A few weeks ago we sent a memo to our principals about sensitivity to their students and communities during the holiday season. The memo was similar to the message we have sent for many years. A copy of the letter is below.

It is well settled that schools are prohibited “from conveying or attempting to convey a message that religion or a particular religious belief is favored or preferred.” However, in the words of the United States Supreme Court, “Music without sacred music, architecture minus the cathedral, and painting without the scriptural theme would be eccentric and incomplete.”

So, when teaching about holidays, it is absolutely appropriate to include instruction about Christmas — sing the songs and display and explain the symbols — but not to preach Christmas. Teaching that Christians believe that the Savior of the world was born 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem may well fit into the curriculum. Teaching this, or the tenets of any other faith, as doctrine properly takes place in homes and churches. The people of our community are of many and varied beliefs. Schools must cultivate tolerance, appreciation and respect for one another.

Said otherwise, our public schools have the right, and perhaps even more, the responsibility, to teach about religion when meeting the objectives of their classes.

We expect that children will be singing Christmas music like “Silent Night,” Hanukkah music like the “Dreidel Song” and other religious and nonreligious music during this holiday season. We are confident that schools will make crafts and put up displays with various religious themes this month within the context of the curriculum.

We again encourage our employees to be sensitive to their communities and make instructional and activity decisions that will allow all of the public’s children to feel they have equal place within our public schools. This having been said, the word “Christmas” will be spoken, written, sung and otherwise used again, again and again in the Granite School District.

I’m excited to announce that we are making significant progress in organizing our projects as a result of our successful bond election. Projects include rebuilding Hartvigsen school for medically fragile students, air conditioning all district schools, rebuilding five current schools and constructing three new schools. Construction schedules to complete these projects  are outlined below.

Next year, construction on Granger High School (set to open January 2013), a Magna area elementary (open 2011), and Oakwood and Woodstock Elementary Schools (open 2011) will begin. Air condition installation will begin during Summer 2010, as to minimize classroom disruption.

In 2011, construction will begin on Olympus High School (set to open in Fall 2013)  and a West Valley area elementary school (set to open 2012). Additionally, air condition installation projects will also continue during the summer.

In 2012, any remaining air conditioning projects will be completed. Factors for deciding which schools receive air conditing first include schools with the highest temperatures, plumbing/HVAC, retrofitted schools and schools with similar architectural design.

We will continue to update our blog and other publications with construction information throughout the next few years. We thank our patrons and employees who helped to make this bond effort successful.

Thanks to the GEA and PTA whose hard work helped to educate voters regarding the proposed bond. We will begin the process to implement these projects as quickly as possible. Please continue to visit the website and this blog for updates on how the bond projects are proceeding.

1. How can we be sure the Board won’t raise taxes for this bond – like the ballot says they can?

The Board of Education has very publicly committed not to raise taxes to pay for these bonds.  Historically the Board of Education has kept its promises.  To break this promise would significantly compromise the ability of individual board members to be reelected.

2. What is to hold the board to their commitment?

The Board of Education unanimously approved the “project list.”  Historically the Board of Education has kept its promises.  To deviate from that list would significantly compromise the ability of individual board members to be reelected.

3. If we don’t live in the county can we still vote?

 Only residents of Granite School District will be involved in this election.

4. Will only two new elementary schools be needed in the West Valley/Magna area in the next 20 years?

We know the area  needs two right now and the pay-as-you-go strategy is not sufficient to build those.

5. Where did the $17 million come from?

The $17 million comes out of the capital outlay budget.

6. Where will students be located while our school is being rebuilt?

This will need to be evaluated.  It has been our practice to hold school in the existing building for school while the new building is built whenever possible.  Communities are involved in this planning.

7. What would happen if an unseen emergency/catastrophic need arises?

The district is insured for emergencies and catastrophes.  A significant contingency plan has been built into this bond and we are certain that we will be able to complete the list.

8. What schools will be air conditioned first?

As soon as the bond is passed we will develop a strategy for getting all schools air conditioned as quickly as possible.  It is unlikely that any single contractor would be able to do all the schools at once so we will consider multiple contractors and review their suggestions as to how to move most quickly.

9. How were buildings identified for rebuild?

A number of factors go into this identification, including such considerations as instructional appropriateness, age of building, seismic ratings, cost of maintenance, cost of utilities, condition of roof, stable student populations and so on.  Olympus and Granger High schools rose to the top of the list as did Oakwood and Woodstock Elementary schools.

10. Can we use swamp coolers instead of air conditioners?

There are a number of factors that make swamp coolers less desirable instructionally than air conditioning including noise, humidity and dust.

Granite District office staff, school faculties, and PTA and Community Council members have been viewing the bond presentation, which outlines specific information in relation to the upcoming November 3 bond election. After some intial technical difficulties, the bond presentation is now available on our district website at www.graniteschools.org. Click on “District plans bond election with no tax increase” and scroll down to find the video presentation link.

Please continue to feel free to submit your questions about the upcoming bond to superintendentsblog@graniteschools.org. Answers will be posted here.

By now, many of you have had the chance to watch the bond presentation at your school or will be watching it soon. School community councils and PTA’s are also viewing the same presentation. We encourage you to share this information with members of the public before the bond election on November 3.

Additionally, we understand that you may have questions regarding the bond and we encourage you to submit your questions to superintendentsblog@graniteschools.org. Answers to your questions will be posted here. To view the video on the bond, please visit the district’s website at www.graniteschools.org.

Dear Granite District Employees:

Now that year-round school has begun and with traditional schedules starting soon, I wanted to officially welcome all of you back to school.  As I have driven throughout the district, I’ve noticed school parking lots filling up with cars.  Please know that I appreciate your hard work and dedication to Granite District students.

I additionally wanted to update you with regards to the H1NI (Swine Flu) virus. Please be assured that the district is making every effort to provide you with the resources and information to ensure your safety and well-being as well as that of our students.

At this time, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Salt Lake Valley Health Department have indicated that the primary means for reducing the spread of influenza in schools, focuses on the identification of ill students and staff, and the practice of proper respiratory etiquette. School closures are no longer advised unless there is a magnitude of absenteeism that interferes with a school’s ability to function. Additionally, sick employees and students should always remain home.  If individuals demonstrate influenza-like symptoms, they should remain home at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved.

Preventative measures include:

• Frequent hand-washing with warm water for at least 20 seconds or
• Cleaning hands with an alcohol-based hand cleaner
• Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
then throwing it away or
• Coughing or sneezing into your upper sleeve or elbow (not your hands

The Salt Lake Valley Health Department has compiled some educational materials that may be helpful in explaining proper preventative measures:

• Why Don’t We Do it in Our Sleeves –
http://www.coughsafe.com/media.html
• Utah’s Health, It’s in Your Hands –
http://www.slvhealth.org/programs/hygieneEducation/index.html
• H1N1 toolkit – http://www.slvhealth.org/h1n1/h1n1Toolkit.html
• A Communication toolkit for Schools –
http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/toolkit.html

Employees should also be aware of the changes in how H1N1 cases will be reported. Because of the lack of severity of this particular virus, the Salt Lake Valley Health Department is no longer tracking individual cases with the exception of hospitalized cases. This means that individual schools will not have specific information regarding cases within their populations.

As you may have heard, a vaccine is in development and we anticipate that our schools will be utilized for distribution efforts. We will notify you immediately regarding any pertinent information on these developments. We will continue to work closely with the Health Department to make decisions in the best interest of the safety and health of our employees and Granite District students.

We would caution our employees to be wary of rumors regarding this virus. Accurate and detailed information can be obtained throughout the school year by visiting the below listed websites, or by contacting the Health Department at 211 on your local phone.

We are looking forward to a healthy and successful school year. We appreciate your assistance in achieving this success.

Sincerely,

Dr. Stephen F. Ronnenkamp
Superintendent, Granite School District

Additional related websites: www.cdc.gov; www.slvhealth.org; www.graniteschools.org

Dear colleagues:

As we near the end of another school year, I want to personally thank each of you for your role in the development and encouragement of our students. As I look back on this school year, there were significant challenges that we have had to overcome. Yet, whether in the classroom or in the office, we have worked together to find success. There are far too many accomplishments from each school to individually list. However, we hear about your successes everyday and applaud your efforts.

I recently received a letter from grateful parents of a junior high student who transferred to a Granite school this year and found success in his math class after struggling with the subject for several years. Two proud parents in West Valley saw their fifth child graduate from Hunter High School this year. Their first graduated in 1996. Additionally, a member of the community recently wrote how thankful he was for a pen pal project that paired a fourth grade class with senior citizens.

Each patron understood and recognized that the success of students is reflective of the hard work put in by Granite faculty and staff.

Please remember that the district is here to work with you to the benefit of children, and we continue to appreciate your input and suggestions on how we can improve our service.

While some of your schools are still in session throughout the summer months, I want to wish each of you an enjoyable summer vacation.