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Category: Middle School Info

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Skylert Messaging Protocol:
The Department of Transportation has received calls regarding proper protocol for Skylert messaging when buses are running late due to weather, mechanical failure, traffic delays, etc. As indicated in “FAQ for Administrators/Schools” on the Transportation web page, Transportation will send a Skylert message to all families and schools that may be impacted during the morning route. When a school is notified that buses are running late in the afternoon due to weather, mechanical failure, traffic delays, etc., the Skylert message comes from the school.

Field Trip Requests:
When scheduling your school’s field/activity trip on busHive, please make sure to include details and/or information in the “special instructions” section that the bus driver should be aware of prior to arriving at your school. This includes, but is not limited to, specific pick up or drop off locations either at the home school or the destination, service animals, lunch location request, etc. The more information our bus drivers have in advance of the field/activity trip, the better overall experience for students, staff and parents.

Notification of Special Education Students Who Get Suspended:
When special education students who are bused get suspended from school, please make sure to notify Stephanie Erickson, Special Education Route Coordinator, at stephanie.erickson@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8846 in order for the student’s bus driver to be notified. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

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In preparation for upcoming presentations to the Board and making projections for future school years, Planning & Enrollment needs to update records of how rooms are being used at school sites. This is not a formal walkthrough and room-by-room count; this is a verification of how rooms are being used during the current school year. The update will require a brief (10-15 minutes) visit with a principal, assistant principal, or administrative assistant who can answer questions about how rooms are being used. Given the short turnaround time for this project, we will be unable to schedule appointments with schools and ask for your cooperation and time as we make these visits over the next few weeks.

Moving forward, we anticipate a similar verification visit with each school in late summer or early fall each year, with a formal walkthrough and room count occurring every 2-3 years.

If there is a significant conflict in the next few weeks or if you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to Planning & Enrollment:

• Scott Festin, x88370
• Caleb Olson, x88251

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DATE:    
February 8, 2024

TO: 
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT: 
2024 Prevention Funds Available for Your School!

Jordan District is focused on supporting each student’s well-being. As a part of this ongoing effort, there are funds available for each school’s prevention efforts. Please review the following information:

*As a reminder, each school is required to maintain and update prevention plans annually. These funds and upcoming workshops are meant to support each school’s prevention plan.

Positive Behaviors Plan 2023-2024
E-cigarette and Nicotine Prevention Funds 

Prevention Block Grant Funds

  • $2,000 towards the evidence-based social and emotional skill-building curriculum of your choosing for the 2024-25 school year as part of your school’s prevention plan.
  • Instructions and support for accessing these funds will be offered through the upcoming SEL Expo (3/5) and Prevention Planning Workshops throughout March as part of the Prevention Palooza (See Prevention Palooza JAM for details)!
  • Prevention Plans must be updated to include these funds by March 22nd to receive reimbursement. Unspent funds will be redistributed to schools that have submitted plans after that deadline. Again, instructions and support will be provided in the Prevention Planning Workshops throughout March. 

Annual Suicide Prevention Grant Funds

  • $1,000 towards training staff and students on preventing suicide, which can be part of an evidence-based suicide prevention program (Sources of Strength, HopeSquad, etc.)

If you are looking for support in coordinating and streamlining prevention efforts around common goals, attend the 2024 Prevention Palooza in March!

For questions and more information on these available funds and updating or enhancing your school’s prevention plan, contact McKinley Withers, 88245, mckinley.withers@jordandistrict.org

Published on

DATE:
February 8, 2024

TO:   
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT:  
2024 Prevention Palooza–Workshops and Support Available!

Jordan District is focused on supporting each student’s well-being. As a part of this ongoing effort there will be several opportunities throughout Spring 2024 to enhance and expand each school’s prevention program during the Prevention Palooza! Save the date for the following events:

Social and Emotional Skill Curriculum Expo
Tuesday, March 5th
JATC South in the Auditorium
Two Sessions: 8:30-11:00, 12:30-3:00
Interested in learning more about what curriculum options are out there that support your school’s social and emotional skill development goals? This upcoming event presents a valuable opportunity to explore several Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum options that may fit your school's needs. The event will feature various vendors who will take the time to answer questions and preview their evidence-based curriculum in an open-table discussion format. Administrators who attend will be able to spend time exploring the curriculum that best fits their needs.

Prevention Planning Workshops
Dates Available: March 6, 11, 14 (pm only), 15, & 18
ASB Presentation Room (entrance C)
Two sessions Each Day (pm session only on the 14th): 8:30-11:00, 12:30-3:00
Choose a workshop time to update and enhance your school’s prevention plan. There will also be targeted support for accessing grant funds that are available for your school’s unique prevention efforts. Substitute costs can be covered so a full team can attend!

More information on times and sign ups to come!

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Positions considered Critical Need/Hard to Fill are eligible to begin posting immediately.

Remember to complete the Date Position Available field on your Requisition to assist us in accurately identifying positions available for 2024-2025 school year and support our upcoming recruitment efforts nationwide.

Reminder: For tutorials to assist you with completing requisitions and all things Frontline, there is a link on your Frontline Message Board. If you have any questions, please contact your HR Recruiting Team.

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Through the month of FEBRUARY, current JSD licensed teachers and/or educators may view transfer opportunities for the 2024-25 school year. If you are interested in a transfer to another school location in the District for the 2024-25 school year, you must submit a transfer request through the Teacher/Educator Transfer Request located in Skyward Employee Access and/or attend the Teacher/Educator Transfer Fair on Feb. 12, 2024. A Teacher/Educator Transfer Request Report listing all interested licensed teachers and/or educators is emailed to Principals each Monday during the month of February with the names of those teachers/educators who are requesting a transfer to a new location for the 2024-25 school year.

On March 1, current JSD teachers/educators may view openings for the 2024-25 school year at employment.jordandistrict.org and must apply in Frontline. Transfer requests will be accepted through August 1, 2024.

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DATE:
February 1, 2024

TO:
Principals and Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Cody Curtis, Middle School Level AOS
Brad Sorensen, High School Level AOS

SUBJECT:
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences for Secondary Schools

The dates for Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences for secondary schools are Tuesday, February 13, 2024 and Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 4:00 pm until 7:30 pm.

Here is the schedule that the schools will follow:

  • Middle Schools:
    • Tuesday, February 13, 2024 - Virtual
    • Thursday, February 15, 2024 - In Person
  • High Schools:
    • Tuesday, February 13, 2024 - In person
    • Thursday, February 15, 2024 - Virtual

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Intermountain AP Summer Institute is the only institute of its kind held in the state of Utah. 2024 marks the 14th year of operation as a College Board endorsed training. APSI offers the highest quality professional development in 18 content areas. Make the most of your AP dollars by speaking with Chris Richards-Khong in the Teaching & Learning Department about how you can help sponsor registration and stipends for AP teachers.

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ALPS testing will be conducted during the school day at local schools from February 7 - March 15, 2024. The GT office and/or the proctor for your site will contact you to schedule dates and times for your school.

Please contact Rebecca Smith (88368) with any questions you may have. Thank you for accommodating the testing at your sites.

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DATE:  
February 1, 2024

TO:      
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT:  
Safety Training Opportunity

Webinar: The Role of Principals in School Safety Efforts

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools and its Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center will host a webinar on Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  This webinar will focus on the role that principals play in preventing, protecting the school community from, mitigating, responding to, and recovering from threats and hazards.

The objectives of this 60-minute webinar are to

  • Highlight the importance of establishing a collaborative planning team for school emergency operations plan (EOP) development, as outlined in Step 1 of the Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans.
  • Reinforce how principals can contribute to EOP development and ensure school safety, security, emergency management, and preparedness.
  • Share relevant resources to be used by principals and core planning teams.

Register on Zoom to participate in the Webinar.

Guest Panelists

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida

  • Ty Thompson, former Principal

Ocali Charter High School in Ocala, Florida

  • Elizabeth Brown, Principal

Hudson High School in Hudson, Ohio

  • Michael Sedlak, Unit Principal

Sandy Hook Elementary School

  • Kathy Gombos, Principal

Panel Moderator
Janelle Hughes, Project Director, REMS TA Center

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First, the "Discipline Notes" released in previous memos have been consolidated into a single document, available at this link: Discipline Notes

Second, there are four new "Discipline Notes" entries based on items identified in recent discipline review committee meetings. The new entries are:

• "Targeted" Offenses
• Fighting / Mutual Altercation
• Commentary in Log Entries
• Actions in Offense Comments

Published on

DATE:     
January 24, 2024

TO:   
All Administrators

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

SUBJECT:   
Wellness Day 2024 Updates

Our District’s third annual Wellness Day is right around the corner! Here are some reminders and updates for school and District leaders:

  • Parents and students have received a Skylert from the District with information about how to access instructional content along with a reminder about the day.
  • A direct email will go out to all employees with information about opportunities available and will include instructions about how and when to sign up for wellness day opportunities.
  • As much as possible, please allow for flexibility for employees to make the most of their wellness day.

Looking to promote wellness day and engage your school community? Use this link for some ideas, posters, and posts you can use: wellness.jordandistrict.org/wellnessiseasy

Published on

DATE:    
January 24, 2024

TO: 
Principals
Assistant Principals

FROM:  
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Matt Alvernaz, School Safety Coordinator

SUBJECT:  
Safe Routes to Schools Update and Clarification

The only part of your schools Safe Routes plan that is due by Friday January 26th is the 24-25 Safe Routes Form. Please save your own copy and rename it with your school. Once you have the form, share it back to Matt Alvernaz via the Google Drive. This will enable you to continue to make changes and add signatures as needed. You will have more time to complete the remaining steps needed on the new website.

The Safe Routes form will also be shared with the corresponding city engineer pertaining to your school so be sure to add your notes for review. The city engineer will be able to respond and add to the shared form directly as well. Having this information included and already exchanged will help our meetings with each city be more efficient.

The new website has presented some difficulties we are working through together. When accessing your maps on the new website, found at Safe Routes Utah, please ensure the routes are accurate and complete. Most maps did not copy over correctly from the old website. The most common issue is sudden gaps in the route lines. Some have corrected the issues and resubmitted the map only to have it not reflect the updates. According to the state, this issue should self-correct for the maps that were re-submitted with your corrections.

The description portion can only be accessed on the website once the map is approved. Maps cannot be approved until the corrections are either made or a confirmation of the corrections have been made. Please email Matt Alvernaz at matt.alvernaz@jordandistrict.org to confirm your maps were checked and/or corrected so they may be approved. Please have this done as soon as you are able.

If you have any trouble gaining access to it or your school is not found on the website, please reach out directly to Kristen Hoschouer at khoschouer@utah.gov.

For any additional assistance or clarification please contact Matt Alvernaz at matt.alvernaz@jordandistrict.org or by phone at 801-567-8623.