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The Power of Play: CSD Preschools Now Taking Applications for 2023-2024

There’s power in playtime, indeed. It may look like the children in Canyons’ preschool classes are just hopping, dancing, singing, and painting, but there’s actually a lot of growth happening.

Parents in search of a preschool to help jumpstart their child’s development have a stellar option in Canyons District’s evidence-based program.

The application window for spots in Canyons’ tuition-based preschools in the 2023-2024 school year opens Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.

Families with children who will be age 3 or 4 by Sept. 1, 2023 and live within Canyons District’s boundaries can apply to participate in the first-come, first-served, tuition-based preschool program via this link.

This year, CSD will have 22 preschool programs at 12 schools throughout the District.

CSD preschools follow a curriculum that lines up with the state’s core standards. But that doesn’t mean the little students — and their teachers — don’t have a lot of fun in during class time,  says Terri Mitchell, Canyons’ Early Childhood Program Administrator.

“You will see adults on the floor playing with the students and supporting their learning,” said Mitchell. “So, our goal as adults, as we’re there playing with them, building a block structure, for example, we might be having conversations around what would one more look like? How can we make it taller? What would it look like if it fell over? Darn, it fell over, how can we make it more sturdy next time? In this example, we are building vocabulary, we’re building language, we’re building cognitive support, and self-regulation.”

While these basic interactions may seem simple, the impact is vital, Mitchell says, as students who complete the program meet state standards for literacy learning, numeracy learning and creativity in the arts.

Canyons’ tuition preschool program for 3 and 4 year olds provides 2.5 hours of instruction two or four days a week for students who live within District boundaries. Each classroom is taught by a teacher who is certified in both general education and special education.

Classes include students who have special needs to provide opportunities for each student to learn and build relationships with classmates who have different abilities. Those opportunities are fundamental to preparing young children to interact with the world as they grow older, Mitchell says.

“They develop a sense of empathy that we couldn’t teach otherwise,” Mitchell says. “They’re able to support and understand when there’s difficulty in the classroom with a student with a disability. I often see them holding hands with them. I often seem them saying, ‘It’s OK, it’s OK, we can make this work.’ They’re always there to help support and intervene.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

  • Morning sessions are 8:20-10:50 a.m.
  • Afternoon sessions are 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Students can enroll in a two- or four-days-a-week program
  • Children in special-education may be able to attend free of cost
  • Cost is $100 per month for students attending two days per week and $200 a month for students attending four days. There’s also a one-time $20 registration fee.

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Board Meeting Schedule

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the Board of Education for Canyons School District will hold a regular study session and public business meeting at the Canyons District Office building, 9361 S. 300 E., Sandy, UT each month unless otherwise posted. The Board may determine to conduct some business during a study session. All business meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. unless changed by the Board and appropriately posted for the public.

Please note that ALL DATES, TIMES and LOCATIONS listed on this scheduled are TENTATIVE and are subject to change at any time.  Please check this schedule often to be informed of any changes.

Unless otherwise specified, all meetings in the schedule below will take place as the Canyons District Office located at 9361 S. 300 E. in Sandy, Utah.

District Leaders

Dr. Rick Robins

Superintendent

Dr. Rick L. Robins is the superintendent of Canyons School District. Dr. Robins, who was selected by the Canyons Board of Education after a national search, brings 24 years of experience as an educator to his role as the chief executive officer of Utah’s fifth-largest school district. Prior to joining Canyons, Dr. Robins, who earned an Ed.D. from the University of Las Vegas, for six years was Superintendent of the Juab School District, based in Nephi, Utah. While there, Dr. Robins, who also was the Juab High School Principal from 2009-2013, helped oversee efforts to improve the district’s graduation rate to 97 percent, a double-digit increase over a 10-year period. Other innovations he led in Juab included a partnership with Arizona State University for blended-learning opportunities; the launch of a districtwide competency-based personalized learning model driven by a 1:1 technology initiative and standards-based reporting system; and the construction of the STEM-focused West Campus Innovations Center, funded largely through private and corporate sponsorships. Dr. Robins began his career as a history teacher at Copper Hills High in the Jordan School District and has worked as an assistant principal and principal in the Alpine, Nebo and Juab school districts. He was the 2012 Utah High School Principal of the Year for the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals, and in 2014 earned the Lexington Institute Superintendent Fellowship Award presented to innovative superintendents across the country. Dr. Robins was starting quarterback for the football team at Southern Utah University Thunderbirds from 1991-1995, and in 2013 was inducted into SUU’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He has four children and one grandchild.

Leon Wilcox

Business Administrator and CFO

Leon Wilcox is a seasoned professional with 20 years of governmental accounting experience, with an emphasis on financial reporting, budgeting, and auditing. As Canyons District’ Director of Accounting from 2009-2013, Wilcox was intricately involved with the 2009 division of $1.5 billion in assets of the former Jordan School District, and was responsible for establishing Canyons’ original and subsequent budgets. Wilcox, a certified public accountant who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Utah State University, also has worked nine years in the Granite School District and six years in the State Auditor’s Office.

Supervises:  Accounting and Budget Services, Facilities and Maintenance, Insurance, New Construction Budget, Nutrition Services, Purchasing, Payroll

Dr. Robert M. Dowdle

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and School Performance

Robert Dowdle has a Doctor of Education degree with an emphasis in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah, and more than 31 years of experience as a teacher and educational leader. He began his career at Mount Jordan Middle School, where he taught Earth Science, English and Social Studies. He later taught Advanced Placement Economics, U.S. History and World History at Bingham High School, and served as Principal of Jordan High School and Assistant Principal for Alta High School and Brighton High School. Dowdle has served in the District office for 11 years as Assistant Superintendent. This role has included various leadership responsibilities, including Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Dowdle currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and School Performance.

Lucie Chamberlain

Alta View Elementary

If a movie about super teachers were ever made, Lucie Chamberlain would be a prime candidate for a leading role. Fortunately for her kindergarten students at Alta View Elementary, she already thrives in a supporting role for them. Parents thank her for being a “super teacher.” She is also described as an “amazing colleague.” Whether students need help in the classroom or from home while sick, Lucie goes above and beyond to help them learn, overcome fears, and feel important and cared for. Lucie is the reason a number of kids went from hating school to loving it, according to parents. The way she exudes patience, sweetness, positive energy, and love for her students with special needs melts is appreciated and admired. One parent noted: “Both my kids wish she could be their teacher forever.” Another added:  “She treats every student like their learning and their feelings are her priority.” Super teacher, indeed!

Specialty Schools

High Schools

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Canyons School District is committed to making this website compliant with the ADA. At this time, we recognize that not all areas of this website may be ADA compliant. We are currently in the process of redesigning and creating new website content to be compliant with the W3C Level Two guidelines. If you are experiencing issues with this website, please contact us here communications@canyonsdistrict.org

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