| Nov. 21, 2006 |
| Report Highlights Success Much has changed from the time Jordan District began its first school year in 1905 until it completed its 100th in 2006. The 2005-06 Annual Report provides a brief overview of the District’s accomplishments during the year and highlights successes. It shows test scores continue to surpass state and national averages, dropout rates continue to decline and our graduating seniors continue to earn millions in scholarships to propel them into higher education. Those successes would not be possible without dedicated and resourceful District staff, faculty and administration. The full report is online at www.jordandistrict.org/ publications/annualreport06. |
Tax Sheltered Annuity
Jordan District employees are entitled to participate in their own Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA) Program. A TSA (401(k), 403(b), or 457 plan) allows you to set aside a certain amount of tax-free money each month toward your retirement. To participate, file the appropriate forms in the Payroll Department on or before the tenth of the month of the desired change. You may change the amount withheld for your TSA at any time during the year with the exception of July and August. The combined limit for 401(k) and 403(b) is $15,500 for the 2007 tax year. The limit on a 457 is $15,500 for 2007. The catch-up provision for anyone age 50 or older in 2007 is $5,000. Jordan District does not endorse any TSA plan or company. Additional information, including a current list of TSA providers, is available at www.jordandistrict.org/depts/payroll/index.htm.
Citizen Heroes Award
Rita Bouillon, principal at Jordan Valley School (Midvale), accepted the Citizen Heroes Award at the Midvale Fire Department Annual Awards Banquet. The school was recognized for having extensive and sophisticated incident command response procedures in place. The Jordan Valley Incident Command Committee is led by Cheryl Argyle, Kris Johnson and Kami Ridd.
NAACP President’s Award
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) presented its 2006 President’s Award to Pat Rusk, fourth-grade teacher at Willow Canyon Elementary (Sandy) and former president of the Utah Education Association. The award is given each year to an individual who exhibits outstanding service to the NAACP and the community.
Service-Learning Honors Veterans
A Civic Connections service-learning grant allowed students in Steve Pollock’s classes at Brighton High (Cottonwood Heights), Teresa Rex’s classes at West Hills Middle (West Jordan) and Janene Crane’s classes at Elk Ridge Middle (South Jordan) to honor veterans in many ways. Students from the three schools collected items requested by veterans then decorated and filled bags that were delivered on a field trip to the V.A. hospital and nursing home. Students also practiced songs, poetry and readings that they performed during the visit. The schools conducted patriotic Veterans Day programs at their own schools and performed some of the same songs. On Nov. 11 they marched and sang in the West Jordan Veterans Day Parade.
Authors Visit School
Obert Skye, author of the Levin Thumps books, visited South Hills Middle (Riverton) seventh-grade students and talked to them about overcoming fears and shared information about the publishing process. The next day, author David Wolverton, who writes under the pseudonym David Farland, visited the school and shared additional insights.
Seeking Math Textbooks
The third-grade team at Majestic Elementary (West Jordan) is looking for two math textbooks: Math My World (Mcgraw Hill) and Heath Math. If you have these books available to surplus or loan, please contact Leslie Kelson-Probert, (801) 565-7458, leslie.kelsonprobert@jordan.k12.ut.us.
No Current Next Week
Due to the Thanksgiving recess, there will be no Current next week. The next issue of Current will be sent by e-mail and available online Dec. 5. Please submit items for this issue by Dec. 1.
| Nov. 14, 2006 |
Annual Report Available
The Jordan District Annual Report for the 2005-06 school year is now available online at www.jordandistrict.org/publications/annualreport06. The report shows District students continued to exceed state and national averages on Advanced Placement Test passing rates and American College Test (ACT) scores, high school dropout rates declined for seven straight years, the number of students grew by more than 2,000 and much more.
Board Member Elections
Preliminary results from the Nov. 7 elections indicate current Board President Peggy Jo Kennett will retain her Precinct 1 position, defeating challenger Lori Curtice and Ellen Wallace will retain her position in Precinct 2, having run unopposed. The other two contested Board races remain close. Kim Horiuchi holds a slight lead on Jerry Christensen to fill the Precinct 3 position formerly held by Ann Forbush, who did not run. In Precinct 6, Tracy Scott Cowdell has a 27-vote edge on incumbent Lynette Phillips. Current vote totals are as follows:
| Precinct 1: | Peggy Jo Kennett (i) | 4,175 |
| Lori Curtice | 3,782 | |
| Precinct 2: | Ellen S. Wallace (i) | 9,969 |
| Precinct 3: | Jerry S. Christensen | 6,281 |
| Kim Murphy Horiuchi | 6,473 | |
| Precinct 6: | Tracy Scott Cowdell | 3,813 |
| Lynette Phillips (i) | 3,786 |
E-mail Changes
In a continuing effort to improve Jordan District e-mail services and reduce spam and junk mail, the Information Systems Department will eliminate some older e-mail accounts. Beginning Dec. 1, all email accounts using the convention of firstname.lastname@m.jordan.k12.ut.us (note the “m.”) will be inactivated. Please notify anyone still sending mail to the “m.”jordan.k12.ut.us accounts of this change. E-mail users with jordan.k12.ut.us accounts (without the “m.”) should see no change in current e-mail service. Please contact the Information Systems helpdesk, (801) 567-8737, with any questions.
Custodians of the Month
David Lloyd, head custodian at Fort Herriman Middle, was named Custodian of the Month for September. He has been with the District since 1983. Shelley Johnstone, assistant custodian at Herriman Elementary, was named Custodian of the Month for October. She has been with the District since 2005.
Veterans Day Program
The third grade at Herriman Elementary celebrated the service and sacrifice of America’s military men and women during a program Nov. 9. The 106 students and their teachers (Marilee Vlam, Ronna Hoffman, Holly Holmes and Regan Stowell) honored veterans by sharing the meaning of the pledge of allegiance, the story of our National Anthem and other patriotic stories and songs.
Drug Awareness Town Hall Meeting
Majestic Elementary (West Jordan) held a Town Hall meeting during parent-teacher conferences Nov. 8 to provide parents with information about drug awareness, particularly underage drinking. Principal Cora Jckowski and a representative from the West Jordan Police Department fielded questions and discussed refusal skills with those in attendance. A Drug Free Rally will follow on Nov. 18, 9 a.m.-noon for the school’s fourth- through sixth-grade students.
Students to Present Musical
The Performing Arts Department at Jordan High (Sandy) will present “West Side Story” Nov. 16-17 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are now available at the Jordan High Main Office, $5 in advance, $6 at the door.
Bright Ideas Coordinator Needed
A certificated teacher is needed to coordinate the 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. Letters of interest with a resume should be sent to Jodi Stewart-Browning in the Curriculum Department at the District Office by Dec. 8. Please call Stewart-Browning, (801) 567-8368, with any questions. 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 students in the District in first through eighth grades. A variety of experiences are provided for students including foreign language, technology and arts, as well as speakers and field trips.
| Nov. 7, 2006 |
Remember to Vote
Today is Election Day. In addition to other state and local races, voters will decide on Jordan Board of Education representatives for Precincts 1, 2, 3 and 6. A Jordan District precinct map is available at www.jordandistrict.org/board. A complete list of local candidates and polling locations can be found at www.clerk.slco.org/elections.
Retirement Seminar
The Payroll Department is offering a retirement class Dec. 4, 4-6 p.m., at the District Office. A representative from the Utah Retirement System will present pension information and representatives from the Payroll Department will present information about Jordan District retirement benefits. Personalized benefit sheets will be available for those who register. Seating is limited and reserved for those planning to retire this school year. No one will be admitted without a reservation. Please call the Payroll Department, (801) 567-8211, to reserve a seat. The next class will be Feb. 6, 2007.
Science and Technology Education Award
Gina Sanzenbacher, biotechnology instructor at Jordan Applied Technology Center, West Jordan Campus, was chosen as this year’s recipient of the Governor’s Medal of Honor in Science and Technology Education. She will receive the award from Gov. Huntsman on Dec. 1 at a black tie reception and dinner.
Sock it to Drugs and Bullying
Students collected more than 500 pairs of socks, of all colors and sizes, to make Red Ribbon Week a success at Butler Middle (Cottonwood Heights). The socks were donated to the Road Home homeless shelter (see Charitable Giving, below). To call attention to the theme “Sock it to Drugs and Bullying,” the students hung socks all around the school. Students wearing wild socks danced in a “Conga line” that snaked its way through the school and outside.
TV Station Pays Halloween Visit
Oct. 31 was magic at Copper Canyon Elementary (West Jordan) when Fox 13’s Big Budah visited the school for Halloween festivities. Students and faculty members arrived as early as 5:45 a.m. to prepare the edible crafts, spook alley and a special song. Hundreds of parents and guests arrived later for the annual Halloween Parade, led by custodian Sean Vick. Principal Diena Riddle, along with Big Budah, awarded the school’s Teacher of the Week award to third-grade teacher Kendra Dean on live television.
Students to Present Musical
The Performing Arts Department at Brighton High (Cottonwood Heights) will present the musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie” Nov. 9-11 and 13 at 7 p.m., with a matinee performance Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. Tickets are now available at the Brighton High Main Office, $8 for adults, $7 for students.
Health Publication Available
Student Intervention Services provided each school subscriptions to Discovery Health Connection last year. Due to limited use, subscriptions were not renewed. The Utah State Office of Education is offering a limited number of school subscriptions, available on a first-come basis. If your school is interested, please contact Jeani Mulliner, (801) 412-2953.
Charitable Giving
The annual Jordan District charitable giving campaign wraps up this week with all donations due to the Educational Support Services Department by Nov. 10. In addition, employees are reminded that if they would like to assist a local charity this holiday season, the Road Home will accept money, items or your time, all of which are in demand. The Road Home provides support and shelter for overcoming homelessness. For more information, visit www.theroadhome.org or call (801) 355-1433.
Master’s Degree in Education
Teachers who have completed, or are working on, ESL or elementary math endorsements through Southern Utah University (SUU) and are interested in obtaining a master’s degree in education, are invited to attend an orientation meeting Nov. 17, 4-5 p.m., in the Professional Development Center at the District Office, Room A. The meeting will include information on the admission process, timeline for courses and cost. Teachers who completed endorsements through other universities may also attend if courses were graduate-level and transcripted. For more information, contact Lyn Burningham, Alternative Language Services, (801) 567-8278, or Barbara Kuehl, Curriculum and Staff Development, (801) 567-8377.
Health Insurance Assistance Programs
A state-funded health insurance program called Primary Care Network (PCN) is available for all adults, age 19-64. The cost to enroll is $15-$50, depending on your income. In addition, a program called Utah's Premium Partnership for Health Insurance (UPP) is available for adults and children who don't currently have health insurance. UPP helps pay monthly insurance premiums when you enroll in your employer's health insurance plan. If you know anyone who may be assisted by these programs, contact Kami Ridd, Health Services Department, (801) 412-2522.
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.