FEBRUARY 2004

Feb. 3 | Feb. 10 | Feb. 17 | Feb. 24

Retirement Seminar
     Due to an overwhelming response, an additional Jordan District retirement seminar has been scheduled for May 3. Cory Wood from the Utah State Retirement System will explain the state pension program; benefits of early investment choices such as the 401K, 403B and the newly improved 457 plan; how and when to retire for maximum financial earnings; and more. Judy Burton, director of Payroll, will also discuss District benefits. This class is presented by Jordan District. Please feel free to bring spouses. Register by calling (801) 256-5750.
Location: Auxiliary Services Building
     Date: May 3
     Time: 4-6 p.m.
     Cost: $5 per person (send payment by District mail to JATC-Sandy Campus, attn. Lorna Evans, payable to Jordan School District)

History Teachers Academy
     The Jordan History Academy of Teachers (JHAT) is now accepting applications for its 2004 summer program. The Academy is a rigorous, six-week program for history teachers from the feeder systems of Riverton, West Jordan, Copper Hills, Jordan and Hillcrest High Schools. Dates of the Academy are June 14-18, June 21-25, June 28-July 2, July 5-9, July 12-16 and July 26-30. Participants must attend all sessions and will receive a $3,000 stipend and 12 graduate credit hours through Southern Utah University. Applications are available from school principals or from Sandra Dahl-Houlihan, (801) 256-5663. Deadline for applications is April 16. For more information contact Pam Su'a, social studies specialist, (801) 567-8320.

George Welch, executive director of Human Resources, was presented with the Outstanding Service to Music Education Award.

Outstanding Music Educator
     George Welch, executive director of Human Resources, received the Utah High School Activities Association Outstanding Service to Music Education Award during a recent Utah Music Educators Conference. He is now a candidate for the National Music Education Award. Welch was also named an Outstanding Music Educator by the National Federation of High Schools for Section 7, covering five Western states.

Utah Band VP Named
     Chelle Leyva, band teacher at West Jordan High, was elected as the band vice president for the Utah Music Educators Association. The election was held at the association’s annual conference in St. George.

Patriotic Program
     Board member Ann Forbush joined parents recently in attending the second-grade patriotic program at Copperview Elementary. Students sang a medley of patriotic songs and celebrated the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America. Teachers Kathy Kreutzer, Kathy Butler and Ann Palmer, along with Title 1 coordinator Brenda Williams, organized the performance.

District Calendar
      View the District Calendar at www.jordandistrict.org/calendar for upcoming events.

Employment Opportunities
      See current job openings posted by the Human Resources Department at www.jordandistrict.org/hr .

Insurance Enrollment Change
     Jordan School District’s annual open enrollment period is changing from June, July and August to June and July. Insurance changes, new enrollments (except new hires) and cancellations will no longer be accepted during the months of August and September.
     The open enrollment period for the next insurance year will be June 1 through July 31, 2004, with an effective date of Sept. 1, 2004, through Aug. 31, 2005. Any changes in medical, dental, vision, cancer or long-term care plans can only be made during this time unless you have a qualifying event.
     What changes can be made during an open enrollment period?
      • Make a plan change (example: change from Exclusive plan to Summit plan or change from Dental Select to Total Dental, etc.);
      • Enroll in a medical, dental, vision, cancer or long-term care plan;
      • Cancel a dental or vision plan.
     What constitutes a qualifying event?
      • Marriage or divorce;
      • Addition of a dependent through birth, adoption or change in custody;
      • Death of a spouse or dependent;
      • Spouse or dependent involuntarily losing or experiencing a change in health insurance coverage through his/her own employment.
     Please call Insurance Services, (801) 567-8146, with any questions.

Flexible Spending Change
     Flexible Spending elections for the insurance year Sept. 1, 2004, through Aug. 31, 2005, will be due by July 31, 2004, in the District Insurance Office. All Flexible Spending elections must be made on a yearly basis. If you had a flexible spending deduction this year, it will not carry forward to the next year. Forms will be available in May. Please call Insurance Services, (801) 567-8146, with any questions.

Educator of the Year Awards
     Applications are now being accepted for the Jordan District Outstanding Educator of the Year. Each principal will have the opportunity to nominate one teacher. The 2003-04 Educator of the Year will be selected based on the following criteria: 1) qualities that set them apart from other educators, 2) how they support student learning outside the classroom, 3) attributes of teaching style, attitudes, values that students will remember most, and 4) curriculum projects developed or implemented that have made a difference in the lives of students. Nominations must be submitted by principals before March 15. The award is sponsored by the Jordan Education Foundation.

Drop Everything and Read
     The Utah Education Association and the Jordan Education Association are inviting everyone in Utah to participate in a reading activity called DEAR Dr. Seuss on March 2. The goal is to get the Utah public, including legislators, athletes and business leaders across the state, to join public school children in kindergarten through 12th grades as they Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) for 10 minutes that day at 10 a.m. March 2 marks what would have been Dr. Seuss’ 100th birthday.

Band-o-Rama
     West Jordan High will be sponsoring a Band-o-Rama concert Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Bands from West Jordan Middle, Joel P. Jensen Middle, Oquirrh Elementary and West Jordan High will be performing in the West Jordan High gym with a mass band performance from all the bands as the finale. Admission is free.

J. Dale Christensen, Ed.D., is sworn in as a Board of Education member by Sherrie Swensen, Salt Lake County.

New Board Member Named
     The Jordan School District Board of Education appointed J. Dale Christensen, Ed.D., as a member of the Board. He was sworn in during a special Board of Education meeting Feb. 7.
     Christensen has devoted much of his life to the schoolchildren of Utah, serving as a member of the Granite School District Board of Education, superintendent of Morgan School District and an elementary school principal and teacher.
     Christensen will represent Precinct 5, encompassing parts of South Jordan and West Jordan. He succeeds Ralph J. Haws, Ed.D., who resigned from the Board Jan. 11 to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Administrator Seminar Rescheduled
     The Administrator Seminar originally scheduled for Feb. 19 will instead be held Feb. 20 at 8-10 a.m. and repeated at 1-3 p.m. The topic is “Curriculum Resources at Your Fingertips.” The seminars are held in the Auxiliary Services Building computer lab. Contact Ann Bjorklund, curriculum technology specialist, (801) 567-8726, ann.bjorklund@jordan.k12.ut.us, for more information.

Jan Wilde (center), executive director for the Southeast Area, and Marty Nielsen (right), Jordan Education Foundation, hold a check presented by Wade Stenquist, Entertainment Publications. The check represents District proceeds from Sally Foster, Happenings and Gold C coupon book sales.

Coupon Books Net District Dollars
      Entertainment Publications presented a check in the amount of $138,787.40 to Jordan District, representing the District’s share of Sally Foster gift wrap and Gold C and Happenings coupon book sales by elementary schools for the year. A portion of the funds were donated to the Jordan Education Foundation to be used for school mini-grants and teacher awards. The remainder was distributed to elementary schools based on local sales.

Outstanding Science Teacher
     Alta High science teacher Anthony J. Romanello was chosen as the 2004 Micron Outstanding Physics Teacher for Utah. He received the award Feb. 6 at the Utah State Science Teachers Association annual awards ceremony. Romanello, who has taught science at Alta for three years, was recognized for employing creative and interactive lessons and stimulating students to achieve outside the classroom in competitions and physics-related activities. Micron Technology has sponsored the awards since 1998.

Teacher of the Month
     Cathy Brimley, teacher at Union Middle, was chosen by Credit Union One as Teacher of the Month for January. Nominated by one of her students on the credit union’s Web site, she was the first recipient of this award. Brimley was awarded a plaque and dinner for two at Chili’s Restaurant.

Parents Participate in AR Kickoff
     In an apparent twist on Governor Walker’s read-to-a-child initiative, students at Copperview Elementary were recently reading to their parents. The school implemented a schoolwide Accelerated Reader (AR) program and invited interested parents to the school to learn about it. Following a brief introduction by teachers, students read books to their parents then went to the productivity lab for testing. Many students took AR tests on three or more books before going home.

Concert to Benefit Music Department
     Well-known new age classical pianist and composer Jon Schmidt will be performing at West Jordan High Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m. The concert is sponsored by the West Jordan High Chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society to benefit the school’s music department. Tickets are $6 per person or $20 for a family (up to 4) in advance, and $8 per person or $25 for a family at the door. Tickets may be purchased through the WJHS main office or reserved by calling the WJHS music department, (801) 256-5658.

Retirement Open House
     Gale Sid Westerman has announced his retirement from Jordan District after thirty years of service. Westerman served as a teacher in the South Park Academy program at the Utah State Prison his entire career. An open house in his honor will be held Feb. 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Lone Peak facility visiting room.

Safe Kids Fair
     Teachers are invited to bring students to the Sixth Annual Safe Kids Fair free of charge. The Salt Lake County Safe Kids Coalition is sponsoring the event Feb. 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the South Towne Exposition Center. Students will have the opportunity to enjoy activities and hands-on projects, clowns, costumed characters and live entertainment. The goal of the Fair is to provide children with a fun, educational and interactive experience. A registration form, available at www.jordandistrict.org/pdf/safekidsfair.pdf , must be printed and submitted by Feb. 16. For more information contact the Safe Kids Coalition, (801) 313-6607.

Opinion Survey Results
     The Board of Education recently released results of a survey of District residents on various issues. The survey was conducted by Dan Jones & Associates Dec. 11-23, 2003. Survey respondents ranked Jordan School District high in providing a safe environment, quality of education and quality of teachers. The District ranked low on providing appropriate class size. When asked about funding, 76 percent said they strongly favor or somewhat favor increasing funding for schools, and 72 percent are willing to pay for that increase. Respondents also oppose tuition tax credits for sending children to private schools with 57 percent strongly or somewhat opposed and 24 percent strongly in favor.

2004-05 Enrollment Estimates
     Dennis Johnson, director of Planning and Student Services, recently presented the 2004-05 enrollment estimates to the Board of Education. Next year’s estimates indicate the District’s enrollment will be 75,728 students, up 967 students compared to the current school year. The estimates reflect an increase of 952 elementary students and 131 middle school students, and a decline of 116 high school students. Increases are anticipated in the Southwest (1,796) and West Central Areas (290), with all other areas of the District experiencing declines in student enrollment.

Retirement Seminar
     Due to an overwhelming response, the retirement seminar scheduled for Feb. 9 is full. A second seminar has been scheduled for March 1. Cory Wood from the Utah State Retirement System will explain the state pension program; benefits of early investment choices such as the 401K, 403B and the newly improved 457 plan; how and when to retire for maximum financial earnings; and more. Judy Burton, director of Payroll, will also discuss District benefits. This class is presented by Jordan District. Please feel free to bring spouses. Register by calling Lorna Evans, (801) 256-5723.
Location: Auxiliary Services Building
     Date: March 1
     Time: 4-6 p.m.
     Cost: $5 per person

Food Critics Needed
     The District Nutrition Services Department is looking for third- through sixth-grade classes to participate in its annual Taste Fair, March 26. Students will be asked to sample and provide feedback on food items under consideration for future school lunch menus. Nutrition Services will supply transportation. Interested teachers should contact Karen Jermyn, Nutrition Services, (801) 567-8760.

Educator of the Year
     Naomi Damron, teacher at Quail Hollow Elementary, was selected as the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year for 2003. She was honored at an award dinner at South Towne Exposition Center. The event was sponsored by the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce and Jordan Credit Union.

Employee of the Month
     The District Office Support Staff Advisory Committee selected Evelyn Black, secretary in the Human Resources Department, as Employee of the Month for January. Black has been with Jordan District for 18 years.

Safe Kids Fair
     Teachers are invited to bring students to the Sixth Annual Safe Kids Fair free of charge. The Salt Lake County Safe Kids Coalition is sponsoring the event Feb. 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the South Towne Exposition Center. Students will have the opportunity to enjoy activities and hands-on projects, clowns, costumed characters and live entertainment. The goal of the Fair is to provide children with a fun, educational and interactive experience. A registration form, available at www.jordandistrict.org/pdf/safekidsfair.pdf , must be printed and submitted by Feb. 16. For more information contact the Safe Kids Coalition, (801) 313-6607.

Nutrition Education Available
     A dietetic intern is available for the next few weeks to teach nutrition education in elementary or secondary school classrooms. To schedule a class, contact Karen Jermyn, Nutrition Services, (801) 567-8760.

Shakespeare in the Kiva
     Sixth-grade classes at Southland Elementary will be performing Shakespeare plays, complete with scenery created by the students using butcher paper, household items and a lot of creativity. The plays are staged in the school’s kiva. This has become an annual event and the staff and students look forward to attending each year. Parents, families, members of the community and District are invited to attend the following performances (contact the school for times):
     • Feb. 9-13, "Twelfth Night" – Leesa Jones' class
     • March 15-19, "Comedy of Errors" – Patsy Larson's class
     • March 29-April 2, "As You Like It" – Lindy Humphrey's class
     • June 21-25, "Taming of the Shrew" – Valerie Page's class