Join us in congratulating Terra Linda Elementary School Principal Yajaira Martinez who was recently awarded the “Student Advocate Principal of the Year” by the Utah Association of Elementary School Principals.

Principal Martinez was recognized, in part, for the incredible work she has done starting a schoolwide PAWS behavior plan teaching student’s kindness and problem-solving skills. Her nomination also said Ms. Martinez is a fierce advocate for students with Autism and she encourages all students to celebrate their differences and languages, to view them as superpowers.

Keep up the great work advocating for students, Yajaira Martinez!

Oakcrest Elementary Principal Mr. Westwood received a big retirement surprise courtesy of Real Salt Lake. At a special assembly, Mr. Westwood, a big soccer fan, was presented with a customized jersey by Leo the Lion as a token of appreciation for the many years of service to the community. He was also presented with a homemade quilt signed by the students and faculty.

Thank you, Mr. Westwood for the difference you have made in the lives of your students. Enjoy your well-earned retirement!

She is hoping to soon follow in the footsteps of her mother who is a teacher at Midas Creek Elementary School and her grandmother, Patty Bowen, who is principal at Silver Crest Elementary School. Last week, Brooklynn Bowen, who is a Herriman High School graduate, was in Washington D.C. where she was awarded the Collegiate Professional Achievement Award by the National Association for Music Education. Just six students in the nation were recognized with this prestigious award.

While at the nation’s capital, Brooklynn spent time advocating for music and arts in education. A recent graduate of Utah State University, Brooklynn hopes to soon be a middle or high school music teacher, as education is in her blood.

Congratulations, Brooklynn Bowen! Best of luck in your bright future.

You could say it was going way above and beyond the call of duty for West Jordan High School Resource Officer Austin Larsen and it is a day one student will never forget.

When Officer Larsen learned 10^th grader Aiden Hulet’s beloved bike was damaged beyond repair in an accident with a vehicle while Aiden was bicycling to school, Officer Larsen knew he had to do something. Thankful Aiden was not seriously injured in the accident, but still needing safe transportation to school, Officer Larsen went to work looking for a new, reliable, safe bike for Aiden to ride. Thanks to the support of fellow officers at the West Jordan Police Department, the search was a success.

To everyone’s delight, Officer Larsen surprised Aiden with the gift of a new mountain bike and a brand- new helmet. It is now weeks later, and Aiden is still smiling! He is grateful for the new bike allowing him to travel back and forth to the school he loves, and grateful for the true friend he has in school Resource Officer Austin Larsen.

Thank you to everyone at the West Jordan Police Department for helping to keep kids like Aiden safe and making a difference in the lives of students we serve every single day.

He is a principal with an on-going purpose to surprise his students and staff, and make learning fun. But this time it was Foothills Elementary School Principal Abe Yospe himself who was the recipient of a big surprise.

After some serious planning, teachers and staff at Foothills pulled off a pretty fun prank carried out by none other than a local bagpipe player. Everyone pitched in and hired the bagpipe player to show up and be a musical shadow of Mr. Yospe, following him wherever he went throughout the school for one full hour…a full hour of bagpipe playing for the principal.

The prank was not only a way to celebrate the end of the school year, but a way to thank Principal Yospe for all he does to make learning fun throughout the year.