Author: communications

Dear Teachers,

It is time to submit applications for the K-12 Math Personalized Learning Software Grant, which is intended to provide schools with access to math personalized learning software programs to improve student outcomes in mathematics literacy. The deadline for the grant is March 27, 2020. This application must be submitted at the school level, but needs to be signed by Amy Kinder, in the Teaching & Learning Department, and an Instructional Technology Specialist. Only ONE submission per school is allowed.

Please work with your administration and technology coach to determine how this grant could be used to provide software licenses to enhance the mathematics instruction taking place in your building. Funding is limited, so the Utah STEM Action Center asks that we are intentional in choosing the product(s) and number of licenses for the product(s) requested.

Please be aware that if the licenses provided through this grant are not used or are under- utilized by a school, they may be revoked. In addition, Jordan School District may be barred from applying for this grant in the future.

To be effective, here are the recommendations for the use of each product:

Provider	Product	Supported	Usage Recommendations
Curriculum Associates	iReady	K-8	30-49 minutes per week plus 70-100% pass rates
Dreambox	Dreambox	K-8	Five lessons per week
McGraw-Hill	ALEKS	3-12	1 hour per week OR 5 topics per week
MIND Research Institute	ST Math	K-8	K-1: 60 minutes per week 2-8: 75 minutes per week
Imagine Learning	Imagine Math	K-Algebra 1/ Geometry	Quarter 1: (Sept-Nov 2016) 5+ lessons completed Quarter 2: (Dec-Feb 2017) 10+ lessons completed Quarter 3: (Mar-May 2017) 15+ lessons completed
Mathspace	Mathspace	3-PreCalculus	30 minutes per week OR 3 subtopics mastered per week

The mathematics personalized learning software has been shown to have a significant impact on student achievement for those students who met the recommended weekly usage.

We are required to choose from the approved vendors and products in the table above. Please contact the vendors with any questions about the products in which you are interested. They are more than happy to assist you and will often offer additional services to your school if they know that you are applying for the K-12 Math Personalized Learning Software Grant.

Here are links to the vendors’ websites with more information about what they are offering:

• • Curriculum Associates - iReady
    Contact - Joel Kongaika
    Email: joelk@cainc.com
    Phone: (801) 319-4832
  • DreamBox - DreamBox Learning Math
    Contact - Allison Mateus
    Email: allison.mateus@dreambox.com
    Phone: (801) 244-7177
  • McGraw-Hill - ALEKS
    Contact - Darlene Messer
    Email: darlene.messer@mheducation.com
    Phone: (210) 439-7527
  • MIND Research Institute - ST Math
    Contact - Dan Tracy
    Email: dtracy@mindresearch.org
    Phone: (859) 240-5186
  • Imagine Learning - Think Through Math
    Contact - Alli Yeager
    Email: alli.yeager@imaginelearning.com
    Phone: (405) 830-3463
  • Mathspace - Mathspace
    Contact - Rhonda Davis
    Email: rdavis@mathspace.com.au
    Phone: (435) 881-1713

Thank you for all that you do for our students. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,
Noelani Ioane, MS
Mathematics Content Teacher Leader

There are several ways you can apply for a teacher transfer in Jordan School District.

Watch this short video to see how it’s done.

• Teacher Transfer Request Tutorial

This is an 8-hour training that is being offered for all employees providing certification.

Youth Mental Health First Aid USA is for adults to teach how to help adolescents and young adults who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it helps trainees identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

• Saturday, March 21, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Jordan School District Auxiliary Services Building, Room 113
• To register, contact Sharon Steadman at 385-235-0322

The Utah Film Center is offering free field trips for K-8 classes to the Tumbleweeds Film Festival.  Funding for busing is available as well. Details on how teachers may apply can be found on the Utah Film Center Website.

If you are interested in learning more about opportunities available in Jordan School District please join us at the Teacher Transfer Fair on Feb, 19 from 4 - 6:30 p.m. in the Elk Ridge Middle gymnasium. Waffle Love will be there taking orders.

This is a reminder for all fifth-grade teachers. Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 is the last day to register for the March 6 social studies professional development "Engaging Students in Social Studies/Civic Engagement" to be held at the ASB auditorium.  You'll receive a stipend and relicensure credits for attending, plus a tub of hands-on materials.  Please email pamela.sua@jordandistrict.org to save a slot.  We encourage 5th grade teams to attend together.

Dear Teachers,

Please find below links to applications for the USTAR Math and Science courses. The deadline for the courses to be offered this summer is Friday February 21, 2020.

If you have any questions please contact Jane Harward or Noelani Ioane.

Thank you for all that you do for our students.

Teaching & Learning - Math & Science

2020-21 Applications

• Applications for Courses to be offered Summer 2020 – due date is Friday February 21, 2020
  • Gearing Up for 7^th Grade Mathematics
  • Gearing Up for 8^th Grade Mathematics
  • Gearing Up for 8^th Grade Honors Mathematics
  • Gearing Up for Secondary Math 1
  • Summer Math or Science Core Course
  • Summer Short Math or Science Course 

• Applications for Courses to be offered during 20-2021 school year – due date is Friday March 27, 2020
  • AP Course Review or Lab
  • Math Counts
  • School Year Short Course
  • Science Olympiad Team
  • STEM Fair Mentoring

 

Elementary Teacher – Teacher Wellness Focus Group Invitation
Our District’s Health and Wellness Specialist, McKinley Withers, is conducting a research study on teacher wellness through the University of Utah. He is looking for research participants for focus groups to better understand how school leaders can support improved conditions for enhanced teacher wellness.

The Elementary School Teacher Wellness Focus Group will meet on Wednesday, February 20^th   from 4-6pm. If you are interested in participating, please review the information below, and email McKinley Withers for additional information.

Focus group participation for this research will be limited to current elementary school teachers who have 7 or more years of experience as a classroom teacher. If you choose to participate in this focus group, you will volunteer between two and four hours to share your valuable insights and experiences as a classroom teacher–specifically related to how school leaders have, or could, promote your experience of wellness. With an understanding of teacher’s perceptions of what has had a positive impact on their workplace wellness, school leaders will be better equipped to provide meaningful interventions and creative approaches to improve a teacher’s sense of overall well-being.

As a participant you will be asked to respond to a series of questions in a face to face meeting with up to 7 other participants who are also classroom teachers in Jordan School District. These questions will be focused on what school leaders have done well or could do to improve your experience of workplace wellness.

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Middle School Teacher – Teacher Wellness Focus Group Invitation
Our District’s Health and Wellness Specialist, McKinley Withers, is conducting a research study on teacher wellness through the University of Utah. He is looking for research participants for focus groups to better understand how school leaders can support improved conditions for enhanced teacher wellness.

The Middle School Teacher Wellness Focus Group will meet on Tuesday, February 18^th from 4-6pm. If you are interested in participating, please review the information below, and email McKinley Withers, mckinley.withers@jordandistrict.org, for additional information.

Focus group participation for this research will be limited to current middle school teachers who have 7 or more years of experience as a classroom teacher. If you choose to participate in this focus group, you will volunteer between two and four hours to share your valuable insights and experiences as a classroom teacher–specifically related to how school leaders have, or could, promote your experience of wellness. With an understanding of teacher’s perceptions of what has had a positive impact on their workplace wellness, school leaders will be better equipped to provide meaningful interventions and creative approaches to improve a teacher’s sense of overall well-being.

As a participant you will be asked to respond to a series of questions in a face to face meeting with up to 7 other participants who are also classroom teachers in Jordan School District. These questions will be focused on what school leaders have done well or could do to improve your experience of workplace wellness.

Teaching and Learning is excited to introduce Multisyllable Routine Cards for all 3-6 grade teachers. This is a short daily routine that can be implemented similar to Heggerty in K-2 grade.

Please see the attached flyer and pick a date to attend. The first three sessions are already full and the others are filling up quickly so register soon. Teachers will receive all materials needed to implement the program as well as receive in service pay for attending.

Please contact Mandy Thurman (ext: 88119) with any questions.

• Flyer for Professional Development Opportunity

Attention JSD Educators,

Hidden Valley Middle in Bluffdale will open in August, 2020.  Applications are now being accepted for the positions outlined below (Phase A):

• Head Counselor (To begin February, 2020)
• Media Specialist (To begin March, 2020)
• Department Chairs (To begin August, 2020)
  • CTE
  • English
  • Fine Arts
  • Math
  • PE/Health
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • World Languages
• The following department chair positions have been filled at the principal’s discretion:
  • Special Education

The new elementary school in West Jordan will also open in August, 2020.  Applications are now being accepted for the positions outlined below (Phase A):

• Team Leaders (To begin August, 2020)
  • Kindergarten
  • 1^st grade
  • 2^nd grade
  • 5^th grade
  • 6^th grade
  • Special Education
• The following team leader positions have been filled at the principal’s discretion:
  • 3^rd Grade
  • 4^th Grade

Additional compensated work for certain positions may be required prior to the beginning of the contract year.

JSD educators interested in applying for the positions listed above ​must submit ​an application​ using Skyward "Employee Access".  Please see the attached tutorial for application instructions.  External applications will be accepted after JSD educators have been give first consideration.

For information regarding a position advertising schedule, position descriptions and instructions on how to apply, visit the Work At Jordan Job Postings at the New Schools page.

For assistance in accessing Skyward Employee Access, please contact the Help Desk at 801-567-8737.  For questions regarding positions at Hidden Valley Middle School, please contact principal Shawn Mcleod at shawn.mcleod@jordandistrict.org.

• How to Apply at Jordan School District

All employees will need to access the new system to verify dependents, add beneficiary information and elect or waive additional benefits.

Enroll in the following benefits as of  February 2020:

• Life
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• Aflac Accident
• Aflac Critical Illness
• Aflac Hospital Advantage

All benefits are offered on a guarantee basis which means no health questions!

Watch for more details.

West Jordan Women in Business is teaming up with That Paint Thing for a night of dining, painting, and prize drawings. 100% of the event proceeds will be donated to Jordan Education Foundation to be used for the Principal's Pantries throughout the Jordan School District.

The event will be held on Feb. 7 from 6 - 9 p.m. at  Jordan Hills Elementary. Use the links below to purchase tickets.  For questions, call the West Jordan Chamber at 801-970-3671

• Dinner and Painting for 1 person $40
• Dinner and Painting for 2 people $60

The following are new administrative assignments:

• Secondary Assignments Effective Jan. 21, 2020
  • Shawn McLeod, principal at South Jordan Middle appointed principal at Hidden Valley Middle.
  • Nicole Johnson, assistant principal at Jordan Hills and Rosamond Elementary Schools appointed principal at South Jordan Middle.
  • Amber Zdunich, assistant principal at Joel P. Jensen Middle appointed assistant principal at Hidden Valley Middle.
  • Jody Deland, CTE teacher at South Jordan Middle appointed assistant principal at Joel P. Jensen Middle.
  • Audrey Fish, assistant principal at Oquirrh Hills Middle appointed assistant principal at Fort Herriman Middle.
  • Jennifer Jarrard, teacher specialist at Kauri Sue Hamilton appointed assistant principal at Oquirrh Hills Middle.
• Secondary Assignment Effective July 1, 2020
  • Raimee Jensen, assistant principal at Fort Herriman Middle appointed assistant principal at Hidden Valley Middle.
• Elementary Assignments Effective Feb. 3, 2020
  • Tami Bird, principal at Rose Creek Elementary appointed principal at the new elementary school in West Jordan.
  • Karen Egan, principal at Bluffdale Elementary appointed principal at Rose Creek Elementary.
  • Cynthia Tingey, principal at Riverton Elementary appointed principal at Bluffdale Elementary.
  • Joel Pullan, principal at Oakcrest Elementary appointed principal at Riverton Elementary.
  • Ken Westwood, principal at South Jordan Elementary appointed principal at Oakcrest Elementary.
  • Beverly Griffith, assistant principal at Fox Hollow Elementary appointed principal at South Jordan Elementary.
  • Nancy Ward, educational support consultant in Teaching & Learning appointed assistant principal at Fox Hollow Elementary.
  • Brenda Anderson, instructional coach at Mountain Shadows Elementary appointed assistant principal at Jordan Hills and Rosamond Elementary.

Remember to submit a new W-4 if your filing status, other income, deductions, or credits have changed or will change for the next year

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The IRS redesigned the Form W-4 to increase transparency and accuracy in the withholding system.  The changes on the revised 2020 Form W-4 are:

1. There are five steps on the W-4 for the employee to complete
   • Step 1:  Personal Information (required)
   • Step 2:  Multiple Jobs or Spouse Works (if applicable) – do one of the following:
     • Use estimator at www.irs.gov/W4App - most accurate withholding
     • Use Multiple Jobs Worksheet on page 3 of W4 – rough estimate of withholding
       You may check the box with only two jobs total – higher withholding
   • Step 3:  Claim Dependents (if applicable)
   • Step 4:  Other Adjustments (optional)
   • Step 5:  Sign and Date (required)
     Employees who only complete the required Steps 1 and 5: When employees only complete Steps 1 and 5, employers will figure withholdings based on the filing status’s (single, married, head of household) standard deduction and tax rates with no other adjustments. 

     Adjustments on Steps 2, 3, and 4 are optional, and will affect withholding calculations:  Employees will need to provide detailed information on their household income.  If employees have privacy concerns, use the worksheets or the IRS’s Tax Withholding Estimator and only provide their total withholding amount in Step 4.

2. No more withholding allowances – Employees will no longer be able to adjust their tax withholdings using allowances.  Instead, employees will provide employers with amounts to increase or reduce tax withholdings.
3. Additional worksheets – The form includes two worksheets (Multiple Jobs Worksheet on page 3 and tables for employees with multiple jobs on page 4).
4. Exemptions – Employees who write “Exempt” on Form W-4 in the space below Step 4(c) shall have no federal or state income tax withheld from their paychecks.
5. Current employees are NOT required to submit a new W-4 form – Employees who are hired in 2020, or wish to revise their W-4 information after December 31, 2019, must use the 2020 Form W-4.

2020 IRS W4 Form

Dear Teachers and Staff Members,

The Jordan School District Board of Education has approved the 2020-21 traditional and year-round school calendars. Over 7,700 calendar survey responses were received, more than any other recent survey. Responses from 2,113 employees gave the current school-year calendar a favorable rating of 93%. The 2020-21 traditional school calendar is similar to the current 2019-20 traditional school calendar and reflects the top priorities for those who took the survey, which are (in order):

1. A two-week winter recess.
2. A one-week spring recess.
3. Close alignment of elementary, middle, and high school recesses.
4. A one week fall recess.

Traditional Calendar Option 3 received the highest favorability rating and has been approved. The 2020-21 Traditional School Calendar can be accessed using this link:

• Planning & Student Services - 2020-21 Traditional Calendar

Year-round Calendar Option 2 received the highest favorability ratings and has been approved. The 2020-21 Year-round School Calendar can be accessed using this link:

• Planning & Student Services - 2020-21 Year-Round Calendar

Thank you to all who participated in the calendar survey.

The following are new administrative assignments. As of January, all elementary schools will have a half-time or full-time assistant principal. We anticipate that administrative appointments for Hidden Valley Middle School and the new elementary school in West Jordan will be announced in January.

• Assignments Effective Jan. 21, 2020
  
  • Brian Rambadt, teacher at Fort Herriman Middle, appointed assistant principal at Sunset Ridge Middle School, replacing Caleb Olson.
  • Jody DeLand, computer technology teacher at South Jordan Middle School, appointed assistant principal at a location to be determined.
  • Jennifer Jarrard, teacher specialist in Special Education, appointed assistant principal at a location to be determined.
• Assignments Effective Jan. 6, 2020
  • Jay Eads, teacher specialist in Teaching & Learning, appointed assistant principal at Mountain Point & Westland Elementary Schools.
  • Michelle Kilcrease, consultant in Teaching & Learning, appointed assistant principal at Copper Canyon & Mountain Shadows Elementary Schools.
  • Ross Menlove, administrator on special assignment in Teaching & Learning, appointed as a part time assistant principal at Ridgeview Elementary School.
  • Allyson Stovall, administrator on special assignment in Teaching & Learning, appointed assistant principal at Southland & Welby Elementary Schools.
  • Jerri Crawford, assistant principal at Southland & Oquirrh Elementary Schools, appointed as a full time assistant principal at Oquirrh Elementary School.
  • Angela Jones, assistant principal at Golden Fields & Heartland Elementary Schools, appointed as a full time  assistant principal at Heartland Elementary School.
  • Franco Preston, assistant principal at Bastian & Welby Elementary Schools, appointed assistant principal at Bastian & Majestic Elementary Schools.
  • Garett York, assistant principal at Columbia & Westvale Elementary Schools, appointed as a full time assistant principal at Westvale Elementary.
  • Kathryn Crandall, intern assistant principal in Granite School District, appointed assistant principal at Columbia & Golden Fields Elementary Schools.