Jolly Old St. Nicholas took a break from his busy schedule preparing for Christmas to stop by Falcon Ridge Elementary for Cocoa with Santa. The Falcon Ridge community made gift requests to Mr. and Mrs. Claus and confirmed that they have all been very good this year. After meeting with Santa, everyone grabbed a cookie and a cup of hot chocolate courtesy of the PTA. Students also penned letters to Santa and had them mailed to the North Pole. 

Great job by the Falcon Ridge PTA and staff for a fun and festive holiday event!

Joy filled the aisles of the South Jordan Walmart as the Jordan Education Foundation teamed up with two Jordan School District schools to provide a Christmas shopping spree for students who might not have enjoyed many gifts this holiday season. Thirty-two students from South Valley School and River’s Edge School were paired with JSD employee chaperones to help them shop for presents for themselves and their families during the annual Jordan Education Foundation “Christmas for Kids” initiative. Volunteers guided students through the store, helping each student to choose $175 worth of gifts.

South Valley students opted for practical items such as clothing and shoes, focusing on basics that will aid them in their transition to independent living after they complete their time at the school, while River’s Edge students not only wanted the essentials but also picked out gifts for family and friends.

A heartfelt thank you goes to the amazing volunteers and community supporters who make “Christmas for Kids” possible. Your generosity brings joy and hope to our students, reminding everyone of the true spirit of the season!

Sign up to chaperone a student during the main “Christmas for Kids” event or donate to the Jordan Education Foundation.

Students celebrated the unveiling of a banner proclaiming Daybreak Elementary a Special Olympics National Unified Champion. Special Olympics bestows the honor on schools that demonstrate a commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence, which include providing a Unified Sports program for students, establishing an inclusive youth leadership team, showcasing a school-wide engagement in activities, and developing a plan to sustain the program. 

Daybreak is one of only two elementary schools in Utah to receive a banner from Special Olympics as a National Unified Champion, joining Jordan District’s Monte Vista Elementary. Secondary JSD schools, Oquirrh Hills Middle School, Copper Hills High School, and Riverton High School have also received the prestigious designation. 

Congrats on fostering a wonderful culture of inclusion at your school, Daybreak students, staff, and parents!

Dozens of tables filled Valley High School for the College and Career Fair. The fair is one of the highlights of the school year for Valley as students connect with prospective employers and post-secondary educational opportunities to prepare for life after high school.

This year’s fall fair featured educational partners, local businesses, technical schools, government agencies, and many more. Students could discuss scholarships and applications with colleges, set up interviews with prospective employers, or get a haircut from The Barber School during the event.

The College and Career Fair is an integral part of Valley High’s mission to empower students to be in charge of their own learning, success, and future. Thank you to all who attended and generously shared their time and expertise to help Valley students plan for their next steps. Great job by all of the Valley staff for organizing an amazing event.

Students at West Jordan High School launched into the holiday season with the “M.A.D. (Make A Difference) Jags” assembly. The assembly featured musical and dance performances, games, and the grand reveal of this year’s recipient of the charity drive Indy’s Ohana.

Indy’s Ohana is a 501(c)(3) charity started by two West Jordan High alumni that helps families affected by cancer enjoy an all-expense-paid healing vacation together. The couple was inspired to start the charity after their daughter, Indy, battled a rare form of leukemia for nearly four years, but didn’t let the cancer take away her happiness and her love of adventure and travel.

Great job making a difference, Jaguars!