Skip to content

Category: School Leadership

Published on

To:      Athletic Directors, Coaches, Activities Advisors, and Booster Club Leaders, East, Highland, and West High Schools

From: SLCSD Purchasing Department and Athletics & Activities

Date: 10/9/26

Thank you for all you do to support our student-athletes and activities programs. We're writing to share information about the District's partnership with BSN Sports and adidas America, Inc., and to explain how it affects purchases of team gear, so that everyone has clear, consistent guidance.

About the Partnership

The agreement was awarded through a formal, competitive process led by the Purchasing Department and is governed by State of Utah Contract #MA4120. It began as a proposal from Highland High School's Athletic Director, was shared with the Athletic Directors at East and West, and moved forward only because all three schools agreed.

The agreement brings real benefits to our students and programs, including up to $1,400,000 in BSN/Adidas products or promotional funds over the initial term, annual spend rebates of up to 10%, additional promotional merchandise, and branding, facility, and professional development support. In exchange, the District has committed to exclusive use of BSN/Adidas for team competition gear. When we all follow the guidelines, every school and program benefits.

What Is Required

Competition gear must be purchased through BSN Sports. This applies to any size order and includes:

  • Team uniforms
  • Team travel gear worn to or from competitions, such as bags, warm-ups, hoodies, and sweats
  • Apparel or gear worn or displayed during competition, on the sideline, or on the bench

Teams must wear Adidas during competition. This applies to all varsity and sub-varsity programs. It also applies whenever the District, a school, a booster club, a parent group, or an outside donor provides branded apparel, footwear, or accessories for a team. Lacrosse, hockey, and swim programs may use non-direct-competitor brands for competition uniforms. No other brand's name or logo may appear on competition uniforms or apparel, apart from Adidas, the school or District, or an approved athletic conference.

What Is Encouraged but Not Required

The following items do not have to be purchased through BSN/Adidas, but we strongly encourage it, because those purchases help earn additional gear, uniforms, and benefits for our schools:

  • General team T-shirts and spirit wear for fun runs, 5Ks, and other one-time events
  • Practice gear and workout gear
  • Footwear, unless purchased by the team for use during competition, on the sideline, or on the bench
  • Staff and coach apparel, and items for booster clubs, club sports, and intramural programs

BSN can also provide custom or decorated apparel and footwear from other brands, offered at team discount pricing.

A Few Helpful Reminders

  • Please check before you buy. If you're unsure whether an item is covered, contact your coach, Athletic Director, or SLCSD Athletics & Activities before purchasing.
  • Donations and outside purchases. Before accepting donated or independently purchased uniforms, warm-ups, or spirit wear, please confirm with SLCSD Athletics & Activities that they comply with the agreement. Required competition gear should not be purchased from other manufacturers, local screen printers, or online retailers without prior written approval from Athletics & Activities or Purchasing.
  • Footwear exceptions. These may be considered case by case with prior written approval from Purchasing, so please ask before purchasing.
  • Ordering process. Orders are placed through each school's assigned BSN representative, along with a BSN quote, a School Treasurer's Purchase Request, and an approved Purchase Order. Your coach or Athletic Director can guide you through these steps.
  • BSN Rewards. SLCSD Athletics & Activities manages these funds, so schools should not redeem or apply them independently.

Why Every Purchase Matters

Even small orders count toward the District's exclusivity commitment. Purchases made outside the agreement can reduce the rebates and promotional merchandise available to all three high schools. Following the guidelines helps keep those benefits flowing back to our student-athletes.

We're grateful for your partnership, your generosity, and your enthusiasm for our teams. If you have questions, please reach out to your school's Athletic Director, SLCSD Athletics & Activities, or the Purchasing Department. We're happy to help.

Cc:  Parents and Guardians of Student-Athletes

Published on

TO: Middle School Administrators  

FROM: School Leadership and Support  

DATE: October 9th, 2026 

RE: Updated 2027–28 Master Schedule Timeline  

Purpose  

This memo shares the updated timeline for building 2027–28 master schedules for middle schools. The timeline has two goals: to align scheduling information with high schools and allow schools to identify specific needs of the master schedule and apply those needs using an earlier timeline. 

In addition, the earlier timeline for creating a budget, staff report, and build a master schedule will reduce the number of tasks that are due in February 2027. 

Meeting these goals depends on every step being anticipated and planned for well in advance. Please review the full timeline with your counseling team and front office staff, build these dates into your school calendar now, and plan your communication to students and families around each milestone. 

Key Dates at a Glance  

  • Oct. 8, 2026: IT training on electronic course requests; school setup due by Nov. 15.  
  • Oct. 8 – Nov. 15: High school counselors visit feeder schools. 
  • Jan. 5 – Feb. 26: MS counselors visits to feeder schools. 
  • March 1, 2027: Students complete course requests in PowerSchool.  
  • May 27 – 28, 2027: Students leave school with a tentative 2027–28 schedule.  
  • June 7, 2027: Power Scheduler closes for middle schools.  
  • July 15 – Aug. 13, 2027: Student schedule adjustments during registration.  
Date(s)  Milestone  Lead  
Phase 1: Preparation (September – November 2026)  
Oct. 8 – Nov 15th High schools contact feeder schools to reschedule counselor visits. HS and MS Admin 
Oct. 8, 2026  IT trains school administration on setting up electronic course requests in PowerSchool  IT  
By Nov. 15, 2026  High schools complete electronic course request setup  HS Admin  
Nov. 2, 2026  Enrollment projections and FTE allocations completed  Sam Quantz  
Nov. 30, 2026  All requests for new courses completed  MS Admin  
Nov. 30, 2026  Preliminary budgets released (subject to adjustment)  District  
Phase 2: Student Course Requests (November 2026 – January 2027)  
December Communication out to families regarding upcoming counselor visit dates, processes and schedule choice. MS Admin 
Jan. 5 – Mar. 1, 2027  Counselors visit feeder schools. Students complete course requests using the PowerSchool electronic course request system  Students / Counselors  
By Mar. 1, 2027  Counselors enter all paper course requests (paper requests only in certain circumstances)  Counselors  
Phase 3: Master Schedule Build (January – March 2027)  
Jan. 19 – 22, 2027  Master Build Workshop; high schools begin building (subject to Phoenix Learning Systems availability)  HS & MS Admin / PLS  
Jan. – Feb. 2027  Schools build 2027–28 master schedules  MS Admin  
Feb. 3, 2027  Follow-up enrollment projection to determine whether adjustments are needed  Sam Quantz  
Feb. 26th, 2027  Schools make schedule adjustments based on staffing decisions  MS Admin  
Phase 4: Loading (March – May 2027)  
March – Apr. 23, 2027 (5:00 PM)  Load student requests against schedules and make adjustments MS Admin / Counselors  
Mar. 16 – 26, 2027  Master Schedule Load Open Workshop (Phoenix Learning Systems available for a portion)  MS Admin / PLS  
June 7, 2027  Power Scheduler closes for all schools  MS Admin / Counselors  
Phase 5: Finalizing Schedules (May – August 2027)  
May  Communication out to families regarding schedule for upcoming year MS Admin 
May 27 – 28, 2027  Students leave school with a tentative 2027–28 schedule  Schools  
May 28 – June 7, 2027  Counselors adjust student schedules in PowerSchool  Counselors  
June 7, 2027  Power Scheduler closes  IT  
June 8 – July 14, 2027  IT commits schedules and transitions PowerSchool to the new year  IT  
July 15 – Aug. 13, 2027  Students may adjust schedules during the school registration window  Students / Counselors  

Administrator Action Checklist  

  • Assign the master schedule responsibility to one administrator. 
  • Build all timeline dates into the school master calendar.  
  • Send an administrator or designee to the Oct. 8 PowerSchool training.  
  • Reschedule counselor visits to Oct/Nov. 
  • Submit all new course requests by Nov. 30.  
  • Schedule attendance for the Master Build Workshop (Jan. 19 – 22) and the Master Schedule Load Open Workshop (Mar. 16 – 26).  
  • Assign responsibility for each student and family communication checkpoint.  
  • Coordinate with feeder high schools on the 8th grade ClassChoice window (May 12 – 17).  

Communication to Students and Families  

Clear, early communication is the most effective way to reduce confusion. Each school should plan messages at the beginning of this process. High schools will communicate 9th grade information to your students. 

Frequently Asked Questions  

Q: We have already scheduled visits to our feeder middle schools to help incoming 9th grade students. What if those dates don't fit this timeline?  

A: Middle school visits may need to be rescheduled to align with this timeline. Please plan visits so incoming 9th grade students receive support during the course request window (Nov. 16 – Dec. 18, 2026) and, as appropriate, their ClassChoice window (May 12 – 17, 2027).  

Q: Our counselors prefer to complete CCRs with students before entering course requests. Can we continue this practice?  

A: Course requests may be entered before a student's CCR meeting. If the CCR conversation identifies needed changes, the student's requests can be updated afterward. This keeps course requests on schedule while preserving the CCR process.  

Q: How can we complete the schedule on time while still meeting our other responsibilities?  

A: Building the master schedule is a priority and should be integrated into regular work tasks rather than treated as additional work. Counselors are encouraged to meet with their administrators to determine whether any current job tasks can be given a lower priority.  

Q: WIDA scores are not available until May. How do we place English language learners (ELLs) in the correct classes?  

A: Schedule ELL students based on the best information available at the time of course requests. Once WIDA scores are released, review placements and adjust schedules as needed, such as during the counselor adjustment window (May 28 – June 4, 2027).  

Q: Staffing will not be finalized until February. How can we build the schedule without knowing who will fill each position?  

A: Build sections for unfilled or undetermined positions with the teacher listed as TBA. Once staffing decisions are made, update those sections with the assigned teachers. The timeline allows time for staffing-related adjustments in March 2027.  

Questions  

Please direct questions about this timeline to your Area Director or Sam Quantz. Thank you for your partnership in building schedules that serve our students well.  

Published on


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.
October Cultural Calendar – Record of cultural observances for October
Friday, September 25 is a non-student day and the annual Office Professionals Conference at Hillside 8:00am-3:00pm. All contract office Professionals should be in attendance.
CELEBRATIONS – Please send to leeson.taylor@slcschools.org or angelina.tovar@slcschools.org by Wednesday at 5:00 PM.
West Latinos in Action (LIA)

 
We are proud to celebrate our Latinos in Action students!
Our students had the opportunity to attend a recent  City Council meeting and represent Latinos in Action as they received a recognition on behalf of the organization, alongside LIA from East High School. Their participation reflects the leadership, commitment, and community involvement that LIA encourages in our students.
Congratulations to our students for representing West High School and Latinos in Action with pride!
Bonneville Elementary School
Let’s join the Bonneville Elementary School family in celebrating Kindergarten Teacher Courtney Lee.  She was recently recognized by the Utah Education Association with the Excellence in Education Award.
ALL ADMINISTRATORS – Items for all building level administrators
DEADLINES
Final 26-27 Principal Tackle List-September​
ACTION ITEMS
 INFORMATION ITEMS
Assessment Essentials
Please look through Assessment Essentials for information on current and upcoming Federal, State, and District required assessments. For questions, please reach out to Dr. Patrick Jefferies, Assessment Supervisor-Assessment & Evaluation (patrick.jefferies@slcschools.org)
October 2026 Attendance Update Final.pdf – This is the October attendance newsletter.
Roving Substitute Guidelines -- The purpose of this memo is to provide information regarding the current situation and guidance moving forward to address the needs of support staff (specifically, special education paraprofessionals and PE instructors) and the increased substitute expense.
WPAD Order Information – Guidance regarding wearable panic devices.
Student Services Newsletter – This is the monthly newsletter from Student Services.
 CTE September News – Monthly newsletter from CTE.
USBE Updates
***USBE School Leadership Conference*** Registration is now open!
Two locations to choose from:
November 9, CEDAR CITY (Courtyard by Marriott): REGISTER
November 12, Salt Lake City (SLCC): REGISTER
Topics will include: School Safety, Special Education, School Improvement, New Leader Training
Fee: $25 (for lunch)
Time: 8:30am - 3:30pm (both locations)
For all school leaders and those who support school leaders!
For more information, contact quinn.kellis@schools.utah.gov
School LAND Trust – A message from our friends at the Trust Lands Administration (TLA)—the agency responsible for managing Utah’s trust lands to generate revenue for public school beneficiaries.
SEOP Newsletter – August newsletter
USBE October Attendance Newsletter – USBE Attendance information for the month of October.
 
HIGH SCHOOLS – Items for high school administration
DEADLINES
Faculty sponsors, head coaches, and administrators planning overnight trips for Spring 2027 that were not approved last spring must submit the online I-19D form found here by Wednesday, October 21, 2026 (please note that some trip requests require additional conversation and may not be immediately approved--the sooner you can get them submitted so we can start our review process, the better). Please use our new Overnight / Extended Trip Checklist to guide trip planning and the approval process. The checklist, online I-19D form, and related resources are available on the district’s Overnight and Extended Trips or Activities webpage. Please share this information with staff planning spring trips so they can complete the required steps by the deadlines.
ACTION ITEMS
Updated 2027–28 Master Schedule Timeline – This memo shares the updated timeline for building 2027–28 master schedules. The timeline has two goals: to build master schedules that prioritize students' needs and interests, and to reduce the confusion, frustration, and long waits that students and families have experienced while schedules are finalized in the fall. 
INFORMATION ITEMS
Fundraiser Approval Process — Procedures and Responsibilities – This memo outlines the district’s fundraiser approval process under Board Policy G-27 (Fundraising Activities) and Board Policy I-16 (Clubs), and summarizes each stakeholder’s responsibilities. It applies to every school-sponsored fundraiser, and it includes the additional review step that applies at the high school level. Please share this memo with advisors, coaches, and club sponsors at your school, and route questions about specific requests to your Area Director.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS –Items for middle school administration
DEADLINES
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
 
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS – Items for elementary school administration
DEADLINES
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
Individualized Reading Plans Available in PowerTeacher – The individualized Reading Plan (IRP) system is now operational and available through PowerTeacher. K–3 teachers can begin using the system to create and maintain IRPs for students who require a plan under SB 241.
Every year, 5th grade students and teachers have the opportunity to travel to Abravanel Hall and hear the Utah Symphony perform.  This year, the dates for those concerts include:
Feb 22 at 10 AM – 1800 seats available
Feb 22 at 11:30 AM – 300 seats available
Feb 23 at 10 AM – 760 seats available
Feb 23 at 11:30 AM – 400 seats available
Please have your 5th grade teachers reach out to Amy Burris with the date your school would like to attend no later than October 15, 2027.  She will arrange and pay for transportation.  This is a unique opportunity for your students because Utah is one of only 17 states with a full-time symphony orchestra in the nation.  Plus, this is completely paid for through our state legislature.  Please contact Amy right away.
If you'd like more information about this opportunity, you can access this link:  https://utahsymphony.org/education/teachers/
Thanks, and Happy Listening 🙂
LEADERSHIP CORNER
SLCSD/School Leadership Alliance(SLA) Overview – Scope & Sequence for this year’s joint sessions for principals.
Educational Leadership Terminology
Quick fixing – Jumping into solutions instead of listening.
Steam Rolling – Monopolizing the dialogue without regard for others’ input.
Box Checking – Going through the motions without genuine care.
Cherry Picking -- Only hearing what confirms your own view.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS FROM DISTRICT DEPARTMENTS
SPED Scoop – Special Education Newsletter
Student Services Resources
Teaching & Learning
Salt Lake Education Foundation
School Leadership & Support
Administrative Memos
CTE_Teachers SharePoint: https://slcsd.sharepoint.com/sites/CTE_Teachers
*Unless otherwise requested, information will run for 2 weeks only.
 

Published on

SALT LAKE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Office of School Leadership and Support

MEMORANDUM

TO:                           High School Administrators (Principals and Assistant Principals)

FROM:                    Office of School Leadership and Support

DATE:                      September 30, 2026

RE:                           Fundraiser Approval Process — Procedures and Responsibilities

This memo outlines the district’s fundraiser approval process under Board Policy G-27 (Fundraising Activities) and Board Policy I-16 (Clubs), and summarizes each stakeholder’s responsibilities. It applies to every school-sponsored fundraiser, and it includes the additional review step that applies at the high school level. Please share this memo with advisors, coaches, and club sponsors at your school, and route questions about specific requests to your Area Director.

Three flowcharts are attached — one each for coaches, club sponsors, and parents or community members — along with the full district checklist they are built from. Coaches and club sponsors should keep their flowchart on hand when planning a fundraiser; front-office staff may find it useful to share the parent version with families who have questions.

THE APPROVAL PATH

Every request moves from the advisor (adult faculty/staff) to the Area Director for final approval, with parents notified twice along the way. At high schools, the Athletics and Activities Supervisor reviews the request before the Area Director grants approval.

1.  Advisor submits in SuccessFund. The teacher, coach, or club advisor identifies why the school is fundraising and exactly what the funds will be spent on, confirms the request is an allowable purpose, and submits the request through SuccessFund.

2.  Principal reviews. The principal checks the request against law, board policy, and school procedures, confirms it does not put students at risk of injury or the school at risk of financial loss, and confirms equitable benefit for male and female student athletes where Title IX applies. If appropriate, then the principal approves.

3.  Athletics and Activities Supervisor reviews (high schools only). This review sits between the principal and the Area Director and applies to every high school request, not only athletics fundraisers. After vetting the request, the Activities Supervisor submits the request to the Area Director.

4.  Area Director give final approval to fundraiser applications. Advisors may appeal a denied or limited fundraiser to the Executive Director of School Leadership and Support (EDSLS), whose decision is final.

5.  Fundraiser runs; evaluation submitted. After the fundraiser ends, the advisor submits Form G-27: Fundraising Evaluation to the principal.

PARENT NOTIFICATION

All parents of participating students are notified twice about the requested fundraiser: At least 30 calendar days before the event, when the fundraiser is proposed, and again at least 15 calendar days before the event, once it is approved, with the type of activity, what the funds will buy, and the estimated time commitment.

SCHOOL AND STUDENT CLUBS (POLICY I-16)

School (curricular) clubs are eligible to use school-sponsored fundraising and a school financial account. Student (noncurricular) clubs cannot take part in school-sponsored fundraising; they may raise funds independently but must state in writing, in all materials, that the club is not school-sponsored. If a fundraiser is tied to club membership, parents/guardians must sign the district-approved parental consent form granting permission for their child to participate.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Set school-specific fundraising procedures and a yearly cap on school-wide or group fundraisers.
  • Review each request for compliance with law, board policy, and these procedures.
  • Confirm the request does not put students at risk of injury or the school at risk of financial loss, and confirm Title IX equity for athletics.
  • Approve, then forward to the Athletics and Activities Supervisor and the Area Director.
  • Give written permission if a group wants to pre-pay for resale merchandise.
  • Review fundraising account balances with each activity’s sponsor every year.
  • Charitable fundraisers: work with the School Community Council on charity selection, confirm the charity is a 501(c)(3) in existence 5+ years, and obtain the superintendent or designee’s approval before any funds are collected. Only one school-wide charitable fundraiser is allowed per year.
  • Clubs: give the School Community Council an annual report on authorized clubs, including additions and drops, and apply bulletin board, PA system, and newspaper access equally to all student clubs.
  • Ensure that the supporting materials are posted via websites, newsletters, other appropriate avenues for access by the school community.

NEVER APPROVABLE

Any of the following is an automatic red flag and should not be approved:

Raffles of any kind — illegal in Utah
Door-to-door fundraising to strangers
Required individual fundraising or fundraising quotas
Funding textbooks, supplies, regular home-to-school transportation, or building or classroom construction
Bonuses, compensation or gifts to coaches or staff from fundraising proceeds
Publicly posting individual student fundraising performance
Unapproved crowdfunding or online platforms
Missing instructional time to fundraise

In addition, if an outside organization is collecting funds from an illegal activity (e.g. a raffle), the school cannot accept funds from that fundraiser.

KEY FORMS AND REFERENCES

Form or PolicyUsed For
Form G-27: Fundraising ProposalSubmitting a new request in SuccessFund
Form G-27: Fundraising EvaluationReporting after the fundraiser ends
District list of approved digital fundraising platformsAny third-party or online fundraising, including crowdfunding
Board Policy G-3 (Wellness)Food-sale fundraisers
Board Policy S-10 (Student Fees and Fee Waivers)Fee-related fundraising
USBE Fundraisers: Guidance Document on School FeesRequired vs. voluntary fundraisers
Board Policy I-19 (Overnight and Extended Trips)Travel fundraising
Board Policy C-4 (Community Use of Facilities)Personal fundraising using school facilities

OTHER LINKS

Questions about a specific request should go to your Area Director. Questions about these procedures generally may be directed to the Office of School Leadership and Support.

Published on

MEMORANDUM 

TO: High School Administrators 

FROM: School Leadership and Support 

DATE: September 29, 2026 

RE: Updated 2027–28 Master Schedule Timeline 

Purpose 

This memo shares the updated timeline for building 2027–28 master schedules. The timeline has two goals: to build master schedules that prioritize students' needs and interests, and to reduce the confusion, frustration, and long waits that students and families have experienced while schedules are finalized in the fall. 

Meeting these goals depends on every step being anticipated and planned for well in advance. Please review the full timeline with your counseling team and front office staff, build these dates into your school calendar now, and plan your communication to students and families around each milestone. 

Key Dates at a Glance 

  • Oct. 8, 2026: IT training on electronic course requests; school setup due by Nov. 15. 
  • Nov. 16 – Dec. 18, 2026: Students complete course requests in PowerSchool. 
  • Apr. 23, 2027, 5:00 PM: PowerScheduler closes for high schools. 
  • Apr. 26 – May 17, 2027: ClassChoice open for students by grade level. 
  • May 27 – 28, 2027: Students leave school with a tentative 2027–28 schedule. 
  • May 28 – June 4, 2027: Counselors adjust student schedules. 
  • July 15 – Aug. 6, 2027: Student schedule adjustments during registration. 

Complete Timeline 

Bolded rows are hard deadlines or student-facing windows that require advance planning. 

Date(s) Milestone Lead 
Current Year: 2026–27 Semester 2 
Dec. 7 – 18, 2026 Students use ClassChoice to fill holes in Semester 2 schedules Students / Counselors 
Phase 1: Preparation (September – November 2026) 
By Sept. 18, 2026 Master Schedule Timeline meeting with high school administration District / HS Admin 
Oct. 8, 2026 IT trains school administration on setting up electronic course requests in PowerSchool IT 
By Nov. 15, 2026 Schools complete electronic course request setup HS Admin 
Nov. 2, 2026 Enrollment projections and FTE allocations completed Sam Quantz 
Nov. 30, 2026 All requests for new courses completed HS Admin 
Nov. 30, 2026 Preliminary budgets released (subject to adjustment) District 
Phase 2: Student Course Requests (November 2026 – January 2027) 
Nov. 16 – Dec. 18, 2026 Students complete course requests using the PowerSchool electronic course request system Students / Counselors 
By Jan. 15, 2027 Counselors enter all paper course requests (paper requests only in certain circumstances) Counselors 
Phase 3: Master Schedule Build (January – March 2027) 
Jan. 5 – 20, 2027 CTC builds its schedule CTC 
~Jan. 19 – 22, 2027 Master Build Workshop; high schools begin building (subject to Phoenix Learning Systems availability) HS Admin / PLS 
Jan. – Feb. 2027 Schools build 2027–28 master schedules HS Admin 
Feb. 3, 2027 Follow-up enrollment projection to determine whether adjustments are needed Sam Quantz 
March 2027 Schools make schedule adjustments based on staffing decisions HS Admin 
Phase 4: Loading and Student Choice (March – May 2027) 
March – Apr. 23, 2027 (5:00 PM) Load student requests against schedules and make adjustments; ClassChoice is configured during this time HS Admin / Counselors 
Mar. 16 – 26, 2027 Master Schedule Load Open Workshop (Phoenix Learning Systems available for a portion) HS Admin / PLS 
Apr. 23, 2027, 5:00 PM PowerScheduler closes for high schools. All counselor/admin changes after this point must be made in ClassChoice. HS Admin / Counselors 
Apr. 26 – 29, 2027 ClassChoice open: current 11th grade Students 
Apr. 30 – May 5, 2027 ClassChoice open: current 10th grade Students 
May 6 – 11, 2027 ClassChoice open: current 9th grade Students 
May 12 – 17, 2027 ClassChoice open: current 8th grade Students 
Phase 5: Finalizing Schedules (May – August 2027) 
May 18, 2027 ClassChoice data pushed back to PowerSchool IT 
May 18 – June 7, 2027 Schools may work in PowerScheduler (no loading) HS Admin 
May 27 – 28, 2027 Students leave school with a tentative 2027–28 schedule Schools 
May 28 – June 4, 2027 Counselors adjust student schedules in PowerSchool Counselors 
June 7, 2027 PowerScheduler closes IT 
June 8 – July 14, 2027 IT commits schedules and transitions PowerSchool to the new year IT 
July 15 – Aug. 6, 2027 Students may adjust schedules during the school registration window Students / Counselors 

Planning for Counselor Work Schedules 

Counselors carry much of the student-facing work in this timeline. Please plan their calendars around the following: 

  • Summer extra days. All high school counselors should plan to use 5 of their 10 extra work days before their contract starts and 5 after their contract ends. Please confirm the specific dates with each counselor this fall, keeping in mind the May 28 – June 4 schedule adjustment window and the July 15 – Aug. 6 registration window. 
  • December overlap. The 2026–27 Semester 2 ClassChoice window (Dec. 7 – 18) runs at the same time as the final two weeks of 2027–28 course requests. Plan for extra counselor coverage and student support during these weeks. 
  • Paper requests. Paper requests should be used only in certain circumstances, and counselors must have all of them entered by Jan. 15, 2027. Build time for data entry into January counselor schedules. 
  • After April 23. Once PowerScheduler closes, all counselor and admin changes must be made in ClassChoice. Make sure counselors are trained and ready before the first ClassChoice window opens on April 26. 
  • Spring windows. ClassChoice runs by grade level from April 26 through May 17. Counselors should be available to assist each grade during its window, and 8th grade students will likely need coordination with middle schools. 

Communication to Students and Families 

Clear, early communication is the most effective way to reduce confusion. Each school should plan messages at the checkpoints below. These are recommended send dates; adjust to fit your school's communication calendar. 

Send by Message to students and families 
Early Nov. 2026 Course requests open Nov. 16 and close Dec. 18. Explain how to access PowerSchool, where to find course descriptions, and whom to contact for help. Remind current students of the Dec. 7 – 18 Semester 2 ClassChoice window. 
Early Dec. 2026 Reminder that course requests close Dec. 18. Share how families can request help if they cannot complete requests electronically. 
Early Apr. 2027 Announce ClassChoice dates by grade level, what students will be able to do in ClassChoice, and how to prepare. 
Day before each grade's window Grade-specific reminder with opening and closing dates for that window. 
Late May 2027 Students receive a tentative schedule May 27 – 28. Explain that it is tentative, that counselors will make adjustments through June 4, and that final changes can be requested July 15 – Aug. 6. 
Early July 2027 Registration window reminder (July 15 – Aug. 6) and the process for requesting schedule changes. 

Administrator Action Checklist 

  • Build all timeline dates into the school master calendar. 
  • Send an administrator or designee to the Oct. 8 PowerSchool training. 
  • Complete electronic course request setup in PowerSchool by Nov. 15. 
  • Submit all new course requests by Nov. 30. 
  • Confirm counselor extra-day schedules for summer 2027. 
  • Schedule attendance for the Master Build Workshop (~Jan. 19 – 22) and the Master Schedule Load Open Workshop (Mar. 16 – 26). 
  • Assign responsibility for each student and family communication checkpoint. 
  • Coordinate with feeder middle schools on the 8th grade ClassChoice window (May 12 – 17). 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: We have already scheduled visits to our feeder middle schools to help incoming 9th grade students. What if those dates don't fit this timeline? 

A: Middle school visits may need to be rescheduled to align with this timeline. Please plan visits so incoming 9th grade students receive support during the course request window (Nov. 16 – Dec. 18, 2026) and, as appropriate, their ClassChoice window (May 12 – 17, 2027). 

Q: Our counselors prefer to complete CCRs with students before entering course requests. Can we continue this practice? 

A: Course requests may be entered before a student's CCR meeting. If the CCR conversation identifies needed changes, the student's requests can be updated afterward. This keeps course requests on schedule while preserving the CCR process. 

Q: How can we complete the schedule on time while still meeting our other responsibilities? 

A: Building the master schedule is a priority and should be integrated into regular work tasks rather than treated as additional work. Counselors are encouraged to meet with their administrators to determine whether any current job tasks can be given a lower priority. 

Q: WIDA scores are not available until May. How do we place English language learners (ELLs) in the correct classes? 

A: Schedule ELL students based on the best information available at the time of course requests. Once WIDA scores are released, review placements and adjust schedules as needed, such as during the counselor adjustment window (May 28 – June 4, 2027). 

Q: Staffing will not be finalized until February. How can we build the schedule without knowing who will fill each position? 

A: Build sections for unfilled or undetermined positions with the teacher listed as TBA. Once staffing decisions are made, update those sections with the assigned teachers. The timeline allows time for staffing-related adjustments in March 2027. 

Questions 

Please direct questions about this timeline to your Area Director or Sam Quantz. Thank you for your partnership in building schedules that serve our students well. 

Published on

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.
September Cultural Calendar – Record of cultural observances for September
Friday, September 25 is a non-student day and the annual Office Professionals Conference at Hillside 8:00am-3:00pm. All contract office Professionals should be in attendance.
Secondary Fine Arts Performances – Listing of upcoming secondary fine arts performances.
DLC INFORMATION
Thank you for participating in our previous Courageous Connections session, Role of a Leader. Throughout this year, we will build skills in communicating courageously, building strong relationships, and leading change.As a reminder, these were your reflection questions from that session:
What conversation, decision, or relationship have you been avoiding? What would leading more courageously look like, and what is the cost of not changing?
Which area do you most want to grow in this year–enabling change, building relationships, or communicating courageously–and why?
From there, you committed to one specific action toward your leadership goal.Before our next session, please be prepared to share an update, along with one specific example.
Our next session is on October 1st. We will be working on Courageous Communication I: communicating genuine care and planning a conversation to strengthen a relationship with someone you work with.  We ask that you complete the Pre-Year Survey.  The purpose of this survey is to better understand your current experiences, perspectives, and goals as a leader. Your responses will help the School Leadership Alliance team tailor the learning experience to your cohort and establish a baseline so we can measure growth throughout the program.
Complete the Pre-Session Survey:  Link: https://forms.gle/h7weZvHAmQ7GdjHx8
The survey takes approximately 5–10 minutes to complete and is required for all participants. Please complete it by 9/30/26.
There are no right or wrong answers. We encourage you to respond honestly based on your current experiences. Your individual responses will be kept confidential and will be used to inform program planning and evaluate the overall impact of the program, rather than to evaluate individual participants.
Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey. We look forward to partnering with you throughout the year.
Thank you for everything you do.
CELEBRATIONS – Please send to leeson.taylor@slcschools.org or angelina.tovar@slcschools.org by Wednesday at 5:00 PM.
West Latinos in Action (LIA)

 
We are proud to celebrate our Latinos in Action students!
Our students had the opportunity to attend a recent  City Council meeting and represent Latinos in Action as they received a recognition on behalf of the organization, alongside LIA from East High School. Their participation reflects the leadership, commitment, and community involvement that LIA encourages in our students.
Congratulations to our students for representing West High School and Latinos in Action with pride!
Parkview STEM Lab
Congrats to Parkview for establishing and integrating it’s STEM Lab.  Mr. Castillo has worked very hard to set it up. This is their second year since receiving a parenting grant with Indian Hills. As a Title I school this a great opportunity for our students!   
ALL ADMINISTRATORS – Items for all building level administrators
DEADLINES
Final 26-27 Principal Tackle List-September​
ACTION ITEMS
Portrait of a Graduate Student Survey – Students in grades 6-12 are being asked to contribute their ideas on what the SLCSD Portrait of a Graduate will be. Schools will need to set aside 20-30 minutes to allow students to take this important survey on Oct 1st. The student survey coincides with a parent survey that will be going via ParentSquare.
Action Item: Assigning STEM AC Math Digital Learning Student Licenses – The math digital learning student licenses awarded to schools from the STEM AC Math Digital Learning Grant will be assigned by SLCSD IT Department.  Administrators must submit a SLCSD IT helpdesk ticket to inform IT how the licenses are to be assigned in their school.
 INFORMATION ITEMS
Assessment Essentials
Please look through Assessment Essentials for information on current and upcoming Federal, State, and District required assessments. For questions, please reach out to Dr. Patrick Jefferies, Assessment Supervisor-Assessment & Evaluation (patrick.jefferies@slcschools.org)
 Attendance Update September 2026.docx​ -this is the September attendance newsletter.
Roving Substitute Guidelines -- The purpose of this memo is to provide information regarding the current situation and guidance moving forward to address the needs of support staff (specifically, special education paraprofessionals and PE instructors) and the increased substitute expense.
New Requirements Under Utah's School Food Additive Law — Effective 2026–2027 School Year -- This memo outlines new state requirements that take effect for the 2026–2027 school year restricting certain food additives in foods sold, donated, offered, or served on school grounds during the school day. Please review this guidance carefully and share it with relevant staff, including food service, front office, and classroom teachers who coordinate food-related activities.
School Attendance Webpage Template and Attendance Communications Guidance – The purpose of this guidance is to ensure families have clear, consistent, and accessible information about school attendance. By using a common attendance webpage template, schools can help families understand attendance expectations, Utah's compulsory education requirements, how to report absences, how attendance notifications are communicated through Edia AI, and where to access support when attendance concerns arise.
Attendance Coding Guidance Memo – As we continue implementing the new attendance law, it is important that tardies, late arrivals, and absences are coded consistently across schools. 
WPAD Order Information – Guidance regarding wearable panic devices.
Student Services Newsletter – This is the monthly newsletter from Student Services.
 CTE September News – Monthly newsletter from CTE.
USBE Updates
***USBE School Leadership Conference*** Registration is now open!
Two locations to choose from:
November 9, CEDAR CITY (Courtyard by Marriott): REGISTER
November 12, Salt Lake City (SLCC): REGISTER
Topics will include: School Safety, Special Education, School Improvement, New Leader Training
Fee: $25 (for lunch)
Time: 8:30am - 3:30pm (both locations)
For all school leaders and those who support school leaders!
For more information, contact quinn.kellis@schools.utah.gov
School LAND Trust – USBE is excited to announce a new Canvas course designed to support District Principals in administering the School LAND Trust (SLT) program. District principals are vital to ensuring School Community Councils (SCC) are properly formed and funds are used to address critical academic needs.
SEOP Newsletter – August newsletter
USBE September Attendance Newsletter – USBE Attendance information for the month of August.   
 
HIGH SCHOOLS – Items for high school administration
DEADLINES
ACTION ITEMS
 Seal of Biliteracy Registration
Online registration is now open for students interested in earning the Utah Seal of Biliteracy! The Seal is an additional achievement students can earn to recognize and celebrate their language skills and demonstrate their proficiency in more than one language. Please encourage eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their language abilities and earn this special recognition.
INFORMATION ITEMS
Information about class taking patterns – Utah schools are committed to providing students with broad and equitable access to educational opportunities. Utah Administrative Rule R277-707 specifically provides that schools may consider academic readiness but may not require students to complete prerequisite courses before enrolling in Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.
Attendance-Based Grade Reduction Update --  As we have begun implementing the new attendance law, we have learned that schools are not coding tardies consistently across the district for students who arrive late or tardy (excused or unexcused). This means that your tardy data may not be correct for the purpose of calculating student grades for teachers who choose to apply the new attendance-based grading policy.
2026 Cohort Cleanup for High Schools
All graduation requirements for last year's 12th grade students who did not graduate in May must be completed and entered into PowerSchool by September 25.
Registrars must also ensure that an Exit Status Change record is created in PowerSchool for any student who has completed their graduation requirements or for whom new information is available regarding their enrollment status or transfer destination.
Registrars will receive training on this process from IT on August 28.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS –Items for middle school administration
DEADLINES
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
Information about class taking patterns – Utah schools are committed to providing students with broad and equitable access to educational opportunities. Utah Administrative Rule R277-707 specifically provides that schools may consider academic readiness but may not require students to complete prerequisite courses before enrolling in Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.Attendance-Based Grade Reduction Update --  As we have begun implementing the new attendance law, we have learned that schools are not coding tardies consistently across the district for students who arrive late or tardy (excused or unexcused). This means that your tardy data may not be correct for the purpose of calculating student grades for teachers who choose to apply the new attendance-based grading policy.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS – Items for elementary school administration
DEADLINES
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS

Individualized Reading Plans Available in PowerTeacher – The individualized Reading Plan (IRP) system is now operational and available through PowerTeacher. K–3 teachers can begin using the system to create and maintain IRPs for students who require a plan under SB 241.

Every year, 5th grade students and teachers have the opportunity to travel to Abravanel Hall and hear the Utah Symphony perform.  This year, the dates for those concerts include:
Feb 22 at 10 AM – 1800 seats available
Feb 22 at 11:30 AM – 300 seats available
Feb 23 at 10 AM – 760 seats available
Feb 23 at 11:30 AM – 400 seats available
Please have your 5th grade teachers reach out to Amy Burris with the date your school would like to attend no later than October 15, 2027.  She will arrange and pay for transportation.  This is a unique opportunity for your students because Utah is one of only 17 states with a full-time symphony orchestra in the nation.  Plus, this is completely paid for through our state legislature.  Please contact Amy right away.
If you'd like more information about this opportunity, you can access this link:  https://utahsymphony.org/education/teachers/
Thanks, and Happy Listening 🙂

RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS FROM DISTRICT DEPARTMENTS
SPED Scoop – Special Education Newsletter
Student Services Resources
Teaching & Learning
Salt Lake Education Foundation
School Leadership & Support
Administrative Memos
CTE_Teachers SharePoint: https://slcsd.sharepoint.com/sites/CTE_Teachers
*Unless otherwise requested, information will run for 2 weeks only.
 

Published on

Date: September 23, 2026

To: All Administrators and Secretaries

From: Nathan Elkins, Director HRS – Certified

Subject: Roving Substitute Guidelines Message:

During the 2023-24 school year, we authorized schools to use the roving substitute code for emergency situations in which a special education paraprofessional was unavailable for continuity of services. We also authorized the use of the roving sub code for PE instructors at the elementary level to ensure there was no break in PE programming. In some cases, the need for a roving sub in either of these situations was due to a vacancy in that specific position, and our hope was that allowing schools to use the substitute pool would help buy time to find a more permanent solution through the hiring process. Unfortunately, in some cases, the roving substitute became the long-term solution, and the respective positions were never filled. Consequently, the abundant use of roving substitutes over the past year created situations in which regular substitutes were not available for classroom assignments in addition to an unsustainable increase to the district's substitute expenses.
The purpose of this memo is to provide information regarding the current situation and guidance moving forward to address the needs of support staff (specifically, special education paraprofessionals and PE instructors) and the increased substitute expense. Please be aware of the following guidelines:

  • Requesting a roving substitute for the express purpose of providing coverage for a PE instructor (elementary) or a special education paraprofessional is still allowed at the maximum use of 20 days
  • After 20 days, a roving sub will no longer be allowed to provide coverage for that PE instructor or special education paraprofessional
  • A single-day use for a roving sub is still allowed if being used to help cover multiple classes throughout the school day
  • Roving subs may not be requested to cover office personnel, a general instructional paraprofessional, or to provide additional support for a school activity (e.g., field day, field trips, etc.)
    Excellence and Equity: every student, every classroom, every day slcschools.org 2
  • Roving subs may not be requested in anticipation of potential teacher absences
  • Roving sub requests that do not include a reason for the request noted in the administrator comments may be removed from SmartFind (applicable only to roving sub assignments)
    We understand that unique circumstances arise from time to time, and as such, any request for a roving sub that navigates outside these guidelines must first have approval from HR. Such requests can be made directly to me (nathan.elkins@slcschools.org) or Lauren Knotts (lauren.knotts@slcschools.org). As we move forward throughout the school year, we will closely monitor the use of roving subs in SmartFind and will contact you directly if we discover a potential issue. We are hopeful that these guidelines will provide our schools the latitude to navigate challenging staffing situations while maintaining sustainable substitute expenses. We ask that you please review these guidelines with all school staff that may be responsible for requesting a roving substitute assignment. If you have any questions regarding these guidelines, please reach out to me or a member of HR staff copied on these guidelines, thank you.
    Nathan Elkins, Director HRS - Certified Lauren Knotts, HR Analyst Krystal Hernandez-Cortes, HR Specialist Kim Hill, HR Specialist

Published on

Administrative Memo 

Students in grades 6-12 are being asked to contribute their ideas on what the SLCSD Portrait of a Graduate will be. Schools will need to set aside 20-30 minutes to allow students to take this important survey on Oct 2nd. The student survey coincides with a parent survey that will be going via ParentSquare. 

Secondary schools should use ELA courses to ensure every student with parent permission can participate in this important process. Elementary schools should plan a block for 6th grade students to participate by the deadline. Please communicate your planned day to Dr. Jefferies via this Microsoft Form. 

In case any questions arise, here is the information you should know: 

  • This survey is ANONYMOUS, and participants should be encouraged to complete it honestly.  
  • Student Survey: Students can access the survey through the Student Survey Module in Clever. To increase response rates, we encourage you to work with your teachers to set aside time for students to complete their surveys during school hours.  

Any questions can be directed to the Assessment Supervisor, Dr. Patrick Jefferies (patrick.jefferies@slcschools.org). 

  

Published on


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.
September Cultural Calendar – Record of cultural observances for September
Friday, September 25 is a non-student day and the annual Office Professionals Conference at Hillside 8:00am-3:00pm. All contract office Professionals should be in attendance.
Secondary Fine Arts Performances – Listing of upcoming secondary fine arts performances.
CELEBRATIONS – Please send to leeson.taylor@slcschools.org or angelina.tovar@slcschools.org by Wednesday at 5:00 PM.
West Debate
We are thrilled to celebrate an outstanding achievement by the West High School Speech & Debate Team! This past weekend, three students competed in the Tournament of Champions season opener, an exceptionally competitive national tournament featuring 1,879 competitors from 325 debate programs across the country. Junior Luka Mischenko finished 2nd out of more than 200 competitors in Lincoln-Douglas debate after 12 rounds, earning his first bid to the National Championship. Juniors Kobe Aoki and Sohum Krishna went even further, winning the entire policy debate tournament against 135 teams from across the nation!
These accomplishments are a tremendous reflection of our students' talent, dedication, and hard work throughout the summer. Please join us in congratulating Luka, Kobe, and Sohum on this remarkable national achievement and in celebrating the excellence of the West High Speech & Debate program. The full team will compete next at the University of Utah on October 2–3, and we look forward to celebrating many more successes throughout the season!
Parkview STEM Lab
Congrats to Parkview for establishing and integrating it’s STEM Lab.  Mr. Castillo has worked very hard to set it up. This is their second year since receiving a parenting grant with Indian Hills. As a Title I school this a great opportunity for our students!   
ALL ADMINISTRATORS – Items for all building level administrators
DEADLINES
PUBLISHED 2z026 Principal Tackle List.docx
Tackle List Feedback Survey – Fill out form. – Please fill this survey out for feedback regarding the Principal Tackle List.
ACTION ITEMS
Action Item: Assigning STEM AC Math Digital Learning Student Licenses – The math digital learning student licenses awarded to schools from the STEM AC Math Digital Learning Grant will be assigned by SLCSD IT Department.  Administrators must submit a SLCSD IT helpdesk ticket to inform IT how the licenses are to be assigned in their school.
 INFORMATION ITEMS
 Attendance Update September 2026.docx​ -this is the September attendance newsletter.
New Requirements Under Utah's School Food Additive Law — Effective 2026–2027 School Year -- This memo outlines new state requirements that take effect for the 2026–2027 school year restricting certain food additives in foods sold, donated, offered, or served on school grounds during the school day. Please review this guidance carefully and share it with relevant staff, including food service, front office, and classroom teachers who coordinate food-related activities.
School Attendance Webpage Template and Attendance Communications Guidance – The purpose of this guidance is to ensure families have clear, consistent, and accessible information about school attendance. By using a common attendance webpage template, schools can help families understand attendance expectations, Utah's compulsory education requirements, how to report absences, how attendance notifications are communicated through Edia AI, and where to access support when attendance concerns arise.
Attendance Coding Guidance Memo – As we continue implementing the new attendance law, it is important that tardies, late arrivals, and absences are coded consistently across schools. 
Update: Internal and External Grant Pre-Application Approval Process – This  memo serves as an important reminder that all faculty and staff must use the district’s Grant Pre-Application Approval process before submitting any grant request.
Student Services Newsletter – This is the monthly newsletter from Student Services.
 CTE September News – Monthly newsletter from CTE.
USBE Updates
School LAND Trust – USBE is excited to announce a new Canvas course designed to support District Principals in administering the School LAND Trust (SLT) program. District principals are vital to ensuring School Community Councils (SCC) are properly formed and funds are used to address critical academic needs.
SEOP Newsletter – August newsletter
USBE September Attendance Newsletter – USBE Attendance information for the month of August.   
 
HIGH SCHOOLS – Items for high school administration
DEADLINES
ACTION ITEMS
 
INFORMATION ITEMS
Information about class taking patterns – Utah schools are committed to providing students with broad and equitable access to educational opportunities. Utah Administrative Rule R277-707 specifically provides that schools may consider academic readiness but may not require students to complete prerequisite courses before enrolling in Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.
Attendance-Based Grade Reduction Update --  As we have begun implementing the new attendance law, we have learned that schools are not coding tardies consistently across the district for students who arrive late or tardy (excused or unexcused). This means that your tardy data may not be correct for the purpose of calculating student grades for teachers who choose to apply the new attendance-based grading policy.
2026 Cohort Cleanup for High Schools
All graduation requirements for last year's 12th grade students who did not graduate in May must be completed and entered into PowerSchool by September 25.
Registrars must also ensure that an Exit Status Change record is created in PowerSchool for any student who has completed their graduation requirements or for whom new information is available regarding their enrollment status or transfer destination.
Registrars will receive training on this process from IT on August 28.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS –Items for middle school administration
DEADLINES
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
Information about class taking patterns – Utah schools are committed to providing students with broad and equitable access to educational opportunities. Utah Administrative Rule R277-707 specifically provides that schools may consider academic readiness but may not require students to complete prerequisite courses before enrolling in Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.
Attendance-Based Grade Reduction Update --  As we have begun implementing the new attendance law, we have learned that schools are not coding tardies consistently across the district for students who arrive late or tardy (excused or unexcused). This means that your tardy data may not be correct for the purpose of calculating student grades for teachers who choose to apply the new attendance-based grading policy.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS – Items for elementary school administration
DEADLINES
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
UEA Support for Readathon – On October 2, 2026 the Utah Statewide Read-A-Thon will take place. UEA applauds the efforts of Governor Cox and first lady Abby Cox in working to build literacy in our state.
UEA supports the Governor’s initiative, and we hope your school district will actively participate so students and educators of all ages can discover, or rediscover, the joy of reading. We also hope that you will work in close collaboration with educators and the community in planning events. UEA and your local association leaders stand ready to help
CogAT Testing – Annual Dates & Expectations -- SLCSD’s Magnet and Advanced Academics and Mentoring Program (AAMP) provide advanced learning opportunities for students who demonstrate gifted characteristics and high academic potential.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS FROM DISTRICT DEPARTMENTS
SPED Scoop – Special Education Newsletter
Student Services Resources
Teaching & Learning
Salt Lake Education Foundation
School Leadership & Support
Administrative Memos
CTE_Teachers SharePoint: https://slcsd.sharepoint.com/sites/CTE_Teachers
*Unless otherwise requested, information will run for 2 weeks only.
 

Published on

ADMINISTRATIVE MEMORANDUM 

To: School Principals  
From: Dr. Bri Conley, Director of Educational Equity & Access 
Date: September 10, 2026 
Subject: School Attendance Webpage Template and Attendance Communications Guidance 

Purpose 

The purpose of this guidance is to ensure families have clear, consistent, and accessible information about school attendance. By using a common attendance webpage template, schools can help families understand attendance expectations, Utah's compulsory education requirements, how to report absences, how attendance notifications are communicated through Edia AI, and where to access support when attendance concerns arise. Using a common template across schools will help create a consistent experience for families and make attendance information easier to find and understand. 

District Guidance 

All schools should use the attached School Attendance Webpage Template on their website. The template is designed to provide families with clear, consistent, and family-friendly information about attendance procedures and expectations. 

To maintain consistency across the district, schools should keep the main content of the template. Schools should only update sections that require school-specific information, including: 

  • Attendance office email address 
  • Attendance office phone number 
  • Any other school-specific contact information 

Administrative Responsibilities 

 Principals are responsible for: 

  • Ensuring the attendance template is posted and maintained on the school's website. 
  • Replacing all placeholder information with accurate school contact information. 
  • Verifying that attendance office procedures match the information shared on the website. 
  • Ensuring attendance office staff understand and follow the attendance reporting and excusal procedures outlined in the template. 
  • Reviewing the webpage regularly to keep information accurate and up to date. 
  • Supporting clear and proactive communication with families about attendance expectations, how to report absences, and available supports through multiple channels, including ParentSquare messages, flyers, SEP conferences, back-to-school events, and other family engagement opportunities. 

This guidance is intended to help families access attendance information quickly, improve communication between schools and families, and support student attendance and engagement. 

School Attendance Webpage Template 

Utah law requires students ages 6 to 18 to attend school regularly, and we're here to help make that possible for every family. If attendance becomes a challenge, reach out to us early so we can help. We can connect families with support and resources to help address barriers to attendance and keep students engaged in learning. Together, we can help every student stay connected to school and on track for success. 

Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success. To maximize learning opportunities, students are expected to attend every class, on time, every day. Parents and their student(s) are jointly responsible for ensuring the student's regular attendance at school. See SLCSD Board Student Policy S-4 for more information. 

Attendance Notifications with Edia AI 

When a teacher marks a student absent, families will receive a text message from Edia AI within minutes. Parents and guardians can reply directly to the text message to verify or provide the reason for the absence. This helps us maintain accurate attendance records and allows us to provide timely support to students when needed. 

No app download or account setup is required. Edia AI communicates directly with the parent or guardian phone number on file with the school. 

Reporting an Absence 

  1. Reply to an Edia AI text message. If you have previously received a message from Edia AI, simply reply to the text with the reason for your student's absence. This is the preferred and fastest way to communicate attendance information. The attendance office will receive your message and update your student's attendance record. 
  1. If you have not previously received an Edia AI message or are unable to use Edia, email [attendance email] with your student's name, the date(s) of the absence, and the reason for the absence. 
  1. If email is not accessible, call [attendance phone number] and leave a voicemail with your student's name, the date(s) of the absence, and the reason for the absence. 

Please report absences as soon as possible to help ensure attendance records are updated accurately and efficiently. 

Important: If you have not received messages from Edia AI and your student has had absences you have not excused, please contact the school office to verify that your phone number is listed correctly in PowerSchool. If your phone number changes, parents and guardians should update their contact information as soon as possible to ensure they continue to receive attendance notifications and other important school communications. 

Attendance Records and Excusal Requirements 

To help us maintain accurate attendance records, please include your student's name and the specific date(s) and/or class period(s) when contacting the Attendance Office regarding an absence. 

If you submit an absence excuse by email, the message must come from the parent or guardian email address listed in PowerSchool. Requests sent from a different email address cannot be processed, and a notification will be sent to the email address on file. 

When reporting an absence, please include the reason for the absence. A parent or guardian's acknowledgment that a student was absent, without a reason, is not sufficient to excuse the absence. Providing the reason helps the school accurately code attendance and ensures compliance with state attendance requirements. 

Please keep the following in mind: 

  • Parents and guardians have one week from the date of an absence to notify the school and provide the reason for the absence. After one week, the absence can no longer be excused and will be recorded as a truancy. 
  • If you believe your student was marked absent in error, please contact the teacher directly. 
  • The Attendance Office cannot change an absence to present without written confirmation from the teacher. 
  • Requests received after 2:30 p.m. may be processed the following school day. We appreciate your patience. 
  • Email cannot be used to check a student out of school. 
  • Students are expected to attend all classes each day. If a student needs to leave during the school day, a parent or guardian must check them out through the Attendance Office. 
  • Students who leave without being properly checked out may be considered truant. 

Thank you for partnering with us to support your student's attendance and success. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Attendance Office. We are here to help. 

Salt Lake City School District - Family Resources 

Salt Lake City School District - Attendance 

Protected By
Shield Security