| Sept. 26, 2006 |
 Teacher of the Year Teaching was not in Kim Searle’s original plans. In fact, at age 22 she was contemplating a professional basketball career in Europe. "My plan was to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, maybe play a few years in Europe, go to graduate school and then into clinical psychology," the Copper Hills High psychology teacher wrote. "All that changed the day I walked through the (high school doors)…When I stood before those classrooms full of students, I knew I was where I belonged." Now, 19 years into her education career, including 11 at Copper Hills High, the Jordan Board of Education has named Searle the 2007 Teacher of the Year. She was presented the award during a Board of Education meeting Sept. 19. Taynia Brunt, one of Searle’s students, wholeheartedly supports the selection. "As teacher and coach, Ms. Searle exemplifies the absolute mentor…Anyone can be a teacher, but it is her ability to inspire action that separates Ms. Searle from the rest," she wrote. Searle leads her school’s Comprehensive School Improvement facilitation team and also coordinates Copper Hills’ professional development activities. She has coached high school women athletes in several sports and has been both a region and state Coach of the Year. "I have the opportunity every day to work with the greatest minds in the country--young minds, curious minds, thirsty minds,” wrote Searle, “and regardless of individual histories, socioeconomic status or ethnicity, they are there every day waiting to discover something new to take with them." Searle is now a candidate for the Utah State Teacher of the Year sponsored by the Utah State Office of Education. |
Educators of the Month
The Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce and Jordan Credit Union honored Carol Stuhff, third-grade teacher at Oakdale Elementary (Sandy), and Terry Jensen, English teacher at Valley High (Sandy), as Educators of the Month for September. The awards were presented at a luncheon Sept. 22.
Science Week
Students at Joel P. Jensen Middle (West Jordan) spent the week of Sept. 11-15 participating in a variety of science activities, including building gravity-powered dragsters from recyclable materials and rockets. The top students from each grade level competed with their dragsters and rockets in a Night of Champions. Students also competed in Newton’s Three Laws of Motion games and participated in an assembly that featured exploding, flaming and shocking demonstrations.
Multi-National Flag Display
On Oct. 6, Copper Hills High (West Jordan) will dedicate a display featuring the flags of 57 nations, one flag for each country from which students have attended the school since it opened in 1995. The flags will be on permanent display in the school’s media center. The flag of the United States will hang in the center, with a sign underneath that reads, "All Are Welcome Here."
Middle School Pirates
To celebrate International Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day, students at South Hills Middle (Riverton) dressed the part Sept 19. The day featured a Jack Sparrow look-alike contest and classroom lessons with pirate themes. Students gathered "booty" for charity and in one day collected 1,184 cans of food for the Utah Food Bank.
| Sept. 19, 2006 |
October is Ribbon Month
During October, schools and departments are encouraged to participate in Ribbon Month campaigns to increase awareness for drug and violence prevention. The red ribbon stands for drug-free and the purple for anti-violence. In the next couple of weeks, each school will receive an idea book with activities to promote this important message. Student Intervention Services provides wristbands for each student in Jordan District. This year they have some extra wristbands available for adult staff members at schools. Please contact Jeani Mulliner, (801) 412-2953, jeani.mulliner@jordan.k12.ut.us, with a count of adult staff members who would like wristbands or for additional information.
20-Year Celebration
Students, teachers, and community members at Lone Peak Elementary (Sandy) celebrated 20 years of excellence Sept. 14. A school assembly was held where students recognized accomplishments and opened a time capsule, sealed in 1986. An open house for students, parents and former patrons followed the assembly. Families returned that evening for a western hoedown.
New Technology Open House
During the evenings of parent-teacher conferences, Sept. 27-28, the media center at Joel P. Jensen Middle (West Jordan) will host an open house for the community. Students, teachers, and parents will be celebrating the 36 recently installed computers and server. The project was made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the State Library of Utah under provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act. The event features computer games, refreshments and a book fair.
Constitution Day
Butler Middle (Cottonwood Heights), a nationally acclaimed “First Amendment School,” celebrated Constitution Day Sept. 18 with an assembly. Led by General Colin Powell (via satellite link) the school’s student body recited the preamble to the U.S. Constitution simultaneously with other schools across the nation.
Employee Deaths
If anyone is aware of the passing of current or past Jordan School District employees, please notify Glenna Alama in the Office of Communications, (801) 567-8162, glenna.alama@jordan.k12.ut.us. The Board of Education will use this information to express condolences to the families.
History Book Club
Anyone interested in joining the history book club can sign up through September. At the group’s last meeting they discussed Manhunt: The Twelve Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer. At the next meeting, on Oct. 5 at Mount Jordan Middle (Sandy), they will discuss The Devil in the White City. For further information, please see the social studies section of the Fall 2006 Professional Development Class Schedule, online at www.jordandistrict.org/registration/.
Elementary Film Festival Meeting
The introductory meeting for the 2007 Jordan District Elementary Film Festival will be Sept. 28, 4 p.m., in the Heartland Elementary (West Jordan) media center. Any elementary school interested in participating should send a representative. The festival will be May 10, 2007. The theme for this year’s festival will be addressed at the meeting as well as schedules for entry dates, etc. If you have questions, please contact Kelly Dumont, (801) 567-8758, kelly.dumont@jordan.k12.ut.us.
Spring Bulbs Available
The Jordan Resource Center (Midvale) has premium-quality fall bulbs available in many varieties. Each package of bulbs is $2, with delivery available. A listing of available bulbs, including an order form and additional information, is online at www.jordandistrict.org/bulbs/. Orders must be placed by Sept. 30. For more information, contact Beth Coleman, (801) 565-7584, JRCflowers4U@yahoo.com.
| Sept. 12 , 2006 |
Use Caution with E-mail
As a new school year begins, employees with District e-mail access are reminded that e-mail messages (both sent and received) are not private. Employees are expected to abide by generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These rules include, but are not limited to, being polite, never sending or encouraging others to send abusive messages, and using appropriate language. Employees are also reminded they should not transmit or send anything in violation of District policy or the law. Employee e-mail accounts are provided for District-related business purposes. Employees are encouraged to become familiar with DP371—Employee Information Network Acceptable Use Policy.
Initiative Encourages Tougher Classes
Hillcrest High (Midvale), Midvale Middle and Union Middle (Sandy) joined 11 other schools statewide in kicking off the Utah Scholars initiative, aimed at getting students to take tougher classes in high school to better prepare for college and the workplace. Dubbed the State Scholars initiative, Utah received a $300,000 federal grant to boost numbers of students taking rigorous classes in high school. Participating students take four years each of English and math courses, three-and-a-half years of social studies, three years of science and two years of a foreign language. Those who complete the program will be recognized at graduation and may qualify for additional federal financial aid.
Working Mother Honor
South Valley School (West Jordan) was featured in the September issue of Working Mother Magazine. The national magazine honored six schools across the country that work closely with parents and the community. Principal Scott Thomas and his staff were recognized for their unique programs and commitment to their students. South Valley provides educational services for 18-22 year olds with disabilities. The school’s Life Design program helps students examine their dreams, create a game plan for reaching those dreams and practice life skills.
Building Schools in Peru
Butler Middle (Cottonwood Heights) employees Barbara Aryton, media specialist, and Marie Gunderson, resource teacher, spent several days this summer in Peru doing creating library and literacy programs, building roofs, digging wells, plumbing bathrooms and pouring cement in schools. The service was provided through the Eagle-Condor Humanitarian Foundation.
 Pennies line the gymnasium floor at Columbia Elementary following a successful PTA fundraising project. Photo: Tabatha Deans, Salt Lake Tribune |
"Penny Train" Funds School Programs
Students, staff and family members of students at Columbia Elementary (West Jordan) collected 107,079 pennies for their "penny train" as part of the school’s back-to-school PTA fundraising project. For two days, students, teachers and volunteers placed the pennies along the sidelines and filled the gymnasium’s center court. This is the second year Columbia has created a penny train. Proceeds from the event fund programs throughout the year.
30th Anniversary Celebration
Granite Elementary (Sandy) will celebrate its 30th anniversary Sept. 21, 5-8 p.m. The outdoor celebration will include a barbecue dinner, games, carnival attractions, bowling, entertainment, music and the chance to have a family portrait taken. Everyone is welcome.
Books Available
Hayden Peak Elementary (West Jordan) has extra copies of first-grade reading, science and math books. If you are interested in any of the following, please contact Sandra Dahl-Houlihan, assistant principal, (801) 565-7172:
• 100 Houghton Mifflin Reading Phonics Library Blackline Masters/Take-Home Pads;
• 100 Houghton Mifflin Reading Integrated Theme Tests for Levels 1.1-1.2;
• 100 Houghton Mifflin Reading Integrated Theme Tests for Levels 1.3-1.5;
• 50 Dale Seymour Publications science student activity booklet Bigger, Taller, Heavier, Smaller;
• 50 Dale Seymour Publications math student activity booklet Building Number Sense.
| Sept. 5 , 2006 |
RiskLine Assists Those in Crisis
Are you a parent whose child is having difficulty connecting at school? Are there family issues where your child may need extra support? Do you see the early warning signs of drug use or depression?
Are you a student having problems in relationships? Are you stressed out about family issues? Do you have something that's making your life difficult and you're just not sure where to turn and whom to trust?
Are you a teacher with a student who needs help with anger management or social skills? Do you have a student who’s not responding to your efforts to reach out to him?
Established in 1988, RiskLine is a 24-hour service for students, parents or employees to access guidance and referrals for counseling support. Individuals can also call with anonymous referrals for threats of violence or weapons in schools. RiskLine is staffed by counselors in the Student Intervention Services Department 24-hours a day, seven days a week: (801) 565-RISK (7475).
Outstanding Biology Teacher
Andee Bouwhuis, biology teacher at Bingham High (South Jordan), was named Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year. The award will be presented next month at the National Biology Teacher Association Conference in Albuquerque.
Recognizing Volunteers
KSL TV has started a new segment called High 5 that features Utah’s outstanding volunteers. We all know there are no better volunteers than those who help us daily in our schools and classrooms. KSL-Channel 5 wants to thank those who have changed lives for the better. This would be a small, yet meaningful way to recognize our numerous volunteers. Don't tell the volunteer you are nominating them because KSL TV will surprise them LIVE on Eyewitness News Today. Send nominations to Melinda Colton in the Office of Communications, melinda.colton@jordan.k12.ut.us. We'll take care of submitting them to Channel 5.
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.