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Category: Middle Schools

Published on

DATE:  
Thursday, January 9, 2025

TO:  
All School Principals

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

SUBJECT: 
Stakeholder Input Survey Effectiveness Rating Reports

2024-25 Stakeholder Input Survey results may be found in Tableau here or by navigating to the Explore menu in your Tableau account: Explore>Surveys>Stakeholder Input Survey.

As a reminder, 53G-11-506 requires that stakeholder input be included as a component of educator evaluation. For this purpose, educator effectiveness ratings have been calculated for each school, principal, assistant principal, classroom teacher, and licensed support professional for whom at least 10 parents or students responded in the Stakeholder Input Survey. Effectiveness ratings were not calculated for personnel with less than 10 survey respondents. Educators have the option to include their effectiveness rating report in their JPAS portfolio.

Effectiveness rating reports may be accessed by clicking on the applicable school below (see next page). Only school principals have access to the effectiveness rating reports, but they may share access with other school administrators as they deem necessary. A hard copy of the reports addressed to principals will be sent via district mail and should arrive within a day or two of the date of this memo. These hard copy reports should be distributed to all personnel.

It is recommended that school administrators meet with each educator and go over their effectiveness rating report as well as the survey response data for that educator available in Tableau:

For classroom teachers:

For licensed support staff:

For questions about the Stakeholder Input Survey or the effectiveness rating reports, please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability.

(See the memo below which has the links provided on page 2)

Published on

DATE:      
January 9, 2025

TO:   
Principals
Assistant Principals
School Safety Specialists

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

SUBJECT:   
School Safety and Support Grant

On January 6, 2025 USBE sent out a notification regarding the availability of the 2025 School Safety and Support Grant. This is grant is not completed by each school and you should disregard the School Safety Support Grant email from USBE. This grant will be completed at the district level for all schools according to the safety needs assessments that were conducted at each school. Individual schools do not apply for this grant.

Published on

DATE:  
January 9, 2025

TO:  
High School Administrators
Middle School Administrators

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Stacee Worthen, Secondary Counselor Consultant

SUBJECT:  
Course Catalog Updates

Information regarding updated Course Catalog courses and how to request course changes and/or new courses is included below. Please contact Stacee Worthen with any questions or concerns.

The Course Catalog can be found at counseling.jordandistrict.org/catalog/

New Course Requests:

  • New Course Requests can be made by filling out the New Course Request Form
  • Please check the course catalog before submitting a new course to make sure that the new course is not already in the course catalog
  • The New Course Request Form needs to be filled out completely to be reviewed by the designated Teaching and Learning Consultants.
  • The process may take several weeks to get a course approved and course number in Skyward
    • An approval/denial email will be sent when process is complete
  • If you have questions about any course, please reach out to the Teaching and Learning Consultants

Course Change Requests

Newly Approved Courses (2024-2025 & 2025-2026) as of 12.18.2024

CTE

  • Individual and Family Relationships (CTE)
  • HTHS 1104 - Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology (CTE)
  • Electric Vehicle Safety & Technology (CTE)
  • Construction Management 1 (CTE)
  • Construction Management 2 (CTE)
  • Construction Management 3 (CTE)
  • Economics CE (CTE)
  • Electrician 1 (CTE)
  • LINUX Fundamentals (CTE)
  • Cyber Forensics (CTE)
  • Careers in Criminal Justice (CTE)
  • CMGT 1100 – Construction Math (CTE)
  • Machining 3 (CTE)
  • Introduction to 3D Print Technology (CTE)
  • Radio Production 1 (CTE)
  • Radio Production 2 (CTE)
  • Influencer and Content Marketing (CTE)
  • EE 2780 (CTE)
  • Fire Science, Safety and Survival (CTE)
  • Fire Science, Introduction (CTE)
  • NET 2300 – Introduction to LAN Management (CTE)
  • NET 1400 – Prin of Cyber Defense & Ethics (CTE)
  • Floriculture, Advanced (CTE)
  • Exploring Work-Based Learning (CTE)
  • Power Motor Sports Repair (CTE)

Digital Studies

  • Braille Literacy and Assistive Technology (DS)

Fine Arts

  • Photography 3 (A)
  • Black & White Film Photography 2 (A)
  • The Science of Comedy (A)
  • Debate 3: Advanced (A, Sr. ELA)
  • Screen Printing (A, CTE)
  • FILM 2200 – Fundamentals of Film Studies (A)
  • Latin Dance (A, ILA)

Language Arts

  • Literature & Storytelling (Taylor’s Version) (Sr. ELA, E)
  • Intro to Public Speaking & Speechwriting (ELA)

Math

  • Data Science/Mathematical Modeling (M)
  • Mathematical Decision Making for Life SPED (M)

World Language

  • Introduction to Spanish - Spanish 1B (E)
  • French 1A (E)
  • French 1B (E)
  • Spanish 5H (E, Sr. ELA)

Social Studies

  • History of Warfare (Military History) (E)

Physical Education/Health

  • Fundamentals of Baseball (ILA)

Science

  • BIOL 1610 – College Biology I (AAF-S)
  • BIOL 1615 – College biology I Lab (AAF-S)

 

Published on

TO:
All Administrators
All Directors
All Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Dan Ellis, Director of Accounting

The mileage reimbursement rate is based upon the IRS rate. Effective January 1, 2025, the reimbursement rate is $0.70 per mile. Please use the attached form when submitting for mileage reimbursement. All 2024 mileage reimbursement requests should be submitted as soon as possible. Click HERE to access the mileage form online.

Published on

TO:
Assistant Principals

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent

The January Assistant Principal meetings will be held on January 16 (8:00-11:00am) and January 23 (8:00-11:00am). All meetings will be held in-person at the JATC-S. All assistant principals and intern assistant principals are invited. A beverage service will be provided, beginning at 7:30 am at each of the meetings. As a reminder you only need to attend one of the sessions offered. Both sessions will provide the same information. Please CLICK HERE and it will take you to the Google Doc to sign up for which day you would like to attend. If you have any questions please call Nadine Page at 801-567-8182 (x88182).

Published on

TO:
School Administrators

FROM:
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools
Cody Curtis, Administrator of Schools
Jill Durrant, Administrator of Schools
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Schools
Becky Gerber, Administrator of Schools
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools

The January 14, 2025 principal meeting will be a half day. All levels meet in the auditorium at 8:00 a.m. A light breakfast and beverage service will be served beginning at 7:30 a.m. No lunch will be served. See you there!

Published on

TO:
Elementary Principals
Middle Level Principals
Counselors
Department Chairs
6th Grade Teachers

FROM: 
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning

Principals,

This is a quick update to the 7th Grade Mathematics Information for 2025-26 that we shared with you in the November 2024 principals’ meeting.

Originally the hand-out listed two ways for accelerated 6th grade math students to skip 7th grade math and move directly to 8th grade math: 1) a 7th-grade demonstrated competency assessment or 2) a competency course that could be taken outside of the regular school day. However, upon further research and consideration of the logistical challenges, we have determined that the competency course is not a viable option.

Passing the Math 7 demonstrated competency assessment will allow students to skip 7th grade math and register for 8th grade math. Counselors will be able to sign students up for competency testing in January and February 2025 if families are interested.

Published on

DATE:     
December 19, 2024

TO:     
Principals
School Safety Administrators
School Safety Specialists

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

SUBJECT:  
January Drill Preparation (Fire)

*DRILL MUST BE CONDUCTED WITHIN THE FIRST 10 DAYS AFTER BREAK*

Our monthly drill preparation will be held on January 8th at 3:00 PM with a second session at 3:30 PM. This month we will be covering FIRE. Each School Safety Specialist is expected to attend along with administrators assigned to oversee school safety. All other administrations are welcomed to attend as well. The meeting is also opened to any staff who may be interested. Most of you will have likely already completed this drill prior to the training so it will be more of a debrief and clarification as needed.

After each monthly training all school staff should be trained by the administrator over school safety and the School Safety Specialist. After being trained each month, teachers should educate their students on each safety drill. Additionally, schools should communicate with their patrons regarding Standard Response Protocol(s) (SRP) and the drill being conducted each month. Videos, handouts, and other resources can be found at the link(s) below.

Information regarding the FIRE response protocol can be found in the Jordan School District Safety Manual on pages 32-33. We will discuss how to implement and execute the drill. This will be an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas amongst the schools.

We will be holding this meeting over Zoom so please join using this link.

Published on

DATE:     
December 19, 2024

TO:   
Elementary Principals
Middle School Principals

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

SUBJECT:  
Annual Safe Routes to School Updates

Last year, Safe Routes Utah created a new website https://saferoutes.utah.gov/school-mapping/. If any schools need help getting log in information, contact Kristen Hoschouer at khoschouer@utah.gov to request what you need. If there is a new contact at your school, then explain that in the email so it can be updated on their end.

All maps will need to be approved by the district on the new site after submission by the school. The system is still undergoing statewide issues on their end so the maps may or may not reflect what you have submitted. Consider saving a screenshot of your map for your record.

The mapping process on the site has been updated as well. Instructions given to us state that schools should:

  1. Identify your Safe Routes Committee
  2. Create/update your Safe Routes Map and submit for district approval
  3. Create/update your Safe Routes plan report

All of this information, including guides and video tutorials, can be found on the new state website as you scroll down.

Separately, the District Safe Routes to School (SRTS) forms from last year have been updated and placed in a shared drive by the corresponding city (below). Follow the appropriate link below and find your school. You will see last year’s information entered by the school still on it for reference and convenience. Make updates to the form as needed and complete the “SURVEY” indicating it is done.

Once they have all been completed, these same forms will be shared with city governments for review and response. With it being shared, you will be able to see the city’s responses to better prepare for our meetings (DATES TBD). The due date for completion is Wednesday, February 19, 2025 but the sooner the better. If you have any questions please contact the district School Safety Coordinator, Matt Alvernaz at matt.alvernaz@jordandistrict.org

West Jordan Schools    South Jordan Schools

Herriman Schools       Riverton Schools

Bluffdale Schools

Published on

TO: 
All School Administrators

FROM: 
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Brandee Bergum, Secondary Language Arts Consultant

As we begin to prepare for the 2025-26 school year, we would like to collect our mid-year 6th grade Acadience and Star Reading data as soon as possible. This will allow us to provide the data to middle school principals and counselors as they begin their 7th grade registration process in January. 

Please advise your 6th grade teams to administer their mid-year Acadience and Star Reading in December, with the deadline being Friday Jan. 10, 2025. The mid-year testing window for Star Reading opened December 2, 2024. 

The data we collect will inform the rubrics that we use as recommended guidelines for Reading placement. (See attached.) We appreciate your patience and collaboration in our efforts to use data to do what is best for students. 

Published on

TO:  
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM: 
June LeMaster, Administrator, Human Resources
Brent Burge, Human Resource Administrator, ESP

If you are a contracted employee and need to take Annual/Personal Leave on a Critical Day before or after President’s Day for any reason not listed in policy DP335NEG or DP335B, you must submit a request as follows:

How to Request
During the window, the employee must send the request through email. Please include your name, school, position, and the date you are requesting the leave. Requests left on voicemail or over the phone will NOT be accepted.

Licensed employees submit their request to licensedpersonalleave@jordandistrict.org

Education Support Professionals submit their request to classifiedpersonalleave@jordandistrict.org

The employee will receive an email confirmation within two working days after submitting the request. If the employee does not receive a confirmation email, then Human Resources has NOT received your request and your leave will not be approved.

School Holiday Date of Holiday Critical Days Window
President’s Day
(ESP & Licensed Elementary)		 February 17, 2025 Feb. 14 and 18, 2025 Jan. 4 – Jan. 14, 2025
President’s Day
(Licensed Secondary)		 February 17, 2025 Feb. 13 and 18, 2025 Jan. 4 – Jan. 14, 2025

Licensed Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day 2024-2025

ESP Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day 2024-2025

Published on

DATE:
Thursday, December 19, 2024

TO:
All School Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Assessment, Research and Accountability
Michelle Love-Day, Director of Language & Culture Services

SUBJECT:
WIDA ACCESS 2.0 Test Administration Training for Schools

School administrators are asked to pass this information on to anyone who will be proctoring or coordinating the WIDA Access testing in your school this year.

As part of a federal requirement and the state’s accountability system, districts are required to administer the WIDA Access 2.0 annually to all ML students who have earned a Language Proficiency Level (LPL) of less than 4.2 and a Speaking score of less than 3.5. The 2024-25 WIDA test administration window begins on January 7 and ends on March 7, 2025.

All school personnel who will assist with WIDA Access test administration are asked to attend a mandatory test administration training. Participants may choose to attend any one of six training sessions, including one online training. Training participants will need to bring a device. Please note that if schools choose to send a classroom teacher, principals will need to cover the cost of the substitute teacher. Test pool hours may also be used for this.

Those who are to be trained to administer the WIDA should register in Canvas Catalog so that we may create their accounts in the testing and training platforms prior to their selected training date. Please see the dates and times in the attached memo.

Please contact Ben Jameson or JoLynn Snelgrove in Assessment, Research & Accountability with questions about the WIDA Access test administration and training.

Published on

The following are new administrative assignments:

New Assignments effective January 2, 2025:

  • Odette Desmarais, principal at Westvale Elementary appointed elementary school level Administrator of Schools.
  • Angela Solum, assistant principal at Heartland Elementary appointed principal at Westvale Elementary.
  • Rachelle Smith, administrative intern at Joel P. Jensen Middle and South Hills Middle transferred as full-time administrative intern to Heartland Elementary.
  • Meredith Doleac, principal at Ridge View Elementary appointed elementary school level Administrator of Schools.
  • Molly Morgan, assistant principal at Elk Meadows Elementary appointed principal at Ridge View Elementary.
  • Stacie Thompson, administrative intern at Hidden Valley Middle and Sunset Ridge Middle transferred as full-time administrative intern at Elk Meadows Elementary.
  • Jarom Airhart, assistant principal at Midas Creek Elementary transferred as assistant principal at South Hills Middle and Sunset Ridge Middle.
  • Ami Anderson, teacher specialist in Teaching & Learning appointed assistant principal at Midas Creek Elementary.

Published on

TO:
Administrators

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

The Jordan Ethnic Advisory Committee and Language and Culture Services cannot wait to see you at the annual "What I Wish You Knew Conference: In our shoes." This year the conference will be highlighting and celebrating our teachers making a difference in the classrooms everyday.

  • Where: Riverton High High
  • Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • Date: Jan. 21, 2025
  • What: What is working to enhance student leadership to sustain a culture of belonging in school.
  • There is a $175 stipend for teachers that attend. In addition, hourly employees can time sheet.

Published on

DATE:   
December 12, 2024

TO:   
Principals
Assistant Principals
School Safety Specialists

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

SUBJECT: 
School Safety Specialist Responsibilities

As a reminder, here are the details describing the roles and responsibilities of assigned School Safety Specialists. By now each School Safety Specialist should have received the Standard Response Protocols training so they are familiar with it. The training is mandatory for all School Safety Specialists and will need to be attended in order to be in compliance with state law.

All School Safety Specialists shall be trained and certified in level 1 Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG). The School Safety Specialist acts as a member of the school’s interdisciplinary CSTAG team. Please make the necessary arrangements to have this completed in a timely manner.

It is recommended that School Safety Specialists should be conducting an inventory and visual inspection of all the safety equipment within his or her school. Items to inspect include the tactical emergency casualty care (TECC) kits in the classrooms and common areas, the reunification crate, fire extinguishers, and AEDs. Other items to consider include wheelchairs and staircase evacuation chairs or commonly known as “rickshaws.” Make sure to maintain a record of drills conducted as well.

Use this link to review the School Safety Specialist roles and responsibilities in detail. If a School Safety Specialist or school administrator is still need of training please contact the district School Safety Coordinator, Matt Alvernaz, at matt.alvernaz@jordandistrict.org or by phone at 801-567-8623.

Published on

DATE:   
December 11, 2024

TO:  
All Principals, Directors and Supervisors

FROM:   
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Sarah Palmer, Director of Payroll

SUBJECT:   
DP375 – Vacation Schedule for Administrative Personnel

Clarification of administrator vacation days carryover:

  • Administrators receive 20 frontloaded vacation days on July 1st of each year. These frontloaded days are earned throughout that current year.
  • Administrators may carryover up to 20 earned vacation days from the previous year. Any earned days over 20 not used by December 31st of each year will be forfeited.

Therefore, as of December 31, 2024, any unused vacation days above 40 days will be forfeited. These 40 days consist of the 20 days that were frontloaded on July 1, 2024 for the 2024-25 year, as well as up to 20 unused earned days that were allowed to be carried over from the previous 2023-24 year.

Published on

TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services

"All employees and their spouses covered on the Jordan School District PEHP medical plan are eligible to participate in the health incentive program. Each employee and their spouse can earn up to $100 each by participating in one of the free biometric testing sessions, completing a questionnaire and participating in a variety of PEHP wellness activities.

If you would like to schedule a PEHP Healthy Utah testing session for your school, please send an email to Stan Moyle, Stan.Moyle@pehp.org, with PEHP with the date and time you would like to host the testing session. Health Utah is currently scheduling on a limited basis and days fill up fast, so don't delay. Testing sessions can be scheduled between January and April at this time. Please see "First Steps Rebate" on the attached flyer.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services (801) 567-8285.

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Mike Haynes - Director, Jordan Education Foundation

The JEF Outstanding Educator Award Application is now open!

Nominations are due January 16, 2025.

Jordan Education Foundation recognizes and honors superior teachers with a track record of improving student achievement, using innovative instructional strategies and making a difference in the lives of their students.

One teacher from each school will be recognized with a crystal award and $500 cash prize. From these excellent candidates, the top 10-15 submissions will be selected by the JEF Awards Committee to attend a banquet in their honor and will receive an addition $500 cash prize ($1,000 total). Submissions received after January 16, will not be eligible for the banquet and additional cash award. 

Guidelines and additional information can be found on the JEF Website: JEF Outstanding Educator Awards (PLEASE NOTE: THE 2024-2025 SUBMISSION FORM HAS BEEN REVISED)