Skip to content

Category: Middle School Info

Published on

Organizers of the conference have opened a new window for Jordan School District. The conference platform will be open and participants will have access to all speakers from April 3 - April 12, 2021. (This is a change from the original dates of March 25 - April 3.)

Schools are encouraged to participate in this unique opportunity to participate in the Instructional Leadership Conference. This year’s conference will be held virtually and will include keynote speakers Doug Fisher, Anthony Muhammad and Gerry Brooks, along with many other well-known and motivating speakers. Cost for the conference is $150/person or $1,500 for all school faculty members. This provides a unique opportunity to join a conference in creative ways anytime during the week.

  • Bring staff together and listen to one of the speakers as a group.
  • Invite grade levels or departments to watch a speaker together.
  • Invite teachers to watch a specific speaker and meet together to discuss.
  • Invite teachers to watch speakers of their choice.

This conference will be well worth the cost, even if you’re not able to watch all speakers. See the attached brochure for session and registration information. Take note that the dates on the brochure are the original dates for the conference. To accommodate Jordan's spring break our dates will be April 3-12, 2021.

Published on

On November 10, 2020, Apple Computer Inc., began deployment of computers using their new proprietary M1 chip. Since that time, it has been discovered that this new technology is not compatible with many enterprise and business applications utilized and required by Jordan School District. Because of this, Apple devices that feature the M1 chip will not be able to function within Jordan District’s computing environment.

This incompatibility with major systems has been acknowledged by Apple, and is currently under review. An anticipated resolution date has not been released. Because of the significant nature of the issue, there is no way of knowing when the incompatibilities will be sufficiently resolved.

Until these issues with the Apple M1 chip have been resolved, purchases of Apple devices containing the M1 chip have been discontinued. Please do not attempt to purchase an M1 chip Apple device through alternate means. These devices will not function in the district computing environment.

Alternatively, a dwindling number of Intel chip-based Apple products are available, but they are significantly more expensive than their comparable M1 chip siblings. If you are in immediate need of computers that will function within the district environment, please consider either Window-based computers, or Chromebooks.

Please feel free to contact Information Systems if you have further questions concerning this topic.

Published on

We are excited to announce the JSD Virtual Teacher Transfer Fair will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 4:00PM-6:30PM in lieu of the traditional in-person transfer fair.  

Schools are to remain open so teachers may Zoom from their classroom.

All principals can access Virtual Teacher Transfer Fair resources and tools immediately by clicking on the following link: Feb 2021 JSD Virtual Teacher Transfer Fair. Anticipated openings, based on your 2.0 FTE projections, and school Zoom Meeting links must be added to the “JSD Virtual Transfer Fair Links/Openings” Google spreadsheet by February 16th.

Interested licensed employees will have the ability to start uploading resumes and video introductions on February 10th.  Principals can begin previewing these documents by school level (Elementary, Middle, High, Special Ed) in the Form Responses spreadsheet. 2020-2021 Teacher Transfer Fair (Responses) This document will also give you access to a live support Google chat during the JSD Virtual Teacher Transfer Fair on February 17th for any questions or concerns that you may have during your interviews.

If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources:

Elementary 
Kim Gibson kim.gibson@jordandistrict.org
Brittany Bauer brittany.bauer@jordandistrict.org

Secondary 
Wyatt Bentley wyatt.bentley@jordandistrict.org
Mark Sowa mark.sowa@jordandistrict.org

Published on

In the November JAM, it was announced that any and all websites in the domain of Weebly or Wix would be   blocked in January. This action has been delayed. Wix and Weebly sites will be available through July 15, 2021. This will give individuals additional time to transfer sites to a JSD supported website.

Published on

This event is for Jordan District leaders and social and emotional learning champions to share ideas and work together to ACCELERATE social and emotional learning in Jordan District.

See flyer below for link to sign up and more information regarding this event.

Published on

The following are new administrative assignments:

New Assignments effective July 1, 2021:

  • Ronna Hoffman, principal at Riverside Elementary appointed administrator on special assignment in the Teaching & Learning Department, she will then be appointed principal of the new elementary school in Herriman for the 2022-23 school year.
  • Marianne Johansen, principal of Philo Farnsworth Elementary in the Granite School District appointed principal at Majestic Elementary replacing Kathe Riding who is retiring.
  • Michael Trimmell, principal at Arovista Elementary in Brea Olinda Unified School District in California appointed principal at Riverside Elementary replacing Ronna Hoffman who was reassigned.
  • Tyler (TJ) Davenport, elementary teacher at Plymouth Elementary in the Granite School District appointed assistant principal at a location to be determined.

New Assignments effective as soon as possible:

  • Jennifer Smith, BYU intern facilitator at Blackridge Elementary appointed assistant principal at Foothills Elementary.
  • Shana Mondragon, teacher specialist at Oquirrh Elementary appointed assistant principal at Oakcrest and Mountain Shadows Elementary.
  • Troy Monson, principal at Scappoose Middle in the Scappoose School District in Oregon appointed assistant principal at South Hills Middle.

Published on

Employee COVID-19 testing is continuing at the ASB. As a reminder this testing is for employees that are Non-Symptomatic only. Please remind your employees of this.

High school employees interested in getting tested should do so at their high school by contacting a member of their administration.

Testing will be offered each Friday from 2-4 pm at the Jordan District Auxiliary Services Building, located at 7905 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan, UT 84088. Employees should use the north entrance marked “Entrance A”. Use this link for parking information: ASB COVID-19 Testing Location Map

  • Please come with personal identification and your JSD ID badge.
  • Employees may test weekly but only need to register one time.
  • Employees wishing to be tested must complete the online form found at this link prior to arriving for testing:

If you have any questions please email nadine.page@jordandistrict.org

Published on

Due to continued supply chain constraints and delays in the Computer Technology industry, most vendors are now urging schools to place their orders for Chromebooks that will be needed for this coming Fall no later than mid to late February.  The sooner we can process your requisitions and get them in line for manufacturing, the better.

We urge you to consider your Chromebook needs for next year, and submit requisitions within the next few weeks.

We currently have a vendor that is receiving intermittent stock that can get them here in most cases to you in 2-4 weeks if you have an urgent need, but pricing will be $20-$30 per unit higher.  If we can plan ahead, we can get better pricing for you with the longer lead times.

Please contact Tonya Hodges in Purchasing at 801-567-8706 for any assistance needed with pricing and ordering instructions.

Published on

DATE:
January 25, 2021

TO:  
School Psychologists, Elementary Counselors, and School Social Workers

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

SUBJECT: 
February School Psychologist, Elementary Counselor, and School Social Workers Meeting

A virtual meeting for school psychologists, elementary counselors, and school social workers has been scheduled for Friday, February 5, 2021, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Michelle Love-Day, Educational Language Services Consultant from Jordan School District, will provide us with a presentation on culturally responsive environments. Hunter King, doctoral student from the University of Utah, will review research re: reinforcers for secondary students.

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

cc:

Principals

Published on

DATE:
February 4, 2021

TO:  
Administrators
Administrative Assistants
Secondary Registrars
Special Education Team Leaders

FROM:   
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Norman Emerson, Consultant, Instructional Support Services / Fine Arts
Caleb Olson, Consultant, Planning & Enrollment

SUBJECT:    
Secure District Mail

In an effort to simplify and streamline the intra-district secure transfer of individual files, effective February 16, 2021, the District will implement a new program called Secure District Mail (SDM). Please see memo below for all the details.

Published on

Please use this link to learn how our department is helping students with our Student Outreach Specialists in our Winter newsletter. Check out our new Parent and Outreach Bulletin Board (translated version coming soon). Please take a moment to fill out this form and share the activities in your school or classrooms that are occurring in the month of February. We would love to visit, listen, and celebrate with you! If you are not even sure where to start, you can include that in the form and we can come present virtually to your school.

Published on

The mileage reimbursement rate is based upon the IRS rate. Effective January 1, 2021, the reimbursement rate is $0.56 per mile. Please use the attached form when submitting for mileage reimbursement. All 2020 mileage reimbursement requests should be submitted as soon as possible. Click HERE to access the mileage form online.

Published on

Schools are encouraged to participate in this unique opportunity to participate in the Instructional Leadership Conference. This year’s conference will be held virtually and will include keynote speakers Doug Fisher, Anthony Muhammad and Gerry Brooks, along with many other well-known and motivating speakers. Cost for the conference is $150/person or $1,500 for all school faculty members. The conference platform will be open and participants will have access to all speakers from March 25 - April 3. This provides a unique opportunity to join a conference in creative ways anytime during the week.

  • Bring staff together and listen to one of the speakers as a group.
  • Invite grade levels or departments to watch a speaker together.
  • Invite teachers to watch a specific speaker and meet together to discuss. 
  • Invite teachers to watch speakers of their choice. 

This conference will be well worth the cost, even if you’re not able to watch all speakers. See the attached brochure for session and registration information.

Published on

Please see the updated data criteria for 6th grade reading placement.  If there are any concerns or if teachers would like to review the 6th grade data prior to placement please contact

Mandy Thurman by January 27th. mandy.thurman@jordandistrict.org, 801-567-8119

Reading Placement Rubric - Revised 1/14/21
Current (20-21 Students) 

6th Grade Students going into 7th Grade

CATEGORY Highly Proficient Proficient Approaching Proficient Below Proficient
District Benchmark (Most Recent) 16-30 12-15 8-11 0-7
HMH RI

Lexile Score

 1010+ 910-1009 690-909 100-689
CogAt Verbal Stanine 7+

PR: 77+

 Stanine 5-6

PR: 43-76

 Stanine 4

PR: 25-42

 Stanine 1-3

PR: 1-24

Students with scores ‘Proficient or higher in at least two categories may take an elective rather than a Reading Course for the upcoming school year.

Published on

The Loaner Chromebook Program has received additional computers that are now available for loan to schools. To help ensure that all resources are used, loan requirements are being adjusted. If you are in need of Chromebook loans while waiting for an existing order to be fulfilled, or for any other reason, please contact Mark Sowa. Keep in mind, these will still be loaner machines that will need to be returned in due time.

Similarly, because the Loaner Kajeet Program has many devices still available, loan requirements have been adjusted. If a student has Internet access concerns (such as slow Internet, or too many people in the home trying to share limited bandwidth, or even student travel that would necessitate mobile Internet access), these could be solved with an additional point of Internet access. If you believe any of your students could benefit from having  Kajeet devices at no cost to the school or students, please contact Mark Sowa to make arrangements for a loan.

Mark can be reached at mark.sowa@jordandistrict.org, or at 801-567-8392.

Published on

DATE: 
January 5, 2021

TO:
All Principals

FROM:
Administrator of Schools
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Caleb Olson, Consultant of Planning
Scott Festin, Consultant of Planning and Enrollment

SUBJECT:
Student Enrollment for December 2020

Please see attached memo.