Kauri Sue Hamilton School Celebrates Arbor Day Early Thanks to Community Partners

Posted on April 19, 2021

Students from the Kauri Sue Hamilton School celebrated an early Arbor Day, planting two trees on the school’s grounds. The trees were donated by Jeran Farley from the “Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands,” Tree Utah, and Rocky Mountain Power. The event gave students a chance to get up close, feel and smell the soil and grass, with a few of the students helping to plant the two trees. Principal Courtney Titus says the students are excited to watch the trees grow that they helped plant.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this a memorable day for all the students are Kauri Sue Hamilton School.

Students Get to Give Principal Colorful Makeover after Winning Reading Challenge

Posted on April 16, 2021

Picture of principal and her makeover Daybreak Elementary School Principal Leslie Ewell had a colorful new look, a least for a day, after students were allowed to give her a hair and makeup makeover.

A reading challenge was held during the month of March between K-3 and 4-6 grades to see which group could complete the highest percentage of reading goals.

Mrs. Ewell and the school’s PTA rewarded K-3 with pizza and ice cream. However, Principal Ewell went a step further. She said the class with the highest participating percentage would also be allowed to give her a Seuss Style makeover!

The students did a great job and Principal Ewell rocked the Seuss Style hair and makeup.

Thanks, Mrs. Ewell, for helping students have fun with learning and for being such a good sport, sporting your new look!

West Jordan Middle School Students Invited to Participate in Governor’s Student Town Hall

Posted on April 14, 2021

Students from across the State had an opportunity to talk directly with Governor Spencer Cox this week in his first Student Town Hall. Among them were two students from West Jordan Middle School. In fact, Emma Sosa and Austin Poitras were the only middle school students invited to participate by submitting and then asking the Governor their question.

Emma Sosa, from West Jordan Middle, asked Mr. Cox whether he would bring back health or mask mandates with the onset of the flu season in the fall or winter. The Governor responded by saying his hope is that there will not be another mask mandate.

Austin Poitras, also a student at West Jordan Middle, asked the Governor “What are you and the State actively doing to help prevent gun violence in schools?” Governor Cox explained what is currently being done to invest in safety and security at schools and talked about a new study that is underway to understand why school violence occurs. He encouraged all students to use the SafeUT app which he says has proven to be very successful.

The Governor said this first Student Town Hall was an effort to provide a platform for young leaders to share their voices.

We are proud of Emma and Austin from West Jordan Middle for sharing their voices and representing their school so well!

Big Surprise for Foothills Elementary Lunch Clerk

Posted on April 9, 2021

She is the mother of eight kids and a beloved lunch clerk at Foothills Elementary School. And when Natalie Tycksen isn’t inside the cafeteria, she is often in classrooms doing all she can for students, teachers and staff volunteering wherever there is a need.

Mrs. Tycksen loves helping students so much and has been inspired by so many teachers at Foothills Elementary, she decided to pursue a new career. This mom is heading back to school to become a teacher.

When Western Governors University heard about Mrs. Tycksen’s determination to become a teacher, they wanted to support her. This week a representative from WGU stopped by Foothills and surprised Mrs. Tycksen with a $2,500 scholarship to help pay for her education. It was an emotional moment that brought tears to the hard-working lunch clerk.

Congratulations, Mrs. Tycksen! We can’t wait to see you achieve your goal of becoming an educator.

West Jordan Middle School Wellness Leader Receives National Recognition

Posted on April 7, 2021

Picture of Ms. Wightman She strives to make West Jordan Middle School a happy and healthy place to be every single day and now Paige Wightman is being recognized for her wonderful work. Ms. Wightman was recently selected as the LG Happiness Super Hero for her leadership and service in and outside the classroom, sharing sustainable happiness skills.

The LG Experience Happiness program supports teachers and students who practice sustainable happiness skills for life-long social and emotional well-being.

Ms. Wightman was honored with a new LG monitor and a hero cape to celebrate all she does for students and staff at West Jordan Middle School!

Congratulations, Ms. Wightman! Keep up the great work.