It was an exciting day for South Valley students traveling from Australia to Ukraine, New Zealand, France and far and beyond, without having to leave their school. During “Flying Around the World Day,” each classroom represented a different country, educating students about the culture and offering a taste of the region with food samples as well. The students traveled from country to country, visiting classrooms, exploring traditional colors, flags and clothing, giving them an opportunity to explore different cultures from around the world.

Staff played the role of pilots and flight attendants stamping passports as students traveled from one country to another inside the individual classrooms. Even West Jordan Mayor Dirk Burton showed up to have some fun traveling from country to country throughout the school.

What a fun and engaging way for students to learn about different countries and cultures. Congratulations to everyone at South Valley for giving students such a rich and memorable experience!

Despite the cold conditions outside, Riverton High School students were all smiles as they received a really warm welcome arriving at school on Thursday. Riverton City Mayor Trent Staggs, city council members, Riverton police and fire, along with Principal Rochelle Waite, school administrators, teachers, and staff were all there to greet students with words of encouragement. It was a way to show students support from the community and from those within their own school. The students received notes letting them know they are amazing and they all have what it takes to make it successfully to the end of the school year.

Thanks to everyone who came out in the cold to let students know they are valued and their education is important to the entire community.

It is a beautiful example of a teacher’s true love for her students, especially during the most difficult of times in their lives. When Antelope Canyon third-grade teacher Megan Dotson learned one of her students, Lucas Ellis, might be missing a lot of school because of his battle with cancer, she wanted to make sure he still felt a part of everything happening in her classroom. You see Lucas, who has leukemia, loves school and wanted to be there, even when he had to be hospitalized for treatment or had to stay home.

So, Ms. Dotson did some research and found a non-profit which helps to keep kids with cancer connected to their classroom called “Monkey in my Chair.” The non-profit provided Ms. Dotson with a big stuffed monkey wearing a backpack and eye glasses just like Lucas. The monkey, who the class named George, sits in Lucas’ desk when he’s not at school, goes to lunch filling in for Lucas, to the playground, the library, on field trips, or wherever the class goes.

Ms. Dotson documents it all and shares the class activities with Lucas, whether he’s at home or hospitalized. George and kids in the class also wear “Smile Like Lucas” t-shirts which Ms. Dotson designed hoping to inspire Lucas to keep fighting and smiling. She sincerely wants Lucas to feel the outpouring of love and support from everyone at school every single day.