Author: communications

Fall Recess Critical Day Annual/Personal Leave Lottery Request
If you are a contracted employee and need to take Annual/Personal Leave on a Critical Day before or after Fall Recess for any reason not listed in policy DP335NEG or DP335B, you must submit a request as follows:  

How to Request
During the window, the employee must send the request through email. Please include your name, school, position, and the date you are requesting the leave. Requests left on voicemail or over the phone will NOT be accepted.

• Licensed employees submit their request to licensedpersonalleave@jordandistrict.org
• Education Support Professionals submit their request to classifiedpersonalleave@jordandistrict.org

 The employee will receive an email confirmation within two working days after submitting the request. If the employee does not receive a confirmation email, then Human Resources has NOT received your request and your leave will not be approved.

School Holiday	Date of Holiday	Critical Days	Window
Fall Recess Licensed	Oct. 21-24, 2025	Oct. 17 and 27, 2025	Sept. 6 – Sept. 16, 2025
Fall Recess ESP	Oct. 23-24, 2025	Oct. 17 and 27, 2025	Sept. 8 – Sept. 18, 2025

• 2025-26 Licensed Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day
• 2025-26 ESP Annual/Personal Leave Taken on a Critical Day

Join us for a fun, engaging, and interactive EdCamp. Learn, get new ideas, and network with teachers and administrators from all over Utah!

Never been to an EdCamp? Come find out what makes these non-conferences the best way to add a spark to your school life.

• Saturday, Sept. 13
• 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Timpanogos High School in Orem
• Keynote Speakers: Utah Teacher Fellows
• You can include as part of your 32 hours PD plan!

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• Register for UCET EdCamp Utah 2025

Effective Teacher Training (ETT) is available for a Fall 2025 cohort! Seats are capped at 50 and are only available to licensed educators who have never taken ETT previously. This course is not currently available to ESPs. Please register on Canvas Catalog to save your spot.

This course is designed for: All general education and special education teachers
Also welcome: Specialists, interventionists, and mental health providers
(Not available to ESPs)

Topics include:
Antecedents, behavior basics, class-wide and individual interventions, increasing academic effectiveness, data-based decision making, students with unique needs, and personal wellness.

Format:
This 7-week course will be offered online in an asynchronous format. Learners will engage with content and activities via Canvas. *Although pacing is flexible, participants must successfully complete the first module within the first week or their spot will go to someone on the waitlist.

1 USBE credit and a stipend is available to licensed employees who successfully complete the course. ETT stipend is $500.

Cohort	Dates	Register by	Registration Link
Fall 2025	Sept. 17 - Nov. 12	Sept. 11	ETT Fall 2025

Note for instructional coaches: You can request to be an observer in the course instead of registering as a learner. Please email Melanie Dawson or Katie Mintiloglitis if you are interested.

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• Effective Teacher Training Fall 2025 Memo & Flyer

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

• Digital Discovery
• Secondary Math
• Elementary Math
• Secondary Science
• Secondary ELA
• PE
• World Languages
• Elementary Science
• Elementary ELA
• Health
• Gifted & Talented
• Secondary Social Studies
• Elementary Social Studies
• Elementary Library
• Fine Arts
• High School Data & Assessment
• Middle School Data & Assessment
• Elementary School Data & Assessment

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• Sept. 2025 Teaching & Learning Newsletter

The JSD Teachers for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Team has created a monthly newsletter.  The full newsletter for this month can be found at the link below. Stories include:

Using Amplification in Your Classroom - It isn’t about how loud your voice carries, it is about the student’s ability to process the frequency of your voice. When you notice a DHH student is having trouble focusing on your instruction, take a moment to make sure you are connected and that the system is working. Watch Tips for Working with Deaf & Hard of Hearing Students below to get a better idea of how the system works for a DHH child. Your instruction is important, please make sure it is accessible.

Un-amplified Comments - Allow the speaker to use the mic if possible Identify who is speaking so the DHH student can face them Repeat the comment or question again using the amplification system.

Closed Captioning - Just a friendly reminder to make sure all videos are accessible by turning on closed captioning or subtitles.

• Sept. 2025 Incidental Learning Newsletter

Human Resources is pleased to announce the launch of the SHiNE program for Jordan School District teachers. SHiNE stipends will be awarded to teachers in designated high-need areas identified by Jordan School District. These areas will be reviewed annually and may change from year to year. The total award amount for each teacher will depend on the number of courses taught in the qualifying subjects and the number of applicants for the grant. Award amounts will be distributed based on the total grant amount received by USBE. Teachers will be notified of their award amounts via email by October 13, 2025.

Please see the information below regarding the qualifying subjects and application process for the 2025-26 school year.

The application for the Salary Supplement for Highly Needed Educators (SHiNE) will be open August 28, 2025 and will close September 11, 2025. The application will be in Skyward Employee Access. Please see the attached tutorial below.

• 2025-26 Qualifying Course Subjects:
  • Special Education
  • Deaf Education
  • Mathematics
  • Science areas (specifically Physics, Chemistry, and Integrated Science)
  • Computer Sciences
• Eligibility Requirements:
  • Only teachers are eligible for this funding per Utah Code 53F-2-504.
  • Teachers must hold a bachelor's, master's, doctoral degree or have taught as a Utah teacher for 10+ years in one of the content areas listed to qualify for the supplement.
  • Teachers must have a passing JPAS on their last 3 evaluations.
  • Those working less than full-time in these courses may receive a partial award adjustment.
• Payment Information:
  • The SHiNE award amount will be included in each eligible teacher’s monthly paycheck as a stipend, divided equally across the remaining pay periods for the 2025-2026 school year.

Before submitting an application, please review Policy DP382 regarding program details and qualifications.

• Salary Supplement for Highly Needed Educators (SHiNE) Tutorial

DP324 NEG- Sick Leave- Licensed and DP326 NEG- Sick Leave- Education Support Professionals

Welcome to the 2025-2026 contract year! As an annual reminder, in accordance with DP326 NEG I. 1. and 2. and DP324 NEG I. 1. and 2., participation in the Employee-Funded Sick Leave Bank requires a contract employee to annually donate one day of accumulated annual leave into the Sick Leave Bank. The Employee- Funded Sick Leave Bank is not intended to be used for in-and-out absences, elective medical procedures or other medical care that could be scheduled during non-contract time.

Each year, contract employees wishing to opt out of participation in the sick bank must annually complete the appropriate online form in Employee Access no later than September 1 for current employees and October 1 for first-year licensed employees, including administrators. This opt out request must be submitted annually. Prior to completion of this form, it is strongly encouraged to review all District Leave Policies.

1. Log in to your Skyward Employee Access. (If you do not know your login and/or password, contact the Information Systems Help Desk at 801-567- )
2. Select “Task Manager” under the Jump to Other Dashboards
3. Under “Task Processes” select “Sick Bank Opt ”
4. Open the Sick Bank Request form, enter information in all required fields and then click the “Save” button.
5. Click the “Next” button and enter Notes, as
6. Click the “Next” button past Attachments; no attachments are
7. Click the “Next” button until you reach the final step “Choose Next Task.” Click the “Submit Sick Leave Bank Opt Out” button to submit the Sick Bank Opt Out Request. An email will be sent to your District email account confirming the Sick Bank Opt Out submission.

Sick Bank Opt Out Processing
Please note that the submission needs to be submitted by September 1 (current employees)/October 1 (for first year employees). The automatic Sick Bank Donation from your annual leave balance will not be returned until after all Sick Bank Opt Out Deadlines have passed.

Questions regarding Sick Bank should be directed to the HR Generalist at leaves@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8249. If you need additional assistance with the completion or submission of this form, contact the Administrative Assistant at your location or the HR Generalist.*Education Support Professionals who are considered ‘provisional’ as of July 1 and hourly employees (non-contract), are not eligible for sick bank benefits that year, therefore, a sick bank donation will not be deducted (if applicable). Please be aware that policies and eligibility requirements for Licensed (DP324 NEG) and Education Support Professionals (DP326 NEG) employees are different. These and other District policies are available for review at policy.jordandistrict.org.

The Language & Culture Services team is excited to announce a training on ways to conduct proper home visits. Principals, assistant principals, faculty, or staff are invited to attend. Teachers, please get permission from your principal before signing up. The team wants to ensure families are connected to school and the community. Research shows that home visits are effective ways to get parents active in our schools. Come to this half day training to learn more skills for effective communication.

• Sept. 3, 2025 | ASB Auditorium
• Morning Session 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. or Afternoon Session 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
• Trainer: Dr. Michael Gary from Concentric Educational Solutions

Contact Toni Brown for more information.

• Register for Fall 2025 Home Visit Training

• Annual Fall Family Fair 2025 Flyers (English & Español)

In Focus Education Group  and the Jordan Health & Wellness team would like to invite administrators, counselors, and teachers to participate in a Fall 2025 Educator Well-Being Course. You can receive continuing education credit while focusing on your own well-being! The Winter cohort is a ten-week course that meets weekly for 90 minutes over zoom. You can address your own well-being by exploring well-being topics and strategies. Collaborate, learn from, and connect with other educators across the country.

Administrators, counselors, and teachers are invited to participate in our Fall 2025 Educator Well-Being Course!

Address your own well-being by exploring well-being topics and strategies.Collaborate, learn from, and connect with other educators across the country.

There are several ways to receive continuing education credit. This class can also count towards your Educator Directed Paid Professional Hours Plan.

Our Fall cohort is a ten-week course that meets weekly for 90 minutes.We are offering both our 1.0 Essentials of Well-Being and our 2.0 The Resilient EducatorCourses. Classes start the week of September 15 through November 19.

100% of participants reported improved well-being, greater connection, and commitment!

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• Enroll in the Fall 2025 Educator Well-Being Course
• In Focus Fall 2025 Educator Well-Being Course Flyer

Blomquist Hale has two workshops coming up in September. See attached workshop flyers and details outlined below.

• Topic: Spirituality in Mental Health
  Date: Sept. 11
  Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
  Location: Online!
• Topic: Loneliness: A State of Being or a Temporary Feelin
  Date: Sept. 24
  Time: 12 – 1p.m. MT
  Location: Online!

To register for any of our upcoming workshops, please visit our website at blomquisthale.com/workshops/.

• Sept. 2025 Blomqust Hale Workshop Flyers

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If you have any questions, please contact Jordan Insurance Services at 801-567-8146 or insurance@jordandistrict.org.

Teachers,

The state has published a draft of the new math standards for public review and is seeking input from educators. We encourage you to take some time to review the proposed standards and share your feedback through the survey. The survey window closes on September 17, 2025.

• The Draft P-12 Utah Core Mathematics Standards
• Submit Comments in this survey

Your expertise and perspective are essential in helping shape math education in our state. This is a meaningful opportunity to influence the standards adoption process at the state level.

Thank you for your support!

Teachers and Administrators,

September brings important opportunities for civic learning and commemoration in Utah’s public schools. This year is extra special as we honor America 250, marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. The Utah State Legislature has designated September as American Founders and Constitution Month, asking schools to recognize the contributions of the Founding Fathers and key founding documents throughout the month. In addition, federal law designates September 17 as Constitution Day, and all schools are asked to incorporate instruction on the U.S. Constitution on or around this date.

State legislators have also requested that schools provide age-appropriate remembrance of September 11. Please ensure that students experience meaningful, grade-level-appropriate learning activities to honor this day. To support your efforts, grade-level social studies materials for all of these observances are available at: socialstudies.jordandistrict.org/american-founders-month/

Our goal is to foster meaningful reflection, collaboration, and deep understanding of America's founding principles and history. Thank you for your commitment to civic literacy and for making these important experiences impactful for all students. If you need additional support or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Kaye Rizzuto at 801-567-8320 or kaye.rizzuto@jordandistrict.org.

In preparation for new high school summative assessments as early as Spring 2027, USBE and Cambium Assessment, Inc. (CAI) will be hosting RISE Item Writing Workshops this fall to develop new items for Secondary Math 1, 2, and 3, as well as Earth Science, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry.

More information about the workshops is below. Please review and if you are interested in participating in a workshop, please complete the interest survey by the indicated deadline. Please note that filling out and submitting the survey shares your interest but does not guarantee your participation in the workshop.

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RISE HS Math Item Writing Workshops
Oct. 21-22, 2025: Secondary Math 1 and 2
Nov. 18-19, 2025: Secondary Math 3

• Math Educator Interest Survey

Survey closes at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, August 27. Please reach out to Katie Bares katie.bares@schools.utah.gov for more detailed information, including stipend and reimbursement rates.

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RISE HS Science Item Writing Workshops
Oct. 20-22, 2025: Earth Science and Physics
Nov. 18-20, 2025: Biology and Chemistry

• Interest Survey for Earth Science & Physics - Survey closes on Wednesday, August 27
• Interest Survey for Biology & Chemistry - Survey closes on Thursday, September 4

Please reach out to Sam Tinkey samantha.tinkey@schools.utah.gov for more detailed information, including stipend and reimbursement rates.

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Workshop Information (Math and Science Item Writing)
Location: TBD Salt Lake City Area
Description: Participants write drafts for items that will be administered in future RISE assessments for Secondary Mathematics. The training at the beginning of the item writing workshop covers all necessary aspects of item writing such as:

• Alignment to the Utah Core Standards
• Grade appropriateness
• DOK/cognitive complexity of the item as compared with the complexity of the standard
• Content accuracy
• Interaction type and appropriateness (e.g., how the student responds)
• Potential bias or sensitivity issues

CAI content specialists facilitate these reviews and include USBE content specialists in all meetings.

Meeting Information: The session location is TBD but will most likely be held in the Salt Lake City Area. Breakfast is served at 8:00 AM and the session begins at 8:30 AM. We will work until approximately 4:00 PM. Each day, breakfast, lunch, snack, and refreshments are provided. Participants traveling at least 50 miles one way (100 miles round trip) qualify for lodging starting the evening before the meeting with checkout on the last day of meetings.

To receive information about future assessment development opportunities, please subscribe to the following listservs in your content area(s).

• Math Assessment Listserv
• Science Assessment Listserv
• ELA Assessment Listserv

For questions about these item writing workshops, please contact Ben Jameson (ben.jameson@jordandistrict.org) in Assessment, Research & Accountability.

If you recently made the move to Lively from another HSA provider, Lively makes it very easy for you to transfer the funds from your old provider if you are interested.  Transfers at Lively are a paperless process.  To get started, you can review this guide that outlines their transfer options, and you can also follow step-by-step instructions here.

If you need assistance, please contact Lively customer support / support@livelyme.com / 888-576-4837.  You can also contact Insurance Services / insurance@jordandistrict.org / 801-567-8146

• Payroll Due: Sept. 3
• View Your Paycheck: Sept. 23
• Payday: Sept. 25

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Labor Day - Sept.1
Critical Days - Aug. 29 & Sept. 2
Please familiarize yourself with the Critical Day Policy - this applies to all Licensed & ESP. If applicable, the reason & the policy exception must be written in the time off description box.

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Parent Teacher Conferences
Middle & High School - Sept.24 & Sept. 25
As per DP335(B) and DP335 NEG: Annual/Personal leave shall not be used during Parent Teacher Conferences.

If Parent Teacher Conference is missed, a leave day (sick or No Pay) should be entered on the Comp Day September 26, 2025

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Professional Development Day
Elementary Schools - Sept. 26 (no students)

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Sub Payroll Deadlines

• Pay Period: Aug. 19 - Aug. 29
  Due: Aug. 29
  Payday: Sept. 10
• Pay Period: Sept. 2 - Sept. 15
  Due: Sept. 15
  Payday: Sept. 25

SCHOOLS: Please ensure Subs are verified weekly.

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True Time Deadlines
Pay Period Aug. 4 - Aug. 31
EMPLOYEES: Please submit your timesheets at the end of each work week
APPROVERS: Please ensure you are approving time sheets weekly for accuracy

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• Payroll website: payroll.jordandistrict.org email: payroll@jordandistrict.org
• Important Payroll Information - Sept. 2025

Good news! Smith's pharmacy has once again contracted with Express Scripts (ESI) for our prescription drug plan. Please remember you can visit ESI's website or GoodRx and compare costs at a variety of local pharmacies.

If you have any questions, please visit Insurance Services website or contact them directly insurance@jordandistrict.org / 801- 567-8146.

Amira will be rostered and ready for teachers and students to use on Aug. 27. Once the rostering is complete, teachers and students can log in through the HMH link found in the waffle. It is recommended that students take the placement test when they first log to be placed in the correct reading lexile. The program will adjust and find the right lexile for the students without the placement test, but it will take five or six reading sessions for the program to fully adjust without the placement test.

Students do not need headphones or microphones to be able to use Amira, but the use of headphones may help with classroom noise. It is important that students spend adequate time reading text aloud and Amira will be a great tool to help build oral reading fluency.

It is recommended that students spend at least 30 minutes per week reading aloud with Amira in addition to other oral reading fluency activities provided in the classroom.