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Category: Middle School Info

Published on

TO:
Administrators

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

On May 29th, Panorama is partnering with Dr. Robert Balfanz, Principal Investigator and Researcher at Everyone Graduates Center, for a webinar titled, "Supercharge Your Early Warning System with Relationships." This webinar is free and open to all educators - We hope to see you there! Please feel free to share with your districts/networks! It's going to be a great panel!

Registration Link

Session Description:

An Early Warning System (EWS) is highly effective at helping districts flag issues in attendance, behavior, and coursework (the ABCs). But to go beyond identification and truly impact outcomes, districts must consider their students’ relationships with adults, peers, and school staff. According to Dr. Robert Balfanz, Principal Investigator and Researcher at Everyone Graduates Center, “By focusing on connectedness first, schools have helped many [identified] students rebuild academic and social habits, and they are able to target more extensive academic and behavioral interventions on the remaining students who need them most.”

Join us to learn how to build strong student relationships and supercharge your district’s EWS.

Together, we will:

  • Hear the research on how a traditional EWS can benefit from a relationship-centered approach.
  • Identify how school policies and practices can stop or slow the decline of students starting to slide off track.
  • Learn how to fine-tune data collection to correctly identify root causes for problems like attendance and behavior.
  • Explore evidence- and research-based interventions that build supportive relationships between adults and students who have become disengaged.

Published on

The following are new administrative assignments:

New Assignments and Transfers effective for the 2024-25 school year:

  • Lisa Jackson, assistant principal at Fort Herriman Middle assigned principal at Oquirrh Hills Middle.
  • Ann Pessetto, principal at Silver Crest Elementary assigned principal at Westland Elementary.
  • Patty Bowen, principal at Copper Canyon Elementary assigned principal at Silver Crest Elementary.
  • Bobbie Nixon, principal at Herriman Elementary assigned principal at Copper Canyon Elementary.
  • Laurie Goodsell, principal at Westland Elementary assigned principal at Herriman Elementary.
  • Michelle Putnam, assistant principal at Bingham High assigned assistant principal at Mountain Ridge High.
  • Rufine Einzinger, assistant principal at Copper Hills High assigned assistant principal at Bingham High.
  • Janilee Mullen, assistant principal at Riverton High assigned assistant principal at Copper Hills High.
  • Kyrstin Wingert, administrative intern at Mountain Ridge High appointed assistant principal at Riverton High.
  • Britnee Eng, administrative intern at Herriman High appointed assistant principal at Valley High.
  • Mindy Lokey, assistant principal at Valley High assigned assistant principal at Fort Herriman Middle.
  • Jennifer Jarrard, assistant principal at Oquirrh Hills Middle assigned assistant principal at South Hills Middle.
  • Joshua Ricks, assistant principal at South Jordan Middle assigned assistant principal at Oquirrh Hills Middle.
  • Brian Rambadt, assistant principal at Sunset Ridge Middle assigned assistant principal at South Jordan Middle.
  • Joshua Stott, assistant principal at Joel P. Jensen Middle assigned assistant principal at Sunset Ridge Middle.
  • Karen Moore, administrative intern at Joel P. Jensen and South Jordan Middle appointed assistant principal at Joel P. Jensen Middle.
  • Sharra Palmer, administrative intern at Bluffdale Elementary appointed assistant principal at Kauri Sue Hamilton School.
  • Aubri Moench, assistant principal at South Hills Middle assigned assistant principal at Juniper Elementary.
  • Amber Allen, assistant principal at Bastian Elementary assigned assistant principal at Butterfield Canyon Elementary.
  • Kasey Dahl, assistant principal at Ridge View Elementary assigned assistant principal at Bastian Elementary.
  • Jarom Airhart, assistant principal at Jordan Ridge Elementary assigned assistant principal at Midas Creek Elementary.
  • Thyme Meleisea-Vea, assistant principal at Oak Leaf Elementary assigned assistant principal at Jordan Hills Elementary.
  • Trudy Jack, assistant principal at Majestic Elementary assigned assistant principal at Hayden Peak Elementary.
  • Veronica Holyoke, assistant principal at Oakcrest Elementary assigned assistant principal at Bluffdale Elementary.
  • April Thompson, assistant principal at Riverton Elementary assigned assistant principal at Oakcrest Elementary.
  • Shauna Worthington, administrator returning from sabbatical leave assigned assistant principal at Riverton Elementary.
  • Heather Handy, assistant principal at Bluffdale Elementary assigned assistant principal at Aspen Elementary.

New Administrative Intern Assignments effective for the 2024-25 school year:

  • Daniel Call, teacher at Summit Academy assigned administrative intern at Copper Hills High.
  • Megan Daly, counselor at Hidden Valley Middle assigned administrative intern at Mountain Ridge High.
  • Ivie Erickson, teacher at West Jordan Middle assigned administrative intern at Bingham High.
  • Travis Foster, teacher at West Jordan High assigned administrative intern at Riverton High.
  • Markie Harper, counselor at Copper Hills High assigned administrative intern at Herriman High.
  • Derek Winder, counselor at Copper Mountain Middle assigned administrative intern at West Jordan High.
  • Andrea Call, CTE teacher at Bingham High assigned administrative intern at West Hills Middle and West Jordan Middle.
  • Rachelle Smith, teacher at Oak Leaf Elementary assigned administrative intern at Joel P. Jensen Middle and South Hills Middle.
  • Stacie Thompson, teacher at Golden Fields Elementary assigned administrative intern at Hidden Valley Middle and Sunset Ridge Middle.
  • Aimie Rizzuto, teacher at Aspen Elementary assigned administrative intern at Jordan Ridge Elementary.
  • Megan Hamilton, teacher specialist in the Teaching and Learning Department assigned administrative intern at Blackridge Elementary.
  • Toni Lasater, teacher specialist in the Teaching and Learning Department assigned administrative intern at Oak Leaf Elementary.
  • Denise White, instructional coach in Canyons School District assigned administrative intern at Majestic Elementary.

Published on

TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

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

The following offices will receive a Pocketalk to assist when enrolling our Newcomer, Refugee, and Asylee students:

Elementary Main Offices
Middle School Counseling Centers
High School Attendance Offices

These devices are small, handheld instruments with over 80 languages to help in communication for registration. Please reach out to Language & Culture Services for any assistance with your new device.

Published on

DATE:
April 10, 2024

TO:
School Psychologists and School Psychology Interns

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

SUBJECT:
May School Psychologist & School Psychology Interns Meeting

A meeting for school psychologists and school psychology interns has been scheduled for Friday, May 3, 2024, from 12:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Auxiliary Services Building (7905 South Redwood Road). We will start at 12:00 p.m. with a luncheon. Julia Connelly, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist will provide us with a presentation that addresses Pathological Demand Avoidance.

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

cc: Principals

Published on

TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Jason Skidmore, Director of CTE

Spring is bursting with Work-Based Learning activity! From CTSO competitions to New programs and teachers, targeted small group field trips, teacher awards and more! There’s so much to celebrate as we wind down another year. Read on to hear all the buzz!

Published on

DATE:       
April 16, 2024

TO: 
All Jordan School District Principals (with bus route students)

FROM:  
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Paul Bergera, Director of Transportation
Kathy Jones, Transportation Trainer/Risk Coordinator

SUBJECT: 
State Required Bus Evacuations and School Bus Safety 2023-2024

State required semi-annual school bus evacuations have been scheduled for this spring. This applies to those students that ride the bus daily to and from school.

The evacuations will be conducted during the week of:

Monday, April 22 through Friday, April 26, 2024

Your school’s regular bus drivers will perform this evacuation as they drop your students off in the morning, one day during that week. This procedure will take place at your school and within the students’ regular bus drop off/pick up zone. All professional school bus drivers that transport students are required to perform evacuation procedures in case of an emergency. Bus evacuation will be through the rear door, side door, front door or any combination of the three. Students will then, under the direction and supervision of the bus driver, evacuate and meet in a safe place approximately 100 feet away from the bus.

Your assistance is welcome but not mandatory to complete this required evacuation drill quickly, safely and effectively.

We appreciate all you do to help us safely transport your students.

Published on

DATE: 
April 18, 2024

TO: 
All Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
FREE Parent Coaching available for all families

Administrators,

In partnership with the Cook Center for Human Connection, Jordan District offers FREE parent coaching to ALL District families in Spanish and English. Instructions on how families can access these services are in the attached flyer.

The Health and Wellness Team will be delivering posters and promotional materials for schools to use to inform families of this service. Please promote these services when possible. Thank you!

 

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Katie Bastian, Director of Nutrition Services

When we say school nutrition professionals are heroes, we mean it! That's why we celebrate them every spring with the National School Lunch Hero Day. Join schools across the country that are recognizing the difference these team members make for every child who comes through their cafeteria.

Published on

TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Mike Haynes, Director of Jordan Education Foundation

THE CHALLENGE OBSTACLE RUN is a family-friendly fundraising obstacle course run open to all ages and created to make a difference in Jordan District Classrooms! Sponsored by local businesses and Jordan Education Foundation, 100% of proceeds go directly toward Classroom Grants benefiting students & teachers in Jordan District!

The Challenge Run is open to the community with participation from all 67 of our schools.

The run begins at 9 am, Saturday, May 11th and ends with a (free), fun family festival with lots of free giveaways. You can participate in any one of the events (Obstacle Run, Festival, Fundraising) or in all three! Bring your family and friends and neighbors for a super fun day!

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Rebecca Smith, Consultant in Teaching & Learning

Jordan District will begin a new GT Endorsement cohort in August 2024. Classes are open to all licensed personnel in Jordan District. Please see the flyers for detailed information and a class schedule. Contact Rebecca Smith (88368) with question you may have.

Published on

DATE: 
Thursday, April 11, 2024

TO:
All School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:   
State Testing Reminders

The following are friendly reminders from the state’s testing ethics policy:

  • “Utah LEAs and Licensed Utah educators may use a student’s score from a statewide assessment to improve the student’s academic grade for or demonstrate the student’s competency within a relevant course.”
  • “Licensed Utah educators shall ensure that:
    • “Students are not penalized who have been exempted by a parent from a statewide assessment
    • “Students aren’t provided a nonacademic award for participating in or performing well on a statewide assessment
    • “Students are provided an alternate learning activity if they are exempted by a parent from a statewide assessment”

The following additional guidance may help address specific questions that arise from the part of the state’s testing ethics policy quoted above:

  • Using a student’s score from a state assessment can only improve a student’s grade – not hurt it.
  • Educators may not use a student’s score on a state assessment to determine an overall grade for the course. It can be used in conjunction with other evidence to help determine a student’s overall grade.
  • Educators may not assign participation points on students’ grades for taking a state assessment.
  • The alternate learning activity for students whose parents have opted them out of taking the state assessment can be an alternate assessment. That said, using a student’s score on the alternate assessment or activity on a student’s grade can only improve the student’s grade – not hurt it.
    • In addition, if the incentive is that a student who demonstrates proficiency on a state assessment means that they don’t have to take the class final exam, then students who have been opted out would also need two opportunities to demonstrate proficiency. For instance, if a student who was opted out demonstrated proficiency on the alternate assessment (administered while other students took the state assessment), then they wouldn’t have to take the class final exam.

Please contact Ben Jameson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with questions.

Published on

TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services

Accidents can occur when working in unfamiliar areas because employees are unfamiliar of the hazards in the area. See the document below for ways to pay attention to your surroundings.

 

Published on

DATE:    
April 4, 2024

TO:  
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT:  
Safe School Due Process Hearings

Beginning April 2024 the procedures for District Safe School Due Process Hearings have been updated. You may find the updated process and documents to request a Safe School Due Process Hearing on the Student Support website here. Each Safe School Due Process Hearing form is a fillable pdf. The updated process outline is as follows on the attached memo.

 

Published on

DATE:  
April 4, 2024

TO: 
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT:   
Early Warning System – Panorama

During this year’s legislative session HB84 – School Safety was passed requiring each school within an LEA (District) to implement a Student Intervention Early Warning System (53F-4-207). Panorama meets all the criteria established by HB84-School Safety and will be the District’s early warning system.

Panorama is $2,000 per school annually. For the 2024-2025 school year the cost of Panorama will be paid by Student Services.

Optionally, Panorama has a PBIS module that may be purchased by each school separately for $1.40 per student. If you are interested in implementing or learning more about the Panorama positive behavior module please contact Travis Hamblin in Student Services at travis.hamblin@jordandistrict.org.

In-person and virtual trainings will be set up in the fall to ensure administrators and school leadership teams are trained in the use of Panorama. School administrators may request additional Panorama trainings for their school’s administrative team, school leadership teams and/or teachers and staff by contacting Travis Hamblin (travis.hamblin@jordandistrict.org).