News
August 20, 2012
A Message From Our Superintendent
Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year. It has been a very busy summer getting accustomed to (for me) a new job in a new community. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as superintendent of Provo City School District. This is a great community with lots to do and a genuine interest in having excellent schools. It is my hope and intention to meet the community’s expectations that the Provo City School District continue toward the goal of being a world-class district with world-class schools.
By way of introduction, I thought I would share some of my strong beliefs about education:
- Time is precious, let’s use it well.
- No excuses, no exceptions: I do not believe it is productive for us as educators to lament that things may not be how we wish they would be. We need to act and be determined to accomplish excellence in our classrooms, schools, and throughout the district.
- We should not spend an inordinate amount of time dealing with adult issues in a student-centered system.
- Our district must exemplify effectiveness and efficiency.
- We must focus our efforts on those things that will have the greatest positive impact on student learning.
- Our work is to teach the students we have, not the ones we wish we would have.
- We must do our best every day.
- The best way to earn the community’s confidence is to accomplish the reason we exist: to provide our students with a quality, rich, and lasting education.
I am willing to have a respectful conversation with anyone. My first weeks in the district have focused on a large number of meetings with district and school administrators, an assortment of teachers and staff, community members, and many others. I have learned much that has oriented me toward the issues facing the Provo City School District. I intend to continue to be visible. Twenty-five percent of my work week will be spent in schools during this first year – so I expect that people will see me as accessible and directly involved in the education process. Because I intend to be out of my office quite a lot, I hope you’ll be patient when trying to schedule meetings with me.
Again, I am delighted to join with the excellent team of teachers and staff in the Provo City School District. I look forward to all of the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for our students in the 2012-2013 school year.
August 10, 2012
radKIDS Instructors Trained at Provo School District, Teach Bully Prevention and Self-Esteem
Elementary physical education teachers from school districts across the state gathered at the Provo School District Offices to become trained and certified in teaching the radKIDS program to their students during PE time.
"Through radKIDS® training, children become empowered and learn to replace the fear, confusion, and panic or dangerous situations with confidence, personal safety skills, and self-esteem," said Alyson Larson, a radKIDS instructor.
This program not only benefits students by teaching them ways to stay safe around strangers, but also around bullies. Provo School District takes bullying and student safety very seriously, which is why it was more than happy to host the four-day event that trained teachers to equip students with the necessary skills to diffuse bullying situations quickly. Students are taught not to engage in fighting, but to assertively make their wishes to be left alone very apparent and to not be afraid of telling anyone "NO! Stay back!"
To learn more about radKIDS or to see if is being taught in your school, please visit the radKIDS website.
August 6, 2012
District Announces Online Access for Bus Route Locations and Schedules
Provo City School District welcomes you to online bus route access. This site will help you find your local elementary, middle, and high school as well as find what times school buses arrive in your area. Students who live within one and a half (1.5) miles of elementary schools, or within two (2) miles of secondary schools (middle or high school), walk to school, except students with special needs. Students who choose to attend a school other than their local school agree to provide their own transportation. Your local school can help you if needed. If you still have questions, call the Transportation Department at 801-374-4860.
August 6, 2012
Kimberli Hawkins Announced as New Franklin Elementary School Principal
Culminating a multi-step hiring process over the past several weeks, Kimberli Hawkins has been selected as the new principal for Franklin Elementary School. Hawkins has worked a total of 17 years at Franklin, including 14 years teaching either third or fourth grade and three years as an Instructional Facilitator. She will now assume the leadership reins from longtime principal, Marlin Palmer, and Hawkins will begin this new role immediately.
"The students at Franklin are a joy and warm my heart," Hawkins said. "I feel so lucky to continue working with them as well as the most exceptional and dedicated staff there."
The superintendent and district staff wish to express appreciation to all the parents, staff, community members, and students who attended the candidate forums.
"We are extremely grateful for the participation of Franklin staff and parents in the interview process," said Provo School District Superintendent Keith Rittel. "We look forward to this next, exciting chapter at Franklin with Kimberli Hawkins as principal."
July 30, 2012
2012 - 2013 Proposed GRAMA Policy Released for Public Review
Provo City School District has released the proposed 2012-2013 Government Records Access and Management (GRAMA) Policy for public review and comment. The proposed policy and request form will be available for at least 10 days prior to adoption by the Board of Education. Comments regarding the proposed policy and/or request form may be sent via email to Associate Superintendent Greg Hudnall. The policy documents are available for download below:
July 26, 2012
District-Wide Kick-Off Event
This event will provide an opportunity for Superintendent Rittel to speak to the faculty and staff of the Provo City School District, both as an introduction and also as an opportunity for him to share some ideas he has for the future of the district. We will have a few other individuals who will speak to us to help us start the year off well. After these remarks, non-instructional staff will be excused to return to other duties/activities. For all remaining instructional staff, a renowned educator, Anita Archer will be our keynote speaker.
July 2, 2012
Beta Version of New District Website Released
After months of research, development and testing we are releasing this “beta” version of our new district website for testing purposes. We think you'll like the new navigation system, clean and attractive look, and its abundance of relevant, up-to-date information. We invite Provo District employees and community to assist us in this process by leaving your comments in the feedback form. Thanks for helping us create an amazing website!
June 14, 2012
Assistant Principal Assignment Changes in Provo School District
The Provo School District has made some recent changes in assistant principal positions. Each year a certain number of changes occur in leadership positions to allow for new experiences for administrators. The purpose of the moves is to give assistant principals a variety of experiences in the secondary schools. This is needed to better prepare assistant principals to become principals eventually.
At the high school level, the District has moved Chris Chilcoat from Independence High to Timpview. Brad Monks will move from Timpview to become the Director of Slate Canyon School. Lani Quisenberry will move from Provo High to become the assistant principal at Independence High. Kyle Bates will move from Provo High to become the assistant principal at Centennial Middle. Boyd Macaffee will move from Centennial Middle to become an assistant at Provo High along with Heather Frank Batty who will move from Slate Canyon. All other assistant principals will remain at their present assignments.
June 5, 2012
UPDC Outstanding Special Education Director of the Year Award Presented to Ted Kelly
During the May 11, 2012 Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) Consortium Conference, held at the Utah Personnel Development Center in Salt Lake City, two district special education directors were recognized. Ted Kelly was one of the recipients of the UPDC Outstanding Special Education Director of the Year Award. The recipients of this award exemplify excellence, dedication, and an unwavering passion for serving students with disabilities and their families.
Ted was honored with a beautiful plaque and special tribute. A former UPDC director said, "There are three things that come to mind for me when thinking about Ted’s contributions to the field: (1) Child-Focused. He knows what makes special education special and is passionate (and fearless) about educating the whole child. (2) Funding. No one has a better understanding of the complex world of special education finance. He works as a mentor to many new special education directors as they begin to navigate the financial jungle. (3) Technology. He is a visionary in the field of technology for education and knows the importance of providing support and training so that educators make the most of it."
A Provo School District employee was also quoted as saying, "Ted works beyond what is expected for special education in Provo School District. He is passionate about the students and cares deeply for those he works with. He will stand up to anyone who he feels is discriminating against those who do not have a powerful voice. He becomes that voice!"
Thank you Ted for your influence in the lives of students with disabilities and the many people who serve them. We celebrate and appreciate your many contributions!
June 4, 2012
Lakeview Elementary Now Offering Portuguese Language Immersion
Portuguese Dual Language Immersion will be available at Lakeview Elementary School starting Fall 2012. Provo School District is one of the first districts in Utah to offer Portuguese as an option for Dual Language Immersion instruction.
Provo School District’s Dual Language Immersion programs give elementary students the opportunity to become fluent in additional languages by the time they exit the sixth grade. Students enrolled in a Dual Language program will receive half of their daily instruction in English and the other half in the chosen target language.
Ray Morgan, Provo School District Assistant Superintendent, is equally excited for the new addition to Provo’s Dual Immersion choices. "We firmly believe that learning a second language impacts the overall learning capacity of our students," Morgan said.
Portuguese is one of the four languages the state has promoted for Dual Immersion. Other languages at different Provo District elementary schools include Spanish, French and Mandarin Chinese. More than 40 years of research consistently documents the power of Immersion programs to help students attain high levels of second language proficiency. No other type of instruction, short of living in a second-language environment, is as successful.
At the designated date, it will begin with students in first grade only.
Lakeview Elementary was originally offering German Dual Immersion, but cuts were made to areas of the Dual Immersion program and German is no longer an option for schools desiring Dual Immersion.
June 1, 2012
After-School Music School Registration Begins
After-School Music School violin, cello, and flute lessons are available on a volunteer basis for students in the third grade. Each student will participate in three weekly lessons: a private lesson, a group instrument lesson, and a group musicianship lesson for a total of two hours per week. These lessons will be held between 4 and 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. One parent should plan on being involved by attending each half-hour private lesson and by supervising practice at home. Lessons and classes will take place at Wasatch Elementary School, 1080 No. 900 East in Provo, and instruction will begin the week of September 12, 2011. The PDF below contains the form and registration information needed to enroll.
Costs:
- $100 per month payable a month in advance.
- Parents will provide instruments and transportation.
- Teaching staff will guide parents in renting or purchasing instruments as needed.
- Music books and materials will be available for purchase at the music school.
Video presentation of the After-School Music Lessons Program:
June 1, 2012
Parents Urged to Consider Utah's Do-Not-Contact Program
The Utah Child Protection Registry is a state program administered by the Division of Consumer Protection and enforced in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Office. Since 2005, the Registry has been providing a free do-not-contact service for families and schools. Families can sign up their household e-mail addresses, mobile phone numbers (text message ads), and instant messenger IDs to stop adult advertisements from reaching their inboxes. In addition to individual households, schools and institutions serving children can register their domains.
Find out more information and register today at Utah's Do-Not-Contact website.
June 1, 2012
Provo Parents invited to Join Survey Panel
Provo School District is looking for parents to join our survey panel. Participants will be asked to periodically complete surveys, sent by email, to help us improve our educational offerings and service to you. We anticipate each survey will take no more than 10 minutes. At no time will the District use your email address for anything other than survey invitations or similar opportunities, and we will not share your email address with anyone outside the District. If you would like to join the panel, please send an email to surveys@provo.edu with "Join" as the subject. Please add this email address to your address book to ensure surveys reach you. Thank you for your willingness in helping us improve!
Child Nutrition