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What’s Cooking With Kindergarten? CSD Adopts Free Full-Day Kindergarten Districtwide

Psst! Have you heard what’s cooking with kindergarten? Canyons District is excited to announce that we are offering free full-day kindergarten at each of our 28 elementary schools.

This programmatic shift and expansion is made possible with funding approved by the Utah Legislature.

Participation in the full-day kindergarten schedule is not required. Parents who would prefer a half-day schedule can arrange with their school to have their child do half-day instruction in a full-day kindergarten classroom.

“Our efforts to expand full-day kindergarten have always been about choice,” said CSD’s Instructional Supports Director Dr. Amber Roderick-Landward. “Demand for full-day kindergarten is growing, and we’re excited about what the expansion of full-day classes means for our students and families. We also know there are families who prefer the half-day option, and we’ll honor that choice.”

Families who have signed up to enroll next year in CSD’s popular, tuition-based Supplemental Kindergarten program will be refunded any fees paid by the end of March, 2023. Canyons has notified these families directly, inviting them to consider their enrollment options for the 2023-2024 school year.

“Because Supplemental Kindergarten was offered at a limited number of our schools, some families enrolled where spots were available. Now they can choose to enroll in their neighborhood school, or any of our schools that have space available,” Roderick-Landward said.

Families interested in enrolling in a school that is different from their neighborhood school will need to submit a School Choice permit application. Because Supplemental Kindergarten no longer exists, placement in the tuition-based program no longer guarantees that your permit will be approved.

The benefits of full-day kindergarten are numerous and well-documented by researchers.

“We like to say that if there’s such a thing as the Goldilocks zone of fun and learning, you’ll find it our kindergarten programs where the conditions are ‘just right’ to get children ready for their future,” Roderick-Landward said.

The extra instructional time makes it easier for students to master the early-learning skills that will lay the foundation for all future learning. The amount of instruction in English and math will nearly double, opening more opportunities for teachers to personalize their instruction to meet the needs of each child. There will also be more time for science, art, and intentional play activities, such as CSD’s “oral language block,” which is designed to build confidence and oral language skills at a time when young children’s brains are rapidly developing.

“Whether you’re looking for half-day or full-day kindergarten, you can take comfort knowing that our innovative, top-ranked programs are the right choice for your child,” Roderick-Landward said.

Contact your school of choice for information about kindergarten orientation dates, and see why Canyons is rated the No. 1 school district in Utah.

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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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