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Published on

DATE:
January 5, 2023

TO:
Middle School Administrators
High School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:
Utah Aspire Plus Summative Annual Teacher Training

School administrators are encouraged to share the following information with those who will administer the Utah Aspire Plus assessments in your buildings:

The Utah Aspire Plus assessment window will be open from March 6, 2023, until May 12, 2023. Many teachers only use the Utah Aspire Plus systems once a year, and so need a yearly training on how it all works. Only teachers who will administer the tests need to be trained.

The following teacher training webinars are already scheduled. Each webinar lasts 45 minutes. Teachers can join at the following link on any date/time listed: https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/5434254472?pwd=bnRlV1BSK3pWMXJKSzI2MXNFYkZvZz09

  • Friday, March 3 @ 7:30 AM, 8:15 AM or 2:10 PM
  • Friday, March 10 @ 7:30 AM, 8:15 AM or 2:10 PM
  • Friday, March 17 @ 7:30 AM, 8:15 AM or 2:10 PM
  • Friday, March 24 @ 7:30 AM, 8:15 AM or 2:10 PM
  • Friday, April 7 @ 7:30 AM, 8:15 AM or 2:10 PM
  • Friday, April 14 @ 7:30 AM, 8:15 AM or 2:10 PM
  • Friday, April 28 @ 7:30 AM, 8:15 AM or 2:10 PM

For middle schools, there will be a webinar each Friday at 8:15 am for Utah Aspire Plus and a webinar at 9 am for RISE, so both can be done in the same morning.

Each teacher of a grade 9/10 core ELA, science, and math course will be sent an email with information about the webinar schedule and the link to join.

If you do plan to conduct your own training, slides and other materials are provided here: UT Aspire Plus Teacher Training Materials. Teacher video tutorials are available here: UT Aspire Plus (teachers) Youtube playlist. There is also a Canvas course available: https://jordanpd.instructure.com/enroll/AE9LBK. You could have your teachers participate in the Canvas course in lieu of in-person training. The same material is covered.

Please direct any questions you have regarding this training to Brooke Anderson, 801- 567-8393 or brooke.anderson@jordandistrict.org.

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Published on

DATE:
January 5, 2023

TO:
All administrators

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

SUBJECT: Clinical Support Specialist (Social Worker) FAQ

Secondary Administrators, Please review the document of “Frequently Asked Questions” to understand more about the scope and expectations of the “Clinical Support Specialist” (a.k.a. Social Worker) in your building. Please contact McKinley Withers with questions or concerns regarding your assigned Clinical Support Specialist. It is anticipated that each secondary school will have a full-time clinical support specialist for the 2023-24 school year and hiring is ongoing.

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At-home Covid-19 test kits are now available for order in the central warehouse. Using Skyward inventory, use the catalog code #5800863 or search "Test Kit" and they should come up. We will do our best to keep enough on hand while supplies last. Remember to add one year to the expiration date indicated on the box.

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Published on

DATE:
December 21, 2022

TO:
School Psychologists and School Psychology Interns

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

SUBJECT:
January School Psychologist Guidance Meeting

A meeting for school psychologists and school psychology interns has been scheduled for Friday, January 6, 2023, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Auxiliary Services Building (7905 South Redwood Road). Deb Bilder, M.D. will provide us with a presentation on medications used with children and adolescents. We will also have a representative from the Stabilization and Mobile Response Team provide us with a presentation regarding their program.

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

cc: Principals

 

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Published on

DATE:
January 4, 2023

TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
All Panorama Users

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

SUBJECT:
Panorama Q&A with Drop-In Training

There will be a Panorama Q&A / Open Drop-In training on January 9th at 1:30 pm. It will be held via Zoom and administrators, counselors, clinical support staff, psychologists, teachers, teacher specialists, any other user of Panorama is invited to attend. Please share with whom you feel would benefit from this session. It would be a great time to get questions answered, specific training on deep data dives, or general functionality of the platform. Participants may join for all or part of the training and they can come and go as needed. Think of this as ‘drop-in office hours’.

The Zoom link is: HERE

Or copy and paste the following into your browser:

Join Zoom Meeting https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/83226711731?pwd=T0dFd1FDTzE1QUZ1N2hIY25aTVB1UT09

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Due to the District Office closing for Winter Recess at the end of the day on Friday, Dec. 23 and not returning until Tuesday, Jan. 3, the Payroll Department is making the following recommendations:

  1. If you need to close your bank account, please call Payroll immediately.
  2. Paychecks are available for viewing in Employee Access on Wednesday, Dec. 21. Please review your paycheck and call Payroll immediately with any questions or concerns at (801) 567-8154.  Instructions are attached on how to view your paycheck.
    If you need help logging into your Employee Access, call the help desk at 801-567-8737.
  3. If you are a True Time employee, instructions are attached to view your True Time to make certain it has been processed through to Payroll.
  4. Payday is on Dec. 23.
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The January Assistant Principal meetings will be held on January 12 (8:00-11:00am) and January 19 (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 per month. 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). Thank you!

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Attention All Elementary Schools

This is the last call to order maturation booklets. Historically Teaching & Learning has taken orders for booklets to accompany programs taking place before Winter Break and those after the break. As we move to a more digital format, however, more and more programs are being held online. Materials have also been made available online.

Administrative Assistants who have not ordered booklets for the Fall will be sent a Google Form in the next few days. They will have the opportunity to order one last time. Orders may be submitted through Wednesday, December 21st. After this order is complete, we will make the materials available through our website only.

The following booklets will be available for order: English Boy; English Girl; Spanish Boy; and Spanish Girl. Special Ed versions of the materials are also available online. You may access this information by clicking here: Maturation Resources

 

 

If you have questions, please contact Carolyn Gough at 801-567-8122 or Michelle Williams at 801-567-8365.

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Weather permitting, all locations are required to conduct a fire evacuation drill within the first 10 school days after the beginning of the new calendar year (after winter recess). If weather makes it difficult to conduct the drill within the first 10 days, please conduct it within a reasonably short period of time and document the reason for the delay when reporting the drill.

A fire drill in January may not be ideal due to winter weather. Try to select the best day according to the forecast. This is a great time to promote wearing coats and seasonal attire.

Notify the Jordan School District 24-hour Alarm Response 801-567-8865 a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the drill, so that the fire department is NOT dispatched unnecessarily.

Remember to record the drill using the Jordan School District report form on Google Drive, link:

2022-23 REPORT EMERGENCY — DRILLS, ACTUAL EVENTS, or MEETINGS

Bookmark this form for future use. You can also use it to record related planning meetings before the drill, and debrief meetings afterward.

Contact Emergency Operations Manager Lance Everill with questions: 801-567-8623, lance.everill@jordandistrict.org

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Published on

DATE:  
December 8, 2022

TO:   
All School Administrators

FROM:   
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness
Angie Rasmussen, School Safety & Wellness Specialist

SUBJECT:  
Comprehensive Threat Assessment (CSTAG) Updates and Information

Jordan School District has been invited to participate in a longitudinal study with the University of Virginia and Dewey Cornell. The purpose of this study is to gather data regarding the outcomes for students who have made threats in schools. Comprehensive School Threat Assessment is designed to help all students solve problems that are initially communicated as a threat of violence. We will be gathering data for each threat assessment done in our schools, and following up with additional data as we track the outcomes for those students over the course of a couple years.

Because documentation is vital to gathering the data requested for the study, and because it is best practice, we have several updates to assist with this.

Please see the memo below for the updates.

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Published on

DATE: 
December 14, 2022

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: 
December Attendance Newsletter 2022

Happy Holidays! Can you believe the school year is almost half way through? How is your school doing with attendance? Sometimes parents know their student has missed “a day or two here or there,” but they don’t realize how quickly their student’s absences add up. The 5-, 10- and 15-day attendance letters can help enlighten parents on how much school their child is truly missing. We hope you are utilizing these to your school’s benefit. In the December attendance newsletter, we encourage families to strive for 5 or less absences during the year. This puts their student on track for 95% or greater attendance for the year, helping them stay on track with their academic goals.

We are on the brink of our Winter break. Attendance lags before and after a holiday break from school. This month’s newsletter educates on the importance of attending school up until the winter break and coming back when school resumes in January. There is a bold box indicating the exact dates for the winter break to help families understand when their student should be at school. We also thank parents for their efforts to get their students to school.

Included is the December attendance newsletter that is being sent out to parents in Peach Jar in English and Spanish. Please use these to help spread the word in your school about the winter holiday.

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Published on

DATE: 
December 13, 2022

TO: 
Principals
Assistant Principals

FROM: 
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Kim Lloyd, Director of Student Services
Fulvia Franco, Guidance Consultant

SUBJECT: 
Medicaid Reporting Requirements in EasyTrac

Beginning this year, the state changed how districts report special education services that are eligible to receive funding from Medicaid. Special education service providers are now required to enter services in EasyTrac for Medicaid billing. Medicaid funding is critical to the function of special education services in the District and accurate EasyTrac documentation is vital. Service providers should be logging the services they provide in EasyTrac regularly.

Monthly EasyTrac logging reminders will be sent to school psychologists and other service providers to assist in this effort. It is, however, strongly recommended that Administrators regularly follow up with all special education service providers (special educators, clinical support staff, school psychologists and elementary school counselors) regarding their timely and accurate logging in EasyTrac.

Questions about EasyTrac should be directed to Brenda Cruz in Special Education.

 

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Published on

DATE:   
Thursday, December 15, 2022

TO:   
Middle and High School Administrators

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

SUBJECT:  
Utah Aspire Plus Summative Test Coordinator Training

The window for end-of-year Utah Aspire Plus testing is March 6, 2023, to May 12, 2023. To prepare for the 2023 end-of-year Utah Aspire Plus Summative tests, school test coordinators are asked to complete one of the five following training sessions:

  • Tuesday, Feb 7, 2023, 8-11 AM or 12-3 PM (Presentation room near main office in ASB)
  • Wednesday, Feb 8, 2023, 8-11 AM or 12-3 PM (Room 113 in ASB)
  • Thursday, Feb 9, 2023, 8-11 AM or 12-3 PM (Room 103 in ASB)
  • Thursday, Mar 23, 2023, 8-11 AM or 12-3 PM (Room 103 in ASB)
  • Middle school testing coordinator Canvas course: https://jordanpd.instructure.com/enroll/X6TJ98 or high school testing coordinator Canvas course: https://jordanpd.instructure.com/enroll/B8NBBL

Registration for this training is required through JPLS using the course code 101341: https://jpls.truenorthlogic.com/

Principals, please note the following:

  • Anyone acting as a school test coordinator for Utah Aspire Plus is required to complete one of the training sessions.
  • New testing coordinators are recommended to attend an in-person training, even if also completing the Canvas course.
  • Administrators or coaches are welcome to register in addition to testing coordinators.
  • Attendees should bring their device as this will be a hands-on workshop. Extra Chromebooks will be provided.
  • Attendees should make sure they can log in to the UT Aspire Plus system prior to attending: http://utah.pearsonaccessnext.com/pearsonaccessnext/

Please direct any questions you have regarding this training to Brooke Anderson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability, 801- 567-8393 or brooke.anderson@jordandistrict.org.

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Published on

DATE:   
Thursday, December 15, 2022

TO:   
Elementary and Middle School Administrators

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

SUBJECT: 
ISE Summative Test Coordinator Training

The window for end-of-year RISE testing is March 14, 2023, to June 2, 2023. To prepare for the 2023 end-of-year RISE Summative tests, school test coordinators are asked to complete one of the six following training sessions:

  • Tuesday, Feb 21, 2023, 8-11 AM or 12-3 PM (Room 101 in Auxiliary Services Building)
  • Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 8-11 AM or 12-3 PM (Room 103 in Auxiliary Services Building)
  • Thursday, March 16, 2023, 8-11 AM or 12-3 PM (Room 103 in Auxiliary Services Building)
  • Monday, March 20, 2023, 8-11 AM or 12-3 PM (Room 103 in Auxiliary Services Building)
  • Wednesday, March 22, 2023, 8-11 AM or 12-3 PM (Room 103 in Auxiliary Services Building)
  • Elementary testing coordinator Canvas course: https://jordanpd.instructure.com/enroll/9PE4FA or middle school testing coordinator Canvas course: https://jordanpd.instructure.com/enroll/X6TJ98

Registration for this training is required through JPLS using the course code 101348: https://jpls.truenorthlogic.com/

Principals, please note the following:

  • Anyone acting as a school test coordinator is required to complete one of the training sessions.
  • New testing coordinators are recommended to attend an in-person training, even if also completing the Canvas course.
  • Administrators or coaches are welcome to register in addition to testing coordinators.
  • Attendees should bring their device as this will be a hands-on workshop. Extra Chromebooks will be provided.
  • Attendees should make sure they can log in to the RISE system prior to attending: https://utahrise.org/

Please direct any questions you have regarding this training to Brooke Anderson in Evaluation, Research & Accountability, 801- 567-8393 or brooke.anderson@jordandistrict.org.

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Published on

You all learned what students really wished we knew, now let’s continue to transform our learning environments for students to thrive. There will be amazing keynotes to challenge all Jordan District employees to lead and create positive relationships with our students.

Please attend JEAC, LCS, and EDIs 2nd annual conference on Jan. 17, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 12 pm. at West Jordan High. Attendees not on contract time will be paid their hourly rate. For those wishing to attend during contract time, please communicate with your supervisor regarding job coverage.

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Published on

DATE:
December 5, 2022

TO:
All Principals
All Special Education Staff

FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Melanie Dawson, Principal of River’s Edge School

SUBJECT:
ASPEN Training Reminder for Special Education Personnel 2022-2023

As we move into the second half of the 2022-2023 school, this is a reminder that ASPEN training is required for all licensed special education teachers, SLPs, school psychologists, elementary school counselors, and for all instructional assistants in SEB and Autism self-contained support classrooms during the 2022-2023 school year. (Exception: Staff with a current Mandt certification will not need to be ASPEN trained).

First year staff and staff who have not completed the full certification ASPEN training should register for the in-person training on JPLS. Training dates and times are attached to this memo. Please note that these are expected to be the final dates for the remainder of the school year.

Although not required, instructional assistants working in any other special education setting may choose to attend ASPEN at the discretion of their building administrator.

If you have more than one teacher or instructional assistant that needs to attend, please consider having them attend on separate days in order to maintain adequate coverage in your school. The Special Education Department will cover the costs of substitutes for licensed special education teachers that will be attending the full certification under budget code 1292. Instructional assistants will be asked to use True Time to record their typical workday hours on the day of the training. Any additional hours spent in the training above their typical workday will need to be recorded on a timesheet.

Staff who participated in a full certification or recertification ASPEN training during the previous school year should plan on taking an ASPEN recertification class that will be offered online. Staff should register at JPLS for the recertification class, they will then receive an invitation within two working days to participate in the online course. Participants will have two weeks during which they can complete the course work at their own pace. This course is expected to take approximately 3 hours and should be completed during available contract hours. Dates for the online sessions are attached to this memo.

Mandt training will continue to be required at Kauri Sue Hamilton and River’s Edge School. Personnel at these schools do not need to attend ASPEN. Others wishing to keep their Mandt training current may do so; however, participation is not mandatory and teachers and instructional assistants will not be compensated for their attendance. If staff members are Mandt certified, they do not need to attend ASPEN training.

For questions please contact: Cassidy Hansen at cassidy.hansen@jordandistrict.org or Daveed Goodrich at daveed.goodrich@jordandistrict.org

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Published on

DATE:
December 6, 2022

TO:
Principals
Special Education Teachers (Resource & Cluster)

FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education

SUBJECT:
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Testing Checklist

Attached is the DLM checklist for all special education teachers who are administering the DLM assessment to any of their students for the 2022-23 school year. You are required to complete and return the checklist to Jen Birrell for all Elementary teachers and Mikaylee Krebs for all Secondary teachers at the District Office by Friday, February 24, 2023. This form is also available online at specialed.jordandistrict.org/staff/forms on the Special Education website.

If you need help completing any portion of this checklist, please contact the Teacher Specialist assigned to your school. 

Please direct any questions or concerns to Jen Birrell at 801-567-8905 or Mikaylee Krebs 801-567-8356. jennifer.birrell@jordandistrict.org, mikaylee.krebs@jordandistrict.org 

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Published on

DATE:
Thursday, December 1, 2022

TO:
Principal
Assistant Principal
Panorama SEL Survey Coordinators

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

SUBJECT:
Panorama Mid-Year Survey

The mid-year Panorama SEL Survey window will open January 9, 2023 until February 3, 2023 for a total of 25 days.

As a reminder, prior to administering the SEL Survey parents should be notified allowing them an opportunity to opt their student out if they desire to do so. Student participation in the survey should never be used for grades and should always be voluntary.

Panorama is, by definition, a student record and the information contained in Student Success, including survey results, may be shared with parents upon request.

Survey Coordinators, in consultation with the administration, are encouraged to begin planning for the administration of the survey as soon as possible.

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