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.
Adventures in Utah Celebrating America 250 Calling All Elementary & Middle School Students
America is turning 250 in 2026! Let’s celebrate by exploring our amazing home — Utah! From red rock canyons to snowy peaks, deserts to pine forests, museums and monuments, — Utah has it all!
What’s in YOUR District 2 backyard or any place you love to visit in Utah? We want to know what YOU discover in Utah while celebrating America’s big birthday! Be creative, be adventurous, and have FUN while honoring the beauty and freedom of our country!
YOUR MISSION:
Get out and explore Utah’s natural wonders, landmarks, parks, museums, and more.
Take a photo of yourself with one of our fun cutouts!
Create a poster showing all the places you've visited.
Snap a photo of your poster and email it to us by the end of the 2026 school year.
Include permission so we can share your adventures online!
Bonus: The more places you explore, the more your adventures will shine! As a special thank you for sharing what you love about Utah, you’ll receive a personal thank-you letter from Congresswoman Celeste Maloy. Keep the adventures coming!
REMEMBER: We live in a country where we are free to explore, to learn, and to connect with the people and places that matter most. America is going to be 250 years old! Show us what you LOVE about America! Show us what you LOVE about Utah
Ready, Set, Explore! We can’t wait to see where your Utah adventures take you! Be sure to bring along either Archie Bryce or Ruby Redrock in your photos as you explore — we’d love to see them by your side in all your Utah snapshots!
Name: [Your Full Name] Email: [your.email@example.com] School: [Full Name of Your District 2 School] Grade: [Your Grade Level] Parent/Guardian Permission: I, [Parent/Guardian Full Name], give permission for my child, [Your Name], to share their work.
America 250 Speech Contest Celebrating 250 Years of America Presented by the Utah U.S. House of Representatives
Calling All High School Students (Grades 9–12)
As we prepare to commemorate 250 years of the United States in 2026, students across Utah's 2nd Congressional District are invited to participate in the America 250 Speech Contest by answering one powerful question:
"What Does America Mean to Me?"
This is your chance to reflect on our country’s values, history, and future — and have your voice heard in a meaningful way.
Important Dates & Deadlines
Contest Opens: August 18, 2025
Submission Deadline: By November 24, 2025
Final Judging: December 2025
U.S. House Floor Reading (District 2): Winning speech to be read by Rep. Maloy – January 2026 (Date TBD)
Utah State Capitol Presentation: Winner and runner-up will present their speeches in person – January 2026 (Date TBD)
Speech Guidelines
Length: 2-minute written speech
Theme: “What America Means to Me”
Format: Written submission (not audio or video)
How to Submit for District 2:
Email your written speech by November 24, 2025, to: America250CM@mail.house.gov Please include:
Full Name
District 2 Location
Email Address
Contact Phone Number
Recognition & Awards
All Participants will receive a Letter of Participation signed by Representative Maloy.
District Winning Speech will be read aloud on the U.S. House Floor in January 2026 by Representative Maloy — a once-in-a-lifetime honor.
Winner & Runner-Up in the district will be invited to present their speeches at the Utah State Capitol in January 2026.
Eligibility
Open to all Utah high school students in grades 9–12 who reside in or attend school in any of Utah’s Congressional Districts. Questions? America250CM@mail.house.gov
For details on how to participate in districts outside of District 2, please contact the respective Congressional office for your Representative.
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.
From: Dr. Candace Penrod, District Science Supervisor
Subject: Amplify Science 6 Support & Implementation
Summary:
Amplify Science materials to support the Grade 6 Utah Science with Engineering Education (SEEd) Standards have been shipped to all schools. We are excited to begin our supported launch and implementation. To support all 6th grade teachers, whether at an elementary or a middle school, we offer the follow guidance:
A District Science Coach can 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.
We will be offering Sixth Grade Amplify Science Zoom Support meetings on Friday October 3 from 2:30-3:00 PM and Tuesday October 21 from 3:00-3:30 PM.
Training sessions for each upcoming Strand will be offered so that teachers can meet with an Amplify trainer and prepare for upcoming units. We are working out the specific dates, but do have a general timeframe for each training:
Strand 6.2/Thermal Energy Unit-November TBD
Strand 6.3/Ocean, Atmosphere, and Climate Unit-January TBD
Strand 6.4/Populations and Ecosystems Unit-March TBD
Note: These sessions will be offered during the school day. We are grateful for your support, as we know the first year of any implementation is critical to the success of the implementation.
Rationale:
It is VERY IMPORTANT that your sixth-grade teachers follow the District Pacing Guide, as we will be offering support based on the 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. We seek to build a more cohesive system of science education to support all learners and District Priorities and curricular goals. Thus, we are requiring teachers to teach from the Strand indicated on the pacing guide for the articulated timeframe and do realize that this may be an adjustment for some teachers.
Expectations for Implementation:
Communication
Sixth Grade teachers have also received this information in an email. Principals are responsible for ensuring that sixth grade teachers are aware of the support offered and the importance of adhering to the District Science Pacing Guide for 6th grade science.
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:
