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Category: Middle Schools

Published on

DATE:    
November 18, 2025

TO:    
Principals
Assistant Principals
School Safety Specialists

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

SUBJECT: 
Monthly Drill Preparation (HOLD)

Our monthly drill preparation will now include an additional time slot to accommodate more schedules. The next one will be held on December 3rd at 2:40 PM, 3:10 PM, and again at 3:40 PM. Each session will last about 20 minutes.

This month we will be covering HOLD. 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.

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 HOLD response protocol can be found in the Jordan School District Safety Manual on pages 5-7. 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:   
November 17, 2025

TO: 
School Psychologists and School Psychology Interns

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

SUBJECT:  
December School Psychologist Guidance Meeting

A meeting for school psychologists and school psychology interns has been scheduled for Friday, December 5, 2025, from 12:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Jordan Auxiliary Services building located at 7905 South Redwood Road in West Jordan. We will start at 12:00 p.m. with a pot-luck lunch. You have the option of participating in our pot-luck luncheon, or bringing lunch for yourself if that’s your preference. Dan Lathen, Ph.D. will provide us with a presentation that addresses screen-induced harm.

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

cc:
Principals

Published on

DATE:    
Thursday, November 20, 2025

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 and Preparation 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 2025-26 WIDA test administration window begins on January 6 and ends on March 6, 2026.

See the memo below for all the details.

Published on

DATE:       
November 11, 2025

TO: 
Principals and Assistant Principals

FROM:   
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health & Wellness Consultant
Michelle Reyes, Attendance/Prevention Specialist, Health & Wellness

SUBJECT:   
November Attendance Newsletter & Thanksgiving Break Resources

See the attached documents for all the information.

Published on

TO:
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

Attached is the Special Ed Newsletter for November 2025.

Published on

TO:
Secondary Principals

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amanda Bollinger, Associate Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Todd Theobald, Administrator on Special Assignment, Teaching & Learning

Secondary Principals,

The first Secondary Principal PLC with coaches will be Thursday, November 20th from 8:00-11:00 a.m. at Juniper Elementary’s Tech Atrium. The schedule for all Secondary Principal PLCs can be viewed below. T&L will provide a sub for one lead coach (Sub code: 9202).

Secondary Principal PLCs (Lead Coaches Invited)
8:00-11:00 a.m.
November 20th @ Juniper Elementary Tech Atrium
January 8th @ ASB Auditorium
March 12th @ ASB Auditorium

Secondary Principal PLCs are intended to focus on the PLC process including district curriculum initiatives and data dives to support school improvement. Principals should plan on inviting LEAD coaches, not the whole coaching team, to attend the Secondary Principal PLCs.

Please reach out to Amanda Bollinger with any questions.

 

Published on

DATE:
November 12, 2025

TO:
Administrators of Locations with Employees Paid with Federal Dollars

FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Dan Ellis, Director of Accounting
Natalie Grange, Accounting Administrator

SUBJECT:
Federal Program Work Certification

Federal Regulations require the district to certify the payroll of any employee being paid with federal funds. Accounting identifies employees that meet this federal criteria and prepares certification forms by location. Principals and department heads please review the attached instruction memo and look for your payroll certification email the week of November 10, 2025. Certifications are due Friday, December 12, 2025.

Please review your certification ASAP and contact Natalie Grange if you have any questions or concerns. natalie.grange@jordandistrict.org, ext. 88312

Published on

DATE:   
Thursday, November 13, 2025

TO:    
Middle School Administrators
High School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
2025-26 Stakeholder Input Survey Response Counts

School administrators may view the response counts for the 2025-26 student, parent and faculty Stakeholder Input Surveys using the links below. Please note that the response counts for each of the links are updated live as survey responses are submitted.

Response Count Reports

Student Stakeholder Input Survey

Parent Stakeholder Input Survey

Faculty Stakeholder Input Survey

The survey window closes at the end of the day, Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability with any questions about the Stakeholder Input Surveys.

Published on

TO:
Principals and Administrative Assistants

FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Daniel Ellis, Director of Accounting and Audits
Natalie Grange, Accounting Administrator

District allocations for individual schools were updated in Skyward on October 30. Adjustments were made based on the October 1 headcount. Carryforward balances and transfer requests are included in the total allocation.

Please review these adjustments and contact Natalie Grange (801) 567-8312 with any questions or concerns.

Published on

DATE:  
November 10, 2025

TO:  
Principals
Assistant Principals
Elementary Administrative Assistants
Secondary Registrars
Secondary Attendance Secretaries

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Scott Festin, Planning Consultant

SUBJECT:  
School Choice Permit Allocations and Procedures

The open enrollment permit window opens on Saturday, November 15, 2025. Permit seat totals can be found on each school’s Enrollment Dashboard in Google Drive. Open the “2026-27” tab and scroll down to the permit section.

ACTION REQUIRED: Principals should review the individuals listed on their school’s dashboard in the “Permit” section and ensure that permissions are marked appropriately. Planning & Enrollment will defer to the permissions marked for various staff members when requests for additional seats are made. Please ensure that staff information is updated by December 5, 2025.

Schools should verify all outstanding applications prior to leaving for Winter Recess and verify any applications received during Winter Recess as soon as possible in the morning on Monday, January 5, 2026, so that the lottery can be run that afternoon. Once the lottery has been run, schools may immediately begin offering seats (if available). Seats not accepted within two weeks should be revoked (after attempting communication with the parent) and reoffered to the next student in line on the waitlist. At least weekly, schools should verify applications in the 2026-27 school year workspace and prepare them to be processed and moved to the waitlist. Schools should regularly continue to verify applications in the 2025-26 school year workspace and prepare them to be processed and moved to the waitlist.

During the early enrollment window (November 15, 2025 through February 6, 2026), the availability of permit seats is governed by BUILDING CAPACITY. Schools that are the most full will have the least available seats. Adding seats is governed by rules of the tier system established by the Board of Education and, in all instances, requires conversation with your Administrator of Schools. In the late enrollment window (after February 6 and 2026-27 FTE allocations are released), schools may request additional seats from their Administrator of Schools. Available seats in this window are determined by the availability of space and by grade in the teacher allocation based on current enrollment figures.

One final reminder: the early enrollment window (November 15, 2025 through February 6, 2026) requires schools to seat students if permit seats are available. Schools MUST follow the waitlist order when offering seats. It is inappropriate for a school to modify the waitlist order so that students who listed the school as a “first choice” are placed before others, regardless of their lottery priority. Schools who follow this practice may lose the ability to seat permit applications themselves. School administrators with concerns over this guideline may contact their Administrator of Schools.

Published on

DATE:   
November 6, 2025

TO:   
All Administrators & Threat Assessment Teams

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

SUBJECT: 
CSTAG Mini Training Video & Reminders

Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and staff is our highest priority. A well-understood threat assessment process is a vital component of a safe school environment.

The link below is the first in a series of "mini" training videos focused on the critical aspects of the school threat assessment process. Each training video is under 5 minutes in duration and will review important components of CSTAG with the goal of increasing the use and benefits of CSTAG with fidelity.

MINI Training Video 1: Understanding Threat Types
This brief, targeted training video is designed to provide all threat assessment team members with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify different types of threats when conducting threat assessments.

Other important CSTAG reminders: If you want to train a staff member or threat assessment team member in CSTAG level 1, please email the request with the person’s name, title, and email address to Angie Rasmussen (angie.rasmussen@jordandistrict.org). CSTAG Level 1 is web-based through Navigate 360 and the training costs $100 per person. A request for reimbursement will be sent to the school after the staff member has been added.

We would love to hear more about the violence prevention efforts and CSTAG practices at your school, or support your school with any specific training needs. Reach out to Angie to schedule a time to meet! Angie Rasmussen at angie.rasmussen@jordandistrict.org

 

Published on

DATE:   
Thursday, November 13, 2025

TO:  
Middle School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
Winter 2025-26 Testing Bulletin

School administrators may view the most up-to-date testing bulletin, complete with test administration and survey administration windows, by clicking on ‘Middle School’ under the heading Testing Bulletins on the front page of the website for Assessment, Research & Accountability. See the memo for the link and all the details.

Published on

The following is a new administrative assignment:

New Assignment effective October 31, 2025:

  • Rich Nielson, former administrator in Granite School District, appointed assistant principal at Mountain Creek Middle, replacing Michael Wilkey who is resigning.

Published on

DATE:    
Thursday, November 5, 2025

TO:    
K-12 Principals

FROM:    
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amanda Bollinger, Associate Administrator, Teaching & Learning
Nathan Foster, Health/PE Specialist, Teaching & Learning

SUBJECT:   
Required Firearm Safety Instruction – Implementation for 2025-26

During the 2025 legislative session, Utah passed HB104, which requires firearm safety instruction to be provided three times in K-6, once in middle school, and once in high school. Jordan School District will meet this requirement by providing firearm safety instruction in 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades, Health I, and Health II, aligned with Health Education standards.

Instruction may be delivered through live lessons, videos, online materials, or as part of health or physical education curricula. Before instruction, schools must notify parents or guardians and offer an opt-out option, with alternative educational activities provided as needed.

For details, resources, and curriculum materials to support this requirement, please review the attached HB 104 Implementation Document and visit the linked resources.

Please reach out to our JSD Health and PE Teacher Specialist, Nathan Foster, with any questions: nate.foster@jordandistrict.org.

HB104 - Parent Information Sheet - Opt Out Form

Published on

TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Brittany Bauer, HR Specialist
Jane Olsen, HR Specialist

Valued Licensed Employees:

The Human Resource Department is notifying you of important information regarding the upcoming timeline and incentive approved by the Board.

LICENSED EARLY NOTIFICATION (Resignation or Retirement)
Licensed employees resigning/retiring at the end of the current contract year, who give official early notification in SKYWARD – EMPLOYEE ACCESS, will be eligible for a tiered incentive. Informing your principal/school administrator either verbally or in writing is not sufficient. To qualify, notification must be submitted on or before the following dates:

  • Dec. 15, 2025 - $500.00
  • Jan. 15, 2026 - $300.00
  • Feb. 15, 2026 - $200.00

The incentive will be paid on the last regular paycheck. Notifications of resignation/retirement received after the dates listed above will not qualify for an incentive. The official District “Notice of Resignation” form is found in Skyward Employee Access under “Task Processes”. Please see District policy DP318 for more detailed information regarding resignations.

If you do not know your Skyward username or password please contact the Help Desk at 801-567-8737.

Licensed employees who do not submit an official “Notice of Resignation” form in Skyward Employee Access with at least thirty (30) calendar days’ written notice WILL BE FINED $500, which will be deducted from their final check. Informing your principal/school administrator either verbally or in writing is not sufficient. See District Policy DP318 – Resignations - Licensed.

School/District Administrators must submit an official “Notice of Resignation” form in Skyward Employee Access with at least sixty (60) calendar days’ written notice WILL BE FINED $500 in accordance with District Policy DP318A – Resignations-Administrators.

Published on

TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Jane Olsen, HR Specialist

Valued Paraprofessionals:

Utah Valley University has developed a 2-year program designed for working paraprofessionals to obtain a Special Education Professional Educator License. Courses would be in the evening or during the summer to accommodate working paraprofessionals and scholarships are available.

If you are a paraprofessional interested in becoming a Special Education educator here in Jordan this is one of many opportunities for you to explore.

Please review the attached flyer for details.

Published on

TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Jane Olsen, HR Specialist

Valued Educators:

Please see the information below and the attached flyer regarding Ph.D. programs available to you through Utah State University. Your continuing education is valued in Jordan School District. To see how investing in a Ph.D. would impact your salary, please review the current salary schedule: JSD Educator Salary Schedule

Utah State University’s School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) invites applications for our doctoral programs, the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Both doctoral degree programs are designed for educators who aim to deepen their expertise, apply research methods, and expand their impact.

Our Ed.D. in Teacher Education and Leadership is a 46-credit, Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED)-aligned professional doctorate designed degree for working educators and leaders. The program is practice-driven, allowing participants to address real-world “problems of practice” while maintaining their careers. Learn more here: Ed.D. Program Details.

Our Ph.D. in Education is a 60-credit, research-intensive program focused on theory and academic scholarship. Through coursework, professional experiences, and research, participants are prepared for higher education, curriculum designers, and researcher, with concentrations in cultural studies, school leadership, literacy education, mathematics education, and science education. More information is available here: Ph.D. Program Details.

Applications are due December 1

Published on

TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Rebecca Eastman, HR Generalist

If you are a contracted employee and need to take Annual/Personal Leave on a Critical Day before or after Winter Recess 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
Winter Recess
(Licensed)		 Dec. 22, 2025 - Jan. 2, 2026 Dec. 19, 2025 and Jan. 5, 2026 Nov. 7 – Nov. 17, 2025
Winter Recess

(ESP)

 Dec. 24, 2025 - Jan. 2, 2026 Dec. 19, 2025 and Jan. 5, 2026 (245 works Dec 29, 30, 31) Nov. 9 – Nov. 19, 2025

*Critical Days are the first student attendance days before or after a school holiday. If a non-student attendance day falls before or after a school holiday, the Critical Day is the day before or after that non-student attendance day when students are in attendance.

Licensed Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day 2025-2026

ESP Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day 2025-2026

Published on

DATE:    
November 3, 2026

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:
Professional Development Opportunities for Licensed Special Education Teachers - SLD Deep Dive: Gathering the Right Clues to Consider Eligibility

Three half-day options are being offered for teachers who didn't receive this training last year. A link to sign up for each training will be sent to all Special Education Licensed Staff Members. School secretaries can use code 1292 when submitting sub requests.

February 3rd -

Morning Session

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

DO Rm 129

 Session A: SLD Deep Dive: Gathering the Right Clues to Consider Eligibility

 

Space limited to 48 attendees

 
February 19th -

Afternoon Session

11:30 am - 3:30 pm

ASB Auditorium

 Session B: SLD Deep Dive: Gathering the Right Clues to Consider Eligibility

 

Space limited to 60 attendees
March 3rd -

Morning Session

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

ASB Auditorium

 Session C: SLD Deep Dive: Gathering the Right Clues to Consider Eligibility

 

Space limited to 60 attendees