Jordan School District School Counseling has partnered with Granite School District, Salt Lake Community College, and the Utah Department of Workforce Services to hold the ChamberWest Job Fair.  The Job Fair will be held on Friday April 9, 2021 at Granger High School.  It will be student focused from 2 - 4 p.m. and open to the community from 4 - 6 p.m. District students can get more information by contacting their school’s Counseling Center.

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Are You Looking for a Job? Your New Career Could be Just Around the Corner

If you are looking for a new job or a first-time career, please join us for the free COVID friendly JOB FAIR.

The JOB FAIR will be held on Friday April 9, 2021 at Granger High School in West Valley City:

• Student Focused from 2 – 4 p.m.
• Open to the Community from 4 – 6 p.m.

For More Information, please visit www.ChamberWest.com

• 2021 Chamberwest Job Fair Flyer

Dear Jordan Employees,

I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to each of you. My name is Niki George and I was recently elected to represent District 6 on the school board. This is specifically the Western edge of West Jordan with all my schools feeding into Copper Hills High School. 

By way of introduction, I am a special education teacher, having worked in both severe and mild/moderate classrooms. I was raised here in Utah, and attended the University of Utah until receiving my Master’s Degree. I taught until I had my first child, and then became a stay-at-home mom for ten years while my children were home. I have four children attending elementary school in the district. During this time at home, I experienced education from a new perspective, volunteering in classrooms, on the PTA, and in the School Community Council. This was also the time when I began attending school board meetings. I have been a lover of public education through each step of my life, beginning with my own school experience, and the names of my own teachers, held reverent to this day. When my youngest was nearly old enough to go to first grade and thus full school days, I began to wonder what life would look like next. I took a job teaching and decided to run for Jordan School Board. 

I know something of the joy and difficulty that comes along with working with children. I believe strongly in the potential of public education and want to contribute to that process. This is the work of love, and will never be successful unless people from many backgrounds come together to create real solutions. I know that my knowledge is inadequate to make important school board decisions, and so I rely on the contributions and perspectives of many people to be successful. I welcome your thoughts and feedback. Please feel free to contact me at niki.george@jordandistrict.org or 801-694-8576. Thank you for the contributions you make to the lives of children. While we may never reach levels of fame and fortune, we will live forever in the minds of the students whose world was expanded because of a teacher. I look forward to working with you and thank you for the effect that you have had on my own children in your efforts to affect the lives of children in the Jordan School District.

Sincerely,
Niki George

1. Report from West Jordan Secondary Schools on West Jordan Feeder Grant
   Action: For the next meeting, the Board requested that the staff report on the history of Title I funding, how it is currently being used at elementary schools and why it is not being given to secondary schools; information on EARS funding, how it started and how it works.
   Action: The Finance Committee was directed to begin exploring other funding opportunities outside of Title I to continue some of the support that West Jordan secondary school principals are requesting.
2. Review of ESSER II Application (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund)
   Action: Staff instructed to place this on the next agenda for formal Board approval.
3. Discussion on School Fees 2021-22
   No action taken.
4. Friday Schedule Survey
   Action: Direction to the committee which was formed to study the Friday schedule to report at the next meeting on the direction of the committee and a realistic timeline for bringing back recommendations. Committee was charged to study direction, timeline, demographic concerns, results by school, data to evaluate, USBE approval, concerns and ways to increase support, instructional delivery and how to meet the needs of all students.
   Action: Staff instructed to post the survey results on the JSD website and emphasize that no decision has been made.
5. Updates to Administrative Policy DP380 Maternity/Paternity Leave
   Action: Direction to staff to broaden DP380 to include leave for adoption (currently part of the sick leave policy).
6. Discussion on Board Communication/Connection to Stakeholders Action: Board members agreed to discontinue Board letters, continue streaming meetings, research software to provide links/timestamp for start of each agenda item/topic; and begin a written summary by staff, corrected by Board then sent out in JEM by Friday following the meeting. Bryce will lead efforts to check into requirements for storing video streaming and make recommendations for sending out the summary.
   Action: Board voted to participate in summer parades and directed Superintendent Godfrey to coordinate the arrangements. An invitation was extended to Superintendent, Associate Superintendent and Business Administrator to participate in parades without obligation to do so.
7.  Scope of Jordan Ethnic Advisory Committee
   Action: Board agreed that the initial focus of the Committee be narrowed to people of color (employees, students and families); the need for other potential groups will be explored at another time.
   Action: Superintendent given assignment to invite leadership of JEAC for introduction at the next Board meeting.
8. Discussion on Funding Source for Overbudget 2021 Summer Projects
   Action: Board voted to request the full amount of RDA funds in the JSD account held by South Jordan City; use $2.26 million to pay for overage on 2021 summer projects with direction to staff for the balance of RDA funds to be held in a separate line item by JSD for future projects.
9. Review of Threshold for Board Approval on Purchases in Policy BP178 Purchasing Provisions
   Action: Board direction to the Finance Committee to review policy BP178 for appropriateness of Board approval threshold.
10. Professional Development Board Book Study
    No action taken.
11. Update on Pandemic Response
    Action: Board direction to Superintendent to use threshold of 2% or 30 active cases, whichever is higher, two days in a row before JSD “test to stay” process is implemented.
    Action: Board direction to not seek parent permission slips for “test to stay” until a school gets close to the threshold; left to the discretion of the Superintendent to determine when it is necessary.
    Action: Board authorized the Superintendent to discontinue daily pandemic report to Board; to be a notification alert only if a school is trending upward, prior to sending out parent permission slips or advisory letter to parents. Dashboard on website to continue updates as they are currently.
    Action: Board voted to add a tenth option to the list of choices so high schools may hold graduation at a third-party venue, if desired, available and restrictions allow. A public process (survey or School Community Council) is required of the school prior to making this decision.
12. Board Reports and Comments
    Action: Authorization to send thank-you letter to legislators.

We are excited to announce the State Legislature has authorized a COVID-19 Bonus for employees. To qualify, employees must have started work by December 1, 2020, and must still be employed by the District.

The legislature provided the bonus for school-based Education Support Professionals, Licensed Employees, and Administrators. Through a cooperative effort, the Board of Education, JESPA, and JEA have made it possible for employees who are not based at a school to receive a bonus as well. As a result, all FTE based (non-miscellaneous) employees will receive the bonus on their March 25, 2021 paycheck.

The amount of the bonus is proportional to the employee’s full-time equivalent status (part-time or full-time) multiplied by $1,000 for Education Support Professional employees and $1,500 for Licensed and Administrator employees. Substitutes, athletic coaches, and sweepers do not qualify for the bonus.

On behalf of the Legislature, the Board of Education, and the children we have all served these past several difficult months – thank you!

Our Wonderful Utah Educators,

It is astounding that we are approaching the one-year mark since the COVID-19 pandemic ushered our schools into “soft closures.” I do not believe any of us knew in those early moments that the way we were reimagining education for our children during the pandemic would carry-on for this long. I want to thank you for the way you have adjusted and adapted to each and every challenge as it has come your way. I also appreciate the concerted efforts extended by so many education stakeholders to support our children’s physical, emotional, and academic well-being.

In addition to your extraordinary efforts, it has been remarkable how quickly and decisively our policy makers responded to the challenges of our day by adjusting or waiving requirements and repurposing funding as possible. For example, the Utah State Board of Education waived 13 rules in 2020-2021 to provide increased flexibility for educators and schools. In addition to these waivers, the Board is seeking relief from using the 2020-2021 state assessments for federal and state school accountability requirements.

Some have asked, “why aren’t we also seeking a waiver on the administration of state assessments?” Some even may worry about the time and logistics required to administer the RISE and Utah Aspire Plus tests to our students and question if continuing forward is in the best interest of our students and schools. These concerns have been discussed and thoughtfully considered by many, including the Board and its assessment and accountability advisory councils, which include assessment directors, superintendents, teacher and parent organizations and technical experts. Ultimately, given the broader purpose of state assessments (beyond accountability), which includes providing parents, educators, administrators, and policymakers with an additional tool to plan and target necessary resources, I am supportive of the decision to continue with the administration of our state assessments to the greatest extent feasible.

Perhaps there has never been a greater need for data to understand more fully, not just the impacts of the pandemic induced disruptions, but to identify and promote some of the foremost innovations that will emerge through the burden of necessity that each of you have carried on behalf of your students.

We are taking steps to ensure all 2021 data are protected from misuse and appropriately interpreted. One of these steps includes providing the opportunity for students to report information on their experiences this year to contextualize and interpret the assessments.

By collecting this valuable data, we will be able to work collaboratively to resource and support your efforts as we move into future academic years. Again, I appreciate you and all you do to ensure the academic and emotional well-being for our Utah students. You are always my heroes, especially this year.

Sincerely,
Sydnee Dickson, Ed.D.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Utah State Board of Education

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• Letter from Superintendent Sydnee Dickson

Community Nursing Services (CNS) is offering COVID-19 vaccine to educators and school staff by appointment only.  Please follow the instructions and guidelines below:

These appointments can also be used by individuals who were unable to attend their second boost appointment provided by Community Nursing Services due to uncontrollable events. We ask for your honesty in using this accommodation appropriately.

Note that vaccine availability is only for individuals (educators and staff only) who have secured an appointment through this link. It is NOT appropriate to attempt to attend without one. A confirmation email will be received and need be shown prior to clinic entry. Those scheduling should be sure to CORRECTLY input their own email address for confirmation. Confirmation emails should be printed out or be ready to show on an electronic device as this will be required as proof of appointment.

Before attending your scheduled appointment, please consider the following:

• Please be prepared to show a printed or electronic copy of your confirmation upon clinic entry
• Moderna Vaccine will be available at you appointment though will only be administered to eligible individuals 18 years of age and older. A 2nd dose will be needed at least 28 days after the 1st dose is given (2nd “boost appointments” to be scheduled following your appointment)
• Though there is no out of pocket cost to receiving this vaccine, those with insurance are EXPECTED to bring their insurance card and present it at time of service
• Please bring an ID
• If possible, please bring your own pen (due to volume of people at the clinic and to avoid sharing)
• Consent forms will be filled out at the time of service
• ONLY those with an appointment should be attending
• It is expected that you wear a facial covering
• Because this is a first in a lifetime vaccine, a common area will be provided where you will be asked to remain for 10-15 minutes following the administration of vaccine for observation
• Individuals with a history of life threatening allergy will be referred to their provider for vaccination
• Please come dressed appropriately for your vaccine to administered in your shoulder (do not wear long sleeve shirts that cannot be rolled up). We do not provide screens. Short sleeve or loose items are best
• Every participant will be given a CDC Record card (white) and a pink copy of the consent form

Use the link below to schedule your appointment. Note the appointment type listed below for which you need to select.

Appointments are available now…if unused, they will be transitioned to general public this week. Please act now while the vaccinations are available.

• Updated CNS COVID-19 Vaccine Sign Up Site

South Jordan City has two programs to help employees afford housing in their city.

1. Down Payment Assistance - A successful workforce-housing inventory requires long-term commitment and consistent administration through periods of economic downturn as well as economic growth. South Jordan City is anticipated to remain a highly desirable place to live even as housing costs outpace local wages. The purpose of the Housing Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA) is to improve the quality of life for families and the quality of the community, by helping low- and moderate-income households who qualify to purchase housing in South Jordan City. The program seeks to give assistance to households who otherwise would not be able to become homeowners, while ensuring home ownership as a long-term successful goal. Program funding is provided as a loan which converts to a grant if all terms of the program are met. The Housing Down Payment Assistance Program is administered by the South Jordan Redevelopment Agency (RDA).
   • South Jordan Down Payment Brochure, Application & Manual
2. Government Employee Housing - Ivory Homes has partnered with South Jordan City and the affordable housing initiative, to announce beautiful Townomes in South Jordan! Bingham Court is located on 11400 S and 1300 W. This community is being released in segments but will eventually have a total of 24 cottage home lots ranging from 5,070 - 6,378 sq. ft. and 26 townhome lots ranging from 1,518 - 2,720 sq. ft. Space is very limited and going fast. If you are interested, call Jace Moysh at 801-864-1068.
   • Ivory Homes Bingham Court Information

Check out the March 2021 Be Well newsletter from EMI. Stories include:

• Immunity Support on Your Plate - If you’ve read a headline that mentions immune boosting, don’t believe the hype. The idea of boosting the immune system with supplements or specific ingredients is misleading and scientifically inaccurate.
• Plant-Based: What Does It Mean? - Plant-based eating is a lifestyle where you choose to eat mostly whole foods that come from plants. The plan involves replacing highly processed foods with lots of vegetables, fruit, grains, beans, soy, lentils, nuts and seeds. Plant-based diets are good for human health and also for our planet.
• Avoid Doom Scrolling - Repeatedly checking out bad news can be unhealthy. Of course, the internet and social media are popular ways to stay informed about things that can potentially impact your safety or that of your region: a pandemic, hurricanes or earthquakes. But doom scrolling (also known as doom surfing) — searching for and reading article after article filled with bad news — isn’t healthy.
• Recipe for Laughter - The ability to laugh easily and often is seriously good medicine. Laughter appears to strengthen immunity and cardiovascular health, improve attitude and memory, and ease pain and distressing emotions.

To receive the monthly Be Well Newsletter via email and check out back issues, please visit the EMI Hope Health Newsletter page.

• March 2021 Be Well Newsletter

In the November, it was announced that any and all websites in the domain of Weebly or Wix would be blocked in January. This action has been delayed. Wix and Weebly sites will be available through July 15, 2021. This will give individuals additional time to transfer sites to a JSD supported website.

The Payroll Department will no longer email “Important Payroll Deadlines” to employees.

Please refer to monthly dates and deadlines on the Payroll web page found at payroll.jordandistrict.org.

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Individual Retirement Planning Sessions

Utah Retirement Systems are scheduling extra sessions throughout March for Retirement Planning.  These sessions are a free valuable service where URS calculate where employees will be in retirement.

• URS Individual Retirement Planning Session Information

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URS Tier I Virtual Presentation

Please join us for a URS Tier I Virtual Presentation on Friday, March 11, 2021 from 4:00pm-5:00pm via Microsoft Teams Meeting

• Microsoft Teams meeting - Join on your computer or mobile app
  Use this link to join the meeting

Locations selected for testing this week include:

TestUtah sites:

• Herriman High School, 11917 S Mustang Trail, Herriman (drive-through), Wednesday, 3/3 and Thursday, 3/4 – 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. (both days)
  Register at testutah.com
• West Jordan City Hall, 8000 S Redwood Rd., West Jordan (drive-through), Friday, 3/5 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, 3/6 – 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  Register at testutah.com

Results of tests from TestUtah sites will be emailed with a link to the patient portal where results can be accessed. For issues with accessing TestUtah results, please call (801) 683-0790.  

UDOH/National Guard mobile test team sites:
Testing at UDOH/National Guard mobile test team sites is limited to individuals age 5 and older.

• Cannon Health Building, 288 N 1460 W, Salt Lake City, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Register here.
• Utah State Fair Park (building #51), 155 N 1000 W (Enter through the northwest corner at 300 N and 1200 W), Salt Lake City, Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Register here.
• Corner Canyon High School, 12943 S 700 E (in front of the Commons area), Draper, Monday, 3/1 –  3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 3/6 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register here.
• Salt Lake Community College – Taylorsville Campus, 4408 South Redwood Road, Salt Lake City (parking lot V at the northeast end of the Taylorsville campus), Monday, 3/1 – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Register here.
• Salt Lake Community College – Jordan Campus, 3491 W 9000 S, West Jordan, (drive-through in the parking lot on the north side of the Jordan campus, Friday, 3/5 – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Register here.

Test results from these locations will be emailed to you in an encrypted file from CV19result@utah.gov 30 minutes to several hours after your test is done. If the testing location is extremely busy, it may take a while to process your results. If you don’t see an email in your inbox, look in spam or junk mail.  Or try to open the email on a non-app browser (chrome, firefox, etc.) and on a computer or non-phone device. If you have trouble opening the email or it doesn’t come within a few hours, call (385) 273-7878 for assistance.

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The following location is offered through the Salt Lake County Health Department. Rapid antigen testing is limited to individuals with COVID-19 symptoms. Exposed and asymptomatic individuals will be offered a swab PCR test that will provide results within 2-3 days.

• Maverik Center, Lot D, 2050 W 3100 S (the corner of 3100 South and Decker Lake Drive) West Valley City, Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Register here. (This testing is sponsored by the Salt Lake County Health Department. Visit SaltLakeHealth.org, or call 385-468-4082 for more information.)

For other testing locations visit: coronavirus.utah.gov/covid-testing-locations-list.

The Utah Department of Health as issued an updated State Public Health Order.  The COVID-19 School Manual and School Manual Summary have also been updated.

• English
  • COVID-19 School Manual Summary (Print Version - English)
  • COVID-19 School Manual (Print Version - English)
  • COVID-19 School Manual (online version at coronavirus.utah.gov)
• Español
  • COVID-19 Manual Escolar Resumen (Print Version - Español)
  • COVID-19 Manual Escolar (Print Version - Español)
  • Manual Escolar sobre COVID-19 (versión en línea en coronavirus.utah.gov)

The following are new administrative assignments:

New Assignments effective as soon as possible:

• Staci Moore, assistant principal at Jordan Ridge and Majestic Elementary appointed assistant principal at Majestic Elementary.
• Jayme Gandara, Facilitator in Provo School District appointed assistant principal at Jordan Ridge and South Jordan Elementary.
• Kimberly Ranney, assistant principal at Rose Creek and South Jordan Elementary appointed assistant principal at Rose Creek Elementary.
• Jared Covili, Product Manager/Instructor at Utah Education Network appointed Consultant, Digital Teaching and Learning.

The 2021 nomination and application cycle for the Sorenson Legacy Awards for Excellence in Arts Education is now open. The nomination deadline is April 2, 2021.

Philanthropist Beverley Taylor Sorenson worked tirelessly to promote the arts as an avenue for Utah’s students to develop voice, sustain engagement in school, and evoke reflection and response. Through support from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, Art Works for Kids, and the Utah State Board of Education (USBE), the Sorenson Legacy Awards for Excellence in Arts Education recognize the essential nature of education in the arts for Utah’s students, distinguish those educators who embrace the arts with excellence in their practice, and ensure that Beverley's legacy will continue on.

Administrators, teachers, parents, students, and other community members are all welcome to submit a nomination. Nominees must be licensed and endorsed public school educators. USBE also encourages re-nomination of those who may have been previously nominated but not selected.  Individuals are not allowed to nominate themselves.

Complete information and a link to the nomination form can be found on the Utah State Board of Education website.

• USBE Sorenson Legacy Awards Information

Thank you to all teachers (licensed employees) who participated in the Virtual Teacher Transfer Fair! We hope it was a valuable experience for you. To help continually improve future fairs, we would appreciate teacher/licensed feedback by participating in a survey. The survey link will be sent out through JSD email.

Bryce Canyon National Park is offering a program where you can see virtual offerings and schedule a lesson. They present virtual programs to individual classrooms, whole grades, and entire schools. In addition to the published programs, NPS staff members are always happy to honor special requests for any grade and subject. They are currently building other educational content which will include complete lesson plans, pre-recorded content/demonstrations, on-site field trip experiences (currently suspended due to COVID), and more. The site will be updated as these additional opportunities become available.

• Learning Elevated - Bryce Canyon National Park

Jordan School District will no longer offer COVID-19 testing to Jordan District employees at the Auxiliary Services Building on Friday afternoons. Due to low demand, the testing is cancelled as of this Friday, February 19.

Employees who would like to be tested can participate in testing twice a week at two locations within the District:

• Joel P. Jensen Middle School
• Herriman High School

From the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission January 2021 Newsletter

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Maintaining appropriate boundaries between educators and students has always been tricky. Sometimes it's difficult for educators to know when they have crossed the line from "friendly" to "friend." The prevalence of electronic communication can make this tightrope even more difficult to traverse, since it's easier to forget about appropriate boundaries when communicating electronically. At the same time, because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many educators find themselves communicating electronically with students more often, if not exclusively. With the stars thus aligned we, your friendly UPPAC staff, would like to take the opportunity to remind educators of the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries with students, even-perhaps especially-when communicating electronically.

UPPAC has seen a growing concern with cases of boundary violations that have a digital component to them. In fact, the Utah State Board of Education recently updated its definition of "boundary violation," to include "exchanging personal email or phone numbers with a student for a non-educational purpose or use;" and "interacting privately with a student through social media, computer, or handheld devices." Utah Admin. Rule R277-10-2(5)(b).

Educators should remember that the fundamental student-teacher relationship does not change simply because you're communicating electronically. You still need to watch your language, discuss only appropriate topics, and otherwise communicate professionally. A good rule of thumb, whether you're speaking to a student in-person or electronically, is to only say things to your students that you would say in front of their parents.

We encourage educators to avoid one-on-one electronic communication whenever possible. When we communicate electronically, we can't hear a person's tone or see a person's facial expressions. It's much harder to detect sarcasm. It's generally harder to discern a person's meaning. As a result, electronic communication, more than in-person communication, is susceptible to misunderstandings. Including at least one other person in your communications with students, whether it's a parent, an administrator, or other students, makes it far less likely that you will be misunderstood and run into problems. It also makes it less likely that a student will say something that might chip away at the boundaries that keep everyone safe.

One benefit of electronic communication is that it allows us to read over what we just typed before clicking "send." We encourage educators to take advantage of this to make sure that your messages come across the way you intend. If you find that your message is unclear or could be interpreted in different ways, consider different wording to make sure your meaning is clear. And because humor sometimes doesn't come across the way we intend, we recommend saving your brilliant sense of humor for the classroom, rather than attempting to make your students laugh through electronic communication.

It has been a challenging year, and we have been amazed by the hard work and adaptability of Utah's educators. We encourage you to remember your role as educators and be careful to avoid violating boundaries with your students, so you can continue to be a positive influence in their lives. Thank you for all you do.

You may win $100 just for attending! PEHP Director Chet Loftis will share a few insurance tips and answer your questions. Topics include:

• How to use PEHP Cost Tools and find cash back
• An overview of your COVID-19 benefits (testing, treatment, and vaccine)
• How to prevent common healthcare billing traps to avoid balance billing
• How to stay healthy with your PEHP wellness benefits (and get paid!)
• And much more!

Register at www.pehp.org/townhall for the following sessions:

• February 23 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• February 24 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
• February 25 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.