 Honoring 2008’s Retirees When Pamela Purvis-Pitts, first-grade teacher at Crescent Elementary, began her Jordan District career in 1973, 26,231 students were enrolled in the District’s 28 schools. This year, 90 schools serve more than 80,000 students. Purvis-Pitts is the District’s longest-serving retiring employee with 35 ½ years of service, one of 112 retiring this year. A complete list of this year’s retirees is available here. Information about retiree open houses can be found in the online version of Current at www.jordandistrict.org. Meet the Candidates Unprecedented. That’s the term many are using to describe the June 24 vote for board of education members in Jordan and the new school district. Fifty-one candidates are vying for seven positions on the two school boards. During a typical election year, that number would be whittled down to two candidates per vacancy in a primary election, followed by a vote in the November general election. The new school district creation law, however, skips the primary. To help voters get to know the candidates, the PTA is sponsoring two “Meet and Greet” nights. Current Jordan Board of Education members, who are not required to run for election, will also be in attendance: • For the new school district: May 28, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Jordan School District Office • For the remaining Jordan District: May 29, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Elk Ridge Middle School Jordan School District Candidates Precinct 1: Tyler Bamberg, Angela Davis, Adam K. Eskelson, Ken Fortie, Carmen R. Freeman, Mick Shannon, Clyde P. Smith Precinct 2: Randy S. Brinkerhoff, incumbent Precinct 3: J. Dale Christensen, incumbent Precinct 4: Gordon Bartlome, Rick Bojak, Julia R. Dawson, Jamie D. Gordon, Jay R. Graft, Karl A. Nebeker, Linda Plouzek Precinct 5: Nellie H. Christensen, Steven A. Christensen, Richard S. Osborn, Michael E. Walters Precinct 6: Sue Dickey, Kenneth P. Duckworth, Kit Erickson, Robert F. Kaggie, Carla Kulinsky, Donald L. Porter, Leah Voorhies Precinct 7: Peggy Jo Kennett, incumbent New School District Candidates |
Scholarship Relay
On May 19, Riverton High held its first Relay in May. Eleven teams from the community completed a 10K team relay race. The fund-raising activity brought in more than $2,000 from participants and local sponsors to benefit the TRANSFORMnow Scholarship Program. For more information about this program, visit www.rivertonbasketball.com (click on the TRANSFORMnow page) or www.jordaneducationfoundation.org.
Health and Benefits Fair
All Jordan District employees are invited to participate in the District Health and Benefits Fair June 11, 2-5 p.m., in the District Office Board Rooms. Screening procedures will be provided for those enrolled in a medical insurance plan at no cost for glucose, cholesterol, body fat and glaucoma. Representatives from District benefit providers PEHP, Medco, Dental Select, Educators Mutual Dental, Total Dental Administrators, Opticare of Utah, CIGNA Life and Long-Term Disability, AFLAC Cancer Insurance, UNUM Long-Term Care and authorized tax sheltered annuity companies will be in attendance to answer questions about their plans.
High School Graduation Dates and Times
Graduating seniors from Jordan School District will be honored at ceremonies scheduled for the following times and locations:
Alta High, June 3, 10 a.m., Utah Valley State College McKay Events Center, Orem
Bingham High, June 3, 3 p.m., Utah Valley State College McKay Events Center, Orem
Brighton High, June 3, 2 p.m., E-Center, West Valley City
Copper Hills High, June 3, 10 a.m., E-Center, West Valley City
Hillcrest High, June 3, 6 p.m., E-Center, West Valley City
Jordan High, June 3, 10 a.m., South Towne Expo Center, Sandy
Riverton High, June 3, 7 p.m., South Towne Expo Center, Sandy
West Jordan High, June 3, 6 p.m., Salt Lake Community College Lifetime Activities Center, Taylorsville
Itineris, June 3, 11 a.m., Thanksgiving Point, Lehi
Valley High, June 3, 3 p.m., South Towne Expo Center, Sandy
South Valley School, June 3, 3:30 p.m., Jordan High School Auditorium, Sandy
Jordan Resource Center, May 29, 6 p.m., Auxiliary Services Building, Sandy
South Park Academy, June 4, 8 a.m. (North Point Facility), 10:30 a.m. (South Point Facility), Utah State Prison, Draper
Summer Schedules
District Office and Auxiliary Services: The District Office and Auxiliary Services Building will be open regular hours through July 2. Summer hours for the District Office are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and for the Auxiliary Services Building 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m., July 3-25. Offices will be closed July 4 for Independence Day and July 24 for Pioneer Day. Both offices will return to regular hours beginning July 28.
Instructional Support Centers (ISC): The District ISC at Terra Linda Elementary is closed until approximately Aug. 25 while the school is remodeled. The District ISC at Park Lane Elementary will remain open for use through the summer months. Summer ISC hours are as follows:
- Through July 2, regular hours
- July 3-25, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. (the ISC will be closed July 4 and 24)
For additional information, visit departments.jordandistrict.org/iss/supportcenter.html.
Employee Newsletter: There will be no Current employee newsletter posted June 3 or 17. The final issues of Current for the 2007-08 school year will be e-mailed to employees and available online June 10 and 24. Print editions of Current Monthly Summary will resume in September. Remember, you can receive Current at a home e-mail address by going to www.jordandistrict.org and clicking “Subscribe to Our Newsletter” on the right-hand side of the page.
Five-Star Recognition Award Nominations
Do you know a Jordan District employee who deserves extra recognition? The nomination deadline for the 2008-09 Jordan Board of Education Five-Star awards is May 23. Winners receive $3,000, are recognized during a Board of Education meeting and are honored at a banquet. To be eligible, individuals must be full-time employees and have a minimum of five years experience in Jordan District. Additional criteria and nomination forms are available at www.jordandistrict.org/award.
If you previously submitted a nomination for someone who did not win a Five-Star Award, please feel free to nominate them again. Anyone can nominate an employee in one of six categories: elementary, middle and high school teachers; certificated employees at-large; classified employees; or administrators. In addition, two schools are honored for public relations efforts. For more information, contact the Office of Communications, (801) 567-8162.
Reading Rewarded
Students at Quail Hollow Elementary read 2,330,867 minutes as part of the Ken Garff Road to Success reading program. As a reward, Chief, the Utah Blaze mascot, rode in on his motorcycle and surprised students with an outdoor assembly. Merit award trophies were given to the top boy and girl reader in each class and four students won new bikes.
Elementary Production
Students at Bluffdale Elementary recently completed a production of Wizard of Oz. The play was adapted and directed by sixth-grade teacher Karen Gorringe. More than 75 students participated with parent volunteers creating scenery and donating costumes for the production.
Education Law Conference
Teachers are invited to attend the ninth annual Utah Education Law and Policy Institute, June 13, 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. The conference is free to Jordan District teachers ($13.50 to add an optional luncheon). Teachers receive credit for attending the conference. Presenters include Charles Russo, professor at University of Dayton; William Thro, Solicitor General of Virginia; Carol Lear, Director of Government and Legislative Relations at the Utah State Office of Education; and Amy June Rowley, a deaf student who was the subject of the landmark 1982 IDEA case. For more information or to register, go to http://edlaw.byu.edu.
‘Best Community’ for Music Education
Jordan District was one of 110 school districts nationwide named a “Best Community” for its commitment to quality music-education programs by the NAMM Foundation. The designated programs exemplify community commitment to include music education as part of a quality education for all children. The districts were measured across a variety of program support, curricular and programmatic criteria. Additional information and a complete roster of “Best Communities” is available at www.nammfoundation.org.
Fire Truck Donation
Students in fire science classes at the Jordan Applied Technology Center (JATC), Sandy Campus, will soon be using a new training tool thanks to the generosity of Saratoga Springs. The Utah County city’s fire department donated a 1973 Sutphen fire truck to the Jordan Education Foundation for use in the JATC Fire Science program. The truck, which includes an aerial ladder, ground ladder, hose, water pump, generator and bucket, will be used to train students as they prepare for post-high school education and/or careers in fire and rescue services. Fire science classes are taught in conjunction with the Utah Fire and Rescue Academy.
Chalk Art Challenge
Elk Ridge Middle held its annual spring Chalk Art Festival, with 22 students working all day to show off their creativity and talents. This year was a Mexican celebration theme, featuring artworks titled “Cinco de Mater,” “Speedy Gonzales,” and “Señor Flake” winning first-, second-, and third-place, respectively. Student advisers were art teachers Camille Grimshaw and Elizabeth Bolduc. Artwork may be viewed at http://schools.jordandistrict.org/elkridge.
Hispanic Culture Night
West Jordan Middle hosted a Hispanic Culture night on May 6. The art department arranged for traveling art exhibits of Mexican artist Diego Rivera and Spanish artist Salvador Dali. Spanish classes contributed piñatas that were made in class, the choir performed traditional Latin songs and volunteers served Mexican candy. A professional Mariachi band also performed at the event.
Art Show
Parents and students were invited to celebrate students’ achievements in art during the annual art show at Joel P. Jensen Middle. Thanks to the PTSA, the school awarded cash and art supply prizes.
Musical Production
The advanced drama productions class at Brighton High is presenting the musical review, “You Can't Stop the Beat,” May 15-17. The shows, featuring songs from musicals such as Wicked, Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Spamalot, etc., will be held at 7 p.m. in the school’s Auditorium. The cost is $6 per person.
Pan Sale
The Nutrition Services Department is hosting a “mini” pan sale in the Auxiliary Services Building, May 21 and 22, 12-6 p.m. This sale includes a more limited selection of popular restaurant-quality food service items than the larger sale held annually in October. Please contact Patty Jaynes, (801) 567-8766, with any questions.
Science Writers and Presenters Needed
The District elementary science program is in need of science writers/presenters for grades 3-5 to be part of an existing team of writers and presenters. Teachers with good basic knowledge of science for their grade, good writing skills, ability to present science concepts to other teachers, and who want to learn more about elementary science curriculum development are ideal for this position. For more information contact Paul Nance, (801) 244-6479, paul.nance@jordan.k12.ut.us.
Seeking Textbooks
Welby Elementary is looking for 20 copies of Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley fifth-grade math student textbooks (2002 edition). Please contact Gina Knowles, gina.knowles@jordan.k12.ut.us, if you have any you are planning to surplus.
UAAACT Equipment Return
The District Utah Augmentative Alternative Assistive Communication and Technology Team (UAAACT) is requesting that all equipment from traditional schools be returned to their office at the Jordan Resource Center by May 21. Equipment from year-round schools should be returned by June 21.
ISC Closed During School Remodel
The Instructional Support Center (ISC) at Terra Linda Elementary will close May 24 and remain closed while the school is remodeled over the summer. The Terra Linda ISC is expected to reopen Aug. 25. The ISC at Park Lane Elementary will remain open. For hours and additional information, visit http://departments.jordandistrict.org/iss/supportcenter.
Natural History Class Available
Limited space is still available for fourth-grade teachers to participate in a class taught by the Utah Museum of National History on May 15, 4:30-7:30 p.m., at Mount Jordan Middle. The class was originally to be taught jointly with the Living Planet Aquarium, however, due to an overwhelming response, it was divided into two separate classes (the Living Planet Aquarium class is full). Contact Becky DeHaan, becky.dehaan@jordan.k12.ut.us, to register for the Museum Class. There will be a light dinner served and each participant receives in-service pay for the three hours. If you have already registered for one of the classes, please do not respond.
Art Materials Giveaway
Making Memories, Fine Art Inn and DreamWorld Design have donated art materials to the Jordan Education Foundation for teachers to use with students in their classrooms. The materials will be available to teachers May 16, 1-3 p.m. in the Jordan District Satellite Warehouse, 12577 S. 265 West, #5A. For more information, contact Doug Allen, (801) 567-8088, or Sue Weaver, (801) 567-8376.
Teachers Accepted to National Program
The Center for Civic Education has accepted four Jordan Ridge Elementary teachers to participate in a week-long “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Institute” seminar. Linda Sabey, Jeri Bowman, Laraine Chipman, and Tina Rothe will spend a week at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., this July. The program instructs teachers on the history and principles of American constitutional democracy for elementary students.
Teacher Feature
Ric Thompson, on-site construction teacher at Jordan Applied Technology Center, Sandy Campus, was recently recognized with a KSL Teacher Feature award. Additional information about Thompson’s nomination is available at www.ksl.com/?nid=428&sid=3007137.
Largest Food Contribution
Fort Herriman Middle was recently honored by the Utah Food Bank with a service and charity award. The school was the single largest food contributor to this season’s holiday food drive program, donating six tons. The school also collected more than $14,000 during the same two-week period to provide Christmas for the families of active military men and women who live in the Herriman/Riverton communities.
Students Win National Stock Market Game™
Three Riverton High juniors, under the direction personal finance teacher Gayle Whitefield, were recently name the 2008 national champions of the Capitol Hill Challenge Stock Market Game. The challenge helps students develop math, economic and research skills. Teams of three to five students each invest a hypothetical $100,000 portfolio in real-world securities transactions. At the end of the 10-week program the team with the greatest return on their investment portfolio wins an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with their elected members of Congress, tour the nation’s capital and to see first-hand how national economic policies are developed.
Drive Assists Slain Girl’s Family
Students at Foothills Elementary raised more than $1,000 to assist the family of a girl recently murdered in Salt Lake City. The fundraising drive began with friends text-messaging one another to wear pink, the girl’s favorite color. Deciding they could do more, students hung banners and made schoolwide announcements encouraging fellow students to donate.
Skate Night
On April 26, South Jordan Elementary hosted a family skate night on the school’s playground. The evening included music, games and prizes. Dinner and snacks were available for sale.
Sixth-Grade Thespians
The Willow Canyon Elementary sixth-grade Thespians recently performed Shakespeare’s MacBeth. The performance included a green show complete with a choir, mimes and puppets. All 67 sixth-grade students were involved in a performance to an audience of more than 250.
ESL Endorsement Applications
Applications for the 2008-09 ESL Endorsement Program are now available. The endorsement program is open to K-12 contracted, licensed Jordan District personnel (excluding substitute teachers or paraprofessionals). A three-page application package (including a memo and an application) is available from school principals or from the Alternative Language Services Web site at http://web.jordan.k12.ut.us/als/endorsement_current.html. Space is limited. Applications will be accepted through May 30. Please e-mail any questions to Deborah Brey, deborah.brey@jordan.k12.ut.us.
Retirement Open Houses
Steve Bickmore, English and Latin teacher at Riverton High, is retiring after 26 years in Jordan District. An open house will be held in his honor May 22, 2:30 to 5 p.m., in the school’s Tech Atrium.
Mike White, science and wildlife teacher at Riverton High, is retiring after 27 years in Jordan District. An open house will be held in his honor May 22, 2:30 to 5 p.m., in the school’s Tech Atrium.
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.