remain the same (7:00 am-5:00 pm). Please contact Sandi and let her know what days the building will be closed so their access can be removed.

Time zones assigned to the doors will be removed after the last bell on the last day of school. If you want your main door left open or have summer programs running during the summer months, contact Sandi to adjust the schedule.   You will be receiving a report which includes a list of employees with access to your building and their access times and passes.  If you have employees that will not be returning in the fall, please collect their badges as part of their final check out and return them to Sandi in the Facilities Services Department.  If an employee is transferring, email Sandi their names and new locations as soon as possible so she can assign them to their new location.  Please account for all of the lockout/unlock cards, portable passes, recess passes, office passes, elevator passes  and substitute passes that are listed in this report.

Please be aware that employees with extended building access will revert back to regular access when the school-year ends (with the exception of the head administrative assistants and custodians) and a new Building/Card Access-Administrator Authorization form will need to be submitted when the new school year begins.  Please call Sandi with any questions or concerns.

Sandi Abplanalp
Jordan School District
Facility Systems Coordinator
801-567-8616
sandi.abplanalp@jordandistrict.org

Cc:
Jordan School District Cabinet Members

Published on

High, Middle, and Elementary Principals:

School Department Heads and music teachers are invited to attend a meeting with their subject curriculum consultant in preparation for the 2017-2018 school year. A schedule of meeting locations, dates, and times is attached. Please share this information. Teachers will be paid at inservice rate for attending. Thank you.

Summer Meetings

CONTENT DATE TIME LOCATION CONTACT
DEPARTMENT CHAIRS
Health 8/7/2017 9:00 – 11:00 JATC North Jane Harward Ext. 88169
ELA 8/7/2017 12:00 – 2:00 ASB Rm 101 Mindy Dummer

Ext. 88152
Math 8/7/2017 1:00 – 3:00 DO Rm 129 Wendy Harmon

Ext. 88377
Visual Art 8/7/2017 2:00 – 4:00 ASB Rm 101 Mindy Dummer

Ext. 88152
PE & Dance 8/8/2017 11:00 – 1:00 JATC North Jane Harward

Ext. 88169
Science 8/9/2017 9:00 – 11:00 JATC North Jane Harward

Ext. 88169
Social Studies 8/9/2017 9:00 – 11:00 ASB Rm 101 Pam Su’a

Ext. 88320
World Language 8/9/2017 1:00 – 3:00 ASB Rm 101 Pam Su’a

Ext. 88320
MUSIC TEACHERS
HS/MS Instrumental 08/08/17 8:00 – 9:30 ASB Rm 103 Norm Emerson

Ext. 88364
HS/MS Choral 08/08/17 10:00 – 11:30 ASB Rm 103 Norm Emerson

Ext. 88364
Elementary Orchestra 08/09/17 8:00 – 9:30 ASB Rm 103 Norm Emerson

Ext. 88364
Elementary Band 08/09/17 10:00 – 11:30 ASB Rm 103 Norm Emerson

Ext. 88364

 

Published on

2017 Individual Educator Evaluation Reports

Principals:

Your school's Individual Educator Evaluation Reports will be made available to you via a shared Google folder on or before this Friday, May 26, 2017.  The shared Google folder will come from Holly Allen and will contain your school's Individual Educator Evaluation Reports.  If you discover errors in any of the reports, contract Holly Allen (holly.allen@jordandistrict.org) or 801-567-8115.  All errors must be reported to Holly Allen before June 23, 2017.

Individual Educator Evaluation Reports are to be distributed to each teacher by the principal on or before the teacher's 2016-17 check-out.

Thank you,
Clyde Mason

Published on

DATE:
May 31, 2017

TO:
All Principals and Teachers

FROM:
Administrators of Schools
Ron Bird, Director, Information Systems
Michael Heaps, Support Services Manager
Mark Sowa, Curriculum Technology Consultant

SUBJECT:
Mastery Connect and Skyward Rollover Dates

Please be aware that the annual rollover of data in both Mastery Connect and Skyward is scheduled to happen July 5-7, 2017. Consequently, both systems will be unavailable during that time.

For Mastery Connect users, please do not create trackers for the 2017-2018 school year prior to July 7th, since next year’s data will not be available until that time. The current year’s trackers will auto archive as a part of the rollover process. To ensure that this data is available in the future, do not delete last year’s trackers.

If you have questions, please contact the Information Systems Help Desk at 801-567-8737.