Beginning January 7 - January 20, AAMP teachers and staff will be testing Kindergarten and 3rd grade students. This screening helps us identify all students who can qualify for magnet classes or AAMP programs.
A comprehensive schedule will be sent out to all elementary principals for the testing dates and times at each school. Kindergarten testing will take approximately an hour, while 3rd grade testing will take about three hours,. This is an exhaustive and massive undertaking, so we kindly ask the following:
Computer lab times be prioritized and set aside, per the schedule
Ensuring computers are updated in the labs
If no computer labs, that student laptops are updated and proper bandwidth is available throughout the school
Flexibility for unexpected intangibles (lagging Wi-Fi, power outages, absent students, etc.)
Communication to staff about the dates above, schedule (when available) and expectations for pulling students for the testing
Rationale:
This is a district program and in order to ensure students have access, SLCSD completes universal testing at these two grade levels.
Expectations for Implementation:
Communication
Principals are responsible to ensure the steps above are implemented and ready
Thank you for helping us serve all SLCSD students!
For any further questions or clarifications, please contact any of the following:
The purpose of this email is to notify you about a new process for hiring school-based administrators. Please read through these updates carefully as there are some significant changes as well as important reminders for current administrators.
What's New?
In an effort to recruit from the best available administrators to SLCSD, we understand that we must draw upon potential candidates earlier than we have previously done. To that end, we will open a school-based administrator pool near the end of October. This recruiting pool is for external candidates only—current administrators should not apply to this pool.
This school-based administrator pool will undergo a multi-interview process in order to identify top talent that will best match the unique needs of our schools. At the conclusion of each round of interviews, we will be able to consolidate our top candidates and move them on to the next round. It is anticipated that the first round of interviews will conclude near the end of November with a second round of interviews in or around January. These procedural changes follow similar processes and timelines of our neighboring districts. Ultimately, our goal is to create a list of top candidates for school-based selection committees to interview and recommend to the Superintendent for a final interview.
HRS will provide more details on this process at an upcoming DLC, as we want to provide you with as much transparency as possible.
Reminder for Current Administrators
For anyone interested in being considered for a change in your current assignment for the next school year, you will need to apply to the internal transfer request posted through SchoolSpring (see posting "Current Administrator Transfer and Promotion Request"). HR Certified Analyst, Lauren Knotts, will send an email to all current administrators when the transfer and promotion request has been posted, which will contain additional information regarding this request.
We acknowledge the uncertainty that comes with a change in any process, and we hope that this email along with a discussion in DLC will help provide a clear vision for how we can ensure we continue to recruit top talent for our students, families, and employees of SLCSD.
Thank you,
Logan
PART II Transfers
Hello Everyone,
We recognize and understand the need for current SLCSD administrators to periodically seek different assignments over the course of their career. If you are interested in a transfer or promotion for a school-based assignment for the 2026-27 school year, you must fill out the application using this School Spring link: https://slcschools.schoolspring.com/
Upload your letter of interest (cover letter) in order to be considered. Please keep in mind that the Superintendent may effectuate transfers in order to meet the needs of the district, but this is your opportunity to express interest in a change of assignment or position.
Additionally, please be aware of the following conditions and procedures regarding requests:
Applications must be submitted by the close of business on December 12, 2025 using the link above. This will be our only method of collecting interest from current administrators.
External candidates and employees who are not current administrators will need to apply to the School Administrator Pool posting.
Under section X, Administrative Vacancies, Transfers, and Rotations, of The Written Understanding, it states, "In determining whether to rotate an administrator, the District will consider the length of appointment, interests of the administrator, and needs of the District."
Requesting a transfer demonstrates your interest in a different assignment or change in location and is not a guarantee of a change in assignment or location.
Requesting a transfer for an assignment paid on a lower lane will result in you being paid at the appropriate step on that lane.
You must submit your preferences for a change in location in the transfer request by uploading a letter of intent in the "cover letter" section of the application.
We appreciate the work you do to ensure positive learning outcomes and safe environments for our students. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact me, Nathan Elkins, or Logan Hall.
If you experience an issue with finding this position that has been posted to internal applicants only, please ensure you are using the Internal side of School Spring by clicking the Internal Jobs tab and signing in (or creating an account) with your district email address to demonstrate you are a current employee.
Thank you,
Lauren Knotts
Human Resources Analyst Salt Lake City School District
District Office: (801) 578-8599
Excellence and Equity: every student, every classroom, every day
This instruction must be offered to students at least three times during grades K-6, once in middle school, and once in high school. The instruction must be age appropriate and developmentally appropriate for the students in the class.
In SLCSD, we will provide this lesson in grades 1, 3, and 5 and in middle and high school health classes. The reason we have assigned this to specific elementary grade levels and classes is so that we can track that the required instruction was provided.
This instruction will not include handling a firearm or having a firearm (real or model) in the classroom. The instruction will focus on ensuring students understand appropriate safety around firearms. Materials selected for this instruction are politically neutral and are available for parents to review online.
If parents do not want their student to participate in this lesson, they can opt their student out by completing returning the opt out form. They do not have to opt IN: they only have to opt OUT.
If opted out, the student must be provided with an alternate assignment in an alternate location, and their grade cannot be affected. For elementary, the lesson will probably between 15-20 minutes long. For secondary, the time may depend on what other appropriate health standards you choose to include.
REQUIRED STEPS
Review the materials and video for your level.
Choose a date you will plan to teach the lesson.
At least two weeks before you teach the lesson, send the Parent Information letter home. Include the date you are teaching and the date the opt out must be returned.
Make a plan for an alternate assignment and location in case it’s needed.
Collect all opt out forms. After the lesson, have your administrator store them for the school year.
Teach the lesson.
RESOURCES
Located in the District Document Center > Teaching & Learning > Firearm Safety Resources
Elementary – National Crime Prevention Council (Officer McGruff)
Grade 1: Molly’s Mischief
Parent form (Translations to major languages are currently in process. They will be added to the file as they are completed. Please contact Ms. Lowery if an additional language is needed.)
Video embedded on PPT
Teacher guide
Student activity sheet
Safety poster
Post-lesson recap for parents (currently only in English, TBD for other languages)
Grades 3 and 5: Not Cool, Kyle
Parent form (Translations to major languages are currently in process. They will be added to the file as they are completed. Please contact Ms. Lowery if an additional language is needed.)
Video embedded on PPT
Teacher guide
Student activity sheet
Safety poster
Post-lesson recap for parents (currently only in English, TBD for other languages)
Secondary – Utah Attorney General’s Office
Parent form (Translations to major languages are currently in process. They will be added to the file as they are completed. Please contact Ms. Lowery if an additional language is needed.)
Video embedded on PPT
Teacher Lesson Plan
Student handout (two colors)
Safety poster (two colors)
QUESTIONS
Check with your administrator
Teams or email Katie Lowery, Health and PE Specialist
Teams or email Tiffany Hall, Teaching & Learning
NEXT STEPS
If you would like to suggest a different curriculum, please contact Ms. Lowery and Dr. Hall for district-level review.
Adventures in Utah Celebrating America 250 Calling All Elementary & Middle School Students
America is turning 250 in 2026! Let’s celebrate by exploring our amazing home — Utah! From red rock canyons to snowy peaks, deserts to pine forests, museums and monuments, — Utah has it all!
What’s in YOUR District 2 backyard or any place you love to visit in Utah? We want to know what YOU discover in Utah while celebrating America’s big birthday! Be creative, be adventurous, and have FUN while honoring the beauty and freedom of our country!
YOUR MISSION:
Get out and explore Utah’s natural wonders, landmarks, parks, museums, and more.
Take a photo of yourself with one of our fun cutouts!
Create a poster showing all the places you've visited.
Snap a photo of your poster and email it to us by the end of the 2026 school year.
Include permission so we can share your adventures online!
Bonus: The more places you explore, the more your adventures will shine! As a special thank you for sharing what you love about Utah, you’ll receive a personal thank-you letter from Congresswoman Celeste Maloy. Keep the adventures coming!
REMEMBER: We live in a country where we are free to explore, to learn, and to connect with the people and places that matter most. America is going to be 250 years old! Show us what you LOVE about America! Show us what you LOVE about Utah
Ready, Set, Explore! We can’t wait to see where your Utah adventures take you! Be sure to bring along either Archie Bryce or Ruby Redrock in your photos as you explore — we’d love to see them by your side in all your Utah snapshots!
Name: [Your Full Name] Email: [your.email@example.com] School: [Full Name of Your District 2 School] Grade: [Your Grade Level] Parent/Guardian Permission: I, [Parent/Guardian Full Name], give permission for my child, [Your Name], to share their work.
From: Dr. Candace Penrod, District Science Supervisor
Subject: Amplify Science 7/8 Implementation and Support
Summary:
Salt Lake City School District is excited to have Amplify Science materials in all middle school science classrooms. The district has made a significant financial and curricular commitment to these highly quality instructional materials that support Utah’s Science with Engineering Education (SEEd) Standards middle school science classrooms. The expectation is that the materials are now in use in all middle school science classrooms with the following district support: The
A District Science Coach is available to visit your site and assist your teachers in getting started with the on-line and physical materials. Contact Candace Penrod if you and your teachers would benefit from a site visit.
The monthly Cross-District Middle School PLC meetings for middle school science are designed to support our teachers in the implementation of Amplify Science.
Training sessions with an Amplify Science trainer will be available to support 7/8 grade science teachers with implementation of units, assessments, and assignments. More information will be forthcoming.
Rationale:
The implementation of high-quality instructional materials is a priority for Salt Lake City School District. Amplify Science for middle school was identified by our MS Science Materials Adoption Committee as a high-quality resource to support the implementation of the Utah SEEd Standards. Amplify Science includes hands-on materials, simulations, support for English Learners, support for Special Education, and opportunities for all students to engage with phenomenon-driven science instruction. The district-wide use of common high-quality materials supports all learners have access to high-quality science instruction.
Additionally, the use of the District Science Pacing Guide is also an expectation, as it provides continuity and support across the district for teachers and students. Our Cross-District Middle School Science PLC will focus on supporting teachers’ instruction and student work aligned with the District Pacing Guide. It is the expectation moving forward that with the adoption and use of district materials, classroom instruction will be aligned by Strand (topic/unit) across the district according to the District Science Pacing Guide. This will create a more cohesive system of science education to support all learners and District Priorities and curricular goals.
Expectations for Implementation:
Communication
Middle School Administrators will communicate expectations and rationale to teachers regarding the use of the District Science Pacing Guide and the implementation of Amplify Science in all middle school classrooms.
7-12 Social Studies Core Curriculum Maps are in the District Document Center in Teaching and Learning/Social Studies. Core social studies courses include World Geography, World History, U.S. History II, and United States Government & Citizenship. Significant information follows:
Social studies curriculum maps are not pacing guides, but maps that unpack the Utah Social Studies Standards to support classroom instruction.
The introduction pages of the curriculum map provide further details about the different features of the map and how they can support instruction.
Curriculum maps can be used in conjunction with our approved textbooks and primary source documents.
Rationale:
Curriculum maps serve as the Guaranteed Viable Curriculum for social studie core content courses and can be used to support the work of PLCs.
Keywords: social studies, curriculum maps, world geography, world history, United States History, U.S. History, Unites States Government and Citizenship,
Title: Action Item: Assigning STEM AC Math Digital Learning Student Licenses
Date: 09/12/2025
To: Elementary, Middle School, High School Administrators
From: Holley McIntosh, Director of STEM and Mathematics
Dr. Tiffany Hall, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
Subject: Assigning STEM Action Center Math Digital Learning Student Licenses
Summary:
The math digital learning student licenses listed below awarded to schools from the STEM Action Center Math Digital Learning Grant will be assigned by the SLCSD IT Department.
STMath
IXL
Dreambox
My Math Academy
I-Ready
Derivita
Math Space
Imagine Math
Renaissance
Administrators must submit a SLCSD IT helpdesk ticket to inform IT how the licenses are to be assigned in their school no later than October 1.
One exception: High School ALEKs licenses will be managed and assigned by your HS Math Content Area Specialist (coach).
Rationale:
The STEM Action Center (AC) did not have sufficient resources to fund any school’s full grant request for licenses. With only a portion of the licenses provided, schools need to be strategic in assigning licenses to classes or students that will best utilize them. The STEM AC tracks usage to ensure license are being used at appropriate levels.
Schools not actively using their licenses by October 30, 2025 run the risk of having the STEM AC reassign their licenses to another school in the state.
Thank you for your continued efforts in supporting our students with the NWEA assessments. Attached is the most recent participation chart, which shows where each school currently stands. Our districtwide goal is 95% participation, and the deadline for completion is Friday, September 12, 2025.
Please ensure the necessary arrangements are in place so that all students have the opportunity to participate and we can collectively meet this important target. Your leadership and attention to this matter are greatly appreciated.
This guidance is designed to help school leaders support families with transportation questions, particularly those who live within the state ineligible distance guidelines (less than 1.5 miles for elementary and 2.0 miles for secondary). The process ensures equity, consistency, and compliance with state law, while always prioritizing state-qualified riders.
Key Eligibility Standards
Qualified Riders: Students who live beyond the state thresholds (1.5 miles elementary / 2.0 miles secondary) or who are approved for a documented safety exception.
Unqualified Riders: Students who live within the state thresholds and do not have a safety exception.
Exception Requests
Families who wish to request transportation outside of state eligibility must complete the Salt Lake City School District Transportation Exception Request Form each year.
Important reminders for families:
Approval is subject to available seating and may be revoked at any time if space is needed for state-qualified riders.
No new or relocated bus stops will be created. Students must use existing stops.
Transportation under an exception is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked for misconduct.
School choice families (students attending outside their boundary) are responsible for their own transportation.
Temporary Ridership During Review
Students may ride temporarily while requests are under review if there is available space.
Temporary ridership does not guarantee approval.
Timing of Requests
No exception or “space available” requests will be reviewed until 15 school days after the start of the year, once average daily ridership counts are established.
This waiting period allows for accurate capacity data.
Approval Criteria
Requests may be approved only if:
The bus route shows at least 10% seating capacity above daily usage.
No state-qualified student is displaced.
Requests are considered first-come, first-served.
Approval is valid for one school year only and must be renewed annually.
Conditions of Ridership
Revocation: Exception riders may lose transportation if capacity is needed for eligible students.
Boundaries: Exception passes do not apply to after-school jobs, activities, or non-boundary placements.
Conduct: Students must follow all bus rules; misconduct may result in loss of transportation privileges.
Communication & Notification
Parents/guardians will receive written notice of approval or denial.
Principals will receive updated rider lists.
Drivers receive weekly rosters and allow boarding temporarily until final determinations are made.
Role of Zūm Pass & Drivers
Every rider must tap their Zūm pass when boarding and exiting.
If a student has no pass:
The driver will allow boarding if the student appears on the approved list.
If unsure, the driver records the student’s details and transports them safely.
Drivers do not deny boarding; Transportation reviews unknown riders after reporting.
How Principals Can Support Families
Direct families to the Transportation Exception Request Form.
Remind families that requests cannot be reviewed until after the 15-day ridership count.
Emphasize that approval is space-dependent and not guaranteed.
Reassure families that safety is always a priority and that all requests are reviewed fairly.
Key Takeaways for Families
Transportation under exception requests is a privilege and not guaranteed.
State-qualified riders always have first priority.
All requests are reviewed consistently and equitably.
The district must balance capacity, safety, and compliance with state regulations.
Please reach out if you have any questions or need further information.
Tiffany Hall, Executive Director, Teaching and Learning
Subject: American Founders and Constitution Month
Summary:
In 2023 the Utah Legislature designated September as American Founders and Constitution Month. Significant information follows:
Communication from Ryan Bartlet, USBE Director of Strategic Communications:
What: Each September, Utah observes AmericanFounders and Constitution Month—a time to reflect on the vision, courage, and principles that shaped our nation. This annual observance is an opportunity to help students connect the founding ideals of liberty, justice, and self-governance to their own lives and roles as citizens. As educators and leaders, we have the privilege of guiding them to see how the Constitution continues to influence our communities and the freedoms we enjoy today.
Whether through classroom discussions, school-wide events, or creative student projects, we invite you to join in making this a meaningful, memorable experience for your students.
Successfully sharing the information with faculty and providing students with an opportunity to learn about the U.S. Constitution and American Founders.
Keywords: American Founders and Constitution Month, Civics, social studies, Constitution Day, HB179
