SEPTEMBER 2004

Sept. 7 | Sept. 14 | Sept. 21 | Sept. 28

Teacher of the Year       Entering middle school can be an unsettling time for a 12-year-old. Now imagine that seventh-grade student entering his English class to find the teacher clad in a Willy Wonka costume, carrying balloons, distributing Gobstopper candy and wearing a sandwich board that reads “Welcome to Mrs. Cooke's class. We'll have gobs of fun.” Tiffany Cooke, language arts teacher at West Hills Middle, is named Jordan District's 2004-05 Teacher of the Year.      “The students made an immediate connection to (Tiffany Cooke),” wrote West Hills Middle Principal Catherine Jensen of the Willy Wonka experience. “Their first-day jitters were immediately gone.”      That was last year. This year the West Hills Middle language arts teacher dressed as a Hershey's Kiss and welcomed students to “taste sweet success” in seventh grade.      It is this kind of innovation and enthusiasm that prompted Cooke's selection as the 2004-05 Jordan School District Teacher of the Year.      “Teaching is truly my dream job,” wrote Cooke on her Teacher of the Year application. “I have wanted to be a teacher all my life…It is a gift to be able to make a difference in my students' lives, as other teachers did for me.”     In addition to her middle school teaching responsibilities, Cooke is an instructor in the Master's of Education program at the University of Phoenix, a teacher of reading strategies and action research for the Utah Academy of Teachers, and a National Board Certified teacher. She has presented at various conferences on a variety of literacy topics, has been a teacher mentor for numerous teachers and has assisted with many school community activities including Culture Night, Author's Night and Survival Night.      “It is teachers like (Cooke) that make a difference in our children's lives,” wrote the parent of a student in Cooke's class. “I have seen great progress in (my student's) work and especially in his attitude…I'm thankful (Cooke has) had such a great influence on his life.”       Cooke is now a candidate for the Utah State Teacher of the Year.

Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year
     Jon Van Wagoner, reading teacher at Eastmont Middle, was selected from among 1,200 nominees as this year’s Wal-Mart Utah Teacher of the Year. Van Wagoner was surprised with the honor during a school assembly Sept. 22. He received a certificate, a jacket, a $10,000 grant for the school, and a shot at a $25,000 educational grant that accompanies Wal-Mart's national teacher of the year award. Local newspapers also honored Van Wagoner. The newspaper stories can be accessed at www.sltrib.com/ci_2418873 and deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595093386,00.html. Last year’s Wal-Mart Utah Teacher of the Year was also from Jordan District—Southland Elementary fifth-grade teacher Kay Bybee.

Educators of the Month
      The Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce and Jordan Credit Union honored Tammy Anderson, first-grade teacher at Edgemont Elementary, and Lee Jeppson, computer teacher at Union Middle, as Educators of the Month for September. The awards were presented at a luncheon Sept. 23.

100% for Kids Grant presenters and recipients (from left): Scott Simpson, Utah League of Credit Unions President; Paula Julander, Foundation Director; Kerrie Naylor, Area Executive Director; Jim Hoffling, Jordan Credit Union President; Jean Wheadon, Westland Elementary; Linda Frischknecht, Willow Canyon Elementary; Amy Adams, Mountain Shadows Elementary; Stephanie Rich, Copper Canyon Elementary; Zing, Stingers mascot. Sign holders: Kate Simpson; Hannah Ahlander.

$10,000 in Grants Given at Game
      Representatives from the 100% For Kids Credit Union Education Foundation presented nearly $10,000 in grants to four schools in Jordan District between innings at a recent Salt Lake Stinger’s game.
The following grants were presented:
     • Stephanie Rich, sixth-grade teacher at Copper Canyon Elementary, received $3,753 to purchase microscopes.
     • Amy Adams, fifth-grade teacher at Mountain Shadows Elementary, received $3,000 to purchase technology equipment.
     • Linda Frischknecht, literacy specialist at Willow Canyon Elementary, received $2,045 to purchase Leveled Reading Books for third- through sixth-grade classes.
     • Jean Wheadon, fourth-grade teacher at Westland Elementary, received $1,000 to purchase books to assist in learning math concepts.

Donations Help Ill Alum
      The Brighton High Women’s Association raised nearly $1,500 for Brighton alumna Ashley Bartos, who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Their fund-raising efforts, dubbed Angels4Ashley, were recognized on Channel 4 News’ Your Stories. For donation information contact Jodi Ide, (801) 256-5200.

Schools to Receive Free Water Filters
      Superior Water, a West Valley City-based water filtration company, announced it is donating $2 million in water filtration systems to Utah schools. The company will install and maintain water filters in more than 18,000 public-school drinking fountains, including all Jordan District schools.

Olympic gold medal winners (from left) Lenny Krayzelburg, Ian Crocker, and Michael Phelps, join an "unidentified swimmer" as they field questions from Cottonwood Heights fifth-grade students.

Olympians Visit Elementary Students
      Olympic swimming gold medalists Michael Phelps, Lenny Krayzelburg and Ian Crocker, provided a swimming demonstration and motivational tips to fifth-grade students from Cottonwood Heights Elementary Sept. 24. The visit, part of Disney’s “Swim with the Stars” tour of 12 cities across the country, also included a special appearance from Mickey Mouse.

Lending Library by Appointment Only
      Hours for the Utah Augmentative, Alternative, Assistive Communication Team (UAAACT) Software Lending Library, located at the Jordan Resource Center, are changing. Beginning Oct. 1, the library will be open by appointment only. Telephone orders may be submitted at (801) 565-7189 or (801) 567-8469. Additional changes to the library will be announced soon.

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

Ribbon Month
     During the month of October schools are encouraged to participate in Ribbon Month campaigns to increase awareness for drug and violence prevention. The red ribbon stands for anti-drugs and the purple for anti-violence. Programs for At-Risk Students (PARS) has provided idea booklets for all the schools and wristbands for elementary-age students. Questions about Ribbon Month can be directed to Jeani Mulliner, PARS, (801) 412-2953.

Humanities Honor for Board Member
     Jordan Board of Education member Jane Callister was selected to receive the 2004 Utah Humanities Council Mayor's Award. The award was presented at a ceremony Sept. 16. She was nominated by Draper Mayor Darrell Smith. Callister, who will retire from the Board in December after 24 years, will also be recognized at a Draper City Council meeting next month. The Mayors' Awards in the Humanities honor citizens who:
     • help a community appreciate and preserve local history and heritage,
     • teach the value of lifelong learning, reading, and imagining,
     • show by word and example the values of the process of democracy and dialogue,
     • enable community members to better understand and respect differences of cultures and beliefs valued by our neighbors and fellow citizens.

Custodial Awards
     The Custodial Department awarded certificates to head custodians at the following schools for attaining high marks on the Building Progress Evaluation Report:
     Gold Certificates: Oakdale Elementary, Bell View Elementary, Southland Elementary, Jordan Hills Elementary, Butler Middle, Hillcrest High, Transportation Department and Jordan Resource.
     Silver Certificates: Brookwood Elementary, Bluffdale Elementary, Eastmont Middle, West Jordan High and Auxiliary Services.
     Bronze Certificates: Willow Canyon Elementary, Majestic Elementary, Riverside Elementary, Mount Jordan Middle, Brighton High and the District Office.
     The Top-performer Award went to Mary Carr, Jordan Applied Technology Center, West Jordan Campus. Carr received a certificate, a plaque for Outstanding Achievement and a dozen roses from the principal.
     The certificates were presented during a custodial workshop Sept. 15.

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: District Office, 9361 S. 300 East, Board Room A
     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)

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.

Enrollment Up
     As of Sept. 8, Jordan District's enrollment is a record 75,837 students, up more than 1,000 students from this time last year. Considering the District average is about 1,000 students per school, that's the equivalent of an entire school population added to our rolls since last year.

Articles Deal With Tough Issues
     An editorial written by Superintendent Barry L. Newbold was published in the Fall 2004 issue of the Kappa Delta Pi Record. The article expresses the Superintendent's concern that the Federal No Child Left Behind legislation "shines a light on individuals and groups of students in a way that potentially widens differences and gaps in achievement rather than narrows them."The Kappa Delta Pi Record, published quarterly, presents practical articles on compelling topics and issues important to classroom teachers at all levels. The complete article can be found at www.kdp.org/pdf/rf04_newbold.pdf.
     Comments from Superintendent Newbold and Board President Peggy Jo Kennett are central to an article titled "Dealing with Decline" in the September 2004 American School Board Journal. This article can be accessed at www.asbj.com/current/coverstory2.html.

Superintendent Newbold reads to students at Midvale Elementary on the day 5,000 books were distributed to students at the District's five Title I elementary schools. Photo: Tom Smart, Deseret Morning News

Book Giveaway
     To kick off Jordan District's yearlong emphasis on literacy, the District teamed up with Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and Coca-Cola to give away 5,000 books to students at its five Title I elementary schools (Midvale, Sandy, Copperview, Majestic and East Midvale). Superintendent Barry L. Newbold handed out some of the free books to students at Midvale Elementary Sept. 10. Jordan District has participated in RIF book distributions for the past 25 years.

Walk for Diabetes
     Seven Columbia Elementary teachers and their families participated in the American Diabetes Association's "Walk for Diabetes" on Sept. 11. As a team they raised more than $600 for the Diabetes Association.

Seeking Books
     The Jordan District Teen Mother Program is looking for copies of The American Nation, Prentice-Hall, 1998. Contact Suzanne Oakeson, (801) 256-5588, if copies are available.

Spanish Workbooks Available
     Albion Middle has 211 copies of the workbook Spanish is Fun, Book 1-Lively Lessons for Beginners, Amsco, available for anyone who can use them. They are willing to sell them for half price, $7. Contact Judy Sheilds, (801) 412-2701.

Fall Bulbs For Sale
     The Jordan Resource Center has fall bulbs available for sale in several varieties. The bulbs are premium grade and well-suited to our climate. Please contact Jennifer Dahl or Beth Coleman, (801) 565-7584, for an order form. Bulbs must be ordered by the end of September and will be available by Oct. 15.

Sign up for Direct Deposit Now
     The Payroll Department strongly encourages each employee to sign up for direct deposit for Jordan District wages. Any time a check is lost, the Payroll Department cannot reissue the check for five working days. With direct deposit, money is available as soon as your financial institution opens on payday. A sign-up form for direct deposit is available from your school secretary or on the Web at www.jordandistrict.org/depts/payroll. Please note that in December, payday will be Dec. 22. Traditional schools dismiss for winter recess Dec. 17. Checks for employees at traditional locations will be mailed in December. With the high volume of mail at that time, we highly recommend employees sign up for direct deposit to avoid any delays. Since it takes two months for direct deposit to take effect, application forms must be received in the Payroll Department by Oct. 8 for December payroll.

ATE is Now CTE
     Beginning this school year, the name of Applied Technology Education (ATE) changed to Career and Technical Education (CTE). The ATE directors in Utah’s school districts and higher education determined the name change was necessary to align with national organizations and to more accurately reflect the programs’ goals. In Jordan District, the ATE Department is now the Career and Technical Education Department. The District’s Applied Technology Centers, however, will continue to be known as Jordan Applied Technology Center, Sandy Campus, and Jordan Applied Technology Center, West Jordan Campus.

Daily Local Education News Available
     Utah's mass media cover education every day. You can keep up with the news on education in Utah by subscribing to the Utah State Office of Education’s (USOE) free daily news roundup. This e-mail, compiled on business days by USOE staff, gives a brief summary of education-related stories from Utah news outlets along with links to those stories. Subscribe at http://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/usoe-news.

ARCHIVED NEWS

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.