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,
Are you interested in teaching Concurrent Enrollment classes at your high school but are not qualified? Do you want to take the college classes so you are qualified? What if we pay for the tuition?
Let's jump in!
We are excited to offer an opportunity to pay for your tuition to take a class (or two, not an entire Master's degree) to become qualified to teach concurrent enrollment.
Apply Here!
If you don't know if you are qualified or want to have a conversation about offering additional concurrent enrollment classes, please reach out to your CTE Coordinator or the Business Development Coordinator:
Thank you to the schools that have already scheduled and implemented regular mental health meetings!
Anti-Harassment/Anti-Bullying Student Training is being facilitated by school counselors now through October 1st. The Procedures for Training and Reporting are in the Document Center.
All Schools will receive $1000 for Suicide Prevention. Admin, please support implementation of the suicide prevention program at your schools and ensure these funds are being utilized to strengthen it.
InsightThe Prime for Life and Guiding Good Choices schedule is now available. To see the schedule and register please click here
Peer Courtbegins on October 6th. Referrals can be submitted here.
Optional Admin/SRO Gun Safety and Active Shooter Training at East High School Library September 26th from 9:00am to 3:00pm RSVP HERE
School Counselors
Student Services Meeting (Virtual) September 17 from 9-12. All Counselors, Social Workers, Nurses and McKinney Staff attend. Admin are always welcome.
Secondary Counselor Program: • All Secondary Counseling Programs will be reviewed by USBE this Spring to ensure adherence to state counseling standards. This program review nets counselor support budgets at secondary schools. • On-Site Review Performance Evaluation Data Project Reports Counselors must present data projects during a staff meeting. If presentations did not occur last Spring, please schedule asap. • Updates and Essentials Training Allsecondary administrators who have not completed this USBE school training within the past six years must complete the course asap. Documentation of completion will need to be provided to the state in March.
District Social Work and Mental Health Partnerships
Social Work Services • We are excited to welcome Andrea Carrizo, Annie Romano, Haref Montalvo, Jessica Carpenter and Yvette Orr to our team! • Social workers are conducting mental health screening at all school sites. • Thank you to the schools that have already implemented and scheduled regular mental health meetings!
Odyssey House • Salt Lake City School District partners with Odyssey House to provide free school-based therapeutic services to students at East, Highland, Horizonte, Backman and Parkview.
Important items this month: • Vision Screening starts on September 16, 2025. • CPR/AED/Narcan training continue to be offered once a month at the district office building. If you would like to be certified or your certification has expired, sign up for a class. -Remember, schools must have at least three front office staff CPR certified to have an AED in the school. --Elementary: Kinder, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and special request. --Middle: 7th grade and any special request.
Important items this month: • Welcome Cisco Ramos our new McKinney Team member • Housing Questionnaire: This form activates supports for qualifying students. Email completed forms to Becky Baskett and Mike Harman - See District Documents Center for translated forms. -See McKinney List in PowerSchool: homeless_code>0 - If students you know qualify and are not on the list, complete the Housing Questionnaire link above • Reminder: McKinney-Vento eligible students can enroll without proof of address, immunization records, and/or birth certificate • Reach out to the McKinney Vento team for student support, questions and/or staff training.
Important items this month: If you need an SRO for any reason: • Call your school assigned SRO (if no response) • Call Sgt. Doug Teerlink 385-228-8072 (if no response) • Call dispatch for non-emergency 801-799-3000 • Call 911 in an emergency • Peer Court •Promising Youth Gang Prevention and Intervention Contact Krystyn Stargel 385-312-3104 regarding referrals or click links below.
After a thorough year-long review, including feedback from school administration, teachers, technical evaluation, and cost/benefit analysis, it has been determined that we will move forward with the following interactive devices in the classroom.
ViewSonic Interactive Boards at the Elementary Level
Deciding Factors
Feedback received through visits and teacher survey.
We save almost $200-300 per board.
We will have a 7-year warranty instead of a 5-year warranty.
ViewSonic software will run the Smart Notebook software that many elementary teachers use.
ViewSonic boards performed better than the SMART brand.
Will support untethered teaching as well
Installation plan
·IT will work with school administration to determine which classrooms are updated first with as little classroom disruption as possible.
·Installation will take a coordination with district electricians and installers.
·We are currently working on creating that plan with Auxiliary services and will send out that plan once it is finished.
·Goal is to replace about 150 boards this year
·The rest of the boards are being replaced over the next 3-5 years.
·The goal is to begin installation in October/November.
Budget Needed
·Schools will not need to budget for this as it will be paid out of the district capital technology outlay funds.
Training
·School technicians are being trained within the next few weeks so there is onsite support.
·IT will work with school administration to develop training opportunities as boards are installed in the school
·IT will work with Teaching & Learning and School Leadership and Support to develop a comprehensive training plan going forward.
Epson Interactive Projectors (still in testing phase) at Secondary Level, with optional ViewSonic Interactive Board option
Deciding Factors
Feedback received through visits and teacher survey.
having more whiteboard space was one of the most frequent requests.
The vast majority of secondary classrooms do not use SMART notebook software or use the touch capability
The picture will be displayed on the whiteboard, allowing the whiteboard to serve dual functionality.
Allows for untethered teaching.
If the Epson Projector does not work in the classroom, ViewSonic Interactive boards will be installed
Installation plan
·These devices have already been installed in some classrooms in the district
·IT has reached out to high school principals to receive the names of a few teachers willing receive these new projectors for additional testing.
·After final testing is completed, installation will take place over the next 3-5 years.
Budget Needed
·Schools will not need to budget for this as it will be paid out of the district capital technology outlay funds.
Training
·School technicians will be trained on the boards for onsite support.
·IT will work with school administration to develop training opportunities as boards are installed in the school
·IT will work with Teaching & Learning and School Leadership and Support to develop a comprehensive training plan going forward.
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.
Guidance for Implementing Arena Scheduling in High Schools
Effective: Second Semester 2025–2026 and Fall 2026
Dear High School Administrators,
As part of our ongoing commitment to equitable access, student voice, and efficient school operations, we are preparing to implement arena scheduling (class choice registration) for the second semester of the 2025–2026 school year and for Fall 2026. This is the first of what we anticipate will be several communications outlining processes and systems for this process.
Arena scheduling allows students to actively participate in building their schedules by selecting classes during designated windows of time. Research has shown that student involvement in course selection increases ownership over learning, reduces schedule change requests later, and promotes higher levels of satisfaction with school (Morrison, 2018; Levin, 2020). Additionally, when implemented with fidelity, arena scheduling improves balance in class sizes and maximizes staffing efficiency.
To ensure smooth implementation, we will follow a common registration calendar across all high schools.
Arena Scheduling Calendar
Month(s)
Action
Responsible Party
October
All new course requests or course changes submitted by end of fall break
Teachers, Principals
November & December
Course requests
Counselors, Students
January & February
Schools build schedules
School Administration
March & April
Load student requests
School Administration
May
Students modify their schedules (no teachers listed)
Counselors, Students
After July 15
Final schedule load
IT Department
Implementation Notes & Rationale
Promotes Student Agency
Students take greater ownership of their education when they have choice in course selection.
Involving students early supports better alignment between academic goals and personal interests.
Reduces Scheduling Conflicts
By allowing schedule modifications in May, schools can address conflicts before the fall semester begins.
This reduces stress on both families and counselors at the start of the year.
Supports Equity and Transparency
A consistent process across schools ensures fairness in how students access courses.
Clear timelines help families and staff plan ahead.
Improves Operational Efficiency
Earlier submission of requests and course loads gives schools more time to finalize staffing and resource needs.
Fewer last-minute changes means smoother school openings.
Next Steps for Administrators
Communicate this calendar and process to counselors, teachers, and front office staff to ensure alignment.
Support staff in preparing students for the new process by hosting informational sessions or providing resources.
Encourage teachers and counselors to highlight the importance of thoughtful course selection with students.
Thank you for leading this important shift. By implementing arena scheduling together, we are creating a more student-centered and efficient system that benefits our learners, our staff, and our schools.
The final day for students to complete credit recovery and graduate with their cohort is Friday, September 26, 2025 (the Friday before October 1). All coursework must be submitted no later than 8:00 PM on that day in order to count toward the student’s cohort graduation requirements.
Accessing Canvas for Credit Recovery
To ensure students can access Canvas over the summer, counselors must complete the following steps:
In PowerSchool, check the box labeled “Will take CR this summer.”
Submit a Help Desk Ticket with the following details:
Category: Applications
Subcategory: Canvas
Item: Add
Required Information: Student ID number and last name. Also indicate that the box has been checked in PowerSchool.
As we approach the 10-Day Drop window, please review the following guidance carefully. Our goal is to ensure consistency across schools while supporting students and families through clear communication and outreach.
Board Policy S-4 states:
“School administration and/or their designees will attempt at least one home visit before implementing a 10-day withdrawal. The home visit will be logged in PowerSchool.”
Recognizing the unique challenges at the start of the school year, outreach efforts such as phone calls, emails, and text messages may be documented as interventions in lieu of an immediate home visit. When feasible, a home visit should still be made, but it is not required prior to initiating the 10-Day Drop.
Please follow the updated procedures below:
1. General Education Students
Who: Students who registered for this school year but have not attended at all.
Action: Drop the student the day after 10 unexcused absences.
Drop Deadline: September 2
Exit Date to Enter: September 3
Requirements:
At least one documented intervention is required prior to dropping the student.
Acceptable interventions include: phone calls, text messages, emails, or home visits.
Document the outreach in PowerSchool.
2. Special Education Students
Who: Students with an IEP who have 30 consecutive unexcused absences.
Action: May be dropped after 30 consecutive unexcused absences.
Exit Date to Enter: Day after the 30th absence.
Requirements:
Special education teachers must document all attempts to connect with the family.
3. Students Who Rolled Over from Last Year (Not Registered This Year)
Who: Students who appear on your roster but did not complete registration for the current school year.
Action: Drop at date of entry.
Exit Date to Enter: First day of school or the listed entry date.
Note: No intervention is required. However, please carefully verify that the student truly did not register or attend before proceeding.
Key Reminders
Equity and care are central. Our outreach efforts should reflect compassion and the intent to reconnect families to school.
Document everything. Whether by phone, text, email, or home visit, please ensure all interventions are logged in PowerSchool.
Seek support if unsure. When in doubt, reach out to your supervising director for clarification.
Together, these practices ensure we meet compliance requirements while also extending every opportunity for students to engage with school. Thank you for your continued commitment to students and families as we begin this school year.
