Jordan Employee Memos

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 

Attention JSD Educators,

Department chair/team leader positions are now advertised for the three new schools opening in August, 2019 (a middle school in South Jordan, an elementary school in Bluffdale and an elementary school in Herriman).

Additional compensated work for certain positions may be required prior to the beginning of the contract year.

​JSD educators interested in applying for the department chair/team leader positions ​must submit ​an application​ using Skyward "Employee Access".  Please see the attached tutorial for application instructions. How to Apply at Jordan School District. 

For information regarding a position, advertising schedule, position descriptions and instructions on how to apply, visit the Work At Jordan Job Postings at the New Schools page.

For assistance in accessing Skyward Employee Access, please contact the Help Desk at 801-567-8737.  For questions regarding positions at the new schools, please contact the principals:

• New South Jordan Middle School: Mike Glenn
• New Bluffdale Elementary School: Carolyn Bona
• New Herriman Elementary School: Meredith Doleac
• Mountain Ridge High School: Mike Kochevar

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How to Apply at Jordan School District 

The following are new administrative assignments for 2019.

• Assignments effective January 15, 2019:
  • Becky Gerber, consultant in Teaching & Learning – Elementary Language Arts K-6, appointed as a new Administrator of Schools.
  • Meredith Doleac, principal at Monte Vista Elementary School, appointed principal of the new elementary school in Herriman.
  • Nanette Ririe, assistant principal at Blackridge and Foothills Elementary Schools, appointed principal at Monte Vista Elementary School.
  • TBD, assistant principal at Blackridge and Foothills Elementary Schools.
  • Carolyn Bona, principal at Midas Creek Elementary School, appointed principal at the new elementary school in Bluffdale.
  • Megan Cox, assistant principal at Golden Fields and Rose Creek Elementary Schools, appointed principal at Midas Creek Elementary School.
  • TBD, assistant principal at Golden Fields and Rose Creek Elementary Schools.
  • Michael Glenn, principal at Oqurrih Hills Middle School, appointed principal at the new middle school in South Jordan.
  • Donna Hunter, assistant principal at West Jordan High School, appointed principal at Oquirrh Hills Middle School.
  • Sterling Hunt, History/US Government teacher at Herriman High School, appointed assistant principal at West Jordan High School.
  • Rodney Shaw, principal at Fort Herriman Middle School, appointed administrator on special assignment in Teaching & Learning and principal at the new middle school in Bluffdale beginning January 2020.
  • Eric Price, assistant principal at West Jordan Middle School, appointed principal at Fort Herriman Middle School.
  • Aaron Hunter, assistant principal at Joel P. Jensen Middle School, appointed assistant principal at West Jordan Middle School.
  • Josh Stott, assistant principal in Davis School District, appointed assistant principal at Joel P. Jensen Middle School.
  • Mary Ann Erdmann, consultant in Teaching & Learning, will assume the responsibilities of consultant in Student Intervention Services, replacing G. Norma Villar who is retiring.
  • Paul Bergera, staff assistant in Auxiliary Services, appointed Director of Transportation Services, replacing Herb Jensen who is retiring.
  • Curtis Hagen, assistant principal at Riverton High School, appointed staff assistant in Auxiliary Services.
  • Curtis Jenson, high school principal in Idaho, appointed assistant principal at Riverton High School for the remainder of the 2018-19 academic year.
  • Ross Menlove, assistant principal at Silver Crest Elementary School, appointed administrator on special assignment in Teaching & Learning, Digital and Blended Learning K-12.
  • Nathan Price, school psychologist in Canyons District, appointed assistant principal at Silver Crest Elementary School.
  • Michelle Lovell, principal at Jordan Hills Elementary School, appointed consultant in Teaching & Learning – Elementary Language Arts K-6.
  • Leilani Brecht, current BYU Clinical Faculty Advisor, appointed principal at Jordan Hills Elementary School.
• Assignments effective February 11, 2019:
  • Thomas Gatten, assistant principal at West Jordan High School, appointed assistant principal at Mountain Ridge High School.
  • Michael Hutchings, assistant principal at Bingham High School, appointed assistant principal at West Jordan High School.
  • Kenneth Damron, intern assistant principal in Granite School District, appointed intern assistant principal at Bingham High School.
• Assignments effective July 1, 2019:
  • Jenicee Jacobson, assistant principal at Bingham High School, appointed assistant principal at West Jordan High School.
  • Michelle Putnam, assistant principal at West Jordan High School, appointed assistant principal at Bingham High School.
  • Jentry Johnson, exercise science teacher at Copper Hills High School, appointed assistant principal at Mountain Ridge High School.
  • Tina Susuico, assistant principal at Elk Meadows and Monte Vista Elementary Schools, appointed principal at Mountain Shadows Elementary School, replacing Annette Huff who is retiring.
  • TBD, Assistant Principal at Elk Meadows and Monte Vista Elementary Schools.
  • Candie Checketts, assistant principal at Butterfield Canyon Elementary School, appointed principal at Rosamond Elementary School, replacing Colleen Wheeler who is retiring.
  • TBD, Assistant Principal at Butterfield Canyon Elementary School.
  • Curtis Jenson, high school principal in Idaho, appointed assistant principal at Oquirrh Hills Middle School, replacing Terry Price who is retiring.
  • Sonja Burton, consultant in Career & Technical Education, appointed principal at JATC – South, replacing Nicole Johnson who is relocating.
  • Rita Bouillon, principal at Kauri Sue Hamilton, appointed principal at South Valley School, replacing Cindy Williams-Mitchell who is retiring.
  • Courtney Titus, consultant in Special Education, appointed principal at Kauri Sue Hamilton School.
  • Shelly Davis, principal at Heartland Elementary School, appointed consultant in Special Education.
  • Buddy Alger, assistant principal at Bluffdale Elementary, appointed principal at Heartland Elementary School.
  • Brian King, consultant in Special Education, appointed principal at River’s Edge, replacing Don Link who is retiring.
  • TBD, Consultant in Special Education.
  • Nicholas Hansen, administrator in Human Resources, appointed principal at Golden Fields Elementary School, replacing Kyle Hansen who is retiring.
  • TBD, Human Resources Elementary and Secondary Administrators.

Wellness Today For Teachers features practical resources for the classroom.  Stories include:

• Intervening When Students Are Mean to Each Other
• Signs of Emotional Struggles and How to Help
• Teaching Children Assertive Responses to Unkindness

• How To Get Help

Wellness Today Newsletter 

• Payroll due 1/3/19
• Last day to add, close or change direct deposit accounts 1/10/19
  ** Please let Payroll know immediately if you close your account or make any changes to your account
• Paychecks available for viewing in Employee Access 1/23/19
• Payday 1/25/19

True Time Deadlines for Pay Period 12/3/18 – 1/6/19

• Employee Final Submittal: 1/9/19
• First Approval: 1/11/19
• Final Approval:  1/14/19

True Time Deadlines for Pay Period 12/3/18 – 1/6/19

• Employee Final Submittal: 1/9/19
• First Approval: 1/11/19
• Final Approval:  1/14/19

Use of Personal Leave Days before/after School Holiday

School Holiday/Date | Dates

• New Year’s 1/1/19 | 1/2/19
• Martin Luther King 1/21/19 | 1/18/19 & 1/22/19

As per DP 335(B):  Employees who have not been approved by Human Resources for using a personal day before and after a holiday may be docked (certified $105 or classified 40% of their daily rate). Please refer to policy for further clarification.

• *Traditional Grade Transmittal Day         1/14/19

*All 206, 242 and 245 employees must record a leave day if not in attendance.
*Traditional principals may use a vacation day as this is a non-student day
*This is a paid contract day for 177-day year round employees, therefore, a leave day must be recorded if not in attendance.

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.  A special thanks to Jim Birch and his administrative team for volunteering to host the first Teacher Transfer Fair in 2019.

The Teacher Transfer Fair schedule is as follows:

• Date:  Monday, January 14, 2019
• Time: 12 noon to 6 p.m.
• Location:  West Jordan High School (gymnasium – north-east end)
• ***Both Elementary and Secondary Schools will be participating.

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

• Enter from the north-east doors of West Jordan High
• 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 West Jordan High.