Title: Registration for SLCSD 2026-2027 Science and Engineering Fairs
Date: October 13, 2026
To: School Administrators
From: Holley McIntosh, District Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Director Tiffany Hall, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
Summary:
The Salt Lake City School District, in partnership with the Salt Lake Education Foundation, will host the SLCSD Science and Engineering Fair February 1-5, 2027. The SLCSD fair provides district level judging for students’ science, computer science, and engineering projects for students in grades 5-12. Participation in the SLCSD Science and Engineering Fair is determined by students advancing from their school-level fair. Projects that receive awards at the SLCSD Science and Engineering Fair will advance to the next level of competition.
All schools, participating or not, need to complete the School Participation Survey by October 31, 2026, so the district fair can accommodate eligible participants. Participating schools need to complete their school-level fair by January 25, 2027.
Rationale:
Science and engineering fairs provide valuable opportunities for students to develop critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and scientific inquiry skills while supporting the district's Strategic Plan for Student Achievement through equitable access to meaningful STEM experiences.
Expectations for Implementation:
1. Communication
Share this information with teachers in grades 5-12.
Determine if your school will hold a school-level Science and Engineering Fair.
Contact Summer Pelton, SLCSD District Science Coach, at summer.pelton@slcschools.org or Kristen Bonner, SLCSD Science and Engineering Fair Coordinator, at kristen.bonner_contractor@slcschools.org if you would like assistance or guidance on conducting a school science fair.
Keywords: STEM, Science and Engineering Fair, District Science Fair Handbook, STEM experiences, STEM identity
Title: Using an NG or I on the report card - reminder
Date:October 10, 2026
To: High School Administrators
From: Tiffany Hall Teaching & Learning
Summary: How to use an NG or I when evaluating student performance
GRADE DESIGNATIONS The NG designation is used when a student has not attended enough of a class to demonstrate achievement of the learning objectives. This may occur due to excessive absences or late entry into the course, as outlined in Administrative Procedure I-8: Student Progress and Academic Achievement. An NG does not carry credit or grade points
An “I” is used when a student has participated sufficiently in the course to demonstrate learning but is missing significant work. The teacher expects that the student can still complete the missing work and demonstrate mastery. Once completed, the I is replaced with a grade and the appropriate credit is awarded. After one term, the I will be replaced automatically with an F. A student can still apply for a grade change, but after a term the “F” will be on the report card and calculated in the GPA.
Section IV.H. Assigning a ‘No Grade’ (NG)
A NG can replace a letter grade when a student has an excused absence longer than 10 days but cannot be used as a consequence for unexcused absences.
The NG marking may be used as outlined in Section III.A.3.b.
The NG should not be used to avoid assigning an ‘F’ grade.
An NG does not convey credit or affect a student's grade point average.
Section III.A.3.b Students who transfer in after the midterm without a grade will be assigned a ‘no grade’ (NG). If there are extenuating circumstances and the students can demonstrate sufficient mastery of the content, the teacher may use their discretion to determine if a ‘P’ would be an appropriate option. A ‘P’ conveys credit for graduation but does not affect the grade point average.
Rationale:
During the pandemic (2019-20, 2020-21), teachers used the NG when students were not participating in school. This decision reflected concerns from teachers and administrators that many students were not able to access online instruction consistently, and therefore, an “F” was not an appropriate representation of their learning.
Following this period, some teachers continued using the NG for students who were attending class but not achieving academically, substituting it for an “F.” This was not aligned with Administrative Procedure I-8.
In 2024-25, schools were reminded that the NG may not be used in place of an “F.” An email was sent to administrators, counselors, and teachers in October 2024 reinforcing this expectation. This was to be implemented by the start of the 2025-26 school year.
CREDIT RECOVERY
Credit recovery has recognized NGs as Fs and allowed credit recovery to be assigned. However, NGs earned in 2025-26 and beyond are not considered Fs and eligible for credit recovery. This is because credit recovery is based on the student completing an original credit class and recovery key learning, and the NG means that they were not in the course for sufficient time to evaluate key learning.
The credit recovery system should recognize an NG granted in before this year (2025-26) as an F and grant access to CR courses. IF IT DOES NOT, please use the blue "+credit recovery button" and use "NG from 202X-XX not recognized." That will be checked and assigned if appropriate.
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 toleeson.taylor@slcschools.orgorangelina.tovar@slcschools.orgby Wednesday at 5:00 PM. West Student Published in the SL Tribune West's own Ananya Pallinti had a published editorial in the Salt Lake Tribune recently, sharing thoughts about Utah's Financial Literacy course. Talented and bright West High Junior! West Unified Sports Congrats to the students, Coach Haily & Coach Vea for qualifying to play at the Special Olympics State Championships! Great job!!!! 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 2026-27 October Principal Tackle List-Final ACTION ITEMS INFORMATION ITEMS T&L Instructional Observation & Calibration Walks – Instructional Observation & Calibration Walks will provide principals with regular opportunities to visit classrooms, observe instructional practices, and engage in meaningful professional dialogue with colleagues. HB 273 Classroom Technology Amendments -- H.B. 273 establishes statewide requirements for balanced classroom technology use and artificial intelligence (AI) in Utah public schools. During the 2026-27 school year, the USBE will create a model policy outlining the allowable use of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. When the policy is completed, districts will review their current practices and create their own policies and administrative procedures to ensure compliance. No changes are required in our current school or classroom practices during the 2026-27 school year. 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 Update – Update for admin from USBE 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. Our BSN Sports / Adidas Partnership: What Families, Coaches, and Boosters Need to Know– 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. High School Physical Education Credit for UHSAA Approved Sports – Students who participate in Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) sanctioned sports, excluding esports, may earn Physical Education (PE) credit through their athletic participation. This includes participation in UHSAA Unified sports, such as Unified soccer and Unified basketball.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS –Items for middle school administration DEADLINES ACTION ITEMS Updates 2027-28 Master Schedule Timeline -- This memo shares the updated timeline for building 2027–28 master schedules. 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.
Title: High School Physical Education Credit for UHSAA Approved Sports
Date: October 9, 2026
To: High School Administrators
From: Katie Eskelson-Ieremia, District Academic Records Specialist
Dr. Tiffany Hall, Executive Director
Subject: Physical Education Credit for UHSAA Approved Sports
Purpose
Students who participate in Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) sanctioned sports, excluding esports, may earn Physical Education (PE) credit through their athletic participation. This includes participation in UHSAA Unified sports, such as Unified soccer and Unified basketball.
Eligible athletic participation may fulfill requirements for Participation Skills and Fitness and/or Lifetime Activities, depending on the student's remaining graduation requirements. Athletic participation does not replace the required Fitness for Life course.
The purpose of this memo is to clarify credit eligibility and establish a consistent process to ensure that all eligible students have equitable access to PE credit earned through athletic participation.
Credit Eligibility
Students may earn PE credit for completing full seasons of eligible UHSAA sports according to the following guidelines:
Athletic Participation
PE Credit
One complete season of an eligible sport
0.25
Two complete seasons of the same sport
0.50
Two complete seasons of a second, different sport
Additional 0.50
Maximum credit through athletic participation
1.00
Students may earn a maximum of 0.50 credit for participation in any one sport.
Students must participate in at least two different sports to earn the full 1.00 credit
Credit may be applied to Participation Skills and Fitness (PSF) and/or Lifetime Activities (LA), as determined by the student's graduation needs.
All students must complete Fitness for Life independently of any athletic participation credit.
Process for Awarding Credit
Traditionally, coaches or athletic directors provide team participation records to school counselors so that eligible PE credit can be added to student transcripts. However, students may not always receive credit when participation records are not submitted or school personnel are unfamiliar with the process.
To ensure equitable access, students may also initiate the credit-awarding process using the Application for Demonstrated Proficiency for Physical Education Credit, available on the district's Physical Education and Health webpage.
Students whose participation has already been verified and credited through the school's established process do not need to submit an additional application.
Step 1: Student Application
The student completes the application, documents the eligible sports seasons, and obtains verification from the coach and/or athletic director.
The completed form must be submitted to the school counselor no later than April 30 of the student's senior year (grade 12). Students are encouraged to request credit as they complete eligible seasons rather than waiting until graduation.
Step 2: Counselor Review
The school counselor will:
Review the student's transcript and verified athletic participation.
Confirm the amount of eligible credit, ensuring that duplicate or excess credit is not awarded.
Determine whether credit should be applied to Participation Skills and Fitness and/or Lifetime Activities.
Approve the appropriate credit for the registrar to record.
Step 3: Registrar Documentation
The school registrar will:
Record the approved credit on the student's transcript at 0.25 credit per eligible season, using the district's designated course and grade-entry procedures.
Maintain a scanned copy of the completed, signed application as part of the student's academic records.
State Rule and District Procedures
Utah Administrative Code R277-700-6(15)(b) permits local education agencies (LEAs) to award up to 1.0 PE credit for team sport or athletic participation, with LEA approval, to replace Participation Skills and Lifetime Activities requirements. The rule limits credit to 0.50 per sport.
SLCSD implements this provision by awarding 0.25 credit per completed season, up to the established maximums described above.
Athletic participation credit does not fulfill the Fitness for Life requirement.
Expectations for Implementation
To ensure consistent implementation across high schools:
School Administrators: Share this memorandum with counselors, athletic directors, coaches, and other appropriate staff.
District Athletic Activities Program Supervisor: Review the process and application with school athletic directors.
School Athletic Directors: Communicate the process to coaches and student-athletes and support verification of athletic participation.
District Counseling Team: Review the process during a monthly counselors' meeting and include the application and instructions in counselor resources.
District Teaching and Learning: Maintain the application on the district's Physical Education and Health webpage.
District Collaboration: Nomani Satuala, District Athletic Activities Program Supervisor
Keywords: Physical Education, PE Credit, UHSAA Sports, Unified Sports, Lifetime Activities, Participation Skills and Fitness, Demonstrated Proficiency
To: K-12 Administrators, District Office Administrators
From: Sallie Warnecke, Supervisor of Digital Learning Holley McIntosh, STEM Director
Subject:SB 273 Implementation
Summary:
H.B. 273 establishes statewide requirements for balanced classroom technology use and artificial intelligence (AI) in Utah public schools. During the 2026-27 school year, the USBE will create a model policy outlining the allowable use of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. When the policy is completed, districts will review their current practices and create their own policies and administrative procedures to ensure compliance. No changes are required in our current school or classroom practices during the 2026-27 school year.
Information for 2026-27:
By December 1, 2026, the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) must post the state’s model policy for balanced technology use and AI in classrooms on their website. This will be the basis for the policies and administrative procedures developed by districts.
After the state model policy is published, districts will create their own policies and procedures that reflect the state model. The policies must be reviewed by the board in an open meeting with opportunities for public comment. The district policy must be adopted by July 1, 2027 for implementation in 2027-2028.
When the model policy is adopted, we will create a group to review the requirements and compare them to our current practices as we create our district policy and administrative procedures for implementation. We will then create school, teacher, and parent-facing information about changes to our current programs. More information will be forthcoming after the USBE has adopted the state policy.
At this time, no changes are required in schools or classrooms. The district has started some initial steps to prepare, such as:
Inventorying our devices and software programs;
Considering changes to the curriculum review and adoption process for future adoptions to ensure compliance;
Creating a committee to review all software program requests;
Auditing our current instructional technology, device distribution, internet filtering, student data privacy, and security to identify any areas that we will need to address in our district administrative procedures.
Questions:
Dr. Tiffany Hall, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
One of our most important responsibilities as instructional leaders is to understand what effective teaching and learning look like in our classrooms and how we can support continuous improvement.
Instructional Observation & Calibration Walks will provide principals with regular opportunities to visit classrooms, observe instructional practices, and engage in meaningful professional dialogue with colleagues.
These groups are designed to strengthen our collective instructional leadership, develop a shared understanding of effective practices, and provide opportunities to learn from the work happening across our district.
Observation Groups
Participants for this year have already been identified, and facilitators will be reaching out to set up the first group meeting. In order to keep the groups small and conversational, not all principals will be able to participate in the same year. In subsequent years, this will extend to assistant principals. Each group will be focused on a specific area of instructional practice.
Instructional Focus
Group Facilitator(s)
K–3 Literacy
Chelsea Malouf
K–3 Literacy
Adrienne Kumik
K–3 Literacy
Adrienne Kumik
Dual Language Immersion (DLI)
Monty Eyink
Co-Teaching
Tiffany Hall
HUB Schools
Tiffany Hall / Erin Anderson
Each group will meet once a month from November through April for a 90-minute school visit. Groups will visit different schools throughout the year, providing opportunities to observe instructional practices in a variety of settings.
These visits are intended to be collaborative professional learning experiences, not formal evaluations of teachers or schools. The emphasis is on objective observation and collaborative discussion to develop a shared understanding of effective instruction across the district.
ECAP
ECAP calibration is required for all administrators and will be incorporated into the Instructional Observation groups. The observations and discussions conducted during these sessions will be modified to fulfill the required ECAP calibration activities, eliminating the need for separate ECAP observation sessions.
To ensure all administrators can meet this requirement, two of the observation groups may have additional participants assigned specifically for ECAP calibration.
Administrators participating in these groups will meet their ECAP calibration requirements through the regularly scheduled sessions and will not need to schedule additional ECAP observation sessions.
Next Steps
Principals will receive information about joining an observation group. Facilitators will coordinate the initial school visits and meeting schedules.
We recognize the many demands on principals' time and want these visits to be focused, practical, and meaningful. Our goal is to develop an effective and consistent learning community by working together and sharing our collective knowledge and experience. Thank you for your commitment to instructional leadership.
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 toleeson.taylor@slcschools.orgorangelina.tovar@slcschools.orgby 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.
Title: Individualized Reading Plans Available in PowerTeacher
Date: September 10, 2026
To: Elementary School Administrators
From: Adrienne Kumik, District Literacy Supervisor Tiffany Hall, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
Subject: Individualized Reading Plan System Now Available in PowerTeacher
Summary:
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. Administrators can now also access the IRPs through the applications menu in PowerSchool.
A short instructional video is included with this communication to demonstrate how teachers access, complete, and use the IRP system.
Rationale:
The PowerTeacher IRP system provides schools with a consistent process for documenting individualized reading plans, student reading needs and supports, family involvement, and ongoing progress. The system is designed to support implementation of SB 241 while keeping the IRP focused on meaningful instructional planning and communication with families.
Expectations for Implementation:
1. Communication
Share the attached IRP instructional video with K–3 teachers and other staff members who support the IRP process.
Inform teachers that the IRP system is operational and that they may begin creating and maintaining IRPs in PowerTeacher.
2. IRP Implementation
Ensure students who require an IRP have a plan developed and documented in PowerTeacher.
Support teachers in using the IRP as an ongoing plan for documenting student needs, supports, progress, and family partnership.
Schools do not need to wait for the additional resources described below to begin using the PowerTeacher IRP system.
3. Additional Resources Coming Soon
Teaching and Learning is currently finalizing two additional resources to support consistent IRP implementation:
Teacher IRP Meeting Guide – practical guidance and talking points to support productive, family-centered IRP meetings.
Administrator IRP Checklist – a school-level tool to help administrators monitor required steps and support consistent implementation of the IRP process.
Both resources are currently being edited and will be shared shortly.
4. Support
Please contact Teaching and Learning with questions about IRP requirements or implementation. If you experience a technical issue accessing or using the IRP system in PowerTeacher, please follow the district process for requesting technical support.
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 thePre-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 toleeson.taylor@slcschools.orgorangelina.tovar@slcschools.orgby 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 🙂
From: Dr. Tiffany Hall, Executive Director Teaching & Learning
Subject: Information about class taking patterns
Summary:
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. The rule also prohibits schools from using grades, assessment scores, grade level, teacher referral, or participation in an honors or college-preparatory course to deny access to these programs.
This restriction applies specifically to accelerated academic programs, but it demonstrates that students’ opportunity to participate should not depend only on having completed a specific prior course.
Some courses are intentionally sequential because the content builds from one course or grade level to the next (e.g., Secondary Math I, II, III). Other specialized courses—particularly advanced performing ensembles—may require students to demonstrate that they have the skills needed to participate successfully. An audition or skills demonstration is different from a prerequisite course.
A prerequisite requires a student to have enrolled in or completed a particular course. An audition assesses the student’s current skill level and readiness, regardless of how the student developed those skills.
Auditions may be appropriate for advanced orchestra, band, choir, dance, theatre, or other performance-based courses in which students must work together at a particular level. An audition may evaluate:
Current musical, technical, or performance skills
Readiness for the rigor and pace of the course
Ability to perform the literature, repertoire, or skills required
Ensemble balance or instrumentation needs
Safety considerations associated with the activity
A student should not be required to complete a particular previous course before auditioning. Students may develop the necessary skills through school courses, private instruction, community programs, independent study, or personal experience.
To support equitable access, an audition or skills-based placement process should:
Be open to all otherwise eligible students
Measure skills directly related to the course
Use clearly communicated and consistently applied criteria
Provide appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities
Avoid criteria based primarily on prior enrollment, teacher recommendation, or access to private instruction
Provide students with placement information and, when possible, guidance about other opportunities for continued growth
The purpose of an audition is not to restrict access. It is to place students in an instructional setting where they can participate meaningfully, develop their skills, and contribute successfully to the ensemble or program.
Attendance Update September 2026.docx