Jordan School District
TO:
Principals
Special Education Teachers (Preschool and School-Age)
Speech-Language Pathologists
FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Brian King, Director of Special Education
This year, the state has allocated 6 additional days available to work two weeks before or after your contract days. Please read the attached memo for instructions on when the days can be worked and how to submit them correctly. The link for submitting the days is included in the attached memo.
DATE:
Thursday, July 23, 2026
TO:
All School Administrators and District Department Directors/Consultants
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Assessment, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
2026-27 Required Testing Ethics Professional Development Procedures for Licensed Educator and ESP Employees
For the 2026-27 school year, administrators will need to conduct a training on the state’s testing ethics policy for all licensed educators as well as any education support professionals (ESPs) who will assist with district-, state- or federally-mandated testing. All licensed educators will need to be trained on the policy. Administrators will want to consider including computer lab assistants who function as the school’s test coordinator, any classroom aides that assist with testing, literacy aides who assist with Acadience Reading testing or progress monitoring, or any office staff that assist test coordinators with district-, state- or federally-mandated testing.
The three required procedures for completing this testing ethics professional development are listed on the “2026-27 Principal’s Testing Ethics Checklist for Licensed Educators and ESPs” form, which is due to Assessment, Research & Accountability by Friday, September 18, 2026.
As has been done in the past, administrators may provide the testing ethics training themselves using the Google slide deck linked in this memo. Alternatively, administrators may show the YouTube video linked below to school personnel. The video provides the same information as the slide deck. Once school personnel have been trained, either by a school administrator or using the video, they are required to sign the “2026-27 Standard Test Administration and Testing Ethics Policy Training Signature Form.” Administrators are asked to keep these signed forms on file at the school.
There are several materials attached with this memo for your use:
Please contact Ben Jameson or Heather Knecht in Assessment, Research & Accountability with any questions.
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Jordan School District Cabinet Members
The District-wide Professional Development Day on Aug. 11, 2026 is just around the corner. If you haven't already, please choose from available keynote speakers using the link below. All keynotes begin at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, Aug. 11. The topics and location information for each keynote speaker are included in the registration information. You will receive a confirmation of your keynote choice and location to remind you of your selection.
Register for Your PD Day Keynote Speaker
You must attend both a morning and afternoon keynote of your choice. Be sure to register for an AM and PM session.
2026 District-wide Professional Development Day Schedule Flyer
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/after Labor 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 |
| Labor Day | Sept 7, 2026 | Sept. 4 and Sept 8 | July 24-Aug. 3, 2026 |
*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
Licensed Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day 26-27
TO:
Administrators
FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Jane Olsen, HR Administrator, Head of Talent Acquisition
Mike Trimmell, Assistant Director of HR, Talent Development
Dear Administrators,
We ask our students to become curious thinkers, responsible teammates, and engaged citizens — and our new educators are the ones who will help them get there. Welcoming them well is our first chance to show what a Culture of Belonging looks like in Jordan School District.
Join us for the “Clap-In,” and “Clap-Out” the joyful, high-energy tradition that kicks off New Educator Induction and officially welcomes the newest members of the Jordan School District family. If you’ve been before, you know: it’s loud, it’s happy, and it sets the tone for the entire year.
Event Details
• Date: Friday, August 7th
• Time: Clap-In: 7:45–8:30 a.m. (estimated 8:30 a.m. departure)
Clap-Out: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (estimated 3:30 p.m. departure)
• Location: Bingham High School, Main Entrance (South side)
What to Expect
This is more than a warm welcome — it’s Jordan’s spirited community on full display, and our first chance to show new educators why JSD is the district of choice. Let’s make it unforgettable.
How to Bring the Spirit
• Dress to Impress: Wear your school or JSD gear with pride — show them the team they’re joining.
• Mascot Magic: Bring your school mascot to spread the cheer.
• Capture the Moment: Snap a selfie with a new educator at one of our two selfie booths — empathetic communicators say cheese!
• Cheerful Welcome Lines: Join the welcome lines and cheer our new colleagues in like the champions they are.
One friendly note: our new educators will already be loaded up with swag and takeaways, so please hold off on gifts of any kind during the Clap-In. Your presence and enthusiasm are the presents!
Show Your Support
Bring your team! If your school has new educators, aim to have two to three staff members there to offer a personal cheer. Nothing says “you belong here” like familiar faces from your own building on day one.
Parking Reminder
Please gather at the South (front) entrance of Bingham High beginning at 7:30 a.m. To keep the best parking open for our new educators, consider carpooling and use the North side student parking lot and walk through the North (back) entrance.
Our new educators chose Jordan — now let’s show them why that was the best decision they’ve made. Together, we’ll welcome the educators who will shape the next generation of JSD graduates.
We can’t wait to see you there as we clap-in an exciting new academic year!
Thank you,
Jane Olsen, HR Administrator, Head of Talent Acquisition
Mike Trimmell, Assistant Director of HR, Talent Development
April Gaydosh, Administrator of HR
TO:
Administrators
FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator, Human Resources
Jane Olsen, HR Administrator-Talent Acquisition
Greetings!
Continuing in the tradition of collaboration, building relationships, and cultivating systems of support, we will be having a Meet & Greet for departments, systems of support, sponsors, and our partners. This is an opportunity to interact with our anticipated 250 new teachers, connect them with resources, and develop relationships.
We would like to invite you to have a table or table(s) for the Meet & Greet during our lunch break. Arrival/setup can begin as early as 10:30 A.M. and take down time would begin at 12:50 P.M.
Departments, to notify us of your reservation and to assist us in planning, please see the invitation below and click the ‘CLICK HERE to Reserve a Table’ link. Please complete your reservation request by 8/3/2026 so we can source the appropriate number of tables and chairs.
Tablecloths will not be available; please plan to decorate your table and have takeaways to provide to our new educators, such as information, swag, manipulatives, or links to resources connected to your department.
Help us show them that Jordan School District is the District of choice for the best and brightest educators.
Questions?
Please contact Jane Olsen, HR Administrator-Talent Acquisition, at jane.olsen@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8217.
TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants
Employees on 242- and 245-Day Contracts
FROM:
Brittany Bauer, HR Administrator, Data and Operations
April Gaydosh, Administrator of HR
2026–2027 Calendar Change for 242 and 245 Contracts
Please be aware of a change to the 2026–2027 calendar for employees on a 242 or 245 contract. The non-contract days originally scheduled for Thursday, April 1, and Friday, April 2, 2027, will move to Monday, March 29, and Tuesday, March 30, 2027.
The student calendar and critical dates will not change.
Updated calendars can be found here:
242: 2026-27 ESP Admin 242D7H8H.pdf
245: 2026-27 ESP 245 D7H8H.pdf
If you have additional questions regarding assignments or special calendars, please contact Brittany Bauer, HR Administrator, Data and Operations, at brittany.bauer@jordandistrict.org.
For questions regarding leave days, critical days or impact on scheduled FMLA days, please contact Rebecca Eastman, HR Specialist, Leaves, at rebecca.eastman@jordandistrict.org.
TO:
Administrators
Directors
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Please take this brief survey to help us plan next summer's required training days.
TO:
Administrators
Directors
Administrative Assistants
FROM:
Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services
Protect Your Child with Student Accident Insurance 2026-27
Health Special Risk, Inc. is offering two options for supplemental accident insurance, at-school coverage and 24-hour coverage. See attached flyer (English & Spanish) for additional information. Please consider including the information in your school packets.
This information can be found on the Insurance Services website.
TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants
FROM:
Rebecca Eastman, HR Specialist of Leaves & Benefits
See the attached document for a tutorial on how to opt out of the Sick Bank.
DATE:
July 9, 2026
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Mike Trimmell, Ed.D., Assistant Director of Talent Development
SUBJECT:
Annual Crucial Policies
Each year, all employees are required to complete a review of crucial policies. This year, crucial policies will be completed through a new platform called Vector. You will receive an email from Vector with login instructions.
Crucial policies will be available starting July 15, 2026.
The deadline for completing crucial policies is September 15, 2026.
To help with timely completion, you will receive a weekly email reminder and supervisors will receive a weekly completion report.
If you have any questions, or need help completing crucial policies, please reach out to your supervisor. If you need support logging in or using the Vector system, please reach out to Mike Trimmell in Human Resources at michael.trimmell@jordandistrict.org.
TO:
Principals
Administrative Assistants
FROM:
Katie Bastian, Director of Nutrition Services
Included is a new meal prices flyer for next school year. You are welcome to use this flyer to share the information with your school community. New meal prices have been updated in the registration materials and on the Nutrition Services Website.
TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants
FROM:
Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Manager, Information Systems
Upcoming July Workshops! Please note the location change on July 28, 2026.
Drop in anytime between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM to:
● Get answers to your specific Qmlativ questions.
● Walk through complex processes with hands-on help.
● Set up and customize your personal list screens.
No appointments are needed—just bring your laptop and stop by when it's convenient for you!
Upcoming Workshop Dates:
● Tuesday, June 30th: District Office, Rm 129
● Thursday, July 9th: ASB, PDC 101
● Monday, July 13th: District Office, Rm 129
● Monday, July 20th: District Office, Rm 129
● Tuesday, July 28th: District Office, Conference Rm 100 (Please note the location change)
TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants
FROM:
Steffany Ellsworth, Assistant Director - Support Services, Information Systems
ParentSquare Pointers - End of Year Archive
📁 All ParentSquare posts for the 2025-26 school year will be archived on June 30th.
Why do we archive?
●Let’s start the 2026-27 school year with a clean slate.
●To avoid clutter and make it easier for parents to navigate through posts.
📁 What will be archived?
●All posts and any photos included in posts.
●Media and documents uploaded to the Photos, Videos, Files section.
●Posts sent to Groups.
What will NOT be archived?
●Post sent on or after June 30th.
●Scheduled posts set to go out after June 30th.
●Posts tied to events happening after June 30th.
●Groups and group members.●Direct Messages.
📦 Access to Archived Posts
●You will still be able to access archived posts through the Advanced Search.
Should you have any questions or need assistance accessing archived posts, contact the Information Systems help desk at (801) 567-8737, or ext. 88737.
TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
Other Administrators
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Caleb Olsen, Enrollment Consultant
As announced in a previous JAM, a discipline training for new administrators and administrative interns will be held on July 28, 2026, at the ASB Presentation Room from 8 AM to noon. Approximately 30 seats are available for current administrators who would like a discipline refresher.
See the previous JAM for details on the training.
Sign up for the training here.
TO:
All School and Department Administrative Assistants
FROM:
Bekkah Friant, Information Systems Support Services
Click here to see deadlines for June 26 - July 14
DATE:
June 8, 2026
TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
School Safety Specialists
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Matt Alvernaz, School Safety Coordinator
SUBJECT:
2026-27 Monthly Drill Schedule
This schedule is designed so that our district will remain in compliance with state regulations. The design is set up so the district can help prepare and support each of your schools throughout the year to better implement these drills. This schedule is to be followed throughout the district.
Secondary schools are required FOUR (4) evacuations a year. You may do more if desired.
Elementary schools are required to conduct an evacuation EVERY OTHER MONTH. These evacuations can follow any drill and DO NOT have to be in conjunction with a fire drill. Due to this regulation and the mandated fire drill after winter break, an evacuation drill will need to be conducted in both December and January in order to remain in compliance. This only applies to elementary schools.
Three virtual drill preparation trainings will be held back-to-back on the first Wednesday of each month at 2:40, 3:10 PM, and again at 3:30 PM. The ZOOM LINK will remain the same for each session throughout the year. School Safety Specialists are expected to attend. Other administrators or interested employees are always welcome as well.
| MONTH | DRILL TYPE | NOTES |
| August | Fire | First 10 days of school |
| September | Secure | |
| October | Lockdown | Evacuation required for elementary schools |
| November | Shelter | |
| December | Hold | Evacuation required for elementary schools |
| January | Fire | First 10 days of school after winter break |
| February | Secure | |
| March | Lockdown | Evacuation required for elementary schools |
| April | Earthquake | Great Shakeout. Evacuation is optional |
| May | Drill of Choice | Choose whichever drill is appropriate for your school |
If there are any questions, concerns, or conflicts, please contact the District Safety Coordinator Matt Alvernaz at matt.alvernaz@jordandistrict.org or by phone at (801) 567-8623.
To:
All Administrators
All Office Staff
From:
Steffany Ellsworth, Manager - Information Systems
David Bowman, Assistant Director of Systems and Security
This is a reminder of a previous JAM sent on March 26th regarding a system downtime on the Juneteenth holiday.
Information Systems wants you to be aware of upcoming essential maintenance that will affect the availability of the internet and core systems during the upcoming observed holiday on Monday, June 15th.
The following major systems will be inaccessible on this day:
Skyward Finance & Student Systems
Phone Systems Including Voicemail
Internet Connectivity
Department and School Websites
Thank you for your understanding and patience.
TO:
All School and Department Administrative Assistants
FROM:
Bekkah Friant, Information Systems Support Services
Click here to see deadlines for June 12 - June 18.
TO:
All Administrators and All Financial Administrative Assistants
FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Dan Ellis, Director of Accounting
Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services
For fiscal year 2027 the insurance composite rate will be increasing to $17,652 annually or $1,471 per month. This rate represents the District’s portion of medical and life insurance premiums for an individual employee. Please ensure you are using this amount when forecasting personnel budget costs for next year.
Additionally, for fiscal year 2027 the industrial insurance rate will be increasing to 0.2%.
If you have questions or need assistance, please call Dan Ellis at (801) 567-8389.
Thank you.
