As we enter our winter break for the holidays, Granite School District would like to inform you of recent developments and inspiring moments that have occurred in the many schools within the district in the past two months.
Mental Health Resources
As we break for the holidays, this time of year can be extra stressful or lonely for some members of our community. The crisis line (988) and SafeUT app are available 24/7 to assist those who are struggling. Please remember that you are a valued member of our community, and we are here to help support you.
Fake Social Media Threats
Parents, we need your help. The district is experiencing a spike in students posting or discussing phony threats of violence on social media. While the intent may be in jest, police do not take the matter lightly. Jokes about threats or violence are illegal, and students who engage in such behavior will be charged.
We encourage all parents to be vigilant in monitoring their child’s online behavior. Most of the incidents that have led to students landing in serious trouble were tied to a social media post or some other online comment. If you are unable to monitor your child’s social media use, please consider restricting access to it.
As always, we implore students and families to use the SafeUT app to report unsafe or suspicious behavior. Thanks for your help and support in keeping our students safe.
Hunter High Special Education Students Perform ‘Beauty and the Beast’
A tale as old as time with a unique twist. The Hunter High Unified Performing Arts team partnered with special education classes to present a very heartwarming version of the musical “Beauty and the Beast.” Special education students were stars of the production, with many taking on lead roles within the play. Drama Teacher Kjersti Parkes and her students worked to create a simplified version of the Disney tale which would be more accessible to those students who are differently abled.
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Holiday Cheer
Redwood Elementary Holiday Gift Giving Celebration
Disney princesses, Star Wars characters, and Santa helped Redwood Elementary School kick off its annual Holiday Gift Giving Celebration. The Granite Education Foundation donated hundreds of “Santa Sacks” which were stuffed full of toys, clothing items, and school supplies for underprivileged students. Many thanks to the Granite Education Foundation, USANA, the University of Utah, and several private donors for making this possible!
Cottonwood High Christmas Extravaganza
Underprivileged and refugee students at Cottonwood High were treated to a “Christmas Extravaganza” where they were able to “shop” for gifts and other needed essentials donated by community members.
A community-wide donation effort across neighborhoods in the Holladay, Cottonwood, and Murray area took place to collect items for the Christmas Extravaganza. Cottonwood High advocate, neighbor, and founder of its food pantry, Robyn Ivins, spearheaded this wonderful event to serve the great students at Cottonwood High.
Mischievous Elves
Our elves aren’t sequestered to shelves. Christmas elves for Lake Ridge and Gearld Wright Elementary Schools have been up to their usual holiday shenanigans. We highly recommend checking out Lake Ridge and Gearld Wright’s Facebook pages for some good belly laughs at the exploits of these tiny pranksters!
Granite District Combined Choirs Perform Veterans Day Concert at the Tabernacle
All Granite School District high school choirs worked together with the Utah National Guard to present the Veterans Day Concert at the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.
Students performed along with the Utah National Guard’s 23rd Army Band, led by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Denny Saunders.
Jordan Clarkson Provides Thanksgiving Meals for Valley Junior High Families
For Thanksgiving, Valley Junior High was given a rare opportunity. Utah Jazz Star Jordan Clarkson, and his “JC Cares Foundation” gifted 200 turkeys with all the fixings (pies, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, etc.) to families in need.
Other News
How to Prevent Hearing Loss Campaign
Did you know that hearing loss in children can reduce motivation, concentration, and academic performance? Adult hearing loss is also linked to mental health problems, lower income, depression and even heart problems! Students at Churchill Junior High have been hard at work creating an information campaign about hearing loss. Take a look at some of the data they’ve compiled to educate students and families about hearing loss and steps you can take to prevent hearing loss.
Neil Armstrong STEM Academy Pumpkin Drop
Students from Neil Armstrong Academy were joined by members of the West Valley City Fire Department as they conducted a fun and visual science activity to study how energy and speed are related by dropping pumpkins from various heights.
West Lake STEM Unveils New Renaissance 2.0 Language Lab System
Nearly $30,000 was donated by Mark Miller Subaru and the Utah Jazz to renovate a computer lab and purchase the Renaissance 2.0 Language Lab System for students at West Lake STEM where 25 different languages are spoken among its Multi-Language Learner students. The new school equipment and language lab will fast-track language acquisition in the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking, especially given that approximately 70 percent of West Lake STEM students study English as a second language!