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Category: Middle Schools

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Manager, Information Systems

Drumroll, please… Our district is using ParentSquare, the communication superhero your parents have been clamoring for! This tool is your new sidekick for connecting with families, sending a quick text, sharing epic student moments (think adorable pics), and rallying the troops through creative newsletters and posts. It’s already set up - so get ready to level up your parent engagement game, including texting parents in their preferred language!

How Do I Get There from Here?
Getting started is simple - Just visit ParentSquare.com/signin/, login using your Jordan District Google account and you’re officially connected to awesome classroom communication. ParentSquare works its magic on any device, so whether you’re a phone wiz, a laptop lover or tablet-trained, you’re good to go! Download the free mobile app for iOS or Android, or use ParentSquare from a web browser at ParentSquare.com/signin/.

What Can I Do with ParentSquare?
As a teacher, you have the ability to send both Posts and Direct Messages to your classroom’s families. Both options can be sent through email or text and can be translated to the parent’s preferred language. You can include calendar events to a post, allowing parents to quickly add events to their personal calendar, and even rsvp to your events. Parents can access messages via the ParentSquare app, however, those who do not register their account will still receive a text and email with your messages. Parents who do create an account can interact with your classroom by viewing photos, leaving comments on posts (only visible by you), messaging teachers, and managing their communication preferences.

Where Can I Learn More?
Transform yourself into a ParentSquare Pro! Access Teacher Training 101, self-paced modules, that can be completed in under 30 minutes. Be sure to select “Start Course.” After completing this course, you’ll be able to:

  • Login and navigate ParentSquare
  • Make changes to your notification settings and set office hours
  • Add events to the class calendar
  • Create posts and direct messages
  • Access support and training resources

In addition, you can click on the question mark in the upper right corner within ParentSquare to search comprehensive help articles, see what’s new, or connect with ParentSquare’s amazing support team. If you find that your account, classroom, or parent contact data is incorrect, please reach out to the Information Systems help desk at 801-567-8737.

Published on

TO:
All Principals
All Assistant Principals

FROM:
Becky Gerber, Administrator of Schools

Please share the attached flyer with the future school leaders in your building. Applications are due soon.

The BYU School Leadership Program invites educators to learn from current school, district, state, and university leaders about becoming a principal. The Academy is a great way to get a taste of school leadership and learn best practices for applying to principal preparation programs and future leadership positions. The district will cover the cost of your substitute teacher, and BYU will award a $1,000 scholarship to any participants who are accepted to and attend BYU’s Masters of School Leadership Program.

APPLY BY AUGUST 29, 2024 - APPLICATION LINK

Published on

DATE:   
August 8, 2024

TO: 
Building Administrators
Elementary Administrative Assistants
Secondary Attendance Secretaries
Secondary Registrars

FROM:   
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director, Student Services
Caleb Olson, Enrollment Consultant, Student Services

SUBJECT: 
Zoom Meetings: Enrollment Q&A and Secondary Enrollment Release

There have been a number of similar questions from schools about enrollment, residency, and digital cumulative folders. Additionally, we have a new process ready in Skyward for secondary schools to enter and track enrollment changes/releases.

To facilitate answering questions on these issues and provide training to secondary registrars/attendance staff about the new enrollment change process, I have scheduled Zoom meetings at the following dates/times:

Friday, August 9, 9:30 AM
Friday, August 9, 3:30 PM
Monday, August 12, 1 PM

Additional dates may be added if needed. All meetings will begin with enrollment Q&A before ending with training on secondary enrollment releases.

All meetings will use the Zoom information below:

Zoom Link: https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/2819257773?pwd=cTcvcVdGb1FhdVE2aExhcXNkdFc0UT09
Meeting ID: 281 925 7773
Passcode: 5dAycW

School staff may submit questions/issues/concerns in advance, if desired, by sending them to Caleb Olson via email.

Published on

DATE:  
August 5, 2024

TO: 
All Principals

FROM:    
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Brian King, Ph.D., Assistant Director of Special Education
Mike Trimmell, Ed.D., Special Education Administrator

SUBJECT: 
Mandatory DLM Training for Self-Contained Teachers

There will be two dates for the mandatory DLM training for all self-contained teachers. Teachers need only attend one of the two days. A link to sign up for the training will be sent to each self-contained teacher.

Option 1:
Date/Time: August 16 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Location: ASB Presentation Room (Room C-100)

Option 2:
Date/Time: August 30 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: ASB Presentation Room (Room C-100)

Please note that if teachers cannot attend the August 16th PD, they will need to get a substitute for August 30th. The Special Education Department will cover the costs of substitutes for licensed special education teachers who attend the August 30th training. Please use budget code 1292.

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services

For information regarding legal liability protection for school district employees, please review the following:

Legal Liability Protection  for Public School Employees
You and your public school have broad liability coverage through the State Risk Management Fund, hereinafter the “Fund.” 

Lawsuits are defended by the Litigation Division of the Utah Attorney General’s Office.

FUND COVERAGE SUMMARY
You have coverage through the Fund if a civil claim or a civil lawsuit for damages is brought against you for acts or omissions occurring:

  • during the performance of your duties, 
  • within the scope of your employment, or 
  • under color of authority, 

You may have the following rights under the Governmental Immunity Act of Utah: 

  • to have any lawsuit defended by an attorney at no cost to you, and 
  • to have any settlement or judgment paid on your behalf.

SECURING COVERAGE
To secure these rights you must: 

  • Immediately notify your school of any claim or lawsuit not to exceed 60 days;
  • Immediately forward to your school all legal documents served on you;
  • Make a written request to your school for defense and indemnification within ten days after service of a lawsuit; and
  • Cooperate in the subsequent investigation and defense, including to make an offer of judgment if requested.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED?
Your rights to defense and payment of claims or judgments do not cover acts or omissions involving:

  • Fraud; 
  • Willful misconduct; 
  • Impairment due to your use of alcohol or drugs; or 
  • False testimony under oath.

Criminal and Occupational Defense Protection
The Fund does NOT provide an attorney or pay for attorneys’ fees incurred in defending a criminal case; or occupational licensing matter (i.e. Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission); nor does it cover or pay for any fines, fees, or any other costs assessed in a criminal case or occupational licensing matter.

However, as a public-school employee, you may have the right under Utah Code 52-6 to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs from your employing school if the indictment or information is quashed, dismissed or results in an acquittal, unless it is quashed or dismissed on motion of the prosecuting attorney. This statute applies if the criminal charges are filed against you for acts or omissions occurring during the performance of your duties, within the scope of your employment, or under color of authority,

Additional Insurance Options

Civil Liability Coverages Civil coverage not provided by Governmental Immunity Act Fund Criminal Defense Coverages
State Risk Fund

Coverage for employees is generally consistent with the Utah Governmental Immunity Act and the statutory limitations of liability. Primary coverage includes General Liability; Auto Liability; Employment Practices Liability; Errors & Omissions; Directors & Officers; and Faithful Performance, generally with limits of $10 Million per occurrence.

 N/A No criminal defense coverage.

For additional information about your rights please see the following: The Utah Governmental Immunity Act, Utah Code 63G-7; Reimbursement of Criminal Defense Costs, Utah Code 52-6; Your Risk Manager or Business Official; or The Utah State Division of Risk Management 4315 S 2700 W Taylorsville, Utah 84129 (801) 957-7170

If you have any questions, please contact Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services, 801-567-8285 or bonnie.brennan@jordandistrict.org

Published on

DATE: 
August 5, 2024

TO:  
All School Administrators

FROM:   
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness Consultant

SUBJECT:  
2024-2024 Clinical Support Specialist Calendar

Please be aware of the Clinical Support Specialist (CSS) meeting dates listed below. It is essential that school-based clinicians are allowed to prioritize these meetings to be current on best-practices relevant to their role.

CSTAG Level One and Two

  • All Clinical Support Specialists who have not previously completed C-STAG Level One have been given a training account through Navigate 360
  • All Clinical Support Specialists are invited to attend C-STAG Level Two, the first of which will occur on 9/20/2024

CSS Team Trainings (1pm-3pm)

  • October 4, 2024
  • November 8, 2024
  • January 24, 2025
  • February 28,, 2025
  • April 25, 2025

PLC Meetings (730am-830am)

Purpose of PLC’s: Case staffing and professional consultation

  • September 13, 2024
  • October 11, 2024
  • December 12, 2024
  • January 10, 2024
  • April 11, 2024
  • May 9, 2024

Should you have any questions please reach out to McKinley Withers at mckinley.withers@jordandistrict.org

Published on

DATE:   
August 5, 2024

TO:  
All Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
2024-25 Employee Wellness Representatives

As a reminder, each school or department is invited to select an employee wellness representative! The Educator Wellness Representatives will support faculty/staff wellness efforts within your schools.

Action Items for administrators: If you haven’t already, please nominate your Educator Wellness Representative for the 24-25 school year!

Educator Wellness Representatives Duties include:

  • Will attend bi-annual in person training on 9/18/24 & 1/8/25
    • **Schools will need to cover the cost of the sub**
  • Promote wellness initiatives at the District and school level
  • Lead and support faculty/staff wellness efforts at your school throughout the year
  • Maintain a connection with District Wellness Specialists
  • Model educator wellness for the school community

Steps to having an educator wellness rep for your school or department:

  • Consider the following:
    1. Reps must be a licensed, non-administrative staff member. We highly recommend using a non-mental health team staff member. Also, we recommend they work with a leadership team or social committee at your school.
    2. Principals may work with their current reps to see if they’re interested in doing this important work again for the upcoming school year.
  • Principal nominates ONE educator wellness representative for each school using this form.
  • Support your wellness rep throughout the year as the work to enhance your school or department!

Published on

DATE:      
August 5, 2024

TO:  
All administrators

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

SUBJECT:
Beginning of Year SafeUT Reminders

Administrators,

As a reminder, SafeUT tips will continue to be sent through the Dashboard to all individuals assigned. If staff members would like to make any changes to their settings (such as text message notifications) or there are needed updates to your school’s dashboard, please inform Angie Rasmussen or McKinley Withers.

In addition, it is essential that ALL SafeUT tips are “closed” and that the SafeUT Dashboard for each school is up to date for the following reasons:

  • When the tip is not closed, the issue appears to not have been addressed or handled.
  • The legislature and USBE can review this data as part of funding decisions.
  • It allows SafeUT to improve how tips are distributed.

Here is a step-by-step information sheet that includes this process with images.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Angie Rasmussen at angie.rasmussen@jordandistrict.org

Published on

DATE:    
August 8, 2024

TO: 
School Administrators
Elementary Administrative Assistants
Secondary Attendance Secretaries
Secondary Registrars

FROM:   
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director, Student Services
Caleb Olson, Enrollment Consultant, Student Services

SUBJECT:  
Third Party Information Release Opt-Out

Parents (and students over the age of 18) have the right to opt-out of the release of their student’s directory information to third parties. This right is communicated to parents annually in the FERPA, PPRA, and Directory Information notices in the online “Registration for Schools” process.

Please see the memo below for all the details.

Published on

TO:
Administrators
Directors

FROM:
June LeMaster, Administrator Human Resources
Jane Olsen, Recruiting, Licensing & Hiring in Human Resources

Reserve your Job Fair Table!

Please see the documents below for all of the information!

Published on

DATE: 
August 8, 2024

TO:
School Administrators
Elementary Administrative Assistants
Secondary Attendance Secretaries
Secondary Registrars

FROM:   
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director, Student Services
Caleb Olson, Enrollment Consultant, Student Services

SUBJECT: 
New Student Grade Level Placement

Age-Appropriate Chart” in the online Planning & Enrollment Manual). This would include students that enroll from another state or country. Exceptions include:

  • A military child who does not meet the deadline but has previously attended kindergarten or a higher grade as a resident in another state. (53G-4-402 and 53E-3-902)
  • A student who was accelerated or retained in a previous school or district within the state of Utah. Jordan District will honor the acceleration or retention and continue to place the student in the next consecutive grade.
  • A student who was home schooled should be placed based on the parent’s request. Examples include, but are not limited to:
    • The student attended a public school in the 7th grade but was in home school for the 8th grade. The parent(s) or guardian(s) requests placement in the 8th grade. The school would place the student according to the request.
    • The student attended public school in the 7th grade but was in home school for the 8th grade. The parent(s) or guardian(s) states that the student completed both the 8th and 9th grade during the past school year, and requests placement in the 10th grade. The school would place the student according to the request.
  • A student who has never been in an educational setting should be placed according to their age.
  • A student may be enrolled in the first grade even though the child did not meet the entry date for kindergarten the previous year, provided a full year of kindergarten was successfully completed in another state or private school (not daycare or preschool). The parent(s) or guardian(s) shall provide convincing evidence that the child has the academic, social and emotional skills necessary to succeed in first grade AND provide a statement from the previous school that verifies the student’s successful completion of the kindergarten curriculum.

Jordan School District does NOT enroll:

  • Any student who has previously received a diploma.
  • Any student who is not five (5) years of age before September 2nd of the year they will be entering school (R277-419-2).

If the parent(s) or guardian(s) disagree with the student’s placement they may request acceleration or retention testing. Acceleration and/or retention testing is conducted to determine academic ability (see “Accelerations and Retentions” in the online Planning & Enrollment Manual).

Please contact Planning & Enrollment (801-567-8183) with any questions you may have.

Published on

DATE:   
August 8, 2024

TO:   
School Administrators
Elementary Administrative Assistants
Secondary Attendance Secretaries
Secondary Registrars

FROM:     
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director, Student Services
Caleb Olson, Enrollment Consultant, Student Services

SUBJECT:  
Initial Enrollment Without Birth Certificate

Utah Code (§53G-6-603) states that: Upon enrollment of a student for the first time in a particular school, that school shall notify the enroller in writing that within 30 days the enroller shall provide to the school either: (a) a certified copy of the student's birth certificate; or (b) (i) other reliable proof of the student's: (A) identity; (B) biological age; and (C) relationship to the student's legally responsible individual; and (ii) an affidavit explaining the enroller's inability to produce a copy of the student's birth certificate.

The original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by the Bureau of Vital Statistics is required for initial enrollment into any Jordan School District school. A copy of the certificate should be made and kept in the student’s cumulative folder. When a student transfers between Jordan District schools, it is not necessary to have the parent again supply the birth certificate (especially when the school is able to confirm that a copy of the birth certificate is available in the student’s cumulative folder when it transfers); however, building principals may choose to require birth certificates from transfer students or students entering the initial grade offered by the building provided this requirement is consistently applied to all students.

When a parent or guardian cannot provide a birth certificate at registration, the following steps should be followed:

  • The student is enrolled and allowed to attend school.
  • The parent/guardian is immediately given the 30-day grace period letter. This should be provided in-person at the time of registration.
  • If a birth certificate has not been provided within 30 calendar days, the 10-day warning letter should be provided. If it cannot be provided in person, it should be sent via certified mail. An additional copy of the letter may be sent to the email provided by the parent at registration if delivered via MoveIt.
  • If a birth certificate has not been provided by the end of the 10-day window, the student should remain enrolled and allowed to attend. School staff should notify law enforcement by certified letter. Once notification has been sent, the school’s statutory obligation has been met.

In some instances, the parent/guardian may not have a birth certificate. In this case, “other reliable proof” may be used. The documentation provided must prove the student’s identity and age. The steps below should be followed when using other documentation:

  • The student is enrolled and allowed to attend school.
  • The 30-day and 10-day letters should be provided as explained above.
  • If other reliable proof is brought to the school, the “Affidavit of Birth” document must be completed and notarized. A copy of the documentation and the affidavit should be placed in the student’s cumulative folder.
  • Law enforcement should be notified if documentation is not provided by the end of the 10-day warning window.

Parents and guardians do not need to be sent to Planning & Enrollment for approval of their “other reliable proof” documentation; however, school staff are welcome to consult with Planning & Enrollment about the particulars of documentation provided to the school. Notary services are also available at Planning & Enrollment if they cannot be provided at the school.

The 30-day and 10-day letters, as well as the “Affidavit of Birth” documents, are available on the Planning & Enrollment website (http://planning.jordandistrict.org) in the School Resources section under the “Resources & Forms” tab.

If no documentation is available, code requires the school to assemble a review team to work with the enroller to determine the student’s biological age. Administrators should contact Planning & Enrollment for assistance with this process.

Please contact Planning & Enrollment at 801-567-8183 with questions or concerns.

Published on

TO:
All School Administrators

FROM:
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services

ParentSquare, the communication suite that has replaced Skylert for the District, allows for a connection with Google Calendar (additional in-person and virtual trainings on ParentSquare are available through the beginning of the school year; see this JAM for more information). A single schoolwide calendar can be linked to ParentSquare for each entity to allow users to see school events from the ParentSquare dashboard.

Only one calendar can be linked from Google Calendar to ParentSquare, and this calendar should be a publicly accessible calendar of school events. In order for district events (such as school recesses) to appear in ParentSquare, they will need to be added to each school’s public Google Calendar.

There are two options for adding these events to your school’s public Google Calendar:

  1. Manually enter events from your school’s level calendar, available on http://planning.jordandistrict.org/calendars/, or
  2. Import the files linked below into your schools public Google Calendar. Importing files will “mass add” events without the need to go entry by entry.
    1. Elementary School Events: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JUa2uinMXbG1p_X8b6kVQ5YUmSiBTrtXIxIopVC_ev0/edit?usp=drive_link
    2. Middle School Events: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mo-ddCi3-iLUxCNXXUM2C36CNo2Z4OviXdMFUb7n7Jk/edit?usp=drive_link
    3. High School Events: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Kmf97Rk7wnBbcmpUTrQ2FGBb4e-Ubi6ORNeqQRDU-JQ/edit?usp=drive_link
    4. High School A/B Rotation: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1y3YCnfLsjsW6m3PfKSeRiPxbLJxAfkN7gZiTggD4pds/edit?usp=drive_link

If any of the events in the files already exist on your calendar, a duplicate entry will be created that can be deleted later.

For directions on importing a file of events to Google Calendar, please follow the process outlined in “Step 2: Import events into Google Calendar” at this link: https://support.google.com/calendar/answer/37118. The calendar you select in Step 5 MUST be the public facing school calendar. Events will be added to whatever calendar you select and there is no easy way to “undo” this action.

Once the events have been imported into your school’s Google Calendar, an individual with administrator access rights to ParentSquare should follow the instructions below to connect the public Google calendar to ParentSquare:

Specific questions about ParentSquare should be directed to the Information Systems Help Desk at 88737. Questions about calendar dates should be directed to Caleb Olson at 88251.

Published on

DATE:  
August 8, 2024

TO: 
Principals
Administrative Assistants
Attendance Secretaries
Registrars

FROM:  
Administrators of Schools
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Caleb Olson, Consultant, Planning & Enrollment

SUBJECT: 
Reporting Completion of 10-Day Accounting

Students who are registered to a District school and have not attended (or been marked absent with a valid excuse) for ten consecutive school days at any point in the school year must be withdrawn from membership. This is particularly important during the first ten days of the school year so that our enrollment calculations and reporting is accurate.

Accurate enrollment counts are used to generate future projections. Projection totals are needed very soon after ten-day adjustments are completed. To assist in preparing projections, we are asking all schools to report the completion of their 10-day drops on a Google Sheet as soon as these drops are processed. Only the staff member responsible for processing the drops should indicate completion status. The Google Sheet is available at this link and will be emailed to attendance staff again close to the 10th day of school.

10 day drops for high schools may be processed at the end of the day on September 3, 2024. Elementary (Grades K-6) and middle school may process drops at the end of the day on September 4, 2024.

Guidelines for how to process these drops are available at the links below:

Published on

TO:
Building & District Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Caleb Olson, Consultant, Planning & Enrollment

The "Assistant Principal Directory" has been updated for 2024-25 and can be downloaded at the links below. These links will remain valid for the entire school year; if changes occur at your school, please communicate them to me so that I can make updates and upload the directory. The date of the last update is located at the bottom of each directory page.

 

Published on

TO:
Middle & High Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Chris Richards Khong, Associate Administrator of Teaching and Learning

As announced to the AP community, the AP Program is accelerating the transition to digital testing to ensure the continued security of AP Exams. All schools must administer these 28 AP Exams digitally. Late-testing exams in these subjects, if offered by the school, are also in digital format.

For the full list of exams going digital, hybrid, and staying paper-pencil, please visit the main announcement page link listed on the resource page attached to this JAM message.

Overview webinars will be held on Thursday, September 12th and Monday, September 15th, 2024. Registration information for webinars is located on the resource page attached to this JAM message.

Action required: Please make certain your AP Coordinator and AP teachers have this exam information and the resources attached to this JAM message.

 

 

Published on

DATE:     
August 8, 2024

TO:   
Principals
Administrative Assistants

FROM:  
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Jordan School District Nurses

SUBJECT:    
Immunization Policy and Guidelines, Skyward and USIIS Inservice

Jordan School District Nurses will be conducting this inservice on:

Friday, September 20, 2024
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
ASB (Auxiliary Services Building), PDC Room 102

This inservice is open to all office staff and administrators. It is not required that you attend; however, if you are involved with student registration, this inservice will be of benefit to you since immunization status is an important part of the registration process.

Class size is limited. Please contact your school nurse if you are planning to attend. See attached nurse assignment list for 2024-25.