It was a big challenge and Foothills Elementary students were up for the challenge proving they are capable of kindness in a big way. The school began a shoe drive with the goal of collecting a pair of shoes to represent every student attending Foothills Elementary. There are 910 students in the school and not only did students reach that goal, they surpassed it by collecting about 1,500 shoes! All of the shoes will be donated to the “Soles for Souls” charity and given to local refugee families.

Because students surpassed their goal, Principal Wilson organized an assembly where there was dancing, Miss Utah delivering a message of kindness and Ms. Wilson getting slimed.

Congratulations, Foothills Elementary students, for your kind hearts and generosity!

They have worked hard all year and their efforts are paying off in competitive play.

Last weekend two teams from Ridge View Elementary School, the “Rapid Raptors” and “Imagination Creation” along with one team from Monte Vista Elementary School/South Hills Middle School, “Taquito Kings” competed at the First Lego League Qualifier. It was a tough competition against 27 other teams from around the state.

The “Taquito Kings” placed in the top three in Project and won a trophy.

The “Rapid Raptors” and “Imagination Creations” both placed in the top three of Core Values and both took home a trophy. The “Rapid Raptors” qualified for State and will now compete later this month at Weber State University.

We are very proud of the students on all three teams. Congratulations we wish you continued success!

The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is joining forces with the Unified Police Department in recognizing individuals who are making a big difference in the classroom right now. Today, they showed up at Oquirrh Elementary School to honor Kristine Parker as a “Hero in the Classroom,” because of her work and dedication to children.

Kristine is a 25-hour aide in kindergarten classes at Oquirrh, and she also helps with Walk to Read groups. Principal Shauna Worthington says Kristine has been an amazing resource for  students and is practically an additional teacher because of her many contributions in the classroom. Principal Worthington says during times of virtual learning, Ms. Parker taught small groups or individual students online and helped pass out meals when they were being delivered  at a bus stop in her neighborhood. Kristine Parker is described as amazing and totally worth celebrating.

Because of her efforts on behalf of students and education, Ms. Parker was presented with a special gift card purchased using donations from officers and staff in the Sheriff’s Office and Unified Police.

Thank you to our friends and heroes in law enforcement for taking care of educators!

It was a day for students, teachers, staff, community members and the Superintendent of Schools to come together participating in a really fun activity, reading. National Read Across America Day was established in 1998 to help get kids excited about reading. The day occurs each year on the birthday of children’s book author Dr. Seuss.

At Heartland Elementary School, students in every classroom had the opportunity to read a famous tale from a Dr. Seuss book. Members of the community and Superintendent Anthony Godfrey joined in the fun, reading to students.

At Foothills Elementary they celebrated the joy of reading as well with an annual tradition started by Principal Wilson. All of the classes partner up with their buddy classes in the hall and read books for 20 minutes. The school’s awesome nutrition manager and workers made sugar cookies for all the kids and staff, and the cookies were passed out to students reading in the hall.

We hope you enjoy a book and celebrate reading every day!