It is National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day – Thank You, JSD School Bus Drivers!

Posted on February 22, 2022

Every day we appreciate the hard work, dedication and kindness of Jordan School District school bus drivers. They are always there to greet students with a smile and get the day off to a good start. Our amazing drivers transport the most precious cargo, making sure students from kindergarten to high school get to and from school, safely and on time.

Because of the important role school bus drivers play in the lives of students we serve, we honor them as part of School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. It is a holiday all about appreciating and showing love to school bus drivers all over the world.

We invite you to take a minute to thank your JSD school bus driver today.

Utah PTA Honors Bingham High School’s Momma Jo for Starting Kindness Movement

Posted on February 10, 2022

Picture of Momma Jo and Golden Gate It was a day to recognize and honor someone known in the halls of Bingham High as Momma Jo. For years, Jolynne Ward has been a fixture in finding the good and sharing it among students and staff.

Now Momma Jo is being honored by the Utah PTA as a “Forces for Good” award winner for starting the “Golden Gate” movement. Jolynne started the very first Golden Gate Club at Bingham High School out of a desire to spread smiles among students and provide opportunities for them to connect with peers and school.

As part of the PTA “Forces for Good” award, Jolynne was recognized for her efforts which have moved countless others, changing people long after the initial impact.

Congratulations, Momma Jo! Keep up the great works spreading smiles and changing lives.

Thank you, Utah PTA, for recognizing positive people doing good work impacting students, teachers and staff in our schools.

Response to: FEMA, Utah DEM Release Inventory of Unreinforced Masonry Public School Buildings

Posted on February 10, 2022

Jordan School District is constantly working to upgrade and retrofit older buildings to bring them up to current standards, as those standards change. We contract with an outside engineering firm, which conducts regular evaluations to determine the seismic upgrade needs in our buildings. The most recent Tier One evaluations were completed on four of the schools in September, 2021. Evaluations on the remaining schools listed are in the process of being completed.

According to the Utah Department of Emergency Management, actual presence on the inventory list released today, does not indicate an imminent failure of the building. There are many factors involved in the ultimate outcome of, or impact, to a building in a seismic event.
Seismic assessments are always a part of renovation projects in Jordan School District schools, such as the most recent project completed at Bingham High School. West Jordan Middle School was re-built for seismic safety.
We are currently in the process of doing updated, in-depth seismic evaluations based on current standards, rather than relying on the older evaluations, (released today) many of which were completed in the 1990’s.

We appreciate the Utah Department of Emergency Management and FEMA’s efforts to better understand where their time, and resources in particular, can be utilized to help make all schools in Utah as safe as possible.

Student and staff safety is a top priority in Jordan School District.

If you have a question regarding a specific building, email your name and phone number to this address dave.rostrom@jordandistrict.org and we will contact you.

Oquirrh Hills Middle Principal is Honored by Utah Music Educators Association

Posted on February 8, 2022

She is committed to making sure every student has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of an excellent performing arts program. That is just one reason why Oquirrh Hills Middle School Principal Donna Hunter is being recognized as this year’s “Outstanding Administrator” by the Utah Music Educators Association. Mrs. Hunter received the award over the weekend. It is given to a public school administrator who demonstrates commitment and support of music education in schools.

Mrs. Hunter says as a child she had the opportunity to take accordion, violin and piano lessons, even enjoyed participating in 8th grade Girls’ Glee, experiences she remembers well. Mrs. Hunter says in order for teachers to do their best in the classroom, they must receive support from administrators.

Congratulations, Mrs. Hunter, on this well-deserved award and recognition.

Thanks to Oquirrh Hills Middle School music teachers Eric Perkins, Sarah Arnesen and Ellen Battenfield for nominating your amazing principal for this prestigious award.

Jordan School District Teacher Receives Top State Honor for Community Service

Posted on February 7, 2022

Join us in congratulating Trudy Pecorelli who was named the 2022 Carl Perkins Service Award winner at the Utah ACTE Conference over the weekend.

This award recognizes individuals who have used CTE to make a significant impact on their community and demonstrated leadership in programs and activities that promote student involvement in community service.

As part of the CTE family, Ms. Pecorelli currently teaches introduction to Health Science, EMR, Aerobics, Yoga, Driver’s Education and she is an Assistant Girls Golf Coach. She is the HOSA co-advisor for the Riverton chapter and serves on the Utah HOSA State Committee.

Ms. Pecorelli received her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license in 2019, which has fueled her passion to help people help others.

We are thrilled to see such an amazing educator receive this honor. Keep up the great work Ms. Pecorelli, we are proud!