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Category: Middle School Info

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The following are new administrative assignments:

New Assignment effective January 3, 2023:

  • Katie Jarvis, administrative intern at River’s Edge appointed assistant principal at River’s Edge.

New Assignments effective as soon as possible:

  • Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Lead in Information Systems appointed Support Services Manager in Information Systems.

New Assignments effective February 21, 2023:

  • Derek Bennett, administrative intern at Mountain Ridge High appointed assistant principal at West Jordan High, replacing Howard Griffith who is retiring.
  • Curtis Hagen, Staff Assistant at Auxiliary Services appointed assistant principal at Mountain Ridge High, replacing Derek Bennett.
  • Tim McConnell, retired administrator in Park City School District appointed assistant principal at Ridge View Elementary.

New Assignments effective July 1, 2023:

  • Michael Hutchings, assistant principal at West Jordan High appointed principal at West Jordan High, replacing James Birch who is retiring.
  • Rachel Hill, administrative intern at West Jordan High appointed assistant principal at West Jordan High, replacing Michael Hutchings.
  • Tamara Rajczyk, consultant in Special Education appointed principal at South Valley, replacing Rita Bouillon who is retiring.
  • Jennifer Ludlow, principal at West Jordan Elementary appointed principal at Oquirrh Elementary, replacing Shauna Worthington who is approved for a Sabbatical leave.
  • Abram Yospe, principal at Columbia Elementary appointed principal at Foothills Elementary, replacing Cherie Wilson who is retiring.
  • Keith Klein, principal at Etna Elementary in Lincoln County School District in Afton, WY appointed principal at Columbia Elementary, replacing Abram Yospe.
  • Vaega Toilolo, administrative intern at Bingham High appointed assistant principal at an assignment TBD.
  • Russell Stephenson, administrative intern at Joel P. Jensen Middle and Oquirrh Hills Middle appointed assistant principal at an assignment TBD.
  • Jessica Wilson, administrative intern at South Hills Middle and South Valley appointed assistant principal at an assignment TBD.
  • Jessica Hayes, administrative intern at Child Development Center appointed assistant principal at an assignment TBD.
  • Thyme Meleisea-Vea, administrative intern at Oak Leaf Elementary appointed assistant principal at an assignment TBD.
  • Angela Solum, assistant principal at Riley Elementary in Salt Lake School District appointed assistant principal at an assignment TBD.
  • Janae Young, administrative intern at Aspen Elementary appointed assistant principal at an assignment TBD.

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DATE:
Thursday, February 9, 2023

TO: 
All School Administrators

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

SUBJECT: 
Research Project

The Research Review Committee has reviewed a research project in which your school has been asked to participate.

Project Title: Retaining State-Qualified Teachers: An Exploratory Case Study

Applicant: Amanda Bollinger, University of Phoenix

The project has been approved by the District Research Review Committee. The researcher will send out a recruitment email inviting educators to participate in a research survey. Employee participation in the study is at your discretion. Survey participants who meet study criteria will be invited to participate in interviews or focus groups. If you have questions or concerns relating to participation, please contact Ben Jameson at 801-567-8243.

Thank you for your assistance.

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DATE:  
Thursday, February 9, 2023

TO: 
All School Administrators

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

SUBJECT: 
Research Project

The Research Review Committee has reviewed a research project in which your school has been asked to participate.

Project Title: Cross-Cultural Development and Psychometric Validation of the Beliefs about Behavior Scale in the U.S. and Taiwan

Applicant: Howard Fan, Idaho State University

The project has been approved by the District Research Review Committee. The researcher will send out a recruitment email inviting educators to participate in a research survey. Employee participation in the study is at your discretion. If you have questions or concerns relating to participation, please contact Ben Jameson at 801-567-8243.

Thank you for your assistance.

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How To Become “Highly Qualified” and Receive LANE CHANGE INCREASE.

PARAPRO Testing is optional for most school locations but required for all Title One School locations. Applicants/Employees interested in working at a Title I school may contact the Title One school principal for additional testing options.

Please see the attached document for more information.

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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 flyer below for more information.

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THANK YOU to Principals/Assistant Principals, Directors, JESPA Volunteers, HR Assistants, and the Communications Department for promoting and participating in the first JORDAN SCHOOL DISTRICT JOB FAIR!

It was a GREAT success, as it resulted in the hiring of numerous new applicants for open positions throughout the District. A total of 207 households were in attendance and a total of 59 applications were COMPLETED in Frontline during and after the Job Fair. We are certain there will be more applications completed in the near future as a result of the Job Fair.

A special THANKS to Oquirrh Hills Middle for hosting this event and also to those who served as interpreters. The success of this event was due to the efforts of many individuals and groups.

THANK YOU all again for your contributions.

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DATE:
February 2, 2023

TO:
All School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
Grief Conference Opportunity

Student Services is continuing to offer training opportunities for administration and school mental health team members with the unspent suicide prevention funds from prior years. With these remaining funds, we will be sponsoring the registration fees for an upcoming grief conference. The Bradley Center is hosting a full day training titled Traumatic Death: How to Help Those Left Behind.

Here is a description of what to expect from this opportunity: Since COVID-19 disrupted life for children and families worldwide, traumatic deaths have impacted millions. Local professionals deal with the impact of those and other traumatic deaths every day. Learn additional strategies to help clients cope.

This will take place on Friday, February 24th at the Mountain America Center. It is a full day of learning from 8:30AM to 4:30PM.

For more information about the conference, you can visit https://bradleycentergrief.org/

If you or any of your school’s mental health team (school counselors, school psychologists, or clinical support/social workers) would like to attend, please reach out to Angie Rasmussen at angie.rasmussen@jordandistrict.org. Provide an email with the full name, email address, office phone number and meal preference (vegetarian or not) of those who would like to register.

Seating is limited for this event. Please send in your request for registration as soon as possible!

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DATE:
January 26, 2023

TO:
Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
USBE - Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) Workshop

School Administrators and other School Safety Friends,

You are invited to join the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) School Safety Center for a Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) Workshop. This workshop will prepare you to use the CSTAG model with your school threat assessment multi-disciplinary team.

  • Date: February 13, 2023 (Monday)
    **Optional Train-the-Trainer (TTT) February 14-15 with limited spots
  • Time: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (check-in at 7:30 AM)
  • Location: Jordan School District - Auxiliary Services Building
    7905 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan, UT 84088
  • Presenter: Dr. Farah Williams
  • Target Audience: School employees who serve on the school’s threat assessment multidisciplinary team, such as School Administrators (e.g., principal or assistant principal), School Resource Officers, and School-based Mental Health Providers (School Counselors, School Psychologists, or School Social Workers).
  • Structure: This training is offered as a 7-8 hour training for up to 80 individuals that consists of in-person instruction and peer-to-peer collaboration. A manual will be provided for registered participants.
  • Content: What is covered in the workshop?
  • Registration: Eventbrite

 In accordance with 53G-8-802, R277-400, R277-403, R277-736.

**There will be a limited, invitation-only CSTAG Train-the-Trainer (TTT) held February 14-15, 2023. If you are interested in having someone from your Local Education Agency (LEA) become a CSTAG trainer, please email me, Rhett Larsen.

Visit https://www.schoolta.com/ for more information about Dr. Cornell and CSTAG.

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DATE:
January 18, 2023

TO:
Principals

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

SUBJECT:
Panorama Student Success Implementation and Renewal

The Panorama Student Success platform is a tool to proactively identify student needs and focus on building students’ sense of belonging and relationships. This platform provides immediate and timely information to quickly identify students who may be in need of interventions. Student Success is, at its most basic function, a data-dashboard for school teams to diagnose school/student needs and areas in need of immediate attention. When used, this tool will empower your teams to identify, track, and intervene with students more effectively.

Panorama’s Student Success platform is an early warning system and the only such vendor approved by the State. Currently each elementary, middle, and high school in Jordan District is on the State approved list for the subsidized amount of $2,000. For 2022-23 school year only, Student Services covered the cost for every school to have full access to Student Success. The Student Success contract ends on June 30, 2023.

This information is being shared with you at this time so you may plan your budgets accordingly.

If you are in need of any training, whether it be a refresher or in-depth, please reach out to Travis Hamblin at travis.hamblin@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8439. Trainings can be done in-person or virtually or time can be arranged with Panorama to conduct an ‘office hours’ drop-in style training.

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The Conference will be held March 23 & 24, 2023 at Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo. Registration fees for 1 administrator and up to 2 teachers per school will be provided by Teaching & Learning. Sign up HERE before March 8, 2023. Please contact LeAnn Nelson for questions.

District office administrators and teacher specialists interested in attending may also sign up using this LINK.

The 2023 Instructional Leadership Conference has an incredible line-up of speakers! Look for flyers in district mail or visit the website.

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Having difficulty filling an Assistant Custodian position? Approval has now been given to allow custodial staff additional hours to cover for an open, unfilled, Lane 2 Assistant Custodian position. Please see the attached memo for important details.

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Principals who are absent from work for three or more days qualify for an approved administrative substitute.

Assistant principals who are absent from work for ten or more days qualify for an approved administrative substitute.

The Approved Administrative Substitute list can be found on the Admin Only HR site under Substitutes.

For questions, please contact the respective Administrator of Schools.

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DATE:
January 3, 2023

TO:
All Certified and ESPs

FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Melanie Dawson, Principal of River’s Edge School

SUBJECT:
Back by Popular Demand! ETT: Cultivating Classroom Management Skills

Effective Teacher Training (ETT) is back! Our last section filled within one day of being announced, so learners need to register ASAP to reserve their spot. We are offering two more sections this year, so participants can choose what works best for their schedule.

Dates Course Section Register by
Winter Section  Jan. 23 - March 13 101914 117557  Jan. 19
Spring Section April 3 - May 22 101914 117558 March 30

For: All general education and special education teachers
Also Welcome: Specialists, mental health providers, ESPs
Instructional coaches can request to be an observer of the course instead of registering on JPLS.

Topics include: Antecedents, behavior basics, class-wide and individual interventions, increasing academic effectiveness, data-based decision making, students with unique needs, and personal wellness.

Format: This 7-week course will be offered online in an asynchronous format. Learners will engage with content and activities via Canvas. Participants must complete the first module within the first week, or their spot in the class will be given to someone on the waitlist.

1 USBE credit is available at no cost for those who complete the course.

For questions please contact: melanie.dawson@jordandistrict.org or katie.jarvis@jordandistrict.org.

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DATE:  
January 5, 2023

TO: 
Principals

FROM:  
Mike Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director, Student Services
Stacee Worthen, Counselor Consultant

SUBJECT: 
January/February 2023 School Counselor Trainings

School Counselor Training and Professional Development for JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2023 are as follows:

January 13, 2023 (7:30am-9:00am) -- Secondary Counselor Singleton PLC, JATC South
January 13, 2023 (1:30pm-3:00pm) -- Elementary Counselor Singleton PLC, DO Rm 129
January 26, 2023 (8am-11am) -- New Counselor Training, JATC South
January 27, 2023 (1:30pm-3:00pm) -- Elementary Counselor Singleton PLC, DO Rm 129
February 6-10, 2023 -- NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK
February 8, 2023 (8am-11:30am) -- Counselor Collaborative, DO Rm 230

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Stacee Worthen at (801) 567-8309.

 

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Language & Culture Services is inviting parents who are newcomers (refugee, immigrant, or asylee) to attend a parent orientation to receive information on how they can best help their child in school. Interpreters will be provided. To best be prepared for families attending, please fill out this RSVP form. If a parent would like to attend virtually, that is also an option.

  • Location: 7905 S Redwood Rd West Jordan, UT 84088 ASB- Auditorium- Building A
  • Upcoming Dates: Jan. 10, Feb. 14, March 14, April 11, May 9
  • Time: 10 a.m. -12 p.m.
  • RSVP: Parent Orientation Signup Form

For more info, call 801-567-8124 or visit lcs.jordandistrict.org.

Please distribute the attached flyers to your community.

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This training from Language & Culture Services is where you can learn to use ELLevation as an efficient program for managing your ESL Program. All Schools will begin using ELLevation to monitor ELs/MLs. School staff will have easy access to data and strategies for ELs/MLs.

This training will provide efficient program management, high quality instruction, effective collaboration with colleagues and great student outcomes.

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Black History Month is a time of reflection, recognition, and rejoicing on the achievements that African Americans have made in history. Rejoicing and celebrating in the hope for a better tomorrow for all generations and recognizing the life lessons and legacy of our ancestors and be thankful for their sacrifice.

The Black Student Union and Multicultural Clubs of Jordan District invite you to a fun celebration to kick off Black History Month on Friday, Jan. 27 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Elk Ridge Middle. Dr. Tamara Stevenson, President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & C.D.O. at Westminster College is the Keynote speaker.

 

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We hope you all had time to relax and recuperate during your winter break. Whether that means time with family, or time alone--all of us deserve the break. The December student sillies are over, and now we move into testing season. The WIDA Window is open--which means you will see your ML students being pulled out of class to participate in the yearly WIDA test. Encourage them to do their best, especially in secondary.

The full newsletter can be found at the link below. Stories include:

  • ELLevation Tips and Tricks - After pulling up an activity that you would like to try in your classroom, scroll down on the activity information page to find the "Student Support" section. This section will have a list of all your ML students and their levels. It will then show you what modifications or accommodations you should make for a student at this level and tell you which students need these modifications/accomodations.
  • Culture Corner - "Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) is an educator's ability to recognize students' cultural displays of learning and meaning-making and respond positively and constructively with teaching moves that use cultural knowledge as a scaffold to connect what the student knows to new concepts and content in order to promote effective information processing. All the while, the educator understands the importance of being in a relationship and having a social-emotional connection with the student in order to create a safe space for learning."
  • WIDA Window January 5 - March 3 - The WIDA Window is the time period in which schools administer the WIDA language test to all ML students who are a level 1-4.9. Your students will periodically be pulled from class to take this test, so be understanding if they miss some class time. The test can take a while and be tiring, so be positive and understanding if they are feeling a little burned out or tired. If they test a 5 or above they never have to take it again, which can be motivating to many students--so encourage them to do their best!
  • ELD Lead Celebration - Mountain Shadows Elementary ELD Lead, Susan Allen, has put together a "Dream Team" of students excelling at learning English. They help other students around the school. Every 15 days, their ML students are tested and placed in new Walk to Read groups. For the next cycle, they are having their ML's in a group that focuses on reading, writing, speaking, and listening and they will be speaking into a computer and doing the WIDA practice test.

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You all learned what students really wished we knew, now let’s continue to transform our learning environments for students to thrive. There will be amazing keynotes to challenge all Jordan District employees to lead and create positive relationships with our students.

Please attend JEAC, LCS, and EDIs 2nd annual conference on Jan. 17, 2023, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at West Jordan High. Attendees not on contract time will be paid their hourly rate. For those wishing to attend during contract time, please communicate with your supervisor regarding job coverage.

To sign up for the Know More Conference click HERE.

We also want parents to be a part of our team to KNOW More and be a part of listening to one of our powerful keynotes from our educator conference on Jan. 17, 2023, from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm at West Jordan High. Spanish interpreters will be present. There is no need for parents to sign up, just show up.

Please view the Know More Conference Flyers.