 Kelly DeHaan, music teacher at West Jordan High, is one of 10 teachers selected as 2008 Outstanding Educators. Outstanding Teachers |
Transit Award
South Valley School received the Commuter Vision Award from the Utah Transit Authority. This award is presented to organizations that have made significant contributions in establishing and maintaining alternative transportation along the Wasatch Front. South Valley focuses on teaching students who are disabled to use fixed-route buses to maximize their individual freedom and independence.
Stock Market Winners
Computer technology classes at Crescent View Middle won first, third and fourth places in a 10-week Stock Market Game against 212 other Utah middle school teams. The first-place team won among 798 secondary teams. Eleven students will be honored at a banquet this month sponsored by the State Office of Education and receive recognition plaques. The adviser is business teacher Kaylene Barney.
Box Top Award
The Hayden Peak Elementary Box Top collection program won third place among 800 schools in the Intermountain West. General Mills also awarded Hayden Peak an additional 5,000 box tops, or the equivalent of $500. In all, the Box Top program earned more than $3,000 for PTA programs.
Volunteer Day at Schools
Each year, employees from Comcast provide volunteer work at 10 Utah schools during “Comcast Cares Day.” Two Jordan District schools were selected this year: East Midvale Elementary and Majestic Elementary. On May 3, more than 500 volunteers will descend on the schools to do work inside and outside.
Broadway-Style Event
On April 17 and 18, Butler Elementary students performed Butler on Broadway before a packed house. Each grade presented its version of one or two songs from Broadway shows. Students in Butler’s orthopedic-impaired units used sign language and communication devices to entertain the audience. Teachers joined in with a rendition of School Teachers’ Blues sung to the tune of My Favorite Things.
Author Visits School
Local author Sara Zarr recently visited with students in Lisa Kolstad’s creative writing classes at Valley High. Zarr read from her novel Story of a Girl, which was recently recognized as a National Book Award finalist. Publisher Little, Brown and Company donated books to students who are learning about the writing and publishing process.
Serving Again
Students in Michelle Lindsey’s fifth-grade class at Herriman Elementary completed their second service-learning projects recently. Students each planned and implemented their own projects. Projects included stuffed animals donated to Primary Children’s Medical Center, visits to elderly care centers, grooming and caring for animals at veterinarian clinics, letters written to soldiers, blankets were sewn and donated to the Bear Den, food gathered for the Utah Food Bank, and much more.
School Staff Sets Sail
Teachers and staff at Oakcrest Elementary were treated to a cruise on the SS Oakcrest during the school’s recent teacher appreciation week, thanks to the Oakcrest PTA. On day one, the faculty and staff received a lei greeting and a photo with the captain as they boarded. Other activities during the week included volleyball on the Club Deck, donated treats and supplies from teacher wish lists, shaved ice in the Club Lounge, a Hawaiian attire day, a breakfast buffet, a lunch buffet (including full dessert bar), a gift shop where teachers could spend shopping vouchers on classroom items, a “relaxation day” with donated spa items and specialists from Skin Works and Jafra, and much more.
Poetry Slam
Students at West Jordan High competed in the fifth annual Poetry Slam April 23-25. Representatives from each language arts class competed during the first two days. After evaluating the content and presentation of the students’ original poetry, judges from the community selected winners to move to the finals round. Twenty-four students competed in the finals round, with Barnes and Noble gift cards awarded to first-, second-, and third-place winners.
Teacher Appreciation Week
May 4-10 is national Teacher Appreciation Week. PTA established Teacher Appreciation Week in 1984 to honor the dedicated men and women in the teaching profession. Additional information, including activity ideas, is available at www.pta.org.
Payroll Notice for Extra Checks
Jordan District employees are paid once a month. IRS regulations require that extra checks have taxes adjusted to the regular paycheck or are withheld at 25-percent federal taxes for other wages. Please note that any employees receiving two District paychecks in July or August will have the second check figured with federal withholding at 25 percent.
Bedding Plants Available
The greenhouse at South Valley School is now open with a crop of bedding plants. Hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on school days.
Health Insurance Assistance
Do you know a family in need of health insurance? Income limits have recently increased for Medicaid and CHIP, and CHIP will now remain open continuously. The Jordan District Department of Health Services assists families in the application process for state health programs. If you or anyone you know needs access to health care, call (801) 412-2519, or visit us at Jordan Valley School. Hablamos Espanol. Additional information is available at departments.jordandistrict.org/healthservices/index.htm.
Retirement Benefit Clarification
Questions have been raised by employees about District retirement benefits. Under current policy, you must retire from both Jordan School District and the Utah Retirement System at the same time in order to qualify for District benefits. (See District Policy DP373: District Post-Retirement Benefits.)
Teachers Selected for History Seminar
Valerie Allen, fourth-grade teacher at Alta View Elementary, and Gina Knowles, fifth-grade teacher at Welby Elementary, have been accepted into a summer seminar sponsored by the Bill of Rights Institute held at Mount Vernon, former home of George Washington. They will work with teachers from across the country learning new content and producing materials for use in their classrooms.
Choir Celebrates Ten Years
The Elk Meadows Elementary Choir is presenting a concert, Celebrate Good Times, April 29, 7 p.m., in the Bingham High Auditorium. The concert is in celebration of the choir’s 10th year. Anyone is invited to attend. The choir will perform songs from its past nine years.
Running for School Computers
The School Community Council at Hayden Peak Elementary is hosting a Chasing for Technology Fun Run May 3. The goal of the Fun Run, consisting of a 5K or a one-mile walk/jog/run, is to raise funds to purchase additional laptop computers for a mobile lab. The race starts at 8 a.m. at the school. Registration cost is $25 per family. Participants should pre-register by April 25. For more information or to register contact Hayden Peak Elementary at 280-0722.
Students Learn About New Booster Seat Law
A new child’s booster seat law in Utah, effective May 4, requires safety seats in vehicles for children up to age eight. In an effort to prepare students for the new law, representatives from Salt Lake Valley Health Department were at Copper Canyon Elementary April 17 to educate kindergarten and first-grade students and their teachers.
Helping Those in Need
Students at Elk Ridge Middle finished their fourth charitable activity of the year—a Utah Food Bank drive. They collected 4,934 items totaling 3,575 pounds. The winning grade level received an entertaining assembly from the comedy troupe “Quickwits.” Earlier in the year, students also raised $3,635 for Primary Children’s Medical Center and the Salvation Army, as well as helping a fellow student by collecting winter clothes for the homeless as part of his Boy Scout Eagle project. Student government at Elk Ridge is under the advisement of Marc Taylor.
Music, Comedy, Reading, Writing
Sixth-grade classes at Silver Mesa Elementary presented several musical comedies during April including Macbeth, Theseus and the Minotaur and Name that Internal Organ. Performances were led by teachers Kay Cook, Kathy Woody and Natasha Walls. Advanced orchestra students also wrote and performed their own scores during Silver Mesa’s “Animal Carnival,” orchestrated by orchestra leader Wendy Arnold. In addition, author Richard Paul Evans shared what it was like to be an author, creating stories with the students and encouraging students to continue writing and reading. Evans was the fifth author to visit Silver Mesa this year.
Hoops for Hearts
Students at Fort Herriman Middle raised $2,217 during a Hoops for Hearts fund-raising activity. Proceeds were donated to the American Heart Association.
Spring Food Drive
The Crescent Elementary student council, under the direction of Casey Draper, organized a spring drive for the Utah Food Bank. In just two weeks, the school brought in enough food to fill five large barrels. The two combined grade levels that brought in the most food got to throw pies at student council members.
Help Identify School’s Capsule
Sandy Elementary recently had a rare historical experience. Several years ago, a copper tube was uncovered near the school’s flagpole during repairs. The tube sat it a cupboard until it was recently “re-discovered.” When opened, the tube’s contained a scroll reading “Sandy Community Memorial” along with a list of names. The list even identified the school’s “head boy” and “head girl.” Unfortunately, there is no date on the scroll. Staff “detectives” connected the scroll with the Sandy Community Memorial plaque on the base of the flagpole. It seems that the “time capsule” was placed by the flagpole in 1953 and was dedicated, according to the plaque, to the “brave and loyal sons and daughters who answered their country’s call when the freedoms we cherish were in jeopardy.” If anyone knows more about the scroll, please contact Sandra Dahl-Houlihan, principal at Sandy Elementary.
Elementary Yoga Class Available
It’s time for PE, but the gym is so quiet you can hear a pin drop. What’s going on? It’s yoga in the elementary schools. Lisa Smiley, a certified yoga instructor of 11 years, is available to share yoga with elementary students. She teaches basic principles of yoga to help students relax, re-invigorate their minds, and focus on the tasks at hand. The program involves two weeks, or two PE periods of instruction, and can be adapted to PE time. Students learn stretching, balancing, focusing and breathing techniques during class. For more information about yoga coming to your school, contact Jenny Grosh, District elementary PE specialist, jennifer.grosh@jordan.k12.ut.us, or Lisa Smiley, smilinglightyoga@gmail.com.
Retirement Dinner
Those employees who have submitted retirement letters to the Human Resources Department by May 1 will be invited to a retirement dinner on May 20, 6 p.m. at Little America, hosted by the Jordan Board of Education. For questions about the dinner, please contact the Office of Communications, (801) 567-8162.
Serving Students for 50 Years
Midvalley Elementary will celebrate 50 years of serving students in the Midvale community during an open house May 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Activities include displays, scrapbooks, balloon magic and an obstacle course. Former and current students, families, teachers and administrators are invited to attend.
Science Fair Winners
At the Elementary Central Utah Science and Engineering Fair for fifth and sixth grades held at BYU, Jordan District had 13 fourth-place winners, 13 third-place winners, 23 second-place winners, 12 first-place winners and six grand prize winners—a total of 67 place winners out of 96 awarded. Jordan District participants also received two Tuition Scholarship Awards from the College of Eastern Utah, seven Special Awards and 16 SSP Middle School Program Nominees. The winners came from the following elementary schools: Canyon View, Crescent, Daybreak, East Sandy, Edgemont, Foothills, Granite, Herriman, Jordan Ridge, Lone Peak, Midas Creek, Monte Vista, Oakdale, Peruvian Park, Quail Hollow, Ridgecrest, Riverton, Silver Mesa, South Jordan, Southland, Sunrise, Terra Linda and Willow Canyon.
Seussical Jr. Performed at School
Fifth- and sixth-grade students at Jordan Ridge Elementary staged the musical Seussical Jr. April 2-4. The school’s auditorium was filled each night. The students worked on the production for four months, staying after school three days a week to perfect their performance. Teacher Aubrey Vance was the director and driving force behind the production. Teachers Debi Warner and Tina Rothe served as stage manager and music/sound crew, respectively.
Food Drive
Students at South Jordan Middle collected 4,500 pounds of food and $1,300 dollars for the Utah Food Bank. Because students reached their goal, their payoff is taping three faculty members to the wall with duct tape.
Jump Rope for Hearts
Third- and fourth-grade students at Monte Vista Elementary raised $3,500 through a Jump Rope for Hearts service project. The money was donated to the American Heart Association.
Book Proceeds Help Train Staff
The Jordan Chapter of the School Nutrition Association recently compiled a cookbook of favorite home recipes from Nutrition Service Department employees. The cookbooks were sold during the holidays, and the money raised will be used to train chapter members. The chapter also made a $1,000 donation to a Jordan Student Intervention Team program to help children and adults in Jordan School District. Cookbooks are still available for $10 in the Nutrition Services office at the Auxiliary Services Building. For more information, contact Donna Bodell, (801) 567-8762.
Safety Tip: Avoid Energy Drinks
Feeling tired or short on energy and enthusiasm? Think in terms of a nutritious snack or a brisk walk outside. Take five minutes of every hour to stand, stretch and refresh. Drink lots of water or low-fat milk. An occasional soda is fine, but District nurses warn that many energy drinks are not your friends.
Energy drinks are contained in jazzy containers with labels that tout the miracles of consumption. Many, however, contain so much caffeine that drinkers can end up at the emergency room with caffeine overdoses. Unhealthy doses of caffeine can lead to nervousness, irritability, anxiety, tremulousness, muscle twitching (hyperreflexia), insomnia, headaches and respiratory difficulties. Several deaths have been linked to heavy energy drink consumption.
Safety tips are provided by the District Safe Schools Committee to remind teachers and staff about ways to keep our schools and work areas safe for students and employees. Additional information about safety in Jordan District is available at www.jordandistrict.org/general/studentsafety.
Expanded Human Resources Hours
Beginning immediately, the Human Resources Department is expanding its office hours. Office hours are now 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Survey to Assess School Learning Environment
In the next few weeks, Jordan District students will be taking home surveys asking parents about their student’s school experience. Please encourage parents to complete and return the surveys to assist school administrators and future school boards in improving the school learning environment. In conjunction with Utah State University and the Center for the School of the Future, the District will also be surveying students and school staff as part of the Indicators of School Quality (ISQ) survey system. Research shows ISQ to be an accurate assessment of school attributes and practices that relate to and potentially affect academic achievement.
Administrator of the Year
Bill Geist, principal at East Sandy Elementary, was honored as Administrator of the Year by the Utah Association of Educational Office Professionals. The award was presented at the association’s annual conference in St. George.
School Earns Energy Efficiency Award
Lone Peak Elementary earned the prestigious Energy Star Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Energy Star is the national symbol of protecting the environment through superior energy performance and efficiency. More than 3,200 buildings across the country have earned the Energy Star designation since 1999. Energy Star buildings use about 35 percent less energy than average buildings. Lone Peak joins Oak Hollow and Rose Creek as the only elementary schools in Jordan District to receive this honor.
Science Exhibit at School
The Leonardo on Wheels science exhibit was recently at Joel P. Jensen Middle. Students had the opportunity to explore the human body, waves, sound, the micro-world, power and electricity in an interesting way. Parents were also invited to share the experience on a parent’s day. The Leonardo on Wheels is operated by the Utah Science Center.
Regional Science Fair
Eighty students representing 13 Jordan District secondary schools participated in the Regional Science Fair at BYU. Four students won sweepstakes awards that allow them to participate in the International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta. A Riverton High student also won a $10,000 award from Symantec Corporation. A total of 68 awards were presented to Jordan students.
Water for People
Students at Eastmont Middle raised more than $5,300 to help in the development of sustainable drinking water sources, sanitation facilities, and health and hygiene education programs in developing countries. Student-body officers spearheaded collection efforts with assistance from advisers Michelle Moon, Michael Bryner and Steven Horrocks. Many faculty members committed to letting the students dunk or drench them when various goals in the fundraising effort were reached. Proceeds from the event are being donated to the non-profit organization Water for People.
Clothing for Homeless Teens
The Joel P. Jensen Middle Pathfinders group, a life skills group for girls, recently organized a used clothing drive. The girls collected more than 2,500 clothing items and delivered them to the Teen Homeless Center in Salt Lake City. While at the center, the Pathfinder girls also completed three other service-learning projects including sorting clothing, compiling hygiene kits and building a shelving unit.
Health and Career Fair
Indian Hills Middle held a Health and Career Fair April 2 for all eighth-grade students. Presenters included representatives from the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Utah Department of Public Safety, Utah National Guard, NAMI Utah, Jordan District nurses, Intermountain Donor Services and many more. Health teacher Denise Cooper coordinated the Fair.
Teacher Transfer Procedures
Teacher transfer opportunities for the 2008-09 school year begin April 4. Positions will be advertised daily and will close to transfer requests after five working days. To apply to transfer for a posted position, please complete and submit the Transfer Request form to the Human Resources Department’s Teacher Recruitment Center by the posted closing date and time. Transfer Request forms may be obtained from your principal.
CTE Award
Jordan District Career and Technical Education employee Gayle Whitefield, Riverton High, received an Outstanding Work-Based Learning Teacher award at the recent Utah Association of Career and Technical Education conference. Whitefield has been with Jordan District since 1992.
Easter Basket Giveaway
Valley High’s peer leadership groups, under the direction of Raylene Glover and Valorie Brandt, delivered more than 130 Easter baskets to the Midvale Boys and Girls Club. Students made necklaces for all the children. In addition, baskets contained treats, books, crayons, pens, toys and stuffed bunnies, all thanks to generous support from faculty, students and Morgan Stanley bank, which contributes funds for Valley High service learning projects.
Egg Drop Competition
Eggs were dropped from the roof at Copper Canyon Elementary during the school’s annual Egg Drop Competition March 28. The event was part of the school’s enrichment activities to promote science and math skills. Students spent weeks building “contraptions” to protect the eggs from breaking.
Dual-Language Celebration
The seven dual-language/Spanish immersion classes at Midvale Elementary recently performed in their annual program, this year titled “Una Celebracion Mundial” or “A Celebration of Our World.” More than 150 students from all elementary grades presented folk songs and dances in colorful native costumes. Teachers, students and parents attending experienced culture from Bolivia, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay and the United States, with narration in English and Spanish. Teachers organizing the event were Katy Jo Roberts, Maria Requena, Claudia Jimenez, Araceli Santos, Krista Mecham, Shad Demill and Evelyn Miller.
Super Literacy Friday
March 7 was Super Literacy Friday at Daybreak Elementary. Lily Toy Hong, local author and illustrator, was the keynote speaker. A representative from the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, a professional storyteller, a District P.E. specialist, and a puppeteer were featured workshop presenters. More than 700 students and parents participated.
Holocaust Survivor Addresses Students
Cor Suijk, Holocaust survivor and CEO emeritus of the Anne Frank House, spoke to students at Jordan High March 27. Suijk was a close friend of Otto Frank, father of Anne Frank. He hid Jews in his Holland home during World War II, was eventually captured and spent time in a Dutch concentration camp. Suijk was invited to the school by social studies teacher Brad Charon.
Author Visits School
K.L. Fogg, author of The Serpent Tide trilogy, visited Monte Vista Elementary recently to share with the students the writing process and her experience as an author. This was Fogg’s second year visiting Monte Vista.
Annual Food Fair
On March 28, students from Tabitha Goodsell’s fourth-grade class at Southland Elementary had the opportunity to critique food selections during the annual multi-district food fair. More than 200 students from 12 districts sampled items to be considered for use in future school lunch and breakfast programs. The fair, sponsored by UCARE (Utah Cooperative Acquiring Resources Efficiently), an alliance of 12 school districts to improve quality and increase the purchasing capability of school meals, was held at the Jordan District Auxiliary Services Building this year.
‘Replay’ Band Instrument Drive
Jordan Education Foundation is joining with other education foundations and school districts across the state to collect useable, previously used musical instruments. Anyone wanting to donate good quality used instruments can take them to the Foundation office, District Office Room 105. (Please note: pianos, unless they are in very good condition, will not be accepted.) Instruments collected in Jordan District will be designated for use here. Donations are tax deductible (an appraisal may be required for instruments valued at more than $500). Please call the Foundation, (801) 567-8125, with any questions.
JCIRA Meeting
The Jordan Council of the International Reading Association (JCIRA) will hold its monthly meeting April 14, 4:30-6 p.m. at Mount Jordan Middle. Anyone interested is invited to attend.
Classified Employee Award Nominations
Nomination forms are now available online for Jordan Education Foundation Outstanding Classified Employee Awards. Nominations must be submitted online by a principal or director no later than April 18. Ten employees will be selected for this award. Each Outstanding Classified Employee receives $1,000 from the Foundation. The nomination form is available at www.jordandistrict.org/foundation/classified_nom.htm.
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.