School Bus Driver Hailed as Hero for Saving Young Lives After Motorist Ignores Activated School Bus Stop Arm

It was a split-second decision on the part of a driver that could have cost multiple young lives. A driver ignored a school bus stop arm which was activated, racing by just as elementary school students were about to cross the street, at a school bus stop. It was a tragedy averted by a quick-thinking school bus driver, Joey Skelton, who saw the car coming and immediately signaled to the students they had to stop.

Cari Minnesota, a grandmother who witnessed the entire incident with her grandchild as they were about to cross the street spoke to the media with an emotional message on Friday. Ms. Minnesota was joined by Stacy Johnson, a parent, whose child was there at the time of the incident. Both women say the bus driver saved lives that day and students who were taught to follow the rules helped to keep themselves safe as well. Some of the students at the bus stop that day gave Joey Skelton a card thanking him for looking out for students, life savers for saving their lives, and some fun school bus driver socks.

Jordan School District Director of Transportation, Paul Bergera, also spoke to reporters telling them that each year there are more than 100,000 school bus stop arm violations in the State of Utah. Everyone who spoke said they worry that if more isn’t done to stop the stop arm violations, lives will be lost.

Thank you to our community partners who were there to support safety around school buses:

  • Local Law Enforcement
  • Zero Fatalities
  • UDOT
  • Utah Association of Pupil Transportation

Community Gathers to Celebrate the Chinese New Year, “Year of the Dragon,” and Student Success in Chinese Dual Language Immersion

It was a night of song, dance, simply delicious food, games, and family fun. Herriman High School hosted a huge Chinese New Year Celebration involving Dual Language Immersion (DLI) students from elementary, middle, and high schools, along with Chinese college-level students from Utah State, the University of Utah, and BYU. There were interactive cultural exhibits and displays offering a chance for everyone to see what students on all levels are learning in Chinese DLI.

Students performed on stage, giving attendees a chance to become immersed in Chinese culture as they all celebrated the “Year of the Dragon.”

Herriman High Boys Cross Country Team Recognized in Utah House and Senate for Making History at Nike Cross Nationals

It is a well-deserved honor for some high school students who recently raced their way into the history books as the first Utah high school boys cross country team to take first-place at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon. On Thursday, the Herriman High School Boys Cross Country team was invited to the Utah State Capitol where they were honored on the floor of both the House and Senate.

Lawmakers congratulated the team and gave them a citation honoring them for their extraordinary accomplishment. Herriman High beat out 22 other teams from across the United States, securing the first-place win. Again, no Utah boys cross country team has ever been successful in taking first-place at the prestigious Nike Cross Nationals

The Herriman team was ranked #1 in the U.S. for most of the cross-country season after winning top national meets in states like California and Idaho.

We join lawmakers in expressing our sincere congratulations to these talented athletes and their coaches, for the inspiration they bring to others:

  • Head Coach Doug Soles
  • Assistant Coach Teresa Soles
  • Assistant Coach Josh Pugel
  • Assistant Coach Lexi Hopkin
  • Assistant Coach Hannah Nay
  • Athlete #1 – Tayshaun Ogomo
  • Athlete #2 – Jonah Tang
  • Athlete #3 – Jack Beckstrom
  • Athlete #4 – Max Hofheins
  • Athlete #5 – Micah Tang
  • Athlete #6 – Hyrum Wood
  • Athlete #7 – William Steadman

West Hills Middle School Student Receives Top Honor for Artistic Achievement in Utah Youth Art Month Contest

Miguel and teacher with artworkHe is a very talented 8th grade student at West Hills Middle School and now Miguel Graciano is receiving some pretty high praise and recognition for his talents. Miguel is the “Utah Youth Art Month Middle School Winner” for his original piece of art called Desert Cat. Miguel’s Fine Arts teacher is Amy Boehme.

Youth Art Month is a month-long celebration of arts in education and celebrates quality art education for all our students. The Utah Art Education Association celebrates Youth Art Month in March.

Congratulations to Miguel Graciano on his amazing accomplishment. Keep up the great work pursuing your passion for art.

We Say “Thank You School Counselors” For All You Do Every Single Day!

Thank you school counselors posterIn honor of “National School Counseling Week,” we want to send a sincere message of thanks to the hard-working school counselors throughout Jordan School District. They go above and beyond every single day and work incredibly hard supporting students in so many different ways.

We encourage you to join us in saying thank you to the school counselors in your lives, working at your schools. School counselors are here to help students by preparing them for future careers, academic advising, help with social/emotional development, and ensuring today’s students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow.

Thank you to all of our school counselors who are making a difference in the lives of Jordan School District students.