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OCTOBER 2004
Five-Star Award
Winners
The Jordan Board of Education is pleased to announce
the winners of its first-ever Five-Star Awards. The awards honor outstanding
employees for the exceptional contributions they make to the District, their
schools or their departments. They will be given annually to 10 loyal and dedicated
individuals who further the Board’s vision to “provide a quality
education for all students.” In addition, one school is honored for outstanding
public relations efforts. This year’s honorees receive $2,500 and will
be recognized during the Board of Education meeting Oct. 26 and at an exclusive
recognition banquet Nov. 5.
Year-round Elementary Teacher
 Sara
Andreason, fifth grade, Westland
"(Andreason) is a one-in-a-million kind of
teacher. Parents and students stand in line begging to get into her class every
year. She…will continue to be a good example of excellence for all teachers
to emulate.”
Kathy
Ridd, principal
Traditional Elementary Teacher
 Jan
Givens, first and second grades, Mountview
"Givens' many contributions to the school
have made a significant impact on the lives of the students and faculty. She
is always positive about new concepts and projects and often assumes leadership
in putting new ideas into practice."
Alice
Crankshaw, first-grade teacher
Middle School Teacher
 Tiffany
Cooke, language arts, West Hills
"(Cooke's) motivation has been to become
the best teacher possible in order to provide a great educational opportunity
for her students. She quietly goes about doing her job in a manner that far exceeds
the norm.”
Catherine
Jensen, principal
High School Teacher
 Richard Minor, career and technology
education, West Jordan
“Minor’s opening remarks at the beginning
of each semester…promises that each students’ self esteem will be
lifted, and he personally sees to it that they attain this promise. He is ever
smiling with a positive word for everyone and his successes with students are
renown."
Melvin
Nomiyama, electronics teacher
Certificated At-Large
 Cheryl
Argyle, registered nurse and special educator,
Jordan Valley
“(Argyle) is there for (our medically fragile
students) every minute of the day and even into the night. Her expertise in providing
medical services is surpassed only by her love for these hundreds of disabled
children.”
John
Gardner, principal
Classified Employees
 Connie Crosby, homeless students liaison, Alternative Language Services
“Crosby exemplifies the best in our classified
employees. She has developed her own personal expertise in a specific area and
this she uses to further the vision of Jordan School District…”
Calvin
Evans, executive director
Carmen Figueroa, special education  paraprofessional,
Riverside Elementary
“(Figueroa) promotes communication between parents
and the school. Her presence gives Latino parents the encouragement they need
to increase their involvement. Her warmth and understanding validates them.”
Mindy
Young, first-grade teacher
Barbara Milne, Transportation
 “Milne
demonstrates a level of professional commitment
and competency in her work and responsibilities
that far exceeds the norm. She is constantly
broadening her knowledge, improving her skills
and showing strong leadership qualities…”
James Hinckle, Transportation
director
Kim Walters, instructional assistant,
South Valley
 “(Walters) is gifted in working with students
who are considered highly challenging by other teachers. Her calm, no-nonsense
demeanor, coupled with humor and compassion, have assisted numerous students
to be successful…when they otherwise might not have been.”
Becky
Rambo, transition coordinator
Administrator
Tom Hicks, principal, Bingham High
 “Hicks has been exceptional at establishing an
inclusive school climate that values all members of the school community, including
students, faculty and staff. In part, this climate has been built around illuminating
school history…”
Dennis Edmonds, assistant principal
School Public Relations,
Altara Elementary
 “Altara
Elementary is truly an outstanding school and an asset to the students
and community. (Our children have had) excellent teachers and staff who
have taken an interest in their individual growth and development.”
Peggy
and Hugh Holt, parents
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Accepting Administrative Applications
The Department of Human Resources
is currently accepting applications for school- and District-level
administrative positions. Those who are not current administrators
in Jordan District must be prepared to participate in a full-day
interview (Dec. 10 or 13). School-level openings will be determined
in the spring, with those positions to become effective July 1,
2005.
Candidates must have five years
of previous full-time licensed teaching and/or administrative
experience. A full-time internship, either as a teacher or as
an administrator, will count toward one of the five qualifying
years. Candidates must hold a current Utah Administrative/Supervisory
License. A copy of the license, or a letter from a university
stating that the applicant will have completed requirements for
licensure by July 1, 2005, must accompany the application. Applications
(which include specific instructions) are available from the Department of Human Resources. Applications will
be accepted until Nov. 5 at 4:30 p.m.
Weather Station Awarded
Monte Vista Elementary will be a Channel 2 "Weathernet"
site thanks to an award from Channel 2 News and Menlove Auto. The
satellite weather station ties in to the fourth-grade curriculum.
Channel 2 weatherman Sterling Poulson will present the award
to students, teachers and Principal Kathy Anderson live during
the station’s noon newscast Wednesday, Oct. 27.
Shadow Day
Oquirrh Hills Middle participated
in the National Middle School Association's "Month of the Young Adolescent"
by inviting community leaders, parents, neighbors, and friends
to its Shadow Day Oct. 19. Oquirrh Hills students, teachers
and administrators were "shadowed" through the
day with an evaluation seminar held after school.
Making the Grade Award
Barbara Springer, English teacher at Oquirrh
Hills Middle,
received the KSL-TV "Making the Grade" Award. She will be
featured in a 30-second commercial and receive a plaque from
KSL-TV honoring her commitment to students and education. She
was nominated by Mira Curtis, a Riverton parent whose children
have been in Springer's classes.
Seeking Computer Teachers
The Educational
Support Services Department is looking for computer teachers to teach evening Community
Education classes. Classes run Jan. 20 through March. Interested
teachers should contact Jim Madsen, (801) 567-8235.
Pan Sale
The Nutrition
Services Department is once again hosting a pan sale in the Auxiliary Services Building,
9150 S. 500 West. Hours for the sale are Nov. 3, noon-6 p.m.,
and Nov. 4-5, 2-6 p.m.
No Current Next Week
Due to the UEA Recess, there will
be no Current next week. The next issue of Current will be sent
by e-mail and available online Nov. 9. Please submit items for
this issue by Nov. 7.
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
Flu Vaccine Not Available
Jordan District received notification
that its order for flu vaccine will not be filled this year. The
company that produces the vaccine had its license suspended. This
action reduces the availability of flu vaccine in the United States
by 50 percent.
The Center for Disease Control
has indicated only individuals in the following at-risk groups
should seek an influenza vaccination:
• children aged 6-23 months,
• adults aged 65 years and older,
• persons aged 2-64 years with underlying
chronic medical conditions,
• women who will be pregnant during the
influenza season,
• residents of nursing homes and long-term
care facilities,
• children aged 6 months-18 years on chronic
aspirin therapy,
• health-care workers involved in direct
patient care, and
• out-of-home caregivers and household contacts
of children aged under six months.
Jordan District nurses regret not being able to supply flu
shots this year, but hope to resume this service next year.
Jordan Applied Technology Center, West Jordan Campus, Principal Todd Quarnburg
explains the school's veterinary assisting program to participants
in the NFUSSD conference. |
District Hosts Board Members
Jordan and Granite School Districts
recently hosted the annual National Federation of Urban and Suburban
School Districts (NFUSSD) conference in Salt Lake City. The conference
theme was "No Excuses, No Limits," focusing on programs
serving at-risk and high-achieving students. School board
members and superintendents from around the country participated in
educational activities including visits to Hillcrest
High, Copperview
Elementary, South Valley School and
the Jordan Applied Technology Center, West
Jordan Campus. Student performing groups from Canyon
View Elementary, Hillcrest
High, Riverton High,
and Jordan High entertained conference attendees
during functions at the Downtown Marriott Hotel.
Classified Orientation
The 2004 New Classified Orientation
was recently held at Jordan High and attended by about 180 full-time
employees, all hired since July 2003 for classified positions
in Jordan District. This was the first opportunity for the superintendent,
Board of Education, and Human Resource Department representatives
to officially welcome these employees to the District. All
attendees were introduced to District administrators and members
of the Board of Education and received important information
regarding their employment. The new employees were congratulated
by June LeMaster, Human Resources specialist, for being the
top candidates in their respective positions.
Bilingual Educator of the Year
The Utah Association for Bilingual
Education (UABE) selected Maria Requena, first-grade teacher at Midvale
Elementary, as
the Bilingual Educator of the Year. UABE also selected Gloria
Lara, parent of students at Midvale Elementary, as the Bilingual
Parent of the Year. Both were recognized during the annual
UABE Conference at Utah State University.
Fun Run
About 200 students, teachers and
parents from Joel
P. Jensen Middle participated in an annual Fun Run on
Oct. 1. Helping out were volunteers from the PTA and the West
Jordan High track team under the direction of Jana White.
Jordan School District representatives
stand in front of one of the District's 30 natural
gas buses during the 10-year anniversary celebration of
Utah Clean Cities. |
Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Showcased
Earlier this
year, Jordan School District received a $350,000 grant and
purchased 10 new natural gas buses. Those buses arrived in
September and were on display at the 10-year anniversary celebration
of Utah Clean Cities Oct. 8. Utah Clean Cities assisted the
District in obtaining the Environmental Protection Agency grant.
The new buses bring the number
of natural gas buses in the District fleet to 30. Jordan is
the only district in the state that uses natural gas buses. Natural
gas vehicles produce lower levels of most pollutants than gasoline
or diesel powered vehicles. In addition, natural gas buses require
an oil change every 25,000 miles, while their diesel counterparts
need oil changes every 5,000 miles. They are also more fuel
efficient, getting about nine miles to the gallon. A diesel bus gets about
five miles per gallon.
The buses joined vehicles from
Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake Airport Authority and Utah Transit
Authority on display at the event.
Charitable Giving Campaign Underway
The annual charitable giving campaign
in Jordan District will run through Nov. 12. Each principal and
District department has received a packet with brochures describing
the three participating federations: Community Health Charities,
Community Shares and United Way. Member agencies and their goals
are listed under each federation.
District employees may donate to
any or all federations or individual member agencies. Donations
may be made by cash, check, credit card or payroll deduction.
This year payroll deductions will be accepted for up to 12 months
beginning Jan. 1, 2005. A separate pledge form must be used for
each federation.
Women’s Health Update
The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act
of 1998 requires that participants in health insurance programs are notified
of the following:
In the case of a plan participant
or beneficiary who received benefits under the plan in connection
with a mastectomy and who elects breast reconstruction, coverage
will be provided for:
• Reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was
performed;
• Surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce
a symmetrical appearance; and
• Prostheses and treatment of physical complications at
all stages of the mastectomy, including lymphedemas.
These services shall be provided
in a manner determined in consultation with the attending physician
and the plan participant. Coverage for these medical services
is subject to applicable deductibles and co-payment amounts.
Regular pre-authorization and pre-notification
requirements apply. For other related services, consult the policy
or call Insurance Services, (801) 567-8146.
Celebrating 30 Years of Success
Willow Canyon Elementary will
celebrate "30 Years of Success" this
year. An open house and program will be held at the school Oct.
14, beginning at 7 p.m. Former and current students, families,
teachers and administrators are invited to attend. Activities
include a time capsule, displays, a keynote address from Superintendent
Barry L. Newbold, and music from the school choir. The School
Community Council is sponsoring a fund-raiser called "30,000
and Beyond," to provide money for additional instructional
technology equipment. Quarters will be collected and placed side-by-side
to cover a distance that will place Willow Canyon in the Guinness
Book of World Records.
June LeMaster, Human Resources Specialist and former Copperview
Elementary
principal, was named Community Leader of the Year by UAESP. |
Community Leader Award
The Utah Association of Elementary School Principals
(UAESP) named June LeMaster its Community Leader of the Year. The former
Copperview Elementary principal received the
award for her "dedication and willingness to build bridges
of understanding through the sharing of cultures and cultural
experiences." She was
also presented with a Midvale City proclamation for her "leadership
in creating a culture of understanding and recognizing diversity
as a community strength." The proclamation was presented
by Midvale Mayor JoAnn Seghini and members of the City Council.
LeMaster is currently a Human Resources specialist.
Educator of the Month
Robert Allred, math teacher at Oquirrh
Hills Middle, was honored
as the September Educator of the Month by the Midvale Kiwanis
Club and the Jordan Education Association. Allred was nominated
for the award by his fellow teachers. The award was presented
during a luncheon in his honor Sept. 21.
Employees of the Month
The Maintenance
Department Advisory Committee selected Mike Schmidt
as employee of the month for October. Schmidt, a painter, has
been with the District since 1997.
The Custodial
Department Advisory Committee selected Ken Naylor,
head custodian at South Jordan Elementary, as Custodian of the
Month for August. Naylor, who has been with Jordan District for
13 years, was nominated by the school staff.
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To sumbit 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. |
