| Medical Costs Continue Up The good news: health care costs nationally rose just 3.6 percent last year, the lowest annual gain since 1998. The bad news: health care expenses are still growing about 50 percent faster than inflation. Changes in District medical insurance programs last year increased employee premiums for some and led others to seek less expensive alternatives. The result is an overall decrease in participants in regular employee medical insurance plans from about 5,200 last school year to 4,100 this year. An additional 900 employees participate in the high-deductible plan. Despite the decrease in participants, Jordan District will pay out about $36.1 million in employee medical claims this school year, up from $32.9 million paid last year. An additional $12 million will be paid for employee prescription claims. Employees can help control District medical costs and thereby keep premiums as low as possible by effectively using insurance benefits. Be sure to read your insurance plan documents to make sure you are using your plan most economically. Using benefits wisely can help keep all employees’ insurance costs down. Here are some tips: · Use a physician’s office or urgent care facility instead of an emergency room when possible. The average cost per patient visit to an urgent care facility is $85, a physician is $60 and an emergency room is $400. · Ask your doctor or pharmacist for generic equivalents of prescriptions. This saves the District money and lowers your co-pay. · Use mail order through Medco Health Home Delivery Pharmacy Service on maintenance drugs. For more information, visit www.medcohealth.com. · Advise the Insurance Office in a timely manner when you have changes in your insurance coverage. |
30-day Retirement Notice Required
Please be aware that any classified or certificated employee who retires this year must give at least a 30-day written notice to the Human Resources Department. Failure to do so will result in a $500 penalty (see Policy DP373: District Post-Retirement Benefits).
National Coach of the Year
Lee Mitchell, girls soccer coach at Alta High (Sandy), was named Division I National Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). In his 18th season as head coach, Mitchell’s Alta team won the Utah state 5-A title with a record of 20-0. Along the way, the team scored 95 goals while allowing only 10. It was the fourth state title for the girls team in the past seven years. Alta was ranked No. 2 in the final NSCAA/adidas national poll.
Employee of the Month
The Maintenance Department named Chad Sheriff, apprentice in the General Trades and Paint Shop, Maintenance Employee of the Month for January. He has been with the District since 2002.
Literary Magazine Honors
The National Council for Teachers of English recognized Alta High’s (Sandy) “Euphony” literary magazine with a Superior rating, the only school in Utah to receive the honor. Riverton High’s “Tabula Rasa” received an Excellent rating. Faculty advisers are Sally Wilde and Claudette Rush, respectively.
Essay Winners
Six students from Joan McLaughlin’s sixth-grade class at Willow Canyon Elementary (Sandy) were recognized at the NAACP’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day luncheon for their essays titled, “I Dream of a World…” The students received $20 each for their works.
Math and Reading Celebration
East Midvale Elementary celebrated math and reading with a “Romp with Math and Books” night Jan. 18. Parents and students were invited to attend two 45-minute sessions where they shared a literature book and participated in probability math activities connected to the book.
Science Night
On Jan. 25, more than 450 South Jordan Elementary students and their parents participated in a Family Fun Science Night sponsored by the PTA. Students used air blasters and made bouncy balls, slime, UV detectors and dry ice bubbles. The evening also showcased student science fair projects. Eleven student projects from the school qualified to participate in the District Science Fair.
JATC Open House
The Jordan Applied Technology Centers in West Jordan and Sandy will be holding their annual open house Feb. 7, 4-8 p.m. The open houses give students and parents an opportunity to learn more about the services offered at each center. Sandy Campus representatives will discuss programs like the Academy of Information Technology, Business Management, Fire Science and the Certified Nursing Assistant. The West Jordan Campus will have educators on hand to discuss careers as dental assistants, as veterinary technicians, in advanced biotechnology and in commercial-aircraft pilot programs.
Books Needed for New Library
The Jordan Resource Center (Midvale) is looking for book donations to create its first student library. Especially needed are fiction or nonfiction books ranging from third grade through middle- and high-school levels. If you have books to donate, please call Jeana Maxwell, (801) 565-7584.
Psychology Conference
This year’s Utah Association of School Psychologists’ Mid-winter Conference features W. David Tilly III, Ph.D., presenting “Implementing Response to Intervention: Diagnosing the Learning Enabled.” The conference will be Feb. 9 at the Prospector Square Lodge and Conference Center in Park City, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Continuing education units are available for school psychologists, special educators, social workers, reading specialists, speech-language pathologists and educators. More information can be found at www.utahschoolpsychology.org.
Payroll Information
W-2s are being distributed this week. Please keep track of your W-2 for income tax purposes. A $5 fee is charged for replacement forms. Please note that deducted amounts such as insurance premiums, dental, etc., are not included on your W-2 form income since those payments are tax exempt.
Computer Password Security
Access to various computer systems in Jordan District is granted based on specific job responsibilities. Computer system logon identifications and passwords are issued to individuals and should not be shared with others under any circumstances. Each employee is personally responsible for any activity on a computer system associated with his/her logon identification. Please contact the Information Systems Department Help Desk, (801) 567-8737, with any questions.
Educator of the Year
Jennifer Edwards, BYU Partnership facilitator at Southland Elementary (Riverton), was named Region VI Educator of the Year by the Utah Science Teacher Association. She has been with the District since 1985.
Reading to Sundae Principal
In October, first-grade students at Butler Elementary (Cottonwood Heights) were challenged to read 100 books each by Jan. 9. They surpassed that goal by reading 7,281 books. As a reward, students made their principal into an ice cream sundae.
Sabbatical Leave Meeting
The deadline for submitting applications for sabbatical or educational leave is Feb. 1. Teachers interested in taking a leave in the next year are invited to a meeting tonight (Jan. 23) 4:30 p.m., or Jan. 25, 4:30 p.m., in the curriculum conference room at the District Office. Application packets are available from the Human Resources Department. For more information call Noreen Samowitz, Curriculum and Staff Development Department, (801) 567-8367. The policy provisions are outlined in DP332 NEG and DP333 NEG.
Chalk Available
Teachers or schools that are in need of chalkboard chalk, please contact LeeAnne Walker at Granite Elementary (Sandy), leeanne.walker@jordan.k12.ut.us. Most of the chalk is white or yellow and comes in boxes of 15-24 sticks. Please include your name, school and how many boxes you would like.
American Stars of Teaching
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2007 American Stars of Teaching awards, sponsored by the Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative of the U.S. Department of Education. The American Stars of Teaching program honors exemplary classroom teachers who are using innovative teaching strategies to improve student achievement and positively shape their school environment. Additional information and nomination details are available at www.ed.gov/teachers/how/tools/initiative/index.html. Nominations will be accepted through April 1.
District Estimated Retirement Benefits
Many employees have requested estimated retirement benefit payout amounts for District benefits frozen June 30, 2006. Providing this payout information for District employees is very time consuming, taking up to two hours per record to complete. The largest amount of time is spent determining the leave days earned and used by an employee as of June 30, 2006. For most employees, leave days earned is a minor part of the total payout. Estimated amounts for other parts of the retirement benefits payout (cash payment in lieu of health insurance, early retirement incentive, and annual years-of-service payment) can be more quickly calculated. Employees can calculate their own rough estimate for these payouts at www.jordandistrict.org/calculator.
Complete estimated District retirement benefits will be calculated for those who have notified the Payroll Department they are retiring and those who attend District Retirement Seminars. The seminars are scheduled each month on a first-come basis. The next available seminar is March 6. Space can be reserved by calling the Payroll Department, (801) 567-8211. District estimated retirement benefit payouts will then be calculated for all eligible employees, from the most senior to the least senior employee as of June 30, 2006. A copy of the estimated District retirement benefits payout will be sent to employees as it is completed.
Utah Education Feature
On Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m., KSL-TV (channel 5) will air a half-hour feature on education in Utah. The special will include interviews with students, parents, teachers, the governor and lawmakers about the needs of education including funding, class-size reduction, teacher salaries and proposed legislation by the current Utah Legislature.
 Brad Sorensen, Riverton High, was named Assistant Principal of the Year by the Utah Association of Secondary Principals. |
Assistant Principal of the Year
The Utah Association of Secondary School Principals named Riverton High's Brad Sorensen as Assistant Principal of the Year. He received the honors at an event at the Crystal Inn in Salt Lake City. Sorensen was chosen by the executive board of the association from nominees throughout the state. He will now represent Utah in the National Association of Secondary School Principals contest and will travel to Washington, D.C. for a national leadership workshop.
Human Rights Award
The Utah Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission recently named Sunrise Elementary (Sandy) one of its Adopt-A-School program schools. Each year, the Commission recognizes several elementary schools across the state for their efforts in encouraging children to understand the importance of unity through diversity.
Grants Awarded
Eastmont Middle (Sandy) teachers Sherri Riley, Amy Bateman and Howard Summers each received grants from the 100% for Kids Foundation, sponsored by Jordan Credit Union. Riley’s grant facilitated purchase of “Geographic Information System” program software from Google and a ceiling-mounted projector, allowing her geography students to zoom in on the areas of the globe they are studying. Bateman, a first-year math teacher, used her grant to purchase a classroom set of graphing calculators. Summers’ grant will be used to purchase music equipment and practice software for his instrumental music students.
Civil Rights Author Visits School
On Jan. 10, Chris Crowe, author of Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case, was a guest speaker for students and faculty at Valley High (Sandy). Crowe spoke about human rights, with an emphasis on how the Emmett Till murder case impacted the civil rights movement in America. He showed 1950s photos of this case and gave away signed copies of his book to several lucky students. Though grounded in the past, this presentation emphasized the importance of the civil rights movement in America and its continuing impact.
Dance Concert
Under the direction of Butler Middle (Cottonwood Heights) dance instructor Becky Crowley, dance students recently completed their annual dance concert. Members of the community helped arrange and choreograph dances that celebrated world cultures and countries with the theme “Our Global Community.” The script, music, scenic backdrops and overhead projections emphasized the need to “come together” as citizens of the planet earth.
"Cancer Caps"
A group of Valley High (Sandy) peer leadership team students, lead by Vicki Bork, school psychologist, knitted "cancer caps" for children at Primary Children’s Medical Center. The students delivered 41 caps to the school earlier this month and toured the facility.
Celebrating Literacy
Hayden Peak Elementary (West Jordan) is celebrating literacy this month. Students participated in a school assembly and class workshops where two published authors focused on how students can use more descriptive words in their writing. A storyteller worked with students on delivering their own stories with great expression.
Bright Ideas Coordinator Needed
A certificated teacher is needed to coordinate activities with Bright Ideas teachers and the BYU CITES Gifted and Talented Committee. A gifted and talented endorsement and administrative license are recommended though not required for this position. Please call Jodi Stewart-Browning, (801) 567-8368, with additional questions. Letters of interest with a resume should be sent to Stewart-Browning in the Curriculum Department at the District Office by Jan. 26. Bright Ideas is an enrichment program held on two Saturday mornings during the school year and during July for 10 days. It is open to all children in the District and classes are held for grades one through eight. Students study specific units based on higher-order thinking skills. A variety of experiences are provided for students including foreign language, technology and arts, as well as speakers and field trips.
Seeking Computers
Oakcrest Elementary (West Jordan) is seeking surplus iMac or iBook computers to transfer to the school. Also helpful would be extra RAM (PC100 DIMM) and extra USB mice. Please contact Paul Fisher, (801) 280-7243, paul.fisher@jordan.k12.ut.us
Reading Teacher of the Year
Karen Kochevar, first-grade teacher at Columbia Elementary (West Jordan), received the "Utah Reading Teacher of the Year" award from the Utah Council of the International Reading Association. She was also recognized on the KSL-radio/Zions Bank Teacher Feature.
Latin Dance
Students gathered at Alta High (Sandy) in December for the District's fourth-annual Latin Dance. All District high schools were represented as students learned dances including the salsa, the merengue and the cha-cha. This year's dance was coordinated by Kathi Goodfellow, Spanish teacher at Alta High, and supported by Spanish teachers at all District high schools.
Creative Pursuit Bowl
This year's Jordan District Creative Pursuit Bowl consisted of teams from the following elementary schools: Alta View (Sandy), Draper, Granite (Sandy), Jordan Ridge (South Jordan), Sunrise (Sandy) and Westland (West Jordan). This year the theme was to create a math maze. The teams from Alta View, Draper, Sunrise and Westland were selected to compete at the State Creative Pursuit Bowl. Cathy Cromar's fifth-grade team from Draper Elementary placed first in the state competition.
Grants Awarded
On Dec. 22, the Jordan Education Foundation presented more than $7,000 in mini-grants to 15 teachers at Butterfield Canyon Elementary (Herriman). In addition, the 100% for Kids Foundation presented a $6,000 grant.
The Midvale Family Health Clinic, located on the campus of Midvale Middle, recently received two grant awards, $36,000 from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation and $16,000 from the Utah Department of Health Primary Care Office. The Midvale Family Health Clinic provides health care to families and individuals, regardless of ability to pay.
Service Learning Grants Still Available
Grant money is available through Student Intervention Services to teachers or schools that would like to do service-learning activities. The activities and/or projects must be connected to core curriculum objectives and will be funded at a minimum of $200, with additional funds available according to the scope of the project. Those interested should contact Jeani Mulliner, (801) 412-2953, or jeani.mulliner@jordan.k12.ut.us.
Brain Molds Available
Student Intervention Services has seven brain molds for Jell-o to go along with lessons on how alcohol affects the brain in the Prevention Dimensions middle school curriculum. They are available for check out through Jeani Mulliner, (801) 412-2953, or jeani.mulliner@jordan.k12.ut.us
Employment Opportunities
See current job openings posted by the Human Resources
Department at www.jordandistrict.org/hr
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.