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Join our Health and Wellness Team for one of our six educator wellness support groups (all employee types welcome!). Use the the following link to register and receive additional information. You are welcome to attend one, a few, or all sessions!

Coping Skills for Mental Health
Everyone goes through emotional stress. From a demanding job in education, to relationship troubles, it’s normal to experience stress that affects your mood and makes life difficult. Emotional stress can come from just going through daily life, and it can be overwhelmingly difficult to stay calm and make healthy decisions. Developing coping skills is an important tool for leading a healthy, functional life with your loved ones.

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 10 a.m. | June 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23

Managing Difficult Emotions
Working in education through a global pandemic has shown that your emotional wellness is more important than ever. We all experience intense, overwhelming emotions from time to time and they can be difficult to manage. This group will help you learn and practice emotion regulation skills so no matter the unpleasant emotion or its severity, you’ll have healthy coping skills ready to use.

  • Wednesdays @ 11 a.m. | June 8 - July 27 (except July 6)

Dealing With Grief and Loss
Grief and loss can affect your feelings, behavior, and how you relate to others It is also deeply personal. The way you cope depends on your personality, your relationship with the person who has passed away, and your previous experience with loss. Grief and loss not only limit the loss of loved ones, but can also encompass any kind of loss. There are common phases of loss that you might encounter and the phases will be discussed. Join our Health and Wellness Team for one of our six educator wellness support groups (all employee types welcome!). Use the QR code or THIS LINK to register and receive additional information. You are welcome to attend one, a few, or all sessions!

  • Thursdays @ 9:30 a.m. | June 9, 16 and 30

Navigating Family Relationship Challenges
Stress spills into our personal lives in many ways, affecting the quality of our relationships. When people are stressed, they become more withdrawn and distracted, and less affectionate. They also have less time for leisure activities, which leads to issues in relationships. Over time, the relationship becomes more superficial (less we-ness and involvement in each other’s lives) and couples become even more withdrawn, experiencing more conflict, distress, and alienation in the relationship. Understanding these challenges and developing coping skills is an important tool for leading a healthy, functional life with your loved ones.

  • Wednesdays @ 9:30 a.m. | June 8, 15, 22

Self-Compassion and Meaningful Self-Care
Have you ever noticed how you are very compassionate, gentle, and kind to other but struggle to do the same for yourself? If you answered yes, you aren't alone! Many of us tend to be critical of ourselves but we can learn how to silence the inner-critic and be kinder to ourselves by practicing self-compassion and meaningful self-care. Being compassionate and caring for ourselves has many possible benefits including higher resilience, more motivation, greater life satisfaction, and a decrease in stress, depression, and anxiety. Do you want to hear the best part? It doesn't take a ton of time and it isn't very hard to incorporate this into our life. This group will help give you tools to better care for yourself in a meaningful way. Let's face it, you deserve it!

  • Mondays @ 11a.m. | June 13, 20 and 27

The Gifts of Imperfection
Blend creativity, connection, and fun in this group focused on letting go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embracing who you are. Explore and practice 4 of Brené’s Brown’s Guideposts for Wholehearted Living - keys to living a more joyful, resilient, and fulfilling life. We will focus on cultivating more authenticity, courage, joyfulness, and play in your summer and beyond. Workbook included.

  • Monday & Wednesdays @ 11 a.m. | June 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22


Blomquist Hale has three events scheduled for the month of June! See below for details outlined below.

  • Topic: Anxiety Group
    • Date: June 6 – July 11 (5 Weeks - Skipping July 4)    
    • Date: 5:30 – 7 p.m. MT
    • Location: Online!
    • Register at: blomquisthale.com/workshops/
  • Topic: True Intimacy – The Glue That Bonds Relationships Together Group
  • Date: June 7 – June 28 (4-Weeks)    
  • Date: 7 – 8:30 p.m. MT
  • Location: Online!
  • Register at: blomquisthale.com/workshops/
  • Topic: Anger & Irritability – Part Two
  • Date: June 7    
  • Date: 2 – 3:00 p.m. MT
  • Location: Online!
  • Register at: blomquisthale.com/workshops/

June 2022 Blomquist Hale Workshop Flyers

The Health and Benefits Fair has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 8, at the District Office from 3:00 to 5:30 pm

Representatives from the Public Employees Health Program (PEHP), Express Scripts, CRX International, Dental Select, Opticare, New York Life, AFLAC, Blomquist Hale, Utah Retirement Systems and others will be at the Health and Benefits Fair.

reading tree illustrationWorkshops focused on the enrichment side of Walk to Reading will be offered in June for teachers in grades 1-6.  The workshops are optional.  Teachers will be paid three hours at inservice rate for attendance.  Space is limited.  Register on JPLS.  Please see the below for dates and times specific to grade bands.

Optional Workshop | Walk to Reading - Enrichment
Join us for an interactive workshop focused on the enrichment facet of Walk to Reading.

  • 1st and 2nd Grades
    • June 8 | 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. ASB PDC 101
    • June 9 | 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. ASB PDC 101
    • June 28 | 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. ASB Presentation Room
  • 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th Grades
    • June 8 | 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. ASB PDC 101
    • June 9 | 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. ASB PDC 101
    • June 28 | 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. ASB Presentation Room
    • June 29 | 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. ASB Presentation Room
    • June 29 | 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. ASB Presentation Room

Kindergarten – Sessions will be offered at the kindergarten boot camp.

Teachers who choose to attend will be paid three hours at inservice rate.

Contact Rebecca Smith with any questions you may have: 801-567-8368 / rebecca.smith@jordandistrict.org

Aspiring Principals Academy FlyerThe BYU School Leadership Program invites educators to learn from current school, district, state, and university leaders about becoming a principal. The Academy is a great way to get a taste of school leadership and learn best practices for applying to principal preparation programs and future leadership positions. The district will cover the cost of your substitute teacher, and BYU will award a $1,000 scholarship to any participants who are accepted to and attend BYU’s Masters of School Leadership Program.

Dear Employees,

Communicating effectively to employees when there is an emergency or other event that impacts the workplace is vital.  That is why we are asking all employees to update their contact information in Skyward Employee Access.

It is important for you to know that in the future, along with voice messages and emails, we will be sending text messages to employees who choose to receive a text.

To update your contact information in Skyward Employee Access:

  • Log in to the Skyward Finance System at skyfin.jordan.k12.ut.us
  • Select “Employee Information” from the banner at the top of the page.
  • Select the “Personal Information” link.
  • Select the “Request Changes” button.
  • Under “Phone 1” and “Phone 2”, enter the phone number(s) you would like to receive voice
  • Under “Text”, enter the phone number you would like to receive text You will receive an opt-in text message within 48-hours asking you to reply with the letter Y.  If you do not reply with the letter Y, then you will not receive text messages.
  • Under “2nd Email”, “3rd Email” and “4th Email”, enter any additional email addresses you would like to receive email
  • Select the “Save” button.

Thank you for supporting our efforts to enhance and improve emergency communications to all employees.  Non-emergency communications will continue to be sent to your jordandistrict.org email address.  If you have any questions or do not receive the opt-in text message after 48-hours, please contact the Information Systems Help Desk at 801-567-8737.

Update Your Emergency Contact Info in 5 Steps

The following are new administrative assignments:

New Assignments effective July 1, 2022:

  • Frederico Rowe, staff assistant in Teaching and Learning appointed Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer.
  • Ami Shah, assistant principal at West Jordan Elementary appointed Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Consultant.
  • Amanda Bollinger, staff assistant in Special Education appointed staff assistant in Teaching & Learning, replacing Frederico Rowe.
  • Brian King, principal at River’s Edge appointed staff assistant in the Special Education Department, replacing Amanda Bollinger.
  • Melanie Dawson, assistant principal at River’s Edge appointed principal at River’s Edge, replacing Brian King.
  • Angela Hamilton, assistant principal at Bastian Elementary and Butterfield Canyon Elementary appointed principal at Antelope Canyon Elementary, replacing Tami Bird who is retiring.
  • Jay Eads, assistant principal at Mountain Point Elementary and Westland Elementary appointed principal at Butterfield Canyon Elementary, replacing Michelle Peterson who is retiring.
  • Amber Allen, BYU intern facilitator at Mountain Point Elementary appointed assistant principal at Bastian Elementary and another elementary to be determined.
  • Leilani Brecht, assistant principal at Silver Crest Elementary transferred to assistant principal at Butterfield Canyon Elementary and Silver Crest Elementary, replacing Angela Hamilton.
  • Nathan Price, assistant principal at Riverside Elementary transferred to assistant principal at Oak Leaf Elementary and Mountain Point Elementary, replacing Jay Eads.
  • Connie Bailey, assistant principal at South Jordan Middle transferred to assistant principal at Riverside Elementary, replacing Nathan Price.
  • Kami Taylor, consultant in Teaching & Learning transferred to assistant principal at South Jordan Middle, replacing Connie Bailey.
  • Brandon Larsen, band teacher at Herriman High appointed assistant principal at Elk Ridge Middle, replacing Shelly Gottfredson who is retiring.
  • Amy Lloyd, assistant principal at Copper Mountain Middle transferred to assistant principal at Sunset Ridge Middle, replacing Tiffany Cooke who is retiring.
  • Matt Lindsey, assistant principal at West Hills Middle transferred to assistant principal at Copper Mountain Middle, replacing Amy Lloyd.
  • Tim Brooks, assistant principal at Mountain Creek Middle transferred to assistant principal at West Hills Middle, replacing Matt Lindsey.
  • Michael Wilkey, school counselor at Herriman High appointed assistant principal at Mountain Creek Middle, replacing Tim Brooks.
  • Sally Wilde, administrative intern at Bingham High appointed assistant principal at Bingham High, replacing Jim Groethe.
  • Stewart Hudnall, assistant principal at Herriman High transferred to assistant principal at Bingham High, replacing Michael Farnsworth.
  • Michael Farnsworth, assistant principal at Bingham High transferred to assistant principal at Copper Hills High, replacing Glen Varga.
  • Glen Varga, assistant principal at Copper Hills High transferred to assistant principal at Riverton High, replacing Glen Richins.
  • Glen Richins, assistant principal at Riverton High transferred to assistant principal at Herriman High, replacing Stewart Hudnall.

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage MonthWe invite you to celebrate and learn about our Asian Heritage and Pacific Islander friends and community. The term “Asian and Pacific Islander” includes all people of Asian, Asian American or Pacific Islander ancestry who trace their origins to the countries, states, jurisdictions and/or the diasporic communities of these geographic regions. The month of May is set aside in the US to observe the groups of people from this community and their contribution to our world.

Juneteenth Utah FlyerJunteenth, also known as June Nineteenth, is a holiday that marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Texas more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation to tell remaining enslaved African Americans that the Civil War had ended and that they were free. The holiday has been celebrated by Black Americans since the late-19th century.

Juneteenth has been celebrated in Utah for the last 33 years in the African American community. There are events, flag raising ceremonies, picnics, and many more. Please share the information with your school community and students.

Please share this information with your school community and students.


Looking for coding credit this summer? 
Students are invited to attend a five-week Code to Success Program. High School students can receive Web Development Credit, which fulfills the Digital Studies graduation requirement. Middle School students can receive Creative Coding credit. More information and registration can be found at computerscience.jordandistrict.org/code-to-success/.

K- 3 Teachers,

The USBE has now scheduled MORE LETRS virtual sessions for Units 3-8 during the summer. If you are working “faster” on the units, then you may sign up for the “fast track” classes. If you attend a virtual session in the summer (on non-contract time) then you can be paid for 7 hours at your hourly rate. Please fill out a timecard, have your principal sign it, and then send it to Teaching and Learning.

The links for the sessions are listed below:

Please contact Bev Griffith with any questions at #88466 or beverly.griffith@jordandistrict.org.

When to Request
An employee who wishes to take a personal leave day before or after a holiday and does not wish to either pay the cost of the long-term substitute (Licensed) or lose 40 percent of a day’s pay (Education Support Professionals), must make the request through the Human Resource Department during the window. If approved, you must give prior notification to your principal or supervisor at least one day in advance of the leave day.

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.

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.

Windows for holiday requests are listed below:

School Holiday Date of Holiday Window
Independence Day July 4, 2022 May 20 – May 30, 2022
Pioneer Day July 25, 2022 June 10 – June 20, 2022
Labor Day Sept. 5, 2022 July 22 – Aug. 1, 2022
Fall Recess (All 242, 245 Contracts) Oct. 27-28, 2022 Sept. 12 – Sept. 22, 2022
Fall Recess (180, 184, 187, 207, 206 Contracts) Oct. 24-28, 2022 Sept. 9 – Sept. 19, 2022
Thanksgiving Recess (242, 245 Contracts) Nov. 24 - 25, 2022 Oct. 10 – Oct. 20, 2022
Thanksgiving Recess (All 180, 184, 187, 207, 206, Contracts) Nov. 23 - 25, 2022 Oct. 9 – Oct. 19, 2022
Winter Recess (180, 184, 187, 206, 207,  Contracts) Dec. 22, 2022-  Jan. 2, 2023 Nov. 7 – Nov. 17, 2022
Winter Recess (242, 245 Contracts) Dec. 26, 2022 - Jan. 2, 2023 (245 works Dec 27-29) Nov. 11 – Nov. 21, 2022
Martin Luther King Jan. 16, 2023 Dec. 2 – Dec. 12, 2022
President’s Day Feb. 20, 2023 Jan. 6 – Jan. 16, 2023
Spring Recess (All 242, 245 Contracts) March 30-31, 2023 Feb. 13 – Feb. 23, 2023
Spring Recess (180, 184, 187, 207, 206 Contracts) March 28-31, 2023 Feb. 11 – Feb. 21, 2023
Mid-Spring Recess April 24, 2023 Mar. 10 – Mar. 20, 2023
Memorial Day May 29, 2023 April 14 – April 24, 2023

Standards Implementation Institute FlyerThe Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Teaching & Learning team is offering Standards Implementation Instituteprofessional learning sessions at various locations in Utah during June and July.

  • June 6 – 9, Richfield High School, Richfield
  • June 13 – 16, Uintah High School, Vernal
  • June 20 – 23, Green Canyon High School, North Logan
  • June 27 – 30, Washington Fields Intermediate School, Washington
  • July 11 – 14, Bonneville High School, Washington Terrace
  • July 18 – 21, Springville High School, Springville
  • July 26 – 29, East High School, Salt Lake City
  • Check here for specific courses at specific locations and associated costs

If  you're interested and able to attend, please register. Please forward to others you think might be interested.

Reminder Open EnrollmentInsurance Open Enrollment May 15 - June 15 for a Sept. 1, 2022 Effective Date
InfinityHR/Arcorowww.infinityhr.com ) will be used for all benefit eligible employees to make benefit elections offered at Open Enrollment and for newly eligible employees. All benefit eligible employees should log into the online system to verify dependents, beneficiaries and benefit elections.  Included in the attached Open Enrollment Highlights are online enrollment instructions.
The following changes may be made during the open enrollment period.
  • Enroll in a new insurance plan
  • Change or cancel an existing insurance plan
  • Add or cancel members from an existing plan
  • Flexible Spending election (new elections must be made each year you wish to participate)

We are excited to start planning for the 2022-23 school year. This summer we are able to provide a condensed version of the Open Up Resources math training for any teacher new to sixth grade. This training will focus on navigating the curriculum and other resources, understanding instructional strategies, and planning for the first unit. We want to be sure to catch any teacher who is a new hire or any teacher that has transferred to 6th grade. Space is limited so please encourage teachers to register as soon as possible for one of the two sessions. They will receive inservice rate for their time.

  • June 10 | 8:30 a.m -3:30 p.m. | ASB PDC 101
  • Aug. 9 | 8:30 a.m -3:30 p.m. | ASB PDC 101
  • Registration link | Upon registration you will be added to a Canvas course.

"I Voted" Sticker Contest PosterSalt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen is running an art contest for high school students (Grades 9 – 12) to design a new “I Voted” sticker for the General Election in November.

Blomquist Hale has events scheduled for the month of May! See the attached workshop flyers and details outlined below.

  • Topic: Leverage: A Powerful Tool for Living a Great Life
    Date: May 11 | 12 p.m. MT
    Location: Online!
    Register at: blomquisthale.com/workshops/
  • Topic: Parenting: Anger & Emotional Meltdowns
    Date: May 17 | 2 p.m. MT
    Location: Online!
    Register at: blomquisthale.com/workshops/
  • Topic: Relationships and Money - 3 Week Program
    Dates: May 17, 24, 31 | 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. MT
    Location: Online!
    Register at: blomquisthale.com/workshops/

May 2022 EMI Be Well NewsletterCheck out the May 2022 Be Well newsletter from EMI. Stories include:

  • Asthma Advice - Asthma is a chronic condition of the lungs’ airways, causing them to narrow and become inflamed. This produces coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to life-threatening asthma attacks.
  • Vegetables on Your Mind - In addition to well-known benefits for heart health, it turns out that eating vegetables can also benefit our mood. A new study found that people who ate at least three servings of vegetables per day reported better psychological well-being and had higher scores on a subjective happiness scale than people eating fewer vegetables.
  • Sugar vs. Artificial Sweeteners - Craving sweets is common, and it’s fine to indulge occasionally as part of a nutritious eating plan. You may wonder whether it’s better to choose sweet foods and beverages that are made with sugar or with artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame or sucralose. The truth is, there’s no clear winner.
  • Getting Your Child Ready for Camp - Summer camp is around the corner. Whether your child is headed to a day or an overnight camp, getting your child ready now can help make the experience more fun and avoid unnecessary stress for all of you.
  • The Myth of Multitasking - We can’t do two things well at once. When we multitask, we switch our attention between two tasks, often performing less effectively at both. The idea of multitasking has been around for decades and first referred to using a single computer to simultaneously carry out two or more jobs.

To receive the monthly Be Well Newsletter via email and check out back issues, please visit the EMI Hope Health Newsletter page.

To show appreciation, Quick Quack is letting educators ride in style on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Teachers or school staff can pick between a Free best "Lucky Duck" car wash* or $9.99 first month on ANY Unlimited membership**. Make sure to bring your school ID to Quick Quack on Tuesday, May 3 so we can honor all that you do for so many others.

*Only valid at participating locations. Offer subject to change, expires 5/3/22. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Cannot be redeemed for cash value. One time use on a single vehicle. **Only valid at participating locations. Valid for new membership sign up only. Requires autopay. After the first month, card will be charged regular membership rate based on the plan selected. Early termination fee may apply. Offer subject to change, must be 18 years or older, expires 5/3/22.