Category Archives: School Stories

Bastian Elementary School Counselor Recognized as Outstanding Wellness Professional in Utah

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Alisha with her award.She makes a difference in the lives of students every single day and now is being recognized for that impact. Please join us in congratulating Jordan School District elementary school counselor, Alisha Martinez, who recently won the 2026 Resilience in Education Award, and was recognized as one of Utah’s Outstanding Wellness Professionals.

Ms. Martinez was honored during Resilient Utah month for her dedication to helping students become resilient. Her exemplary work in classroom lessons, targeted small group work, and individualized counseling was recognized as having an impact in the lives of each student with whom she works. Alicia was celebrated during a gala that included words of gratitude from Governor Cox and others, as her proud family and school administration looked on, thrilled to be there in support.

Colleagues say Alisha Martinez is an indispensable part of the Bastian Elementary School Community.  Keep up the amazing work, Alisha Marinez! You make us proud.

Summer Meals Program at JSD Schools Begins Today

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Student getting lunch

STARTING TODAY! Kids can get free hot meals this summer as part of the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program at qualifying Jordan School District Schools. All children 18 years old and younger are welcome to enjoy free breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday, from June 8 to July 31, excluding June 15, July 3, and July 24.
The free meals will be available at four locations:
🏫Columbia Elementary School, 3503 West 7800 South, West Jordan
🏫 Heartland Elementary School, 1451 West 7000 South, West Jordan
🏫 Terra Linda Elementary School, 8400 South Old Bingham Highway, West Jordan
🏫 Westvale Elementary School, 2300 West Gardner Lane, West Jordan
🧇Breakfast service is from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
🥪Lunch service is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Students at Herriman High School Win National DECA Award

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Herriman High students hold DECA awardCongratulations to Herriman High School’s Jessica Smiley, Isla Homer, and Livia Hanson for winning big at the DECA 2026 International Career Development Conference. The trio of sophomores took home first place in Business Services Operations Research at the national competition in Atlanta, Georgia.

The students partnered with Utah’s Department of Corrections and Department of Government Operations to research the viability of converting the Utah State Correctional Facility to solar power with a state-of-the-art storage system using converted EV batteries from the state’s fleet. The team worked with experts from around the state to research the viability of the concept, prepare a realistic budget, and develop a proposal for training incarcerated persons as solar technicians to assist with both installation and system maintenance. The project not only got the attention of DECA, but the state of Utah also made all three students interns, and will include the project in the state’s annual report.

Great work, Jessica, Isla, Livia, and Herriman High teacher Rickee Stewart, on an impressive project!

End-of-Year Fun at Foothills Elementary Focuses on Principal Yospe & Silly Surprise

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It may be a while before Foothills Elementary School Principal Abe Yospe has any desire to hear the sound of a kazoo again. That’s because to show their sincere appreciation for his daily school announcements, sometimes intentionally annoying everyone with his not so super singing, a group of 5th grade students and their teacher decided to have some equally annoying fun with their beloved principal.

They came up with a plan to follow Mr. Yospe around the school for nearly a half hour, playing kazoos loud and proud. As you know, the kazoo creates a very distinct buzzy sound and students practiced all day to bring their kazoo playing up to perfection as they followed Mr. Yospe up and down the halls, even into his office. Principal Yospe took it all in stride and the students had a blast with the silly surprise.

We can’t wait to see all the fun students, teachers, staff, and of course, Principal Yospe will have in the upcoming school year.

Surprise of Olympic Proportions for Students During South Jordan Elementary Field Day

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Students talk with olympians What was supposed to be a pretty typical, but much anticipated end of school year field day for students at South Jordan Elementary School turned into something much, much bigger. Fourteen Olympic and Paralympic athletes surprised students by showing up to take part in the field day fun… all of them fresh off competing in the recent Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

The Olympic athletes had a blast side-by-side with students in a number of races, a tug-of-war, signing autographs, shaking hands, and offering words of inspiration and encouragement.

The surprise was part of an ongoing effort by Utah 2034 to put athletes face-to-face with communities which will host the world in 2034. It was also an opportunity to promote the International Olympic Committee’s new Let’s Move 2026 campaign, a global push to get young people active.

The afternoon ended with a ‘swag toss’ of Olympic hats, shirts, and pins doled out to very excited students, some who may have hopes and dreams of representing Team USA themselves one day.

Thank you to the following Olympic athletes for being incredible role models and letting young students know hard work and determination can pay off in some pretty big ways:

  • Ethan Cepuran, Long-Track Speed Skating
  • Kate Delson, Para Snowboard (Snowboardcross)
  • Nick Goepper, Freeski (Slopestyle/Halfpipe)
  • Faye Gulini Thelen, Snowboard (Snowboardcross)
  • Marin Hamill, Freeski (Slopestyle/Big Air)
  • Rell Harwood, Freeski (Slopestyle/Big Air)
  • Jaelin Kauf, Freestyle Skiing (Moguls)
  • Kaysha Love, Bobsled
  • Zach Miller, Para Snowboard
  • Hahna Norman, Snowboard (Slopestyle/Big Air)
  • Hunter Powell, Bobsled
  • Konnor Ralph, Freeski (Slopestyle/Big Air)
  • Brianna “Bri” Schnorrbusch, Snowboard (Snowboardcross)
  • Sarah Warren, Long-Track Speed Skating