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Category: Other Admin Action Required

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning

The district-wide professional development day is on August 13th, 2024.

All licensed personnel are required to select and attend a keynote speaker in the morning and are required to attend a corresponding session to their assignment in the afternoon.

Please remind your teachers to sign up for a keynote ASAP if they haven’t already.

Please contact your AOS if questions arise about teachers with unique assignments. Administrators who are NOT hosting at a particular location should be in attendance with teachers. Divide your administrative team accordingly.

To register for a morning keynote:

  1. Please choose a speaker and then register for a keynote speaker using this link. Keynote speakers are NOT content specific. The topics and location information for each keynote speaker are included in the registration information.

Review Your Assigned Afternoon Grade Level/Content Area Schedule

  1. Please review the following flyer to see the lineup of presenters at your content area location. The afternoon breakout sessions on August 13th, ARE specific to content area and grade level. You do not need to pre-register for the afternoon breakouts. You will have time to eat lunch and transition to your content location after the morning keynote.

 

Published on

DATE:
Thursday, July 18, 2024

TO:
All School Administrators
District Department Directors/Consultants

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

SUBJECT:
2024-25 Required Testing Ethics Professional Development Procedures for Education Support Professionals

For the 2024-25 school year, administrators will need to conduct a training for all licensed educators as well as any education support professionals (ESPs) who will assist with district-, state- or federally-mandated testing on the state’s testing ethics policy. 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 or Math 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 “2024-25 Principal’s Testing Ethics Checklist for ESPs” form, which is due to Assessment, Research & Accountability by Friday, September 20, 2024.

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 “2024-25 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:

  • 2024-25 Principal’s Testing Ethics Checklist – This form needs to be filled out and sent to Assessment, Research & Accountability by Friday, September 20, 2024.
  • Testing Ethics Presentation, 2024-25 – This is the slide deck if administrators choose to present the training in-person.
    2024-25 Standard Test Administration and Testing Ethics Policy – This document should be distributed to every licensed educator as well as any ESPs that assist with district-, state- or federally-mandated testing.
  • Testing Ethics Video – This is the training video that may be used in lieu of a school administrator providing the training, though it is still recommended that school personnel view the video together. The video may also be found at this YouTube link.
  • Standard Test Administration and Testing Ethics Training Signature Form, 2024-25 – Administrators should retain a signed copy of this form for all licensed educators as well as any ESPs who assist with district-, state- or federally-mandated testing.
  • Testing Ethics Policy FAQ – Administrators should distribute this FAQ document to all licensed educators and any ESPs that assist with district-, state- or federally mandated testing.

Please contact Ben Jameson or Gaylene Miller in Assessment, Research & Accountability with any questions.

Published on

TO:
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Manager in Information Systems

Introducing ParentSquare: Our New Communication Platform Launching July 1st!

We are excited to announce the launch of our new school communication platform, ParentSquare, which will be available July 1st! Does this mean that Skylert is no longer available? That’s correct, Skylert will no longer be accessible after June 30, 2024. The good news is that ParentSquare is capable of so much more!

See the document below for all the exciting details!

 

Published on

DATE:
June 13, 2024 

TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT:
UPDATED: HB182 Compliance Regarding Surveys and Preferred Pronoun Use

Utah Code §53E-9-203 prohibits schools and school employees from administering any “psychological or psychiatric examination, test, or treatment, or any survey, analysis or evaluation” (emphasis added) where the purpose is to cause a student to identify information in one of the following eight areas:

  1. political affiliations or, except as provided under Section 53G-10-202 or rules of the state board, political philosophies;
  2. mental or psychological problems;
  3. sexual behavior, orientation, or attitudes;
  4. illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
  5. critical appraisals of individuals with whom the student or family member has close family relationships;
  6. religious affiliations or beliefs;
  7. legally recognized privileged and analogous relationships, such as those with lawyers, medical personnel, or ministers; and
  8. income, except as required by law.

HB 182, which passed in the 2024 Utah legislative session and takes effect on July 1, 2024, amends the third item in this list to read as follows (emphasis added):

  1. sexual behavior, orientation, gender identity, or attitudes;

To ensure compliance with HB 182 after July 1, 2024, the following guidance for “beginning-of-year” activities or documents should be noted and communicated to staff:

  • Students should not be asked or otherwise surveyed (including questions on “About Me” or “Getting to Know You”-style assignments and activities) as to their sexual or gender identity or preferred pronouns.
  • Documents or disclosure statements that include this type of survey question about gender identity or preferred pronouns should not be approved by administrators when conducting annual reviews and approvals as required by District Policy AA 432 - Student Attendance and Teacher Disclosure Statements. 

Additionally, staff should be reminded that HB182 also establishes a requirement that any survey related to an early warning system (i.e. Panorama), social emotional learning question, or the school climate system requires parental OPT-IN during registration at the beginning of the school year, adding an additional clearance step to the prohibitions listed above. The opt-in information is included in summer registration materials for District-sponsored surveys.

 

Published on

DATE:       
June 6, 2024

TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT:   
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 applies only to elementary schools.

It is important to make sure your location reports all drills, actual emergencies, and related planning and debrief meetings for this school year using the Google Form, 2024-25 REPORT EMERGENCY - DRILLS, ACTUAL EVENTS, or MEETINGS.  Please include all related details.

Two virtual Drill Preparation trainings will be held back-to-back on the first Wednesday of each month at 3:00 PM and again at 3:30 PM. The ZOOM LINK will remain the same for each session throughout the year. School Safety Specialists and Administrators over safety 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 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.

Published on

DATE:  
June 6, 2024

TO:    
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT:   
School Safety Specialists

53G-8-701.6 which requires each school to designate a school safety specialist from the employees of the campus was updated this last legislative session. The intent of the memo below is to assist in the process of determining who will fill this role at your school. Please take note of what needs to be done to select the individual needed.

Published on

DATE:  
June 6, 2024

TO:   
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT:
Incident Action Plans

Beginning the 2024-25 school year schools are required to create an action plan for each new incident of bullying.

Each action plan must include:

  • A communication plan to keep each parent updated on the implementation of the plan;
  • For the victim of the incident and in direct coordination with the student’s parent:
    • A tailored response that addresses the student’s needs;
    • Accommodations the student may need for decreased exposure or interactions with the offender;
    • Notification of the consequences and plan to address the behavior of the offender;
    • Supportive measures to preserve the student’s access to educational services and opportunities; and
    • Access to other resources the parent requests for the student.
  • For the student who caused the incident and in direct coordination with the student’s parent:
    • A range of tailored and appropriate consequences, with a reasonable effort to preserve access to educational services and activities;
    • A process to determine and provide resources for the underlying cause of the incident;
    • Supportive measures to preserve educational access while protecting the safety and well-being of other students; and
    • A process to remove the student from school.

The action plan may not require the victim to change their educational schedule or placement; or participation is a school sponsored sport, club, or activity. (§53G-9-605.5)

This memo is intended to provide notification only. Resources and training will be provided in the fall regarding action plans and other prevention efforts to help implement and manage this new requirement.

Published on

TO:
All Principals

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amanda Bollinger, Staff Assistant in Teaching & Learning

As principals plan their building schedules they should prioritize attendance for building coaches on these dates. Please share the finalized schedule with current instructional coaches, BYU/UVU facilitators, Title I coaches, digital coaches, and those employees who have been given coaching assignments for the 2024-2025 school year. The ICI will continue to offer assigned coaches job embedded professional development and options to earn the coaching endorsement during the contract day.

Principals, please mark your calendars to attend the Kickoff and Closing sessions with your coach(es).

2024-2025 Elementary Instructional Coaching Institute Schedule

2024-25 Secondary Instructional Coaching Institute Schedule

Published on

TO:
Elementary Principals

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amanda Bollinger, Staff Assistant in Teaching & Learning

FALL Mentor Training will be available online through Canvas August 5 - September 6. Mentor Training will be provided to new mentors based on administrator recommendation. After checking with potential mentors, please complete the Google Form by Friday, August 30, to add names of mentors you would like to have complete mentor training. We have a limited number of seats. Educators will be added first come, first served. You may add up to three mentors per form. Teachers will get paid $150 stipend for completing the mentor Canvas training.

You can access a list of currently trained mentors on your school’s mentor list shared with you via Google sheets and your school coaching plan. If you need help accessing your mentor list, please contact your district coaching specialist.

Google Form Link

Published on

DATE:  
May 9, 2024

TO:  
Principals
All Certified Special Education Staff

FROM:   
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education

SUBJECT:   
Year-End Checkout for Special Education

The items listed below need attention as you prepare to close out the 2023-24 school year. Any questions or concerns that arise should be directed to your school’s Teacher Specialist for clarification.

Published on

TO:
Elementary Principals

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amanda Bollinger, Staff Assistant in Teaching & Learning

Admin, please share this information with your teachers.

Many of your teachers are pursuing a STEM endorsement (see our EIP website for a full list of endorsements) USBE WILL REIMBURSE THEM FOR THEIR EDUCATION! This is called the STEM Endorsement Incentive Program (EIP). See the attached flyer and link to our EIP website for more information.

The next round of reimbursement applications is due May 29th, 2024 for teachers who completed STEM courses in Winter 2023/Spring 2024. If you have any questions, please reach out to the content consultant. We would love to talk to you!

Published on

DATE:
April 23, 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:
Monthly Drill Preparation (SHELTER)

Our monthly drill preparation will be held on May 1st at 3:00 PM with a second session at 3:30 PM. This month we will be covering SHELTER. Each School Safety Specialist is expected to attend along with administrators assigned to oversee school safety. All other administrators are welcomed to attend as well. The meeting is also opened to any staff who may be interested.

Information regarding the SHELTER response protocol can be found in the Jordan School District Safety Manual on pages 20-24. 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:  
April 18, 2024

TO: 
All Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
2024-2025 School Wellness Representatives

The wellness team is excited to announce the continuation of our Educator Wellness Reps Program that is intended to support employee health and wellness. The Educator Wellness Representatives will primarily be responsible for supporting faculty/staff wellness efforts within your schools.

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**, administrators are invited to attend with their school representative
  • 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:

  1. Consider the following:
    1. Nominees 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.
  2. Principal nominates ONE educator wellness representative for each school using this form.
  3. Attend the twice per year training with your representative and cover the cost of the substitute
  • Action Items for administrators:
    • Please nominate your Educator Wellness Representative for the 24-25 school year!

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Becky Gerber, Administrator of Schools

The BYU School Leadership Program is looking for summer mentors for students pursuing an administrative endorsement. If you are interested in mentoring a BYU administrative intern this coming summer and have some meaningful work for them to do, please take a few minutes to complete this brief form. Thank you!

Link:
Mentor a BYU Administrative Intern this Summer

 

 

Published on

DATE:  
April 10, 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: 
Great Utah Shake Out Earthquake Drill 2024

On Thursday, April 18 2024, at 10:15 A.M. a million Utahns will “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” in the annual Great Utah Shake Out Earthquake Drill.

All schools are encouraged to participate in this drill, or to conduct an earthquake drill sometime in the month of April. This is an opportunity to incorporate emergency preparedness in classroom lessons and to include proper ways to protect oneself during an earthquake.

The Jordan School District has registered as a whole to participate in the Great Utah ShakeOut. You can find more information at: The Great Utah ShakeOut!

Please review the Jordan School District Safety Manual - Earthquake Action Plan and Standard Operating Guidelines on pages 28-31 for planning, drilling and responding to an earthquake.

For additional information or guidance please contact the District School Safety Coordinator, Matt Alvernaz at matt.alvernaz@jordandistrict.org or by phone at 801-567-8623.

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
June LeMaster, Administrator of Human Resources

Administrative Professionals do amazing work – often just outside the spotlight. Western Governors University recognizes the unique skills of Administrative Professionals during the month of April. In honor of Administrative Professionals, WGU is offering two great opportunities this month.

This year, Administrative Professionals Day is April 24th. To help recognize the important work these professionals do in YOUR organization, I invite you to nominate a colleague who embodies the qualities of an outstanding administrative professional: engaging, organized, and driven. By filling out this short, nomination form, your colleague will be eligible to receive a $200 Tango gift card. The deadline for nominations is April 30, 2024.

WGU is also making Administrative Professionals Day extra special – and helping to unlock full potential in the workplace! To celebrate, WGU is proud to offer the Administrative Professionals Scholarship. We will award multiple scholarships – each valued up to $4,000 – to motivated executive assistants, secretaries, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals ready to achieve the dream of a university education. Scholarship applications are being accepted now through June 30th.

Help us say thank you to Administrative Professionals for their hard work and tireless efforts! Make a difference today by nominating a colleague for a Tango gift card and by sharing the news about WGU’s Administrative Professionals Scholarship.

Thank you!

Melissa
Melissa Jensen, MSML
Strategic Partnership Manager - Utah
Western Governors University
C: 801-310-2339
melissa.jensen@wgu.edu

wgu.edu

Published on

DATE:
April 4, 2024                      

 TO:
Jordan District Administrators, Directors

 FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
 Administrators of Schools

SUBJECT:
 Time Schedule for the Last Day of School  

Please review this memo carefully for your school dismissal time, and convey this information to your students and parents.

Published on

TO:
Principals
Administrative Assistants

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

It's been a great year with our digital ML Identification Task Manager. Thank you to all office assistants that have worked diligently with the LCS and Evaluation teams.

It is now time to clean up your HOME tab Task Manager with any pending, duplicate, or returned tasks. Please see the attached instructions or give Nicole Woodburn a call (801-567-8124).

Published on

DATE:   
March 14, 2024

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

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

SUBJECT: 
Digital Cumulative Folder Training

In April 2024, the District will begin the process of transitioning from paper-based student cumulative folders to digital cumulative folders housed in Skyward. From July 1, 2024 onward, all new students must be enrolled with a digital cumulative folder and blank copies of paper cumulative folders will no longer be available.

Digital folders provide multiple benefits to schools and staff, including:

  • Immediate transfer of folders between schools as students move or advance
  • Easier accessibility of records to staff
  • Elimination of expense of mailing records between schools

Staff at each school will be responsible for “weeding” unnecessary documents from current student cumulative folders and will scan and upload documents to Skyward. As part of the transition, parents will gain the ability to scan and upload some of the required documents to Skyward during New Student Online Enrollment (NSOE), which will provide additional time savings to staff.

Participation in the training is mandatory for elementary administrative assistants, secondary attendance secretaries, and secondary registrars. Others who assist with gathering documents at registration (including during summer hour coverage) or maintaining cumulative folders should also attend. Staff at each school location must be trained before the school begins using digital cumulative folders. Training will be offered six times during the first week of April in the ASB Auditorium (see individual tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet) . School teams may attend any number of sessions to ensure office coverage.

Each individual attending must register for the training at the following link:  April Digital Folder Training Link

Published on

Dustin Jansen, attorney and judge in the tribal court systems and a professor of American Indian studies at UVU, presented on Native communities and cultures last year. Due to popular demand, we are bringing back the recording of that PD on March 7, 2024, in the ASB presentation room (Main entrance, entrance C) from 4 to 6 pm. Professor Jansen will be back in person on April 11th to continue with part II of his last year's presentation. If you missed his first presentation last year, this is an excellent opportunity to watch the recording and prepare for his in-person part II presentation in April. All licensed employees will receive 2 hours of in-service pay and licensure points. Admins are encouraged to attend.

Click here for registration