Canyons School District

Education isn’t one-size-fits-all. Neither are students. Some children thrive with hands-on learning. Others find their stride through the arts, science, or learning a second language. And some students need opportunities to move faster, dig deeper, and wrestle with increasingly complex ideas early on. That’s why Canyons School District works to provide families with choices and learning opportunities designed around students’ strengths and interests — and for advanced learners, one of those choices is SALTA. Supporting Advanced Learners Toward Achievement — or SALTA — is a gifted and talented magnet program serving students who exhibit exceptional cognitive abilities. Students in kindergarten through the seventh grade can apply online starting Tuesday, Sept. 8. Learn more at canyonsdistrict.org.

Students aren’t the alone in feeling the excitement and anticipation for a new school year. Before welcoming students back to school, Canyons School District’s newest educators spent the week learning, collaborating and preparing to make a difference from day one. “I’m excited to be that person for someone else; for other kids,” said new Butler Middle science teacher Kaitlynn Johnston, reflecting on the teachers who inspired her growing up. We’re excited to welcome this talented group to #TeamCanyons — and grateful to KSL and the Deseret News for giving Utah a glimpse inside our new-teacher training. #FindYourselfInCanyons #BackToSchool #CanyonsStrong https://lnkd.in/g5pgJjw7

Aloha to the newest members of the Canyons School District ʻohana! Today, we welcomed nearly 100 new teachers with a little island spirit after a day of learning at New Teacher Orientation. From meeting community partners and local vendors to grabbing a backpack full of goodies (mahalo, Cyprus Credit Union), decorating new Canyons Stanleys with school stickers, and connecting with colleagues over a lunch of Hawaiian barbeque, it was the perfect way to kick off an exciting year. So why did they choose Canyons? — Robust teacher supports. — Beautiful surroundings nestled just minutes from four world-class ski resorts. — An ʻohana where teammates lift each other up and students come first. Surf’s up! We couldn't be more excited to welcome this amazing group. Here's to a school year that's “shore” to be unforgettable. A big thanks to all the community partners listed below for granting a big aloha welcome to the newest members of #TeamCanyons. Camp Bow Wow Canyons Education Association Cyprus Credit Union Horace Mann Insurance Co. Jordan Credit Union PEHP Lakeshore Learning Mountain America Credit Union Raising Cane Chicken Region 7 PTA Sandy City Sandy City Council Western Governors University Grand Canyon University Utah Trust Lands Administration South Valley Chamber of Commerce Alta View Hospital Draper City #FindYourselfInCanyons #WeAreCanyons #CanyonsStrong #TeacherLife

Jonathan Kesler spent the past decade helping keep Canyons District schools running smoothly as a Facilities Maintenance Technician. This fall, he’ll return to those same schools in a new role — as the first Aspiring Canyons Educator (ACE) Scholarship recipient to begin teaching in a Canyons classroom. The milestone marks a full-circle moment for the employee-funded scholarship program, which helps Canyons employees and graduating seniors pursue careers in education and, ultimately, return to serve students in the District. “I’ve always been interested in learning, and art is my particular emphasis,” Kesler says. “I also have family in education, so it was just one of those fits that seemed to work out and click.” Kesler was among the inaugural recipients of the ACE Scholarship, having received the award in 2024. Since then, the employee-supported scholarship fund has doubled in size and helped six Canyons employees and two graduating seniors afford training toward licensure. Funded by Canyons employees through an optional payroll deduction program, the scholarship provides up to $5,000 in annual tuition assistance. To date, the Canyons Education Foundation, which administers the scholarship, has paid more than $40,300 in tuition for ACE recipients. Curious how to contribute to the ACE Fund or apply for scholarships? See canyonsdistrict.org. https://lnkd.in/gzxKnXHx

Looking for hands-on experience in marketing, communications, and community engagement? Canyons School District is hiring a part-time Marketing Intern to support real campaigns that drive student recruitment and engagement. What you’ll do: • Create content for social, web, and newsletters • Support outreach events and community engagement • Track campaign performance and analyze results • Collaborate directly with district communications leadership Details: 📍 Sandy, UT ⏱ Flexible, part-time hours 💰 $10–$16/hour 📅 6–12 month opportunity This is a strong fit for college students studying marketing, communications, or a related field—especially those interested in meaningful, mission-driven work. Apply by sending your resume, cover letter, and work samples to: Kirsten.Stewart@canyonsdistrict.org

Here’s what inclusion looks like: Brighton High’s basketball arena filled with cheering fans, the stands vibrating with thunderous applause, and the marching band trumpeting fight songs as the Bengals’ Unified hoops team takes to the floor for a scrimmage in celebration of a special honor. Timed to coincide with #InclusionWeek, Brighton High was recognized Wednesday by ESPN and Special Olympics International as a National Banner Unified Champion school. It’s an honor shared by just 15 schools statewide in recognition of an exceptional commitment to meaningfully engaging students with and without intellectual disabilities in academics, athletics, and leadership. Schools earning this distinction have met 10 rigorous standards of excellence toward building a culture where all students feel a sense of belonging and purpose. “When we create a school where students of all abilities learn, compete and celebrate together, we build something stronger than school spirit. We build a community,” remarked one of Brighton’s student body officers during the pre-game announcement. Suffice it to say the applause from the stands signaled Unified players were favored as they squared off against Brighton’s boys basketball team. And as the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard only told part of the story. The Unified team claimed victory, but more importantly, Brighton proved schools rise together when every student belongs.

A bold investment in Utah’s future workforce is taking shape. Canyons School District has been awarded a $17.2 million Catalyst Center Implementation Grant from the Utah State Board of Education to transform the former eBay regional headquarters into the Canyons Innovation Center—a first-of-its-kind learning campus designed to prepare students as early as high school for immediate entry into high-demand careers. This isn’t just a new school. It’s a new model. At the Canyons Innovation Center, students will work alongside industry professionals, tackle real projects from local employers, and gain hands-on experience using the same tools and technologies found in today’s most in-demand careers. Students will graduate not only with diplomas, but with the skills, confidence, and professional experience to contribute on day one. This highly competitive grant—awarded to just 13 education agencies from 35 applicants requesting more than $200 million—reflects Utah's shared commitment to aligning education with workforce needs. Equally important, this project represents a new level of fiscal stewardship. By repurposing an existing corporate campus and leveraging state support alongside proceeds from surplus property, Canyons is creating a world-class career training center at a fraction of the cost of new construction. “This is a transformational investment in students and our regional economy,” said Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins. “We are creating a place where education and industry come together—where students can discover their potential, develop real skills, and step confidently into the careers that will shape Utah’s future.” Construction is already underway on the trades center and the school is on track to open in fall 2027. https://lnkd.in/gmpuf3Zs

How do Canyons District's nearly 3,000 Education Support Professionals spend a no-school day? Training, of course. Training, connecting with one another and getting inspired. Friday's ESP Day kicked off at Brighton High School, home of the Bengals and the training ground of former NFL linebacker Bryan Kehl. A standout at Brigham Young University before playing for several teams in the National Football League, Kehl delivered a heartfelt message about the power of belief. Believing in yourself. Believing in your teammates. Believing in the students you serve. Kehl reminded attendees that believing in others means having high expectations for them — and when you believe someone can meet those expectations, they will be inclined to work harder to reach them. The day concluded with lunch served by CSD’s Administrative Team and members of the Canyons Board of Education, a small gesture of appreciation for the bus drivers, paraprofessionals, custodians, nutrition workers, secretaries, and countless others who keep our schools running every single day.

Being a good citizen starts with being an informed one. That’s why Canyons District is proud to celebrate News Literacy Week (Feb. 2-6) and our Information Investigators program, which empowers students to think critically, spot misinformation, and ask the right questions about what they see and hear every day. From “who’s the source” to “what’s the motive,” students across disciplines are learning how to analyze information with a forensics mindset. Because the goal isn’t telling students what to think, it’s teaching them how to think. A healthy democracy depends on it. #NewsLiteracy https://lnkd.in/gZYAzhKW

America is re-onshoring industries and rediscovering the dignity of what it means to make things again. Artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping how work gets done. At the same time, the industries defining the next century of American competitiveness — advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, robotics, energy, cybersecurity, and engineering — face a talent pipeline crisis. The country is at a reckoning point, one that requires public education to evolve to start preparing students as early as high school for immediate entry into these high-wage, high-demand careers, said Canyons District Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins. “Academic achievement is always going to be at the heart of what we do. But we really do need to lean into this philosophy of workforce readiness.” That is the premise behind the Canyons Innovation Center, a profession-based learning center coming in August 2027 to the former regional headquarters of eBay in Draper. The facility is not a school in the traditional sense. It is an R&D-inspired environment where students work with professionals to solve real-world business problems while earning college credit and industry certifications, and developing the work habits and skills that employers say they so desperately need. In a recent episode of the Connect Canyons podcast, Dr. Robins joined Reid Newey, Director of the Innovation Center, and Aaron Starks, CEO and President of 47G, an organization working to make Utah a national leader in aerospace and defense. The trio discussed how the Innovation Center represents more than a new school, but a strategic response to a national need. Done right, said Robins, and it could be “a game changer…that sets the stage to reimagine what education, especially public education, can be.” Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g_T4db7S