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ADMINISTRATIVE MEMORANDUM 

To:  Secondary School Principals and Teachers 
From: Dr. Bri Conley, Director of Educational Equity & Access 
Date:  August 12, 2026 
Subject: Attendance-Based Grading Under HB 502 Guidance 

Purpose 

The Salt Lake City School District is providing the following guidance regarding attendance-based grading under HB 502. This guidance is intended to support a fair, transparent, and consistent approach across our secondary schools while ensuring that students and families clearly understand how attendance may affect a course grade. 

Under HB 502, teachers in grades 7–12 may choose to include attendance as a component of a student's final course grade. If a teacher elects to do so, attendance-related grade reductions may account for no more than 10% of the student's final course grade. 

Teachers are not required to use attendance-based grade reductions. Teachers who use participation points or other grading practices related to engagement or classroom participation are not required to adopt the attendance-based grade reduction provisions described below. 

District Guidance 

To promote consistency and equitable implementation, the following expectations apply to any teacher who elects to use attendance-based grade reductions: 

  • Maximum reduction: The maximum attendance-based reduction is 10% of the student's final course grade. Teachers may establish a lower percentage but may not exceed 10%. 
  • Attendance threshold: A grade reduction may be applied only when a student has: 
  • Five (5) or more unexcused absences, OR 
  • Five (5) or more unexcused tardies. 

Absences and tardies may not be combined to reach the threshold. A student must meet the threshold in one category. 

  • Excused absences: Grades may not be reduced because of excused absences. 
  • Course disclosure: Teachers who choose to use attendance-based grade reductions must clearly identify the practice in their approved course disclosure document. The disclosure must specify the percentage reduction that will be applied when a student meets the attendance threshold. 
  • Accurate attendance: All teachers are expected to take attendance accurately every period, every day, regardless of whether they use attendance-based grading. Accurate attendance is essential for student safety, state reporting, communication with families, and appropriate attendance interventions. 
  • Consistent implementation: Teachers who use attendance-based grade reductions must apply the practice consistently and maintain appropriate documentation identifying students who receive a grade reduction. This documentation supports transparency and equitable implementation. 
  • Timing of grade reductions: Parents and guardians have up to one week to excuse an absence. To allow sufficient time for attendance corrections and verification, attendance-based grade reductions should be applied only when quarter or term grades are finalized. 
  • Technology support: Information Technology is developing a standardized report to identify students who meet the attendance threshold. This report is expected to be available before the end of Term 1 and will provide schools with a consistent method for identifying students who may be eligible for an attendance-based grade reduction. 

Administrative Responsibilities 

Principals and school administrators play an important role in ensuring that this process is implemented consistently and equitably. 

Before a teacher implements an attendance-based grade reduction, administrators must ensure that the practice and required language are included in an approved course disclosure document. Administrators are responsible for reviewing and approving course disclosure documents in accordance with Board Policy I-8 and its accompanying administrative procedures. 

We appreciate the care and professionalism our teachers and administrators bring to attendance practices each day. The goal of this guidance is not to require attendance-based grading, but rather to establish a clear and consistent framework for schools and teachers who choose to use the option provided under HB 502. 

Sample Course Disclosure Language 

Student attendance will be used to calculate the final grade for this course. Students with five (5) or more unexcused absences OR five (5) or more unexcused tardies will have their final course grade reduced by ___%. The attendance-related reduction will not exceed 10% of the final course grade. 

Thank you for your continued commitment to accurate attendance, clear communication, and equitable practices that support student success. Your consistency and attention to detail help ensure that our students and families experience a fair and transparent process across the District. 

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ADMINISTRATIVE MEMORANDUM

To:        School Principals and School Administrative Teams
From: Dr. Bri Conley, Director of Educational Equity & Access
Date: August 11, 2026
Subject: Edia Implementation and Attendance Communication

As part of our district's commitment to improving student outcomes, attendance remains a Board priority. Currently, approximately 25% of our students are chronically absent, meaning they have missed 10% or more of the school year. Our goal is to reduce chronic absenteeism to 20% this school year and ultimately to 10% by 2029. Because unexcused absences contribute to chronic absenteeism, reducing truancy is also an important part of this work.

To support the efforts of improving attendance and strengthening family partnerships, we are implementing Edia, an AI-powered communication tool that makes two-way communication between families and schools more accessible, helping schools identify barriers to attendance and respond more effectively.

What Families Can Expect

  • When a student is marked absent, parents/guardians will receive a text message from Edia.
  • Messages will be sent in the family's preferred language as listed in PowerSchool.
  • Families can respond directly by text without downloading an app.
  • Responses are routed to school staff, and attendance records in PowerSchool are updated based on the information provided.
  • Edia identifies and flags responses that require follow-up from a counselor or administrator, helping schools provide timely support to students and families.

Important Reminders

  • ParentSquare remains our primary communication platform for school and district announcements, newsletters, and general communication. Edia is used specifically for attendance-related communication.
  • Families have up to one week to excuse an absence.
  • Teachers must take attendance daily and on time to ensure families receive timely notifications and attendance records remain up to date.
  • Attendance clerks must review and clear flagged messages daily and notify appropriate staff of any required follow-up. Families will not receive additional Edia communications until the flag has been removed.

Attendance Notifications and Letters

Through Edia, schools will be able to send:

  • Notifications for unexcused absences via text and email.
    • 5-day and 10-day compulsory education notices for elementary students with unexcused absences.
    • 5-day and 10-day truancy notices for secondary students with unexcused absences.
  • 15-day compulsory education and truancy letters will be generated through Edia; however, schools remain responsible for printing and sending these notices via certified mail or personal delivery and logging in PowerSchool under log entries.

In addition to messages related to unexcused absences, Edia will text and email reminders to families of students with excused absences. These messages will reinforce the importance of regular attendance while recognizing that some absences are unavoidable and beyond a family's control.

To ensure consistent attendance communication across the district, please discontinue the use of attendance letters and notices that are not generated through Edia. The letters and notifications available in Edia are the district-approved communications for attendance concerns and support.

Support

Secretaries received training on reviewing and unflagging messages on August 3, 2026. Guidance for reviewing and removing flags can be found in the DDC under Attendance.

Office hours will be offered soon. If you need immediate assistance, please reach out to IT or me directly.

Resources

Resources to support attendance communication can be found in DDC - Attendance- Resources: Back to School, including:

  • Attendance flyers for families (translated)
  • Attendance tracker
  • Elementary Attendance PPT (translated)
  • Secondary Attendance PPT (translated)

Schools are encouraged to share the attendance flyer and attendance tracker with families and include the appropriate attendance PowerPoint in Back-to-School Night presentations.

Thank you for your partnership as we work together to improve attendance, strengthen family engagement, and support our students’ success.

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ADMINISTRATIVE MEMORANDUM

To:        School Principals and School Administrative Teams
From: Mindi Holmdahl, Director of Student Support Services
Date: August 11, 2026
Subject: Enrollment Guidance Related to SB 167

We recognize that schools have received a number of questions regarding student enrollment requirements and the implementation of SB 167. We appreciate your continued attention to this matter and your efforts to ensure that enrollment decisions are handled consistently and appropriately across the district.

As additional information and guidance become available, the School Leadership & Support Division will continue to provide updates. In the meantime, schools should follow the enrollment guidance outlined below.

Enrollment Guidance

Grades K–2

Students in grades K–2 may be enrolled immediatelyafter student records have been requested. Schools should proceed with the enrollment process once the appropriate records request has been initiated.

Grades 3–12

For students entering grades 3–12, behavior records should be received and reviewed prior to enrollment. Schools should make every reasonable effort to obtain and review the applicable records before completing enrollment.

If the requested records are delayed beyond five days, school administration may use its professional discretion to determine whether to proceed with enrollment.

Students Transferring from Another Country

Students transferring to SLCSD from another country, other than foreign exchange students, should follow the same enrollment guidance outlined above:

  • Grades K–2: Enrollment may occur immediately after records have been requested.
  • Grades 3–12: Behavior records should be received and reviewed prior to enrollment; however, if records are delayed beyond five days, school administration may use its discretion to enroll the student.

Foreign Exchange Students

Foreign exchange students have already been vetted through their respective exchange programs and may be enrolled immediately.

Moving Forward

Our goal is to ensure that schools have clear and consistent guidance while also providing administrators with appropriate flexibility when circumstances surrounding records requests create delays.

Please continue to exercise sound professional judgment, document enrollment-related decisions as appropriate, and reach out to the School Leadership & Support Division if you have questions or encounter circumstances that require additional guidance.

We appreciate your continued partnership and your commitment to ensuring that students and families experience a welcoming, timely, and supportive enrollment process.

Thank you for your leadership and continued service to our students and families.

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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.
Leadership Academy --  Moving from the classroom or coaching role into school administration is a major shift. The Assistant Principal Leadership Academy is built to help our 1st and 2nd year assistant principals successfully navigate that transition and grow their leadership capacity. This program gives you direct, hands-on experience with the actual district systems and operational practices that keep a building running smoothly. Over the course of the year, we will dig deep into student services, special education compliance, master scheduling, and
Let’s welcome a new team member!!!!!
Riley Crowford has been selected as the top candidate for Assistant Principal at East High. Riley comes to SLCSD from Granite School District where he currently serves as Dean of Students, and previously as Administrative Intern and High School Teacher with over 10 years of classroom experience.
CELEBRATIONS – Please send to leeson.taylor@slcschools.org or angelina.tovar@slcschools.org by Wednesday at 5:00 PM.
Thanks to everyone that came out to the soccer match Wednesday night!!!
ALL ADMINISTRATORS – Items for all building level administrators
DEADLINES
PUBLISHED 2026 Principal Tackle List.docx
ACTION ITEMS
26-27 Title IX Trainings – Required trainings for Title IX and updating your school's Deputy Title IX Coordinator information.
26-27 Start of School Title I Updates – To support a successful beginning to the 2026–2027 school year, we are asking the principals of Title I schools to please complete the following required Title I tasks by Friday, August 28, 2026. Completing these items early will help ensure your school is well prepared for the year ahead. If you need assistance at any point, please do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. Taylor.
School LAND Trust Updates:  Following the August 1 annual rollover of the School LAND Trust Reporting Website, a new Fall Requirements Form will replace the Council Membership Form and Principal Assurance Form for FY27.
Because August 1 falls on a weekend, there will be a brief delay before the new form becomes available. During the transition period of August 1–4, please do not submit or update information using the Council Membership Form or Principal Assurance Form. Instead, wait for the Fall Requirements Form to become available, which is currently estimated for August 5.
Please refer to this guide for additional information about the new Fall Requirements Form, including step-by-step instructions for completing and submitting the form.
If you have questions, please contact the USBE School Children's Trust team at schoollandtrust@schools.utah.gov.
 INFORMATION ITEMS
Assessment Plan for SY 2026-27 – This document is the comprehensive overview of assessments. For specific dates of testing windows, questions about administration, or training on administration, please contact Dr. Patrick Jefferies, Assessment & Evaluation Supervisor.
Acadience Testing Calendar for each school is available and can be found by clicking here. Reach out to Dr. Jefferies in Assessment & Evaluation with any questions. 
Math Acadience:  If your school has chosen to administer Acadience Math to your K-3 students, you must notify Lynette Peck (lynette.peck@slcschools.org) by Wednesday, August 12th and indicate if you will be using the free manual entry licenses provided by USBE, or if you will be purchasing digital licenses ($2.95 per student) if you would like assistance from the district testing team.  Please be aware that the district will not be printing Computation or Concepts & Applications packets as was done in the past when this was a state-mandated assessment.  Schools are responsible for printing these materials on their own.  Digital files are in the District Document Center and can also be found by following this LINK. 
INCOMING STUDENT DATA: Data for incoming students is now available at https://apex.slcschools.org/apex/r/slcsd/student-performance-reports-teacher-access. This can be report can be run and downloaded any time and it will reflect your currently enrolled students. Reach out to Dr. Jefferies with any questions or to schedule a data consultation. 
KEEP Administration update: One important change is the discontinuation of the five SLCSD Math items. This decision was finalized after testing materials had already been packed. 
When your testing materials arrive over the next week or so, please remove and securely destroy the light blue SLCSD Math Test Administration Manual and the light blue Student Materials. Do not administer these items or attempt to enter data for them.
KEEP scoring access: Anyone who will be administering the KEEP will need access to the data system to enter scores. Please have each individual apply for access via the Employee System Access Application located here: ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus
Training Reminder ---Anyone administering Kindergarten testing must have completed the required trainings: 
Testing Ethics Training – Required annually for all test administrators.
Administrative Guidance for Parking – The intent of this guidance is to support orderly parking practices while maintaining fairness for all staff and visitors and reinforcing a welcoming school environment.
Transportation Contact Information -- As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we would like to share the Salt Lake City School District Transportation Department contact information to help ensure you can quickly connect with the appropriate staff for transportation-related needs.
New way to enter incidents in PowerSchool
PowerSchool as updated how we enter discipline incidents into PowerSchool, please see the attached document for steps on creating incidents.
Incident Entry Steps
Helping families with Parent Portal
Families will use their Parent Portal login to complete online registration for returning students.  This document will help you support parents with their ParentPortal login.
Supporting Parents with Parent Portal
Getting technology help
The best way to get technology help is to enter a support ticket: https://helpdesk.slcschools.org
Each school is assigned a technician; however, systems are supported by a number of different people.  Entering tickets allows us to get your request to the right person in an efficient manner.
Requesting technology
Technology for your building is requested through the School Improvement Plan Application in the 'Technology Requests' section.  You will also be able to see an assigned budget based upon your school that is calculated using your school enrollment and staff FTE count. 
Staff are assigned technology based upon their position.  Guidance about requesting technology can be found in this document in the District Document Center:
Capital Technology Guidance
Monthly IT maintenance
To ensure the smooth operation of our IT systems, regular maintenance is necessary. We’ve established a maintenance schedule for the 2026-27 school year to minimize disruptions for staff and students.
Maintenance will occur on designated weekends each month, during which intermittent system outages may be expected. We will send out notifications each month detailing the affected systems.
The planned maintenance window is typically from 5 pm on Friday through Saturday.  Occasionally, maintenance may continue into Sunday.    Critical updates may be applied outside this planned maintenance schedule.
Please review the maintenance dates below and plan accordingly. 
August 28-29
September 25-26
October 23-24
November 20-21
December 18-19
January 22-23
February 26-27
March 26-27
April 16-17
May 14-15
The full maintenance calendar can be found here:
Salt Lake City School District - IT Calendar
USBE Updates
Licensing Newsletter -- These newsletters provide critical updates regarding Utah Educator Licensing for administrators, Human Resource officers, APPEL Directors, university faculty and others.
SEOP Newsletter – August newsletter
USBE August Attendance Newsletter – USBE Attendance information for the month of August.   
 
HIGH SCHOOLS – Items for high school administration
DEADLINES
ACTION ITEMS
 Calculating Added Value GPA -- Additional value is awarded to courses that demonstrate a higher level of academic rigor. This system ensures students are recognized for the commitment they make when enrolling in advanced coursework. 
INFORMATION ITEMS
Monthly Registrar Meetings -- Mandatory monthly meetings for high school registrars are essential to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance across the school district. These meetings serve several critical functions:
MIDDLE SCHOOLS –Items for middle school administration
DEADLINES
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS – Items for elementary school administration
DEADLINES
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
Math Acadience Order process for 2026-27: Any school can use manual licenses for K-3 Math Acadience paid for by USBE. Schools can pay $2.95/student with school funds to upgrade to digital licenses and avoid hand entry of data in K-1. For more details, please click here. To order licenses for grades 4-6, email quotes@acadiencelearning.org to purchase.
TRAINING:
Starting now, participants can self-enroll in the Canvas course for the SY26-27 administration and scoring of the Acadience Math assessments. Once they complete the module(s) and submit the survey they will receive a certificate of completion. Self-enroll URL link https://usbe.instructure.com/enroll/C6FRBW
Please reach out to Dr. Patrick Jefferies, Assessment & Evaluation, with questions. patrick.jefferies@slcschools.org
RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS FROM DISTRICT DEPARTMENTS
SPED Scoop – Special Education Newsletter
Student Services Resources
Teaching & Learning
Salt Lake City Education Foundation
School Leadership & Support
Administrative Memos
 
*Unless otherwise requested, information will run for 2 weeks only.
 
 
 

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Dear Title I Principals,

I hope you are off to a great start to the new school year. Thank you for your continued commitment to ensuring our Title I programs provide meaningful opportunities for family engagement and remain fully compliant with federal requirements.

To support a successful beginning to the 2026–2027 school year, please complete the following required Title I tasks by Friday, August 28, 2026. Completing these items early will help ensure your school is well prepared for the year ahead. If you need assistance at any point, please do not hesitate to reach out.

1. Plan and Hold Your Annual Title I Parent Meeting

For most schools, this meeting is held in conjunction with your Back-to-School Night.

Please ensure that:

  • The meeting date and time are posted on your school's website calendar as soon as possible.
  • Your presentation includes all required Title I information for families.
  • You customize the district : Title I Presentation Template by adding your school's name and any school-specific information.
  • Your completed presentation is posted on your school's Title I webpage on or before the day of the meeting.

For reference, you may also review the Backman Elementary 2024–2025 Title I Presentation as an excellent example.

Website Calendar Resources

2. Update Your Parent-School Compact

Please review and update your school's Parent-School Compact to ensure all dates and information are accurate for the current school year, including:

  • Parent engagement events
  • SEP/Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • Grading periods
  • Other school-specific information

You may use last year's compact as a starting point or begin with the district Parent-School Compact Template.

Once updated:

  • Post the compact in the Title I section of your school's website.
  • Share the compact during your Title I Parent Meeting and through other communication methods.
  • Encourage parents, staff, and students to provide feedback throughout the year.
  • Please note that signatures from parents, staff, or students are not required.

3. Review Your Parent and Family Engagement Policy

Please review your school's Parent and Family Engagement Policy to ensure it is current and accurately reflects your school's practices.

If revisions are needed:

  • Update the document.
  • Post the final version in the Title I section of your school's website.

Additional Information

All required templates and supporting documents are available in the District Document Center under the Title I folder.

Beginning August 27, our office will begin reviewing school websites to verify that these requirements have been completed. Please ensure all required materials are posted and finalized by Friday, August 28, 2026, to ensure compliance before the Labor Day weekend.

Thank you for your partnership and for the tremendous work you do each day to support students and families. Your efforts are critical to building strong school-home partnerships and ensuring the success of our Title I programs.

If you have any questions or need support, please don't hesitate to reach out.

I appreciate your leadership and wish you a successful start to the 2026–2027 school year.

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You don't often get email from megan.menlove-schools.utah.gov@shared1.ccsend.com. Learn why this is important
                Happy Back to School Attendance Leaders, We hope all had an enjoyable and relaxing summer and are looking forward to starting a new school year. We want to make sure you know of all the attendance resources that are available to you as you begin this year. We are also happy to help individually if you have any questions. Please check out the information below and reach out if you have any questions. Good luck starting the new school year! USBE Attendance Specialists       Utah Success Stories and Celebrations   Legacy Preparatory Academy   This month we would like to highlight the awesome attendance work happening at Legacy Preparatory Academy.  They have weekly newsletters that they send to families where they remind them about the importance of attending school and how it impacts all aspects of a student’s success in school and out of school.  They also utilize social media posts to emphasize the importance of being at school and highlight those students and classes who have high attendance rates.  They make individual phone calls home to families with students with excessive tardies and absences.  They also joined our Statewide Attendance Challenge as part of the Statewide Attendance Campaign, Every Day Counts, committing to working hard to reduce chronic absenteeism and increase daily attendance at their school.  They are working hard all around their school to focus on attendance and stay positive.  We appreciate their awesome example! Cache School District   This month we would like to highlight the awesome attendance work happening  in Cache School District.  They have joined our Statewide Attendance Challenge as part of our Statewide Attendance Campaign, Every Day Counts, as well as joining the USBE Engagement and Attendance Cohort for this school year.  They are engaging with a lot of support and learning from other LEAs across Utah.  They send out positive updates about schools in their parent communications as a way to build commitment for positive school attendance between schools and families.  They have also started a process of reviewing and updating their attendance policy and procedures.  They utilize SafeArrival as a tool to help parents get notices about attendance as well.  They are also working hard on their attendance letters and communication tools with parents.  It is obvious that they are working hard and strengthening their relationships between school and home for all of their students.  We appreciate the hard work they are putting into attendance and the great example they are to so many others around the state!     Attendance Webinar Series Information We are looking forward to hosting our first webinar for the 2026-2027 school year on September 15, 2026 at 10:30am. We will be focusing on connections for our webinar series this school year. Please use this September Webinar Registration Link to register for our September Attendance Webinar. We are grateful for those of you who were able to join us for our July summer webinar. If you missed it or any other webinars, here is link to the USBE Attendance YouTube Channel where you can find the recording for this webinar and all previous webinars. You can also find the slides in the USBE Absenteeism and Truancy Prevention website under the "Resources" tab.         Every Day Counts Statewide Attendance Campaign We are excited to announce that the Statewide Attendance Campaign, Every Day Counts will be continuing for the 2026-2027 school year. There are multiple ways to get involved! You can consider becoming a Statewide Attendance Ambassador or joining the new 2026-2027 Statewide Attendance Challenge. We have a lot of resources that are readily available that you can use as you are communicating with all of your stakeholders. Please see the USBE Absenteeism and Truancy Prevention website under the "Attendance Campaign" tab.         New Attendance Legislation Please see the following information about the attendance legislation that was passed during the 2026 Utah Legislative Session. Please make sure that your attendance and school/LEA policies reflect these changes.   HB 145 Allows parents to provide any reason to excuse a student’s absence from school as long as the student’s GPA is at or above 2.0.Specifically includes events such as mountain biking and shooting sports or a youth development program that USU administers which provide education experiences as excused absences or valid excuses (not school excused absences).  HB 502 Allows 7-12th grade teachers to base up to 10% of final grades on class attendance. LEAs may create an attendance grading policy for no more than 20% of a student grade.  SB 58 Clarifies definitions around attendance. Requires LEAs to develop policies and procedures for attendance tracking, intervention, and enforcement and conduct regular reviews of student attendance data. LEA governing boards also are required to review attendance data. Requires LEAs to ensure that SIS data is accurate. Requires LEAs to notify parents within two instructional days of a student’s unexcused absences, including the total number for the school year.     September Attendance Awareness Month Resources   Did you know that September is Attendance Awareness Month? What does this mean to you? Well this is a great time to highlight the attendance work you are doing at your school and in your LEA. Students' attendance at the start of the school year is a great indicator of what their attendance will look like for the rest of the school year. Start strong and stay positive with students and families!    Resources–  USBE Attendance Parent Handout  Attendance Works Campaign Resources  Attendance Awareness Month: Addressing Chronic Absenteeism  Other ideas– share your attendance policy and procedures with students, parents and all stakeholders, hold attendance incentives or spirit days, run an attendance campaign, teach students about attendance behaviors, join the Statewide Attendance Challenge, etc.     Helpful Attendance Articles and Resources Please Excuse My Child: Unexcused Absences in Student Attendance and Achievement Send the Message That Showing Up Matters! Five Key Actions and Messages For Educators and PartnersUSBE Absenteeism and Truancy Prevention Website     Upcoming Dates/Information August 3&11, 2026- Engagement and Attendance Cohort MeetingSeptember 2026- Attendance Awareness Month September 15, 2026- Attendance Webinar             Utah State Board of Education School Improvement | 250 E 500 S | Salt Lake City, UT 84114 US   Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice
Constant Contact

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Announcements

CELEBRATIONS – Please send to leeson.taylor@slcschools.org or angelina.tovar@slcschools.org by Wednesday at 5:00 PM.

Thanks to everyone that came out to the soccer match Wednesday night!!!

ALL ADMINISTRATORS – Items for all building level administrators

  • DEADLINES
  • ACTION ITEMS
    • 26-27 Title IX Trainings – Required trainings for Title IX and updating your school's Deputy Title IX Coordinator information.
  • INFORMATION ITEMS
    • Assessment Plan for SY 2026-27 – This document is the comprehensive overview of assessments. For specific dates of testing windows, questions about administration, or training on administration, please contact Dr. Patrick Jefferies, Assessment & Evaluation Supervisor.
    • Acadience Testing Calendar for each school is available and can be found by clicking here. Reach out to Dr. Jefferies in Assessment & Evaluation with any questions. 
  • Administrative Guidance for Parking – The intent of this guidance is to support orderly parking practices while maintaining fairness for all staff and visitors and reinforcing a welcoming school environment.
  • KEEP administration for Fall 2026-27 addendum – Thank you for the questions and feedback during our recent online meeting. As discussed, KEEP administration has changed following recent SLEA negotiations to ensure that kindergarten teachers are not required to return to work prior to the start of their contract calendar. Below are several important updates and clarifications. The original memorandum from May 26, 2026 is copied in full at the end.
  • SPED Extra 7-1-26.pdf​
  • New way to enter incidents in PowerSchool
    • PowerSchool as updated how we enter discipline incidents into PowerSchool, please see the attached document for steps on creating incidents.
    • Incident Entry Steps
  • Helping families with Parent Portal
    • Families will use their Parent Portal login to complete online registration for returning students.  This document will help you support parents with their ParentPortal login.
    • Supporting Parents with Parent Portal
  • Getting technology help
    • The best way to get technology help is to enter a support ticket: https://helpdesk.slcschools.org
    • Each school is assigned a technician; however, systems are supported by a number of different people.  Entering tickets allows us to get your request to the right person in an efficient manner.
  • Requesting technology
    • Technology for your building is requested through the School Improvement Plan Application in the 'Technology Requests' section.  You will also be able to see an assigned budget based upon your school that is calculated using your school enrollment and staff FTE count. 
    • Staff are assigned technology based upon their position.  Guidance about requesting technology can be found in this document in the District Document Center:
  • Monthly IT maintenance
    • To ensure the smooth operation of our IT systems, regular maintenance is necessary. We’ve established a maintenance schedule for the 2026-27 school year to minimize disruptions for staff and students.
    • Maintenance will occur on designated weekends each month, during which intermittent system outages may be expected. We will send out notifications each month detailing the affected systems.
    • The planned maintenance window is typically from 5 pm on Friday through Saturday.  Occasionally, maintenance may continue into Sunday.    Critical updates may be applied outside this planned maintenance schedule.
  • Please review the maintenance dates below and plan accordingly. 
  • August 28-29
  • September 25-26
  • October 23-24
  • November 20-21
  • December 18-19
  • January 22-23
  • February 26-27
  • March 26-27
  • April 16-17
  • May 14-15
  • The full maintenance calendar can be found here:

USBE Updates

  • Licensing Newsletter -- These newsletters provide critical updates regarding Utah Educator Licensing for administrators, Human Resource officers, APPEL Directors, university faculty and others.
  • Attendance Home – USBE Attendance website.  

HIGH SCHOOLS – Items for high school administration

  • DEADLINES
  • ACTION ITEMS
    •  Calculating Added Value GPA -- Additional value is awarded to courses that demonstrate a higher level of academic rigor. This system ensures students are recognized for the commitment they make when enrolling in advanced coursework. 
  • INFORMATION ITEMS
    • Monthly Registrar Meetings -- Mandatory monthly meetings for high school registrars are essential to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance across the school district. These meetings serve several critical functions:

MIDDLE SCHOOLS –Items for middle school administration

  • DEADLINES
  • ACTION ITEMS
  • INFORMATION ITEMS

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS – Items for elementary school administration

  • DEADLINES
  • ACTION ITEMS
  • INFORMATION ITEMS
    • Math Acadience Order process for 2026-27: Any school can use manual licenses for K-3 Math Acadience paid for by USBE. Schools can pay $2.95/student with school funds to upgrade to digital licenses and avoid hand entry of data in K-1. For more details, please click here. To order licenses for grades 4-6, email quotes@acadiencelearning.org to purchase.
    • TRAINING:
      • Starting now, participants can self-enroll in the Canvas course for the SY26-27 administration and scoring of the Acadience Math assessments. Once they complete the module(s) and submit the survey they will receive a certificate of completion. Self-enroll URL link https://usbe.instructure.com/enroll/C6FRBW
      • Please reach out to Dr. Patrick Jefferies, Assessment & Evaluation, with questions. patrick.jefferies@slcschools.org

RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS FROM DISTRICT DEPARTMENTS

*Unless otherwise requested, information will run for 2 weeks only.

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You don't often get email from cynthia.white-schools.utah.gov@shared1.ccsend.com. Learn why this is important

You don't want to miss this.

       
Statewide Online Education Program   August 2026         Welcome Back! 2026-27 School Year   A Message from SOEP Director Tami Gear As we reflect on this past year, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to the school counselors who have partnered with the Statewide Online Education Program (SOEP). Your patience, collaboration, and commitment to students have been invaluable throughout a year that included changes, clarifications, and ongoing efforts to improve processes and support. We recognize that helping students navigate educational opportunities requires both dedication and flexibility, and we deeply appreciate the role you have played in making SOEP accessible and successful for students across Utah. Whether assisting students with course selection, supporting families, coordinating with Online Providers, or helping students stay on track toward their academic goals, your efforts have made a meaningful difference. Your willingness to learn, adapt, and work alongside us has strengthened the program and expanded opportunities for the students we serve. Thank you for your partnership, professionalism, and unwavering focus on student success. We are grateful for the expertise and care you bring to your work each day, and for the positive impact you have on students' educational journeys. We appreciate all that you do and look forward to continuing our work together in the coming year.     SOEP Enrollment Guidance Document Q&A The SOEP team has created the document above to guide you and your students through the most frequently asked questions about the SOEP. You may also view the updated SOEP Course Request Decision Tree for guidance when accepting or rejecting course requests. If you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.   How to Set Up a Multi-Factor Authorization Account The USBE IT Team has installed MFA for SEATS account holders. The link above will guide you through setting up an MFA account.   SOEP Stakeholder Concerns and Feedback The link above is to a form that allows Statewide Online Education Program (SOEP) stakeholders to submit concerns, report operational issues, or share constructive feedback for review. Information submitted through this form helps support continuous improvement and the effective administration of the program.   Student Support Role in SEATS - IEP, 504, and MLL Accommodations Recognizing the challenges some LEA counselors face in accessing necessary accommodations, the SOEP Team has designed this role to bridge the gap and enhance support for these students. The Student Support Role will be able to add student accommodations directly into SEATS. Please contact us with any additional questions or concerns regarding this role.     Intro to SOEP Mini-Training Friday, August 28th at 7:30 am and 12:30 pm   If you are new to SOEP, we are offering a 30-minute mini-training on the basics. This training would be perfect for new counselors or anyone who needs a basic refresher on the Code and Rules related to the SOEP. There are two 30-minute sessions. The Zoom links are below. Intro To SOEP Mini-Training 7:30 am   Intro To SOEP Mini-Training 12:30 pm   Middle School Students Taking SOEP Courses Mini-Training Thursday, September 24th at 7:30 am and 12:30 pm   If you are a middle school counselor or have questions about middle school students taking SOEP courses, especially high school courses. This mini-training is ideal for you. There are two 30-minute sessions offered. We have a Google Form for you to submit topics or questions you would like answered during this training. SOEP Middle School Mini-Training Questions and Concerns Zoom links are below. Middle School Students Taking SOEP Courses Mini-Training 7:30 am   Middle School Students Taking SOEP Courses Mini-Training 12:30 pm         Would you like your school specific SOEP training?   Mandatory SOEP training is required by Utah Code 53F-4-514. We would be honored to provide training tailored to your LEA. Please contact Cynthia White at cynthia.white@schools.utah.gov       Meagan Johnston M.Ed SOEP Program Manager meagan.johnston@schools.utah.gov Phone: (801) 538-7668 Cynthia White Ph.D SOEP Education Specialist cynthia.white@schools.utah.gov Phone: (801) 538-7783       If you need assistance with your SEATS account, please contact the USBE (Utah State Board of Education) Helpdesk.  Email: apphelpdesk@schools.utah.gov Phone: (801) 538-7800 Visit: apphelpdesk.schools.utah.gov
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 To: School Principals and Test Coordinators

From: Dr. Patrick Jefferies, Assessment Supervisor, Assessment & Evaluation

Dr. Tiffany Hall, Executive Director, Teaching & Learning

Date: July 23, 2026

Subject: KEEP administration for Fall 2026-27 addendum

Thank you for the questions and feedback during our recent online meeting. As discussed, KEEP administration has changed following recent SLEA negotiations to ensure that kindergarten teachers are not required to return to work prior to the start of their contract calendar. Below are several important updates and clarifications. The original memorandum from May 26, 2026 is copied in full at the end.

School-Day Expectations

  • School days are not shortened to conduct the KEEP assessment. Students should attend a full school day that follows the same schedule as the other grades. KEEP administration should take place outside the classroom where possible, however when this is not possible depending on your staffing and available space, the KEEP may be administered within the classroom as long as appropriate supervision and activities are provided to the remaining students.
  • Please schedule KEEP administration in the afternoon, after lunch, whenever possible to protect the literacy block.
  • When a paraprofessional or substitute administers the KEEP, the classroom teacher may continue providing instruction to the remaining students.

Funding and Administration

  • Funds to support KEEP administration will be allocated to Program 1033 before August 1. Funding is based on each school’s kindergarten enrollment from the previous year’s October 1 count, and may be used in the way you see best supports the administration of the KEEP at your school. The attached Excel workbook includes your school’s allocation and budget information.
  • Schools will administer only the 14 questions included in the KEEP Test Administration Manual and Entry Profile. We will not include the additional math questions this year to simplify the process and support consistency across schools.
  • Anyone administering the KEEP must complete both the testing ethics and KEEP administration trainings before working with students. Test administrators must also register for access to the USBE Data Gateway to enter results. Brittany Dimick, KEEP Assessment Specialist, will provide additional instructions and information.
  • Because the KEEP window overlaps with beginning-of-year Acadience testing, please coordinate with the Assessment Department to minimize disruptions for kinder students.

Possible Administration Models

We advise schools to spread testing across the full three-week window, starting as close end of week 1 as possible. Schools may create a plan to use teachers, trained paras, subs, or a combination to administer the KEEP. Possible approaches include:

  • Teachers should not be required to write substitute lesson plans, but may assist in developing the plan for administering the KEEP at your school.
  • Para leading activities: Having paras lead structured classroom activities while the teacher administers the KEEP to individual students. Additional hours can be provided for a teacher or substitute to prepare classroom activities that can be shared.
  • Rotating classroom coverage: A trained para or sub rotates between classrooms and administers the KEEP while each teacher remains with their class.
  • Grade-level team rotation: Teachers rotate responsibilities, with one teacher administering the KEEP while another teacher or para supervises combined activities for the remaining students.
  • Specialist-supported coverage: During art, PE, or library, the classroom teacher administers the KEEP while students participate in their special.
  • Parent support: Inviting parent volunteers to support the classroom while a paraprofessional administers the assessment.

Literacy coaches will be focused on supporting new teachers, organizing materials, and assisting multiple schools during the first weeks of the year. They may help complete a small number of remaining assessments, but schools should not plan to use literacy coaches as their primary KEEP administrators.

Thank you for your planning and flexibility as we implement these changes. Please contact the Assessment Department with questions about scheduling, training, or access to the Data Gateway.

Original Memorandum (May 26, 2026)

During the negotiations for the 2026-27 school year, SLCSD and SLEA agreed to find a method to administer the Kindergarten Entry and Exit Profile (KEEP) in a way that could be completed during the school day. This is a change from the way we have done this in previous years; no profiles will be completed before school starts.

For 2026-27, KEEP will be administered within the regular school day. The testing window for the beginning of year KEEP is August 18 - September 5, 2026. Schools are asked to:

  • Not give the KEEP assessment during the literacy block – the afternoon (after lunch) is preferred.
  • Be aware that the Acadience Reading testing team will also be scheduling assessments at the same time.
  • KEEP will be entered into the Data Gateway; the five additional SLCSD math questions will be entered into Performance Matters.

KEEP assessments shall not be conducted prior to the first day of school, and there will be no funds to pay for extra time outside the regular school day contract hours.

Schools should plan coverage for teachers to assess students. This may require creative scheduling within the regular school day. Please prepare to have half-day substitutes or paraprofessionals to help with student management or activities.

Schools will receive funding to support the additional hours of subs or paraprofessionals needed to support these assessments based on the previous year’s October 1 count of kindergartners: Fewer than 40$800
40 – 59$900
60-70$1000
70+$1200

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To: School Principals
From: School Leadership & Support
Subject: Guidance for Parking Stalls at Schools
Date: 7/16/2026

In an effort to promote consistency, clarity, and positive school operations, this memorandum provides guidance regarding reserved and assigned parking stalls at our schools. The intent of this guidance is to support orderly parking practices while maintaining fairness for all staff and visitors and reinforcing a welcoming school environment.

Reserved Parking Designations

Beginning with the next available implementation period, reserved parking at comprehensive high schools should be limited to the following:

  • Two (2) District Administration parking stalls
  • One (1) Principal parking stall
  • Three (3) Assistant Principal stalls at East High School and Highland High School
  • Four (4) Assistant Principal stalls at West High School
  • Two (2) Assistant Principal stalls at Glendale Middle School and Northwest Middle School
  • One (1) Assistant Principal stall at Hillside Middle, Clayton Middle and all our elementary schools
  • Four (4) or more Visitor parking stalls, based on school needs

These reserved spaces do not include required handicapped parking or designated School Resource Officer (SRO) parking, which must remain clearly marked in accordance with legal and safety requirements.

Assigned Staff Parking

All other staff members, including certified and classified staff, should be assigned a numbered parking space. Schools may determine the most efficient process for monitoring assigned spaces. This may include support from office aides, teachers, or members of the administrative team. Establishing clear expectations and consistent monitoring will help ensure fairness and reduce confusion for staff.

Signage and Compliance

All regulatory signs placed on District or school property must be clearly visible and located in appropriate areas. In addition, all regulatory signage must receive approval from the Executive Director of Auxiliary Services or a designated representative prior to installation.

Parking rules and regulations are to be enforced by local school administrators and, when necessary, by local law enforcement agencies. Enforcement actions may include, but are not limited to, citations, towing at the owner’s expense, and/or revocation of the privilege to park or drive on school property.

Please note that the Board of Education and the District Administration assume no responsibility for damage to vehicles, loss of personal property, damage to District property, or injury to individuals while a vehicle is on District grounds.

Thank you for your continued leadership and attention to maintaining safe, organized, and welcoming school campuses. Your thoughtful implementation of these guidelines will help ensure consistency across our comprehensive schools and support a positive experience for staff, students, and visitors.

Please feel free to reach out if clarification or support is needed. 😊

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