The 2010-11 Utah Educational Directory is now available online. Because of budgetary considerations, the Utah State Office of Education and Jordan School District will not be printing copies. The directory can be found at http://schools.utah.gov/main/INFORMATION/Educational-Directory.aspx. ★
Because safe and drug free dollars have been cut, Sept. 1 is the last day the Jordan School District RISK Line 801-565-7475 (565-RISK) will be available. Two other hotlines are active for students and staff to call; the Youth Services hotline, 801-269-7543, or Valley Mental Health hotline, 801-261-1442. Both of these services are identical to those previously offered by the District. ★
Bluffdale Elementary teacher Karen Gorringe has been selected as one of five teachers from throughout the nation to receive the Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence. As a recipient of the award, Gorringe will receive training in digital arts technology for the staff and students at Bluffdale Elementary, a gift from Smart Technologies, $10,000 from the Horace Mann Companies and $650 for the school. She is also a finalist for the NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence, and may win an additional $25,000. Karen will travel to the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in February and find out if she is the overall winner. ★
The newly completed Herriman High opened to more than 1,500 students Aug. 26. As Jordan School District’s newest high school, the facility relieves pressure from an over-capacity Riverton High and a near-capacity Bingham High. Students spent the day on a modified schedule that allowed them to familiarize themselves with the facility and their class schedule and locations. Teachers and hall monitors were in abundance to assist students as they made their way through the new building. ★
Teachers and students can read digital copies of The Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News at their convenience with the Newspapers In Education program’s e-Edition website: www.nowutah.com/education. Users flip through the pages of the digital paper the same way they would with printed copies; read stories, view photos and even search through the archives.
In addition, teachers using the website can access additional resources for their classes. Educational supplements, including the Connect 123 student magazine for grades 3-6 and the Early Connect magazine for grades K-3, are available and the e-Edition is translated into 11 languages. This is provided as a service with no cost to educators in Utah. ★
Even before the official start of class for many students, Jordan School District’s Health Services Department has seen a rush of families applying for health coverage. Flyers were included in registration packets to remind families about the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This program provides preventative health and dental care that is essential to the success of students. If you or anyone you know needs help in obtaining sufficient health coverage, call the Health Services Department, 801-567-8515 or visit them at Kauri Sue Hamilton School, 2827 W. 13400 South in Riverton. ★
To be eligible to participate in the employee-funded sick leave bank for the 2010-11 academic year, an employee must donate one day of accumulated sick leave and meet all other criteria in the Sick Leave policy. Please be aware the policies for licensed and classified employees are slightly different and have different requirements for eligibility. These and other District policies are available for review at: http://jordandistrict.org/resources/policymanual/index.htm.
On July 1, one day of sick leave was deducted from each eligible employee for the employee-funded sick leave bank. Should an employee wish to “opt out” of the employee-funded sick leave bank, he/she must complete and return the employee-funded sick leave bank “Opt Out Form” before Sept. 10, as Track C teachers will not return to work until Sept. 7. For this year only, the District administration has extended the deadline for all employee groups to Sept. 10. The sick leave deducted on July 1, 20l0 will be returned to each employee who submits an “Opt Out Form.” Employees who “opt out” of the employee-funded sick leave bank will be ineligible to receive sick bank benefits for the duration of the 2010-11 school year. “Opt Out Forms” are available by contacting your principal, department directors, or the Human Resources Department.
For more information regarding the sick bank opt out process, please contact your immediate supervisor. ★
Marci Markus, lunch manager at South Jordan Elementary, passes out fresh cantaloupe and watermelon to students
Jordan School District’s Nutrition Services Department has created a new program about nutrition. Called “Farm to School,” the program incorporates learning about, seeing and tasting fruits and vegetables fresh from local farms throughout Utah. “We felt it important that children have an increased awareness about the great taste of the nutritional choices available to them,” said Jana Cruz, director of Nutrition Services. To read more about this program click here and here. ★
The Aug. 17 Board Meeting Summary is now available and can be viewed at http://www.jordandistrict.org/board/summary/1011/081710.html. ★
In the past, Jordan School District printed a monthly planner for all employees. Due to budget considerations, the monthly planner has been moved online. The planner is updated with District-wide information and is printable. It contains categories that can be turned on or off for ease of understanding, and it will soon be compatible with iCal, Outlook or most calendaring programs so employees can update their desktop calendars with District information. To view the monthly planner visit http://www.jordandistrict.org/resources/calendars/planner.html. ★