LETTERS FOR LEADERSHIP
ADMINISTRATOR NEWSLETTER | Volume 18, Edition 5
Announcements
SLCSD Priorities 2026-27 - Our top priorities highlighted from our strategic plan for student success. (Draft only!!)
Common Expectations – Administrative guiding document for 26-27 school year.
October Cultural Calendar – Record of cultural observances for October
CELEBRATIONS – Please send to leeson.taylor@slcschools.org or angelina.tovar@slcschools.org by Wednesday at 5:00 PM.
West High JROTC Orienteering Celebration
We are proud to share another outstanding accomplishment from our West High students. Our Navy JROTC Orienteering Teams competed at the 2026 Utah JROTC Orienteering State Championships and earned 1st place in every team division: Boys’ Varsity, Girls’ Varsity, Boys’ Junior Varsity, and Girls’ Junior Varsity.
In addition, West cadets earned individual 1st-place finishes in Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity and Boys’ Junior Varsity. Please join me in celebrating our cadets and this remarkable achievement. A special thank you to our JROTC leaders, Jonathan Kehr and Julio Gonzales, for their leadership, support, and commitment to our students.
Bonneville Elementary School
Let’s join the Bonneville Elementary School family in celebrating Kindergarten Teacher Courtney Lee. She was recently recognized by the Utah Education Association with the Excellence in Education Award.
ALL ADMINISTRATORS – Items for all building level administrators
DEADLINES
Final 26-27 Principal Tackle List-September
2026-27 October Principal Tackle List-Final
ACTION ITEMS
Laptop Cart Placement – Classroom laptop carts should not be located next to the door whenever possible. This presents a safety risk in the event the cart catches fire and may also be a tripping hazard as staff and student enter and exit the classroom. Thank you for cooperation.
Registration and Participation in SLCSD 2026-2027 Science and Engineering Fairs – The Salt Lake City School District, in partnership with the Salt Lake Education Foundation, will host the SLCSD Science and Engineering Fair February 1-5, 2027.
Attendance-Based Grade Reductions Report and End of Term Process – For teachers who have elected to use attendance-based grade reductions under HB 502 and have included this practice in their approved course disclosure, IT has developed a report to support implementation.
INFORMATION ITEMS
T&L Instructional Observation & Calibration Walks – Instructional Observation & Calibration Walks will provide principals with regular opportunities to visit classrooms, observe instructional practices, and engage in meaningful professional dialogue with colleagues.
Reminder: Truancy and Compulsory Education Process Guidance – During the July 2026 Administrator Institute, administrators received training on attendance interventions, chronic absenteeism, in-school truancy, and truancy procedures. This memo serves as a reminder of the formal truancy and compulsory education process.
Office Hours for Assessment and Evaluation starting Oct 30, 2026:
FRIDAYS BETWEEN 2PM – 4PM
AVAILABLE IN PERSON AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE or Dedicated Teams Channel
Staff members can answer questions about assessments, help students understand data, and lead discussions to connect student assessment to Tier I instructional choice. Staff will answer questions, help find resources, and set up consultations.
Teacher Growth Reports: updated reports with SGP from USBE will be available in the DDC Assessment & Evaluation School Folders by Monday of next week.
SPED EXTRA - Celebrations, initial referrals, staffing allocation process, safety care training, and more.
High Leverage Practices Course
The High Leverage Practices Course has just undergone a significant update and is available for enrollment again! High-leverage practices are the foundational, research-based instructional behaviors that effective K-12 educators use to optimize student engagement, streamline classroom management, and significantly accelerate academic outcomes. This course moves theory into highly actionable classroom practices and strategies designed to support diverse learner profiles across all learning environments. It is a self-paced, asynchronous course that earns 2 USBE credits. It’s a great way to focus your coaching work for teachers, and there are also microcredentials associated with this course. Please share with your teachers. For more information, contact katie.hill@schools.utah.gov.
Nov. District Attendance Rivalry Challenge.pdf – This is the November attendance newsletter.
Roving Substitute Guidelines -- The purpose of this memo is to provide information regarding the current situation and guidance moving forward to address the needs of support staff (specifically, special education paraprofessionals and PE instructors) and the increased substitute expense.
WPAD Order Information – Guidance regarding wearable panic devices.
USBE Updates
USBE School Leadership Update – Update for admin from USBE
School LAND Trust – The Utah State Board of Education approved amendments to School LAND Trust Program rules on October 1, 2026. The amendments are expected to take effect in early December, pending completion of the state rulemaking process.
USBE is offering training for School Community Councils. Please share the information found here with your school’s SCC Chair.
Fall 2026 Math in Utah Newsletter
SEOP Newsletter – Information for statewide online education program
USBE October Attendance Newsletter – USBE Attendance information for the month of October.
HIGH SCHOOLS – Items for high school administration
DEADLINES
ACTION ITEMS
Updated 2027–28 Master Schedule Timeline – This memo shares the updated timeline for building 2027–28 master schedules. The timeline has two goals: to build master schedules that prioritize students' needs and interests, and to reduce the confusion, frustration, and long waits that students and families have experienced while schedules are finalized in the fall.
It's that time of year again! Under S-10: Administrative Procedures, secondary school SCCs need to review their full school fee list by the end of November, so please make sure fees are on your upcoming SCC agendas.
A few reminders as you plan:
Any new fees or changes to current fees must be discussed in at least two SCC meetings before you move a recommendation forward.
Per the AP, recommendations are due to the Executive Director of School Leadership and Support by January 31; so, please submit your recommendations to your area director by January 16. Each request should list the current fee (if any) and the requested fee, include a rationale for any new fee or increase, and be signed by you and your SCC chair.
Fees can't be more than the actual cost of the activity, course, or program, and one fee can't be raised to cover another.
High school principals: as you review, please think specifically about whether we should increase uniform fees and whether playoff costs (travel, etc.) should be added to your spend plans. Emily and Nomani would appreciate your input on both. We've linked the S-10 AP here for reference. Let your area director know if you have any questions.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Fundraiser Approval Process — Procedures and Responsibilities – This memo outlines the district’s fundraiser approval process under Board Policy G-27 (Fundraising Activities) and Board Policy I-16 (Clubs), and summarizes each stakeholder’s responsibilities. It applies to every school-sponsored fundraiser, and it includes the additional review step that applies at the high school level. Please share this memo with advisors, coaches, and club sponsors at your school, and route questions about specific requests to your Area Director.
Our BSN Sports / Adidas Partnership: What Families, Coaches, and Boosters Need to Know – Information about the District's partnership with BSN Sports and Adidas America, Inc., and to explain how it affects purchases of team gear, so that everyone has clear, consistent guidance.
High School Physical Education Credit for UHSAA Approved Sports – Students who participate in Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) sanctioned sports, excluding esports, may earn Physical Education (PE) credit through their athletic participation. This includes participation in UHSAA Unified sports, such as Unified soccer and Unified basketball.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS –Items for middle school administration
DEADLINES
ACTION ITEMS
Updates 2027-28 Master Schedule Timeline -- This memo shares the updated timeline for building 2027–28 master schedules.
INFORMATION ITEMS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS – Items for elementary school administration
DEADLINES
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
Individualized Reading Plans Available in PowerTeacher – The individualized Reading Plan (IRP) system is now operational and available through PowerTeacher. K–3 teachers can begin using the system to create and maintain IRPs for students who require a plan under SB 241.
Every year, 5th grade students and teachers have the opportunity to travel to Abravanel Hall and hear the Utah Symphony perform. This year, the dates for those concerts include:
Feb 22 at 10 AM – 1800 seats available
Feb 22 at 11:30 AM – 300 seats available
Feb 23 at 10 AM – 760 seats available
Feb 23 at 11:30 AM – 400 seats available
Please have your 5th grade teachers reach out to Amy Burris with the date your school would like to attend no later than October 15, 2027. She will arrange and pay for transportation. This is a unique opportunity for your students because Utah is one of only 17 states with a full-time symphony orchestra in the nation. Plus, this is completely paid for through our state legislature. Please contact Amy right away.
If you'd like more information about this opportunity, you can access this link: https://utahsymphony.org/education/teachers/
Thanks, and Happy Listening 🙂
LEADERSHIP CORNER
SLCSD/School Leadership Alliance(SLA) Overview – Scope & Sequence for this year’s joint sessions for principals.
Accountability Terminology
Exemplary
Meaning: Performance significantly exceeds expectations.
The school demonstrates a high level of performance in the applicable accountability indicators. Student achievement and growth are strong, and evidence indicates that the school is providing effective and equitable educational opportunities.
Commendable
Meaning: Performance meets expectations and demonstrates notable strengths.
The school demonstrates satisfactory to strong performance across relevant measures, with particular strengths in academic achievement or student growth and adequate performance in other required areas.
Typical
Meaning: Performance generally meets basic expectations.
The school demonstrates adequate performance in key accountability measures, although achievement, growth, or equitable outcomes may vary across indicators or student groups.
Developing
Meaning: Performance is below expected levels in important areas.
The school demonstrates developing performance on one or more accountability measures and needs focused attention to improve student achievement, growth, or equitable educational opportunities.
Critical
Meaning: Performance is substantially below expected levels and requires significant improvement.
The school has serious needs in one or more accountability measures. Results signal the importance of targeted support, analysis of root causes, stronger implementation of effective practices, and close monitoring of student outcomes.
Educational Leadership Terminology
Quick fixing – Jumping into solutions instead of listening.
Steam Rolling – Monopolizing the dialogue without regard for others’ input.
Box Checking – Going through the motions without genuine care.
Cherry Picking – Only hearing what confirms your own view.
Dignity Documents
The 10 Elements of Dignity
The 10 Temptations to Violate Dignity
RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS FROM DISTRICT DEPARTMENTS
Assessment Essentials
SPED Scoop – Special Education Newsletter
Student Services Resources
Student Services October Newsletter
Teaching & Learning
Salt Lake Education Foundation
School Leadership & Support
Administrative Memos
CTE_Teachers SharePoint: https://slcsd.sharepoint.com/sites/CTE_Teachers
*Unless otherwise requested, information will run for 2 weeks only.
**We are working on formatting to ease use, add clarity and increase access
Salt Lake City School District
