Oakcrest Elementary rocked out for a grand finale to the school year with a legendary concert assembly. Students and staff played, sang, danced, and lip-synched while an energetic crowd cheered them on. Highlights included a student drum solo, nutrition services staff’s rendition of “Lunchlady Land”, a crowd-moving “Cha-Cha Slide,” and plenty more toe-tapping numbers.
Congratulations on rocking the school year, Oakcrest! We are looking forward to an encore performance in the fall.
High school students and educators across JSD proved that community impact starts right in the classroom. Through a partnership with ARUP Laboratories, every high school in JSD hosted at least one blood drive during the 2025-26 school year. In total, JSD HOSA (Future Health Professionals) programs organized 16 blood drives, rallying students, staff, and community members to donate life-saving blood. The collective effort yielded an incredible 1,226 units of donated blood, demonstrating the immense power of student-driven community service.
The true weight of these drives is measured in the lives changed, as a single unit of blood can support up to three patients in need. Because of dedicated JSD high schoolers, as many as 3,678 patients facing critical conditions at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and other Utah hospitals will receive life-saving treatments. The year was defined by historic milestones: Copper Hills High led the way with four drives collecting 610 units—outperforming every other sponsor collection drive ARUP works with. Meanwhile, Herriman High broke its own donation record three consecutive times, and Mountain Ridge High achieved a monumental school record in December by collecting 59 units in a single drive.
This remarkable achievement cements Jordan School District’s standing as one of only two districts in which every high school actively sponsors blood drives. Beyond the numbers, the success of these events relies heavily on the passion of educators who champion students as mentors and coordinators.
ARUP wants to express its gratitude to the incredible teachers who made this year’s life-saving blood drives possible: Taunia Bean, Cynthia Cox, Madison Jenkins, Eva Peterson, Jenifer Glassey, Todd Egbert, Buffy Blunk, Trudy Pecorelli, Tiffani Holmes, and Cami Petersen. Thank you to everyone who helped make the blood drives a huge success.
She makes a difference in the lives of students every single day and now is being recognized for that impact. Please join us in congratulating Jordan School District elementary school counselor, Alisha Martinez, who recently won the 2026 Resilience in Education Award, and was recognized as one of Utah’s Outstanding Wellness Professionals.
Ms. Martinez was honored during Resilient Utah month for her dedication to helping students become resilient. Her exemplary work in classroom lessons, targeted small group work, and individualized counseling was recognized as having an impact in the lives of each student with whom she works. Alicia was celebrated during a gala that included words of gratitude from Governor Cox and others, as her proud family and school administration looked on, thrilled to be there in support.
Colleagues say Alisha Martinez is an indispensable part of the Bastian Elementary School Community. Keep up the amazing work, Alisha Marinez! You make us proud.
Columbia Elementary School, 3503 West 7800 South, West Jordan Heartland Elementary School, 1451 West 7000 South, West Jordan Terra Linda Elementary School, 8400 South Old Bingham Highway, West Jordan Westvale Elementary School, 2300 West Gardner Lane, West Jordan
Breakfast service is from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Lunch service is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Congratulations to Herriman High School’s Jessica Smiley, Isla Homer, and Livia Hanson for winning big at the DECA 2026 International Career Development Conference. The trio of sophomores took home first place in Business Services Operations Research at the national competition in Atlanta, Georgia.
The students partnered with Utah’s Department of Corrections and Department of Government Operations to research the viability of converting the Utah State Correctional Facility to solar power with a state-of-the-art storage system using converted EV batteries from the state’s fleet. The team worked with experts from around the state to research the viability of the concept, prepare a realistic budget, and develop a proposal for training incarcerated persons as solar technicians to assist with both installation and system maintenance. The project not only got the attention of DECA, but the state of Utah also made all three students interns, and will include the project in the state’s annual report.
Great work, Jessica, Isla, Livia, and Herriman High teacher Rickee Stewart, on an impressive project!
