Jordan School District
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
USBE will be offering two cohorts (total of 50 participants) of the NEW LETRS for Administrators Professional Learning. These cohorts are intended for principals and assistant principals. The professional learning includes a manual, online learning, and live sessions. This will be a first come, first serve offer. Please see the attached flyer for more information and the link to register.
TO:
Elementary Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Michelle Lovell, Consultant in Teaching & Learning
As you are aware, at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, the KEEP test is no longer required for kindergarten students in the state of Utah. Teachers may still use the KEEP test, but it should only be administered beginning on August 1st to avoid any conflicts with the administration of the PEEP test which is still required for preschool. If schools would like to test students prior to August 1st, they may use the JPEP (Jordan Pre Entry Profile) Full-day Kindergarten Pre Assessment. A copy of the JPEP and a link to a spreadsheet for data storage is attached.
DATE:
Thursday, February 22, 2024
TO:
Elementary and Middle School Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
RISE Summative Training
The RISE summative testing window is from March 12 - June 7, 2024. RISE passwords get reset each year, so please be sure your teachers log in and reset their passwords for this year at utahrise.org.
As testing is nearly underway, please make sure all testing teachers complete the yearly RISE test administration training. Many teachers only use the RISE systems once a year, so yearly training on how it all works is needed. Only teachers who will administer the RISE test need to be trained. For your reference, here is a link to the Testing Ethics Policy.
Your school is responsible for making sure all testing teachers get trained in RISE test administration. Should you choose to hold a training at your school, this fulfills the training requirement. Teachers have two additional options to be trained for RISE testing:
RISE Canvas Course
The RISE test administration training requirement can be fulfilled by completing the Canvas course online. All teachers in grades 3-8 have been added to the course, should you choose to have them complete the training through this method. A certificate of completion for relicensure points will be available for download at the end of the course.
Zoom RISE Training
Teachers can attend one of the following Zoom RISE trainings to fulfill the training requirement.
Here is the Zoom link for these trainings:
https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/5266134800
Meeting ID: 526 613 4800
For questions about RISE training or test administration, please contact Kassidy Towery in Evaluation, Research & Accountability.
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
By state law Vapes are hazardous waste and cannot be thrown away in regular trash. Please plan to bring all your school's vaping waste such as vapes, mods, e-juice, cartridges, etc. to the Assistant Principals meeting in March, April, and May to be collected by Sharon Jensen and taken to the County facility to be disposed of properly.
With 2 National promotions in March it's a big month for Nutrition Services! Check out the attachment for more information.
Reading is an integral part of a student’s education and has always been and will continue to be a priority in Jordan School District. Teacher knowledge of the science of reading and classroom implementation of best practices is a critical component of student success.
It is a state and district expectation that teachers in grades K-3 and SPED receive LETRS training and that they are able to master the content. In order to ensure content mastery, an acceptable passing rate for teachers in Jordan School District is to receive 75% or higher on the units and assessments provided in LETRS.
Teachers who are currently involved in LETRS training will need to reach this threshold to be able to teach literacy in grades K-3 and SPED classrooms. Teachers who have finished the training but have not received this level of proficiency will receive help and support through an additional opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the content.
Admin, please share this information with your teachers.
Many of your teachers are pursuing a STEM endorsement (see our EIP website for a full list of endorsements) USBE WILL REIMBURSE THEM FOR THEIR EDUCATION! This is called the STEM Endorsement Incentive Program (EIP). See the attached flyer and link to our EIP Website for more information.
The next round of reimbursement applications is due March 1, 2024 for teachers who completed STEM courses in Fall/Winter 2023. If you have any questions, please reach out to the content consultant. We would love to talk to you!
The Education Tribute Award is a prestigious honor presented annually by the state-wide program ResilientYOU. Each year education organizations and individuals are selected based upon their exemplary efforts in building student resilience in their schools, homes and communities. The Education Tribute Award nominations will be gathered during “Resilient Utah Month” in March 2024. All nominations need to be completed online no later than Thursday, March 28, 2024. For Questions text Barbara Smith 801-560-6511 or email baarbaarasmith@gmail.com
Nomination categories include:
Outstanding High School
Outstanding Middle School Outstanding Elementary School
Outstanding Parenting Organization
Outstanding Secondary School Teacher
Outstanding Elementary School Teacher
Outstanding Wellness Professional
Outstanding Administrator
Awards will be announced and delivered to each school location by a member of the ResilientYOU Board in April. The recipients will be announced on KUTV Channel 2, in addition to being publicized through social media and educational networks.
Recipients will also be honored on May 9th at the event, “Utah Prevention Day with the Salt Lake Bees” at Smith’s Ballpark during the Opening Ceremony in front of 10,000 students and teachers. Award recipients will receive an honorary plaque.
The Move Money Process is now in Skyward Finance. Please use this process in Skyward to initiate a move money process to move payroll. This process enables payroll, accounting and the initiator to track the move money from through the process and provides a notification when payroll posts the adjustments. Please communicate this through your school or office. See the instructions attached.
The Jordan Ethnic Advisory Committee is holding an Open House for staff, students, and families. Come and meet our student leaders in our multicultural clubs. Bring your ideas of what is working in JSD and celebrations of what is going well in your school.
We are a committee successfully educating, supporting, and empowering the Jordan School District community by moving the ‘equity work’ from theory to practice, and developing district policies with a strong equity lens. Questions or concerns? Send us a message at JEAC@jordandistrict.org.
Please submit concerns to be discussed by JAESP committee and cabinet by February 21, 2024. Send items to be discussed to Nick Hansen at Golden Fields, Ann Pessetto at Silver Crest, or Kaleb Yates at the new Flex School. All items are discussed anonymously as we work to provide clarification and solutions to concerns of elementary administrators.
Notes of the discussions will be published following the meeting on the Google Doc titled "JAESP committee notes 2023-24" shared previously with Elementary Administrators. New information has been added this week.
DATE:
February 15, 2024
TO:
All Administrators
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness
SUBJECT:
Social and Emotional Skill Curriculum EXPO – Tuesday March 5th!!
School leaders and teams are invited to the Social and Emotional Skill Curriculum EXPO on March 5th at JATC South Auditorium!
The 2024 Social and Emotional Skill Curriculum Expo is a part of the 2024 Prevention Palooza. At the core of prevention are our intentional efforts to build students’ essential social, emotional, and life skills.
Implementing a Tier One, school-wide curriculum is an evidence-based approach to reducing problematic behavior, improving academic outcomes, and most importantly, enhancing student well-being!
There are Two Sessions on Tuesday March 5, 2024: 8:30-11:00, 12:30-3:00
This event is a hybrid of an open house and a vendor EXPO. There will be various vendors representing curriculum options hosting timed, round-table discussions to help you determine which program best fits your school’s needs. Come for an hour and visit a few tables you are interested in or stick around and explore several options! Information on each curriculum vendor will be shared beforehand including simple guides to key components of each of these curriculum vendors.
This format will allow school leaders to maximize their time and gather information with intention as they prepare for the upcoming school year! We intend to support school leaders and teams in meeting their unique social and emotional skill development goals.**Substitutes can be paid for upon request.
RSVP Here
Review the attached flyer and share with those who would benefit from attending. Please get in touch with McKinley Withers (mckinley.withers@jordandistrict.org) for additional information and questions.
DATE:
February 9, 2024
TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Sharon Jensen, Consultant Student Support Services
Michelle Reyes, Prevention Specialist, Student Support Services
SUBJECT:
Attendance Message Notifying Families of the Upcoming President’s Day Recess
When students miss school for any reason, they miss out on opportunities to become better prepared for upcoming assessments. Evidence shows that when schools communicate with families about school recesses and breaks it frequently helps inform them when their students have days off from school and when they should return to school.
Included you will find resources to share with families about the upcoming President’s Day Recess and compensatory day for middle and high school students. A tip sheet for morning announcements to promote attendance in a positive way is included as well. Communicating with students that they belong and are an integral part of the school community is an effective strategy for increased attendance.
Should you have any questions or would like copies you can edit, please contact Michelle Reyes at michelle.reyes@jordandistrict.org or 801.567.8205.
DATE:
Thursday, February 15, 2024
TO:
Middle School Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
AAPPL for DLI Tableau Dashboards Updated with 2023-24 Results
AAPPL for DLI results have been updated in Tableau. The dashboards contain district, school, and individual student data. In addition, viewers will be able to see results by teacher as well as by individual students. Tableau users may filter data by various demographic and student groupings as well.
Please contact Ben Jameson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with questions about these dashboards.
DATE:
Thursday, February 15, 2024
TO:
Elementary School Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
AAPPL for DLI and MOY Acadience Reading Tableau Dashboards Updated with Most Recent Results
AAPPL for DLI and the middle-of-year Acadience Reading results have been updated in Tableau. The dashboards contain district, school, and individual student data. In addition, viewers will be able to see results by teacher as well as by individual students. Tableau users may filter data by various demographic and student groupings as well.
Please contact Ben Jameson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with questions about these dashboards.
DATE:
Thursday, February 15, 2024
TO:
All School Administrators
FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability
SUBJECT:
2024 Educator Engagement Survey Administration
USBE board rule R277-325 requires that school districts administer the Educator Engagement Survey every other year opposite the USBE School Climate Survey (last administered in the spring of 2022-23).
The survey will be distributed by Evaluation, Research & Accountability to all licensed school-based educators (with the exception of administrators) in elementary, middle and high schools. The survey opens Monday, February 26th and closes Friday, March 29th. USBE anticipates that the survey will take educators about 20-30 minutes to complete. USBE hopes to gather information about educator’s engagement in education and their perspectives related to the quality of their job experiences. The survey is confidential and the results will be reported in the aggregate.
School administrators don’t need to do anything to distribute the survey, but principals are encouraged to notify their faculty that the survey is coming.
Survey results will be published for each school in Tableau after the survey closes.
If you would like to preview the survey questions, you may do so here or you may view the pdf copy attached with this JAM memo.
Please contact Ben Jameson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability with questions.
Nominations are now open!
2024 Sorenson Legacy Awards. See the flyer below. The deadline to submit is Monday, March 11, 2024 by 5:00 pm.
DATE:
February 14, 2024
TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
School Financial, Main, Attendance, and Counseling ESP’s
Registrars
FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Sharon Jensen, Student Support Services Consultant
Vickie Barker, YIC Teacher Specialist
Carolyn Curran, YIC Coordinator
SUBJECT:
Youth in Care (YIC) Enrollment Process
YIC students are those that are, in some manner, considered to be in State Custody (Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS), Juvenile Justice and Youth Services (JJYS), or Department of Health and Human Services (DSPD) and include students in foster care.
YIC students should not be enrolled at the school until cleared and authorized by the YIC Coordinator in Student Services. Prior to enrollment schools will be contacted and receive the YIC student’s Intake Forms after they have been processed by the YIC Coordinator in Student Services. Intake forms are found on the Student Support Services website here. When YIC enrollment is sought at the school without prior notification from the YIC Coordinator, the school should inform them that they cannot be enrolled at this time and provide them the contact information below to obtain the clearance to enroll.
DCSF, JJYS, DSPD, or foster care guardians should be referred to Carolyn Curran, the YIC Coordinator in Student Services at 801.567.8328 or carolyn.curran@jordandistirct.org if prior authorization has not been received by the school.
Should you have any questions or require any help or clarification please contact one of the following:
Carolyn Curran, YIC Coordinator
801.567.8328
carolyn.curran@jordandistrict.org
Vickie Barker, YIC Teacher Specialist
801.567.8351
vicki.barker@jordandistrict.org
