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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 before or after Thanksgiving on a “Critical 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
Thanksgiving Recess

(Licensed)          

Nov. 26-28, 2025 Nov. 25 and Dec. 1, 2025 Oct. 12 – Oct. 22, 2025
Thanksgiving Recess

(ESP) 

Nov. 27-28, 2025 Nov. 25 and Dec. 1, 2025 Oct. 13 – Oct. 23, 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

TO:
Administrators
Teachers and Staff

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


Language & Culture Services wants to celebrate our 2025 WIDA graduates. Our students work hard and we want to celebrate their linguistic greatness in reaching level 4.2 overall and level 3.5 on the speaking section in WIDA.

Come and watch our students receive awards and see them perform. Find out about parent resources, information about WIDA and get a free dinner.

Please come out and celebrate with your students and their families.

  • When: Oct. 16 | 6 - 8 p.m.
  • Where: West Jordan Middle

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 October 2025.

TO:
Directors
Principals
Administrative Assistants

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


Please see the attached overviews for Administrative, Licensed and Educational Support Professionals leave policies.

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Curtis Jenson, Administrator at South Jordan Middle
BYU CITIES School Partnership


Centering Student Joy: Stop Surviving, Start Thriving

Don't miss the Learning Edge Annual Administrator Conference, themed "Centering Student Joy: Helping Them Thrive, Not Just Survive". This essential professional development opportunity for Elementary, Secondary, District Administrators, Teachers, Teacher Leaders, and Student Support Providers is designed to provide actionable strategies for educators.

The conference is scheduled for November 11, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Provo Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.

You'll hear from keynote speakers including:

  • Lauren Porosoff, founder of EMPOWER Forwards, who will discuss making school a source of meaning, vitality, and community.
  • Richard Culatta, CEO of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and former US Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology leader, known for his book Digital for Good.
  • Antonio Sacre, a bilingual Cuban and Irish-American writer whose work focuses on multicultural family dynamics.

Registration is only $99 per person, and includes both breakfast and lunch. Register today, and bring a few teachers with you! The conference is a collaborative event held by the Center for the Improvement of Teacher Education and Schooling (CITES) at Brigham Young University, and features some of our own JSD all-stars like Jared Covili, Marianne Johansen, and Melanie Dawson.

 

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Brandon Conti, Risk Management Coordinator


What are some facts you should know about extension cord use and limitations? Check out the document below for all the details!

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Jared Covili, Digital Teaching and Learning


As previously mentioned, in order to make the most of the available features in our district-wide Canva deployment, we are migrating to a new Canva structure on Friday 9/26. No content has been lost; as part of this migration you have been added to one or more new Canva teams, corresponding to the school(s) with which you’re associated (or a “Staff & Admin” team, for staff not based at a school).

Here’s what you need to know:

We have re-labeled our existing district team to “Archive: Jordan School District”. You’ll always be able to access this content by toggling between teams. You’ll also be able to access your new school-based team by toggling in the same way. See attached guide for information on switching between teams.

We recommend you copy your content from this Archive team over to your new school-based team. You’ll get the best Canva features in these new teams, and will best able to collaborate in your school team with the students and staff associated with that school. View attached guide for instructions on how to copy Canva content to your new team.

District-wide staff: you may not have been automatically added to your new Staff & Admin team. Please log out and log back in to Canva in order to be added to this team.

If you encounter any other issues with Canva, please contact our Digital Teaching and Learning Team or the Canva Support team.

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Director Teaching & Learning
Kaye Rizzuto, Social Studies Consultant


As we approach America 250, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, we have a unique opportunity to engage students in meaningful learning and memorable celebrations throughout the 2025-2026 school year.

Activities and Engagement
We encourage each school to incorporate America 250 into the curriculum and school culture, making this milestone year unforgettable for all students.

Student Award Opportunity
Students also have the option to participate in a special America 250 Award program, designed to recognize student engagement, research, and creativity related to the anniversary. Details and how to participate can be found HERE.

Let’s work together to make America 250 a vibrant and inclusive celebration in every school. Thank you for your leadership and support in creating memorable learning experiences for our students.

If you have questions or want to share your school’s plans, please reach out.

Kaye Rizzuto
Social Studies Consultant
Carolyn Gough
Director Teaching & Learning

DATE:
September 25, 2025

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Manager, Information Systems

SUBJECT:
Introducing the iBoss Parent Portal App for Parents/Guardians


As we settle into the 2025-26 school year, Information Systems is excited to announce a new tool for our families: the iBoss Parent Portal App. This application is designed to give parents and guardians more control and visibility over their student’s internet use on their school-issued Chromebook. The application can be downloaded from either the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, simply search for “iBoss Parent Portal” to find it.

The iBoss Parent Portal App will allow parents to guide their student’s internet use in two primary ways:

  1. View Browsing History: Parents will be able to review their student’s browsing history on the school Chromebook.
  2. Scheduling Internet Access Outside of School Hours: The app allows parents to set specific schedules to restrict internet access on the device during designated times. This feature is particularly useful for establishing “no-screen” time overnight.

Attached to this memo, you will find a copy of the iBoss Parent Portal Quick Start Guide. This guide will be sent to parents from the office of Communications in the coming weeks. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with this guide.

Should parents have questions, they should be instructed to contact the school directly. For any questions you are unable to answer, please contact the Information Systems help desk at (801) 567-8737 or extension 88737. You can also reach out to your school’s assigned tech for assistance with the app. We are here to support you in helping our families with this new tool.

 

The following are new administrative assignments:

New Administrative Internships for 2025-26:

  • Sarah Burton, instructional coach at Copper Canyon Elementary assigned administrative intern at Bastian Elementary.
  • Tori Domaleski, teacher in Canyons School District assigned administrative intern at Columbia Elementary.
  • Kimberlee Hill, instructional coach in Granite School District assigned administrative intern at Heartland Elementary.
  • Addie Lund, teacher at Hawthorn Academy assigned administrative intern at Majestic Elementary Arts Academy.

DATE:
September 4, 2025

TO:
All Principals
All Licensed Staff

FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Melanie Dawson, Program Administrator of Behavior

SUBJECT:
ETT: Cultivating Classroom Management Skills


Effective Teacher Training (ETT) is available for a Fall 2025 cohort! Seats are capped at 50 and are only available to licensed educators who have never taken ETT previously. This course is not currently available to ESPs. This course is designed for: All general education and special education teachers. Also welcome: Specialists, interventionists, and mental health providers
(Not available to ESPs) Please register on Canvas Catalog to save your spot. See the attached memo for information.

DATE: 
September 2, 2025

TO:  
All Administrators

FROM: 
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Paul Bergera, Director of Transportation
Kitt Soumpholphakdy, Field Trips Coordinator

SUBJECT: 
Transportation Activity/Field Trip Fee Schedule 2025-26


As you make plans for your school’s or department’s field/activity trips this year, please refer to the revised Transportation Activity/Field Trip Fee Schedule 2025-26, which can be found at Jordan Auxiliary Services - Field Trips and will become effective on September 15, 2025.

The Field Trip Office is committed to maintaining fees that reflect current personnel and fuel costs while still providing affordable trips to schools and departments.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kitt at 801-567-8851, Mike at 801-567-8809 or Michele at 801-567-8804.

DATE:   
September 4, 2025

TO:  
Administrators

FROM:  
Bonnie Brennan, Insurance Services
Brandon Conti, Risk Manager

SUBJECT:    
Reporting Injuries and Incidents


Jordan School District has methods for reporting incidents and injuries. The procedures have not changed, however, as we get ready to start a new school year it is a great time for a reminder/refresher on reporting. It is imperative that significant incidents are reported as quickly as possible, within 24-hours or by the next business day. All incidents, injuries and accidents need to be properly documented, to include photos, video when available and police reports when appropriate. Our priorities are life safety, incident stabilization and property preservation.

911: Always call 911 for all life threatening and severe injuries, incidents, accidents, threats, thefts and vandalism.

JSD 24-hr. Alarm Response (801) 567-8865: It is important to call this number in order to notify key administrators and personnel to expedite support, maintenance and repairs, etc. Alarm Response should always be called prior to conducting a fire drill and in the case of: power outages, floods, natural gas leaks, phone and utility disruption and alarm malfunctions.

Student and Staff Injuries/Accidents Reporting: Call 911 when necessary. Notify JSD Insurance Services and/or Risk Management. Student injuries must be reported using the REDCap online system. Staff injuries need to be reported to the main office at your school or location and you must complete and submit the First Report of Injury form to Insurance. Forms can be located here: Jordan Insurance Services

Asset Essentials Work Order Reporting: Incidents of damage, theft and vandalism should be entered/reported into the Asset Essentials Work Order system for documentation, to begin the repair process and assist with insurance claims. For assistance with using Asset Essentials system, contact Facility Services at: (801) 567-8862.

Thank you,

Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services
Brandon Conti, Risk Management Coordinator

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Brandon Conti, Risk Management Coordinator


Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was used in many building materials. It is well-known that asbestos is linked to diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and digestive system cancers. See the flyer below for all the details.

DATE:     
August 28, 2025

TO:   
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants

FROM: 
Steffany Ellsworth, Support Services Manager, Information Systems

SUBJECT:   
ParentSquare Transitioning to 10-Digit Number for Text Messaging


ParentSquare text messages will start to be sent from 10-digit phone numbers instead of the standard 5-digit short code, beginning August 21. This will change text messages from a single text thread to multiple threads organized by conversation and school, making it easier for parents and guardians to save contacts and organize conversations by providing distinct numbers for different types of messages. Direct messages, classroom posts, and school-wide posts will transition to 10-digit numbers with local area codes. Digests, district posts, and alerts will be unaffected.

You can find a sample communication post to send to parents and more detailed information in our help article.

TO:
Administrators

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


The Language & Culture Services team is excited to announce a training on ways to conduct proper home visits. Principals, assistant principals, faculty, or staff are invited to attend. Teachers, please get permission from your principal before signing up. The team wants to ensure families are connected to school and the community. Research shows that home visits are effective ways to get parents active in our schools. Come to this half day training to learn more skills for effective communication.

  • Sept. 3, 2025 | ASB Auditorium
  • Morning Session 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. or Afternoon Session 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
  • Trainer: Dr. Michael Gary from Concentric Educational Solutions

Contact Toni Brown for more information.

TO:
Administrators
Teachers, Staff, and JSD community

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


The Language & Culture Services team is excited for the annual Fall Family Fair on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan. All Jordan District students and their families are invited to come celebrate back to school with us and become familiar with the District and the community.

Come out with your family, enjoy snacks from the food trucks, win prizes, and get to know the District community.

DATE:  
August 28, 2025

TO:  
All Administrators
School Counselors
School Social Workers
School Psychologists

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

SUBJECT:  
Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Process


Utah Code 62A-4a-403 requires any individual with suspicion that a child is being abused or neglected to report their suspicion to the appropriate authorities. District policy AS70 – Child Abuse-Neglect Reporting by School Personnel further clarifies that employees should make an initial report of their suspicions to their principal/administrator (or designee). The principal/administrator (or designee) and employee should together make contact with the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and/or local law enforcement to report the suspicion.

If an oral report is made to DCFS via telephone call, there is no longer a need to also send a paper copy of the form to DCFS (note: DCFS has recently introduced an online reporting form; however, school employees are still required by DCFS to make their reports via phone call).

Administrators and employees should understand that reports made in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability. Additionally, the responsibility for proving or verifying the suspicion lies with DCFS and law enforcement; if there is a question about whether or not an incident or situation should be reported, it should be reported.

USBE Board Rule R277-401-3(1) also requires employees to cooperate with investigations relating to charges of child abuse and neglect, to make no contact with the parents or legal guardians being questioned by DCFS or law enforcement about possible child abuse, and to maintain appropriate confidentiality. If a parent contacts a school employee with questions about if their child was interviewed by or reported to DCFS, the parent should be directed to contact DCFS. School employees may not provide additional information.

The process for reporting and documenting suspicions of child abuse and neglect should be as follows (see Policy AS70 for additional details):

  1. When an employee has suspicions of child abuse or neglect, they should report the suspicion to their own immediate supervising principal/administrator or designee.
  2. Together, the employee and principal/administrator or designee should make immediate contact with DCFS or law enforcement.
  3. Within 24 hours, the employee (alone or with the principal/administrator or designee) should complete the Report of Child Abuse or Neglect form. The form should include relevant details, particularly the time and date of all reports made.
  4. When signed by both the employee and principal/administrator or designee, a copy should be promptly sent to Student Services via secure district mail. The original form should be maintained in the principal/administrator’s office (separate from the student cumulative files) through the end of the school year.

The Report of Child Abuse or Neglect form (available at this link) has been updated to clarify this process and to indicate that a paper copy should no longer be sent to DCFS. The updated form is a fillable PDF. Schools may destroy any copies of previous forms.