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Feb. 2021 Be Well NewsletterCheck out the Feb. 2021 Be Well newsletter from EMI. Stories include:

  • The Online Life: How Much is Too Much? During the pandemic, some people have tried to minimize infection risk through online shopping, telemedicine and virtual events. But spending too much time online can compromise your mental well-being.
  • Food, Stress and Emotional Eating If you often turn to food when you feel stressed, sad or angry, this may be a coping mechanism known as emotional eating.
  • Working From Home — With Kids Changes due to COVID-19 find homebound working parents and their children facing challenges they couldn’t have imagined a year ago. Meeting job responsibilities with your kids underfoot can certainly complicate your day. The solutions may not be easy, but they’re doable with patience and practice.

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

Free COVID-19 Rapid Testing at Herriman High

The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) is offering free rapid antigen testing at many locations throughout the state of Utah, including drive-through testing at Herriman High School on Wednesday, Feb. 3, Thursday, Feb. 4, Wednesday, Feb. 10 and Thursday, Feb. 11 from 3:30 - 7 p.m.  Use the button below to register.

Test Utah Registration

Anyone older than age 5 can get tested at these free testing clinics, even if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19. UDOH also encourages anyone who might have any symptoms, even mild ones, to come and get tested. Please register online. If you do not register online or are unable to register online, you will be able to register at the site but it will take longer for you to be tested. Identification may be required. UDOH encourages everyone to continue to wear masks and social distance while waiting in lines.

The following are new administrative assignments:

New Assignments effective July 1, 2021:

  • Ronna Hoffman, principal at Riverside Elementary appointed administrator on special assignment in the Teaching & Learning Department, she will then be appointed principal of the new elementary school in Herriman for the 2022-23 school year.
  • Marianne Johansen, principal of Philo Farnsworth Elementary in the Granite School District appointed principal at Majestic Elementary replacing Kathe Riding who is retiring.
  • Michael Trimmell, principal at Arovista Elementary in Brea Olinda Unified School District in California appointed principal at Riverside Elementary replacing Ronna Hoffman who was reassigned.
  • Tyler (TJ) Davenport, elementary teacher at Plymouth Elementary in the Granite School District appointed assistant principal at a location to be determined.

New Assignments effective as soon as possible:

  • Jennifer Smith, BYU intern facilitator at Blackridge Elementary appointed assistant principal at Foothills Elementary.
  • Shana Mondragon, teacher specialist at Oquirrh Elementary appointed assistant principal at Oakcrest and Mountain Shadows Elementary.
  • Troy Monson, principal at Scappoose Middle in the Scappoose School District in Oregon appointed assistant principal at South Hills Middle.

Workout Warrior is a monthly email-based physical activity challenge that’s moderated by PEHP Wellness staff. Enroll at pehp.org to receive weekly motivational email messages, then track and report your activity each month to be entered to win an egift card.

  • Jan. 4-31: New Year – New Goals
    Start the New Year off on the right track by setting small, attainable goals that add up to big improvements in your overall health. We’ll provide motivational tips and tricks to help you achieve your physical activity goals.
  • Feb. 1-28: Boost Your Immunity
    In the cold and darkness of winter we can all benefit from a boost to our immune systems. Learn how regular physical activity improves immunity which can prevent illness, increase energy, and improve overall mood!
  • March 1-31:Mindful March
    Physical activity doesn’t have to be grueling. In fact, everyday activity can add up to meaningful health benefits. Get some ideas on how to incorporate mindful movement in your everyday life.
  • April 5-30: Simple Stretching
    Feel tight from sitting all day? Taking the time to stretch most days improves flexibility, decreases risk of injury, and can improve overall mood. We’ll show you some simple stretches that can make a huge difference!
  • May 3-31: Exercise Snacking
    Having a hard time squeezing exercise into your hectic schedule? “Exercise snacking,” involves incorporating small, consistent bouts of exercise throughout the day. See if exercise snacking could work for you!
  • June 1-30: Strong Summer Abs
    Too often when we hear “summer abs” we think of a chiseled six-pack, but the benefits of strong abs go far beyond the surface. We’ll teach you the most effective ab exercises to strengthen your core - for summer, or any season.
  • July 6-31:Back and Shoulders
    If you’re not careful, sitting at a desk all day can wreak havoc on your posture leaving you with tight back and shoulder muscles. Find out how to counter the effects of bad posture by strengthening and relaxing the back and shoulders.
  • Aug. 2-30: Beat the Heat
    Summer is great, but by the time August rolls around some might start feeling the effects of the heat. This can leave you feeling drained, exhausted and not wanting to go outside. We’ll help you beat the heat and stay motivated to continue being active while staying cool!
  • Sept. 7-30: Train Your Brain
    By now we have heard of the many benefits of exercise on our physical health - but what about our brains? Explore how movement impacts the brain by improving memory, focus, judgment and more!
  • Oct. 5-31: Balance and Stability
    For young and old alike, improving balance keeps our minds and bodies agile preventing injuries down the road. Learn skills to improve your balance for a lifetime.
  • Nov. 2-30: Planksgiving
    Planking is one of the best and safest ways to strengthen your core and alleviate back pain. Plank your way to Thanksgiving this month with hybrid and plank variations.
  • Dec. 6-31: Santa’s Step Up
    Decrease stress and increase needed energy for the holiday season by getting some steps in! Join this month’s Santa’s Step Up challenge to motivate you to continue being active during the holidays.

Jan. 2021 PEHP Wellness Webinars Flyer2021 Quarterly Wellness Webinars
Participate in these 30-minute online classes from the comfort of your computer or conference room. Held the first workday of the month at noon, webinars are recorded, archived online, and can be viewed anytime that is convenient for you.

  • Monday, Feb. 1: Life Lessons From the Pandemic
  • Monday, May 3: Know Your Numbers: Get Back on Track
  • Monday, Aug. 2: How DO I feel?
  • Monday, November 1: Develop a Growth Mindset

Register for upcoming or archived webinars through your personal online account at www.pehp.org. Type “webinars” in the search bar.


Jan. 2021 PEHP Wellness Challenges2021 Monthly Wellness Challenge
You are Invited to Take the Wellness Challenge! By trying to make a few simple changes each month, you can form positive habits that last a lifetime.

Registration opens one week before the challenge begins. You can register anytime during the challenge, however we recommend that you sign up early to receive all content. To register, log in to your personal online account at www.pehp.org. (Go to: Wellness tab> Programs>Wellness Challenges)

By signing up you are registering to receive educational emails which challenge you to meet a particular wellness goal. All challenges are developed and moderated by PEHP Wellness staff. You will receive motivational emails, and are entered into a prize drawing for participating. PEHP Wellness staff is available for questions and assistance during the challenge by email or phone. Because this is self-guided learning, you can decide how to use the information and resources provided during the challenge. You can expect to receive one email per week.


Jan. 2021 PEHP Rebates FlyerPEHP Wellness Rebates

  • Know & Plan ($50) – Know your numbers and make an action plan: Participate in biometric testing or obtain biometrics from physician and complete online health questionnaire.
  • Next Steps ($50) – Take the next steps and put the plan in place: After completing the Know & Plan rebate, participate in personal choice of PEHP wellness programs and activities and submit rebate form.
  • Tobacco Cessation Rebate ($50): Participate in PEHP Quitline or have physician verify member has quit for at least 6 months and submit rebate form.
  • Diabetes Management Rebate ($100): Take steps to actively manage diabetes and submit rebate form.
  • WeeCare Rebate ($50): Participate in the WeeCare program, view one wellness webinar and submit rebate form.

* PEHP rebates may not apply to all plans and are taxable. Members on the Consumer Plus Plan are not eligible for rebates.

To see a list of all wellness rebates and download forms, visit www.pehp.org/rebates.

Questions? Please contact us at 801-366-7300 or healthyutah@pehp.org.


Winter 2021 BYU FlyersBYU has will be holding a virtual conference on Instructional Leadership in the 21st Century on Mar 25–Apr 3, 2021 Speakers will include Gerry Brooks, Jean Clinton, Cassandra Erkins, Doug Fisher, Charles R. Graham, Marcia Tate, Anthony Muhammad, Bob Sonju, Ben Springer, Catlin Tucker and Steve Ventura.  You can register online at education.byu.edu/cites.

BYU is also holding its Symposium on Books for Young Readers Online Winter Series on Saturday, Feb. 20 and Saturday, Feb. 27. It will be a delightful diversion for librarians, teachers, and parents—anyone who enjoys the best of children’s literature. You can register today at bfyr.byu.edu.

ELS Winter 2021 Newsletter SitePlease use the link below to learn how Language & Culture Services is helping students with our Student Outreach Specialists in our Winter newsletter. Check out our new Parent and Outreach Bulletin Board (translated version coming soon). Please take a moment to fill out this form and share the activities in your school or classrooms that are occurring in the month of February. We would love to visit, listen, and celebrate with you! If you are not even sure where to start, you can include that in the form and we can come present virtually to your school.

The recent COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress provides relief with respect to flexible spending account and dependent care account funds that went unused during 2020.

  • For health FSAs:
    • Can allow the carryover of unused FSA funds with no dollar limit from a plan year ending in 2020 and/or 2021 to a plan year ending in 2021 and/or 2022.
    • Grace period can be extended up to 12 months after the end of the plan year for plan year ending in 2020 and/or 2021 instead of the typical two and half months timeframe.
    • Employees can change their FSA contributions for the plan years ending in 2021 without a qualifying event.
  • For dependent FSAs:
    • Can allow unused funds to carry over with no dollar limit from plan year ending in 2020 and/or 2021 to a plan year ending in 2021 and/or 2022.
    • Employees can change the FSA contributions for the plan years ending in 2021 without a qualifying event.
    • Reimbursement for expenses can be permitted for children up to age 14 instead of 13.

The following are new administrative assignments:

  • New Assignments effective Jan. 15, 2021:
    • April Gaydosh, principal at Westvale Elementary appointed Elementary School Level Administrator of Schools replacing Doree Strauss who retired.
    • Odette Desmarais, assistant principal at Foothills appointed principal at Westvale Elementary and her replacement is to be determined.
  • New Assignments effective July 1, 2021:
    • Yajaira Martinez, assistant principal at Bluffdale and Terra Linda Elementary appointed principal at Terra Linda Elementary replacing Karen Gorringe who is retiring and her replacement is to be determined.

Lighten Up FlyerIs improved health part of your New Year’s Resolutions? Lighten Up can help! This free, online weight management class led by our registered dietitians can provide you with tools to maintain a life-long healthy weight.

Course topics include:

  • Nutrition Basics
  • Healthy Cooking and Meal Planning
  • Grocery Shopping Basics
  • Dining Out and Sensible Snacking
  • Behavior Change
  • Physical Activity
  • Emotional Eating
  • The Weight Loss Plateau/Roadblocks and Speed Bumps

Register before the class begins and receive course material by email. Includes live and recorded webinars!

EMI Jan. 2021 Be Well NewsletterCheck out the Jan. 2021 Be Well newsletter from EMI. Stories include:

  • Have You Got Your Back? Or has your back got you with ongoing pain? If so, you have lots of company. Back pain is a very common reason people seek health care and miss work or everyday activities.
  • What’s the best weight-loss strategy? There’s no single plan that’s right for everyone, since weight control involves many factors including diet, exercise, behavior, hormones, medication, genetics and access to quality care.
  • January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. Cervical cancer is largely preventable with vaccination and routine screening.
  • Alzheimer’s is not just a disease of old age. About 200,000 Americans under the age of 65 have younger-onset Alzheimer’s, a neurodegenerative disease that weakens the memory and other cognitive and emotional functions, which worsen over time.
  • Liquid Meal Replacements: Pros and Cons It’s a busy day and you don’t have time to stop to eat. Is a meal replacement shake the right answer? Meal replacements are liquid drinks or snack bars that are formulated to copy the nutrients found in a meal.
  • How do I know if I have depression? We all get sad or down on occasion, but true depression lasts for at least two weeks, with symptoms occurring almost daily.
  • Give January a Boost Some people feel a bit blue when the holidays are over and the new year starts.
  • COVID-19 and Cold Symptoms Compared Could your sore throat and stuffy nose be a cold, the flu — or possibly COVID-19? If you’re at high risk for complications from the coronavirus or flu, especially if you have a cough and fever, don’t guess. Call your health care provider. However, there are some differences between cold, coronavirus and flu symptoms that are helpful to know.
  • HPV Vaccine: Did You Know? Why isn’t the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination routinely recommended for everyone older than 26 years? The HPV vaccine is less beneficial for people older than 26; one reason is adults between ages 27 and 45 usually have already been exposed to HPV.
  • January is Blood Donor Month. Blood donations are especially needed this time of year. The American Red Cross requires more than 13,000 blood donations daily to keep the U.S. blood supply ready to meet medical needs. However, cold weather leads to fewer donations.

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

Dear JSD Educators,

The District will open a new elementary school in South Jordan and a Virtual school at each level beginning in August, 2021.  Applications are now being accepted. For information regarding positions available in Phase A, a position advertising schedule, position descriptions and instructions on how to apply, visit the JSD Job Postings at the New Schools page.

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 for licensed positions will be accepted after JSD educators have been give first consideration.

For assistance in accessing Skyward Employee Access, please contact the Help Desk at 801-567-8737.  For questions regarding positions at each school, please contact the appropriate principal.

Adapting to the safety measures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic can be overwhelming. If you get infected or were in contact with someone who is infected, chances are you’re required to quarantine.

If you’re struggling to keep up with all the demands, you can talk to a Utah Strong Recovery Project counselor seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call/text 385-386-2289 or email your first name and phone number to UtahStrong@utah.gov. Video chat and counseling in other languages are available. This benefit is offered by the State and available to all Utah residents.

If you need an immediate response after hours, you can contact the Utah Statewide Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the SAMHSA Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990.

Jan. 2021 Monthly Wellness Challenge FlyerGet clarity for 2021! Focus on your mental and emotional well-being in this challenge and explore how to improve self-care through mindfulness and meditation.

Join PEHP for a 3-week email based “course” and challenge including an intro to Mental Health!

  • WEEK 1 Self-Care isn’t Selfish: Learn the importance of self-care and how to put daily deposits into your emotional bank account to increase your overall well-being.
  • WEEK 2 Calm Space, Calm Mind, Calm Body: Learn how our environment can influence our mood and ways to create tranquil spaces in your home or office.
  • WEEK 3 Tap into your True Self: Learn how to nurture your spirit by becoming mindful and connect more authentically with yourself.

REGISTER TODAY or at pehp.org. Sign up early to receive all the weekly emails.

Wellness challenges are email based, self-paced educational programs that focus on areas of well-being. Often used to jumpstart habits and personal goals, challenges provide information, resources, and motivation to help you achieve good health.

Jan. 2021 Workout Warrior FlyerStart 2021 off on the right track by setting small, attainable goals which can add up to big improvements in your overall health! PEHP will provide you with motivational tips to help you achieve your physical activity goals for the New Year.

Join PEHP's self-paced, email-based physical activity challenge.

  • Register here or at pehp.org
  • Track your activity
  • Report your step total at the end of the month
  • Enter to win a $10 Amazon gift card

The COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all Jordan School District employees beginning in mid-January at locations throughout the district. After the winter break employees will receive a link to sign up for a vaccination time slot and location. COVID-19 vaccinations will be available to all employees, but are not required. More information will be forthcoming.

The following are new administrative assignments:

  • New Assignments effective December 14, 2020:
    • Elizabeth Felt, assistant principal at Blackridge Elementary appointed principal at Mountain Point Elementary replacing Carolyn Bona who is retiring.
    • Michelle Kilcrease, assistant principal at Mountain Shadows and Copper Canyon Elementary transferred as an assistant principal at Blackridge Elementary and her replacement is to be determined.
    • Ross Menlove, administrator on special assignment in Teaching & Learning appointed an online principal (Elementary) and his replacement is to be determined.
    • Spencer Campbell, assistant principal at South Hills Middle appointed an online principal (Middle) and his replacement is to be determined.
    • Ammon Wiemers, consultant in Teaching & Learning appointed an online principal (High) and his replacement is to be determined.
  • New Assignments effective January 19, 2021:
    • Suzanne Williams, principal at Eastlake Elementary appointed principal at the new elementary school in Daybreak.
    • Kristy Howe, assistant principal at Antelope Canyon and Oakcrest Elementary appointed principal at Eastlake Elementary and her replacement is to be determined.

Guidelines for Quarantine FlyerBelow you will find the return to school testing information pamphlet for schools, in English and Spanish.  Please note, that registration is REQUIRED prior to someone coming to the test events.