Beginning January 7 - January 20, AAMP teachers and staff will be testing Kindergarten and 3rd grade students. This screening helps us identify all students who can qualify for magnet classes or AAMP programs.
A comprehensive schedule will be sent out to all elementary principals for the testing dates and times at each school. Kindergarten testing will take approximately an hour, while 3rd grade testing will take about three hours,. This is an exhaustive and massive undertaking, so we kindly ask the following:
Computer lab times be prioritized and set aside, per the schedule
Ensuring computers are updated in the labs
If no computer labs, that student laptops are updated and proper bandwidth is available throughout the school
Flexibility for unexpected intangibles (lagging Wi-Fi, power outages, absent students, etc.)
Communication to staff about the dates above, schedule (when available) and expectations for pulling students for the testing
Rationale:
This is a district program and in order to ensure students have access, SLCSD completes universal testing at these two grade levels.
Expectations for Implementation:
Communication
Principals are responsible to ensure the steps above are implemented and ready
Thank you for helping us serve all SLCSD students!
For any further questions or clarifications, please contact any of the following:
The purpose of this email is to notify you about a new process for hiring school-based administrators. Please read through these updates carefully as there are some significant changes as well as important reminders for current administrators.
What's New?
In an effort to recruit from the best available administrators to SLCSD, we understand that we must draw upon potential candidates earlier than we have previously done. To that end, we will open a school-based administrator pool near the end of October. This recruiting pool is for external candidates only—current administrators should not apply to this pool.
This school-based administrator pool will undergo a multi-interview process in order to identify top talent that will best match the unique needs of our schools. At the conclusion of each round of interviews, we will be able to consolidate our top candidates and move them on to the next round. It is anticipated that the first round of interviews will conclude near the end of November with a second round of interviews in or around January. These procedural changes follow similar processes and timelines of our neighboring districts. Ultimately, our goal is to create a list of top candidates for school-based selection committees to interview and recommend to the Superintendent for a final interview.
HRS will provide more details on this process at an upcoming DLC, as we want to provide you with as much transparency as possible.
Reminder for Current Administrators
For anyone interested in being considered for a change in your current assignment for the next school year, you will need to apply to the internal transfer request posted through SchoolSpring (see posting "Current Administrator Transfer and Promotion Request"). HR Certified Analyst, Lauren Knotts, will send an email to all current administrators when the transfer and promotion request has been posted, which will contain additional information regarding this request.
We acknowledge the uncertainty that comes with a change in any process, and we hope that this email along with a discussion in DLC will help provide a clear vision for how we can ensure we continue to recruit top talent for our students, families, and employees of SLCSD.
Thank you,
Logan
PART II Transfers
Hello Everyone,
We recognize and understand the need for current SLCSD administrators to periodically seek different assignments over the course of their career. If you are interested in a transfer or promotion for a school-based assignment for the 2026-27 school year, you must fill out the application using this School Spring link: https://slcschools.schoolspring.com/
Upload your letter of interest (cover letter) in order to be considered. Please keep in mind that the Superintendent may effectuate transfers in order to meet the needs of the district, but this is your opportunity to express interest in a change of assignment or position.
Additionally, please be aware of the following conditions and procedures regarding requests:
Applications must be submitted by the close of business on December 12, 2025 using the link above. This will be our only method of collecting interest from current administrators.
External candidates and employees who are not current administrators will need to apply to the School Administrator Pool posting.
Under section X, Administrative Vacancies, Transfers, and Rotations, of The Written Understanding, it states, "In determining whether to rotate an administrator, the District will consider the length of appointment, interests of the administrator, and needs of the District."
Requesting a transfer demonstrates your interest in a different assignment or change in location and is not a guarantee of a change in assignment or location.
Requesting a transfer for an assignment paid on a lower lane will result in you being paid at the appropriate step on that lane.
You must submit your preferences for a change in location in the transfer request by uploading a letter of intent in the "cover letter" section of the application.
We appreciate the work you do to ensure positive learning outcomes and safe environments for our students. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact me, Nathan Elkins, or Logan Hall.
If you experience an issue with finding this position that has been posted to internal applicants only, please ensure you are using the Internal side of School Spring by clicking the Internal Jobs tab and signing in (or creating an account) with your district email address to demonstrate you are a current employee.
Thank you,
Lauren Knotts
Human Resources Analyst Salt Lake City School District
District Office: (801) 578-8599
Excellence and Equity: every student, every classroom, every day
This instruction must be offered to students at least three times during grades K-6, once in middle school, and once in high school. The instruction must be age appropriate and developmentally appropriate for the students in the class.
In SLCSD, we will provide this lesson in grades 1, 3, and 5 and in middle and high school health classes. The reason we have assigned this to specific elementary grade levels and classes is so that we can track that the required instruction was provided.
This instruction will not include handling a firearm or having a firearm (real or model) in the classroom. The instruction will focus on ensuring students understand appropriate safety around firearms. Materials selected for this instruction are politically neutral and are available for parents to review online.
If parents do not want their student to participate in this lesson, they can opt their student out by completing returning the opt out form. They do not have to opt IN: they only have to opt OUT.
If opted out, the student must be provided with an alternate assignment in an alternate location, and their grade cannot be affected. For elementary, the lesson will probably between 15-20 minutes long. For secondary, the time may depend on what other appropriate health standards you choose to include.
REQUIRED STEPS
Review the materials and video for your level.
Choose a date you will plan to teach the lesson.
At least two weeks before you teach the lesson, send the Parent Information letter home. Include the date you are teaching and the date the opt out must be returned.
Make a plan for an alternate assignment and location in case it’s needed.
Collect all opt out forms. After the lesson, have your administrator store them for the school year.
Teach the lesson.
RESOURCES
Located in the District Document Center > Teaching & Learning > Firearm Safety Resources
Elementary – National Crime Prevention Council (Officer McGruff)
Grade 1: Molly’s Mischief
Parent form (Translations to major languages are currently in process. They will be added to the file as they are completed. Please contact Ms. Lowery if an additional language is needed.)
Video embedded on PPT
Teacher guide
Student activity sheet
Safety poster
Post-lesson recap for parents (currently only in English, TBD for other languages)
Grades 3 and 5: Not Cool, Kyle
Parent form (Translations to major languages are currently in process. They will be added to the file as they are completed. Please contact Ms. Lowery if an additional language is needed.)
Video embedded on PPT
Teacher guide
Student activity sheet
Safety poster
Post-lesson recap for parents (currently only in English, TBD for other languages)
Secondary – Utah Attorney General’s Office
Parent form (Translations to major languages are currently in process. They will be added to the file as they are completed. Please contact Ms. Lowery if an additional language is needed.)
Video embedded on PPT
Teacher Lesson Plan
Student handout (two colors)
Safety poster (two colors)
QUESTIONS
Check with your administrator
Teams or email Katie Lowery, Health and PE Specialist
Teams or email Tiffany Hall, Teaching & Learning
NEXT STEPS
If you would like to suggest a different curriculum, please contact Ms. Lowery and Dr. Hall for district-level review.
We're working to improve our school registration systems and would love input from different members of our school community.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sending out surveys and hosting focus groups with families, school office staff, and district support teams (like McKinney-Vento, Special Education, Counseling, etc.) to learn more about their experiences with registration.
We’d appreciate your help identifying school staff and parents who might be willing to participate and share their feedback.
Here are the upcoming focus group dates:
Parents:
Liberty CLC: October 27 at 4:30 PM
Glendale CLC: October 28 at 4:30 PM
District Support Staff:
In-person meeting with Sam: October 22 at 1:00 PM
School Staff:
Virtual Zoom meeting: October 22 at 3:30 PM
To reiterate: we need the names of potential participants— we’ll take care of sending the invitations.
Please send the names of recommended school staff and families to Sam Quantz, Dr. Bri Conley, Yándary Chatwin, and Dr. Analis Ruiz by October 15, 2025.
Thank you so much — we truly appreciate your support!
From: Dr. Candace Penrod, District Science Supervisor
Subject: Amplify Science 7/8 Implementation and Support
Summary:
Salt Lake City School District is excited to have Amplify Science materials in all middle school science classrooms. The district has made a significant financial and curricular commitment to these highly quality instructional materials that support Utah’s Science with Engineering Education (SEEd) Standards middle school science classrooms. The expectation is that the materials are now in use in all middle school science classrooms with the following district support: The
A District Science Coach is available to visit your site and assist your teachers in getting started with the on-line and physical materials. Contact Candace Penrod if you and your teachers would benefit from a site visit.
The monthly Cross-District Middle School PLC meetings for middle school science are designed to support our teachers in the implementation of Amplify Science.
Training sessions with an Amplify Science trainer will be available to support 7/8 grade science teachers with implementation of units, assessments, and assignments. More information will be forthcoming.
Rationale:
The implementation of high-quality instructional materials is a priority for Salt Lake City School District. Amplify Science for middle school was identified by our MS Science Materials Adoption Committee as a high-quality resource to support the implementation of the Utah SEEd Standards. Amplify Science includes hands-on materials, simulations, support for English Learners, support for Special Education, and opportunities for all students to engage with phenomenon-driven science instruction. The district-wide use of common high-quality materials supports all learners have access to high-quality science instruction.
Additionally, the use of the District Science Pacing Guide is also an expectation, as it provides continuity and support across the district for teachers and students. Our Cross-District Middle School Science PLC will focus on supporting teachers’ instruction and student work aligned with the District Pacing Guide. It is the expectation moving forward that with the adoption and use of district materials, classroom instruction will be aligned by Strand (topic/unit) across the district according to the District Science Pacing Guide. This will create a more cohesive system of science education to support all learners and District Priorities and curricular goals.
Expectations for Implementation:
Communication
Middle School Administrators will communicate expectations and rationale to teachers regarding the use of the District Science Pacing Guide and the implementation of Amplify Science in all middle school classrooms.
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.
