Social Studies Teacher of the Year
Bobbie Tippets, fifth-grade teacher at Majestic Elementary, was chosen as Utah’s Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of History. She will now compete for national top honors.
 A group of Jordan District history teachers hiked the Big Mountain trail during a summer seminar. |
Summer History Seminar
The Larry H. Miller organization sponsored a summer seminar for Jordan U.S. history teachers. The seminar included a tour of historical sites throughout northern Utah related to the fur trade and settlement of Utah and the west. Commentary was provided by Richard Sadler and Gene Sessions from Weber State University, and Fred Gowans from Brigham Young University (retired).
Intruder Training
Representatives from the Department of Homeland Security visited Joel P. Jensen Middle to observe a presentation by the West Jordan Police Department SWAT team. SWAT team leaders demonstrated how they conduct school-based drills, training team members to respond to the unlikely, but dangerous scenario of an attack on the school by an armed intruder.
Scholarships Offered
Kennecott Land has announced the availability of three additional Jordan District teacher scholarships valued at $5,000 each. The scholarships will be awarded to teachers pursuing a master’s degree at Western Governors University (WGU). Teachers who currently teach kindergarten through grade 12 within South Jordan City limits are eligible to apply. In addition, each applicant for the Kennecott Land Sustainable Community Scholarship must meet all WGU eligibility requirements and finalists will submit an essay. The deadline for applications is Oct. 15. For detailed scholarship application information, visit www.wgu.edu/tuition_financial_aid/specific_audience.asp.
Puppet Shows Address Bullies
The Kids on the Block puppeteers from the Assistance League of Salt Lake are available to perform skits addressing bullies. Skits are most effective when presented to children in grades 2-4 and there are fewer than 100 students in the audience at a time. Kids on the Block perform free of charge on Mondays during the school year. Please contact Betty Thomas, (801) 277-4761, for more information or to schedule a performance.
Certificated Salary Schedule
This year the certificated salary schedule was condensed to eliminate the salary plateaus on the previous schedule. Certificated employee placement on the new salary schedule began with the 2007-08 contract year. Employee placement on the new salary schedule does not impact employees’ continuous years of service in the District. All educators received the step increase as well as a 1.25 percent COLA. All employees will receive a salary placement verification form in November. A salary conversion chart is available on JEA’s Web site at: www.jea-ut.org/pages/salary_calculator.htm. A summary of 2007-08 negotiated agreements for certificated and classified employee groups are available on the District Web site at www.jordandistrict.org/general/employeegroups.htm
Coach Joins National Hall of Fame
Bingham High cross country and track and field coach Jeff Arbogast was recently inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame. The award was presented at the association’s annual conference in Milwaukee, Wis. Only four other Utah coaches have received the honor since its inception in 1996.
Film Equipment Donation
Jordan Valley Medical Center donated $15,000 to the football program at Copper Hills High to purchase filming, editing and analyzing equipment. The equipment was needed for the school to continue sharing game footage with other area high schools and to assist the team in game improvement. Film is also provided to college scouts. A check was presented to the school Aug. 6.
Engineering Program Donation
Earlier this year, Jordan Applied Technology Center, West Jordan Campus, began an engineering partnership with Salt Lake Community College, Department of Work Force Services, Utah State Office of Education, several local businesses and Granite, Murray and Salt Lake City School Districts. One business partner, IM Flash, donated $10,000 to support the program.
Health Insurance Available
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) van will be at Jordan Valley School Aug. 22, 4-7 p.m. During the event, District patrons can apply for free or low-cost state-sponsored health coverage. Representatives from the Health Services Department will be there to help with applications and answer questions. For more information, contact Azure Thompson, outreach secretary, (801) 412-2519.
Books Needed
Fifth-grade classes at Mountain Shadows Elementary are looking for a classroom set of Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Spelling Vocabulary and Writing (ISBN 0022441611) and the accompanying teacher’s manual. Please contact Amy Adams or Sheri Copier, (801) 963-0291.
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.