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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.

TO:
Administrators
Teachers

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


September brings important opportunities for civic learning and commemoration in Utah’s public schools. This year is extra special as we honor America 250, marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. The Utah State Legislature has designated September as American Founders and Constitution Month, asking schools to recognize the contributions of the Founding Fathers and key founding documents throughout the month. In addition, federal law designates September 17 as Constitution Day, and all schools are asked to incorporate instruction on the U.S. Constitution on or around this date.

State legislators have also requested that schools provide age-appropriate remembrance of September 11. Please ensure that students experience meaningful, grade-level-appropriate learning activities to honor this day. To support your efforts, grade-level social studies materials for all of these observances are available at: https://socialstudies.jordandistrict.org/american-founders-month/

Our goal is to foster meaningful reflection, collaboration, and deep understanding of America's founding principles and history. Thank you for your commitment to civic literacy and for making these important experiences impactful for all students. If you need additional support or have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

DATE: 
August 21, 2025

TO: 
All Administrators

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources
Melissa Flores, General Counsel
Travis Hamblin, Director, Student Services
Caleb Olson, Enrollment Consultant, Student Services

SUBJECT: 
August 2025: Responding to Subpoenas and Other Orders


Subpoenas and other court orders received by schools require immediate attention and response. There are legal requirements for responding that must be met, meaning schools cannot respond on their own. When school staff wait to request assistance in responding, even if only by a day or two, the District’s ability to either challenge the subpoena or meet the compliance deadline is hampered.

Please note that a subpoena is different from a record request. Record requests from the parent/guardian or eligible student can be processed by the school. In the event of confusion as to what the request is, contact Caleb Olson.

For subpoenas or other court orders regarding student records:

  • The receiving school staff member should immediately notify the site administrator. Under DP367 - District Records Management, the site administrator bears responsibility for records at each site or location.
  • The site administrator (or receiving staff member, if directed) should send a copy of the subpoena or order to Caleb Olson via MoveIt the day it is received. Caleb Olson will coordinate the District’s response with the site administrator.

For subpoenas or other court orders regarding employees or employee records:

  • The receiving school staff member should immediately notify the site administrator. Under DP367 - District Records Management, the site administrator bears responsibility for records at each site or location.
  • The site administrator should send a copy of the subpoena or order to April Gaydosh (HR Administrator) and Melissa Flores (General Counsel) via MoveIt the day it is received. Further information will be provided to the site administrator.

For other court orders, including search warrants or orders where the staff is unclear as to the purpose, the site administrator should provide a copy of the order to General Counsel Melissa Flores via MoveIt AND should make contact via phone or text as soon as reasonably possible.

TO:
Current Directors
Consultants
Assistant Principals

FROM:
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Human Resources


Current JSD Administrators serving as directors, consultants, or assistant principals are eligible for principal assignment consideration at any time; however Cabinet will conduct an optional interest interview every four years for current JSD Administrators.

Eligibility:
Must be a current director, consultant, or assistant principal.
Have not been interviewed for a Principal position in the last four years.
Interested and eligible current JSD Administrators should complete the application in Frontline.

Additional Information:
The application window is from August 15th through October 15th, 2025, at 11:59 P.M.
Selecting a preference for a principal assignment in an elementary, middle, high, special education, or District Office area is required.
Interviews will be held on November 21, 2025

TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Katie Bastian, Director of Nutrition Services


Attached are the following:

  • Updated Meal Deficit Guidelines
  • English and Spanish Principal Deficit Letters
  • Skyward Deficit Collection Checklist Paper Example

-The Skyward Meal Deficit Checklist is live in Skyward now and we will be sending out training very soon!

-Before a student can be sent to the Meal Deficit Liaison for collections, the previous tasks must be completed and documented in full by the Clerk and Principal.

-Funds that have been donated to the school for the purpose of paying off student meal debt cannot be used to pay off a student account and then have that account sent to collections. The purpose of specific Nutrition Services donated funds are to help families that are in the deficit. The school can use any other school funds to pay off student accounts so they can then be sent to collections.

-What to do if a student account already exceeds $100?

The collection process must start from the beginning of the process, but can be accelerated due to the monetary value. Documentation of the entire process is required.

-Clerks need to make 1 phone call and document it.

-Principals need to make 1 phone call and send 1 letter and document it.

-At that point, the principal can choose to send the student’s account to the Meal Deficit Liaison if no payment has been made.

-If the Meal Deficit Liaison is not able to collect payment from parents, meal deficits must be paid in full by the school before the account can be sent to collections. Collection agencies will retain a percentage of funds collected for their services. The percentage will come out of the funds returned to the school.

-Because this process and support position has just been created, and we are in a new school year, schools must help us by documenting the school-based steps prior to submitting the request for collections.

TO:
All Principals
All Admin Assistants

FROM:
Kurt Prusse, Director of Purchasing


Central Warehouse Reminder: Inventory Order Verification, Returns, and Exchanges

To help the Central Warehouse better serve you and ensure smooth operations, please keep the following in mind when receiving inventory deliveries:

  • Order Verification
    • Verify your inventory order upon delivery to confirm all items are present.
    • If something is missing, please notify the warehouse within three business days from the date of delivery so the issue can be corrected quickly.
  • Returns and Exchanges
    • You have 30 business days from the date of delivery to request a return or exchange.
    • Items may be returned or exchanged if they are:
      • Not needed
      • Ordered in error
      • Defective
    • Proper Storage of Supplies
      • Do not store supplies in boiler rooms or in outdoor storage containers (Conex boxes).
      • Heat and humidity can damage items, especially vinyl binders.
      • Store supplies in a cool, dry location to protect them and extend their use.

For Central Warehouse questions or assistance, please contact:

  • Lisa Costanza: 801-567-8899
  • Mike Fitch: 801-567-8836

 

TO:  
All Administrators

FROM:
Jordan School District Cabinet Members


The Administrative Leadership Conference for administrators is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, 2026 and Thursday, August 6, 2026. All administrators should plan to attend on both days. The location is TBD.

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Jordan School District Cabinet Members


This is a mandatory 2-day in-person training for all administrators. To be held at JATC-S. Mark your calendar now and more information will be shared at a later date.

TO:
All Administrators
All Admin Assistants

FROM:
Sarah Palmer, Director of Payroll


Regarding All Licensed and ESP Employees

  • Aug. 20-26 - Elementary Schools
  • Aug. 19-25 - Secondary Schools
  • Aug. 19-25 - District Offices & Auxiliary Services

Per District policy, annual or personal leave days may not be used during the first five days of school, unless the leave reason is listed in policy as an exception. If any of the exceptions do apply, you must provide both the leave reason and the policy exception in the time off description. If these exceptions are not applicable, yur annual or personal leave day will be changed to a no-pay day as per policy.

7. Annual leave shall not be taken during the first five (5) days that students are in school except under the following conditions:

  1. To attend the wedding of a near relative including child, father, mother, brother, sister, grandchild, grandparents or same or one's spouse or any other person who is a member of the same household as the employee.
  2. To attend to personal or business matters which require the employee's attendance and scheduling is beyond the employee's control.
  3. First year employees who notify their supervisor in writing that they are ill.

 

TO:
All Administrators
All Admin Assistants

FROM:
Sarah Palmer, Director of Payroll


Regarding All Licensed Employees
Aug. 11 - Aug. 18

Remember that teachers may not take annual/personal leave days during the six (6) days of contract time not involving students before school starts. However, they may, through correlation with the principal, arrange to exchange of of these days for another non-contract day.

DATE:   
Thursday, August 14, 2025

TO:  
All School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:   
Record of August 12th Professional Learning Day Attendees


School administrators may access a Tableau dashboard that contains a record of all educators who signed in using the QR codes for the morning keynote sessions during the August 12th professional learning day. The dashboard may be accessed here. Administrators may also filter the list by conference location.

For questions about this dashboard, please refer to Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability.

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Jared Covili, Consultant in Teaching & Learning


In order to make the most of the available features in our Districtwide Canva deployment, we’re going to be migrating to a new Canva structure in the next two weeks. No content will be lost; as part of this migration you’ll be 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).

There’s no action to take at this time. Once the migration occurs, we’ll contact you again with next steps.

Here’s what you need to know:
We’ll re-label 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 the attached guide for information on switching between teams.

We’ll 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. Click here for instructions on how to copy Canva content to your new team, but keep in mind you won’t be able to copy content to your new teams until after the migration.

If you have any questions, please contact Jared Covili, jared.covili@jordandistrict.org.

TO:
All Principals
All Admin Assistants

FROM:
Kurt Prusse, Director of Purchasing


As the new school year begins, we would like to inform you about several new items in the Central Warehouse. You can find them in the Storehouse Catalog on the Purchasing Website.

They include the following:

Microphones & Battery Pack
5600500 (EA)  AUDIO ENHANCEMENT LI-ION BATTERY PACK 3.7V 700 MA FOR XD MIC AUDIO   ENH-XD-5001   $22.88
5600505 (EA)  AUDIO ENHANCEMENT XD HANDHELD MIC BUNDLE FOR XD TEACHER BOX AUDIO   ENH-ST-XD-9052   $246.88
5600510 (EA)  AUDIO ENHANCEMENT XD TEACHER BOX W/TEACHER PENDANT MIC AUDIO   ENH-ST-XD-9025    $244.60

Golf Sized Pencils
5106945 (BX)  PENCIL GOLF SIZED   72 PER BOX     $6.80

Traffic & PE Cones
5400381 (EA)  CONE TRAFFIC ORANGE 28" WITH REFLECTIVE COLLAR, 3 LB    $19.00
5400382 (EA)  CONE TRAFFIC ORANGE 12", 2 LB  (P.E. RELATED)                          $7.90

Epson Ink & Maintenance Box
5600100 (EA)  EPSON C6000/5000 INK BLACK                                   T08C120       $106.00
5600110 (EA)  EPSON AM-C6000/5000 INK CYAN                               T08C220       $150.00
5600120 (EA)  EPSON AM-C6000/5000 INK MAGENTA                      T08C320       $150.00
5600130 (EA)  EPSON AM-C6000/5000 INK YELLOW                          T08C420       $150.00
5600150 (EA)  EPSON MAINTENANCE BOX AM-C4000/5000/6000   C12C937181   $69.00
5600200 (EA)  EPSON AM-C4000 INK BLACK                                      T08D120      $114.00
5600210 (EA)  EPSON AM-C4000 INK CYAN                                        T08D220       $172.00
5600220 (EA)  EPSON AM-C4000 INK MAGENTA                               T08D320       $172.00
5600230 (EA)  EPSON AM-C4000 INK YELLOW                                   T08D420       $172.00
5600250 (EA)  EPSON C21000 INK BLACK                                           T02Y120         $84.00
5600260 (EA)  EPSON C21000 INK CYAN                                            T02Y220       $192.00
5600270 (EA)  EPSON C21000 INK MAGENTA                                    T02Y320       $192.00
5600280 (EA)  EPSON C21000 INK YELLOW                                       T02Y420       $192.00