“Get the glasses on! Don’t look at the sun without your glasses!” shouted Ms. Jackie Rubalcava to her first-grade students as they walked out of their classroom at Rose Creek Elementary.

Outside on the pavement, Ms. Rubalcava’s students pressed their glasses against their heads, their gazes fixed on the sky. She guided them in a straight line, making sure everyone had a clear view, and transformed the eclipse into an engaging, live-action lesson.

“Wow! Does that look like first contact or second contact?” Ms. Rubalcava asked her students, who shouted back, “Second!”

Her classroom was among the many at Rose Creek Elementary that went outside Monday afternoon to watch the moon pass between the earth and the sun. As the eclipse cast a shadow, dimming the daylight, the students lit up with questions.

“It’s awesome,” said one first-grade student. “I like it. You can see the moon taking over, and I can kind of see the black in it, like a fourth part.”

From eager first-graders to science buffs in middle school, students of all ages embraced the eclipse. At Sunset Ridge Middle School, the clouds parted just in time for a great view. Other schools in the Jordan School District gave out protective eyewear to children heading out to recess, allowing them to look up when they wanted.

Watching the eclipse, as long as it was done safely with glasses, provided a fantastic learning opportunity for kids. The next total solar eclipse like this won’t be visible in the US until 2045. By then, Ms. Rubalcava’s first-grade class will be in their late 20s!

The new “My County Rec Pass” is an exciting opportunity for young residents of Salt Lake County (ages 5-18) to enjoy recreational activities throughout the year at no cost.

The My County Rec Pass is an all-access ticket to make a splash in any of the 18 swimming pools, glide at the three ice centers, reach new heights on the two climbing walls, and stay in shape at the numerous gyms, weight rooms, fitness areas, and walking tracks.

All children and teenagers aged 5 through 18 who are residents of Salt Lake County are eligible to apply for the My County Rec Pass.

Registration for the pass opens on April 1, 2024. You can sign up at any Salt Lake County-operated recreation center. The child and guardian must register in person, and the parent/guardian must bring ID or proof of Salt Lake County residency. Passes become active starting June 1, 2024.

The pass will provide a free ticket to fun, health, and safety for kids, whether after class, over school breaks, or throughout the summer and weekends.

Find out more information at the Salt Lake County My County Rec Pass page.

It’s game time for students in the Jordan School District as the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) approves Esports as an official activity starting in the 2025-26 school year.

The UHSAA Board of Trustees unanimously voted on Thursday, March 28, to formally recognize Esports as a sanctioned activity, providing a structured platform for students across 156 member high schools to participate in Esports competitions.

“It’s good to see recognition coming their way. We’ve been fighting for this for almost a decade,” said Tabor Redford, a Physics/Chemistry teacher and Esports Assistant Coach at Herriman High School. “It’s good news to have this sanction because it opens up a lot more doors for us.”

Herriman’s Esports team competes in League of Legends, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Overwatch, Valorant, Splatoon 2, and Minecraft.

“Most of the games I’ve played and tried, I’m not very good at them,” Redford said while one of his students shouted “Amen!” in the background.

It has yet to be decided which games will be in the sanctioned Esports arena. Still, the UHSAA hopes this decision will bring students together in new ways.

“By embracing Esports as an official activity, we hope to provide students with opportunities for growth and personal development both on and off the virtual battlefield,” said Rob Cuff, Executive Director of the Utah High School Activities Association.

“It’s awesome and important to include something so widespread, rapidly growing, and competitive,” said student Caleb Griner, the state’s Super Smash Bros champion.

Beginning in Jan. 2025, Utah high school students will represent their schools in Esports competitions, with the inaugural season stretching until April.

In the meantime, Herriman High School streams its Esports games online. You can watch live and recorded games

• Herriman High Esports Twitch Page
• Herriman High Esports YouTube Channel

Jordan School District invites you to an Empowering Parents Conference focused on your child’s mental health and well-being. Join us on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Riverton High School.

This conference, hosted by the Health & Wellness program in Student Services, brings together professionals and education experts to share their knowledge and equip you with the tools to support your child’s well-being. This conference offers free, short, 30-minute classes for parents/guardians of K-12 students, including topics on mental health, autism, internet safety, grief, wellness habits, healthy relationships, happiness, stress reduction, school success and more.

At this conference you can:

• Expect to gain practical strategies to support your child’s well-being beyond school.
• Visit with Various Resource Tables and Community Connections.
• Leave with information and skills to support your student(s) both at home and in school.

This event is designed to empower YOU!

We look forward to partnering with you in supporting your child’s success.

Estimados padres,

El Distrito Escolar de Jordan lo invita a una Conferencia de Empoderamiento de Padres centrada en la salud mental y el bienestar de su hijo. Únase a nosotros el jueves 10 de abril de 2024, de 5:30 a 8 p.m. en Riverton High School.

Esta conferencia, organizada por el programa de Salud y Bienestar de Servicios Estudiantiles, reúne a profesionales y expertos en educación para compartir sus conocimientos y equiparlo con las herramientas para apoyar el bienestar de su hijo. Esta conferencia ofrece clases cortas y gratuitas de 30 minutos para padres/tutores de estudiantes K-12, que incluyen temas sobre salud mental, autismo, seguridad en Internet, dolor, hábitos de bienestar, relaciones saludables, felicidad, reducción del estrés, éxito escolar y más.

En esta conferencia podrás:

• Esperar obtener estrategias prácticas para apoyar el bienestar de su hijo más allá de la escuela.
• Visite varias tablas de recursos y conexiones comunitarias.
• Salga con información y habilidades para apoyar a sus estudiantes tanto en el hogar como en la escuela.

¡Este evento está diseñado para empoderarte!

Esperamos colaborar con usted para apoyar el éxito de su hijo.