Young Explorers Take a Safari at Jordan Child Development Center Spring Festival

Young kids took a walk on the wild side at the Jordan Child Development Center Spring Festival. These future students had a ball while they completed a scavenger hunt for hidden animals, strolled through a safari, created their own jungle, and tiptoed through a swamp. While the children were having fun, parents met with providers to learn more about resources and support available for children.

The Spring Festival is one of many events hosted by the Jordan Child Development Center to further its mission to empower families with the knowledge and tools to nurture their child’s growth and development.

Connecting through Music: Native American Program Students Craft Traditional Hand Drums

Students from the Jordan School District Native American Program recently gathered for a powerful hands-on workshop led by Jacob Crane, Executive Director of the nonprofit Cultural Fire Events. Under Mr. Crane’s guidance, students crafted their own traditional hand drums using maple wood and deer hide. The event was designed to be more than a lesson on making musical instruments, it served as a way to build cultural bonds among the District’s Native American students. Mr. Crane, who has taught traditional dance for over 20 years, shared how these instruments bridge communities and preserve ancestral songs.

By the end of the session, each student walked away with a custom drum they had laced and stretched by hand. The workshop provided a space for students to connect with their identity and learn the technical skills of a centuries-old art form.

Great job to the staff in the Jordan Native American Program for creating such a meaningful event, and thank you to Jacob Crane for sharing his decades of expertise. This event was a great way for students to carry forward the traditions of native song and drum.

JSD Teachers Win ‘Fund My Classroom’ Grants for Innovative Projects

Three Jordan School District educators have been selected as winners in Western Governors University’s (WGU) “Fund My Classroom” initiative, receiving nearly $1,000 in specialized tools and equipment. Out of more than 650 submissions nationwide, teachers from Aspen Elementary, Mountain Shadows Elementary, and Majestic Elementary Arts Academy were recognized for their innovative approaches to student engagement. The program is designed to support K-12 educators by providing the necessary materials to expand curricula.

Melissa Coats at Mountain Shadows Elementary received phonics-aligned decodable books to improve reading fluency, while Angus Douglas at Majestic Elementary Arts Academy acquired resources for hands-on STEAM experiences, and Aspen Elementary’s Haley McCall received sensory room materials.

These awards highlight the dedication of JSD teachers in creating supportive and effective learning environments for their students.

Antelope Canyon Production of Suessical Kids is a Smash Hit

The Cat in the Hat, Horton, Gertrude McFuzz, and a host of other characters turned Antelope Canyon into Whoville for the school’s production of Seussical Kids. The musical, based on the works of Dr. Suess, was performed to two sold-out shows by a cast and crew of over 50 students, led by director Sara Stottmann.

Special thanks to the production team: Lauren Amis, Sara Hatch, Niki George, Melissa Hiller, Shelby Anderson, and Naomi Bawden. The production team of Antelope Canyon staff and PTA put in countless hours to help the students make Suessical a hit.

Students and Staff Practice Earthquake Preparedness During Great Utah ShakeOut 2026

Students at Welby Elementary and across the Jordan School District were among the nearly 1 million Utahns who dropped, covered, and held on during the 2026 Great Utah ShakeOut on Thursday. 

Over 90% of the Utah population, including all of Jordan School District, is in an active earthquake zone, making these drills crucial in our schools and buildings. Students and staff did a great job following directions, keeping calm, and learning how to stay safe in the event of an earthquake.