Take a minute out of your day to say thank you to custodians in schools and buildings throughout the District. Today is National Custodian Appreciation Day! It is a day to show appreciation for the men and women who keep our schools and workplaces clean, shining, well maintained and running smoothly.

Superintendent Anthony Godfrey stopped by Terra Linda Elementary School to surprise custodian John Cooke with his favorite cream soda. It was a way to say thank-you for Mr. Cooke’s hard work each and every day. Students at the school wrote thank-you cards for custodian Cooke, letting him know how much he is appreciated at Terra Linda.

These valuable employees contribute to the important first impressions in our schools and buildings, they lend a helping hand wherever they are needed. They are an important part of the Jordan School District family.

Who is your favorite custodian? Tell them how much they are appreciated.

Thank you, custodians!

Some students from Bastian, Silver Crest and Herriman Elementary Schools received a hands-on lesson on how bills are passed and how the state legislature works. They headed to the State Capitol for a field trip where local lawmakers welcomed the students and taught them what is being described as “Government at a Glance.” Students had an opportunity to ask questions and tour the Capitol. Then, they headed to the floor of the House of Representatives where they debated eight bills in a mock legislative session. For example, they debated a mock resolution to make ice cream the official dessert of Utah.

A life experience may turn into something really big for a West Jordan High School student. Anna Fotheringham had a running injury and she wanted to do something to help others who love to run avoid the same experience. So, the 4^th year Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP) student decided to design a shoe insert with sensors that can provide data to analyze strikes and cadence in running. The insert is called “Bottom Line-The Ultimate Foot Analyzer.” Anna hopes to be able to continue developing the foot analyzer so that it can help coaches correct runners’ strides to avoid injuries.

Anna recently entered her design in the National PREP Scholars Symposium where she took second place! Students in the competition presented their projects to a panel of college professors/ judges and they were quite impressed with Anna’s design.

Superintendent Godfrey joined others by surprising Anna in the classroom to congratulate her. Anna, we are very proud of your accomplishment and wish you the best of luck as you continue your work to keep runners safe.

They were not yet born on 9/11 20-years ago, but on Friday, Hidden Valley Middle School students gathered with local first responders, city officials and members of the community for a “Sunrise Salute to Patriot’s Day.” Principal Shawn McLeod says as we commemorate the 20-year anniversary of 9/11, it’s important for students to remember, honor, and pay their respects to all families who were impacted by the attacks two decades ago. It is also an opportunity to show support for all first responders and men and women of the military.

The Sunrise Salute included musical performances by the school choir and a patriotic sing-along with those in attendance.

It was an emotional and physically challenging morning as Firefighting and Criminal Justice students at the Jordan Academy for Technology and Careers (JATC South Campus) set out to honor and never forget the lives lost on 9/11.

Together with Unified Firefighters, students completed 440 repetitions like pushups and sit-ups to remember the 440 first responders who died trying to save others on 9/11. They also climbed 110 flights of stairs, the same number of flights first responders climbed before the World Trade Center collapsed. In addition, students completed a 1.25 mile run, out of respect for those impacted by the 9/11 tragedy.

The event ended with bagpipes followed by a moment of silence.

It was a way for students, training to become future firefighters, EMT’s and police, to truly understand and commemorate the many sacrifices made by first responders on 9/11 two decades ago.