JANUARY 2005

Giving Continues
     The holidays are over, but word continues to spread about the great ways our schools give to the community. In addition, recent world events have sparked new opportunities for schools to give:
     • Sixth-grade students at Copper Canyon Elementary started a drive to raise money called “one dime at a time.” All money collected will go to the American Red Cross to aid tsunami relief efforts.
     • Southland Elementary students, concerned about those who lost parents in the Asian disaster, created a “kid-to-kid” fund-raising activity. Donations will to go UNICEF programs helping tsunami victims in orphanages.
     • Students, faculty and staff at Oquirrh Hills Middle raised $7,021 for its Sub-for-Santa program. The money was donated to local families in need. Fundraising activities included a daily coin toss in the lunchroom, silent auction to shadow a teacher or student-body officer, and a “stump-the-teacher” assembly.
     • The Welby Elementary Spirit Club collected 155 boxes of items for the Utah Food Bank totaling 3,200 pounds. In addition, in honor of a former student who is a cancer survivor, they collected 58 quilts for the Primary Children's Medical Center, 10 more than collected the previous year.

Puppet Shows Focus on Tough Issues
      The Kids on the Block puppeteers from the Assistance League of Salt Lake have a few remaining dates to perform skits at schools. Skit topics include bullies, resolving conflict, peer pressure (drug and alcohol use), learning disabilities, child abuse, anti-smoking and cerebral palsy. There is no charge for the performances. Contact Sue Sherk, (801) 943-9839, or Cheryl Martin, (801) 278-1961, cmartin636@comcast.net, for more information or to schedule a performance.

Students Can Design Utah Quarter
      In 2007, the U.S. Mint will produce more than 450 million quarters honoring the State of Utah as part of its 50 State Quarter Program. All Utahns are invited to participate by submitting a design concept in visual or narrative form for what should be on the back of the Utah Quarter. As a special incentive for Jordan District students, the Utah State Office of Education has donated an 1896-minted silver dollar to award to one student entry. The quarter is numbered and worth about $20. Students are encouraged to produce a design for our quarter. Design information can be found at http://arts.utah.gov/Submission_form.pdf. Students should send design entries to Pam Su’a, social studies specialist, Jordan District Office, 9361 S. 300 East, Sandy, UT 84070, or teachers may send entries through District mail. The deadline for the coin competition is Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. All entries submitted will be sent to the Utah State Quarter Commission.

Retirement Seminar
      A few spaces are still available for the upcoming Jordan District retirement seminar. State Retirement System and District representatives will explain the state pension program; benefits of early investment choices such as the 401K, 403B and 457 plans; how and when to retire for maximum financial earnings; and District retirement benefits. Register by calling Lorna Evans, (801) 256-5750.
Location: District Office, Board Room A
Date: Feb. 7
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)

Celebrating Southpointe
      Southpointe High, Jordan District’s adult education high school, provides basic education classes required for an adult high school diploma or GED. Classes are open to all residents 18 years of age or older whose high school class has graduated. During the last year, Southpointe awarded 304 high school diplomas and 229 GEDs. The school served 2,531 students working toward high school diplomas and 483 students taking English as a second language.

District Calendar
      View the District Calendar at www.jordandistrict.org/calendar

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

Wanted: Centennial Logo/Theme Ideas
      During the 2005-06 school year, Jordan School District will celebrate its 100th year of educating Utah's students. Numerous events are scheduled throughout the coming year to inform students, employees and the community about the District's rich educational heritage. As part of that celebration, the District is asking students to submit ideas for a Centennial logo and theme. The logo/theme will be used throughout the year on flags, printed materials, District and school Web sites, etc. The winning entry will be selected by the Board of Education and will receive $250, compliments of Jordan Credit Union. Entries should be sent to the Office of Communications at the District Office by March 1, and should include the student’s name, grade and school. For more information call (801) 567-8290 or visit www.jordandistrict.org/centennial.

W-2 Forms Delivered This Month
      W-2 forms for 2004 will be delivered to schools and departments at the end of January. Substitute teachers will receive their W-2 forms by mail. The fee for a duplicate W-2 form is $5. All duplicate W-2 forms must be picked up in person and signed for in the Payroll Department.

Name and Address Changes
      Employees' names and social security numbers must match the name and number in the Social Security Administration (SSA) files. SSA cannot post wages unless this information is correct. This means the benefits an employee may be entitled to (including retirement, disability or survivors benefits) could be affected. Jordan District does not update its payroll records for a name change until the employee has obtained a new Social Security card. Forms for requesting a Social Security name change are available in the Payroll Department or by calling SSA, 1-800-772-1213. Always make sure the address printed on your check is correct.

W-4 Form Updates
      Employees who claimed exempt status in 2004 and wish to continue their exemption for 2005 must submit a new W-4 form to the Payroll Department by Feb. 16. If an employee whose exemption expires does not file a new form, by law taxes will be withheld as if the employee were single claiming no withholding allowances until the employee submits a new W-4 form.

2005 Tax Tables and Social Security Wage Base
      New federal tax tables are in effect for 2005 and some employees may notice a change on their federal tax deduction. The Social Security Wage Base for 2005 increased to $90,000. The Medicare wage base has no maximum. The deduction rates will remain at 6.2 percent for Social Security and 1.45 percent for Medicare, making a total of 7.65 percent.

Teen Driver Training Research
     Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates automobile crashes are by far the leading cause of death among teen-agers. Jordan District's eight high schools have been selected to test the effectiveness of new technology designed to reduce accidents among teen-age drivers. Using new sophisticated simulation technology, provided by DriveSafety coupled with extensive research conducted by Kansas State University, Jordan School District hopes to lower the crash rates of its students. Based on decades of driving research since the mid-seventies, this research project aims to incorporate elements of existing and new research to study the effect of combining traditional driver’s education with powerful new technology and curriculum advances focused on safer driving behaviors. Alta High and West Jordan High will have three simulators and the remaining high schools will each have one. Jordan School District was selected from districts across the nation because of its "size, progressiveness and proximity," according to DriveSafety CEO Bill Woahn. The value of the simulators is estimated at $1 million.

Holiday Giving, Part 3
     We continue to receive reports of generosity and charity expressed by students, staff and parents at our schools during the holidays. Continuing from the past few issues of Current, here are additional examples:
      • Monte Vista Elementary students collected three boxes of used eyeglasses for "Shared Sight." The glasses will be refurbished for those in need and donated through Pearle Vision at SouthTowne Mall.
      • Students at Mountview Elementary collected more than 2,700 items of food for the Utah food Bank.

ADHD Conference
      The Utah Association of School Psychologists will be presenting Russel Barkley, Ph.D., an authority on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) during its mid-winter conference Feb. 4 at the Sheraton City Centre Hotel. Barkley will present the latest research on the nature, diagnosis and management of ADHD in children and adolescents. The conference is open to parents and professionals, providing ideas for interventions and best practices. Contact Candace Dee, (801) 567-8242, for information about registration or www.coe.usu.edu/psyc/uasp for conference registration information.

Retirement Open House
      An open house will be held for Kathleen Day, Balanced Literacy teacher specialist, Jan. 21, 3:30-5 p.m. at the District Office in Board rooms A and B. Day is retiring after 17 years in Jordan District.

Web Site Visits Increase
     The District's award-winning Web site, www.jordandistrict.org, continues to experience phenomenal growth. In October 2001 the site had 10,589 visitors. By October 2004, that ballooned to 289,282, nearly 30 times the number of visitors in 2001. An average of about 2,400 users visit the site each day. The site’s most visited pages are the District home page, PowerSchool, the school directory, the HR job listings and the District calendar.

Educator of the Month
      Ann Marie Sherman, first-grade teacher at Lone Peak Elementary, was honored as Educator of the Month for December by the Midvale Kiwanis Club.

Huntsman Award Nominations
      Nominations for the 2005 Huntsman Awards for Excellence in Education are now open and will be accepted until 5 p.m. Feb. 25. Winners will be announced approximately 60 days later. The awards are designed to "recognize, inspire and reward the best teachers, school administrators and volunteers in Utah for continually seeking ways to improve the quality of education in our public school system." Nomination forms are available at www.huntsman.com/haee.

Science Grant Awarded
      Crescent Elementary received a $810 Science and Math Improvement Grant from the Toshiba America Foundation. Created by teacher Ann Houmand, the school’s "The Heat is On!" project will help increase the school's sixth-grade students' knowledge of convection, conduction, radiation and related energy topics.

Schools Act Quickly to Assist Tsunami Victims
      With only a week in school since the tragic earthquake and related tsunami in Southeast Asia, several schools have already begun fundraising to help the victims. Here are a few examples of efforts underway:
      • A kindergarten student at Oakdale Elementaryin Sandy has started a campaign to encourage students to donate part of their allowance to tsunami relief efforts. Each staff member has also been challenged to donate.
      • As of last week, the student council at Midvale Elementary had already raised $350 for the Red Cross.
      • The student council at Oquirrh Elementary in West Jordan is sponsoring a fundraising activity. UPS has agreed to match whatever the school collects.
      • Students and staff at East Midvale Elementary are collecting cash donations.
      • Copperview Elementary started a fundraising activity called “Kids at Copperview Care.” Students are asked to donate coins for the Red Cross.
      • The South Jordan Elementary student council is leading students in a Red Cross tsunami fundraising drive through Feb. 18.

More Holiday Giving
      We continue to receive reports of generosity and charity expressed by students, staff and parents at our schools during the holidays. Continuing from the past two issues of Current, here are additional examples:
      • Through multiple donations from many schools, individuals, companies and churches, the Jordan Student Intervention Team provided a family night for students and their families. The evening included dinner, pictures with Santa, gingerbread houses for each student and live music by Union Middle teacher Reolof Vel. Through generous contributions, much needed items such as blankets, laundry soap, towels and toiletries were also provided for the families.
      • The student council at Majestic Elementary collected more than 50 boxes of food for the Utah Food Bank in a week. They also collected Christmas quarters that were donated to the Humane Society, the South Valley Sanctuary and KSL’s Quarters for Christmas.
      • Oakdale Elementary students donated 900 books to the Road Home Homeless Shelter and nearly $1,500 to KSL’s Quarters for Christmas.
      • Students at Monte Vista Elementary raised $2,629 for a family in the school’s boundaries struggling to pay for their son’s brain surgery. The “Quarters for Kai’a” campaign helped the family cover costs of a 10-day hospital stay in Cleveland.

Spanish Club Night
      To kick off 2005, "The Year of World Languages," students taking Spanish courses in Jordan District high schools will host a Spanish Club night at Club Mambo Jan. 21. Club Mambo is a Latin dance club for teens. LaRue Urquhart, Spanish teacher at Bingham High, is coordinating the event.

Retirement Open House
      An open house will be held for Don Martin, counselor at Copper Hills High, Jan. 18, 2:45-4:15 p.m. in the media center. Martin is retiring Jan. 31 after 20 years in Jordan District and 31 years in education.

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 at an upcoming seminar. 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: District Office, Board Room A
      Date: Feb. 7
      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)

Open House at Jordan Applied Technology Centers
      The annual open house for the Jordan Applied Technology Centers will be held Jan. 26 from 4:30-8 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity to see the programs available to high school juniors and seniors. Instructors and students will be available to provide classrooms tours and answer questions. New programs beginning in the fall of 2005 include fire science and criminal justice on the Sandy campus and surgical technician and engineering at the West Jordan campus. In addition, the certified nurse assisting program will be offered at both campuses. Students, parents and staff are invited to attend.

Special Education Program
      The BYU Public School Partnership is offering a program for individuals wanting to become licensed to teach students with disabilities. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree and agree to participate in the entire program. Tuition stipends are available. Those accepted into the program will be able to interview for special education teaching assignments for the 2005-06 school year. Interested applicants should attend an information meeting Jan. 11, 4:30 p.m., Board Room B at the District Office. Additional information meetings are available in other districts. Contact Cheryl Hostetter, (801) 567-8294, for more information.

Shot Clinics
      Earlier this year, schools identified personnel to receive Hepatitis B vaccinations and all Special Education personnel were notified of their eligibility to receive Hepatitis A/B combination vaccinations. If you are eligible for either of these vaccinations, Community Nursing Services will hold the following shot clinics in January. Please note the shortened clinic times:
      • Jan. 14, 2-4 p.m., Riverton Elementary, 13150 S. 1830 West, Riverton
      • Jan. 21, 2-4 p.m., Jordan Valley School, 7501 S. 1000 East, Midvale

Science Educator of the Year
      Gina Sanzenbacher, biotech instructor at the Jordan Applied Technology Center, West Jordan Campus, was one of three Utah teachers selected as Science Educator of the Year by the University of Utah Museum of Natural History. Some of Sanzenbacher’s students actually conduct biotech research for private companies as part of their school experience. The award honored teachers for their ability to inspire and challenge students and included a $500 stipend.

Employee of the Month
      The Maintenance Department Advisory Council has chosen Jerry Olson, painter, as employee of the month for January 2005. Olson started with Jordan District in 1976.

More Holiday Giving
      Continuing from December's issues of Current, here are additional examples of ways schools expressed generosity and charity during the holidays:
      • Lone Peak Elementary students collected money, books and clothes for needy students in other schools, including Sandy Elementary. They also collected more than 1,500 cans of food for the Utah Food Bank.
      • Students at Elk Meadows Elementary sent more than 6,000 "reindeer grams" with treats attached, resulting in $3,000 raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The funds were used to help send a terminally ill child to Disney World.
      • Jeannene Atkinson's third-grade class at Terra Linda Elementary adopted the West Jordan Care Center and made lap quilts for residents. The class went on a walking field trip in December to deliver them. The school's student council also collected $780 for KSL Quarters for Christmas.
      • The student council at Quail Hollow Elementary collected $2,003 for KSL's Quarters for Christmas campaign.
      • Herriman Elementary students collected 1,800 pounds of canned food items for the Utah Food Bank, a donation matched by Jiffy Lube. The faculty also donated toiletry items, blankets, gloves and scarves to the Draper Rehabilitation and Care Center.
      • Jordan Hills Elementary students and community collected more than 6,000 cans of food for the Utah Food Bank. Local businesses matched the donation.
      • Students at South Hills Middle raised more than $3,000 for a Sub-for-Santa project. The donation helped five families have a merrier Christmas.
      • Riverton High student body officers raised $55,775 during its annual fundraising drive, likely the highest total in the state. The money was donated to the South Valley Sanctuary, a haven for victims of domestic violence. Students also signed pledges to stop violence in their personal lives.
      • Sub-for-Santa projects at Copper Canyon Elementary assisted the women’s shelter and a staff member in need.
      • The Butler Elementary student council organized a Quarters-for-Christmas drive, raising $3,344 in two weeks.

ARCHIVED NEWS

To submit an item for Current, send an e-mail to Michael Kelley at michael.kelley@jordan.k12.ut.us or contact him at (801) 567-8337.