Skip to content

Published on

DATE:
Thursday, December 17, 2020

TO:
Middle School Principals

FROM:
Shelley Nordick, Ph. D., Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT:
Research Project

The Research Review Committee has reviewed a research project in which your school has been asked to participate.

Project Title:  Historical Literacy Instruction, Tasks, and Support in Online Learning Platforms

Applicant: Jeff Nokes, Brigham Young University

The project has been approved by the District Research Review Committee.  The applicant has been directed to contact you to discuss the extent of the project and to obtain your permission to conduct the study at your school.  Participation in the study is at your discretion.  If you have questions or concerns relating to participation, please contact Ben Jameson at 801-567-8243.

The project will involve an examination of online curriculum in 8th grade US History courses.

Thank you for your assistance.

Forward this Memo

Published on

Employees resigning/retiring at the end of the current contract year, that give official early notification of resignations/retirement, will be eligible for a tiered incentive. To qualify, notifications must be submitted online on or before the follow dates:

December 15, 2020 - $500.00
January 15, 2021 - $300.00
February 15, 2021 - $200.00

The incentive will be paid on the last regular paycheck. Notifications of resignation or retirement received after the dates listed above will not qualify for an incentive. The official District resignation/retirement notification form is found in Skyward under "My Access."  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.

Forward this Memo

Published on

The purpose of the Educational Support Professionals Improvement Committee is to encourage, guide, and reward the professional development of education support professionals staff (https://policy.jordandistrict.org/aa421b/). We encourage ESPs to improve their skills and knowledge. As such, ESPs may find development opportunities on the following website:

Educational Support Professionals Professional Improvement!

If there is a course that ESPs would like to take that is within the realm of their position in the Jordan School District, they may submit a request to have the committee pay for the course (up to $300 per year). The committee meets once a month to review and approve requests.

If you would like to take a course, please fill out the following form and submit it to Chris Westra in the Teaching and Learning department:

https://tl.jordandistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2020-21-Classified-Prof-Dev-Form-fillable.pdf

For further questions, please contact Chris Westra in Teaching and Learning at 801-567-8657 or christine.westra@jordandistrict.org.

Forward this Memo

Published on

DATE:
December 17, 2020

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

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

SUBJECT:
School Choice Permit Allocations and Tiers

In 2018, as part of the transition to the PowerSchool permit process and in preparation for the “MOAB” boundary changes, the Board authorized lottery priorities and a three-level permit tier system. The permit tiers control a school’s ability to grant permit seats when projected enrollment is above 90% of building’s capacity.

As a reminder, all schools are required by Utah law (53G-6-402) to accept permit seats when projected enrollment is under 90% of the building’s capacity. Seats from 90% of capacity to 100% of capacity may be offered, following the approvals below, at the principal’s discretion. Schools will not typically offer permit seats when projected enrollment exceeds 100% of capacity. Building capacity is determined by Planning & Enrollment and includes all spaces (including portables, regardless of current use) at a location that are being used or could be used for student instruction. The number of portables at a location, regardless of usage, determines the permit tier for that building.

Tier Number of Portables Approval Required to Accept Permits Above 90% of Building Capacity
1 0 - Approval from Administrator of Schools
2 1-6 - Approval from Administrator of Schools

- Notification to Board of school’s intent to offer permit seats above 90% of capacity
3 More than 6 - Approval from Cabinet

- Discussion/approval by Board of school’s intent to offer permit seats above 90% of capacity

Schools can access their current permit tier, number of seats required to be accepted, and potential number of seats available beyond 90% of building capacity on their Enrollment Dashboard (in the “Permits” section).

For questions related to permits please contact Student Services (801.567.8259) or Caleb Olsen (801.567.8251).

Forward this Memo

Published on

A few housekeeping items for Land Trust:

At the February 2, 2021 Principal Meeting we are going to have Natalie Gordon, from the State Office, come and do training with all of you on how to make a concise Land Trust Plan. The plans need to be Student Centered, Measurable, and Academic. She's going to explain what needs to go into the different parts of the plan; Goal, Measurements, and Action Plan Steps. She will also be available to answer questions at the end.

The website is still under construction. When it comes back up the 2019-20 Final Reports will need to be completed.

Our Board of Education has asked that we verify that training with your School Community Councils has been completed prior to the 2021-22 plan being submitted. Completion of the training will be confirmed with your AOS. To help you with the training we are including some links and a Power Point as resources to provide this training.

This video gives a brief introduction of how Utah received trust lands at statehood, how the land creates revenue for schools, how that revenue is invested, and how earnings are distributed through the School LAND Trust program.
Utah School & Institutional Trust System  can be found on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/qlr0wFacsyk. 

School Community Council Training videos and more information can be found on the School Trust System on the website.
https://schools.utah.gov/schoollandtrust/training

A Jordan School District training video was recorded previously with Mike Anderson and Tracy Miller. That link can be found here:
https://jordandistrict.org/resources/communitycouncil/

Here is the PowerPoint that Mike Anderson has used in previous trainings.

Forward this Memo

Published on

The COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all Jordan School District employees beginning in mid-January at locations throughout the district. After the winter break employees will receive a link to sign up for a vaccination time slot and location. COVID-19 vaccinations will be available to all employees, but are not required. More information will be forthcoming.

Forward this Memo

Published on

The following are new administrative assignments:

  • New Assignments effective December 14, 2020:
    • Elizabeth Felt, assistant principal at Blackridge Elementary appointed principal at Mountain Point Elementary replacing Carolyn Bona who is retiring.
    • Michelle Kilcrease, assistant principal at Mountain Shadows and Copper Canyon Elementary transferred as an assistant principal at Blackridge Elementary and her replacement is to be determined.
    • Ross Menlove, administrator on special assignment in Teaching & Learning appointed an online principal (Elementary) and his replacement is to be determined.
    • Spencer Campbell, assistant principal at South Hills Middle appointed an online principal (Middle) and his replacement is to be determined.
    • Ammon Wiemers, consultant in Teaching & Learning appointed an online principal (High) and his replacement is to be determined.
  • New Assignments effective January 19, 2021:
    • Suzanne Williams, principal at Eastlake Elementary appointed principal at the new elementary school in Daybreak.
    • Kristy Howe, assistant principal at Antelope Canyon and Oakcrest Elementary appointed principal at Eastlake Elementary and her replacement is to be determined.
Forward this Memo

Published on

Jordan School District will provide free COVID-19 testing to all asymptomatic Jordan District employees beginning this Friday, December 11. Testing is not required and is being provided as a service to Jordan School District employees. Testing will be conducted using the BinaxNOW rapid antigen test. This test involves a minimally invasive swab test taken from inside the edges of the nostrils.

High school employees interested in getting tested should do so at their high school by contacting a member of their administration.

Testing will be offered each Friday from 2-4 pm at the Jordan District Auxiliary Services Building, located at 7905 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan, UT 84088. Employees should use the north entrance marked “Entrance A”. Use this link for parking information: ASB COVID-19 Testing Location Map

  • Please come with personal identification and your JSD ID badge. This form is used for students and employees. Student ID questions are not required for employees.
  • Employees may test weekly but only need to register one time.
  • Employees wishing to be tested must complete the online form found at this link prior to arriving for testing:

Employees will be informed of their test results through email. Those who test positive for COVID-19 will be directed to isolate per the instructions they receive from health authorities.

If you have any questions please email nadine.page@jordandistrict.org

In addition to the Friday testing at ASB, there are two free testing options at the Maverik Center for school employees:

For asymptomatic school employees

Free COVID-19 TestingIf you are a student or staff member of a school and you meet the requirements below, you may be tested via rapid test for same-day results.

  • You were exposed at school only and have no other exposures.
  • It has been at least 7 days since the exposure occurred.
  • Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  • You do not have any symptoms of COVID-19
  • You must pre register at slco.org/health/COVID-19/testing/

For symptomatic employees
Any employee experiencing symptoms is advised to get tested through their primary care provider or register for PCR testing at the Maverik Center.

  • Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  • 3200 S. Decker Lake Dr. in West Valley City
  • You must pre register at slco.org/health/COVID-19/testing/public-testing/

Testing occurs in the Maverik Center Overflow Parking Lot
2051 West  3100 South, West Valley City, UT 84119 Enter off of 3100 South

Forward this Memo

Published on

A new record, Method of Instruction, has been created in the Skyward student profile to track a student’s learning method, whether full-time In-Person, full-time Online, or Hybrid (both in-person and online). The Method of Instruction can be used in many reports, including attendance reports, scheduling reports and data mining.  In addition, an indicator will appear in the upper, right-hand corner of the student’s profile screen for Virtual and Hybrid students.  The indicator is a blue-green .  This will help to quickly identify the student’s instruction method.

Below are some key dates in regards to Method of Instruction:

  • On November 23, 2020, Information Systems pre-populated the Method of Instruction for all students.
  • Beginning January 4, 2021, schools will need to maintain the Method of Instruction record as they enroll new students.
  • Information Systems will again update the Method of Instruction on January 20, 2021. This will ensure accuracy after the semester change.
  • After January 20, 2021, schools will need to maintain the Method of Instruction record for all students going forward. There are 3 scenarios in which the Method of Instruction would need to be added/updated:
    1. New enrollment – Students would need a new Method of Instruction record created.
    2. Withdrawal – As students withdraw, the Method of Instruction record needs to have an end date entered.
    3. When a student changes their schedule in a manner that would change their learning method the Method of Instruction record would need to be updated.

A tutorial on how to add/update the Method of Instruction record can be found in the Information Systems Documentation Folder.  If you have any questions regarding Method of Instruction, please reference this tutorial or contact the help desk.

Forward this Memo

Published on

DATE:    
December 8, 2020

TO:  
Secondary Principals

FROM:  
Chris Richards-Khong, Teaching and Learning Staff Assistant Administrator

SUBJECT:   
USBE Accreditation Waiver 2020-2021 and Deferment Notice Request

On December 7, 2020, the Utah State Board of Education voted in a Board Meeting to waive the accreditation requirement for the schools up for renewal or in their initial accreditation process due to the demands of COVID-19. Jordan District schools that are renewing their accreditation or seeking initial accreditation may wait until next year to go through the accreditation process. USBE staff will connect with Cognia to make them aware of the waiver decision. The official Board motion is referenced below.

If schools are scheduled for an accreditation review this year and wish to defer their accreditation review until next year, they are asked to contact Chris Richards-Khong via email. This notification will allow her to amend and defer the accreditation budget allocation for that school.

Important Note: This waiver will not alter the rotation of other schools anticipating accreditation beyond 2020-21.

USBE Board Motion 12/07/2020: 

1)    for a school renewing the school’s accreditation or a school in its first or second year of operation during the 2020-21 school year, waives the requirement in Section R277-410-3 for the school to obtain accreditation from a regional accrediting body and allow the school an additional year to obtain accreditation; and

2)    for a student enrolled in a school in the school’s first year of operation during the 2019-20 or the 2020-21 school year, waives the requirements of Subsection R277-410-3(2) and deems credit granted from a non-accredited school during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school year as credit earned from an accredited source.

CC:
Shelley Nordick, Ph.D., Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools
Cody Curtis, Administrator of Schools

CRK:cw

Forward this Memo

Published on

DATE:  
December 10, 2020

TO: 
Principals
Assistant Principals
Administrative Assistants
Attendance Secretaries

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

SUBJECT:  
Changes to Marking Attendance for COVID-19

This information supersedes the information given in the August 13, 2020 memo “Marking Attendance for Quarantining or Isolating Students 2020-21”

In most schools this year, there are as many as three instructional models in use:

  • In-Person Classes
  • Virtual Classes
  • Hybrid / Blended Classes (at student discretion, meaning the student is able to decide, on any given day, if they attend class in-person or virtually. A hybrid/blended class may also have mandatory instruction days.)

A student, particularly at the secondary level, may have a combination of in-person or virtual classes throughout the day. The way attendance should be marked will change based on the instructional model of the class the student is participating in at any given moment.

Attendance is a legal requirement to indicate a student’s compliance with compulsory education laws, and it may not be used to determine a student’s academic grade (attendance may impact participation in a course, which can in turn impact a grade, but the attendance marking by itself may not directly influence a grade).

Four attendance codes (E, G, H, and P) come into play when considering the impact of COVID-19 isolation and quarantines on the three instructional models. Other attendance codes continue to be used as warranted based on a student’s attendance and activity. Their usage and meaning is unchanged.

In general, remember the following when marking attendance for COVID-19 related absences:

  • E is an EXCUSED ABSENCE. It does not “count against” a student for average daily membership or for 10-day accounting. Work has – and should continue to be – provided to students marked with an E as requested by the parent. The school determines the process and timetable for gathering and providing work. This code will begin to be used effective December 14, 2020 to indicate certain parent-directed COVID absences (family-related quarantines and confirmed cases).
  • G is a GUARDIAN-EXCUSED ABSENCE. It does “count against” a student for average daily membership and excessive consecutive totals of G absences may result in a 10-day drop. Work has been – and should continue to be – provided to students marked with an G as requested by the parent. The school determines the process and timetable for gathering and providing work. This code will begin to be used effective December 14, 2020 to indicate certain times when a parent is opting their child out of participation in school that are not the direct consequence of a COVID illness or quarantine.
  • H is for HOME AND HOSPTIAL INSTRUCTION. It indicates – as it has always done – that the District is maintaining its obligation to provide instruction to this student. For quarantines at the direction of the Salt Lake County Health Department, this obligation can be met through packets of prepared work, work prepared and available in a digital platform, or synchronous learning activities.
  • P can be used to mean two things, depending on the context and date it is used, as outlined in the table included with this memo.
Forward this Memo

Published on

DATE: 
December 10, 2020

TO:  
Elementary Principals
Administrative Assistants

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

SUBJECT:    
Guidelines to Establish Kindergarten Enrollment

It is the responsibility of each school to obtain a kindergarten roster for the upcoming school year. This roster helps facilitate kindergarten staffing and establish budgets for supplies and materials. Typically, efforts to establish kindergarten rosters begin in December. A timely start to kindergarten registration will be especially important this year as we attempt to adjust FTE projections to account for the impacts of the pandemic.

The following steps should be used to establish a kindergarten roster:

  1. Send a flyer home with every student.
  2. Publicize in the school newsletter – communicate (several times) the importance of getting accurate kindergarten counts.
  3. Use all other resources available to you (Skylert, social media, etc.).
  4. NOTE: New Student Online Enrollment (NSOE) for the 2021-22 school year enrollment will not be available until after the Skyward pre-enroll. If applications were entered prior to pre-enrollment, they need to be inactive for the current year and active for next year. This can be done during the approval process in NSOE.
  5. Schedule kindergarten orientation as soon as possible. After the January pre-enroll, check your New Student Online Enrollment to see if there are any pending applications that need follow up.
  6. Hang banners announcing Kindergarten Registration being accepted for the following school year.

Please schedule your kindergarten orientation AS SOON AS POSSIBLE 

Optional Ideas:

  1. Make a block contact with every home using PTA support.
  2. Contact preschools in the attendance area of your school.
  3. Use a telephone tree operated by parent volunteers with a list of questions for consistency.
  4. Contact neighbors who can identify new move-ins.
  5. Contact community members who do not have children enrolled in school.
  6. Avoid forwarding kindergarten orientation letters to new addresses if a family has moved from your boundary area. Delete that name from your list.

Please be diligent in recruiting all the kindergarten students within your school boundary.

Forward this Memo

Published on

All Principals:

When there is an unforeseen situation that requires an emergency substitute, we recommend the following steps:

  1. Submit the request in Absence Management. Contact preferred substitutes. If no sub is available,
  2. Call Juli Martin, substitute assistant at 801-567-8219 to request a substitute and if a substitute is not available,
  3. Consider using the CARES assistant at your school location; however, these employees are not to exceed a total of 25 hours per week. Hours worked will be paid at their hourly rate.
  4. Consider using hourly assistants who are also set up as substitutes in AESOP; however, these employees are not to exceed a total of 25 hours per week in combination of both positions. If needed, these aides may increase their substitute hours, but must reduce their assistant hours in the same week. Hours worked as a substitute will be paid at the substitute pay rate. If this is an option you want to explore, please contact an HR Administrator.

NOTE:  Using hourly assistants who are not set up as a substitute in Absence Management, should be used in this way on a limited basis. Time worked is documented using TrueTime and will be paid at their hourly rate. These employees cannot exceed 25 hours/week. They will be paid out of the budget assigned in Skyward.

For assistance with any of the options described above, feel free to contact an HR administrator.

Thank you,

HR Administrators

Forward this Memo

Published on

October 13 - JSD Communications Email to Teachers

  1. FFCRA Leave - The procedure for using FFCRA is being simplified as outlined below:
    1. Teachers on quarantine who can still teach from home, even if a sub is needed in the classroom, do not need to take leave of any kind. Instead, in Skyward select “Other” and “Quarantined but Working From Home” as the reason for the absence.
    2. If you have already taken FFCRA leave after July 1st for days when you were teaching while quarantined, please contact your school administrative assistant or principal. They can make a request to the appropriate Administrator of Schools to change the recorded leave.

 

Forward this Memo

Published on

Thank you all for your patience and understanding this year with your technology orders.  We have experienced unprecedented delays on the most popular models of Chromebooks, laptops, and even Apple laptops and iPads.

Here are a few updates and recommendations regarding these devices:

  • JSD’s Information Systems department has now asked that we purchase the Jamf School device management licenses for all Apple devices.  We’ve been buying these for the last year or two for the iPads, but this requirement now extends to iMacs, MacBook Airs, MacBook Pros, all iPad models, iPods, etc.  If you are requesting your own quotes from Apple, please ask the sales representative to include these on the quote for you.  You will need a license for each device.  These are ordered under Apple part# HL2M2LL/A, and run $17.50/each.
  • Apple iPads are now experiencing 6-8 week order lead times.  Please plan ahead for your purchases.
  • Other Apple devices are typically on 4-6 week order lead times.
  • Please be aware that Apple has recently discontinued models with Intel processors, and are being replaced with the new Apple processors.  If you have an old quote, we may need to update it to the new equivalent part number.   So far prices seem to be the same.
  • For your Chromebooks, for the most part these are on 16+ week order lead times, and the touchscreen models seem to be taking longer than the basic Chromebook.
  • Please check with Tonya Hodges in Purchasing if you need a rush order on the basic Chromebooks.  Occasionally we can find vendors that have them in stock, but at higher prices.  We can work with you on a case by case basis to see if we may make a purchasing exception to get you some stock right away for your immediate needs, but use the better pricing and longer lead times to get the remainder of your Chromebooks.
  • It is recommended to start planning now and place orders by the end of January 2021for Chromebooks you will need for the 2021-22 school year.  This would allow enough time to get the devices delivered by summer break and ready to go for the start of school in August.

Please contact Tonya Hodges in the Purchasing Department at tonya.hodges@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8706 for assistance with your Technology orders.

Forward this Memo

Published on

In anticipation of next year's planning and scheduling, we will be turning pre-transfers on earlier than we have in the past. We have scheduled this task for the afternoon of December 11th. You should then be able to start running reports and see your next year's students beginning December 14th.

A few reminders about pre-transfers:

  • A pre-transfer is an active student who is currently attending Jordan School District and will be attending next year at a different school within Jordan School District. The student’s record will pre-transfer to the student’s next year boundary school based on their current address.
  • Once pre-transfers are turned on the School Pathtab will show current year permits under Previous Reason Code and next year permits under Reason Code.
  • Current permits for 6thand 9th grade students will be removed for next year as of December 10th. This will allow these students to pre-transfer to their new entity for next year.

In addition to turning on pre-transfers, the course master will be rolled over on December 10th for next year scheduling preparation.

Please contact the help desk with any questions or concerns regarding the timing of the pre-transfer process.

Forward this Memo

Published on
For the 2020-21 school year our District has received substantial grant funds to meet student’s mental health needs through our Mental Health Access Program (MHAP). We encourage schools to refer any student or family that would benefit from these services. There is no limit on referrals for any particular school and the grant funds will be able to accommodate all needs-based referrals.
Please refer to the attached flyer for additional information about MHAP or contact McKinley Withers, 801-567-8245.
Forward this Memo

Published on

Volunteer reports need to be submitted to Insurance Services.

Workers' Compensation insurance costs are based on numbers submitted by schools. It is important that this information be accurate and complete.

PTA figures must be separate from other volunteer hours.

Attached is a copy of the Volunteer Report for the period from August 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

Please complete this form and return it to Cheryl Matson, Director of Insurance Services, by December 22, 2020.

Forward this Memo