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Published on

DATE:
Thursday, March 6, 2025

TO:
Middle and High School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
REMINDER: Summative Testing Changes for 2024-25

With the change in the ELA core approved by the Utah State Board of Education in recent months, the state’s summative assessments will now reflect those changes. The changes to RISE and the Utah Aspire Plus are highlighted below:

Utah Aspire Plus:

  • The English subtest will no longer be administered. Only the Reading, Math and Science subtests will be administered.
  • USBE, under recommendation from the Assessment & Accountability Policy Advisory Committee, has opted to not go through the standard setting process over the summer as they had originally intended. Therefore, Utah Aspire Plus proficiency reporting will be available within 24 hours after students complete and submit the assessment. Proficiency reporting, composite scale scores, and predicted ACT scores will be available for Math, Reading and Science. There will be no ELA proficiency reporting.

Please see the attached Utah Aspire Plus updates document released by USBE for more information.

RISE:

  • The summative RISE ELA assessment and the summative RISE Writing assessment (5th and 8th grades only) have been revised according to the new ELA core. Scores for the summative RISE ELA and summative RISE Writing will not be available until fall 2025. Automatic scoring for both summative assessments will resume in the 2025-26 school year.
  • Scoring for RISE Math and Science will still be available after students complete and submit the assessment.
  • For RISE ELA and Math, students will see up to one cluster question (see Feb. 6th JAM). The RISE Math cluster questions will be field test items. The RISE ELA cluster questions will be actual questions that count towards students’ scores.
  • RISE blueprints, performance level descriptors, and writing rubrics may all be found on the RISE Portal under the Resources tile.

Please see the attached RISE updates document released by USBE for more information.

For questions about these changes, please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability.

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Published on

DATE:
Thursday, March 6, 2025

TO:
Elementary School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
Elementary Summative Testing Changes for 2024-25

With the change in the ELA core approved by the Utah State Board of Education in recent months, the state’s summative assessments will now reflect those changes. The changes to RISE are highlighted below:

RISE:

  • The summative RISE ELA assessment and the summative RISE Writing assessment (5th and 8th grades only) have been revised according to the new ELA core. Scores for the summative RISE ELA and summative RISE Writing will not be available until fall 2025. Automatic scoring for both summative assessments will resume in the 2025-26 school year.
  • Scoring for RISE Math and Science will still be available after students complete and submit the assessment.
  • For RISE ELA and Math, students will see up to one cluster question (see Feb. 6th JAM). The RISE Math cluster questions will be field test items. The RISE ELA cluster questions will be actual questions that count towards students’ scores.
  • RISE blueprints, performance level descriptors, and writing rubrics may all be found on the RISE Portal under the Resources tile.

Please see the attached RISE updates document released by USBE for more information.

For questions about these changes, please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability.

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Published on

DATE:
Thursday, March 6, 2025

TO:
All School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
State Testing Reminders

The following are friendly reminders from the state’s testing ethics policy:

  • “Utah LEAs and Licensed Utah educators may use a student’s score from a statewide assessment to improve the student’s academic grade for or demonstrate the student’s competency within a relevant course.”
  • “Licensed Utah educators shall ensure that:
    • “Students are not penalized who have been exempted from a statewide assessment
    • “Students aren’t provided a nonacademic award for participating in or performing well on a statewide assessment
    • “Students are provided an alternate learning activity if they are exempted by a parent from a statewide assessment.”

The following additional guidance may help address specific questions that arise from the part of the state’s testing ethics policy quoted above:

  • Using a student’s score from a state assessment can only improve a student’s grade – not hurt it. However, points are awarded for those who meet goals or earn proficiency on the state assessment, students should either receive 100% of the points possible or be excused from the assignment.
  • Educators may not use a student’s score on a state assessment to determine an overall grade for the course. It can be used, in conjunction with other evidence, to help determine a student’s overall grade.
  • Educators may not assign participation points on students’ grades for taking a state assessment.
  • The alternate learning activity for students whose parents have opted them out of taking the state assessment can be an alternate assessment. That said, using a student’s score on the alternate assessment or activity on a student’s grade can only improve the student’s grade – not hurt it.
    • In addition, if the incentive is that a student who demonstrates proficiency on a state assessment means that they don’t have to take the class final exam, then students who have been opted out would also need two opportunities to demonstrate proficiency. For instance, if a student who was opted out demonstrated proficiency on the alternate assessment (administered while other students took the state assessment), then they wouldn’t have to take the class final exam.

Please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability with questions.

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Published on

DATE:  
March 6, 2025

TO: 
Principals
Administrative Assistants

FROM:  
Odette Desmarais, Administrator of Schools
Meredith Doleac, Administrator of Schools
Becky Gerber, Administrator of Schools
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools

SUBJECT: 
Parking Lot Duty Guidelines for Elementary Schools 2024-25

Through the 2018-19 negotiations process, the Board allocated funds to pay each elementary teacher $400 for parking lot duty each year. The stipend will be paid out on April paychecks. The following are additional details and clarifications for the implementation of this payment.

  • Although parking lot duty requirements will vary from school to school, the payment is the same districtwide.
  • Administrators are encouraged to reduce parking lot duty for teachers as much as possible while maintaining necessary coverage.
  • All full-time K-6 licensed educators districtwide who are responsible for parking lot duty are eligible for the $400 stipend. Half-time educators are eligible for a $200 stipend.
  • All elementary school Special Education cluster teachers and preschool teachers are eligible for an $800 stipend.
  • Licensed educators (psychologists, BTS teachers, etc.) who have not previously been assigned parking lot duty may choose to participate and be paid a stipend but should not be required to do so.
  • Administrators and classified staff are not eligible for a stipend.
  • The stipend will be paid out on April paychecks.
  • Teachers are required to complete parking lot duty unless they coordinate with the principal to give their assignment and stipend to another willing teacher.
  • Teachers can take on as many parking lot duty assignments (and stipends) from other teachers as will fit in the calendar.
  • Teachers can only give up their parking lot duty assignment and stipend or accept an additional assignment and stipend in coordination with the principal.
  • Teachers can only give up or accept an entire assignment and an entire stipend.
  • Principals should adjust the parking lot duty schedule as necessary to allow as many teachers to take on as many extra assignments as needed.
  • Special Education cluster teachers and preschool teachers cannot give up their parking lot duty assignment.
  • Stipends for parking lot duty are included in retirement pay calculations.

A Google sheet will be shared with elementary administrative assistants and principals in March. Please complete the payroll sheet by April 2, 2025, so that teachers can be paid the stipend on their April 25th check. The elementary AOS administrative assistants will verify the payroll sheet and submit it to payroll. Please list each educator in your building and beside each name indicate the dollar amount ($0, $200, $400, or increments of $400, or $800) the teacher should be paid.

The budget code for Parking Lot Stipends is 10 E XXX 0050 1024 131

Please contact your Administrator of Schools with any questions.

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Published on

TO:
School Administrators

FROM:
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools
Cody Curtis, Administrator of Schools
Odette Desmarais, Administrator of Schools
Meredith Doleac, Administrator of Schools
Becky Gerber, Administrator of Schools
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools

A beverage service will be provided at 7:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided.

LOCATION - PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL START WITH LEVEL MEETINGS AT 8:00 AM
Elementary/Sped - Auditorium
Middle/High - Presentation Room

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Published on

TO:  
Principals - Cities of Riverton and Herriman

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Matt Alvernaz, School Safety Coordinator

Schools located in the cities of Riverton and Herriman please use the corresponding link to sign up for a time slot to meet with the city. The date is March 12th with Riverton in the morning and Herriman in the afternoon (see sign up for times)

The three schools with a shared border between the cities have a set time to include both cities in the discussion. The times are already on the sign up. Contact Matt Alvernaz with any questions or if your school falls into this category.

Riverton Sign Up

Herriman Sign Up

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Published on

DATE:   
February 27, 2025

TO:  
Principals
Assistant Principals

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

SUBJECT:  
February Attendance Newsletter & Resources

February 2025 Attendance Newsletter

Spring is right around the corner with warmer weather and sunny skies! Although we are all looking forward to warmer weather and longer days, this can make it increasingly difficult to motivate students to attend school. Research by TASC has shown that students are much more likely to miss school during the spring semester. Lessons in the spring tend to be more rigorous and build on groundwork laid in fall semester. Missing spring semester lessons can lead to a more substantial learning loss. Attendance and achievement go hand in hand. Keeping students motivated to attend school through the “Spring Slide” benefits all stakeholders involved in a child’s education.

Spring Slump Attendance Ideas- Supporting Attendance, Engagement & Learning
Included are some ideas to help you reduce the spring attendance slump.

Resources for communicating with families-

Request for Feedback-State Attendance Campaign Slogan Input
The USBE is looking for as much input as they can get on the slogan for a statewide attendance campaign that will launch this summer. Take a minute to fill out a very brief survey to share your input.

Attendance Cohorts-USBE
The USBE is seeking schools interested in being part of an Engagement and Attendance Cohort for the 2025-2026 school year. The Cohort will start in May and will take part in 6 trainings held by the USBE Attendance Specialists. The trainings are collaborative sessions to help develop, build, and implement an attendance system that will work for your school. Reach out to Garrett Russell, garrett.russell@schools.utah.gov, or Megan Menlove, megan.menlove@schools.utah.gov, attendance specialists at the USBE, if you are interested in joining this opportunity.

What’s New: Resource Roundup-
Helpful research and reference articles:

Attendance Works 

Attendance Works 

Attendance Incentive Ideas
Tier I/Foundational Intervention is vital for combating chronic absenteeism in your schools. Incentives are a great Tier I intervention that reaches all students and can help reduce absences. Here are just a few ideas of ways you can focus on the positive and create incentives that work for your specific LEA.

  • March Madness: Attendance Edition-
    • Every Day Labs hosted a Webinar highlighting a Berkeley Unified School District Using March Madness to Increase Attendance. Find the webinar slide deck here.
    • Murray School District has also been using this to increase attendance. For more info you can contact Sierra Marsh, smarsh@murrayschools.org
  • Monthly Improved Attendance Parties
  • Tardy Contest-East Hollywood High recently held a contest and reduced tardies by 50% in target group
  • Here on Time Tickets-Raffle drawings
  • Attendance Recognition in Assemblies
  • Individual Student Recognition-include awards for improved attendance
  • Class Attendance Incentives
  • Letters/Emails/Phone Calls Home to Parents with Improved/Excellent Attendance Focus

Attendance Works Incentive Tips from Attendance Works 

If you have bright spots with attendance interventions at your school, please share with Michelle Reyes, michelle.reyes@jordandistrict.org.

Upcoming Attendance Training Opportunities/Dates

  • USBE Attendance Webinars-

The Utah State Board of Education will be hosting attendance webinars throughout the year.

Spring Recess Reminder
English-
Facebook Post
Instagram Post

Spanish-
Facebook Post
Instagram Post

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

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Published on

DATE: 
February 26, 2025

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 (LOCKDOWN)

Our monthly drill preparation will be held on March 5th at 3:00 PM with a second session at 3:30 PM. This month we will be covering LOCKDOWN. Each School Safety Specialist is expected to attend along with administrators assigned to oversee school safety. All other administrators are welcomed to attend as well. The meeting is also open to any staff who may be interested.

After each monthly training all school staff should be trained by the administrator over school safety and the School Safety Specialist. After being trained each month, teachers should educate their students on each safety drill. Additionally, schools should communicate with their patrons regarding Standard Response Protocol(s) (SRP) and the drill being conducted each month. Videos, handouts, and other resources can be found at the link(s) below.

Information regarding the LOCKDOWN response protocol can be found in the Jordan School District Safety Manual on pages 12-14. 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.

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Published on

DATE: 
February 26, 2025

TO:  
All Administrators

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness Consultant

SUBJECT:   
Employee Wellness Booster PD offering on March 14, 2025

On March 14, 2025 the Wellness Team will be hosting a “Wellness Booster” professional development workshop is open to ALL employees on PD Day. Participants will be eligible for professional development credit.

This workshop will be held at Juniper Elementary, in the Tech Atrium, from 1:30-3:00 pm.

In honor of Pie Day (3.14), we will be teaching skills for PIE: Presence, Inner Awareness, and Emotion Regulation. The strategies taught are for employees to use in their personal and professional life. All employee types are invited to this hands-on wellness learning experience focused on cultivating one’s skills. PD credit and dessert pie will be offered!

Please share the attached flyer. A link is on the flyer to register for this PD.

 

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Published on

DATE: 
February 27, 2025

TO:     
All School Administrators

FROM:  
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness

SUBJECT: 
Parent Seminars in English and Spanish to Share!

Jordan District has partnered with the Cook Center for Human Connection to provide ongoing mental health education for parents and caregivers. This collaboration offers FREE access to live, virtual educational sessions covering various topics. A calendar for March sessions is attached. Sessions are offered in both English and Spanish. Previously recorded seminars can be accessed through a comprehensive library of sessions and resources for each topic. You can access the library of recorded sessions at any time by visiting this site: https://parentguidance.org/mhsindex.

For the month of March, we want to highlight the webinar titled What Parents Need to Know About Suicide Prevention. Suicide prevention is a critical subject, and we often receive requests from parents and stakeholders for more information and resources. We encourage you to share this vital information with your communities. This webinar takes place on Thursday, March 20th at 5 p.m. AND 7 p.m.

If parents register and can’t make it, they will have access to the recording. More information and the link to register can be found here.

Please share the attached fliers with your school community.

Should you have any questions please reach out to Angie Rasmussen at angie.rasmussen@jordandistrict.org

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Published on

DATE:   
February 26, 2025

TO:   
All Administrators

FROM:  
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness Consultant

SUBJECT:
Tier One SEW Curriculum Funds Available!

Our District has been awarded State Prevention Block Grant funds to implement prevention best practices. This award includes $2000 per school for tier one, evidence-based social and emotional wellness (SEW) curriculum implementation for the 2025-26 school year. For information about current curriculum options, concerns regarding curriculum use, or other curriculum questions please reach out to Jodee Packer (jodee.packer@jordandistrict.org).

Each school’s selected SEW curriculum implementation must also be included in each school’s annually updated prevention plan (instructions for this are in the Prevention Plan Update JAM).

To access these funds, school principals must complete this form by March 28th, 2025. Unclaimed funds will be re-distributed to schools that were awarded funds and the total award amount may exceed $2,000 per school after re-distribution. For each school that is awarded funds a new budget code will be created and shared with the school to post the allowable expense. Schools will coordinate the purchase of the curriculum directly with curriculum vendors, including covering any additional costs using other school budgets.

As evidence-based prevention practices are implemented school-wide, schools utilizing grant funds will be expected to schedule a 1-hour professional development with the Wellness Team titled “Fewer Tears, More Tier One.” This professional development is meant for the whole school staff and can occur any time prior to the end of the first quarter (October 17, 2025). This can be during PLC’s, staff meetings, August PD days, or other professional development time at your school’s convenience.

Please note, it is not required that all schools utilize these funds.

For questions, email wellness@jordandistrict.org or contact McKinley Withers (mckinley.withers@jordandistrict.org, extension 88245)

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Published on

TO:
Elementary Principals

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amanda Bollinger, Associate Administrator, Teaching & Learning

Principals,

We have adopted Open Up Resources K-5 Math as our new math curriculum for the 2025-26 school year. Please make sure all of your K-5 teachers are signed up for the math curriculum training.

We are kicking off our new K-5 math adoption of Open Up K-5 Resources with a district-wide Professional Development series. All K-5 and special education teachers (except FA teachers) will engage in 2 full professional learning days with an optional planning day. If you haven’t already, PLEASE SIGN UP FOR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAYS BY THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2025.

Teachers should sign up for TWO comprehensive professional learning sessions, delving into effective routines, math practices, and student discourse on Day One and focusing on scaffolding, engagement, and rigor on Day Two. These sessions offer evidence-based strategies to enrich your student-centered learning environment and refine lesson structures.

Additionally, there is an opportunity to sign up for a paid optional 3rd full day of team-based planning to integrate your new insights into the curriculum, ensuring a dynamic and inclusive classroom experience.

See the attached flyer for more detailed information with a link at the bottom to sign up for training.

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Published on

TO:
Elementary Administrators
2nd Grade Elementary Teachers

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Michelle Lovell, Elementary Language Arts Consultant

There have been some updates in Module 3 of Wit & Wisdom for second-grade. Please see below for details.

2nd Grade Wit & Wisdom Module 3 Options
Wit & Wisdom offers an optional version of 2nd grade Module 3 with revised narrative writing craft instruction.

  • Changes were made to Focusing Question arcs 3, 4, 5, and the End-of-Module task. The content for the modules is the same. It's only the craft (writing) instruction that has changed.
  • Great Minds has provided a Revised Narrative Instruction One-Pager and Crosswalk.
  • The optional module teacher manual is only available digitally.
  • Jordan District will provide resources for both versions on the W&W Toolkit, and Great Minds has digital resources for both.
  • Second grade teachers are encouraged to choose which option works best for their students. To enable collaboration, school teams should choose the same option.

Here is a brief comparison of the two versions:

Original Version Optional Version
  • Digital or print Teacher Edition
  • All student handouts are in paper student books and on district W&W Toolkit.
  • Print assessments (district W&W Toolkit)
  • FQ Tasks 3, 4, 5 and EOM:  narrative writing from first-person perspective of Ruby Bridges or Sylvia Mendez
  • Digital Teacher Edition
  • Will need to print some student handouts (available on the district W&W Toolkit)
  • Print assessments (district W&W Toolkit)
  • FQ Tasks 3, 4, 5 and EOM: autobiographical narrative writing about students' own educational experience.

Screenshots of the affected writing assessments are included in the document below.

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TO:
Administrators

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

Jordan Credit Center offers courses to students enrolled in Jordan School District that are designed to meet the diverse needs of students aiming to advance or improve their academic standing. This program offers three distinct pathways: Original Credit, Grade Replacement, and Credit Recovery.

Pricing: Original Credit and Grade Replacement are free of charge. Credit Recovery is $50 for unlimited units during summer term.

Available courses: Participation, Skills, Techniques, Fitness for Life, Individual Lifetime Activities, Health 2, Language Arts 12, Language Arts 11, Language Arts 9, Geography, US History II, US Government and Citizenship, Financial Literacy, Business Office Specialist, Exploring Computer Science, Earth Science, Biology, Secondary Math 1, Secondary Math 2, Secondary Math.

Courses are delivered asynchronously, providing students with the flexibility to learn at their own pace. However, all coursework must be completed within the summer term. The program starts on Monday, June 9th, and concludes on Thursday, August 7th. Please note that the term's end date cannot be extended for any reason.

To enroll, students should contact the boundary school counselor. Student registration requests should be submitted to their counselor before Friday, June 6th.

For more information go to Jordan Credit Center

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Published on

TO:
Administrators
Directors

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

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 need to be completed online no later than Friday, March 14, 2025.

Find the nomination form HERE

Nomination categories include:
High School
Middle School
Elementary School
Administrator
Secondary School Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Wellness Professional
Parenting Organization

*School nominations are for school-wide programs and efforts. Please don't feature individuals if you are nominating their school.

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Published on

TO:
Assistant Principals

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent

The March Assistant Principal meetings will be held on March 6 (8:00-11:00am) and March 11 (8:00-11:00am). All meetings will be held in-person at the JATC-S. All assistant principals and intern assistant principals are invited. A beverage service will be provided, beginning at 7:30 am at each of the meetings. As a reminder you only need to attend one of the sessions offered. Both sessions will provide the same information. Please CLICK HERE and it will take you to the Google Doc to sign up for which day you would like to attend. If you have any questions please call Nadine Page at 801-567-8182 (x88182).

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TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amanda Bollinger, Associate Administrator, Teaching & Learning

Spring Mentor Training will be available online through Canvas from March 31 to May 12. Training is provided to new mentors based on administrator recommendation. Complete the Google form for each mentor you wish to enroll. We have limited seats, first come first served. Teachers will be paid a $150 stipend for completing the mentor Canvas training.

Please confirm the following before completing this form:

  • Potential mentor has not already completed training
  • Potential mentor is willing to complete the training

The Google Form to submit names for mentor training is now open! Please submit your names by March 31st.

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Published on

DATE:
 February 19, 2025 

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:
 Professional Development Opportunities for March, April, and May

See the attached memo for a listing of all the professional development opportunities for Special Education Licensed Staff for March, April, and May.  A link to sign up for each training will be sent to all Special Education Licensed Staff Members.

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