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We are writing to inform you of an important update to our professional learning registration system, JPLS. Starting with the 2024-25 school year, we will be transitioning from JPLS to Canvas Catalog for all in-district professional development class registration and transcript records for those classes.

Action Required: To ensure a smooth transition, we ask each teacher to take the following steps by June 30, 2024:

  • Log into JPLS and download an archive of your transcript
  • Save these records in a secure location for your reference

Why This Change? This decision was made after careful consideration to enhance our professional learning experience. Canvas Catalog offers a more user-friendly interface for end users and provides additional features that we believe will significantly benefit our teachers.  We understand that change can be challenging, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Detailed instructions on downloading your transcript from JPLS is available using the link below.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please reach out to Chris Westra in Teaching and Learning, christine.westra@jordandistrict.org or Jared Covili, Admin - Digital Teaching and Learning, jared.covili@jordandistrict.org.

Q3 2024 Blomquist Hale NewsletterThe Blomquist Hale Newsletter for the quarter has arrived. In this issue, you will find articles on:

  • Spending Time With Family: It’s Time To Unplug - Nowadays, there are many distractions in our world. Life can feel crazy. We are all trying to juggle work, school, social activities, growing to-do lists and of course cell phones and screen time. In todays world, access to phones, tablets, laptops, and smart TV’s is easier than ever. Our lives are lived through multiple screens, each demanding our time and attention, even as we complain that we don’t have enough to give. Whether we are posting on social media sites, checking our emails, playing games or watching entertainment - we are glued to our digital devices.
  • The Importance of Spending Time Together - The benefits of spending time with your family is hard to ignore, which is why it is crucial to make family time a priority. Not only does it have a positive effect on your child’s mental health, but it also makes a real difference in their general well-being and academic performance. Below are a few additional benefits to consider.
  • Fun Activities - Check out 25 ideas for fun activities you and your family can do this summer.

If you have any questions, please contact Jordan Insurance Services at 801-567-8146 or insurance@jordandistrict.org.


July 2024 Blomquist Hale Workshop FlyersBlomquist Hale has two workshops coming up in July! See attached for the workshop flyer and details outlined below.

  • Topic: Financial Wellness: Navigating Stress, Budgeting, and Healthy Habits
    Date: July 15
    Time: 12 – 1 p.m. MT
    Location: Online!
  • Topic: Road Rage
    Date: July 23
    Time: 12 – 1 p.m. MT
    Location: Online!

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

If you have any questions, please contact Jordan Insurance Services at 801-567-8146 or insurance@jordandistrict.org.

WarriorsFest FlyerThe Utah Warriors Rugby team is holding the "WarriorsFest" on June 28 at America First Field. They are attempting to break the record to create the world's largest beach ball pit. Proceeds are going to Primary Children's Hospital. The Warriors are trying to get 15,000 people at this event which will be on national TV.

As part of their efforts, the Warriors are offering $10 tickets for the Jordan School District employees.  There will also be live music, a pre-game fanfest, world class rugby, fireworks, and more!  To get tickets, use the link below.

Dear Educators,

As the school year winds down, we want to give you a big heartfelt thank you! Utah is lucky to have some of the best educators in the nation – you truly make an impact on your students’ lives, your communities, and our state.

Education is the foundation of Utah’s success and the gateway to our future, which is why we’ve made significant investments and advancements in public education. We hope you have felt or will feel some of these benefits in your classrooms, such as:

  • Extra preparation days
  • Increased funds for classroom supplies
  • Lower school fees for your students
  • A boost to your salary
  • Additional paid parental leave
  • A new hotline to help you overcome administrative hurdles

Having visited classrooms around the state and seen the amazing work you do first-hand, we genuinely believe that given some of the hurdles we face, such as many more kids per capita than any other state, the teachers of Utah achieve the best results in the country. We recognize challenges still need to be addressed and are committed to continuing to invest in you and your students.

Your input is highly valued and a significant part of the legislative process. Please continue reaching out to share your feedback, thoughts, and concerns with us and your legislator by visiting le.utah.gov. Additionally, throughout the year, you may receive periodic updates to help keep you informed on education policy in our great state. Again, thank you for all you do. Your sacrifices, hard work, and passion make Utah’s students and education system nothing less than exceptional.

With sincere appreciation,
J. Stuart Adams
Senate President
Mike Schultz
Speaker of the House


A friendly reminder for the Employee-Funded Sick Bank Policy,

  1. Employees are automatically enrolled in the sick bank each year through the annual donation of one (1) annual leave day to the sick bank.

More information regarding the Employee-Funded Sick Bank can be found in policies, DP326NEG -Sick Leave-Educational Support Professionals and DP 324NEG -Sick Leave-Licensed.

For those who wish to opt out of participation in the Employee-Funded Sick Bank, keep an eye out for instructions starting in the July issues of JEM and JAM.

*First Year Educational Support Professionals and hourly employees are not eligible for sick bank, therefore, a sick bank day will not be deducted (if applicable).

2024 URS Seminar ScheduleA brighter retirement horizon starts here! Learn more about free URS seminars and see location and registration details at www.urs.org/us/seminars.

Early to Mid-Career Seminars
In-Person | 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Cottonwood Heights | July 18
Virtual | 9 - 11:30 a.m. | Oct. 25

Pre-Retirement Seminars
In-Person » 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
St.George: May 30
Moab: June 6
Ogden: June 14
South Salt Lake: June 21
Orem: June 28
Murray: July 12
Logan: July 19
Farmington: July 26
Draper: Aug. 2
Roosevelt: Aug. 7
Virtual » 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
March 29 | May 31 | Oct. 18

Retiree Seminars
In-Person | 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
South Salt Lake | Sept. 13
Virtual | 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Oct. 11


The following are new administrative assignments:

New Assignments effective July 1, 2024:

  • Shauna Worthington, previously assigned assistant principal at Riverton Elementary appointed principal at Riverton Elementary.
  • April Thompson, previously assigned assistant principal at Oakcrest Elementary will remain assistant principal at Riverton Elementary.
  • Austin Howarth, administrative intern at Riverton High appointed assistant principal at Copper Mountain Middle.
  • Joel Pullan, principal at Riverton Elementary appointed assistant principal at JATC-North Campus and Southpointe Adult High.

June 2024 Payroll NewsCheck out the attached flyer for the latest updates from Payroll for June.  Here are some highlights.

  • Remember that payroll is due on June 4 and payday is June 25. Direct Deposit changes must be submitted by June 10. You can view your paycheck on June 21.
  • Direct deposit is required and you can sign up for, or update your Direct Deposit  via Skyward Employee Access. If you do not have direct deposit your check will be held in the Payroll Department at the District Office for pickup.
  • Tax Season also means your W4 may need updated.
  • The last working day for Elementary Assistants is June 7. True Time Employees MUST clock out and submit all of their True Time on their last day of work this week, no later than Friday, June 7th. True Time Approvers, please approve all True Time by the end of day on Friday, June 7.
  • True time deadlines are as follows - Pay Period May 6 - June 2 | Employee Final Submittal: June 5 | First Approval: June 7 | Final Approval: June 11.


Please be aware of the variety of learning opportunities available to educators this summer.

Super Charge Your Classroom Management FlyerThis course is geared towards teachers who want to supercharge their classroom management skills! Effective Teacher Training (ETT) will be offered this summer from June 12 - July 31. An $800 stipend is available to all licensed educators who complete the entire course.

Space is limited, so please distribute the attached flyer before your teachers leave for the summer and have them register on JPLS by June 7, 2024.

June 2024 Blomquist Hale Workshop FlyerBlomquist Hale has one workshop coming up in June! See attached for the workshop flyer and details outlined below.  

  • Topic: How to Make The Most Out of Your Job
    Date: June 12
    Time: 1 – 2 p.m. MT
    Location: Online!

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

Salt Lake Bees Employee Appreciation Night for Jordan School DistrictJordan School District and the Salt Lake Bees are once again joining forces to show appreciation to all JSD employees by offering free tickets to an upcoming Bees game on Wednesday, August 7.

As the game gets closer, we will be sending an email to all employees with a link to sign up for tickets to the game.

Please provide your email in the form below if you would like us to send you an individual reminder about the game and signup.

We look forward to seeing you for a night at the ballpark!

You Too Can ¡Habla Espanol! FlyerBeginning in August, the Language & Culture Services team wants to hold a Spanish for Educators class. We are excited to help you communicate with your students!

Please complete the interest form at the link below, to help us gauge interest, and determine class times/locations.  Classes will only be for licensed educators only.

Stipends will be provided, more information to follow.

IMPORTANT PAYROLL REMINDER TRUE TIME EMPLOYEES AND APPROVERS
If May 31 is the last day True Time employees and approvers are working before summer break, please make sure all True Time is submitted and approved on time to avoid a delay in receiving June paychecks. True Time employees MUST clock out and submit all of their True Time on their last day of work this week, no later than Friday, May 31. True Time approvers MUST approve all of their True Time by the end of the day May 31.

Money IconEmployees should look at the True Time History to make certain all True Time has been submitted and approved before they leave for summer break. Attached are instructions for employees using True Time to monitor their payroll status:

  • Unsubmitted Timesheets
  • Waiting for Approval
  • Waiting for Payroll
  • History.

Reviewing your True Time status will help avoid a delay in receiving your paycheck.

If you have questions or concerns, please call 801-567-8154 or visit payroll.jordandistrict.org.

The Advancing Pathways toward Equity and eXcellence with Educators of Multilingual Learners (APEX) Project is offered by the University of Utah and funded by the U.S. Department of Education.  The APEX Project centers on advancing four professional development pathways including degree pathways that support educators of multilingual learners across varied professional roles.  All pathways emphasize effective evidence-based practices for improving outcomes for multilingual learners.  If you are interested, please see additional details below:


APEX OverviewAPEX Project Overview
The APEX Project Overview describes each of four professional development offerings. The implementation of each pathway is tailored to partner districts’ growing need for highly qualified educators of MLs and supported by district liaisons, year-long mentors/advisors, and local and national experts in ML-focused evidence-based instructional practices.


APEX Online FlyerAPEX Online, self-paced Intensive Training Series (ITS)
The APEX Online, self-paced Intensive Training Series (ITS) is geared for support personnel (paraeducators, family advocates, after school coordinators, etc.).  They earn 4-credit hours of upper-level undergraduate credit. The flyer includes a link to the application/registration form. Unlimited enrollment is available. This is NOT an ESL endorsement but is training that aligns with TESOL standards structured for those in supporting roles.


APEX Summer Institute FlyerAPEX Summer Institute
The APEX Summer Institute includes a 2-week hybrid (online, & 4 in-person days at U campus) focused on Creating a welcoming, inclusive, literacy-rich environment for Newcomers and their families.  This is an advanced training for teachers who already have their ESL endorsement and want to freshen up their skills.  This earns them 3 credit hours of graduate-level continuing education credit. The flyer includes a link to the application/registration form. Enrollment is limited to 100.


The ESL/MED pathway has 10-15 slots available for Jordan School District employees. Teachers who join the current cohort that begins June 3 will be joining the Canyons District cohort, which means the limited number of in person meetings would be at the Canyons Administrative building.  The good news is that the two summer courses are all fully online and the first in-person meetings would be Aug. 1 & 2 and the next course will be in October.

If you are interested, please see the links included in this announcement.

Strategies for English Learners FlyerWould you like help teaching and supporting Multilingual Learners in your class? Come to one of these sessions at ASB. You will leave with basic tools to understand the needs of and apply strategies for teaching multilingual learners.

  • Monday, July 29
  • Wednesday, July 31
  • Monday, August 5
  • Wednesday, August 7
  • There will be more classes in the fall

Register at forms.gle/QKtPsWne1yaVwvsn8 or use the QR Code in the flyer