• Transition Teams Named
       A District division transition team to represent the remaining Jordan District was named today (Dec. 18) by Board of Education members from the existing District’s west-side. The following transition team members were appointed by Board members J. Dale Christensen, Randy Brinkerhoff and Peggy Jo Kennett in consultation with mayors from Bluffdale, Riverton, Herriman, South Jordan, West Jordan and Salt Lake County:
  
• Ralph Haws, Ed.D. (chair) — former Jordan District Board of Education member, retired Jordan District administrator and retired labor relations specialist;
  
• Rick Horst — South Jordan city administrator;
  
• Don Wallace, J.D. — The Sorenson Group-Real Estate Division president, chief operating officer and general counsel;
  
• Dennis Higbee — Continental Bank vice-chairman, director and chief financial officer;
  
• Sterling Nielsen — Mountain America Credit Union executive vice president and chief administrative officer.
  Alternate members:
  
• Peggy Jo Kennett — Jordan District Board of Education member;
  
• Melissa Johnson — West Jordan City Council member.
•      East-side cities passed resolutions naming the following transition team members to represent the new east-side school district:
  
• Jason W. Burningham — Lewis Young Robertson & Burningham, Inc. owner/principal;
  
• Robert D. Day — retired Jordan District assistant superintendent of Auxiliary Services;
  
• Steven Newton, J.D. — former Mayor of Sandy City;
  
• C. Devon Sanderson, Ed.D. — retired Jordan District business administrator;
  
• Lamont Smith — Small business owner, former IRS branch chief, former Draper City Council member and budget officer.
  Alternate members:
  
• David Doty, J.D., Ph.D. — Utah System of Higher Education assistant commissioner and director of Policy Studies;
  
• Michael Petersen, J.D., Ph.D. — Utah Education Network executive director, former College of Eastern Utah president;
  
• Mike Shelton — Golden Gate Ventures founder, president and chief executive officer.
  
•      Utah law requires transition teams representing the remaining west-side District and the new east-side district to allocate physical and fiscal assets and existing liabilities “in a way that is fair and equitable to both the existing district and the new district…” Transition teams must be appointed by Dec. 20. Jordan District officials will present a list of assets and liabilities to the both transition teams by Jan. 4, 2008, as required by law. The transition teams have until July 1, 2008, to divide the assets and liabilities of Jordan District.

City Choice Award
      Jenicee Jacobson, social studies teacher at Riverton High, was honored by the Riverton City Council with a Riverton City Choice award Dec. 11. Jacobson has been with Jordan District since 2001.

• Holiday Service
• Student Council members at Draper Elementary sponsored a food drive, collecting 3,496 pounds of canned food for the Utah Food Bank.
• Mothers of students in Trish Jensen’s first-grade class at Monte Vista Elementary created a tree at the Festival of Trees in honor of the teacher’s daughter, Emily. Due to complications with the pregnancy, Emily was born early and continues to struggle.
• The student council at Rose Creek Elementary completed its annual food drive, exceeding the goal of 5,000 cans collected.
• For the past 10 years, Indian Hills Middle has participated in the Toys for Teens project. The school easily exceeded its goals this year by collecting $3,849 and 610 teen gifts.
• Students in Clothing I classes at South Hills Middle participated in a service-learning project for the Festival of Trees. The students sewed 95 ballet slippers and 76 airplanes from donated felt. These were filled with candy and sold during the Festival, with all proceeds given to Primary Children’s Medical Center.

Singers’ Hockey Debut
      The Crescent View Middle Centennial Singers performed The Star-Spangled Banner at the Grizzly’s hockey game Nov. 28. The singers are directed by music teacher Rick Steadman.

• National Board Certified Teachers
        Six Jordan District teachers recently earned the status of  National Board Certified Teachers:
  
• Eva Belliston, English teacher at Crescent View Middle;
  
• Glenda Butikofer, second-grade teacher at Midas Creek Elementary;
  
• Jodi Ide, social studies teacher at Brighton High;
  
• Kristen Jarman, second-grade teacher at Hayden Peak Elementary;
  
• Teresa Rex, computer teacher at West Hills Middle; and
  
• Patricia Serre, English teacher at Riverton High.
  
•      Jordan District once again has the most new National Board teachers in the state, due in large part to continued support from the Board of Education and District administration. National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to recognize and reward great teachers—and make them better. Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete.

Winter Recess Schedule
      The Board of Education and District administration extend holiday greetings and best wishes for a happy new year to all employees and their families. Following are holiday schedules:
     District Office: The District Office is open Dec. 21, 26-28 and 31, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The office is closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1. The following departments are closed Dec. 31: Human Resources, Insurance, Payroll, Student Services and Information Systems.
     Auxiliary Services: The Auxiliary Services Building is open Dec. 21, 26-28, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. The building is closed Dec. 24-25, 31 and Jan. 1.
     Traditional Schools: Winter Recess for traditional schools begins at the end of day Dec. 20. School resumes Jan. 2.
     Year-round Schools: Winter Recess for year-round schools begins at the end of day Dec. 21. School resumes Jan. 2.
     Current: There will be no Current Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. The next issue of Current will be sent by e-mail and available online Jan. 8. Please submit items for this issue by Jan. 4.

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Check Tax Withholding
      This is a good time for all employees to check tax withholdings. If your filing status has changed during the year and you haven’t already submitted a new W-4, you should consider doing that now. Examples of status change include marriage or divorce, change of name, gain or loss of a dependent, or major change in family income. Anyone claiming exempt must file a new W-4 in order to maintain that status. W-4 forms are available at local schools, from the Payroll Department or online at www.jordandistrict.org/depts/payroll.

Scholarship Awarded
      Jessica Wright, kindergarten teacher at Monte Vista Elementary, was recognized by the Board of Education as a recipient of the Kennecott Land Sustainable Community Scholarship to earn her master’s degree. Kennecott Land awards scholarships to educators who teach in a South Jordan public school and are interested in pursuing an advanced degree at Western Governors University.

Long-Time Coach to be Honored
     Jordan High will honor Coach Hal Hale at halftime of the boys’ basketball game against Bingham High Dec. 19. Hale spent 31 years at Jordan High, 29 as the head boys’ basketball coach. For more information about this event, please contact Rob Geertsen at robert.geertsen@jordan.k12.ut.us or visit www.jordanbasketball.net.

Holiday Giving
      Students at Quail Hollow Elementary participated in a PTA-sponsored project benefiting the Christmas Box House Christmas Store. Students donated toys, clothes and other household items. Students who participated were given an ornament with their name on it to hang on a school tree recognizing their contribution.
      The Peer Leadership Groups at Valley High collected 900 food items for the Utah Food Bank as part of this year’s food drive. In addition, a grant from Morgan Stanley Bank allowed students to donate 18 frozen turkeys. Other Valley High service-learning projects include looming knit caps for the homeless and sewing/filling Christmas stockings to benefit the children at the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs in Midvale.

IMC Online Media Catalog
      The District Instructional Media Center (IMC) catalog and booking system is available online at departments.jordandistrict.org/iss/mediacenter. This site can only be accessed using a PC computer with Internet Explorer or a MAC with Firefox. Teachers without these systems in their classrooms can access the catalog via student search stations in elementary library media centers. To obtain a password or for additional information about IMC materials, please contact the IMC staff at (801) 567-8138.

Jobs Available
      Jordan District continues to experience a shortage of full- and part-time assistant custodians, substitute and full-time Nutrition Services workers, and substitute bus drivers. Please refer anyone who may be interested in these positions to the Human Resources Department Web site, www.jordandistrict.org/hr, or have them stop by the District Office to submit an application.

Tax Sheltered Annuities
      Employees of Jordan District are entitled to participate in their own Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA) program. A TSA (such as a 401(k), 403(b) or 457 plan) allows employees to set aside a certain amount of tax-free money each month toward retirement. To participate, file the appropriate forms in the Payroll Department on or before the 10th 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. A combined limit for 401(k) and 403(b) is $15,500 for the 2008 tax year. The limit on a 457 is $15,500 for the 2008 tax year. The catch-up provision for those age 50 or older in 2008 is $5,000. Jordan District does not endorse any TSA plan or company. Please check the Payroll Department Web site, www.jordandistrict.org/depts/payroll, for a current list of participating TSA providers.

• Safety Tip: Beware of Identity Theft
        Identity theft occurs when someone uses personally identifying information, like a name, Social Security number or credit card number, to commit fraud or other crimes. Thieves can get this information in a variety of ways, including taking purses from offices and school buildings, entering vehicles in parking lots, or stealing computers containing personal information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides several tips for those who suspect they may be a victim of identity theft:
• Place a “Fraud Alert” on credit reports and review the reports carefully.
• Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently.
• Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your permission.
• Ask for verification that the disputed account has been closed and any fraudulent debts discharged.
• Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.
• File a police report.
• Report the theft to the FTC.
•      Additional information, including ways to deter, detect and defend against identity theft, visit the FTC identity theft page at www.ftc.gov/idtheft.
        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.

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• 2007 Bonus Pay
        Earlier this year, the Utah Legislature appropriated funding for a one-time bonus for public school employees. The Payroll Department was directed by the Jordan Board of Education to pay the following amounts (pre-tax) to full-time employees, even though the Legislature has not fully funded these amounts. The Board will fund the difference.
  
• Certificated employees: $1,000
  
• Classified employees: $500
  
•       Employees who are less than full time will receive a prorated share (i.e.: a 50 percent FTE classified employee will receive $250). The money will be included with December pay. Payday is Dec. 20, which is the last day before Winter Recess for traditional-schedule schools.

Year-end Timesheets
      Do not hold timesheets for payment at the end of the school year. All time worked by Nov. 30 should be submitted for payment in December. Taxes need to be paid in 2007. The Payroll and Insurance Departments will be open Dec. 21, 26, 27 and 28. They will be closed Dec. 31.

Athletic Director of the Year
      Gordon Hinckley, P.E. teacher at Riverton High, was named Athletic Director of the Year by the Utah High School Athletics Association. Hinckley has been with Jordan District since 1974.

Science Award
      Paul Nance, elementary science teacher specialist in the Curriculum Department, was one of eight Utahns chosen for a 2007 Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology. Medals were awarded to individuals from industry, education and academic research. The awards were presented by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

Educators of the Month
      The Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce and Jordan Credit Union honored Rose Pye, fourth-grade teacher at East Sandy Elementary; Camille Thomas, English teacher at Crescent View Middle; and Marcia Bray, second-grade teacher at Sunrise Elementary, as Educators of the Month for November.  These awards were presented at a luncheon Nov. 30.

English Teacher Addresses National Audience
      Riverton High English teacher Steven Bickmore spoke at the National Council of Teachers of English annual convention held Nov. 15-18 in New York City. His topic was Twenty First Century Map Making: Troubling the Varied Courses of Secondary English Curriculum.

Technology Board Member Elected
      Patrick McDonald, technology teacher at Bingham High, was elected by peers to serve a two-year term as a member of the International Technology Education Association (ITEA) Board of Directors representing region four. Region four includes the Western United States, Canada and all foreign countries. This is a unique year to be elected as Utah will host ITEA’s 70th Annual Conference in Salt Lake City Feb. 21-23, 2008.

New Health/P.E. Specialists Named
      Two new District P.E. specialists were recently added to the District Curriculum Department. Esther Halliday is a 30-year District employee. She taught and coached at Bingham High, where she was the P.E. department chair for 20 years. Halliday is a secondary health and P.E. specialist, based at Mount Jordan Middle, (801) 412-2057. Jenny Grosh comes from Murray District. She is an elementary P.E. specialist based at Majestic Elementary, (801) 565-7458.

Gingerbread House Festival Winners
      Kathryn Colvin, kindergarten teacher at Foothills Elementary, was selected as the Gingerbread House Festival Teacher of the Year. She was nominated for her hours of service to the community and school over the past 20 years.
      In addition, Lynda Johnson’s sixth-grade students at Sunrise Elementary received a first-prize ribbon for their entry in the Festival. Their entry, titled “An Egyptian Christmas,” featured a pyramid made of gingerbread and decorated by the class. The students even molded a Sphinx. A gift basket was included with the entry for a silent auction. The winning bid was more than $200. Money raised during the event is used by the Utah PTA for arts grants. Schools can apply for grants to fund school art programs.

Veterans Day Celebration
      Students at Copperview Elementary celebrated Veterans Day by having members of the Veteran’s Administration conduct a flag presentation and ceremony. Big Budda from television station Fox 13 broadcast live from the school that morning. Students presented 400 letters to the Veteran’s Hospital and soldiers in Iraq thanking them for their sacrifice.

• Food Drives
• The Westvale Elementary student council sponsored a food drive with a competition between grades. Their first goal was 1,000 items of food, which was met within the first two weeks. They raised the goal three times with the final total count of 4,164 food items. Fourth grade won the competition with 1,527 items.
• Students at Mountain Shadows Elementary collected 3,625 cans of food during a PTA-sponsored food drive. As a kickoff activity, parents and students participated in a family movie night, bringing more than 250 items as “admission.”

Author Visits School
      As part of its “One Book, One School” activity, students at South Hills Middle are reading the book Searching for David’s Heart. On Nov 20, the book’s author, Cherie Bennett, participated in a schoolwide assembly. She is a popular novelist, playwright and columnist.

Acclaimed Educator Speaks at School
      Nationally recognized educator Ron Clark spoke at a South Hills Middle student assembly Nov. 30. Clark, subject of the critically acclaimed movie “The Ron Clark Story” starring Matthew Perry, is known for his work with disadvantaged students in rural North Carolina and in inner-city Harlem. He was named Disney’s American Teacher of the Year in 2000 and has appeared twice on the Oprah Winfrey Show. His book, “The Essential 55,” is a New York Times Best Seller.

Humanitarian Project
     Albion Middle created a sister school relationship with a small village in Africa. Through November, ninth-grade geography students organized and carried out a successful fundraiser to sponsor the building of a school in Piripiri, Mozambique. With the help of the students, staff and community, Albion raised $8,312 to build the much-needed schoolhouse.

Turkey Trot
      Students and parents contributed to the success of the first-ever East Midvale Elementary Turkey Trot. Norbest donated 14 turkey certificates that were given to the winning boy and girl in each grade level.

Fifth and Sixth Grade Science Fair
      The Jordan District Science Fair for the fifth and sixth grades will be held at Daybreak Elementary Feb. 29 at 3:30 p.m. Teachers with students interested in entering the fair who do not have a Science Fair Coordinator Information Packet, please contact Paul Nance, (801) 244-6479, paul.nance@jordan.k12.ut.us. The packet provides students with information on creating an effective school science fair project.

JCIRA Christmas Meeting
      The Jordan Council of the International Reading Association (JCIRA) will have its Christmas meeting Dec. 10, 4:30-5:30 p.m., at Mount Jordan Middle. A guest story teller will share a Christmas tale. Anyone interested is invited to attend.

Poinsettias Available
      The greenhouse program at South Valley now has poinsettias available for walk-in purchase only. Prices are $3.50 and $5. The greenhouse is open school days 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Due to a mechanical failure, the quantity and quality of flowers is limited this year, so no orders will be taken.

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Employment Opportunities
      See current job openings posted by the Human Resources Department at www.jordandistrict.org/hr.

ARCHIVED NEWS

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.