Category: Information Items

The STEM Action Center is taking things up a notch – yet again – with exciting opportunities for you and your students.  Registration is open for both STEM events now, and will both close May 31, 2019. Base registration is completed on a first come, first served basis, so make sure you get signed up before spaces are no longer available!

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For Educators:
What: STEM Best Practices: Equity Elevated
When:Monday, June 10, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30. p.m. (check-in opens at 7:00 a.m.)  Breakfast and lunch provided.
Where: Davis Conference Center
Who: This conference is for educators wanting to learn more about STEM
Why: Network and engage with hundreds of Utah teachers and industry partners that want to see STEM succeed in your school! Grade band sessions focus on lessons aligned to state standards and STEM support sessions focus on the bigger picture and local resources.
Cost: FREE!
How: For more information and to register. visit stem.utah.gov/bestpractices/

*Be sure to provide your cell number where requested- it will be used for check-in AND  for the drawing for very generous prizes donated by industry partners!*
**7 relicensure points will be available for attendees**

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For Educators and their grade 6-10 Students:
What: STEM Fest 2019
When: Monday, October 7 & Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Where: Mountain America Expo Center
Who: 6th-10th grade students
Why: Over 120 hands-on experiences and industry exhibitors. Students will be able to learn about diverse and exciting local STEM careers!
Cost: Registration is FREE and bus scholarships are available
How: Visit utahstemfest.com for registration and more information.

Have you ever needed to access your District voicemail when you’re out and about? Good News – you can access your District voicemail by dialing 801-567-8111. Once your call is connected you will be asked to enter your 5-digit extension and your password. You can then follow the prompts to retrieve your voicemails and/or change your Availability States.

Speaking of Availability States, your phone has six availability state options. You are able to change the availability state of your phone, by selecting the button beneath the word State.

• Available – most phones default to this state. Calls are forwarded to voicemail after 4 rings, with a message that states you are “Not available, please leave a message”.
• In A Meeting – calls are forwarded to voicemail after 1 ring, with a message that states you are “In a meeting, please leave a message”.
• Out of Office – calls are forwarded to voicemail after1 ring, with a message that states you are “Out of the office, please leave a message”.
• Vacation – calls are forwarded to voicemail after 1 ring, with a message that states you are “Out of the office and will not be checking messages”.
• Custom – calls are forwarded to voicemail after 1 ring, with a message that states you are “Not available, please leave a message”.
• Do Not Disturb – calls are forwarded to voicemail after 1 ring, with a message you are “Not available, please leave a message”.

To customize a message for each state, press the # key and enter the voicemail password. Press the number key 7, then 2, and follow the prompts.

The name search, through the voice directory, allows parents and others to find your extension and talk to/or leave you a message. If you don’t record your name, during voicemail setup, parents and others will be unable to find your extension. To record your name on the phone – Press the # key and enter the voicemail password. Press the number key 7, then 6, and follow the prompts.

Phone Quick Reference

This is a reminder to not open emails or attachments from people that you don’t know.  By opening an attached file or clicking on a link in the email, you may download a virus or malware to your computer.

Cases of unsolicited emails claiming to be from tutzhoneychurch22@mail.com or similar email addresses and using subjects such as "Ms Tuts Honeychurch" with nothing in the body of the email and contains two attachments, one word DOCX and one PDF have been sent around the District.  If you receive an email like this, please mark it as spam and delete.

It’s the No. 1 move to protect your information and money with URS.

Create a myURS account and log in regularly.

• Establish your account so fraudsters can’t create one in your name.
• Manage your contact information to ensure you get notifications of account activity.
• Verify that your records are correct.
• Log in at least once a year to avoid having your delivery preferences reset to paper.

Learn How to Create a myURS Account at www.urs.org/us/myurs

Everyone is invited to take a big-picture view of retirement planning at the following free 2019 URS Seminars.

2019 URS Seminar Brochure

Applications are now open for the summer History Academy for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade teachers.  The Academy will run June 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7th.  Teachers will receive instruction on using literacy skills to teach history and will receive a stipend for attending and completing the Academy.

Priority will be given to school teams of a 4th, 5th and 6th grade teacher or teams of grade level teachers.  There are only 15 slots available.  Applications need to be emailed to Pam Su'a at pamela.sua@jordandistrict.org by April 12.

To apply please submit the following information:

1. Name and grade of teachers wishing to participate.
2. A statement that all teachers on the team will attend every day of the Academy and participate fully.
3. A statement detailing how much social studies you currently are able to teach.

Selected teachers will be notified by April 15 and given further details.

The advantage of a Roth IRA is the potential to withdraw tax-free in retirement.

You pay taxes upfront by contributing after tax dollars. In return, you enjoy tax-free withdrawals when you meet certain conditions — generally, that the account is at least five years old and you’re over age 59.

Contribute to your URS Roth IRA through payroll deductions. You may also roll funds from other Roth IRAs or other retirement plans to your URS account.

IRS limits apply to your combined contributions to all traditional and Roth IRAs.

Because most of your retirement income sources — pension, Social Security, 401(k) — will likely be taxed, the Roth IRA gives you tax diversity in retirement.

Here’s another great thing about the Roth IRA: You can withdraw your contributions (not counting any earnings) without taxes or penalties at any time. This makes it perfect for saving for both retirement and unexpected expenses.

Learn more about the URS Roth IRA on the URS Roth IRA page.

Do you feel like you have been hibernating all winter? Wake up from your winter blues and rejuvenate your body and mind in the garden. It’s easy to participate:

• Register using this link or at pehp.org
• Track your activity
• Report your step total at the end of the month

• Enter drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card!

Any activity counts towards “steps” whether you walk, run, bike, swim, or play basketball! QUESTIONS? Call: 801-366-7300 Toll Free: 855-366-7300 or Email: healthyutah@pehp.org

In order to increase security to Jordan School District computer systems, the following changes are being implemented:

• The minimum password length will be 10 characters for employee passwords in Skyward, Google and Active Directory (the password you use to log in to your computer every morning.) At some point over the next few months, you may be prompted to create a new password that is at least 10 characters long. As a reminder, a strong password includes upper case and lower case letters, numbers and symbols.
• For employee Google email accounts (@jordandistrict.org), emails will have an eight-year retention. All emails that are eight years or older will automatically be deleted from Google.

If you have any questions, please contact the Information Systems help desk at 801-567-8737.

All Licensed Educators,

Thank you for your past and present interest in the JSD Teacher Transfer Fair Events. This is an important event for licensed educators who are seeking new opportunities throughout the District.

The Teacher Transfer Fair schedule is as follows:

• Thursday, March 28, 2019
• Riverton High (gym) 12476 S. Silverwolf Way, Riverton, UT 84065
• 4:30-6:00 p.m.
• ***Both Elementary and Secondary Schools will be participating.

Here are a few reminders for licensed educators participating in this event:

• Bring your JSD ID badge, which will allow you entrance into the fair
• Bring copies of your resume to distribute

Additional information regarding the transfer process will be available at the fair.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the 2019 Teacher Transfer Fair at Riverton High.

Do you often feel like you don’t have the time to be active? Just 10 minutes/3 times a day most days a week can have a huge impact on your health. Join us this month to ensure you get your activity in for the day with some quick, fun workouts.

Learn why eating well is key to healthy weight loss, effective workouts, managing disease and mental health.  Stories include:

• Outer Aisle Fresh: When trying to lose a few pounds, learn to spot innocent-looking but high-calorie foods that can derail your progress.
• Get Moving: Eating a well-balanced diet will supply the nutrients and energy needed to improve your workout results and how well you exercise.
• The Whole You - Physical Health:  The right nutrition prescription can help your body heal and perform well when managing individual health conditions.
• The Whole You - Emotional/Mental Health: We can relieve stress through regular exercise, relaxation techniques and sound sleep. Can we also reduce stress with diet?
• Fiscal Fitness: Here's how to take advantage of farmers markets.
• Plus Healthy Connections: According to a recent study, the number of obese children and adolescents worldwide has increased from 11 million to 124 million in the past 40 years. What does this mean for the next generation’s health? And, what can parents do to encourage their kids to be active?
• Stock Your Tool Box: Don’t miss our downloadable and printable PDF, DASH to Better Health.

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• March 2019 EMI Be Well Newsletter

You are invited to attend a Depth of Knowledge Professional Development Course.

This course will dive into Depth of Knowledge and give participants time to apply DOK to their current curriculum.  Please bring your laptop, curriculum maps, and upcoming unit materials.  It is more beneficial if you attend with a PLC colleague and the course is open to all levels and subject areas.

• Substitutes are covered by Jordan School District. Sign up on JPLS.
• Depth of Knowledge Professional Development Course, February 28, 2019, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at JATC North

The Jordan School District Joint Relations Committee has agreed that JSD administrators will interview 3 instead of 2 transfer applicants for each position from March 1 and/or until 10 working days prior to New Teacher Induction.  District policy DP304NEG will not be changed.

Please take advantage of the following free webinars, which will help you to better understand your retirement.

The following webinars are available in February and March for URS members to attend:

• Tier 2 Choice
  If you’re within the first year on the job, you’ve got a big decision for your financial future. This webinar will help you understand your retirement choice between the Tier 2 Hybrid Retirement System and the Tier 2 401(k) Only Plan.
  February 19, 3 p.m. » Register Now | March 13, 10 a.m. » Register Now
• Tier 1 Public Employees
  This is an overview of the Tier 1 pension benefits.
  March 21, 11 a.m. » Register Now

Show some love to the minerals in your life by participating in the #BeMinedUtah19 competition. The Utah Trust Lands Administration is giving $500 to the two schools with the most creative photos showing how minerals help power their students, classrooms or schools.

For more information, please visit trustlands.utah.gov/beminedutah19/.

MasteryConnect has added a new feature for teachers that allows them to create and author items in their own personal item bank.

So what does this mean?
Currently, the majority of teachers in our district are using document based assessments in MasteryConnect. In other words, they are uploading a document into MasteryConnect and then creating an assessment to give to their students.

Some schools have purchased an item bank that gives teachers access to thousands of “items” or test questions that have been aligned to core standards. These items are very different from document based assessments because they allow for many of the technology enhanced features that our students have seen on their end of year SAGE tests. These features also require students to interact with the questions in a more authentic way, and allows teachers to assess at a deeper level.

Jordan School District teachers now have the ability to use these same technology enhanced features to create their own “items” in their personal teacher item bank!

How should teachers name the items that they create?
Many teachers have discovered this tool on their own, and have begun to create items in their banks. Because teachers will eventually be able to share these items with other teachers throughout the district, we are asking teachers to use a very specific naming convention for the items that they create.The naming convention we ask users to follow is: School location #, 3-digit User Initials, teacher-selected title.

Here is an example of a test item I might create:

Where can teachers learn more about Teacher Item Banks?

• Step by step how to guide
• Item bank descriptions
• Video Tutorial

*If a group of teachers in one location would like a training, have your administrator contact Todd Theobald, our JSD MasteryConnect Consultant.

A broken arm doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s Saturday afternoon. The kids are playing in the backyard. One falls and breaks his arm. Where you choose to take him for treatment could save you a bundle.  Take a look at this PEHP flyer for more information.

PEHP Urgent Care Flyer 

You are invited to the Jordan Parent University on Thursday, Feb. 7 from 7 – 8 p.m. at Joel P. Jensen Middle.

There will be a Legislative panel discussion with opportunities to hear updates & ask questions of local elected officials.

• Jordan Parent University Legislative Forum Flyer 

Please take the time to understand how the new tax cut law will impact your 2018 tax return.

When filing your 2018 tax return this year, here are some important reminders from the IRS

• There were major tax law changes in 2018 that will affect the tax return you file early in 2019. This could affect the amount of your tax bill or tax refund.
• There were changes in the withholding tables in early 2018 that meant you received more take-home pay in your paycheck. These changes mean that you could see a change in the amount of your tax refund or tax bill when you file your tax return in 2019, especially if you didn’t adjust your withholding on a Form W-4 during 2018.
• Remember, these changes come from the new tax law, not your payroll or human resource office.
• To understand whether you might face an amount due with your 2018 tax return, do a “paycheck checkup” now. Grab your most recent pay stub and search IRS.gov for “Withholding Calculator.”

To prepare for 2019 taxes

• If you want to adjust the amount you receive in a refund or a tax bill for 2019, you need to submit an updated Form W-4 with your employer as soon as possible.
• It’s important to check your paycheck withholding every year, but it’s especially important in 2019 if you:
  • Had too much or too little withheld from your paycheck in 2018 and had an unexpected result when you filed your 2018 taxes in early 2019.
  • Performed a “Paycheck Checkup” and adjusted your withholding in 2018. Re-check your with- holding for 2019 to make sure you’re having the right amount withheld.

2018 Tax Cut Flyer