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TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services


The safety of our students, teachers, and staff is our #1 priority.  These few slides will remind all of us to slow down, be aware of our surroundings, and how we can all do our part in making the district a safe place to work.

Please take a minute in one of your upcoming staff meetings to review this information with your staff.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services at 801-567-8285.

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Garett York, JAESP Committee Member


Join UEASP's Assistant/Aspiring Principal Conference coming up on December 5th from 8:30-3:00 at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan featuring Andrew Marotta and Hank Smith. You do not have to be a member of UAESP to attend. Register for the event at ueasp.org

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DATE:
November 20, 2024

TO:
All 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

SUBJECT:
Guidelines for Hiring Paraeducators Working in Special Education


Please see the attached document. The document will be emailed to all administrative assistants.

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Chris Richards-Khong, Associate Administrator of Teaching and Learning


Were you thinking about a mini grant option for your school but were not sure how to fit it into the schedule? We have some creative schools that are doing some fun, flexible things with scheduling their sessions. We would like to share their ideas with you.

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Chris Richards-Khong, Associate Administrator of Teaching and Learning


The Jordan Teacher Leader Fellows is searching for sixteen educators from a variety of teaching experiences. During their 2-year cohort, Teacher Leader Fellows will earn an annual $1500 stipend while engaging in a variety of professional learning experiences focused on teacher leadership skills and educational advocacy. Encourage your teachers to apply today for this exciting new opportunity! See the flyer for more details.

TO:
Licensed Personnel

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator, Teaching and Learning


Jordan School District Board authorizes up to four (4) full-time employees to be selected for leave.

Sabbatical Leave
Sabbatical leave provides a 1-year leave for professional study. Educators who have completed at least 7 years of continuous service in JSD may apply. Employees on sabbatical leave receive one-half of their salary. Please read Policy DP333 Neg – Sabbatical Leave for complete information. Applications are reviewed by the Local Professional Improvement Committee and approved by the Board.

Educational Leave
Educators who have worked in Jordan School District for at least three (3) consecutive years may apply for an Educational Leave. Educational leaves are for continued study and must include an outline of studies along with the application. Please read Policy DP332 NEG – Educational Leave for complete information. Educational Leave is without pay.

Applications for 2025-2026 Sabbatical and Educational Leaves are due February 1, 2025. Additional questions can be referred to Chris Westra, 801-567-8657.

TO:
Administrators

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


The Language & Culture Services team is happy to have refugee mentors assigned to each feeder system. These mentors will have 25-30 students that will meet them twice a month to follow up with their interests, involvement in school activities, friends, employment, family life, attendance, and grades.

Weekly collaboration to update tracking spreadsheet, share successes, work through student concerns and training/personal development as the opportunities arise. This will assist schools in gaining a better understanding of student needs and learning so that they can be successful in your school.

Please pass out permission slips to get parent permission and we will begin work with you soon.

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Michelle Love-Day, Director, Language & Culture Services
LaTrill Loveridge, Chair, Jordan Ethnic Advisory Counsel


The Jordan Ethnic Advisory Committee and Language and Culture Services cannot wait to see you at the annual "What I Wish You Knew Conference: In our shoes." This year the conference will be highlighting and celebrating our teachers making a difference in the classrooms everyday.

  • Where: Riverton High High
  • Time: 9 a.m. -12 p.m.
  • Date: Jan.21, 2025
  • What: What is working to enhance student leadership to sustain a culture of belonging in school.

DATE:  
November 12, 2024

TO:  
Principals and Assistant Principals

FROM:   
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Michelle Reyes, Attendance/Prevention Specialist, Student Services

SUBJECT:  
Thanksgiving Break Resources to Communicate with Families


Emphasizing the Value of Regular Attendance

The 2024-2025 school year is well under way with the holiday season rapidly approaching. Although we are seeing less interruptions from serious illness, than in recent years, schools are still struggling with high levels of chronic absence (missing 10% or more of school for any reason). Some students and families are still redeveloping the routine of regular attendance following the Pandemic, making it more important than ever to support the rhythm of attendance through the holiday season. We can take advantage of every opportunity to emphasize the lifelong value of regular attendance for student’s learning, social and emotional development and achievement while also offering empathy and support to students and families.

Schools that use a series of actions that promote the habit of regular attendance to help students avoid absences leading up to and following our seasonal breaks experience better attendance results. The following actions will assist in your attendance efforts this holiday season:

  • Send out a letter (Spanish) to families prior to Thanksgiving and again in the weeks leading up to the winter recess (Spanish).
  • Let families know the dates for the break and when school will resume. Use the resources below to get the word out using email, social media, school and teacher newsletters, and Parent Square.
  • Plan special events for the last day before the break and/or the first day after the holiday break to welcome students back to school. Utilize teachers to message families on Parent Square and remind them of when school will resume.

Premade Resources to Communicate with Families

Questions? Contact Michelle Reyes at michelle.reyes@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8205.

Chang, H. (n.d.). Holiday messaging. Attendance Works. https://www.attendanceworks.org/resources/messaging/holiday-messaging/

DATE:
November 14, 2024

TO:
All

FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Daniel Ellis, Director of Accounting and Audits
Jaime Barrett, Accounting Administrator

SUBJECT:
2024-2025 Updated Department Budget Code Book


Understanding the proper budget code to utilize when coding payroll for employees has been a struggle for staff. Our current function and object codes are numerous and confusing. In an effort to simplify and streamline our budget codes, Accounting has updated function and object codes. Please see the following attachment:

• JSD Budget Code Book 2024-2025

The attachment is also posted on Accounting’s website:  Click HERE. Please review these adjustments and contact Jaime Barrett (801) 567‐8315 with any questions or concerns.

DATE:   
November 14, 2024

TO: 
School Psychologists and School Psychology Interns

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

SUBJECT:  
December School Psychologist Guidance Meeting


A meeting for school psychologists and school psychology interns has been scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024, from 12:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Jordan Applied Technology Center South (JATC-South) located at 12373 Park Avenue (2080 West) in Riverton. We will start at 12:00 p.m. with a pot-luck lunch. Ben Springer, Ph.D., NCSP will provide us with a presentation titled Optimistic Teaming: Coordination Strategies for the Toughest Student Situations.

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

cc:
Principals

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Chris Richards-Khong, Associate Administrator of Teaching and Learning


Our new website features a variety of graduation credit services offered to JSD students including: original credit, grade replacement, credit recovery and options to demonstrate competency for credit. Check us out by clicking HERE.

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
JSD Cabinet Members


The Administrator of Schools (AOS) is a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet and is responsible to provide leadership and direction in all matters pertaining to both the District programs and to all schools in the assigned administrative area. The Jordan School District is currently posting two (2) Elementary Administrator of Schools positions and the qualifications to be considered are as follows:

  • A minimum of five (5) years of administrative experience is required
  • Principal experience is required
  • Elementary Principal experience is preferred
  • Current references are required, not letters of recommendation

This application will close at midnight on November 24, 2024 and interviews will be held on December 2, 2024. Both internal and external candidates are encouraged to apply in Frontline at the following link:

Apply Here

The following is a new administrative assignment:

Transfer effective January 2, 2025:

  • April Gaydosh, elementary level Administrator of Schools, transferred as Administrator in the Human Resources Department, replacing June LeMaster who is retiring.

Two elementary level Administrator of Schools positions will be available as of January 2, 2025. Each AOS will supervise approximately 13 elementary schools. Watch for the application to open next week and interviews will be held on December 2, 2024.

TO:
Directors
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
June LeMaster, Administrator, Human Resources


Upcoming Events and Opportunities – LICENSED EARLY NOTIFICATION

Valued Licensed Employee:

The Human Resource Department is contacting you with important information regarding upcoming events and opportunities.

LICENSED EARLY NOTIFICATION (Resignation or Retirement)
Licensed employees resigning/retiring at the end of the current contract year, who give official early notification in SKYWARD – EMPLOYEE ACCESS, will be eligible for a tiered incentive. To qualify, notification must be submitted on or before the following dates:

  • December 15, 2024  $500.00
  • January 15, 2025    $300.00
  • February 15, 2025  $200.00

The incentive will be paid on the last regular paycheck. Notifications of resignation/retirement received after the dates listed above will not qualify for an incentive. The official District “Notice of Resignation” form is found in Skyward Employee Access under “Task Processes”. Please see District policy DP318 for more detailed information regarding resignations. If you do not know your Skyward username or password please contact the Help Desk at 801-567-8737.

Licensed employees who do not submit an official “Notice of Resignation” form in Skyward Employee Access with at least thirty (30) calendar days’ written notice WILL BE FINED $500, which will be deducted from their final check. Informing your principal/school administrator either verbally or in writing is not sufficient. See District Policy DP318 – Resignations - Licensed.

School/District Administrators must submit an official “Notice of Resignation” form in Skyward Employee Access with at least sixty (60) calendar days’ written notice WILL BE FINED $500 in accordance with District Policy DP318A – Resignations-Administrators.

TO:
All Administrators

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


Check out the links below for the latest updates from Teaching & Learning for November. Learn Tips and Tricks, Sign Up for Upcoming PD, and Learn about Important Updates from the T & L team.

TO:
Directors
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
June LeMaster, Administrator, Human Resources
Brittany Bauer, HR Recruiting


The Utah State Board of Education Teacher Salary Supplement Program (TSSP) qualifications and application deadlines are available for 2024-2025. The application deadlines are printed below. Information regarding the TSSP program and qualifications is found at the following Utah State Board of Education (USBE) link:

Application Term Dates

An application term indicates a preference of when and how often the educator would like to receive any bonus. Applicants may select one of the following terms before the respective deadline:

Term # of Payments Application Available & Accepted Application Deadline
Trimester 3 Tuesday, October 1, 2024 6:00 AM Friday, November 15, 2024 11:59 PM
Semester 2 Tuesday, October 1, 2024 6:00 AM Friday, January 31, 2025 11:59 PM
Annual 1 Tuesday, October 1, 2024 6:00 AM Wednesday, April 30, 2025 11:59 PM

Please note that the 2024-2025 school year will be the final funding opportunity under the current TSSP. The Utah Legislature has approved the new Salary Supplement for Highly Needed Educators (SHiNE) Program in the 2024 session that will go into effect July 1, 2025.

DATE:    
November 7, 2024

TO:  
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM: 
June LeMaster, Administrator, Human Resources
Brent Burge, Human Resource Administrator, ESP

SUBJECT: 
2024 Winter Recess Critical Day Annual/Personal Leave Lottery Request


If you are a contracted employee and need to take Annual/Personal Leave on a Critical Day before or after Winter Recess 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
Winter Recess
(All Licensed)
Dec. 23, 2024 -          Jan. 3, 2025 Dec. 20, 2024 and        Jan. 6, 2025 Nov. 9 – Nov. 19, 2024
Winter Recess

(All ESP)

Dec. 24, 2024 -          Jan. 1, 2025 Dec. 20, 2024 and        Jan. 6, 2025

(245 works Dec 27, 30, 31)

Nov. 10 – Nov. 20, 2024

Licensed Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day 2024-2025

ESP Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day 2024-2025

TO:
Principals
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Daniel Ellis, Director of Accounting and Audits
Natalie Grange, Accounting Administrator


District allocations for individual schools were updated in Skyward on October 29.

Adjustments were made based on the October 1 headcounts. The online schools were not adjusted. Carryforward balances and transfer requests are included in the total allocation. See the following attachments:

1) Estimated District Allocation compared to October 1 adjustment.
2) Student estimate compared to October 1 headcount.
3) Budget Transfer form.

Budget adjustments can be submitted, using the attached form, to Natalie.Grange@jordandistrict.org. Budget transfers must be submitted before February.

Please review these adjustments and contact Natalie Grange (801) 567-8312 with any questions or concerns.