 Teacher of the Year A fellow teacher describes Butler Middle history teacher Jennifer Van Haaften as a “life-transforming” teacher. “Many times the wish has come over me that I could have been one of her students,” wrote Martha Ball. “She keeps everyone energized with her enthusiasm.” A 12-year teaching veteran, Van Haaften has been named 2008 Jordan District Teacher of the Year. The Jordan Board of Education will present the award during its Sept. 25 meeting. Her principal, Marsha Morgan, says “students love having Mrs. Van Haaften as their teacher because she challenges them and makes them think. She has a delightful sense of humor, an amazing command of her classroom and a genuine respect for each of her students.” “I love to teach. I love the daily interaction with students and the diverse challenges I face every day,” wrote Van Haaften when asked to describe her philosophy of teaching. “I want to cheer when I see my students transferring skills from one task to another. I relish the rush I feel when my students ‘get it.’ And I thrive off the opportunity to make a difference in their lives and in my community.” Van Haaften is now a candidate for Utah Teacher of the Year, sponsored by the Utah State Office of Education. |
Outstanding Business Educator
Callie Brewer, business teacher at Riverton High, was named Outstanding New Business Educator for 2007 by the Utah Business and Computer Education Association.
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Employee of the Month
The District Office Support Staff (DOSS) presidency named Roxane Siggard, administrative secretary in the Office of the Superintendent, Employee of the Month for October. Siggard was nominated by her peers and will be the first to use a special parking spot this year designated for DOSS Employee of the Month winners. The DOSS theme this year is “keep the heart in education by putting your best foot forward.”
Governor Honors ‘School to Watch’
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. spoke at Sunset Ridge Middle Sept. 19 in celebration of the school’s national recognition as one of three Utah “Schools to Watch.” Only 124 schools nationwide received this designation from the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, given to high-performing schools serving students ages 10-15.
Western Round-Up
On Sept. 21, Jordan Valley School held a Western Round-Up Carnival and Information Fair for students and families. The evening included entertainment, jumper toys for kids, giveaways and information booths from area agencies providing jobs, respite programs, group homes and recreational opportunities for families of disabled students.
Executives Visit School
Two executives from Panasonic Corporation are visiting South Hills Middle today (Sept. 25) to see how audio enhancement technology works in the classroom. Yuji Hirota, vice president of Panasonic System Solutions of America, and Masato Sato, director of Panasonic System Solutions Japan, will be at the school for a breakfast with technology teachers and District leaders followed by visits to classrooms. A classroom is audio-enhanced when the teacher wears a wireless microphone that distributes the teachers’ voice evenly throughout the classroom. Nationwide studies have shown the effectiveness of audio enhancement technology in improving the learning environment of students. Some 1,400 classrooms in 72 Jordan District schools are equipped with audio enhancement.
Project Crawfish
Brigham Young University is offering a biotechnology short course for science teachers called Project Crawfish. Professional development credit is offered to participants. Course dates are Session 1: Oct. 6 and 20; Session 2: Jan. 26 and 26. For more information visit http://crayfish.byu.edu/projectcrawfish or contact Hikki Hanegan, BYU, (801) 422-3090, nikkihanegan@byu.edu.
Literary Award
Brighton High’s literary magazine, Runes, was named a Gold Medalist Magazine by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association at Columbia University. The magazine also received All-Columbian Honors in all three judging categories, resulting in a total score of 980 out of a possible 1,000 points. Specific commendations were given for the use of color and design as well as the “strength and maturity of the writing.” Holly Simonsen is the magazine’s faculty adviser.
History Teacher Awards
Two Jordan District history teachers recently won the Utah State Office of Education history essay competition. Courtney Roberts, Albion Middle, will be having lunch with David McCullough, Pulitzer Prize winning historical author. Denise Bass, fifth-grade teacher at West Jordan Elementary, will be attending a lecture by Michael Beschloss, presidential historian and official historian for NBC.
Science Teacher Award
Dawn Lee Monson, science teacher at Joel P. Jensen Middle, was named a state finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She is one of three state finalists for Utah. Monson will go on in the selection process to a national committee reporting to the National Science Foundation.
Dignitaries Visit Schools
As part of the Utah State Legislature’s Back-to-School program, state and local government officials toured Alta High and Crescent View Middle on Sept. 4. The PTSA welcomed Rep. Greg Hughes, Senators Wayne Niederhauser and Howard Stephenson, Draper Mayor Darrell Smith and Sandy Deputy Mayor John Hiskey to each school. The government officials had a chance to meet with the administrators of both schools, and were taken on tours that highlighted unique student programs, expenditures of land trust money and various student classrooms.
Planning Calendar Available
A limited number of Jordan District 2007-08 Monthly Planner calendars are available from the Office of Communications. Please contact Glenna Alama, glenna.alama@jordan.k12.ut.us, (801) 567-8162.
REACH Training - Urgent Update
If you have previously registered for REACH training for the 2007-08 school year, please immediately contact Toni Soeffker, Alternative Language Services, (801) 567-8116, toni.soeffker@jordan.k12.ut.us, to re-register. A problem occurred with the registrations and the file must be rebuilt. Dates you may have registered for include Training Days One and Two: Oct. 3-4, 2007; Nov. 5-6, 2007; Jan. 23-24, 2008; or March 26-27, 2008 or Training Day 3: Nov. 8, 2007; Jan. 31, 2008; or April 3, 2008. Anyone wishing to register for REACH Training who has not previously registered, may also register at this time. Please obtain approval from your principal before registering.
Retirement Seminars
The Payroll Department is offering a retirement class Oct. 9 at the District Office, 4-6 p.m. A representative from the Utah Retirement System will present pension information. Judy Burton and Joy MacKay, Payroll Department, will present information regarding Jordan District retirement benefits and will have a personalized benefit sheet for those registered. Seating will be limited and this session will be reserved for those eligible to retire. No one will be admitted without a reservation. Please call the Payroll Department, (801) 567-8211, to reserve a seat. Reservations must be made by Sept. 28. The next class is scheduled for Nov. 27 at the District Office.
Ribbon Week Wristbands Available
Student Intervention Services will not be providing wristbands for individual schools this year for Ribbon Week. They do, however, have 8,000 adult bands leftover from last year that will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call Jeani Mulliner, (801) 412-2953, to request wristbands.
Children’s Health Insurance
The CHIP van will be at Copperview Recreation Center, 8446 S. 300 West, Sept. 19, 5-6:30 p.m. Anyone needing to apply for the Children's Health Insurance Program can do so at that time.
No Current Newsletter This Week
The next Current employee newsletter will be e-mailed to employees and available online Sept 18. Please submit articles for this issue by Sept. 14.
Sick Bank
Employees who have opted to donate one sick day to the Sick Bank will not have that day counted against their attendance incentive. Even though the donated sick day shows up on employee pay stubs as a day taken, it will not be counted toward qualification for the attendance incentive.
Counselor of the Year
Marc Hone, counselor at Copper Hills High, was named Counselor of the Year by the Utah School Counselor Association. The award was presented at the group’s annual conference at Westminster College.
Gold Medal Magazine
Chasms, the Copper Hills High literary magazine, was selected as a Gold Medalist magazine by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association at Columbia University. Judges awarded the magazine 993 of 1,000 possible points. One judge said, “From cover to cover, the magazine is a work of art.” The magazine was also given the honor rating of All American with five marks of distinction by the National Scholastic Press Association. Lou Jessop is adviser of the magazine staff.
Share the Good News
During the upcoming school year, if you are aware of happenings in your school or department that should be in the Current newsletter, please clear them with your principal or director and forward the information to Michael Kelley, Office of Communications, michael.kelley@jordan.k12.ut.us, (801) 567-8337.
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.