It was an end of the school year activity that left some staff members at Southland Elementary School super soaked from head to toe. The school’s PTO went to work and built a dunk tank for “Super Field Day” at Southland. Then, several teachers along with Principal Jackson prepared to be dunked, while the custodian dressed up as Mr. Mop Head, something the students absolutely loved. The dunk tank participants sat while students took turns throwing bean bags hoping to dump big buckets of water on them. Thanks to the Southland PTO and daring dunk tank participants like Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Jakositz and Mr. Bench, the custodian, for helping to make “Super Field Day” so fun!

It was a day Terra Linda Elementary School PE Specialist Jaime Scott won’t soon forget. Principal Karen Gorringe had a big surprise up her sleeve as Jaime’s family joined her virtually from Illinois, along with faculty and friends in the school’s gym. With the help of JEA and Horace Mann representative Mario Pia, Jaime received the “Crystal Apple Award,” for always going above and beyond for students. Principal Gorringe says Jaime is a one-of-a-kind educator who is constantly thinking outside the box for ways to better help students achieve.

Congratulations, Jaime! Keep up the great work.

Join us in congratulating Mountain Ridge High School Head Custodian, Kevan Sprague, who was recently honored as the Utah School Employees Association (USEA) “2022 Distinguished ESP of the Year.”

Kevan’s devotion to students and the job is unparalled and he takes tremendous pride in his work. Part of his nomination said, “Kevan understands that being a custodian is so much more than keeping a building clean and safe. In his own words, “I feel it is partially my responsibility to keep students in school and to help the community thrive.” Kevan goes above and beyond every single day. He attends sporting events, dresses up as Santa for the preschoolers, gives out candy canes to middle schoolers, creates Halloween villages and treasure hunts and so much more.

Kevan has worked in Jordan School District for 29 years and we are so happy to see him receive this much deserved honor and recognition!

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!

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.