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Category: Other Administrators

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services

The Health and Wellness Department, in Student Services is hosting a parent event scheduled for April 10th, 2024 at Riverton High School. This conference- style event aims to bring together professionals and education experts in the field of mental health and well-being to share their knowledge, insights, and research with parents in our JSD communities. This event aims to help parents to be best equipped to support their children with well-being.

We will offer resource booths near the entrance of the school from 5:30-6pm, and throughout transition time for parents to gain insight and information on helpful resources.

We will offer three(3) 30-minutes sessions between 6pm-8pm to maximize learning for parent participants. Some sessions will repeat more than once.

Topics will include best practices, research insights, or information that would be useful to parents of school-aged children. Including mental health issues in the schools and associated issues (bullying, stress, perfectionism, social pressures, etc.), risk, prevention, resilience and ways in which parents can help support their students.

Please share the attached flyer and encourage parents in your communities to attend!

 

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

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

We are writing to inform you of an important update to our professional learning registration system, JPLS. Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, we will be transitioning from JPLS to Canvas Catalog for all in-district professional development class registration and transcript records for those classes.

Action Required: To ensure a smooth transition, we ask each teacher to take the following steps by June 20, 2024:
Log into JPLS and download an archive of your transcript Save these records in a secure location for your reference.

Why This Change? This decision was made after careful consideration to enhance our professional learning experience. Canvas Catalog offers a more user-friendly interface for end users and provides additional features that we believe will significantly benefit our teachers. We understand that change can be challenging, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Detailed instructions on downloading your transcript from JPLS is available below.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please reach out to Chris Westra in Teaching and Learning, christine.westra@jordandistrict.org or Jared Covili, Admin - Digital Teaching and Learning, jared.covili@jordandistrict.org.

Link for the Instructions

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

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

Check out the link to the flyer for the latest updates from Teaching & Learning for March. Learn tips and tricks, sign up for upcoming PD, and learn about important updates from the T & L team.

March 2024 T & L Newsletter

Published on

DATE: 
March 14, 2024

TO: 
District Administrators
Principals
Assistant Principals

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Melissa Flores, General Counsel
Sandra Riesgraf, Director, Communications
Travis Hamblin, Director, Student Services
Caleb Olson, Enrollment Consultant, Student Services

SUBJECT:
Record Request: FERPA or GRAMA

This is a revision and reissue of a memo previously distributed in September 2023 and replaces that version of this document. 

Please distribute the information below to anyone in your school or department who may field questions regarding a record request.

Two laws govern processes that parents/patrons must follow to access information the District maintains: FERPA and GRAMA.

FERPA is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that governs access to a student’s educational record. The educational record typically consists of the contents of the student’s cumulative folder, the Special Education record (if applicable), and information for the student in Skyward. District Policy DP367 – District Records Management designates each school's principal as the school's record officer. As such, parents may obtain copies of information in the student's educational record by making a written request to the principal. The parent does not need to be referred to Planning & Enrollment or Communications; however, both departments can assist schools in identifying records that may be responsive to the parent's request. If a parent requests the student’s entire education record (a record that may contain information from multiple schools), this information can still be provided by the school where the student is currently enrolled; the building principal is the record officer for all records at that location, no matter where they may have originated.

Any clips of District surveillance video that were used in student discipline are considered part of the educational file for both the subject student and any victims. Under FERPA, parents have a right to “access” this portion of their child’s record, but do not have a right to obtain a copy of video footage. The process of providing access to footage will include a review by Planning & Enrollment, Communications, and General Counsel but is overseen by the school principal. An updated overview of the process schools should follow in providing access to retained footage is available at this link:

GRAMA is Utah’s Government Records Access and Management Act. It outlines the process for the general public to access records created and maintained by government entities. Practically every other type of record generated and maintained by the district (except those designated as “private,” “controlled’, or “protected” in DP367) may be accessed by an individual through the GRAMA process. Emails, including emails sent to and from students that are not maintained as part of the student’s educational file, are included in the records subject to GRAMA. DP367 outlines that the District will only respond to GRAMA requests that are submitted through the Utah Open Records Portal. Individuals may submit their request directly to the portal via the website and do not need to contact Planning & Enrollment or Communications first. Patrons may be required to pay the cost of employee time (in excess of 15 minutes) for preparing records.

 

Published on

TO:
All District Administrators
All District Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services

A proposed USBE rule change would have required the District to count the Health & Wellness Day as a teacher professional development day. The 2024-25 calendar was created and approved with this rule change in mind. The rule change was ultimately not passed, which allows the District to continue to count the Health & Wellness Day as a virtual instruction day AND frees up an allowed teacher professional development day to be used elsewhere in the year.

To reduce the impact on students and employees, the following change was approved by the Jordan Board of Education:

  • Friday, September 27, 2024 had been previously scheduled as a parent conference compensatory day for secondary schools and a regular school day for elementary schools. This day will now be a teacher professional development day for elementary schools. No students will attend school on this day.
  • Friday, October 4, 2024 had been previously scheduled as a regular school day for secondary schools and as a parent conference compensatory day for elementary schools. This day will now be a teacher professional development day for secondary schools. No students will attend school on this day.

This change allows for an additional teacher professional day for teachers while also creating more consistent days off for students and families.

Updated calendars can be accessed at this link: Calendars - Jordan Planning & Enrollment 

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

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services

Administrators:

It is the time of year to schedule many of our school-based activities. There are always many questions about which activities are permitted in schools. In an effort to assist you in determining whether an activity is approved or not approved, an Approved-Not Approved Activity & Procedural Guidelines folder has been shared with each Administrator on Google Drive. The folder contains a Quick Reference Guide, as well as, supporting guidelines for all approved activities mentioned on the list. All considered activities should continue to be approved through your respective AOS.

Please keep in mind, the list and guidelines may be updated on a regular basis to address other Utah State Risk concerns or considerations.

The Approved-Not Approved Activity & Procedural Guidelines folder can be accessed by the following steps:

Google Drive > Shared with me > Approved-Not Approved Activity & Procedural Guidelines

Published on

TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants

FROM:
June LeMaster, Administrator of Human Resources

The dates for the Jordan School District High School Graduation exercises for Copper Hills High School, West Jordan High School, and Valley High School are scheduled for Wednesday, May 29, 2024.  Graduation exercises for Bingham High School, Herriman High School, Kings Peak High School, and Mountain Ridge High School are on Thursday, May 30, 2024. Graduation plans and times will vary from school to school.

Principals and Directors are encouraged to provide flexibility to parents or grandparents requesting the opportunity to attend the graduation ceremonies of family members.

Licensed employees are responsible for requesting a substitute through the Frontline Absence Management System, if applicable. In the blue “Notes to Administrator” box, the employee should add “graduation” along with his/her relationship to the graduate.

For additional assistance, please contact the Sub Office at 801-567-8219.

Published on

Language & Cultural Services is holding a Newcomer Parent Orientation Meeting & Open House on Wednesday, March 6 from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. at the Copper Mountain Middle School FEC Portable, behind the school.

Please share this flyer with students and parents who are new to our country. They can come and learn what Jordan Schools District can offer their family. There will be information, sign-ups, and community resources, all for FREE!

For more information, please email Ics@jordandistrict.org or visit the L&CS website.

Published on

Calling All Bilingual Teachers, Admin, & Staff! Show your students that being Multilingual is a superpower by earning a Seal of Biliteracy.

Can you speak, read, & write one of these languages?
Arabic, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Spanish, Swahili ,Yoruba

Language not Listed?
Visit this link below to view other languages & approved tests.

Once you receive your passing test results, apply on the Global Seal website to submit your test scores and proof of proficiency in your first language. From there, the Global Seal Team will handle the rest and mail you your certificate once it is ready

For additional questions, please email info@theglobalseal.com

Published on

DATE:   
February 29, 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 (SECURE)

Our monthly drill preparation will be held on March 6th at 3:00 PM with a second session at 3:30 PM. This month we will be covering SECURE. Each School Safety Specialist is expected to attend along with administrations 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.

Information regarding the SECURE response protocol can be found in the Jordan School District Safety Manual on pages 8-11. 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

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

Published on

DATE:   
February 21, 2024

TO:  
Directors, Principals, and Administrative Assistants

FROM: 
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Sarah Palmer, Director of Payroll
Daniel Ellis, Director of Accounting

SUBJECT:   
Independent Contractors and URS

Retirees receiving a monthly benefit from Utah Retirement Services have restrictions when returning to work. Reemployment includes work or service performed as an employee (paid through Payroll) OR on a contract (as a business or independent contractor paid through Accounting) for a participating employer if the retiree is listed as the contractor; owner, partner, or principal of the contractor (business).

Utah code section 49-11-1207(2) states: “If a retiree or participating employer failed to report reemployment in violation of Section 49-11-1206, the retiree, participating employer, or both, who are found to be responsible for the failure to report, are liable to the (URS) office for the amount of any overpayment resulting from the violation.”

Therefore, in order to protect the retiree and the District, it is crucial that the attached URS Post- Retired Verification form is completed by the Independent Contractors along with their W-9’s. Please submit both of these forms to the Accounting Department.

If you have any questions, please email payroll@jordandistrict.org or call the Payroll Department at (801) 567-8154.

Thank you.

Published on

Last fall the Jordan Education Foundation applied for a grant from the Arby's Foundation to go towards student lunch debt in the district. Recently the Foundation was made aware that they were awarded the Arby's grant and our district would receive $103,822.00. This generous donation amount was based off of the 2023 District October First Quarter deficit amount for student lunch accounts.

Clerks have been sent procedures, approved by the accounting department and have been instructed to pay off student debts based on the October 2023 Month End deficit reports for their school.

No donated funds may be used to pay off adult lunch deficits.

For student lunch accounts which have already been paid and are in a positive amount, these funds will be deposited in your school's donated account to be used in the future for payment of student deficits.

If you have questions, touch base with your clerk or Lori at 801-567-8767 in Nutrition Services. Thanks

Published on

The following optional virtual trainings are open for ANYONE in your school. Please share this information with your staff.

Using Data in an Early Warning System
February 26th | 3 PM MT

Using Data to Support Student Attendance
February 27th | 3 PM MT

Using Data to Support School Safety
February 28th | 3 PM MT

Register Here

Published on

DATE:    
February 21, 2024

TO: 
School Psychologists & School Psychology Interns

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

SUBJECT:   
March School Psychologists & School Psychology Interns Meeting

A meeting for school psychologists and school psychology interns has been scheduled for Friday, March 1, 2024, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Cassie Helferich, LCSW, from Wasatch Behavioral Health, will provide us with a presentation on brief interventions for a school-based setting.

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

cc:
Principals