News
January 23, 2012
Dual Language Immersion Parent Night Meetings
Provo School District offers a variety of languages in several elementary schools using the Dual Language Immersion Program. First graders are invited to enroll in Spanish at Canyon Crest and Timpanogos Elementary Schools, French at Edgemont Elementary School, German at Lakeview Elementary School and Mandarin Chinese at Wasatch Elementary School. Dual Language Immersion has students learning half of the school day in English and the other half in the target language. By the time the student reaches sixth grade he or she will be fluent in the target language.
Below is a list of time and dates in which parent meetings will take place across the district to enroll first grade students for the 2012-2013 school year. Please call the school you are interested in for more information.
- Canyon Crest Elementary - Thursday, February 9 at 7 p.m.
- Edgemont Elementary - Thursday, February 2 at 7 p.m.
- Lakeview Elementary - Wednesday, January 25 at 7 p.m.
- Timpanogos Elementary - Thursday, March 8 at 7 p.m.
- Wasatch Elementary - Wednesday, February 1 at 7 p.m.
Downloads:
January 11, 2012
Interim Superintendent Announced
The Provo School District Board of Education would like to announce the appointment of Personnel Director Bob Gentry, as the Interim Superintendent. Associate Personnel Director Cindy Wright will be appointed as acting Personnel Director.
The current district leadership team will stay in place with Ray Morgan as Assistant Superintendent and Greg Hudnall as Associate Superintendent.
The Board is committed to staying focused on the 20/20 vision and the rest of the goals the district administration has developed. The focus and energy of the district will still be in the classrooms helping children succeed academically.
A national search will be conducted for the superintendent’s position of Provo School District. A survey will be sent out in the near future, asking employees and citizens about what qualities they feel are important with the next superintendent. The goal is to have the superintendent appointed no later than July 1, 2012.
The Board wants each employee to know how much they are appreciated and valued for their work and dedication to the children in Provo.
January 11, 2012
Superintendent Randy Merrill Has Announced He Will Retire from Provo School District
Superintendent Randy Merrill has announced he will retire from Provo School District. "The position of Superintendent of Provo School District has been an extraordinary and life changing opportunity," he said. "I have worked with and learned from some of the finest educators in the State of Utah. How proud I am of them and appreciative of their dedication to the children of Provo City."
"For several months I have been considering multiple career opportunities consistent with my long-term personal and professional goals. I am now choosing to pursue those goals."
"I express appreciation and respect for the Provo School District Board of Education, who have been remarkable in improving the quality of education in the City during my tenure. I leave Provo School District with fond memories and positive feelings toward all."
Kristine Manwaring, President of the Provo School District Board of Education said, "The Provo School District Board of Education expresses its grateful appreciation for Dr. Merrill’s leadership and contributions to the education of our District’s students. He has had extraordinary vision for improving education within the District, focused on skills needed for the 21st Century, worked long hours with great energy for our schools and was a mentor and educational leader. Merrill lead Provo School District from a tenuous financial condition to a much more stable condition and guided the District though tough choices during historic economic downturns. He led the adoption of many new learning programs which receive statewide and national recognition, and he increased the overall academic performance of our students. To all of which, we are most grateful for his service."
Personnel Director, Bob Gentry, has been appointed as the interim Superintendent. Associate Human Resources Director, Cindy Wright, has been appointed as the acting Personnel Director.
January 9, 2012
Gifted & Talented Application Deadline and PUP Parent Meeting
The application deadline for Provo School District magnet programs will be on Friday, February 3, 2012. Magnet Programs include the Center for Accelerated Studies (CAS), grades 4-6, and Provo Unlimited Progress (PUP), grades 7 & 8.
Applications can be downloaded here from the Provo School District website. Also, if you desire general information about PSD Gifted Programs, please click here.
For more details about the application deadline and parent meeting, and to obtain information about the PUP program at Provo High, please download the PDF below:
December 21, 2011
Provo's eSchool Partners with Middlebury to Enhance Language Learning
Provo School District and Middlebury Interactive Languages (MIL) formally announced a partnership today designed to provide the best resources for Utah students learning a foreign language for free. As the economy continues to globalize, world language skills are increasingly in demand. Former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift, current CEO of MIL, teamed with Provo Superintendent of Schools Dr. Randy Merrill to make the announcement. Many Utah business leaders, legislators, students and parents were in attendance at the event, which included a panel where students and parents shared their online learning experiences with the group. Click the PDF below to read more about this partnership:
December 20, 2011
District Adopts 2012-2013 School Calendar
The Provo School Board has officially adopted the school calendar for the 2012-2013 school year. The first day of school is listed as Tuesday August 21, 2012. Fall break will be extended by one day to make it a longer weekend. The Christmas Break was extended by two days starting on December 19, at noon and end on January 3. Spring Break will be the first week of April and the last day of school will be May 30.
December 19, 2011
Board Public Statement
The school district has an obligation to investigate when it sees signs that district and state policies are not being followed...
December 12, 2011
Timpview Band Performs at the 70th Pearl Harbor Commemoration
Students from Timpview High School’s Band were active and important participants in this year’s 70 Commemoration of Pearl Harbor in Honolulu. The band of about 100 students played several songs during the commemoration to honor those who fought in the War and at Pearl Harbor specifically. Timpview students also brought along two Pearl Harbor survivors and from Utah to join them in the commemoration. Students studied the history of World War II and the events happening specifically at Pearl Harbor to prepare for the event.
Please select the links below to learn more about this great story:
- Deseret News Article
- Daily Herald Day of Infamy Article
- Daily Herald Beehives and Buffalo Chips Commentary
December 12, 2011
Lakeview Announces German Dual Immersion
German 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 German 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.
"The goal is to prepare students academically, linguistically and socially for the challenges and needs of our community," said Drew Daniels, Principal at Lakeview Elementary. "It will be a fun experience for the entire school as we learn the cultures and traditions of Germany."
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.
German is one of the five 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.
December 12, 2011
How to Save a Kid: The Wave of the Future
A recent article by the Provo Daily Herald highlights the many efforts to improve literacy and math learning through the use of technology in the classroom. The article highlights efforts at Franklin Elementary School and other Provo schools, along with related efforts with local agencies and companies who are integrating their expertise and products with the instructional initiatives of the district.
To understand this challenge and the multifaceted efforts that are taking place to prepare our students for the future, please read the entire Daily Herald article.
December 6, 2011
Late Start Day Information Announced
In anticipation of a heavy winter, Provo School District is working to prepare schools and patrons for what could possibly be a "snow day." To keep from having to make up days during Spring Break, Provo School District will avoid closing schools for a complete snow day, if at all possible. If a large storm does hit our city in the late evening or early morning, bus pick ups and school starting times may be set back exactly TWO hours later than the original times. This delayed start will give adequate time for snowplows to clear roads and ensure traveling is safe for all drivers in and around Provo City.
For example: A school regularly starting at 8:00 a.m. will start at 10:00 a.m on a Late Start Day. A regular bus pick up at 7:15 a.m. will be at 9:15 a.m on a Late Start Day.
ALL schools, however, will keep dismissal times as originally scheduled. Students will be released from school at the normally scheduled times they are accustomed to.
If you are unsure of whether or not a storm has warranted a Late Start Day, please check this Provo School District Web site for updated information regarding the status of the school day. If a notice has not been posted by 6:00 a.m., schools and bus routes will operate on the standard schedule. Please check your local television news stations or contact Laken Cannon at 801-228-7802 if you do not have television or Internet access in your home.
Please contact your school for more details regarding the Late Start Day. Thank you for helping your student understand these procedures. District: 801-374-4800. Transportation: 801-374-4860.
Heavy Snow Procedures for School Bus Transportation
Below Bench Pick-up: If the roads have not been plowed or the snow accumulation on the roads is too deep the school bus will meet you at the following stop in your area as close to your regular stop time as possible.
Late Start: (Late starts are rare and are to be determined only by the Superintendent) If the Superintendent declares a late start day, due to snow, students will be picked up at the following stop in your area two hours after the regular stop time.
Provo School District transportation will be in contact with Provo City plows to determine safety of roads before any decision is made. Please check this website or listen to KSL Weather for updates.
South East Bench
- 2301 S. State Street (UTA stop)
- 2050 S. State Street (UTA stop)
- Spring Creek Elementary
North East Bench
- 820 N. 1200 E. (NW corner)
- 2276 Temple View Drive
- Timpview bus loading zone (NE corner)
- 351 E. Foothill Drive
November 17, 2011
Provo School District Teacher of the Year
Sara Martin, a 3/4 grade combination teacher at Edgement Elementary, was recognized as the Provo School District Teacher of the Year ."I can say without reservation that she does wonderful work with her students and she is an exemplary elementary school teacher and leader," said Dennis Pratt, Principal of Edgemont Elementary.
As teacher of the year, Martin attended a banquet held in Salt Lake City that honored all of the winners of the state. While she was there, she had the opportunity to meet the State Board of Education and State Superintendent, Larry Shumway. Throughout the year, the competition goes on until there is a national winner. Martin received a crystal trophy and a gift basket—small tokens for the great work she is doing.
Martin has served as Edgemont’s Numeracy Coordinator for the past four years and continues to serve as the 4th Grade Level Leader. "Every teacher I know deserves an award. I work with people every day that are the epitome of professionalism and dedication," Martin said. "You won’t find better teachers anywhere."
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!
For our Parents