Utah House Bill 233 (HB 233), titled "School Curriculum Amendments," introduces specific limitations on health education in Utah. The legislation prohibits districts from allowing organizations that perform elective abortions, such as Planned Parenthood, to provide health-related instruction or materials in schools receiving state funding.
Key provisions of HB 233 include:
Definition of Restricted Entities: The bill defines "elective abortion providers" and their affiliates, encompassing entities with common ownership, management, or control related to abortion services.
Prohibition in Educational Settings: LEAs are barred from permitting employees, representatives, or affiliates of such organizations to deliver health instruction or distribute health-related materials in public schools.
As a result of this legislation, certain previously approved providers we have used for years in SLCSD are no longer allowed to help support Health classes and teachers.
We are in the process of adopting new, state-compliant health curriculum resources that align with both legislative requirements and Utah Core Standards. Our goal remains the same: to provide students with high-quality, accurate, and age-appropriate health education that supports their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
An element of our purchasing process is materials review. This is an opportunity for educators, parents, and community members to view the resources under consideration.
Health Curriculum Open House
Wednesday, May 28
3:00 – 7:00PM
Riley Elementary School
Expectations for Implementation:
Communication:
Please make sure that your teachers are aware of this opportunity to see the new curriculum. We will also email them directly with this information.
Timeline:
After May 28, the purchasing department will finish the purchasing process. Schools will receive ordering information as soon as possible after the negotiations are completed.
Here are a few reminders and updates about ending the year. We have several groups of teachers who need to complete work critical to the district before the school year ends.
This year, the last day for elementary music services will be Friday, May 23. Music teachers will use May 27-29to complete an inventory and transition plan for all their schools, identify instruments needing repairs, and plan for instrument deployment in the fall. Please do not plan on music during the last week of school. (Questions? Adam Eskelson)
Your elementary PE paraprofessionals must inventory and store equipment and prepare lists of equipment needed for the next year. The last day of elementary PE will be Friday, May 23. (Questions? Katie Ieremia)
Job-embedded learning will continue with Content Areas Specialists in schools through Friday, May 23. After that, they will be working on professional development for next year, aligning instructional documents for teachers, and reviewing assessments to ensure we are ready for 2025-26. Some elementary schools will have a different schedule, but your CAS has already discussed that with you if your date is different. (Questions? Dr. Chelsea Malouf, ELA; Holley McIntosh, Math; Candace Penrod, Science; Sallie Warnecke, Digital Learning)
Library learning centers have mixed schedules. Please talk with your teacher librarian about the end of the year versus the start of the year. There are specific tasks that must happen in the library once a year: inventory, restocking, book orders, documenting carryover and budgets, and securing equipment.
If your school begins Specials immediately, the teacher librarian will need time at the end of year: May 27-29/30.
If you prefer to take Specials to the last day of school, they will need time at the start of the year: August 19-22.
Each of you handle this differently, so please talk with your teacher librarian and reach out if you have any questions. (Questions? Dr. Tiffany Hall)
Thank you for understanding that this time is important for these teacher groups to be ready to end the school year. If you have specific concerns about a schedule at your school, please talk with your teacher(s) about alternatives and reach out to the supervisor if needed.
In 2020-21, the district provided Newsela, a K-12 online instructional content platform offering articles at five different reading levels with quizzes and writing prompts, to all schools to support online learning while we were remote. We continued to provide Newsela using ESSER funds through the end of the 2024-25 school year. Newsela is a supplement to core materials.
Our district-wide contract expires at the end of this year. If you would like to continue using Newsela at your school, the cost is:
If you have questions about usage at your school, please click hereto see your school’s use and which teachers are using the program so you can speak with them about it.
If you would like to continue with the program at your school, there is an order form on Tab 3. The district will place one order to get the legacy partner discount. If you do not want to continue with Newsela, please indicate “decline” to stop any further follow-up.
Expectations for Implementation:
Communication:
If you are going to purchase Newsela, please fill out the order form by MAY 16, 2025.
This project equips participants—such as administrators, instructional coaches, teachers, and librarians—with the skills to effectively engage families and communities in early literacy efforts. After attending an Information Session and registering, participants will champion school-wide family engagement initiatives.
Schools can register to attend a live 30-minute Information Sessions with the QR code below. Once you register the team will be in touch within one week to schedule your Orientation.
A gap in our assessment capability has existed in our ability to prepare for WIDA testing: both the students’ ability to practice the assessment in a meaningful way and in teachers’ ability to progress monitor students to adjust instruction to maximize effectiveness.
There are now a few companies providing this capability. The two programs receiving the highest reviews are Flashlight 360 and Summit K12. Of the two existing programs, we believe Summit K12’s Connect to Literacy program to be the better choice. The big reason for me is the ability to progress monitor all 4 WIDA domains and Flashlight 360 only monitors speaking and writing. We also believe the lesson supplements in Summit K12 are higher quality. However, for an official adoption, we will need to go through a formal Request for Proposal document, which will take more time than we have before the school year ends. Another new factor for consideration: I recently learned from Ellevation that they are currently in program creation and plan to release a program next spring, which is of interest due to our current use and satisfaction of their existing programs. While I am excited to see what they release, I also want to be responsive to the request I have received from several of you for a progress monitoring tool. For this reason, we have come up with a plan.
If you would like to purchase Summit K12, understanding it might only be for one year, we want to support you in that purchase. I will cover the cost of teacher licenses and training, and you will cover the cost of student licenses at $29.95 per student. If I am able to cover more of the costs once I know how many we anticipate participating this year, I will let you know the reduced cost. If you are an elementary or middle school and have not yet spent your Title 3 funds, this would be a great way to use it!
My recommendation: if you and your staff have been discussing the need for this type of product, especially if you have already reached out to our department asking about such a thing, I recommend you try it for the 2025-2026 school year. If this is a new consideration for you and your staff, I might encourage you to wait until we do an adoption in case something better comes along.
Regardless of your decision, please take a moment to answer this short survey by Friday, May 9. This will help me know that all schools have had an opportunity to consider it. https://forms.office.com/r/urB65XEru2
Below you will find information on the Summit K12 Connect to Literacy program. If you have additional questions, please reach out to Monty Eyink or me.
About Summit K12
From English learners, multilingual students, bilingual students and dual language learners who are struggling to read or write, Summit K12’s online, standards-based supplemental curriculum will close gaps and ensure growth for all students.
About Summit K12’s Connect to Literacy
Connect to Literacy (C2L) is a cutting-edge solution designed to enhance English language proficiency by leveraging the strengths of an online curriculum. A supportive online environment designed to fast-track English language learning, aid in quicker reclassification and vocabulary growth, and accelerate speaking, listening, reading, and writing development.
Designed Outcomes of the Connect to Literacy program:
Empower all multilingual learners (MLLs) to grow at least one proficiency level per year or your money back
Accelerate the reclassification of MLLs, including long-term ELs
Support every newcomer student with Language Foundation Skills and support of over 30 home languages
AI Auto-Scoring for Speaking and Writing
Years of intensive research and development and the analysis of thousands of actual teacher-rated English learner recordings and constructed response writing items
Dynamically evaluates 112 linguistic speaking dimensions
Rates student recordings by using artificial intelligence (AI)
Streamlines scoring of speaking and writing item types
3 Progress Monitoring ELD BENCHMARKS
Success with C2L is centered around the 3 ELD Progress Monitoring Benchmarks students take throughout the year which generate 3 corresponding Personalized Learning Plans (PLPs) and class grouping reports.
Personalized Learning Plans
The PLPs are divided into four domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Each PLP is designed to focus on the specific concepts and skills that each student needs the most. Students can progress through their PLP assignments at their own pace.
Each PLP contains:
Video lesson models, guided practice, assessments and model exemplars
Scaffolded and linguistically accommodated instruction
AI auto-scoring for Speaking and Writing item types
Comprehensive progress-monitoring and reports for teachers
Year-Round STATE ELD Assessment Readiness
C2L’s content is based on ELD Standards Framework, consisting of four components: ELD Standards, Key Language Uses, Language Expectations, and Proficiency Level Descriptors. Through accounting for all of these components and the three difficulty tiers, C2L’s program contains more than 1,400 unique items leveled to all grade-level clusters: K, 1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
May 7th is National School Nurse Day: Please join us in recognizing SLCSD nurses for National School Nurse Day. Nurses play a critical role in supporting the health, wellness, and academic success of our students. Please show our nurses how much they are appreciated!
Ask a Therapist Live on May 7th: Parents with questions about parenting, relationships, or their child's well-being can anonymously submit questions to receive thoughtful, personalized answers from family therapist, Dr. Kevin Skinner via our ParentGuidance.org Mental Health Series Webinars
Ask counselors about their Transition Report Form:One counselor from each school enters transition activities conducted to support students needing extra support as they transition from elementary to middle or middle to high school.
Please be sure all SafeUT tips for your school were assigned prior to the end of the year. Close every tip. SafeUT Administrator Portal Training
Please adhere to the following guidelines when requesting data from the Assessment & Evaluation Team:
Log in with your credentials if prompted
If you receive an error message, please contact Brenda Wiebe or Jeffrey Lutz
Read each question carefully before responding
Note that the following fields are mandatory and must be completed:
Contact information
Data question
The due date field
You will receive a confirmation message once your submission is successful
You may receive follow up emails from the data team for further clarification
Important Reminders
Please allow a minimum of a week for data requests and reports and 48 hours for ad hoc requests. Depending on the nature of the requests, some projects may take longer. The data team will reach out and inform you if this is the case.
Principals and assistant principals can only request aggregate level data from their schools
Teachers and counselors can only request aggregate level data from their classrooms
If more information is needed, email Jeffrey Lutz or Brenda Wiebe, and we will determine whether requests can be fulfilled on a case by case basis
For technical assistance, please contact the data team
We hope this message finds you well. We are writing to provide guidance regarding HB 77 – Flag Display Amendments, which was recently passed by the Utah Legislature and will take effect May 7, 2025. This legislation outlines specific regulations regarding which flags may be displayed on or within government property, including public school campuses.
For years, Salt Lake City School District has been known for our commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students and staff, and we remain committed to this goal and the values underlying that commitment. We also appreciate the pride and passion many of our students and staff feel in their beliefs and causes. While this law imposes certain limitations, we will continue to foster school environments where all students feel seen, supported, and valued. In order to understand and implement this legislation, we are providing the following protocols for our schools.
Key Provisions of HB 77
HB 77 defines “display” as placing a flag in a prominent location where the flag is easily visible. A “flag” is defined as a usually rectangular piece of fabric with a specific design that symbolizes a location, government entity, or cause.
To ensure district-wide compliance, please note the following flags are permitted for display:
The official United States Flag
The official Utah State Flag
The current and official flag of another country, state, or political subdivision (e.g., another school district or city)
A flag that represents a city, municipality, county, or other political subdivision within Utah
A flag representing a branch, unit, or division of the U.S. military
The National League of Families POW/MIA flag
A flag that represents a recognized Indian tribe
An officially licensed college or university flag
A historic version of the U.S., Utah, or other state/national flags
An official public school flag
An official flag of the U.S. Olympic/Paralympic Committee, International Olympic/Paralympic Committee, or a specific Olympiad/Paralympiad that occurred or will occur
A flag of an organization authorized to use space within a public school, during the time they are using the space
We understand that some of you may feel inclined to demonstrate your support for various causes, groups, and beliefs by displaying items that do not meet the definition of flag and thus do not violate the new law. While we support you in your goal of signaling a welcome environment, there is additional information that you should consider in displaying items. In addition to HB 77, the Utah State Board of Education (“USBE”) issued a letter on April 10,2025, reminding educators of Utah Admin. Code R277-217(25), Educator Standards, that states that an educator may not “through instruction, materials, or symbols . . . endorse promote, or disparage” a particular viewpoint. The letter also indicated how the public may report violations of this section. We are providing you with this information not as a threat of district action, but as an awareness that USBE, as the licensing authority for Utah educators, has indicated that compliance with these rules and laws is not only expected but vital.
Action Steps for Schools
Review all flags currently displayed in your school or on your school property, including in classrooms, hallways, and offices.
Remove any flags that do not fall within the categories listed above by the end of school onMay 6, 2025, to ensure full compliance with the law upon its effective date.
When in doubt, please consult with the General Counsel before displaying a new flag to confirm it meets the legal criteria.
Ensure that flags displayed during temporary use by authorized organizations are removed promptly after their use of the space ends.
The Office of the State Auditor is tasked with overseeing compliance with this legislation and may impose fines for violations. As such, we must be diligent and proactive to ensure our flag displays align with this new legislation.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued leadership in ensuring our schools remain compliant, welcoming, and student-centered.
Science of Success: Igniting Early Literacy Success in Kindergarten
3-Part Webinar Series
Part 1: District Leader Perspective Wednesday, May 14, 11:00 am MST
Part 2: School Leader Perspective Wednesday, May 21, 11:00 am MST
Part 3: Teacher Perspective Wednesday, May 28, 11:00 am MST
REGISTER HERE
Part 1 Hosted by Dr. Jennifer Throndsen, Education Leader, Author, and Consultant with Guests Kathy Hall, K-5 Elementary Literacy Coordinator and Amy Mitchell, Executive Director of Elementary Education of Washington County School District
Part 2 Hosted by Dr. Jennifer Throndsen, Education Leader, Author, and Consultant with Guest Julie Smith, Principal of Coral Canyon Elementary in Washington County School District
Part 3 Hosted by Dr. Jennifer Throndsen, Education Leader, Author, and Consultant with Kindergarten Teachers of Washington County School District
Join us for a powerful three-part webinar series featuring educators from a 36,000-student district, with approximately 30% of students experiencing economic disadvantage, that consistently achieves 95% of kindergartners mastering all letters and sounds by November 1. Learn how they turned this ambitious goal into a district-wide reality—and how you can apply these same principles in your own schools. Grounded in implementation science, this series offers a step-by-step look at how lasting literacy gains were achieved and sustained across 27 elementary schools. Each session is led by the people who made it happen—district leaders, school administrators, and classroom teachers—sharing practical insights and actionable strategies.
Who Should Attend: District leaders, school administrators, instructional coaches, teachers, and other champions committed to early literacy success.
What You'll Learn: • How a clear, shared vision and aligned actions led to remarkable early literacy outcomes • The specific strategies used to overcome barriers and build systemwide consistency • The long-term impact on student learning as cohorts advance through the grades Don’t miss this opportunity to gain inspiration, tools, and a replicable model for accelerating literacy in your schools.
In 2020-21, the district provided Newsela, a K-12 online instructional content platform offering articles at five different reading levels with quizzes and writing prompts, to all schools to support online learning while we were remote. We continued to provide Newsela using ESSER funds through the end of the 2024-25 school year. Newsela is a supplement to core materials.
Our district-wide contract expires at the end of this year. If you would like to continue using Newsela at your school, the cost is:
If you have questions about usage at your school, please click here to see your school’s use and which teachers are using the program so you can speak with them about it.
If you would like to continue with the program at your school, there is an order form on Tab 3. The district will place one order to get the legacy partner discount. If you do not want to continue with Newsela, please indicate “decline” to stop any further follow-up.
Expectations for Implementation:
Communication: If you are going to purchase Newsela, please fill out the order form by MAY 16, 2025.
