The State Utah Department of Human Resource Management is pleased to inform staff that the Teacher Salary Supplement Program (TSSP) is continuing for the 2010-11 school year.  This state sponsored program offers a maximum supplement of $4,100 for math and science teachers.  For specific eligibility criteria, a list of eligible courses, and additional information please visit the program’s website at www.tssp.utah.gov.  From this site you will need to set up an account and apply for the supplement.

Employees with specific questions about this program can send an email to tssp@utah.gov or contact
the following Department of Human Resource Management staff: Cole Gilmore, 801-538-3070 or
Joel Chibota, 801-537-3391. ★

October has been designated as Ribbon Month.   During this month schools are encouraged to promote drug free and violence free activities.  Red ribbons stand for drug free and purple for violence free.   Student Intervention Services has received a donation from a patron, which will enable us to provide wristbands for elementary students in the District to help promote these activities.   They will be sent to schools as soon as they arrive.   Please direct questions to Jeani Mulliner, 801-412-2953 or jeani.mulliner@jordan.k12.ut.us. ★

The Curriculum and Staff Development Department is pleased to announce that Jordan School District has received a new Teaching American History grant. This grant will provide professional development and resources for 4^th- and 5^th-grade teachers. Beginning June 2010 and continuing for three years, the Jordan History Academy of Teachers (JHAT) Jr. will be offered.  Participants will spend 15 days in JHAT Jr. learning American history from BYU and Westminster history professors, studying pedagogy and technology specifically for social studies.  The summer following the JHAT Jr. experience, participants will travel to Boston where they will study at the Old North Church (“. . .one if by land, two if by sea. . .”) and visit historic sites.  Technology will be a focus of the program and each participant will receive an iPod Touch and have access to a traveling set of iPod Touches during the school year for use with students.  Applications and registration information will be available in November from the Curriculum Department. If you have additional questions contact Pam Su’a, pamela.sua@jordan.k12.ut.us, or 801-567-8320. ★

The first Saturday Social Studies/Science Seminar of the 2010-11 school year will be held Nov. 13.  The seminar will be held at South Jordan Middle School, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.  Continental breakfast and lunch are provided, and .5 credit is offered. The seminar is co-sponsored by Jordan and Granite School Districts, the Utah State Office of Education and the Utah Council for the Social Studies.

The theme for the seminar is “21st Century Social Studies and Science: Beyond Borders.”  Classes will include content sessions provided by professors from BYU, Westminster, University of Utah, and the Hinckley Institute of Politics.  Several sessions on pedagogy related to teaching social studies and science and special classes for elementary teachers will be offered. There is no cost to attend, but teachers must register through the new USOE “True North” site.

To register please go to: http://usoe.truenorthlogic.com/ (you will need your Cactus number)

1. Your user name is first.last name. Your password is your Cactus number.  Go to www.uen.org to find your Cactus number or e-mail Penny Ford, Penny.ford@schools.utah.gov for help with registration.
2. Look at the class listings, find “Social Studies and Science Saturday Seminar, course #515.”
3. View the sections and choose from the elementary sections or the general content sessions (choose one session only).
4. Hit “register.”
5. Choose “confirm or next.”
6. Choose the type of credit you desire. There is no cost for credit.

If you have additional questions, contact Pam Su’a, pamela.sua@jordan.k12.ut.us or 801-567-8320.