District Newsletter – December 9, 2022

Dear Salt Lake City School District families and community, 

For many in our community, the end of the year can be a wonderful time filled with celebrations and family gatherings, but for others, it can be a time of great stress and worry. Increasing prices for food, fuel, clothing, and much more are placing a heavy strain on our families. To help as much as we can, the district is working with the Salt Lake Education Foundation to provide food and other resources to families in need. 

The Foundation, working with the Utah Food Bank, will host two food distributions this month at our community learning centers.

• Glendale Community Learning Center (1388 South Navajo Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84104)
  Thursday, December 15, 2022
  1:30-2:30 p.m.
• Rose Park Community Learning Center (1105 West 1000 North, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116)
  Monday, December 19, 2022
  2-3 p.m.

These community learning centers will also host SNAP/Food Stamp outreach events in December. 

• Glendale Community Learning Center 
  Tuesday, December 13, and Tuesday, December 20, 2022
  1-3:30 p.m. (both days)
• Rose Park Community Learning Center
  Thursday, December 22, 2022
  4-6 p.m.

Additionally, you can dial 2-1-1 to be connected to other community resources or you can search United Way 2-1-1's online resource directory here: https://211utah.org/index.php/food.

As you focus inwardly this time of year on the many things for which you are grateful, I ask that you also focus outwardly on those around you who could use a little extra help. If it is within your family’s capacity to do so, please consider making a financial donation to the Salt Lake Education Foundation as they work to support our students and their families with food, clothing, and other basic needs. Making a donation is quick and easy online at https://www.saltlakeeducationfoundation.org/get-involved/online-donation.

I’m grateful to be part of a community that knows how to come together to support each other. Wishing you and your loved ones all the best this holiday season.

Sincerely,

Martin W. Bates, Ph.D.
Interim Superintendent 

SUPERINTENDENT’S BLOG

The new Superintendent’s Blog is a place where you can submit questions about district programs and services. In the last few weeks, we’ve covered topics such as the impact of snow on school schedules, arts programs in our schools, and how to enroll your child at a school that is NOT your home school. You can find all blog posts – and the form to submit your own question to the superintendent – on the district website: https://www.slcschools.org/departments/superintendents-office/superintendents-blog.

BOARD REPORT AND NEW BOARD MEMBERS

This week’s Board of Education meeting began with a recognition of two outgoing Board members. The Board and district leadership honored Board President Melissa Ford and Board member Katherine Kennedy and thanked them each for eight years of service on the Board of Education. During the Board meeting on January 3, 2023, two new board members, Ashley Anderson (Precinct 3) and R. Bryan Jensen (Precinct 6), will be sworn into office and two current board members, Board Vice President Nate Salazar (Precinct 4) and Bryce Williams (Precinct 1) will be sworn in for new terms.

The complete Board Report for this week’s meeting can be found on the district website: https://www.slcschools.org/news/news-details/~board/salt-lake-city-school-district-news/post/board-meeting-report-december-6-2022.

FEASIBILITY STUDY MEETINGS

In the next couple of months, work on the feasibility studies for Highland and West High Schools will be wrapping up. These feasibility studies are being conducted by professional architectural firms who will be providing their expert opinions on the future needs of the school buildings and community, giving the district a look at cost estimates for updating or possibly rebuilding the schools, and making sure we meet student needs and consider priorities like energy efficiency. 

Both architectural firms have held numerous meetings with employees, students, and community members to gather feedback on what factors are important for each community. They have also held two public meetings for each school community. A final round of public meetings is scheduled in January, before the feasibility studies are presented to the Board of Education in February. Please join us!

West High School
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
7 p.m. in the school library

Highland High School
Monday, January 23, 2023
7 p.m. in the school library

Spanish translation will be available at each meeting. We can provide translation into other languages by request. Please call (801) 578-8378 to request translation into a language other than Spanish.

CALENDARS FOR 2023-24, 2024-25, AND 2025-26

The district is currently in the process of creating calendars for the school years 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26. Three options for each year were sent to schools to present to their school community councils in November. Schools have 30 days to consider and gather community input. Schools will then cast their vote and submit it to the Human Resource Services (HRS) office. The calendar that has the highest weighted total will be presented to the board for approval. HRS anticipates it will take the recommended calendars to the Board of Education for consideration and approval in January 2023. 

WINTER RECESS

We would like to remind you that Winter Recess is coming soon. Schools will be closed for two weeks. The last day of school before Winter Recess will be Friday, December 23, 2022. Students will return to school on Monday, January 9, 2023. We hope you enjoy the break!