Thank you for your continued efforts in supporting our students with the NWEA assessments. Attached is the most recent participation chart, which shows where each school currently stands. Our districtwide goal is 95% participation, and the deadline for completion is Friday, September 12, 2025.
Please ensure the necessary arrangements are in place so that all students have the opportunity to participate and we can collectively meet this important target. Your leadership and attention to this matter are greatly appreciated.
Guidance for Implementing Arena Scheduling in High Schools
Effective: Second Semester 2025–2026 and Fall 2026
Dear High School Administrators,
As part of our ongoing commitment to equitable access, student voice, and efficient school operations, we are preparing to implement arena scheduling (class choice registration) for the second semester of the 2025–2026 school year and for Fall 2026. This is the first of what we anticipate will be several communications outlining processes and systems for this process.
Arena scheduling allows students to actively participate in building their schedules by selecting classes during designated windows of time. Research has shown that student involvement in course selection increases ownership over learning, reduces schedule change requests later, and promotes higher levels of satisfaction with school (Morrison, 2018; Levin, 2020). Additionally, when implemented with fidelity, arena scheduling improves balance in class sizes and maximizes staffing efficiency.
To ensure smooth implementation, we will follow a common registration calendar across all high schools.
Arena Scheduling Calendar
Month(s)
Action
Responsible Party
October
All new course requests or course changes submitted by end of fall break
Teachers, Principals
November & December
Course requests
Counselors, Students
January & February
Schools build schedules
School Administration
March & April
Load student requests
School Administration
May
Students modify their schedules (no teachers listed)
Counselors, Students
After July 15
Final schedule load
IT Department
Implementation Notes & Rationale
Promotes Student Agency
Students take greater ownership of their education when they have choice in course selection.
Involving students early supports better alignment between academic goals and personal interests.
Reduces Scheduling Conflicts
By allowing schedule modifications in May, schools can address conflicts before the fall semester begins.
This reduces stress on both families and counselors at the start of the year.
Supports Equity and Transparency
A consistent process across schools ensures fairness in how students access courses.
Clear timelines help families and staff plan ahead.
Improves Operational Efficiency
Earlier submission of requests and course loads gives schools more time to finalize staffing and resource needs.
Fewer last-minute changes means smoother school openings.
Next Steps for Administrators
Communicate this calendar and process to counselors, teachers, and front office staff to ensure alignment.
Support staff in preparing students for the new process by hosting informational sessions or providing resources.
Encourage teachers and counselors to highlight the importance of thoughtful course selection with students.
Thank you for leading this important shift. By implementing arena scheduling together, we are creating a more student-centered and efficient system that benefits our learners, our staff, and our schools.
The final day for students to complete credit recovery and graduate with their cohort is Friday, September 26, 2025 (the Friday before October 1). All coursework must be submitted no later than 8:00 PM on that day in order to count toward the student’s cohort graduation requirements.
Accessing Canvas for Credit Recovery
To ensure students can access Canvas over the summer, counselors must complete the following steps:
In PowerSchool, check the box labeled “Will take CR this summer.”
Submit a Help Desk Ticket with the following details:
Category: Applications
Subcategory: Canvas
Item: Add
Required Information: Student ID number and last name. Also indicate that the box has been checked in PowerSchool.
This guidance is designed to help school leaders support families with transportation questions, particularly those who live within the state ineligible distance guidelines (less than 1.5 miles for elementary and 2.0 miles for secondary). The process ensures equity, consistency, and compliance with state law, while always prioritizing state-qualified riders.
Key Eligibility Standards
Qualified Riders: Students who live beyond the state thresholds (1.5 miles elementary / 2.0 miles secondary) or who are approved for a documented safety exception.
Unqualified Riders: Students who live within the state thresholds and do not have a safety exception.
Exception Requests
Families who wish to request transportation outside of state eligibility must complete the Salt Lake City School District Transportation Exception Request Form each year.
Important reminders for families:
Approval is subject to available seating and may be revoked at any time if space is needed for state-qualified riders.
No new or relocated bus stops will be created. Students must use existing stops.
Transportation under an exception is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked for misconduct.
School choice families (students attending outside their boundary) are responsible for their own transportation.
Temporary Ridership During Review
Students may ride temporarily while requests are under review if there is available space.
Temporary ridership does not guarantee approval.
Timing of Requests
No exception or “space available” requests will be reviewed until 15 school days after the start of the year, once average daily ridership counts are established.
This waiting period allows for accurate capacity data.
Approval Criteria
Requests may be approved only if:
The bus route shows at least 10% seating capacity above daily usage.
No state-qualified student is displaced.
Requests are considered first-come, first-served.
Approval is valid for one school year only and must be renewed annually.
Conditions of Ridership
Revocation: Exception riders may lose transportation if capacity is needed for eligible students.
Boundaries: Exception passes do not apply to after-school jobs, activities, or non-boundary placements.
Conduct: Students must follow all bus rules; misconduct may result in loss of transportation privileges.
Communication & Notification
Parents/guardians will receive written notice of approval or denial.
Principals will receive updated rider lists.
Drivers receive weekly rosters and allow boarding temporarily until final determinations are made.
Role of Zūm Pass & Drivers
Every rider must tap their Zūm pass when boarding and exiting.
If a student has no pass:
The driver will allow boarding if the student appears on the approved list.
If unsure, the driver records the student’s details and transports them safely.
Drivers do not deny boarding; Transportation reviews unknown riders after reporting.
How Principals Can Support Families
Direct families to the Transportation Exception Request Form.
Remind families that requests cannot be reviewed until after the 15-day ridership count.
Emphasize that approval is space-dependent and not guaranteed.
Reassure families that safety is always a priority and that all requests are reviewed fairly.
Key Takeaways for Families
Transportation under exception requests is a privilege and not guaranteed.
State-qualified riders always have first priority.
All requests are reviewed consistently and equitably.
The district must balance capacity, safety, and compliance with state regulations.
Please reach out if you have any questions or need further information.
We are pleased to share that the school board has approved the creation of a Level Two Campus Safety Coordinator position. This new role offers a higher compensation and is designed to enhance our campus safety leadership structure.
Please note the following key details:
The Level Two position will count as one of the three existing Campus Safety Coordinator roles at each high school.
Each campus will continue to have a total of three Campus Safety Coordinators.
Human Resources Services (HRS) will post the position collectively for all high schools.
HRS will organize the interview process and form the selection committees. The committee will include one administrative representative from each high school.
The posting will be limited to current employees who are already serving as Campus Safety Coordinators.
We ask that you speak with your current Campus Safety Coordinators about this opportunity. HRS will also send a direct communication to all incumbents to ensure they are informed.
Thank you for your support in promoting this opportunity and helping us identify strong candidates for this important role.
Tiffany Hall, Executive Director, Teaching and Learning
Subject: American Founders and Constitution Month
Summary:
In 2023 the Utah Legislature designated September as American Founders and Constitution Month. Significant information follows:
Communication from Ryan Bartlet, USBE Director of Strategic Communications:
What: Each September, Utah observes AmericanFounders and Constitution Month—a time to reflect on the vision, courage, and principles that shaped our nation. This annual observance is an opportunity to help students connect the founding ideals of liberty, justice, and self-governance to their own lives and roles as citizens. As educators and leaders, we have the privilege of guiding them to see how the Constitution continues to influence our communities and the freedoms we enjoy today.
Whether through classroom discussions, school-wide events, or creative student projects, we invite you to join in making this a meaningful, memorable experience for your students.
Successfully sharing the information with faculty and providing students with an opportunity to learn about the U.S. Constitution and American Founders.
Keywords: American Founders and Constitution Month, Civics, social studies, Constitution Day, HB179
As we approach the 10-Day Drop window, please review the following guidance carefully. Our goal is to ensure consistency across schools while supporting students and families through clear communication and outreach.
Board Policy S-4 states:
“School administration and/or their designees will attempt at least one home visit before implementing a 10-day withdrawal. The home visit will be logged in PowerSchool.”
Recognizing the unique challenges at the start of the school year, outreach efforts such as phone calls, emails, and text messages may be documented as interventions in lieu of an immediate home visit. When feasible, a home visit should still be made, but it is not required prior to initiating the 10-Day Drop.
Please follow the updated procedures below:
1. General Education Students
Who: Students who registered for this school year but have not attended at all.
Action: Drop the student the day after 10 unexcused absences.
Drop Deadline: September 2
Exit Date to Enter: September 3
Requirements:
At least one documented intervention is required prior to dropping the student.
Acceptable interventions include: phone calls, text messages, emails, or home visits.
Document the outreach in PowerSchool.
2. Special Education Students
Who: Students with an IEP who have 30 consecutive unexcused absences.
Action: May be dropped after 30 consecutive unexcused absences.
Exit Date to Enter: Day after the 30th absence.
Requirements:
Special education teachers must document all attempts to connect with the family.
3. Students Who Rolled Over from Last Year (Not Registered This Year)
Who: Students who appear on your roster but did not complete registration for the current school year.
Action: Drop at date of entry.
Exit Date to Enter: First day of school or the listed entry date.
Note: No intervention is required. However, please carefully verify that the student truly did not register or attend before proceeding.
Key Reminders
Equity and care are central. Our outreach efforts should reflect compassion and the intent to reconnect families to school.
Document everything. Whether by phone, text, email, or home visit, please ensure all interventions are logged in PowerSchool.
Seek support if unsure. When in doubt, reach out to your supervising director for clarification.
Together, these practices ensure we meet compliance requirements while also extending every opportunity for students to engage with school. Thank you for your continued commitment to students and families as we begin this school year.
I'd like to introduce myself as a new face in SLCSD. My name is Julianna Wing and I'm joining the CTE team with the charge to help connect industry partners with our students. One of my initiatives is to ensure that career exploration opportunities, known as Work Based Learning, are shared with all grades, K-12. To best share information, I'm compiling a list of the contact person at each elementary and middle school. Please fill out the best contact person (administrator, counselor, etc.) for future Work Based Learning announcements on the spreadsheet below. There are two tabs at the bottom, one for elementary and one for middle school.
The first event to share with you is the Saturday Academy, hosting by the University of Utah. This is a look into healthcare careers for grades 6-12 on Saturdays, beginning in September. Parents will need to register students on their own and arrange for transportation. See the attached flier to pass along to families.
As more events come up, I'll be sending them directly to the contact shared on the spreadsheet. We're excited about more opportunities coming for students so stay tuned.
CSTAG (Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines) is a critical component of our collective responsibility to ensure safe, supportive learning environments. As outlined in our Strategic Plan, every building leader must be CSTAG trained and renew that training every three years.
If you have not yet completed CSTAG training, or if it has been more than three years since your last session, please register for one of the upcoming opportunities via KickUp.
Training Details
All sessions run from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Locations: District Office
Upcoming Dates:
Monday, September 22 – Room 1016
Wednesday, October 22 – Room P211
Wednesday, January 14 – Room 1055
Wednesday, March 11 – Room 1055
Your timely participation helps us remain aligned with best practices in school safety while supporting our districtwide goals. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need additional information or assistance with registration.
Thank you for your continued commitment to leading safe, welcoming schools for our students, staff, and families.
