As we continue to prioritize student safety and manage risk responsibly across our district, we want to clarify our position regarding the use of inflatables and requests for field trips to trampoline parks.
Due to risk management and liability concerns, Salt Lake City School District does not permit the use of inflatable structures (such as bounce houses, inflatable slides, etc.) for school-sponsored events. Similarly, field trips to trampoline parks will not be approved and will be denied upon submission.
While we understand the desire to provide engaging and enjoyable experiences for students, we must ensure all activities align with district safety protocols and minimize unnecessary risk.
Thank you for your understanding and for your ongoing commitment to providing safe, enriching opportunities for our students. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance identifying alternative options for student activities.
We are writing to inform you of the finalized school start and end times for the upcoming academic year. Given that this has been a topic of considerable interest and discussion in recent years, we wanted to ensure you had this information in advance, anticipating that questions may arise from members of our community.
We are solidifying a two-tier schedule where every school follows either the Tier 1 start and end times or the Tier 2 start and end times. These tiers specify the bell schedule for each school as well as early dismissal times and Fridays as early dismissal days. The two tiers’ bell schedules are presented below.
Bell Schedule Overview:
Tier 1: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM Early Dismissal: 1:30 PM
Schools: (18 Elementary) Ensign, Emerson, Rose Park, Liberty, Franklin, Meadowlark, North Star, Edison, Indian Hills, Washington, Nibley Park, Mountain View, Whittier, Newman, Parkview, Backman, Uintah, Escalante (5 Middle) Bryant, Clayton, Glendale, Hillside, Northwest
Tier 2: 8:45 AM – 3:15 PM Early Dismissal: 2:15 PM
Schools: (5 Elementary) Bonneville, Wasatch, Beacon Heights, Dilworth, Highland Park (6 High Schools) East, Highland, West, SCORE, Innovations, Horizonte
Key Considerations for Implementation:
SLCSE-Bryant Middle School Schedule Adjustment: SLCSE-Bryant Middle School will transition to Tier 1. This change resolves a key audit finding related to wait times for students at West High School.
Universal Tier Assignment for All Schools: Regardless of current transportation needs, all schools will be assigned to either Tier 1 or Tier 2. This is essential, as transportation services must be available for any student who may require it, including those that may be subject to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Aligned Early Dismissal Times: Early dismissal dates and times have been adjusted across schools to align with transportation schedules. This alignment will help minimize disruptions to instructional time, ensuring greater efficiency and continuity in the learning process.
We anticipate that seven schools will be adjusting their bell schedules for the upcoming year. SLCSE-Bryant Middle School will transition to the Tier 1 bell schedule, while Uintah, Bonneville, and Escalante will be placed on a designated tier. Meadowlark and North Star will have a revised early release time, and Rose Park Elementary will shift its early release day to Fridays instead of Wednesdays.
We trust that these adjustments will positively impact our schools and the wider community. If you have any questions or would like further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out.
As we approach the summer months, we want to share some important information about our summer work schedule. During this period, our workweek will shift to four 10-hour days. This schedule provides a great opportunity for extended weekends while maintaining productivity.
Please keep in mind that if you need to take time off, PTO must be used for any hours not worked. Working only five hours in a day will not be considered a full workday. If you need to adjust your schedule, please coordinate with your supervisor to ensure coverage and compliance with our policy.
We appreciate your dedication and commitment, and we hope this schedule allows you to enjoy a bit more flexibility during the summer months. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
I hope this message finds you well. As we work together to ensure the smooth operation and continued improvement of our school system, I would like to remind everyone of the importance of adhering to the proper leadership channels when corresponding on district matters.
Lines of Authority and Responsibility The lines of direct authority are those approved by the Board of Education and are reflected in our district organization charts. These lines represent not only a clear direction of authority and responsibility but also serve as important pathways for communication and collaboration within the district. By following these established structures, we ensure that all staff members are informed and that matters are addressed at the appropriate levels.
Referral of Matters When an issue or matter requires administrative action, personnel should refer it to the administrator to whom they are directly responsible. If needed, the matter can then be referred to the next higher administrator. It is essential that all personnel keep their immediate administrator informed of their activities, as transparency and communication help us maintain a cohesive and efficient district.
Complaint Resolution Process It is also important to note that School Board Policy G-18 outlines how we resolve complaints here in SLCSD. This ensures that all staff members have access to a fair process in case they wish to challenge a decision, while also respecting the established leadership channels. The district highly encourages individuals to try to resolve their concerns at the lowest level. To that end, the district suggests that the individual making a complaint discuss the relevant issues with the person about whom s/he is complaining if the complainant feels s/he cannot approach the person with whom s/he has a concern, s/he can fill out the G-18: Complaint Resolution Request Form and submit it to Respondent’s supervisor.
Two-Way Flow of Communication While the lines of authority represent direction, they also serve as avenues for the two-way flow of ideas and feedback. Collaboration and open communication are key to continuously improving the programs and operations of our school system. I encourage everyone to use these channels not only to report issues but also to share ideas and suggestions that can benefit our students and staff.
Thank you for your continued dedication to maintaining clear and respectful communication, and for your commitment to supporting the success of our students and schools. Together, we can ensure that our leadership processes function smoothly and that we work collaboratively toward our shared goals.
If you would like a refresher for which area director is responsible for which school, it can be found here.
