Category: Information Items

This is an optional PD for all secondary teachers to learn more about Writable and how it can be integrated into any class in order to strengthen students’ writing. The virtual training session will be held on Sept. 22 from 1 - 3 p.m.  You can register in JPLS: Course #101966 Section #127761 Below is a description of the PD:

Getting Started: In this initial session, participants will learn how Writable fits within their core curriculum and become prepped and ready to begin using the program as they continue through the learning path.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the key features and uses for Writable, including the new AI Feedback feature
• Identify how Writable fits within your core instruction
• Learn how to incorporate Writable into both informal and formal writing assignments

Essential Question: What do I need to know to get started with Writable and how will I continue learning?

• Questions/RSVP: brandee.bergum@jordandistrict.org
• Writeable PD Flyer

Ballet West is again providing free presentations of the following ballets in the Capitol Theater:

• Dracula (Grades 5-12)
• The Firebird (Grades 1-12)
• The Nutcracker (Grades K-12, One and Two-Hour Presentation Available)
• Swan Lake (Grades 1-12)
• Fairy Tale Theater: Beauty and the Beast (Grades 1-12)

Each program begins with an educational introduction and is followed by a portion of the repertoire currently being performed for the general public. 

The link to Ballet West’s website with further information (including dates and times) on all of the student performances is Ballet West Student In-Theatre Performances. In addition, please feel free to refer to the flyer below for more information. 

If you  are interested in having your class attend any of the performances, please contact Susy Peterson at susanlyn.peterson@jordandistrict.org or 801-567-8296. Seating is limited and performance slots will be filled on a first come first serve basis. 

Please be aware that transportation costs must be covered by individual schools. Neither Ballet West nor the Teaching and Learning Department will be covering the costs of transportation. 

• Ballet West In Theater Offerings Flyer

Join us for our 3:30 or 4:30 p.m. class at the South Hills Middle School dance portable. These classes offer employees a calm space to regulate emotions through gentle movement and guided meditations. Restorative yoga is a restful practice that is designed to help you slow down through passive stretching. It is very gentle on the body.

Visit wellness.jordandistrict.org/center for more information.

Blomquist Hale has three workshops coming up in September! See attached for workshop flyers and details outlined below. Please forward this email to your employees.

• Topic: Anxiety Group (Mondays)
  • Date: Sept. 11 – Oct. 2
  • Time: 5:30 – 7 p.m. MT
  • Location: Online!
• Topic: Monthly Divorce/Separation Support Group
  • Date: 3rd Thursday of Every Month – Sept. 21
  • Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m. MT
  • Location: Online!
• Topic: Getting the Most out of Your Therapy Session - Telehealth Therapy
  • Date: Sept. 25
  • Time: 12 – 1 p.m. MT
  • Location: Online!

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

• Sept. 2023 Blomquist Hale Workshop Flyers

If you are a contracted employee and need to take Annual/Personal Leave before or after the Critical day around 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.

• Licensed - Personal Leave Before & After Holiday
• ESP - Personal Leave Before & After Holiday

Salt Lake Community College and Utah State Board of Education (USBE) are partnering to provide math courses required for special education licensed teachers seeking a Special Education Mathematics Endorsement. Participants will be able to finish their endorsement while attending classes specifically designed for Special Education teachers teaching secondary math to special education students. General Education teachers looking to earn a Middle School Math Endorsement may also take these courses, if space is available.

• SUPPORTIVE: Cohort model comprised of other Special Ed teachers - grab a colleague and attend together.
• APPLICABLE: Time in class to reflect on how your learning will impact the development of IEP’s and classroom instruction.
• AFFORDABLE: SLCC invoices USBE for your tuition*. No upfront cost required to register. You must pass with "C" or better.
• ACCESSIBLE: Courses offered in a hybrid model: live webinar and online. Instructors are available each week for one-on-one support, if needed.
• MEETS REQUIREMENTS: A Middle School Math Endorsement requires Math 2030 (Pre-Calculus), Math 2100 (Calculus), Math 2110 (Foundations of Geometry), Math 2120 (Foundations of Statistics), and Math 2130 (Foundations of Algebra)

Registration
Login into MySLCC. If you are a new student you must register at slcc.edu and follow these instructions:

• AREA OF STUDY: Social & Behavioral Sciences, Education and Human Services
• ACADEMIC GOAL: Taking credit courses to earn a degree or certificate
• PROGRAM OF STUDY: Transition to Teaching/ARL (CA)

• Special Education & Middle School Mathematics Endorsement Flyer

Remember that you have resources when supporting students with diverse needs. Please view this video to hear how the Office of Equity & Compliance can assist you. We recommend that you show this video in your faculty meeting.

Teaching and Learning (T&L) is here to help you with your 32 hours of educator-directed learning.  You'll find lots of great classes, workshops, and conferences that can provide you with the learning and hours you'll need to meet the 32-hour stipend requirement.  Contact T&L with questions - Michelle Williams at 801-567-8365.

• MATH PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Math PD
  Math PD
• SCIENCE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
  Elementary Science PD
  Secondary Science PD
• ELA PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
  Sept. 22: Secondary Virtual Writing PD 1:00-3:00 email brandee.bergum@jordandistrict.org for more info
  Elementary Literacy PD
• SOCIAL STUDIES PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
  Sept. 12 (2 Hours): History of Antisemitism in Europe. 3:15 on Zoom
  Sept. 26 (2 Hours): Environmental Cooperation as a Path to Peace in the Middle East at 4:00 PM on Zoom
  Nov.11 (8 Hours): Utah Council for the Social Studies Fall Conference 8-3 at Mount Jordan Middle School
• DIGITAL LEARNING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
  Digital Learning PD
  Mar. 19/20 (16 Hours): Utah Coalition for Educational Technology (UCET) Conference at Salt Palace Convention Center

• Educator Directed PD Professional Hours Flyer

The Herriman Family Engagement Center is now open. Language & Culture Services is excited to have parents of ML and newcomer students come and get support.

English classes are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-8 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11 a.m.

Please feel free to print these flyers and post them in your school.

Western Governors University doesn’t think educators should only be recognized during Teacher Appreciation Week. During the final weeks of last school year, WGU’s strategic partnerships managerMelissa Jensen demonstrated the online university’s lasting gratitude for the individuals shaping students’ lives in the Jordan School District.

Jensen visited the faculty and staff – including host and substitute teachers – at four Jordan schools and celebrated the many ways they are impacting student success.

Silvercrest Elementary - Keeping It Poppin' With A Popcorn Machine - The team at Silvercrest Elementary received a fantastic surprise in the form of a brand-new popcorn machine. As school resumes, the aroma of freshly popped corn will fill the air, adding to the atmosphere of excitement for the coming year. Silvercrest was selected to receive the gift as part of a special Teacher Appreciation giveaway sponsored by WGU.

Copper Hills High - Energizing Educators With An Expresso Machine - Recognizing the importance of caffeine-powered educators, Copper Hills High School received an incredible espresso machine. That gift allows the teachers and staff to brew up a perfect cup of coffee and remain energized for the upcoming school year. Like the popcorn popper at Silvercrest, the espresso machine was a prize in the WGU Teacher Appreciation giveaway.

Blackridge Elementary & Hayden Peak Elementary - Honoring Host Teachers - Even the best teachers need help from more seasoned staff members. That’s why Jensen gave a special shout out to the faculty hosting preservice educators during their demonstration teaching. At Hayden Peak Elementary,Kristen Jarmen received special recognition, as did Jennifer Lofgren at Blackridge Elementary. Both Kristen andJennifer received gift baskets from WGU for their work as host teachers and helping ensure the pipeline of well-trained educators remains strong across the school district.

Both Kristen and Jennifer received gift baskets from WGU for their work as host teachers and helping ensure the pipeline of well-trained educators remains strong across the school district.

Celebrating Substitute Teachers - Acknowledging the importance of substitute teachers, four gift baskets were specially prepared and awarded to substitute teachers within the Jordan School District.Substitute teachers play a crucial role in maintaining continuity when regular teachers are absent, and their dedication deserves recognition.

Jensen thoughtfully curated the gift baskets as tokens of appreciation from WGU, honoring the vital role substitutes play within the educational ecosystem.

• WGU Community Partner Highlight

The 2023 ESSA Updated English Learner (EL) Exit criteria has been approved. Please review your 2022 WIDA ACCESS results and exit all students who received a minimum overall composite score of 4.2 and a minimum score of 3.5 in the speaking domain. Exit letters, based on the updated exit criteria, must be sent within the first 30 days of the LEAs school year.

Teacher-parent-students conferences must be completed by the conclusion of the LEA’s scheduled fall conferences. Students that were exited with a composite of 5.0 or higher in the spring will remain exited. More information will be provided in upcoming listserv memos and in meetings.

Things to adjust:
Class schedule
ESL study skills course
Placing students in the correct LA course
Placing students in any concurrent AP courses that they have applied and
qualified for

How do you print the letters?
Check out how to create and print the letters through ELLevation here.

• Annual WIDA Notifications Flyer

Mailing letters home is usually delegated to a secretary/registrar with enrollment access
with the help of ELD Leads if needed.

1. Make 2 physical copies of each ML's 2023 WIDA Scores (Delivered personally
   by the Evaluation, Research, & Accountability department)
2. Print Letters from ELLevation (be sure to save a copy to student profiles for
   your records)
3. Print labels for MLs and prepare envelopes
4. Mail letters and scores to families in English and their home language
5. Place 2nd copy of scores in students' permanent files

THIS ANNUAL COMMUNICATION IS PART OF COMPLIANCE.

We are excited to announce Google Single Sign-On for both students and teachers for the following products:

• HMH ED (Growth Measure)
• Think Central
• iReady
• Beanstack

Once students and teachers are logged into their Google account, they will be able to navigate to these products through the “waffle” - Google Apps button. (Just like they already do for Canva, Canvas, Yuja, etc.) This change is already in effect. 

Attached you will find login instructions. If teachers receive an error message when trying to login, please have them reach out to the Help Desk. 

• Application Login Instructions Using Google
• Beanstack Login Instructions using Google SSO

The following are new administrative assignments:

• New Assignments effective immediately:
  • Brooke Anderson, teacher specialist in Evaluation, Research & Accountability appointed Data Scientist in the Evaluation, Research & Accountability Department.
  • John Sassman, assistant principal at Copper Canyon Elementary assigned assistant principal at Herriman Elementary, replacing Shana Mondragon who resigned.
  • Kimberly Ranney, assistant principal at Bluffdale Elementary assigned assistant principal at Copper Canyon Elementary.
  • Sharra Palmer, administrative intern at Copper Mountain Middle and Mountain Creek Middle assigned administrative intern at Bluffdale Elementary.
  • Jody Long, assistant principal previously at Joel P Jensen Middle assigned assistant principal at Copper Mountain Middle and Mountain Creek Middle.

Science and ELA Integration
Come see all the curated and created resources to use FOSS to teach your ELA standards. In this two hour workshop we will look at how to align the science, reading, and writing standards in a way that makes sense for your classroom. We have many great resources, including science aligned informational texts and writing protocols for all grade levels! Participants will receive 2 relicensure hours for attendance.

Tuesday, August 8 - ASB - PDC Room 103 | 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM JPLS - Course #117595

FOSS for New Teachers
New to FOSS or new to Jordan? Come see all that FOSS has to offer your science classroom! FOSS and the district science specialists have so many resources to help make FOSS easy to implement. In this 2 hour class we will experience a lesson, discover how to make planning efficient, see how to organize the kit supplies, and explore the online FOSS tools. Participants will receive 2 relicensure hours for attendance.

Tuesday, August 8 - PDC 103 | 8:30 - 10:30 AM - JPLS - Course #127695
Thursday, August 10 - PDC 103 | 12:00-2:00 PM - JPLS - Course #101936

FOSS Bootcamp
Join us for a FOSS Bootcamp to help you start off the year with confidence. In this 2 hour class we will address some of the FOSS challenges, explore the more difficult pieces of the curriculum and explore all the resources the district has available to help make jumping into teaching FOSS less daunting. Participants will have time to explore their grade level manuals and ask questions with support from district specialists. Participants will receive 2 relicensure hours for attendance.

Tuesday, August 8 - ASB - Room PDC 103 | 12:30 - 2:30 PM - JPLS - Course #127696
Thursday, August 10 - ASB - Room PDC 103 | 9:00 - 11:00 AM - JPLS - Course #101936

• Summer 2023 FOSS Training Flyer

Annual/Personal Leave Day
First Five Days of School

• Elementary Level:  Aug. 22-28
• Secondary Level: Aug. 21-25

As Per DP335(B) and DP335 NEG: Annual/Personal Leave shall not be taken during the first five days that students are in school unless listed as an exception in policy.

If applicable, an explanation of the policy exception must be written in the time off description box.

Please refer to policy for further clarification.

• Payroll Due: Aug. 2
• Direct Deposit Changes by Aug. 11
• View Paycheck: Aug. 23
• Pay Day: Aug. 25

True Time Deadlines

• Date Range: July 3 – Aug. 6
• Employee Submittal: Aug. 9
• First Approval: Aug. 11
• Final Approval: Aug. 15

Our elementary science specialists will be offering a Science and Writing Integration PD opportunity for a limited number of teachers. The deadline for teachers to sign up is Friday, Aug. 11.

Looking for help integrating science and writing?
This 2023-24 Science and Writing Cohort will take educators on a teaching journey to help students consistently write exemplary 5 paragraph essays using the FOSS focus questions. Participation in this cohort will satisfy the 32 hours of Educator Directed Paid Time!

Cohort Requirements

• In-person - 2 hours: 3 times (August, September, November)
• Virtually - 1 hour: 4 times (August, October, November, January)
• Individual Implementation - 22 hours (August - April)

The 32 hours will cover a guided implementation of the writing process as it connects with your science curriculum. Time is allotted for grading and extra planning that might be required. From August through part of November you will be asked to have your students write 7 times (these are not full five paragraph essays). From November through April your students will need to complete 10 five paragraph essays.

• Please fill out the Google form if interested in more information or to sign up
• DEADLINE for SIGNUP: Friday, Aug.11, 2023
• Contact your Science Specialist with any questions!
• rachael.coleman@jordandistrict.org
• lynn.gutzwiller@jordandistrict.org

• 2023-24 Science & Writing Cohort Flyer

The final sessions for Unit 8 training are now available on MIDAS. Please note that this is the last training that will be offered for those who are taking their training through USBE. USBE has set Sept. 15 as the date that everything should be completed by. If there are teachers who have missed previous units, it is recommended to complete the training for unit 8 at this time. Units can be completed out of order if necessary. Below is the registration information:

• Unit 8, MIDAS #60790 (General Registration) March 2023 through Sept. 2023
• No additional unit 8 sections will be added after this unit has ended.
• MIDAS enrollment link

Please note that educators are responsible for ensuring that their MIDAS transcripts are accurate.  Any inquiries pertaining to transcripts that are missing USBE credit for the LETRS state initiative, must be emailed to norma.mata@schools.utah.gov and must include the following information:

• Educators full name (no abbreviations or nick names please)
• CACTUS ID number
• LETRS Unit they are missing credit for
• Date of training
• Copy of the email that includes their Certificate of Attendance

From improved sleep to dementia prevention, a simple increase in your exercise levels can have a major impact on your body and mind. Get details on the connection between exercise and health—and discover how simple the change can be—in this month’s Health Insights.

Use the link to download this month’s Health Insights.

• Aug. 2023 Moreton & Company Health Insights Newsletter

You are invited to join us for our first annual Wellness Welcome!

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Byron McClure will be joining us for this exciting event on August 10th, at JATC-South. Dr. Byron McClure is a nationally renowned educational leader and author.

Also, due to popular demand, there will now be two sessions offered, both will be at JATC-South

• Session One: Creating a Culture of Connection. This session will be focused on Tier One, universal strategies for connections. A stipend may be available for licensed attendees and individuals who sign up will be given more information about this potential stipend as the event gets closer.
  • Register for Session One
• Session Two: Restoring Connections. This session will be focused on tier two and three strategies for restoring connections. The target audience for session two is school administrators and mental health professionals.
  • Register for Session Two

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• 2023 Wellness Welcome Flyer

We have two workshops coming up in August! See attached for workshop flyers and details outlined below.

• Topic: Monthly Divorce/Separation Support Group
  • Date: 3rd Thursday of Every Month – Aug.17
  • Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m. MT
  • Location: Online!
• Topic: The Battle With Fear
  • Date: Aug. 28
  • Time: 1– 2 p.m. MT
  • Location: Online!

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

• Aug. 2023 Blomquist Hale Workshop Flyers