District Newsletter – September 14, 2023
Dear Salt Lake City School District community and families,
When I started as superintendent in July, I described Salt Lake City School District as a “gem.” Now, after several weeks of visiting schools, getting to know our employees, and meeting community members across the city, I am even more convinced that our district truly is a gem.
There are remarkable teaching and learning moments happening across our schools every day. In visiting classrooms, I see students engaged and eager to learn, teachers using all their expertise to help students succeed, and leaders creating community and raising expectations. I know that with the teaching and leading talent we have in our district, and the community support we have surrounding our district, we can lead the state in student growth, equity, educational opportunity, and accomplishment.
Even during the difficult process of considering closing schools, we are looking to open new pathways and opportunities for our students. We can open pathways to additional advanced academic programs. We can establish additional dual language immersion programs. We can build career education pathways in our upper grades that increase student internship and apprenticeship programs. We can build additional early college and concurrent enrollment programs that create pathways for our students into further study after high school graduation.
One key goal of right-sizing our elementary schools now is to make sure students in every part of the city have access to high-quality district programs and opportunities that will develop their full potential. We will get there by focusing on the work that happens in classrooms. Successful districts have one thing in common: they give continual attention to the day-to-day work in classrooms and schools. And that’s exactly where we are focused.
I am honored to serve as superintendent of the Salt Lake City School District and look forward to working in partnership with you and our broader Salt Lake City community on behalf of our students.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Grant, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Salt Lake City School District
Population and Boundary Study: Information you should know.
- The latest update to our Population and Boundary Study webpage outlines how the district will move forward with the seven schools selected for further study for potential closure.
- During the Board of Education Meeting on September 5, 2023, our Boundaries and Planning Director gave a comprehensive review and update of the Population and Boundary Study. His presentation is a comprehensive look at the work that has been done and the work still to come. It is available for review on our website in English and Spanish.
Population and Boundary Study: Information Meetings
Thank you to everyone who attended our Population and Boundary Study information meeting at SLCSE-Bryant this week. Your input and questions are an essential part of this process. If you weren’t able to attend this week, we have scheduled four more information meetings next month. Meetings 2, 3, and 5 will be conducted in English with Spanish translation available. (Translation into other languages can be requested by calling 801-578-8378.) Meeting 4 will be run in Spanish, but English translation will be available. Childcare will be provided at all meetings.
- Meeting #2: Saturday, October 7, 9-11 a.m.
at Glendale Middle School - Meeting #3: Wednesday, October 18, 7-9 p.m.
at Northwest Middle School - Meeting #4: Saturday, October 21, 9-11 a.m.
at Franklin Elementary
(This meeting will be conducted in Spanish.) - Meeting #5: Wednesday, October 25, 7-9 p.m.
at Hillside Middle School
Hundreds of ESL Students Achieve Proficiency in English
We're delighted to share that 656 district students are now proficient in English thanks to their hard work and the outstanding work of their teachers. These students speak English as a second language and have been working hard with teachers over the past few years to improve their English language skills. Each year, students who are learning English take a test called the WIDA ACCESS, which is designed to test their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In 2022-23, these 656 students scored very high on the WIDA test, showing they are proficient in English.
To ensure continued success for these students, their teachers will closely watch them to make sure they keep performing well in English-based classrooms. Teachers will also meet with the students’ families to create a plan for their continued success.
Congratulations to these students for their hard work, and thank you to their dedicated teachers who are demonstrating the district’s commitment to support ALL of our students.
Free and Reduced School Meals
Your student may qualify for free and reduced priced meals at school, if you meet certain income guidelines. If you did not apply during registration, you can still apply now. Visit our website and learn how to apply.
Holiday Card Contest
Each year, the Board of Education of Salt Lake City School District sponsors a card contest in which the winning artist is published on the cover of the district holiday card, which is sent to patrons of Salt Lake City School District in December. If your student would like to participate in the contest, entries are due by October 31.
This contest is open to ALL students, K-12. The district will hold a preliminary judging round to determine the artists who will advance to the final judging, which will be conducted by the Board. As part of that process, we will recognize and award a semi-finalist from all three levels: elementary, middle, and high school. Due to the generosity of Salt Lake Education Foundation, each semifinalist will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. The winning selection will receive a $200 stipend for art supplies, which will be awarded to the teacher’s class from which the winning project comes, and the winning student will receive a $50 Amazon gift card and a letter of commendation from the superintendent.
Rules for entry:
- All students, K-12, are eligible to participate.
- ONE entry per student.
- Artwork must be original.
- Student’s full name, school, and teacher must be printed on the back of the picture.
- Use an 8 ½ X 11 sheet of paper FOLDED IN HALF.
- Use inclusive themes; artwork should be representative of SLCSD’s diverse cultural and religious observances and should not be specific to any one cultural or religious holiday celebration.
- Due date is October 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Send your entries to your who will forward them to Adam Eskelson, Supervisor of Fine Arts.