District Newsletter – February 16, 2023
Dear Salt Lake City School District families and community,
The Board of Education of Salt Lake City School District is currently engaged in a population and boundary study for all elementary schools in the district. After receiving a report during the last board meeting reviewing current population and enrollment numbers, the Board approved a recommendation to study ALL district elementary schools, divided by quadrants, for possible boundary realignment or school closure. The directive to study all elementary schools may be surprising, but we know a change in one school community may impact neighboring schools. It’s important for the district and Board to take all factors into consideration when making decisions that may lead to possible boundary changes or possible school closures.
Per Board Policy G-5, this careful process spans two school years. Over the next few months, our new Director of Boundaries and Planning, Brian Conley, will meet with school community councils, principals, and others, and receive input from community members and stakeholders as they examine the “study list,” which consists of all district elementary schools. The Options Committee will bring options and potential solutions to the Board, and there will be open houses and opportunities for public comment in the fall regarding those options and solutions. A decision could be made by the Board in December 2023 or January 2024.
The decisions made as a result of this study will likely affect you and your student(s). We want you to know what is happening, and we want your feedback. Please watch for invitations to participate in public hearings, school community council meetings, and open houses, or you can submit your thoughts at any time through the Contact Us form on our website - https://www.slcschools.org/contact-us-population-and-boundary-study.
Sincerely,
Martin W. Bates, Ph.D.
Interim Superintendent
Salt Lake City School District
At-home Learning Day
Tomorrow, February 17, is an at-home learning day for our students while teachers attend required professional development sessions. On this day, all students in the district will learn at home. Teachers will provide learning tasks and materials to students in advance.
Please note that we will not be serving school meals to students on Friday, February 17. Additionally, the federal waivers, which previously allowed students the ability to eat school meals at home, have expired, which means we are unable to provide grab-and-go meals like we’ve been able to provide in the past.
Families will be able to access the community pantries at the three district community learning centers, which are open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. The pantries are made possible through the Salt Lake Education Foundation and its supporters, which have stocked these pantries in the effort to address student food insecurity.
Community Pantry Locations:
Glendale Community Learning Center
1388 South Navajo Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
Liberty Elementary Community Learning Center
1078 South 300 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Rose Park Community Learning Center
1105 West 1000 North
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Additionally, the following schools maintain school-based pantries for families of students at these schools:
- SLCSE- Bryan Middle School
- East High School
- Escalante Elementary School
- Highland High School
- Horizonte Instruction and Training Center
- Meadowlark Elementary
- Newman Elementary
- Northwest Middle School
- Riley Elementary
- Salt Lake Center for Science Education
- West High School
If your student attends one of these schools, and you need access to the school pantry, please contact your school principal, who will be happy to assist you.
Black History Month
The Board of Education of Salt Lake City School District recognized Black History Month during its first public meeting this month. Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society, from activists and civil rights pioneers to leaders in industry, politics, science, culture and more. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Since then, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.
Teacher of the Year Nominations
Do you know a fantastic teacher? Now is the time to nominate them for the 2024 District Teacher of the Year award. Nominations are open until March 24, 2023, and must be submitted online using our nomination form.
Not only will the 2024 Salt Lake City School District Teacher of the Year receive a $2,000 award, the teacher who is selected will be a candidate for the Utah Teacher of the Year award. Teachers who are named as finalists for District Teacher of the Year will receive $500.
All Salt Lake City School District teachers who have achieved career status are eligible for consideration. Anyone may nominate teachers for this award. Nominations are accepted in any language.
National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day
Yesterday (February 15, 2023) was National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day. Our school resource officers (SROs) are highly trained Salt Lake City police officers. They devote their time to helping us keep our schools safe and developing positive relationships with students. Our principals and SROs attend training each year so they know how to work together effectively on school safety issues. We are extremely grateful for our relationship with the Salt Lake City Police Department and our wonderful SROs.
You can view pictures of some of our SROs on the district’s Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/slcschools/posts/pfbid02ZTLVQSw3APULoVwW4mGojYgxHgFYEpv9cRezZAhMqF7BHfusVJW21m5qS5k7Rm73l.
EITC Information
The Salt Lake Education Foundation is currently partnering with the University of Utah “Connected to Collected (C2C) program to support Utahns’ update of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The C2C projects aims to increase family health, welfare and income through educating households about their potential EITC benefits and linking them to free tax preparation available through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
Here is a link with more information: