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.
Harrison Kailer, a student at Monte Vista Elementary School, has been named the winner of the Utah finals for the Elementary Chinese Bridge competition.
Harrison’s journey to the top was no small feat. Competing against 45 Mandarin-speaking peers from across Utah, he first earned a spot as a top 10 finalist. He then faced a rigorous two-part evaluation from distinguished judges, including several university professors. To advance, students had to demonstrate both language proficiency and cultural knowledge.
This achievement was the result of hard work and support from his school and family. A shout-out to Monte Vista’s Mrs. Grover, who generously spent numerous afternoons staying after school with Harrison, helping him prepare for the finals.
As Utah State Champion, Harrison earned a $250 prize. Additionally, he received an official invitation from the Chinese Consulate to compete in the National Finals in Los Angeles this May. If he wins at the national level, Harrison will secure a spot in the Global Finals held in Beijing, China.
Antelope Canyon Elementary School’s “Rise Up Spirit Week” has encouraged students to finish the school year strong. For sports day, students and staff dressed in their favorite team apparel and were visited by special guests from the Salt Lake Bees. Players Zach Humphreys, Dylan Phillips, Jared Southard, and Donovan Walton dropped by to read some of their favorite baseball books to classes, answer questions about their careers as professional athletes, and encourage students to continue to reach for their goals.
Unified Sports is all about leadership, dedication, and inclusion. West Jordan High School student Colton Reed was recognized for bringing all of
that and more to the Jaguars Unified Sports program at the 2026 Governor’s State of Sports Awards as a Unified Partner of the Year.
Colton was named a Unified Partner of the Year and was honored alongside Olympic, professional, collegiate, and high school athletes as the best of the best from Utah. Twenty-three-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps was a special guest at the banquet held at the Delta Center.
Congratulations, Colton, on a well-deserved honor. Thank you for leading with kindness and inclusion at West Jordan!
Supercast Episode 345
Elementary schools in Jordan School District are giving each other a run for their money in the second annual “Pony Races.”
On this episode of the Supercast, hear how two incredible science specialists came up with the idea of “pony races” to track RISE standardized testing progress and make science exciting and fun for students and staff. It’s turning out to be a win-win for everyone.
