AUGUST 2004

Aug. 3 | Aug. 17 | Aug. 31

National Board Certification
     Teachers interested in pursuing National Board Certification may attend an informational meeting and complete scholarship applications Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. in Board Room B at the District Office. National Board Certification recognizes teaching excellence and attests that a teacher has met the highest standards established for the profession. Jordan District teachers who receive this certification are given a $1,000 stipend for the length of their certificate (10 years).

Register Online for Professional Development Classes
     The Curriculum and Staff Development Department has partnered with the Office of Communications to introduce an online registration system for professional development classes. Teachers and other staff members can register for classes at www.jordandistrict.org/registration. Payment for classes must be mailed to confirm enrollment.

Retirement Seminar
     Thinking of retiring? New or mid-career in the District? A representative 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. A representative from the Payroll Department will also discuss District benefits. This class is presented by Jordan District. Spouses are also welcome to register. Register by calling Lorna Evans, (801) 256-5750.
     Location: Board Room A, District Office
     Date: Oct. 4
     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)

Praxis ParaPro Test Cancelled
     The Praxis ParaPro testing originally scheduled for Sept. 9 has been cancelled. The next testing date is scheduled for Oct. 14. Information regarding the test will be made available through principals prior to Oct. 1.

Disney Teacher Awards
     The Walt Disney Co. is seeking outstanding teachers for its 2005 DisneyHand Teacher Awards. The awards honor educators’ “creativity, inspiration and proactive participation in their students’ lives,” according to Disney CEO Michael D. Eisner. Recognitions include Disneyland Resort special events and an awards gala, where winning teachers of the year receive cash prizes. Nominations for the awards are being accepted until Oct. 15 at www.disneyhand.com or by calling (877) 282-8322.

The Thomas Jefferson Lady
     Fifth-grade students at Riverton Elementary had the opportunity in June to be taught about American History by the “Thomas Jefferson Lady,” LuAnn Ose. Students learned interesting and exciting facts about Thomas Jefferson during Ose’s individual class presentations. This year’s students are looking forward to learning from her in September. Ose is available for presentations at District schools. Contact her at (801) 981-1071 or tjeffersonlady@aol.com.

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

New Natural Gas Buses to Join Fleet
     Late this fall, Jordan District expects to take delivery of 10 new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses thanks to a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency and the help of Salt Lake Clean Cities. Natural gas vehicles produce lower levels of most pollutants than gasoline or diesel vehicles, require less frequent oil changes and are more fuel efficient. The new buses will bring the number of CNG buses in the District fleet to 30. Jordan is the only district in the state that uses natural gas buses.

Entrances to District Office Closed
     For security reasons, all visitors to the District Office must now enter through the front (west) doors. Other entrances are accessible only with an authorized security card. Visitors can still enter the Professional Development Center (PDC) classrooms directly.

Employee Deaths
     If anyone is aware of the passing of current or past Jordan School District employees, please notify Donna Spade in the Office of Communications, (801) 567-8162, donna.spade@jordan.k12.ut.us. The Board of Education will use this information to express condolences to the families.

Teacher to Assist in National Study
     Officials from ACT selected Maggie Cummings, math teacher at Jordan High, to help develop standards for The Nation's Report Card. The Report Card periodically tests samples of fourth-, eighth- and twelfth-grade students in various subjects. Cummings is among a panel of 43 who will participate in a pilot study for the 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress in mathematics.

Retirement Open House
     Susan Turner, principal at Copper Canyon Elementary, is retiring after 16 years with the District. An open house will be held in her honor Aug. 27, 3-5 p.m. in the school’s media center, 8917 S. Copperwood Dr. (5480 West).

Next Issue Aug. 31
     The next issue of Current will be posted online Aug. 31. Any items for this issue are due by noon, Aug. 27. The paper version of the employee newsletter, Current Monthly Summary, will once again be distributed beginning in September to accommodate those employees without Internet access.

Flexible Spending Reminder
     Current flexible spending participants (2003-04 school year) have until Aug. 31 to incur any expenses eligible for reimbursement. Any money deposited to a reimbursement account and not used by the end of the plan year is forfeited. Participants have until Nov. 30 to submit eligible medical or dependent care expenses for the 2003-04 plan year.

Counselor/Choreographer Goes to Greece
     Paul Winkelman, counselor at Brighton High, is in Greece doing choreography work for the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Athens Olympics. He was also tapped by 2002 Winter Olympic organizers to produce Salt Lake City's Opening and Closing ceremonies, first as a volunteer, and later as a paid choreographer. He helped choreograph the Western-themed sections of the 2002 ceremonies. Winkelman intends to share his Athens experiences with his Brighton students upon returning to Utah this September, hoping they benefit from his insights.

Teachers Visit Homes to Encourage Reading
     Teachers and staff at Columbia Elementary spent Saturday, July 31, delivering Gov. Olene Walker's message of reading 20 minutes every day with a child. The educators went door-to-door to all of the houses in their boundaries delivering flyers that encourage this message. They also delivered a pamphlet giving parents strategies on how to get the most out of the reading experience.

Degree and Continuing Education Programs for Teachers
     University of Phoenix Online offers a wide selection of online degree and continuing education courses for teachers. A three-credit teacher education course is three-weeks long. Online courses allow teachers to earn credits efficiently via the Internet. For more information call, 800-357-3526, ext. 1748, or visit the University of Phoenix Web site at www.uopx.com/wrc.

Next Issue Aug. 17
     The next issue of Current will be posted online Aug. 17. Any items for this issue are due by noon, Aug. 13. The paper version of the employee newsletter, Current Monthly Summary, will once again be distributed beginning with September payday to accommodate those employees without Internet access. All employees will also automatically receive Current in their District e-mail account.