MAY 2004

May 4 | May 11 | May 18 | May 25

District Health Fair
All Jordan District employees are invited to participate in the District Health and Benefits Fair at Copper Hills High June 9, 3-7 p.m., or at Jordan High June 23, 3-7 p.m. Activities at the fairs include:
      • Healthy Utah will provide screening procedures.
      • Representatives from the Utah State Retirement System and Jordan District Payroll Department will present seminars on retirement benefits.
      • Representatives from District benefit providers PEHP, Altius, Dental Select, Total Dental Administrators, Educators Mutual, Opticare, Ben Choice and CIGNA will present insurance benefit seminars.

Foundation Donates Presidents Posters
     The Jordan Education Foundation Board recently purchased 100 Presidents of the United States posters to donate to school libraries. The posters present details about all 43 U.S. presidents, state flags, U.S. currency and other information. Each school will receive a poster.

Open House
     Students and staff at the Jordan Applied Technology Center, Sandy Campus, have recently completed this year’s student project home at 1629 E. 11275 South. The home will be open to the public for viewing May 28 and June 1-4, 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Slavery Exhibit Open to the Public
     The Jordan History Academy of Teachers will be hosting an exhibit from the Gilder-Lehrman Institute in New York. The exhibit, called Free at Last: A History of the Abolition of Slavery in America, will be on display June 22-July 25 in the library-media center at Eastmont Middle from 8 a.m-3 p.m. daily. The exhibition is open to the public.

Teacher of the Year
     John VanWagoner, reading teacher at Eastmont Middle, was named the local Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. Representatives from the West Jordan Wal-Mart presented the award, including a $1,000 educational grant to benefit the school.

Drivers Win Road Challenge
     Drivers from Jordan District Transportation Department won first place in three of the four categories at the State Bus “Road-eo,” held May 15 in Alpine District. Fifty-one drivers and attendants competed in the annual event that included participants from Alpine, Cache, Uinta, Tooele, Salt Lake, Davis, Granite, San Juan, Provo and Jordan Districts. Drivers completed a skills course with 15 various situations. First-place winners from Jordan District were:
      • Special Needs “TEAM” Division
         David Brown, driver/Kathy Simmons, attendant
      • Small Bus Division
        Gaird Huntsman
      • Big Bus Expert Division
        Andrea Clarke

Teacher Appreciation
     The Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce recognized Carol Lasson, theater and English teacher at Oquirrh Hills Middle, at a Teacher Appreciation Luncheon May 13 at Herriman City Hall. Lasson was honored for her efforts in interfacing with business and her work on public relations for Oquirrh Hills.

Elementary Choir Participates at Spring Concert
     A choir from Jordan Hills Elementary was one of 24 choirs from around the state participating at the 24th Annual Spring Concert at Abravanel Hall. The choir, coordinated by music teachers Sue Holtkamp and Sharla Tschaggeny, included 43 third- through sixth-grade boys and girls. The concert was sponsored by The Children's Museum of Utah.

Retirement Open Houses
      • Ken Cox, counselor at Bingham High, is retiring after 35 years with the District. An open house will be held in his honor May 26, 3-5 p.m., in the school’s media center.
      • Janet Ballard, second-grade teacher at Draper Elementary, is retiring after 20 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 28, 2-4 p.m. in the school’s media center.
      • Clara Matthews, first-grade teacher at Draper Elementary, is retiring after 16 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 28, 2-4 p.m. in the school’s media center.
      • Janet Sollers, Applied Technology Education teacher at Bingham High, is retiring after 27 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 26, 3-5 p.m., in the school’s media center.
      • (See previous issues of Current for additional retirement open house dates.)

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 .

2004 Outstanding Educators
      Jordan District's 2004 Outstanding Educators were announced May 14 at the Jordan Education Foundation Annual Recognition Banquet. Each recipient received $1,000 from the Foundation and their school received $500. The Foundation also awarded $1,000 scholarships to nine high school students during the Recognition Banquet. For more information on the educator and student award winners, see the Recognition Banquet program at www.jordandistrict.org/foundation/banquet_program.pdf. (Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file.)

CARLA CANTOR Oquirrh Elementary Fourth Grade	DEB DOLPH Jordan Resource Center Grades 7-12, Special Ed.
MARJORIE IHLER Alta High School Health Occupations	KATHY FOULKS South Valley School Grade 12+
JOEL LONG Copper Hills High School English, Writing and Art	TERRIE MOSS Quail Hollow Elementary Fifth Grade
SHEILA POWELL Monte Vista Elementary Sixth Grade	SALLY SANSOM Copperview Elementary Literacy Coach
BARBARA SPRINGER Oquirrh Hills Middle Ninth Grade	FRANCIS WYLIE Bella Vista Elementary Fourth Grade

Employees of the Year
      Two Jordan District employees were among seven honored statewide as Employees of the Year by the Utah School Employees Association. Holly Evans, secretary in the Transportation Department, was named Secretarial Services Employee of the Year. Quail Hollow Elementary head custodian Kevan Sprague was named Custodial Services Employee of the Year.

Former Coaches Honored
      Kathy VanWyngaarden, counselor at Alta High, was honored at a Utah Sports Hall of Fame Foundation dinner May 12. VanWyngaarden coached Morgan High to three volleyball state titles and took an Alta team to a third-place finish in 1982, a year after the Hawks finished last in their region.
      A lso honored was former coach Jim Jimas. Jimas won boys basketball state titles with Hillcrest High in l980 and Brighton High in l996, compiling a 334-159 record in 21 seasons at the two schools. He was also a successful golf coach.

Elementary Film Festival
      The Elementary Film Festival “Pure Imagination” was held at Peruvian Park April 29. Seven schools participated with more than 90 students involved. Winning entries can be viewed at htt://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/teacher_resources/filmfestival/film_festival.html.

Silent Hero Essay Contest
      The Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business recently sponsored a Silent Hero Essay Contest. Of the five student winners selected, four were from Albion Middle, including three from Sheri Sample's ninth-grade language arts class.

Balanced Literacy Open House
      Copperview Elementary is hosting a balanced literacy open house May 25, 9 a.m.-noon. The school extends an invitation to everyone, especially newly appointed literacy specialists, to participate. Copperview teachers will be modeling elements of the balanced literacy framework. Guests will be able to observe a balanced literacy environment and see best-teaching practices in action. For further information, please call (801) 565-7440.

Special Education Software Note
      All checked-out special education software and equipment must be returned to the Jordan Resource Center, 332 W. Center Street (7720 South), by May 21. Contact JoAnne Young, Jordan Resource Center, (801) 565-7584, with any questions.

Seeking Math Books
      The fifth-grade team at Southland Elementary needs 30 student and two teacher's editions of Math in My World, McGraw/Hill, 1998. Contact Principal Doree Strauss, (801) 254-8047.

Child Abuse and Family Violence Conference
      Prevent Child Abuse Utah (PCA Utah) is pleased to announce the 17th Annual Conference on Child Abuse and Family Violence, “Preserving the Innocence of Children.” The conference will be held Aug. 5-6 at Weber State University. The total cost is $100 for the two-day conference, which includes, breakfast, lunch and snacks. PCA Utah is offering a $50 discount for educators who register by July 19. View a conference brochure and register online at www.preventchildabuse.info. For additional information, please contact PCA Utah, (801) 532-3404.

Retirement Open Houses
      • Lucille Behrmann, secretary in the Southeast/Southwest Areas, is retiring after 26 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 27, 3-5 p.m., at the District Office, Board Room B.
      • Bette Davis, history teacher at Copper Hills High, is retiring after 32 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 19, 2:45-5 p.m., on the school's cafeteria patio.
      • Hanna Ellisor, fourth-grade teacher at Terra Linda Elementary, is retiring after 34 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor June 4, 2-4 p.m., in the school's media center.
      • Marilee Funkhouser, fifth-grade teacher at Terra Linda Elementary, is retiring after 36 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor June 4, 2-4 p.m., in the school's media center.
      • Del Goff, third-grade teacher at Terra Linda Elementary, is retiring after 25 years with the District. An open house will be held in his honor June 4, 2-4 p.m., in the school's media center.
      • Elaine Larson, fourth-grade teacher at East Sandy Elementary, is retiring after 26 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 27, 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the school's media center.
      • J. Elaine Larson, instructional assistant at Jordan Valley, is retiring after 26 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 28, 9-11 a.m., in the school's media center.
      • Linda Mansfield, history teacher at Crescent View Middle, is retiring after 16 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 27, 3-5 p.m., in the school's media center.
      • Char Oldroyd, Nutrition Services worker at Midvale Elementary, is retiring after 31 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 26, 3-5 p.m., in the school's media center.
      • Ron Peay, fifth-grade teacher at Terra Linda Elementary, is retiring after 30 years with the District. An open house will be held in his honor June 4, 2-4 p.m., in the school's media center.
      • Rose Pena, second-grade teacher at Majestic Elementary, is retiring after 29 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 20, 4-5:30 p.m., in the school's media center.
      • Linda Sandstrom, principal at Hillcrest High, is retiring after 39 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 27, 3-5 p.m., in the school's main entry.
      • Sharon Stewart, history teacher at Eastmont Middle, is retiring after 25 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 20, 3:30-5:30 p.m., in the school's media center.
      • Gail Tucker, Nutrition Services worker at Midvale Elementary, is retiring after 32 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 26, 3-5 p.m., in the school's media center.
      • Keith Wilson, executive director of the Southwest Area, is retiring after 36 years with the District. An open house will be held in his honor May 27, 3-5 p.m., at the District Office, Board Room B.

20th Anniversary of Joel P. Jensen
     Joel P. Jensen Middle will celebrate its 20th anniversary with an open house June 10, 6-8 p.m. All current or former faculty, staff, administrators and District administrators are invited.

Teacher of the Year
     Kay Bybee, fifth-grade teacher at Southland Elementary, was named the local Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. Kein Carlile, manager of the Sandy City Wal-Mart, presented the award, including a $1,000 educational grant to benefit the school, to Bybee May 5.

Journalism Fellow
     April Squires, English and journalism teacher at Riverton High, as well as adviser to Silver Scribe, the school newspaper, was chosen by the American Society of Newspaper Editors Institute as a Fellow at the University of South Florida. The award includes all expenses paid for a two-week summer program.

Math Winners
     The seventh grade team from Crescent View Middle won first place for large schools at the State Math Contest held March 18 at Weber State University. The team won a large trophy and $200. The team’s adviser is Patricia Stirling.

Volunteers Honored
     Copperview Elementary recently held its second annual Volunteer Appreciation Night. The evening began with a music video presentation displaying photos of parents/volunteers participating in the many activities/events that occurred at Copperview throughout the year, produced by fifth-grade teacher Robert Porter. Nearly 60 volunteers were able to attend this event in their honor. Last year, 8,600 volunteer hours were recorded at the school.

Retirement Open Houses
     Ken Frost, math teacher at Jordan High, is retiring after 30 years with the District. An open house will be held in his honor May 20, 3-5 p.m., in the school’s media center.
     Dan May, history teacher at Jordan High, is retiring after 31 years with the District. An open house will be held in his honor May 20, 3-5 p.m., in the school’s media center.
     Judy McAllister, English teacher at Alta High, is retiring after 26 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 20, 2:30-4 p.m., in the school’s media center.
     Betty Podlesny, Nutrition Services manager at Jordan High, is retiring after 23 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 20, 3-5 p.m., in the school’s media center.
     Jeff Rasmussen, history teacher at Jordan High, is retiring after 30 years with the District. An open house will be held in his honor May 20, 3-5 p.m., in the school’s media center.
     Martha Trujillo, Nutrition Services worker at Alta High, is retiring after 21 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 24, 11:30 a.m.-noon, in the school’s faculty room.
     Marietta Williams, dance teacher at Jordan High, is retiring after 33 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 20, 3-5 p.m., in the school’s media center.
     Note: Jane Roberts, second-grade teacher at Columbia Elementary, will not be represented at the school’s retirement open house May 21 as reported in last week’s Current. She has decided not to retire. Retiring teachers Jackie Hatch and Rosemary Hendrix will be honored from 4-5:30 p.m. on the school’s stage.

Flexible Spending Change
     Flexible Spending elections for the insurance year Sept. 1, 2004, through Aug. 31, 2005, will be due July 31 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 mailed to all employees this month or can be picked up in Insurance Services. Please call Insurance Services, (801) 567-8146, with any questions.

Huntsman Award Winner
     Brian Bentley, choir teacher at Hillcrest High, was one of 11 statewide winners of the 2004 Huntsman Awards for Excellence in Education. The prestigious honor is presented annually by the Jon and Karen Huntsman family to recognize dedication and commitment in Utah’s public schools. Selected by a panel of educators and business leaders, each recipient receives a check for $10,000 and a crystal trophy. A banquet to honor the winners will be held May 7 at the Little America Hotel.

Circle of Fame
     The Utah High School Activities Association honored Sue Malone, principal at Midvale Middle, by naming her to its 2004 Circle of Fame. Malone was selected in recognition of her outstanding contributions and service to the youth of Utah.

Distinguished Practitioner Award
     Superintendent Barry L. Newbold received the 2004-05 Distinguished Practitioner Award from the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Utah. This award is given for excellent service to the educational community. He received the award at an honorary banquet April 23.

City Choice Award
     Riverton Mayor David Evans presented Carol Lasson, theater and English teacher at Oquirrh Hills Middle, with the Riverton City Choice Educator Award for March.

Career Day
     The annual Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce/Jordan School District Career Day was held April 28. Students from five Jordan District high schools job shadowed business representatives that morning. The job shadow experience was concluded with a luncheon at Willow Creek Country Club.

Future Lab
     Copper Hills High was one of 25 high schools and colleges nationwide selected to host this year’s “Future Lab Tour of 2004.” The lab is a traveling time capsule that includes items depicting what the world will look like in the next 10 to 20 years. The capsule includes a lunar land rover, working robots and robotic technology, nanotechnologies and the future of home entertainment. The capsule was available for public viewing May 3-4.

Earth Day Project
     Students from Crescent View Middle were involved in an Earth Day project on April 27. In the morning, they planted 100 smooth sumac native seedling trees along the riparian zone of the Jordan River for migratory and songbird habitat. In the afternoon, they helped with trail maintenance then toured the Mehraban Wetlands in Draper. The event was made possible by an environmental grant from Wal-Mart.

Science Teachers of the Year
     Tony Romanello, science teacher at Alta High, won the 2004 Radio Shack National Teacher of the Year Award. Mark Petersen, science teacher at Jordan High, also won the award which includes a cash prize.

Debate Tournament
     The Utah State Debate Tournament was held April 23-24 at Hunter High School. Students from Peruvian Park Elementary, Indian Hills Middle, Midvale Middle, Oquirrh Hills Middle and South Jordan Middle were recognized as tournament winners.

Retirement Open Houses
     Jerry Chapman, principal at East Midvale Elementary, is retiring after 17 years with the District. An open house will be held in his honor May 20, 4-5 p.m., in the school’s media center.
     Jackie Hatch, second-grade teacher at Columbia Elementary, is retiring after 17 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 21, 4-5:30 p.m. in the school’s media center.
     Rosemary Hendrix, fifth- and sixth-grade teacher at Columbia Elementary, is retiring after 21 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 21, 4-5:30 p.m. in the school’s media center.
     Ann Hollowell, first-grade teacher at Ridgecrest Elementary, is retiring after 25 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 19, 3:30-5 p.m., in the school’s media center.
     Pam Larsen, Title I teacher at East Midvale Elementary, is retiring after 25 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 20, 4-5 p.m. in the school’s media center.
     Jane Roberts, second-grade teacher at Columbia Elementary, is retiring after 24 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor May 21, 4-5:30 p.m. in the school’s media center.

Insurance Enrollment Change
     We want to remind you once again that Jordan 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.