News
May 15, 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.
May 14, 2012
US Congressman Faleomavaega Visits Provost Classroom
Congressman Eni F. H. Faleomavaega, representative of American Samoa, visited with Provost fifth graders to give them a first hand look at how the judicial, executive and legislative branches of our government work together.
Faleomavaega gave a fun and fact-filled presentation on what it’s like to be a councilman and represent American Samoa. He explained how he became a councilman, what an average day for him is full of and what he likes and dislikes about his job. Faleomavaega answered dozens of questions from the students and told interesting stories from his past and American history.
Congressman Faleomavaega has been representing the territory of American Samoa in the United States Congress since 1989. He serves on many committees and subcommittees in the House of Representatives. Thanks for visiting, Congressman Faleomavaega!
May 14, 2012
Wasatch Elementary Annual Art Show Exhibits Pieces from Every Student
It has been a long tradition at Wasatch Elementary to involve every single student in the annual art show. With different exhibits ranging from Andy Warhol-like pop art to clay gargoyles to photography imitating Ansel Adams’ style, students at Wasatch get the chance to experiment and try their hand a number of different mediums and methods of art each year.
MaryAnn Christiansen, a member of the Provo School District Board of Education said the art teachers at Wasatch Elementary are top-notch. "The art teachers here are incredible," she said. "They have done outstanding job in educating our students how important and fun the arts can be."
May 14, 2012
Eight Centennial Middle School Students Place at Regional Science Fair, Three Eligible for National Fair
Deborah Herbert, a science teacher at Centennial Middle School, says using STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education objectives have resulted in two big accomplishments.
1. Fourteen of her students qualified to present at the Central Utah Science and Engineering Fair this year. Eight of those students received awards and recognition at this fair, one was a Grand Champion Winner, six are eligible to attend the national science fair, and several other miscellaneous winners.
2. Since she started implementing this focus in her class, Timpview High School has had to add two additional sections to its programming instruction class to accommodate all the students who want to enroll and have the necessary skills to succeed in it.
A job well done by some outstanding students and an incredible teacher here in Provo School District.
May 3, 2012
New Superintendent Announced
The Provo School District Board of Education voted Keith C. Rittel as its next superintendent. Rittel currently serves as Deputy Superintendent of Clover Park School District in Lakewood (near Tacoma), Washington, a school district with a similarly-sized student population as the Provo School District. Effective July 1, 2012, Rittel will succeed interim superintendent Robert Gentry and former superintendent Randall Merrill, who retired in January of this year.
"It’s a great honor to have been chosen to lead Provo’s schools," said Rittel. "The community and its resources are ideal for developing students. Parent support is excellent. I share the District’s vision for the future, and exceptional and diverse programs are in place. I look forward to getting to know the people in the community and working to develop a long-term relationship with the fine educators and staff in the schools."
"Keith Rittel is a proven and successful leader of schools," said Kristine Manwaring, school board president. "He has a deep understanding about effective teaching and learning. As a school board, we are delighted to welcome him to our community."
To read more about our new Superintendent and his vision for our district, visit the New Superintendent web page.
May 07, 2012
Canyon Crest Celebrates El Dia de Niños
Principal Pat Anderson thought celebrating El Dia de Niños, Spanish for Children’s Day, was a perfect way to celebrate the students in her school while sharing a little Latin American flair from the Spanish Dual Immersion program her school hosts.
"This was such a good opportunity to share with all the students, whether they’re Dual Immersion students or not, how important they are and how much they are valued at Canyon Crest," Anderson said. She also loved the uniting feeling the celebration brought to all students, regardless of whether or not they were learning Spanish.
While many students in Latin America may get the day off from school for the holiday, students at Canyon Crest experienced a full day of class, but had special activities and fun during their lunch and recess. Principal Anderson could be found flipping hamburgers for lunch and also learning some new dance moves from the Spanish Dual Immersion teachers with the rest of the students.
May 07, 2012
Miss Utah Visits Franklin Elementary, Encourages Recycling
Miss Utah USA, Kendyl Bell, visited Franklin Elementary to teach students the importance of recycling, what can and can’t be recycled, and how to make sure recyclable material is ready to be processed. Not only did Bell educate students during an assembly, but was at a Franklin parent night to help educate the adults as well.
"Recycling is something our students are really into," said Kim Hawkins, the facilitator at Franklin Elementary. "They are mindful of our planet and want to chip in where they can to make it a better place."
All of the classrooms at Franklin Elementary have recycling bins that the sixth graders watch over and empty each week. Hawkins said all of the students encourage eachother to be mindful of what they put in the trash and what they put in the recycling bins.
May 04, 2012
Provo School District Has Best Music Administrator in the Nation
Todd Billings, the director of music programs in Provo School District, has been named the 2012 American Kodaly Educators Outstanding Administrator. He was chosen as the very best out of the entire nation for ensuring our students have a quality musical education while in elementary school. Thanks to Todd, every school in our district has a certified music teacher that demonstrates musical skills and teaches the reading and writing of music in an experience-based approach.
"Todd is an incredible asset and truly understands the importance and benefits a quality musical education can bring to any student’s education," said Jerry Jaccard, a music professor at Brigham Young University and Kodaly Specialist.
We are so lucky to have him here in Provo School District leading our music programs. Congratulations, Todd!
May 04, 2012
Student Summer Writing Workshops
Brigham Young University and the Central Utah Writing Project are starting a new summer writing camp for in grades 1 through 12. These workshops will develop writing skills and fluency, encourage creativity and self-expression, provide continuity for writing and learning throughout the summer, and reinforce English language arts skills.
This is a great opportunity for children who enjoy writing and who show promise as writers. These workshops include five days of instruction, writing and classroom material, t-shirt, snacks and an anthology of your young writer’s work.
Please CLICK HERE to obtain more information and register your student.
May 3, 2012
Provo's Child Nutrition Program Named Best of State for the Third Consecutive Year
The Provo School District Child Nutrition Program was chosen to receive the 2012 Best of State Award for being the top education support personnel group in Utah for the third consecutive year. This statewide award is given to outstanding businesses, programs, groups, or individuals. More than one hundred judges scrutinized the nominations for the Best of State Award. The judges sought out individuals, businesses and organizations that excel in their endeavors, use innovative approaches, and make Utah a better place to live.
Jon M. Huntsman Jr., former Governor of Utah said, "Best of State recognizes those who are excelling and surpassing all else and who are the best of the best in their respective fields."
The Child Nutrition Program is thrilled and honored to win the Best of State award for the third consecutive year. They are constantly trying to enhance the already nutrition and healthy meals served in Provo's Schools, and to continue their yearly themed activities to increase the activity of the students. Studies show that children are better able to learn after eating a nutritious meal, and this dedicated Nutrition team is happy to do their part in helping each student receive an excellent education. Provo School District is extremely proud of the Child Nutrition Program as they strive to continue to promote healthy lifestyles that will have life-long benefits.
May 3, 2012
Timpview High School Holds First Annual Community Service Day
Timpview High School held its first annual Timpview Community Service Day that involved students, parents, staff and patrons. Nearly 140 volunteers completed sprucing up of the schools grounds and classrooms.
Projects included:
- 1000 yards of sod laid around the school
- New plants on the west entrances
- Painting of railings and large wall near the seminary building
- Painting a large "T" on the student section of the football field stands
- Cleaning the mirrors in the dance studios
- Cleaning of nearly every single desk in the school
Thank you to all who participated and worked hard to make our school beautiful inside and out!
April 26, 2012
School Board Announces Proposed Donation and Fundraising Policy for Public Input
A proposed policy for Donation and Fundraising has been released by the Board of Education for public review and input. Input will be available for 30 days from the date of this posting. To download the policy and provide your input, please visit the Provo Board of Education web page.
April 18, 2012
Board of Education Releases Proposed Attendance Policy for Public Input
A new, proposed policy for student attendance has been released by the School Board for public review and input. Input will be available for 30 days from the date of this posting. To download the policy and provide your input, please visit the Provo Board of Education web page.
April 26, 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.
March 14, 2012
Public Statement of the Board of Education of the Provo School District
As a result of our staff’s internal investigations and of the State Office of Education Audit, which we requested, we have recently been presented with alarming information of financial irregularities, negligent and intentional failure to follow our policies and procedures, and violations of professional educator ethics and of State law in our District. In some instances, internal financial controls must be strengthened. In some areas, such as fundraising, our policies will require continuing review and revision. When requested to do so in writing, as required by law, we have provided the requested records to the press. We will continue to address all of the issues raised through the information we have received.
We have directed that our policies and procedures be carefully reviewed and improved as needed. We will engage the assistance of independent auditors and legal counsel as necessary. We demand and expect to be provided sufficient information to enable us to exercise appropriate financial oversight. We will not tolerate in our staff and employees intentional and willful disregard of our established policies and procedures, of professional educator ethics, or of applicable State law. We have directed our administrators to take immediate corrective disciplinary action in every instance where it is warranted, to ensure compliance and protect public funds and assets.
We are painfully aware of the disciplinary action taken by our staff on March 13 and we regret it was found necessary by them to do so. We respect the courage of our staff to take necessary disciplinary actions and we acknowledge our support of them as they follow our policies.
Under our policy, individual personnel matters are confidential and we will not discuss them further in public. All personnel matters will be handled and resolved according to our policies. We acknowledge our employee’s rights to fairness and due process, which is provided by our policies.
It is our responsibility to make policy and set the tone for governance of the Provo School District. We expect excellence, respect, accountability, transparency, and integrity of our entire School community and ourselves. We are grateful for our many dedicated employees, parents, volunteers, donors and patrons who continue to support the mission of the Provo School District, which is providing our students with a highly effective education.
August 23, 2011
New Concussion Policy
Utah recently passed a bill (HB 204) requiring that athletes under 18 be removed from a sporting event when it is suspected they have sustained a head injury or concussion. To return to play, athletes would be required to obtain medical clearance from a health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.
In order for a student to participate in any organized sporting event within Provo School District, release forms must be signed. See Policy and Forms below
- House Bill 204
- Provo School District Concussion Policy (Draft)
- Utah Concussion Policy
- Suggested Guidelines for Concussion Management
- Parent's Guide to Concussions
- Acknowledgement of Head Injury Policy Review- Parent Consent Form
August 1, 2011
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