Board of Education Update – Spring 2022

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Spring Newsletter SampleThe Board of Education sent the Spring 2022 Update to all parents and employees via email.  Please check out the stories below:

Brand New Literacy Launch
We know when students learn to read in the younger grades, they can read to learn in the upper grades.

With that in mind, we launched a brand new literacy curriculum this year. All teachers are working harder than ever to provide a solid reading foundation so students are fluent in reading by the end of third grade.

2016 Bond Update – All Projects Completed
All six schools in the 2016 Bond Plan opened on time or ahead of schedule. They were under budget enough to help pay for a seventh new school, Antelope Canyon Elementary in West Jordan.

New Schools Funded by School District Capital Reserves
The Board of Education authorized the use of District capital reserves for the construction of three new schools to address overcrowding in high growth areas.

Increased Teacher Pay
The Board of Education approved increased base pay, a more flexible leave policy, and additional parent leave benefits for teachers.

The Supercast
Enjoy following Superintendent Anthony Godfrey as he travels throughout the District telling amazing stories of students, teachers and staff on his podcast the “Supercast.” 

Jordan Virtual Learning Academy
The Board of Education authorized the District to open the first of its kind K-12 Jordan Virtual Learning Academy. The online schools put
students on a path to personalized learning with weekly in-person options. The schools are tuition free and open to any K-12 student in Utah. Find out more at virtual.jordandistrict.org.

Majestic Elementary Arts Academy
The Board of Education authorized Majestic Elementary Arts Academy in West Jordan to offer all K-6 students a new choice in education
beginning in the 2021-22 school year. The school focuses on Instrumental Music and Visual Arts as part of students’ daily classroom instruction. Find out more at majestic.jordandistrict.org.

Partnership with Special Olympics Utah to Offer Unified Sports in Schools
The Unified Sports program brings students with and without special needs together on the playing field, using sports as a catalyst for social inclusion.

Foothills Elementary Students Celebrate Success of Shoe Drive for Local Charity

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Administrators get "slimed"It was a big challenge and Foothills Elementary students were up for the challenge proving they are capable of kindness in a big way. The school began a shoe drive with the goal of collecting a pair of shoes to represent every student attending Foothills Elementary. There are 910 students in the school and not only did students reach that goal, they surpassed it by collecting about 1,500 shoes! All of the shoes will be donated to the “Soles for Souls” charity and given to local refugee families.

Because students surpassed their goal, Principal Wilson organized an assembly where there was dancing, Miss Utah delivering a message of kindness and Ms. Wilson getting slimed.

Congratulations, Foothills Elementary students, for your kind hearts and generosity!

Supercast Episode 130: The Making of a Musical at Southland Elementary School

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Superintendent with students in the playThey put in hundreds of hours of work and practice before hitting the stage, and it pays off every single year at Southland Elementary School.

On this episode of the Supercast, meet the woman behind 14-years of school musicals at Southland. Find out why this is her final curtain call, and how students and volunteers make every production the experience of a lifetime for everyone involved.

Students Find Success in First Lego League Qualifier

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Picture of competitorsThey have worked hard all year and their efforts are paying off in competitive play.

Last weekend two teams from Ridge View Elementary School, the “Rapid Raptors” and “Imagination Creation” along with one team from Monte Vista Elementary School/South Hills Middle School, “Taquito Kings” competed at the First Lego League Qualifier. It was a tough competition against 27 other teams from around the state.

The “Taquito Kings” placed in the top three in Project and won a trophy.

The “Rapid Raptors” and “Imagination Creations” both placed in the top three of Core Values and both took home a trophy. The “Rapid Raptors” qualified for State and will now compete later this month at Weber State University.

We are very proud of the students on all three teams. Congratulations we wish you continued success!

Sheriff’s Office and Unified Police Honor Oquirrh Elementary Hero in the Classroom

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Students watch as the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department Doug Fenton presents Kristine Parker with an awardThe Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is joining forces with the Unified Police Department in recognizing individuals who are making a big difference in the classroom right now. Today, they showed up at Oquirrh Elementary School to honor Kristine Parker as a “Hero in the Classroom,” because of her work and dedication to children.

Kristine is a 25-hour aide in kindergarten classes at Oquirrh, and she also helps with Walk to Read groups. Principal Shauna Worthington says Kristine has been an amazing resource for  students and is practically an additional teacher because of her many contributions in the classroom. Principal Worthington says during times of virtual learning, Ms. Parker taught small groups or individual students online and helped pass out meals when they were being delivered  at a bus stop in her neighborhood. Kristine Parker is described as amazing and totally worth celebrating.

Because of her efforts on behalf of students and education, Ms. Parker was presented with a special gift card purchased using donations from officers and staff in the Sheriff’s Office and Unified Police.

Thank you to our friends and heroes in law enforcement for taking care of educators!