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District Newsletter - September 11, 2025

Posted Date: 9/11/25 (10:40 AM)
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Yellow school buses parked in a row, with the words 'School Bus' visible.

September 11, 2025

Dr. Elizabeth Grant

SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear parents and families, 

I am excited about the start of our school year and seeing students and teachers dig in to teaching and learning together.  
With a school year of just 180 days, every day of learning counts. Each day is an opportunity for students to learn, grow, and connect with their friends and classmates. Yet, too many of our students are missing time in class.   

One in four Salt Lake City students is chronically absent, meaning they miss 18 or more days of school a year (excused or unexcused). That’s just two days a month. And by the end of the year, regularly missing that much school adds up to nearly a month of lost learning and connection.  
Across Utah, this is a challenge too: 27% of students were chronically absent in the 2021–22 school year, and among students living in poverty, the rate was even higher—37%. 

Our Board of Education set an ambitious goal: reduce chronic absenteeism in our district to 10% by 2029. Reaching that goal will take all of us working together. Families can help by: 
  • Reaching out for support early—our school staff are here to help. 
  • Talking with your child about why daily attendance matters. 
  • Scheduling family vacations around school breaks. 
  • Creating routines that make it easier to get to school on time. 
  • Staying up to date on your child’s attendance record. 
  • Scheduling doctor’s appointments after school, whenever possible. 

When students show up every day, they build the skills, habits, and confidence that last a lifetime. They also add to their classmates’ learning and experiences.  Please visit our website for more information about the importance of daily school attendance and a list of resources to help families overcome common attendance barriers.  

Thank you for helping us help students learn! 
 

NEW BOARD MEMBER

The Salt Lake City School District Board of Education appointed Annie Romano to fill the Precinct 5 vacancy. Annie is the parent of two district students and brings strong experience in nonprofit management, education, and community service. She is also an alumna of Bonneville Elementary, Clayton Middle, and East High School. Annie is honored to serve and support students, families, and educators across the district.
A woman with brown curly hair smiles at the camera against a gray background.
 

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION: EDUCATOR AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Congratulations to  Penny Davis, PE teacher at Open Classroom! The Utah State Board of Education recognized her as Utah’s September Teacher Spotlight for Health and Physical Education. We are proud to have her on the SLCSD team. 

Coach Lucas Tucker, known affectionately as Coach Tucker by students at Glendale Middle School, was honored this week with the prestigious Ron McBride Game Changer Award. His unwavering dedication to students and the community makes Glendale stronger every day. 

We are thrilled to share that Mr. Arwin A. Alitagtag, from West High School, has been selected as a recipient of the Ten Outstanding Educators TEACH Award – Dedicated Service Award. This honor recognizes educators who excel in teaching, champion student development, and go above and beyond to inspire the next generation.  

Congratulations to Maria Gomez from Glendale Middle School! The UEA Board of Directors has selected her as the recipient of the 2025 Robert “Archie” Archuleta UEA Human and Civil Rights Award. Maria will be recognized at the UEA Superstars in Education Banquet on September 27. 
 

SCHOOL AND PROGRAM CHANGES BEING STUDIED

The Board of Education is currently studying three possible school/program changes: 
  • Innovations Early College High School – under review for potential long-term closure  
  • Nibley Park School – possible reconfiguration as a K–6 elementary school 
  • Washington Elementary 4th-6th Grade Magnet Program – under consideration for closure 

We want to ensure families and community members stay informed and have opportunities to share feedback throughout this process. 

Here’s what to expect in the coming months: 
  • September 11: Information meeting at Innovations, starting at 6:00 p.m. in the atrium. 
  • September 18: Information meeting at Nibley Park, starting at 6:00 p.m. in the school gym. 
  • September 22: Information at Washington Elementary, starting at 6:00 p.m. in the school auditorium. 
  • October 21 & November 3: Public comment periods at Board of Education meetings. 
  • November 3: A public hearing at the Board of Education meeting on the proposed changes. 
  • November 18: The board may vote on each of the three recommendations. 

How to share your feedback: 
  • Attend the information meetings at the three schools. 
  • Speak during one of the Board of Education meetings listed above. 
  • Submit a comment online, which is shared directly with all board members. 

We know this news may raise questions, and we want to hear from you. Your voice matters.  
 

HIGH SCHOOL REBUILD OPEN HOUSES

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our open houses for the Highland High School and West High School rebuilds. It was great to meet you, listen to your suggestions, and hear your feedback on the plans and renderings of our future high schools. If you weren’t able to join us, we have placed most of the plans and images on our website. Click on the images below to visit the respective open house webpages.  
Rendering of the future Highland High School
Rendering of the future West High School
 

HELPFUL LINKS


 

UPCOMING CALENDAR

September 11, 2025  
Information meeting about possible school closure - 6:00 p.m. in the Innovations atrium. 

September 16, 2025 
Board Meeting - 5:30 p.m. in the Board Room (406 E. 100 S., SLC, UT 84111) 

September 18, 2025 
Information meeting about possible grade reconfiguration – 6:00 p.m. in the Nibley Park School gym 

September 22, 2025 
Information meeting about closure of 4th-6th grade magnet program – 6:00 P.M. in the Washington Elementary auditorium 

September 26, 2025 
Non-student day – all schools 

October 7, 2025 
Board Meeting - 5:30 p.m. in the Board Room (406 E. 100 S., SLC, UT 84111) 

October 16 & 17, 2025 
Fall Break – all schools 
 
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406 East 100 South, SLC, UT 84111