They are lining up and donating life-saving blood at Jordan School District high schools at various times throughout the school year. Herriman High held one of the most recent successful student-led blood drives.

According to ARUP Blood Services, students in Jordan and Davis School Districts are among the most likely to give blood. Last school year, the two districts collected a combined 2,406 units of blood. Jordan District high schools sponsored 21 blood drives and collected 1,322 units of blood, and Davis District high schools held 19 blood drives that brought in 1,084 units of blood.

Statewide high schools sponsored 98 blood drives and collected 4,542 units of blood for patients at University of Utah Hospitals and the Huntsman Cancer Institute. ARUP Blood Services is the sole provider of blood products to the U of U Health system, and all the blood that ARUP Blood Services collects stays in Utah.

“High school blood drives are invaluable to maintaining the blood supply,” said Rob Fox, community relations representative for ARUP Blood Services. “These drives give us the potential to collect blood from hundreds of young, healthy, willing, and excited blood donors.”

Thank you to all of our high school students and members of the community for participating in the blood drives, helping to save lives.

Laughter, chalk, and foam were in the air at Foothills Elementary during the school’s color chalk fundraiser. The community gathered to grab a bite to eat at one of several food trucks, bid on auction items to raise money for the PTA, and have some fun on a beautiful late summer night.

The main event of the evening was chalk throws that made sure everyone, especially Principal Yospe, left covered in colored chalk and with a smile on their face. The foam machine, bubble stations, and sprinklers helped students get a little cleaner before heading home.

Great job by the Foothills PTA for organizing a great night for the school and the community!

They are students at Copper Hills High School who recently risked their own lives by running into a burning home hoping to save others. Now, Copper Hills High is recognizing Cammerin Inselsberger, Carter Jacobson, and Gabriel Hernandez for their heroic acts.

Several weeks ago, all three teens ran into a home that was on fire, worried the homeowners might be trapped inside. Instead, they found two beloved family dogs who were trapped. The boys rescued Rocky and Simba, getting the dogs out of the burning home safely.

Tuesday morning, the school’s principal, city and school district leaders, the teen’s parents, along with West Jordan City firefighters, city council members, and Mayor Dirk Burton all gathered for a big surprise. The rescued dogs, Rocky and Simba, were also on hand with their family members.

District Safety Specialist and former Army Ranger Matt Alvernaz, recognized the boys in a traditional military style “Honor of Excellence” presentation for going above and beyond. Each student received a special coin honoring their live-saving efforts, in addition to other small gifts in recognition of being exemplary citizens.

Congratulations to three amazing young men and Copper Hills High students!

Jordan School District, in partnership with the Utah Jazz, Utah Mammoth, and America First Credit Union, celebrated the official opening of a first-of-its-kind “Jordan Innovation Lab.” Students, district and city leaders, even several Utah Jazz Dancers and the Utah Mammoth’s black lab Archie, all came together for a ribbon cutting and celebration at Juniper Elementary School where the Innovation Lab is located.

The Innovation Lab is designed to give elementary age students hands-on experience in high-tech areas such as 3D printing, stop motion robotics, coding, and much more. In fact, some pretty excited students demonstrated how the technology will work, engaging them in learning at a whole new level.

Thank you to the Smith Entertainment Group, America First Credit Union, Utah Jazz, and Utah Mammoth for being such valuable community partners, helping students to experience high tech learning in a fun and meaningful way.