Author: communications

Due to popular demand, the Teaching & Learning department will host a second Wit & Wisdom Round Table opportunity on April 18, 2025 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the JATC South located at 12723 Park Avenue in Riverton. A panel of teachers from each grade level will share how they are making Wit & Wisdom work in their classrooms and how they are finding success with their students. Teachers attending this session will receive a stipend of $150. Teachers who were not able to attend the round table on March 14, 2025 will be given first priority. Registration is required and is available at pd.jordandistrict.org.

• Wit & Wisdom Round Table Discussion Flyer

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

• Topic: Grief Series: How to Support Others in the Workplace in a Culturally Sensitive Way
  Date: April 9
  Time: 12 – 1 p.m. MT
  Location: Online!
• Topic: 5-Week Relationship Group (Wednesday’s)
• Date: April 23 – May 21
• Time: 6: – 7:30 p.m. MT
• Location: Online!

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

• April 2025 Blomquist Hale Workshop Flyers

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:

Top 3 Things You Can Do to Enhance your understanding for DHH - Face the DHH student when speaking. Your expression, and even lip-reading abilities are essential for understanding. Make language visible. Writing things on the board, using pictures, gesturing, using models, acting, and other visual cues are a huge benefit to DHH students. Increase processing time.
Often thought of as wait time after a question is posed, letting concepts, ideas, and questions sink in before a response is expected, is important.

DHH Students are most often ELL Students - Spoken language is not as accessible for DHH students, leaving a learning gap in their native (i.e. English) language acquisition. Deaf children whose native language is a signed language (i.e. ASL), are learning English as a second language.

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

• Check out all the newsletters at the JSD Deaf & Hard of Hearing Monthly "Tips" Newsletters Page
• April 2025 Incidental Learning Newsletter

It's time to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the Jordan School District! The "Jordan At-A-Glance 23-24" report showcases impressive graduation rates and highlights the district's robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.

These initiatives empower students with valuable certifications in fields like Health Science, Engineering, Computer Science, and Digital Media. Dive into this data to see how our Jordan District CTE sets the stage for student success and leads the way in educational excellence.

• 2023-24 Jordan CTE At-A-Glance Report

USBE and Digital Teaching & Learning are gauging interest for an Artificial Intelligence training for K-12 Education. If you're interested, please use the link below and fill out the form to sign up for more information.

• WHAT: A comprehensive learning experience designed for educators, administrators, and other K-12 education leaders. Educators who complete this learning experience may be eligible for a $200 grant.
• WHY: Artificial lntelligence (AI) can play an essential role in Utah K-12 schools. This program is designed to support community exploration and growth in order to empower Utah educators with the skill required to use Al tools appropriately and effectively in the classroom. As well as modernize student experiences related to digital literacy and career readiness.
• HOW:
  • Engage with the pre-work survey
  • Request or attend an initial training (1-hour)
  • Complete the post-work
  • Design an Al infused lesson plan
  • Submit your lesson materials
  • Grant awarded based on funds and rubric requirements

• Interest Form for USBE AI Training
• USBE Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Education Flyer

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

• Teaching and Learning April 2025 (Newsletter)
• Digital Teaching and Learning
• Secondary Science
• Elementary English Language Arts
• Gifted and Talented
• Elementary Social Studies
• Elementary Library
• Fine Arts

Dear Educators and Administrators,

The Show Up Team is excited to announce that registration for the Show Up for Teachers conference is right around the corner! This annual event is designed to celebrate your profession and prioritize your well-being.

• Thursday, July 10 at the Mountain America Expo Center
• Theme: Igniting Resilience
• Keynote Speaker: Ron Clark
• Event Highlights:
  • Professional development credits
  • 150+ exhibitor booths offering prizes, giveaways, freebies, and exclusive discounts
  • Incredible breakout sessions focused on professional strength, resilient classrooms, and wellness
• Registration opens on April 7

New for 2025: Administrator Track
A new Administrator Track has been developed in response to requests from  teacher attendees. Designed specifically for principals and vice principals, this track highlights the vital role of school leaders in shaping a positive culture. The team invites administrators to join the administrator track and return to their schools equipped to inspire meaningful change.

Initial Registration Window
Each district has a guaranteed number of spots during the first three weeks of registration. If the Jordan School District allotment fills up, you will still have the opportunity to register when additional seats are released at the end of April.

Nominate an Exceptional Educator
Deseret News has opened nominations for exceptional educators from across the state! Visit the Honors in Education page to nominate a deserving candidate and celebrate the incredible work happening in Utah’s schools.

• Additional details & registration can be found at www.showupforteachers.org.
• 2025 Show Up for Teachers Conference Flyer

The USBE Digital Teaching and Learning Grant provides opportunities and tools for teachers in Jordan School District to address and close student achievement gaps through the use of high quality instruction that integrates technology. This survey will help us determine technology needs for the 2025-26 school year.

Use the link below to complete the end of year DTL Survey from USBE. Survey is due April 9, 2025.

• DTL 2025-26 Teacher Digital Learning Survey

The University of Utah will be offering a summer reading camp for students who may benefit from additional reading support this summer. Please share the attached flier with families who may be interested in this event.

Summer Reading Program
All children must be assessed by the University of Utah Reading Clinic to determine if they qualify for a summer program. To schedule an assessment, please go to www.uurc.utah.edu and click on “schedule an assessment”. The assessment fee is $70, separate from the tuition fee. Enrollment is on a "first come - first served" basis.

• Early Steps
  • For exiting kindergarteners / 1st graders, at-risk for reading difficulties.
  • June 9 - July 17, 2025 (Monday – Thursday; no clinic on June 16, and July 3) 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. OR 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
  • ONLINE VIA ZOOM
  • Kindergartener Minimized Assessment*: $10 non-refundable. OR G1 Full Assessment: $70 non-refundable.
  • Program Tuition: $75 non-refundable.
  • *This is a reduced assessment that determines if an exiting Kindergartener qualifies for the summer program. Formal results will not be sent to parents. Parents who want to know their student's reading, spelling, comprehension levels, etc. should schedule the full ($70) assessment.
• Next Steps
  • For struggling students reading on a mid-grade-1 to end-grade-2 levels. June 12 – July 3, 2025 (Monday – Friday, no class on June 16)
  • 9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. OR 10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. ONLINE VIA ZOOM
  • Assessment: $70 non-refundable.
  • Program Tuition: $75 non-refundable.
• Higher Steps
  • For struggling readers who can handle early-3rd grade material, but who are still below grade-level expectations.
  • June 17 - July 17, 2025 (Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday)
  • 1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. OR 2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ONLINE VIA ZOOM
  • Assessment: $70 non-refundable.
  • Program Tuition: $75 non-refundable.

• Schedule an Assessment with UURC
• University of Utah Summer 2025 Reading Program Flyer

K-6 Teachers and coaches are invited to join Teaching & Learning for a special workshop where the BTS specialists will highlight ways to integrate the arts with Wit & Wisdom. There will be time devoted to planning, collaboration, and questions.

This event will take place on April 9 in the ASB Auditorium from 4:15 - 6:15 p.m. Registration is now open in the Canvas Catalog.

• Wit & Wisdom Workshop April 9 Registration
• April 2025 Wit & Wisdom Workshop Flyer

We’re launching a redesigned login site for the Canvas Professional Development instance!

This new design will be implemented on March 28th, 2025. All of your existing course enrollments and progress will remain unchanged.

Payroll Due: April 2
View Your Paycheck: April 23
Payday: April 25

Grade Transmittal Day - March 31
All 206, 242 & 245 employees must record a leave day if not in attendance.

Spring Recess
Traditional, 206 day contracts - April 1-4
242, 245 contracts - April 3-4

Critical Days - March 28 & April 7
As per DP335(B) and DP335 NEG: Licensed & ESP employees who have not been approved by HumanResources for using an annual/personal day on Critical Days may be docked (licensed $161 or ESP 40% of their daily rate) unless the leave reason is listed as an exception in policy. If applicable, the reason & thepolicy exception must be written in the time off description box. View the Critical Days FAQ here.

Sub Payroll Deadlines
Pay Period: March 17 - 28
Due: April 1
Payday: April 10

Pay Period: April 7- 15
Due: April 16
Payday: April 25
SCHOOLS: Please ensure Subs are verified weekly

True Time Deadlines
Pay Period: March 3 - April 6
EMPLOYEES: Please submit your timesheets at the end of each work week
APPROVERS: Please ensure you are approving time sheets weekly for accuracy.

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

Join Digital Teaching and Learning for a blended learning workshop on Using Al Effectively in the Classroom. Learn how to leverage SchoolAI elements in your classroom to enhance your teaching practice AND student learning.

• The summit will be held on April 10 from 4:15 - 7:15 p.m. in the ASB Auditorium
• The blended SchoolAl training includes a $250 stipend*
• Enroll at the Jordan PD 2025 SchoolAI Spring Summit page or use the QR code in the flyer
• 2025 SchoolAI Spring Summit Flyer

* Stipend provided upon completion of both in-person and online coursework

Registration for the 2025-26 Instructional Coaching Endorsement - Cohort 3 is now open! Priority will be given to individuals assigned to be a coach next year and additional spots will be available for teachers interested in future coaching opportunities. Teachers with a principal recommendation may complete the application.

Please see the attached document for more details and to access the coaching endorsement application link.

• 2025-26 Instructional Coaching Endorsement Cohort 3

4th and 5th grade teachers have only had digital access to the teacher’s manual for the Wit & Wisdom alternative modules for 4th grade (modules 3 & 4) and 5th grade (module 1).

Wit and Wisdom has provided PDF files of the teacher manual for these alternative modules. You can now print these files so that you will have a hard copy to use as needed. The files are below.

• Grade 4 Module 3 ATM
• Grade 4 Module 4 ATM
• Grade 5 Module 1 ATM

The Jordan School District high school graduation dates and times will vary from school to school. Please see the 2024-25 High School Graduation Schedule below.

Principals and Directors are encouraged to provide flexibility to parents or grandparents requesting the opportunity to attend the graduation ceremonies of family members.

Licensed employees are responsible for requesting a substitute through the Frontline Absence Management System, if applicable.  In the blue “Notes to Administrator” box, the employee should add “graduation” along with his/her relationship to the graduate.

For additional assistance, please contact suboffice@jordandistrictg.org.

Dear Teachers, Administrators, and ALL MATHEMATICIANS,
We're thrilled to invite you to a special screening of the documentary film Counted Out by Vicki Abeles, in honor of Pi Day! This is a unique opportunity to celebrate math and explore its impact on our world.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, March 14, 2025 PI DAY
• Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM (Please be seated by 4:30)
• Location: ASB District Office, 7905 South Redwood Rd. Entrance A. Auditorium

Registration:
Register using the link in the attached flyer or click here. Space is limited, and we're inviting neighboring districts, so be sure to secure your spot soon!

About the Film:
Counted Out delves into the crucial role math plays in shaping our society. It explores how math influences everything from the news we see to the jobs we obtain. Through personal stories and expert interviews, the film reveals the importance of numeric literacy and challenges us to rethink how we view math.

Check out the Counted Out film trailer below.

• 2025 Pi Day Movie Flyer

Teachers,
A Qualtrics Coaching Survey will be sent by Ben Jameson to all teachers on Friday, March 14.

The Jordan School District is looking for ways to enhance, refine and improve our instructional coaching initiative and we need teacher feedback.  Please complete the coaching survey and answer the questions based on your experience working with instructional and/or digital coaches.  The survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete, depending on the time it takes for you to add your comments.

Survey answers will remain anonymous unless you identify yourself in the free response questions. The survey will remain open until April 4.

Looking for a Wellness Booster on PD Day? Join our Health & Wellness team for PIE: Presence, Inner Awareness, and Emotion Regulation! In honor of Pi Day (3.14), we will be teaching strategies for employees to use to enhance their personal and professional wellness. All employee types are invited to this hands-on learning experience focused on cultivating our own skills. PD credit and dessert pie will be offered! Spread the word and RSVP for reminders by using the link below.

• RSVP for the Health & Wellness PIE Day PD
• Health & Wellness PIE Day PD Flyer