West Jordan Journal | April 2023

BULLIES GET BODY SLAMMED AT LOCAL CHARTER SCHOOL

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

The bully, full of arrogant swagger, shouted insults and jeered at the students. Then, WHACK! The school principal came up behind him and swung a metal folding chair into his back. He slumped to the ground as the students roared with wild approval!

Ascent Academy Charter School’s anti-bullying assembly was a big hit with students. Professional wrestlers from Devotion Championship Wrestling made a big impact, pile-driving home the message again and again that being a bully is not cool.

“We’re devoted to body slamming bullying once and for all,” Manny Lemons said, owner of Devotion Championship Wrestling.

The wrestlers put on an action-packed show for the students with lots of audience participation. Students booed for the bad guys who spit out trash talk and threatened extra homework. They cheered for the good guys who put the bullies in their place in true wrestling fashion.

“As entertainers we’re telling a story— it’s all about the storyline,” wrestler Rekah Tehaka said. “We’re using what we do as wrestlers to tell that story to the children about bullying.”

The “bullies” eventually changed their

ways and apologized for their behavior. Together, the heroes and the rehabilitated bullies invited the students to take an anti-bul-

lying pledge to not be a bully and to tell an adult if they experience or witness bullying. The wrestling exhibition assembly

Continued page 17

kicked off Kindness Week at the West Jordan campus of Ascent Academy Charter

A “bully” gets smacked down by anti-bully professional wrestlers. (Brian Morris/Ascent Academy)

Dr. Seuss Film festival in WJ

Kyle Petty comes to town

Every Day is Earth Day. Bring your family and join us to plant 25 trees on the north side of the hospital.

Intermountain Healthcare, in celebration of Earth Day and supporting several of their sustainability fundamentals, will be working with TreeUtah to plant trees.

Wednesday, May 3 from 3:30-5 p.m.

Activities include: Green smoothies and more!

Tree planting with TreeUtah Make your own succulent station

Please bring your own gloves and water bottle. Meet on the north side , under the tent.

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ADA compliant Easter Egg Hunt set for April 8

Every year West Jordan holds an Easter Egg Hunt, and thousands show up for the event. It’s an event the whole family enjoys.

The event is held at the West Jordan Utah Youth Soccer Complex.

The event is divided into different age groups for participants from 2 to 15 years old. There are different fields for the different age groups that are all mapped out, color-coded by age so it is easy for parents to find the correct field. There is also an all-compliant area for ADA participants who use a wheelchair or who might be sensitive to crowds and loud sounds. For these participants the egg hunt is under the pavilion and the eggs are on top of the tables, so they can reach over and get the eggs themselves.

“That is really important to us, to make sure there is accessibility, and everyone can participate,” Marie Magers said, public information manager in West Jordan. “We do this every single year and we get really good feedback, because there are not a lot of events that are ADA compliant, and that is unfortunate, but it is easy to do, and make this accessible to everyone because we have received feedback from parents that say, ‘here is how to make that better.’ We take that feedback and implement it every year. It just keeps getting better, and we are proud to make this an event that we can include everyone and keep making it better every year,”

“Fifteen hundred people show up for this event, and last year, 2022, West Jordan bought over 25,000 eggs. The eggs are bought online already stuffed with candy, toys and treats. There are an additional 50 golden eggs that are filled with additional prizes that are put on each field for each age group. When you find a golden egg you get an additional prize for each age group,”

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By Linda Steele | l.steele@mycityjournals.com

Magers said. Some of the prizes are donated by local businesses like Target and Gardner Village. “The shiny golden eggs are hard to come by, because there is literally only a couple per field. So keep an eye out for the golden egg. It is golden, and the same size as the other eggs, but it is shiny and golden, not yellow.”

It is important to bring your own basket or bag, because the event runs out of bags fast. There are so many participants that West Jordan can’t keep up with the bags.

“It is important to be on time. The event starts exactly on time, because 25,000 eggs are gone in 3-5 minutes. Don’t be one minute late for this event, be 15 minutes early. I cannot stress this enough, do not be late.” Magers said.

The event starts out with Mayor Dirk Burton doing a count down before the buzzer goes off. “As soon as the buzzer goes off it is like the craziest thing I have ever seen, I’ve never seen kids run so fast. The

one thing I stress again is get there early.” Magers said.

West Jordan does the Easter Egg Hunt “to give back to the community, and a good way to kick off spring. It’s a good way to get people outside. Right after the event the parks open up. It is a great way to meet the mayor and the city council members. They are always volunteering, putting out eggs

and staying around after the event, a good way for the residents to get to know who represents them,” Magers said.

The Easter Egg Hunt will be held April 8, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

The address is 7965 S. 4000 West, Utah Youth Soccer Complex.

For more information go to http://westjordan.utah.gov l

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Toys and prizes that will be won by the lucky few who find a golden egg at West Jordan’s annual Easter Egg Hunt. (Photo courtesy West Jordan City)

A young participant on the 2-3 year old field picks up an egg at West Jordan’s annual Easter Egg Hunt. (Photo courtesy West Jordan City)

West Jordan resident receives accolades for 47 years of safe bus driving with UTA

Thismonth, UTA bus operator Dale Brady will celebrate his 47th year with the Utah Transit Authority. Not only that, but he was recently recognized by UTA and West Jordan City for achieving 4 million accident-free miles behind the wheel. The West Jordan resident might be the only bus operator in the country to reach this milestone.

“We’re extremely proud as an organization to have one of our team members achieve this impressive milestone, 4 million miles without an accident, which is possibly unmatched nationally,” Carlton Christensen said, chair of the UTA Board of Trustees. “This reflects the quality of all our operators and their commitment to the safety of our riders and the public we serve.”

While Brady doesn’t necessarily like the spotlight, he has high praise for his colleagues who have also driven millions of miles. His friend and fellow bus driver, Art LeFevre, was on course to also receive the 4-million-mile safety award, but LeFevre passed away in July 2022. Brady drove extra miles to make up for the miles LeFevre couldn’t drive. Although LeFevre had passed away, he and Brady received the award together.

“Art was closer than I was, he would have gotten there first if his health had not

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

declined,” Brady said. “I don’t like to toot my own horn so much, it’s just driving.”

Brady’s tenure as a bus operator has spanned almost all of UTA’s 51-year history. Starting as a 22 year old in 1976, Brady credits his wife and coworkers for their support in allowing him to accomplish the 4-million-miles goal. He said when he’s up at 3 a.m. to start his shift, his wife, Cheryl, is also awake, helping him get ready for the day.

In Brady’s experience, he said it takes about 12 years to drive 1 million miles. He’s not ready to commit to the 5-million-mile goal and is thinking about retiring in June.

“I chose a good company to work for,” Brady said. “I’ve driven for a long time, and it’s provided the essentials for my family.”

UTA Executive Director Jay Fox said Brady’s achievement isn’t just unique to Utah, but also the United States, and likely, “the galaxy.” He thanked Brady for safely moving Utah residents and visitors with care and pride.

“It was a privilege for me to share the moment with Dale, along with his family, and UTA’s family,” Fox said. “Dale’s 46plus years happened one day and one trip at a time. He is a model for how UTA impacts the lives of our riders and our community as we move them to key destinations and opportu-

nities every day.”

Earlier this year, Brady was recognized during the Utah State Legislative Session for his dedication to safety, his devotion to his job and the example he set for future bus operators. West Jordan City Councilmember Melissa Worthen commended Brady for his

service.

“We’re proud of Dale and the work he’s done to make our roads safer,” Worthen said. “He’s an asset to our community and to the county, and we’re lucky to have him as a resident in our city.”l

City Council votes to increase mayoral salary

The West Jordan mayor position will get a raise in 2024.

That’s what was decided in a recent vote by the West Jordan City Council that set the mayoral salary for the upcoming term starting next year.

In a 4-2 vote, the council approved the new salary at $124,000. While some councilmembers, and a former mayor, thought it should be higher, the number was deemed a good compromise by some of the council.

Currently the mayoral salary sits at $105,000. Councilmember Zach Jacob suggested the $124,000 number by calculating today’s inflation to the current salary then adding a little more.

The original plan of increasing it to $116,000 felt too low for some councilmembers. Jacob said they needed to be reasonable considering the amount and type of work involved with being mayor.

“Let’s be fair to the position, be real about what we’re asking someone to do and be real about what that ask is worth,” Jacob said prior to the vote. “I don’t think $116 is enough.”

Jacob highlighted that whatever number they choose is “arbitrary” since it’s not relatively competitive with other mayor positions, people can’t decide what city to run for mayor in, unlike a police chief or city manager position.

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

The council discussion centered around the motive for being mayor, whether it’s a service or if a higher salary is needed to attract quality candidates.

Former mayor Kim Rolfe told the council to go above $130,000 considering West Jordan is the third-largest city in the state. Salt Lake City’s mayoral position sits at $160,000 while Provo’s population is just behind West Jordan and its salary is $130,000. Other cities in the county with the same form of government have varying salaries. Murray, with less than half the population of West Jordan, is $130,000, Sandy’s population is under 100,000 and has a salary of $126,000, while Taylorsville has a $109,000 salary with a population around 60,000.

“Our mayor, in my opinion, should be someone who is an executive or have executive experience or has run a business since that’s what the strong mayor form of government is,” Rolfe said. “It’s why we voted for it.”

Rolfe added to have an executive leave their career would require the “kind of salary to let them go do it. Not many will do it for half the salary” like he did.

Councilmember Kayleen Whitelock, who abstained from the vote because she plans to run for mayor, felt the position is one of service.

“I want someone that their purpose of be-

ing there is to serve and not for a dollar figure, I just feel strongly that way,” she said.

Whitelock felt they could still attract good candidates, pointing to Rolfe as an example.

“I don’t think money necessarily equates quality,” she said. “So, for me I want us to get the best candidates to run and I don’t think it necessarily means money…people can have those same experiences and still serve.”

City code does allow the mayor to take less than the salary with the rest going into the general fund.

Councilmembers Kelvin Green and Melissa Worthen were the dissenting votes. Green empathized with the idea that higher salaries would attract the type of leader residents would look for but wasn’t sure that would be the case. He pointed to other cities with strong-mayor forms of government having mayors that weren’t exactly CEOs or high-ranking executives prior to taking over as mayor.

“I’m not sure it makes any difference,” he said of the higher salary attraction. “If I knew it was going to attract that kind of candidate, I would vote for it, but looking across the board with mayor salaries and types of government that are most like us and who runs, I don’t see that professional group there. I would prefer $116,000.”

Councilmember Chris McConnehey preferred $130,000 while Jacob felt $116,000

would essentially serve as a pay cut to the position.

Councilmember Pamela Bloom felt $124,000 was the proper compromise.

“We want to make this fair, but we don’t want to have people come in for the pay,” Bloom said. “We want to have that balance and I think this strikes a good balance of being fair with inflation with the size of our city, with it being a strong mayor and it’s not going to be one of the lower salaries we have in our county.”l

West Jordan resident and UTA bus operator Dale Brady earned recognition for 4 million accident-free miles behind the wheel. Brady has worked with UTA for 47 years. (Photo courtesy of UTA)

The West Jordan City Council approved a new salary for the upcoming mayoral term raising it from $109,000 to $124,000. Pictured is the previous mayor Jim Riding from 2018. (City Journals)

Pies in faces, reading races, fun with books, silly looks

Astudent wore socks in her hair and a principal kissed a goat—it was a wacky month at elementary schools celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday and Read Across America Day with themed dress-up days, family literacy activities, reading challenges and read-a-thons.

“There’s got to be times where you’re picking apart your reading and working and teaching them the skills, and then there’s other times you just have to put that all away and just have fun with reading,” Copper Canyon Elementary third grade teacher Christina Corbett said.

For Copper Canyon Elementary’s reada-thon, students came dressed in their PJs, with blankets, pillows and treats.

Third-grader Maelee said it was fun reading with her friends nearby so they could talk about what they were reading. Students earned raffle tickets for reading silently, and at the end of the day, 150 winners received a new book.

Westvale Elementary teachers gifted a book to each of their students. They spent a whole week reading books aloud to their students. Principal Odette Desmarais and Assistant Principal David Hullinger joined in on the fun by rapping Dr. Seuss’s book “One Fish, Two Fish” for their Tip of the Week video.

Falcon Ridge Elementary held a March Madness Book Challenge, a read-a-thon and a Breakfast with Books activity with their parents. Westland Elementary held their annual Juice With Seuss breakfast.

As a virtual school, Rocky Peak Elementary staff members got creative to ensure their students had the same fun, unifying experiences as traditional elementary school students.

“We just try to do as much interaction and engagement as we possibly can, since it is virtual,” Rocky Peak Elementary Vice Principal Ami Anderson said. “Our goal is to reach those kids personally and educationally.”

Rocky Peak Elementary teachers made Read Across America Day special for their students with an online read-a-thon, book reviews, a readers’ theater and a Read Across America dance party, which students participated in virtually. Literacy Specialist Ruthanne Ballard created a virtual Dr. Seuss library in which students could access videos of Dr. Seuss stories being read, learn more about the author and try some Seuss-inspired drawing activities.

All Jordan School District elementary schools teach literacy with the Walk to Read literacy program, which teaches specific reading skills through daily intervention groups. Ballard said virtual interventions look different than in-person lessons.

“We were given a great program, but it was a paper program,” Ballard said. “And so

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

Ami put hours and hours and hours into making this paper version a digital version.” Instead of filling out a printed worksheet, virtual students use their computer mouse to sort words and underline patterns. They watch entertaining videos that reinforce reading skills.

Rocky Peak Elementary’s fun-loving administrators also get involved in the interventions and literacy activities.

“It’s a school effort so the kids know how important reading is,” Ballard said.

When they noticed low attendance in the daily 40-minute literacy intervention sessions, the administrators implemented an incentive program for students—improve attendance and you can throw cream pies at your teachers and administrators.

The incentive was successful—the fifth to sixth grade group attendance increased from 68% to 89%—and many students showed up to the pie-throwing activity in March.

“They were so excited to throw a pie in Mr. Menlove’s face,” Ballard said.

Rocky Peak students will continue to earn rewards for participating in literacy interventions. As they collectively reach certain benchmarks, they earn rewards such as watching their teacher eat a bug or having ice water poured on their head. Last month, students earned the reward of seeing Principal Ross Menlove kiss a goat. For the final reward of this challenge, students will watch school administrators get slimed.l

The kids all gloat, “The principal kissed a goat!” As incentive for students to work on literacy skills, Rocky Peak Elementary administrators promised to kiss a goat. (Photo courtesy of Ami Anderson.)

Reading books in cozy nooks: Copper Canyon Elementary third graders snuggle in for a read-a-thon. (Christina Corbett/Copper Canyon Elementary)

Cream pies, what a prize!: Rocky Peak Elementary students met a school literacy goal and were rewarded with the opportunity to throw pies into their teachers’ and administrators’ faces. (Photo courtesy of Ami Anderson.)

Dueto delays in various materials, West Jordan City Hall’s final completion is anticipated for October, Public Services Director Isaac Astill told the City Council in February.

City Hall, under remodel since 2021, will need extra time, Astill explained, because of certain parts not being available.

He noted there are three major electrical components, including the eight-by-eight main panel that houses six breaker systems, that may not arrive until late September.

Astill said they looked at other ways of limiting the delay through on-site testing or acquiring the necessary equipment through other vendors.

“There is not an opportunity to do that sooner,” he said, noting there are three primary vendors for these components, and none have the required parts.

“The good news is that the rest of the building will be done sometime in July, but we will be waiting on these components,” he told the council.

There were two other long-term delayed items Astill reported to the council. The arrival of 16 doors for the second floor are expected in six months, though Astill said they saved the existing doors and can use those in the meantime.

October eyed for City Hall completion

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

The second delay is five or six months on the coils for the chiller system. They had to be upgraded, Astill said, when they found piping issues for the circulation system.

“We’re doing everything we can to look at other options and identify if there are resources,” he said.

Finally, he noted there will be a $115,000 change order for the fire rating in the council chambers. When the ceiling was opened, the fire rating—way of determining how much time a passive fire protection system can withstand a fire—didn’t reach the roof of the building. Due to the angles and equipment on one side of the building, it made the project bid quite expensive.

“These are all items, for the most part, not foreseen,” Astill told the council, later adding that it won’t cost the city more money to continue renting its current building since that is already set with the state through October.

In other public service news, Utilities Manager Greg Davenport told the council about Jan. 31 when temperatures well into the single digits froze pipes and even a hydrant. By 11 a.m. that day Davenport said they received 35 complaints of no water and four breaks.

“I can’t say enough good things about

our crews, all of those repairs were responded to that day,” he said.

Davenport highlighted an instance where two operators went to a house with four individuals who didn’t speak English and tried to instruct them on how to thaw

Virtual Study for Asthma

their line. They later returned with someone who spoke Spanish to explain it to them and even returned the next day to see if they fixed the problem.

“The utility group does really care about the customers we serve,” he said.l

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CRISTCOT - ULCERATIVE COLITIS:

This study is for males or non-pregnant, non-lactating females 18 years and older who have a confirmed diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis. Participants must be having an active flare-up of Ulcerative Colitis of the rectum in order to participate.

BATURA AVILLION ASTHMA:

PFIZER CHILD LYME DISEASE VACCINE:

The BATURA Study is now enrolling participants 12 years and older for an asthma research study.

You may qualify for this clinical research study if you:

• Are 12 years of age and older*

• Have had a clinical diagnosis of asthma by a healthcare professional

• Are actively using short-acting beta-agonist inhalers (as-needed rescue inhaler, such as albuterol) to control or reduce asthma symptoms, alone or in combination with either low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (Flovent® , Pulmicort® , or Asmanex®) or leukotriene inhibitor montelukast (Singulair), zileuton (Zyflo®), or zafirlukast (Accolate®)

• Meet additional study criteria

This study is for children 12 years and older who have a diagnosis of Asthma from a prescribing healthcare provider. We will need documentation of diagnosis from medical records or a letter from your child’s physician. You must be capable of signing and understanding the eICF (including assent with parental/legal guardian consent for children ages 12 - 17 years old). Your child must be actively using a SABA (short-acting beta antagonist) alone or SABA on a background of either low-dose ICS (inhaled corticosteroids) or a LTRA (Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists such as Accolate, Montelukast, Singulair, and Zafirlukast. This study is 52 weeks long with 8 virtual visits. You will get paid $50 for each completed visit, and you will make a total of $400 for the study. You and or your child will be required to use the Science 37 app, which can be downloaded on your phone.

*Parental consent is required for individuals under 18 years of age.

This study is for healthy children or children that have stable pre-existing chronic medical conditions. This is a study for children 5 to 17 years old. Children and their parents must be able to attend all appointments and phone calls. This study is 2 years long; there are 6 clinic visits and you will get paid $116 for each, as well as $116 for any unscheduled visits. There are 2 phone calls, and you will get $25 (parents or guardians will get this money) for each of those phone calls, and there is a weekly ediary that you will get paid $10 for upon completion. Parents will get $87.75 for any TeleHealth visits. This study is a 4-dose series; you will get your first 3 doses at your first appointment, your next dose during month 2 and month 3, and then your last dose at 18 months.

This research study is enrolling. Learn more.

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BATURA Asthma Study Flyer_V3_09722

The council chambers, seen here last summer, needed further work to improve its fire rating. (File photo City Journals)

Award-winning teacher revs up students’ enthusiasm with Hot Wheels, rockets and more

Hot Wheels cars and tracks are Westvale Elementary teacher

Lanette Searle’s favorite tool for teaching students about energy, inertia and momentum.

“I love seeing their faces when they see how inertia works because they’ve taken a car and done a Hot Wheels track and they got the car to go using inertia,” Searle said. “All of a sudden, it makes sense how the planet is going around the sun. My favorite thing, by far, is watching the moment that they understand the science behind how something works, because then they can transfer that information into something else.”

As a STEAM teacher, Searle also uses rockets, stop motion cameras and robotics to teach students science, technology, engineering, art and math.

STEAM is a priority at Westvale Elementary. Last year, the school community council approved a fundraiser to supply a STEAM program. Searle was hired and she used some of the $11,000 raised to purchase rocket launchers to teach about flight, a 3D printer for design projects and robotics equipment to start a Lego League Club.

But Searle will have to wait to use the teaching tool she believes all teachers and students need—an outdoor classroom. While teaching at Municipal Elementary School in Weber School District, Searle built an outdoor classroom equipped with a sound wall, a magnetic wall and lasers for students to explore scientific concepts, using Searle’s detailed lesson plans.

“She’s a master at science and knowing how things fit together,” Municipal Elementary Principal Kevin Chase said.

Nicole Heaton, a fourth-grade teacher at Municipal Elementary, said the outdoor classroom is a great resource.

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

“The thing I like best about the outdoor classroom is taking my students outside to just have a minute to decompress,” Heaton said. “We read or draw outside. It teaches them that the outside is a great place to find peace in our crazy lives.”

The process of creating an outdoor classroom at Westvale Elementary is in the early stages. Currently, there are some tables and benches in an open space, but Searle has plans to add a fence, weather station, wind turbine, sound wall and magnetic wall.

“We have a lot of great ideas that have already been presented to the district, but we just don’t have the funds or the safety right now,” Searle said.

Searle knows the process will take a few years and will require buy-in from the school staff and community members. Westvale Elementary Principal Odette Desmarais is already onboard.

“The idea is so phenomenal and it’s so amazing,” Desmarais said. “We just have to make sure that it’s done in a way that it has sustainability.”

Desmarais is impressed with Searle’s passion as well as her background, endorsements and creativity.

“She’s just a natural educator,” Desmarais said. “She gets it, instinctively, what these kids need. And she is passionate—she loves it. I think every single school would benefit from having a Lanette.”

The U.S. Department of Education agrees. Last spring, Searle was selected as one of two Utah finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Education. During her 28 years of teaching, much of it with Weber School District, Searle has also been The Standard Examiner Apple Teacher of the Year sever-

al times and was the 2021 Hill Air Force Base Northern Utah Teacher of the Year.

Heaton, who previously worked with Searle, said Searle’s passion for both science and her students is the reason she is an award-winning teacher.

“Lanette is charismatic in her teaching,” Heaton said. “The students can’t help but be interested in whatever she is teaching.”l

Lanette Searle integrated language arts, fine art and technology by having students write a fairy tale, create the scenery and puppet characters and then film their stories using stop motion cameras. (Lanette Searle/Westvale Elementary)

French Fair furnishes facts, food, fun for francophiles

Using the vocabulary she has learned in her level one French class, eighth-grader Ainsley Gorringe said she was able to order “the best creme brulee I have ever tasted” from a native French speaker, Sophie Garaix, owner of My French Delicacies.

The exchange was part of the Jordan School District French Fair organized by middle school French teachers.

“It is for students to have an opportunity to do some real world tasks in the target language, learn a little bit about culture, and just have an opportunity to meet other students who are also learning the language and getting to use that basic language that they've been studying,” Sunset Ridge Middle French teacher Susan Robinson said.

Because most of her friends at Hidden Valley Middle take Spanish, Ainsley said it was nice to meet other French speakers.

“I was able to actually have conversations with people, and other students taught me things that I hadn't learned and I taught them things they hadn’t quite learned,” Ainsley said.

About 150 students from five middle schools learned about French culture and practiced their language skills in a variety of activities at the fair, held March 13.

Hidden Valley Middle School French teacher Arielle Plétain brought her most motivated first year students to spark their curiosity

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

and let them see there are many other students learning French.

“They had to commit to speaking French while they were here—not easy for students who just started French in August,” she said. “But I was just super impressed with the willingness of the students to participate in the activities.”

Eighth-grader Hudson Reid said he made new friends and learned new vocabulary.

“It was a ton of fun,” he said. “On the bus ride there we were nervous, but we had a great time.”

Ainsley said it was challenging to say everything in French.

“I liked that they're forcing us to speak in French, but I will say Google Translate has been my friend,” she said. She was relieved that students were allowed to speak English during the lunch break.

Emil Peterson and Avery Pitcher, ninth-graders in the French Dual Language Immersion program at Sunset Ridge Middle, enjoyed the opportunity to use their language skills outside of the classroom. They said the fair was more fun than sitting in a classroom conjugating verbs.

French students used to attend a language fair held at BYU, but when it was discontinued, Jordan District French language teachers organized their own. They plan to hold it every

year.

“Kids need good memories, a variety of positive learning opportunities outside of the classroom and opportunities to connect/interact with people,” Oquirrh Hills Middle French teacher Julie LaFranca said.

This kind of gamification is becoming more common in education, said Victor Neves, French teacher at West Hills Middle School. “The kids learn, without feeling like they’re doing a learning activity necessarily,” he said.

The language teachers arranged a French pen pal exchange for their students to keep in touch with the friends they made at the fair, while also practicing their French writing skills. Neves said this will help students from different middle schools who will feed into the same high school because they will already know the kids in their high school French classes.

One of the goals of the French Fair was to encourage students to continue their French language studies.

“We're hoping that it really shows them how useful the language is and helps them have a greater desire to continue on in that language, to learn more and get to a higher level of fluency so that they could do a lot more things,” Robinson said. “Learning a language opens up the world to see that there are people that live different ways than we live and for the

GEETA NAGPAL, MD Granger Pain & Spine

students to understand that and to expand their world that much. I think that's one of the biggest goals of language classes, and this [fair] helps them see the possibilities.”l

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Her interest in the field of pain medicine began with a genuine desire to maintain continuity with her patients and a passion for improving her patient’s function. Dr. Nagpal sees pain medicine as a rapidly evolving field with multiple opportunities to impact and improve a patient’s quality of life.

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Eighth-grader Ainsley Gorringe uses her level one French language skills to order French treats from local bakery My French Delicacies as part of a district-wide French language and culture fair. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

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First year of Copper Hills unified basketball team laced up, ready to play

Given offense or defense on the basketball court, Copper Hills unified student-athlete Alex Roberts is all about the baskets.

“I like scoring points, shooting threes, chasing down the balls,” the high school junior said. “Playing and hanging out with my friends is awesome.”

He was playing along two partner athletes, juniors Tacy Merrill and Ava Basinger.

“It’s so much fun when these kids make shots,” Merrill said. “They just beam they’re so happy. We have a lot of people here to watch our team and when they score, the whole crowd cheers them on in excitement.”

While it’s the first year Copper Hills has had a basketball team, Basinger has helped with its unified track program.

“Unified sports is good for everyone; the athletes are happy and it’s a cool thing to be a part of and to cheer for,” she said, adding that the tournament was held as part of inclusion week, which offered dress up days, afterschool games and a chance to pledge support for inclusion. The school also holds a special needs prom.

The three student-athletes were playing together at the regional unified basketball tournament Copper Hills hosted in early March. Teammate sophomore Corbin Roesbery took the athlete oath on behalf of all the athletes.

In unified basketball, teams have five players on the court—three athletes and two unified partners. Teams play against other squads of the same ability in two eight-minute halves. Supported by Special Olympics and the Utah High School Activities Association, unified sports has both a competitive and a player development level, the latter which provides more of a cooperative environment with partners being teammates and mentors.

UHSAA referee Paul Madsen said he appreciates unified basketball.

“There’s great sportsmanship,” he said. “Everyone is helping each other. It’s wonderful to see.”

In Utah, involvement in unified high school basketball has skyrocketed. This year, there were the most teams in its history competing to play at state—73 teams competed for 32 state seeds, said Courtnie Worthen, Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools manager.

Copper Hills tied for first place in its first-ever tournament play and won its division after the tie break, Worthen said.

At the March 8 state unified basketball tournament, there were smiles and cheers when the team beat the tough competition of Hillcrest High to place second in its division.

In In addition, Jordan School District was honored with the District of the Year Award for Unified Sports in Utah.

“I love cheering for our athletes; they

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

make us proud and represent us so well,” said Jordan Education Foundation President Dawn Ramsey, who along with JEF Executive Director Mike Haynes and Jordan District Superintendent Anthony Godfrey accepted the award. “Unified Sports is an incredible program and Jordan District has been a leader in the state as the first to implement a program districtwide. Special Olympics Utah, First Lady Abby Cox with her Show Up initiative, and the Jordan Education Foundation have been wonderful partners in supporting this effort.”

Administrators from several school districts and educational foundations joined the First Lady and Gov. Spencer Cox to support the competition that was held at Weber State University.

Abby Cox said she was proud of everyone in the gym.

“Utah, as a state—we are part of the inclusion revolution,” she told them.

Unified sports engage students with and without intellectual disabilities on the same sports teams, leading to not only sports skills development and competition, but also inclusion and friendship, Worthen said.

“Unified sports provides social inclusion opportunities for all teammates to build friendships on- and off-the-court,” she said. “The teammates challenge each other to improve their skills and fitness and at the same

time, increase positive attitudes and establish friendships and provide a model of inclusion for the entire school community.”

Unified sports, Worthen said, is included in the Unified Champion Schools model, where a unified team is supported by the entire school and there is inclusive youth leadership and whole school engagement.

“With schools that embrace the Unified

Champion Schools model, they create communities where all students feel welcome and are included in all school activities and opportunities. Students feel socially and emotionally secure, they’re more engaged in the school and feel supported, and are respected,” she said. “It changes school climates.” l

Copper Hills High sophomore Sammie Miller gets a high-five from the referee after scoring a basket against Lone Peak at the state unified basketball championships. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Copper Hills High student-athletes run in during the parade of athletes at the state unified basketball tournament. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

With help from his partner, Grizzlies’ sophomore Corbin Roesbery took the athlete’s pledge at the regional unified basketball tournament, hosted by Copper Hills. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Grizzlies head into final month of the season pushing for playoff position

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

TheUtah Grizzlies season has come down to the home stretch. April is the final month of the regular season and playoffs are right around the corner.

Their season record currently has them in ninth place in the Western Conference of the ECHL. They are only four points behind the sixth-place team, the Kansas City Mavericks. They hosted the Mavericks March 10-12 in a home series at the Maverik Center. The Grizzlies have dominated the Mavericks this season defeating them five times in six games.

The Grizzlies have scored points in nine of their last 11 games. This run has pushed them toward a possible playoff position. During the run, they scored 47 goals. On March 10, forward Cameron Wright scored the game-winning goal 14 minutes into the final period to secure the 2-1 victory. Utah goalie Lukas Parik saved 22 of the 23 shots he faced.

The Maverik Center hosted the Stanley Cup during the March 11 game. As an affiliate of the 2022 NHL champions, the Grizzlies earned the opportunity for its fans to see the historic trophy.

The Stanley Cup was first awarded in 1892. It is given to the champion of the National Hockey League. Last season, the Colorado Avalanche beat the Tampa Bay Lightning four games to two to capture the championship. It is the oldest trophy that can be won by North American athletes. The oldest trophy in the world is the Carlisle Bells dating back to 1559. They are given to the winner of a horse race held in Great Britain.

Rookie Cameron Wright leads the team in scoring with 19 goals. He leads the league with eight game-winning goals. He also leads the team with 43 points and the league’s rookies with 200 shots. Tarun Fizer has 18 goals.

All Grizzlies games can be streamed on flohockey.tv and the team’s YouTube channel.

The Grizzlies are the ECHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. There are 28 teams in the league and they play 72 game schedules.

Goalie Garrett Metcalf, a Utah hockey celebrity, is part of the current team roster.

He has played in 13 games this season and recorded seven wins. He also has a .888 save percentage. He is in his third season with the team.

Over the past 24 years, the Grizzlies have finished the season with a .500 winning percentage or better 19 times. Over 200 former players have played in the NHL.

The Grizzlies’ final homestand of the season is scheduled for April 12-15 against the Tulsa Oilers.

The Idaho Steelheads have the best re-

cord in the league. They have won 44 games this season so far. Last season, Florida defeated Toledo to win the ECHL championship.l

The Utah Grizzlies hosted the Stanley Cup as an affiliate of the 2022 NHL champion Colorado Avalanche. Utah fans were able to take photos of the historic trophy. (Photo courtesy of the Utah Grizzlies)

Kevin Carr was an undrafted goaltender for the Utah Grizzlies. (Photo courtesy of the Utah Grizzlies)

NASCAR driver comes to Salt Lake with fundraiser ride

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

Former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty will travel through the Beehive State as part of one of the most popular charity motorcycle rides in the United States. The 27th anniversary of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America will kick off in Salt Lake City on April 29 and return on May 5.

Petty will lead over 125 riders on a seven-day trek covering 1,500 miles. The ride is an effort to raise money and awareness for Victory Junction, a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for young children with chronic medical conditions.

“Nevada and Utah are two of my favorite states to ride motorcycles in,” Petty said. “The desert, red rocks and mountain terrain paint vivid and breathtaking scenes. Our riders are in for a picturesque treat.”

The motorcycle ride will begin in Salt Lake on Saturday, April 29, and head to Ely, Nevada. From Ely, they will travel to Tonopah and then to Las Vegas, Cedar City, Moab and back to Salt Lake.

The trip’s highlights include visiting Bonneville Salt Flats, lapping the track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, scenic highways through Capitol Reef National Park and Legends Motorcycle Museum.

“I consider myself extremely blessed to be able to ride this incredible route while also

raising money to send kids to Victory Junction. The ride allows me to combine my passions for helping others and motorcycles,” Petty said.

Victory Junction is located in the hills near Greensboro, North Carolina. The facility is op-

erated year round and at no cost to the families. They offer summer camps, day camps and family camps.

Celebrities scheduled to participate in this year’s ride include NASCAR hall of famer

Richard Petty, racing legends Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace, former Formula 1 driver Max Papis and NFL great Herschel Walker.

“Any chance I get to spend a week out West, I’m taking it,” Kyle’s father Richard Petty said in a press release. “Add riding motorcycles to that and helping the kids at Victory Junction is like putting a cherry on top. That is why I always look forward to Kyle’s ride every year.”

Since the ride began in 1995 more than 8,000 riders have participated and have raised more than $20 million for the charity.

Every year the fundraiser is held in a different location. The ride began when Petty and three friends rode their bikes from North Carolina to a NASCAR race in Phoenix. Friends joined them as they traveled across the country and when they arrived more than 30 riders had participated. He decided this could turn into something more.

The charity Petty founded was made to honor his late son Adam. He was killed in a car racing accident in preparation for an event in New Hampshire. He was 19 years old. He was the fourth generation Petty family member to race in NASCAR.

The ride and events will be documented on social media, the foundation’s Facebook page, and Instagram.l

HOOL BOUNDARY STUDY Open House Meetings

Wednesday, April 5 at 6 p.m. – Matheson Jr. High School

Monday, April 10 at 6 p.m. – Kearns High School

Monday, April 17 at 6 p.m. – Hunter High School

Kyle Petty has turned his love for motorcycles into an opportunity to raise money for children to attend summer camps. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Kane Photography)

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School, which was named the 2021 Charter School of the Year.

Principal Crystal Thomas had a fun time and said students loved the assembly.

“I’ve been to a lot of assemblies, and that was the best one,” one ninth-grader told her.

Thomas said it was an effective tool to address the topic of bullying.

“Students deserve to have lessons brought to them in an engaging manner,” she said. “They need to see that learning about a serious topic can be exciting. One student said ‘I know they are not really fighting. They are being fun so we will listen to what they say.’ When I asked what they learned, he said ‘Don’t be a bully, it’s not cool.’”

Ascent Academy’s bullying policy states: “At Ascent Academy, we are committed to creating a safe and respectful learning environment for all of our students. Bullying of any kind is not tolerated and we encourage all our students to stand up for their peers if they witness bullying. We also urge our students to report any bullying to their teacher or principal. Let’s all work together to keep our schools bully-free!”

The Devotion Championship wrestlers were thrilled to be a part of Kindness Week. Co-owners Lemons and Tehaka are

full time international wrestlers who want to give back to the community. Tehaka said they hope their message helps stop bullying in schools and online.

Lemons said they also wanted students to come away entertained and with an understanding of what wrestling is all about.

“We’re really trying to elevate wrestling,” Lemons said. “There’s a lot of controversy about wrestling being not real, and so people frown upon it. But the entertainment aspect and connecting with the audience is what we’re really trying to use.”

Lemons said he was bullied as a kid because he was an oddball. Tehaka, who moved to Utah from American Samoa as a teenager, was picked on by other kids because her speech and clothing were different.

“Look at me now, I’m a superhero,” said Tehaka, wearing a huge champion belt at her waist. “I hope that I can relay the message to these young kids that bullying is not okay, that you should be nice to everyone, because you never know who they’re going to turn out to be.”

Ascent Academy students participated in other Kindness Week activities such as dressing up for daily themes, participating in daily kindness challenges and learning about healthy friendships.l

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Principal Crystal Thomas takes on a bully in the wrestling ring. (Brian Morris/Ascent Academy)

Tumbleweeds Film Festival for Kids comes to the Viridian in April

TheTumbleweed Film Festival for Kids has been happening for 12 years and is hosted by nonprofit organization Utah Film Center. Historically the festival has been held downtown in the Salt Lake City Public Library. The festival is now in West Jordan at the Viridian Center. “It is a great place where families already convene because it is close to parks and libraries. We are happy to provide supper affordable and guaranteed family friendly programming for the community,” Festival Director Julie Gale said.

“With the growing population in West Jordan it is our mission to serve families as much as possible through the Tumbleweeds festival. We realized that we would like to grow and expand; West Jordan was the most logical place to do that,” Gale said.

West Jordan is accessible through UTA TRAX. Having this accessibility makes it easier for families to attend. “West Jordan has partnered with UTA. Any family that goes to the Tumbleweeds Film Festival, and they use TRAX, they show they have tickets for the film festival, then TRAX will be free for the weekend,” Gale said.

Patrick Hubley, former Executive Director and the brainchild of Tumbleweeds (and who used to work at Sundance) said, “Wouldn’t it be fun if we could do a Sundance experience that is just for kids? They can attend workshops, presentations and watch films with a young kids focus.”

“The Tumbleweeds Festival is programmed by people who are experienced in early childhood development and education,” Gale said.

Children who are interested in film, making films, drones, gaming, podcasting and special effects will be put into one big Tumbleweed Festival where they can watch movies and take workshops. There will be films from all over the world, and a local focus this year will be film makers who work in Utah, some of whom will be giving presentations. There will be some influential people attending the festival who are well versed in film making, television, funny commercials and YouTube. Some of the names expected to be in attendance are: Devin Super Tramp, who is well known on YouTube and especially popular with children, the Harmon brothers, who are known for producing funny commercials on television, and the Executive Producer and creators of Napoleon Dynamite will be talking about how they started making films with their friends when they were kids and in college. The leading industry experts in the country from Lehi, Utah will show drone demonstrations in commercials and television. There will be international films with different languages at the festival. For those who don't like to read subtitles, there will be a device to put in your ear and someone narrates the film for you.

“There’s a little bit of something for ev-

By Linda Steele | l.steele@mycityjournals.com

eryone who has an interest in media, arts, film or filmmaking,” Gale said. There are viewing options for everyone, indoor screenings at the Viridian Events Center in West Jordan, or screenings at home or on the go.

The age group for the festival is 4-14 years old. The presenters want to make sure there is a little something for everybody. There is programming and films that are for 4 years old and up. Some of the films will be for 10 years old and up. There are workshops for 6 years old and up. There will be some family workshops where the whole family can sign up and work together as a team. Parents will

be able to make sure films are appropriate for their children. There will be content warnings for children who might be intimidated or startled by some of the noise or bright lights of the films. The festival will provide noise dampening devices for adults and parents so it can be a comfortable experience. There are also ADA accommodations. “We want to make sure the festival is a comfortable experience for everyone. Parents will have all the information they need to know if it is suitable for their kid,” Gale said.

An affordable feature of the festival is the Clubhouse; it is free. You don’t need a

ticket for the Tumbleweeds Festival. You can walk into the festival and it will be free. There will be fun photo booths, caricature artists, arts and crafts, and the chance to try to fly a drone. “We try to make it first, family friendly; second, super affordable, so nobody is saying, ‘oh my gosh this is way too expensive for a family of six to attend,’” Gale said.

There is a day pass that gets you into every movie you want to see that is $8 per person. You can do family fun for under $50. Workshops are $20, or you pay what you can. There is a sponsorship with companies and organizations that have the same values as the directors have for the festival. Larry H. Miller and UTA TRAX help offset the cost to make it as affordable as possible for the community. Parking is free onsite at the festival.

“It is our mission to make sure this is family friendly, and where we go to the community rather than the community comes to us. West Jordan is a growing area for young families. We want to be a good resource for families because that’s how we serve the community. We are a nonprofit organization. We want to be sure there is a place for the young families to take the opportunity to have something fun to do on a weekend,” Gale said.

Tickets and passes for Tumbleweeds Film Festival are on sale now. For more information go to tumbleweedskids.org. Find information on social media, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter #TWDS2023. The festival is scheduled for April 22-23 at The Viridian Event Center in West Jordan, 8030 S. 1825 West. l

Group of kids in a film workshop. (Courtesy Utah Film Center)

Down The Street Still Shot 2020 Pirate kids on a ship. (Courtesy Utah Film Center)

The age group for the festival is 4-14. (Courtesy Utah Film Center)

Jaguar, Grizzly track and field teams back in action, with a few athletes to watch

The2023 high school track and field has begun and West Jordan and Copper Hills athletes have set out for personal records and success.

Last season West Jordan placed 11th overall at the Utah High School Track and Field Championships. They scored 52.5 points, only five points behind 10th place, Copper Hills placed 16th. The Jaguar’s boys team placed 10th and its girls were 11th. The Grizzlies girls finished 12th and the boys 19th.

Corner Canyon High School won the state track and field championship last season. The finals held at BYU saw a shift in racing excellence. Utah is no longer just a distance runner state. There were two state records set last season in sprint categories.

For years college football coaches have advocated for high school athletes to participate in multiple sports, including track and field. This is contrary to an age of sport specialization. Many high school coaches only give this lip service, but Corner Canyon head football coach Eric Kjar, who doubles as the school’s sprint coach on the track team, doesn’t allow his

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

players to participate in off-season 7 on 7 drills. He calls track “the perfect off-season sport for football players.”

Grizzly athletes to watch include junior Baylee Beck. She had the 10th fastest 100-meter time in the state for underclassmen last season. Lillian Smith had the eighth fastest 300-meter hurdle time and Katerina Aguero topped 9 feet 8 inches in the pole vault, the 10th highest jump in the state.

West Jordan returns senior Gabe Remy, who ran a 10.99 second 100-meter last year. That was the eighth fastest in the state. On its long-distance team, senior Alex Maxfield had the fifth fastest time in the state in the 800 meter and 10th fastest 3200 meter time.

Copper Hills and West Jordan kicked off their seasons on March 15 at a Mountain Ridge High School’s dual event. They also competed in the Salt Lake Classic at Corner Canyon High School on March 18 (both events after the press deadline). They are also scheduled to compete at the Taylorsville Invitational on April 8.

Grief is an individual journey with a path as unique as each one of us. To o er support and hope, we provide various Grief Support Services for those who are mourning a recent or past loss.

This past fall Copper Hills celebrated the success of its cross-country student-athletes. Michael Ballard, Riley Taylor, Ryan Mautz and Broc Traver received the academic all-state award from their principal. (Photo courtesy of Garth Rushforth)

First, robots came for assembly line workers. Then they came for agricultural and warehouse jobs. Then a cyborg assassin time-traveled from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor. What will artificial intelligence target next?

If you ask our publisher, journalism is on the robotic chopping block. He recently sat down with our editorial team and told us we’d better get our act together or AI will certainly replace us within five years.

It’s the plot of every sci-fi movie. “Let’s merge robotic efficiency and human connection to create a utopian workplace.” But then, the robots download a virus and turn into killing machines. It doesn’t end well for humanity.

But let’s back up a bit. When encyclopedias were created in the 1700s, people were astonished to have so much information at their fingertips. What’s an encyclopedia you ask? Thanks for asking, young whippersnapper.

Encyclopedias are books bound in fake leather that weigh the equivalent of a baby hippo. They were like printed versions of Wikipedia that became outdated as soon as they were purchased. They were used for footstools and sometimes for murder weapons.

Peri Kinder

Life and Laughter

Rage Against the Machine

came chatbots, or virtual assistants, like Siri, who learned to answer our stupid questions with a bit of sass.

Now, journalists are encouraged to use AI to produce copy. ChatGPT launched in November and millions of people have tried it out, creating everything from poetry to fake news. It’s like a Google search on steroids.

In fact, it’s so good at creating fake news, that the CNET media website published stories for months before the articles were discovered to be riddled with errors, misinformation and plagiarized material. Oops.

Following my publisher’s orders, I typed a few questions into ChatGPT and immediately ran into a virtual brick wall.

“How many people are living on Earth?” I asked. ChatGPT replied 7.9 billion but added its data ended in September 2021. I guess anyone born after that date doesn’t count.

by emotionless robots like Tucker Carlson?

Sometimes, the “journalism” churned out by AI is racist, offensive and inappropriate because, and here’s the issue, humans create code for these bots. Fallible, stupid humans who unintentionally create programming that mimics their own limiting beliefs.

In These Times writer Hamilton Nolan said, “Journalism is the product of a human mind. If something did not come from a human mind, it is not journalism.”

He said journalism requires accountability. The writer should be able to explain the origins and sources of any story. Can AI do that? Will robots request interviews from other robots? When questioned, will AI fall to pieces like HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey after being given contradictory orders: lie to the crew but be completely truthful. Pretty much like anything on Twitter.

They were also used for rampant plagiarism. Teachers often received essays copied straight from Encyclopedia Britannica.

As technology advanced, plagiarism got easier with the ability to copy-andpaste from any website; more efficient and much harder to detect. Then along

I asked it to tell me a joke. ChatGPT explained it didn’t have a sense of humor or emotions and didn’t understand jokes. So it could be a Utah legislator.

So, will AI adapt to create personality, voice, humor and journalistic ethics or will future generations get used to reading pedantic and pretentious articles written

I’m mixing movie metaphors, but if Sarah Connor’s interactions with the Terminator taught us anything, it’s that we control our own destiny. Can we unite robotic efficiency and humanity? The fate of journalism could hang in the balance.

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