Uncategorized – americanprep.org Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:02:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Group-118-32x32.png Uncategorized – americanprep.org 32 32 Utah Senate Bill 69 and Bell-to-Bell Phone Policies: Why American Prep Led the Way in 2023 /utah-moves-toward-bell-to-bell-phone-limits-apa-has-been-leading-since-2023/ Wed, 25 Feb 2026 19:23:31 +0000 /?p=49584

Update — February 27, 2026

Since this article was originally published, the Utah Legislature has formally approved Senate Bill 69, establishing a default bell-to-bell restriction on student cellphone use in Utah public schools. The bill now advances to Governor Spencer Cox’s desk and is expected to be signed into law.

This legislative action reflects growing statewide consensus among educators and policymakers that minimizing digital distractions supports student focus, well-being, and academic success. American Preparatory Academy implemented bell-to-bell, distraction-minimized campuses beginning in 2023 through our Minimize Tech / Maximize Happiness initiative, and we are encouraged to see statewide policy moving in a similar direction.

Recent coverage from the and growing statewide momentum behind Senate Bill 69, which would limit student cell phone use from bell-to-bell in Utah public schools.

Educators from districts such as Granite and Alpine have publicly shared their support for reducing classroom distractions, noting that many schools are already close to implementing similar standards. In at least one case, a Granite district high school reported its lowest failure rates in five years after strengthening phone restrictions.

We are encouraged to see this thoughtful discussion taking place across Utah.

American Prep's Early Leadership

At American Preparatory Academy, this direction is not new.

In 2023, after reviewing research on student well-being and attention——we launched our Minimize Tech / Maximize Happiness initiative. Our leadership team studied data on digital overstimulation, attention fragmentation, and its impact on children.

Age of 1st smart device linked mental wellbeing Vertical

We chose not to wait.

We implemented bell-to-bell, distraction-minimized environments across our campuses—reducing access to personal smart devices throughout the school day, not just during instructional periods.Ìý

This approach has helped students:

  • Maintain stronger academic focus
  • Engage more fully in class discussions
  • Build healthier in-person friendships
  • Participate meaningfully in school culture

Ìý

While each school community must determine what works best for its students, our experience over the past two years has confirmed that minimizing digital distractions supports learning and connection.

Why Focus Matters for Reading and Learning

Sustained attention is foundational to literacy development, particularly in the early grades. Reading requires working memory, repetition, and mental discipline. These conditions are difficult to sustain in environments where devices constantly compete for attention.

At APA, distraction-minimized campuses operate alongside a literacy model grounded in the science of reading. Together, this alignment has supported strong outcomes for our students, even as statewide data has highlighted ongoing reading challenges.

Executive Director Carolyn Sharette recently discussed Utah’s literacy landscape, instructional fidelity, and the importance of focused learning environments in a podcast interview. Click here to listen to Mrs. Sharette

about APA’s Minimize Tech/Maximize Happiness Initiative

]]> 50% of Utah Children Can't Read at their Grade Level...Here's Why | Episode 50 nonadult 2024-2025 School Year Calendar /2024-2025-school-year-calendar/ Wed, 19 Jun 2024 10:42:07 +0000 http://americanprep.org/?p=38461

The calendar for the 2024-2025 school year has been approved.

2024-25-APA-Academic-Calendar- ]]> Meal Status Expiration 9.28.23 /status-expiration-9-28-23/ Wed, 19 Jun 2024 10:25:50 +0000 http://americanprep.org/?p=38455 Dear Parent/Guardian,

The free/reduced meal application on file for last year at American Preparatory Academy permitted your students to be served free meals for 30 days of the new school year or until a new application is received. This status expires September 28, 2023.

Please apply online by following this link:Ìý/school-lunch-program/eligibility/Ìýor if you prefer a paper application you can pick one up at your campus lunchroom.

As ofÌý September 28, 2023,Ìý your student’s meal status will expire and the price for meals will be $2.65 (K-5) or $2.95 (6-12). If you have questions or need help, please come to your school campus lunch room. You may also email us at lunch@apamail.org for help with the application process.

If you submitted an application or received a notification letter in the past 10 days please disregard this notice.

Thank You,

APA Food Service Manager

lunch@apamail.org

_______________

Estimado Padre / Tutor,

La solicitud de comida gratis/a precio reducido registrada el año pasado en American Preparatory Academy permitió que su estudiante(s) reciba(n) comidas gratis durante 30 días del nuevo año escolar o hasta que se reciba una nueva solicitud. Este estado vence el 28 de septiembre de 2023.

Solicite en línea siguiendo este enlace:Ìý/school-lunch-program/eligibility/Ìýo si prefiere una solicitud en papel, puede recoger una en el comedor de su campus.

A partir del 28 de septiembre de 2023, su estado de comidas vencerá y el precio de las comidas será de $2.65 (K-5) o $2.95 (6-12). Si tiene preguntas o necesita ayuda, acérquese al comedor del campus de su escuela. También puede enviarnos un correo electrónico a lunch@apamail.org para obtener ayuda con el proceso de solicitud.

Si envió una solicitud o recibió una carta de notificación en los últimos 10 días, ignore este aviso.

¡³Ò°ù²¹³¦¾±²¹²õ!

APA Food Service Manager

lunch@apamail.org

]]> School Fees /uncategorized/school-fees/ Wed, 19 Jun 2024 10:19:26 +0000 http://americanprep.org/?p=38453

]]> Open Positions At APA /open-positions-at-apa/ Fri, 14 Jul 2023 11:43:21 +0000 http://americanprep.org/?p=30427 Dear APA parents,Ìý

As we prepare for an exciting new school year starting in August, we have the following positions available!Ìý We wanted to let you know about them because we often find that our parents or other relatives of our students make wonderful APA employees!Ìý Also, our families have many contacts and friends that we hope you will share this information with so we can find the GREATEST POSSIBLE individuals to join our APA team!Ìý See the great positions that are open below:

1.ÌýÌýInstructorsÌýare needed at all campuses.Ìý No certification or degree is required for the Instructor position, and we provide all training!Ìý These important people assist our Elementary Teachers in the classrooms.Ìý These are 36.5 hour per week positions, with holidays and school breaks off, so this is perfect for parents who may want to work at their child’s school!Ìý Benefits available with this position.

2. ÌýAssociate Teachers: ÌýThis position is similar to the instructor, but for those with college education or working on their degrees.Ìý This is similar to a teaching apprenticeship.Ìý We provide excellent training and you will be assisting a classroom elementary teacher.Ìý Full time with benefits. Ìý

3. ÌýDistrict Substitutes: ÌýOur substitutes are needed at all campuses.Ìý We are so appreciative of our substitute teachers!Ìý We provide competitive pay and strong training. Ìý

4. ÌýÌý2 (two) – APA Apparel/Brand Managers:ÌýÌýWe are looking for two energetic individuals to work 30 hours per week to sell and market our APA apparel items and APA logo items!!Ìý This will be a really fun job for two people who love APA and are excited about helping parents with uniforms, Spirit Wear and creating other APA logo items and campaigns to promote the school through marketing/branding.Ìý This team will also be responsible for coming up with the annual staff gift (given during Staff Appreciation Week).Ìý We’d love someone experienced with merchandising/sales/inventory tracking for one of these positions. ÌýÌý

If you are interested in any of these positions, we strongly encourage you to apply as soon as possible! Our HR and Recruiting teams are eager to meet with you!

Draper Instructors/Associate Teachers:Ìý

West Valley Instructors/Associate Teachers:Ìý

Salem Instructors/Associate Teachers:Ìý

Substitutes:Ìý

Apparel Manager:Ìý

]]> Need Help Tomorrow! Demolition Opportunity For APA! /need-help-tomorrow-demolition-opportunity-for-apa/ Wed, 12 Jul 2023 11:51:23 +0000 http://americanprep.org/?p=30422 Hello APA staff and family members!

We have been notified that we have an amazing opportunity TOMORROW to salvage items from a West Jordan Elementary School. We can go in from 9 am to 3:30 pm and take whatever we can haul out.

There are a TON of great furnishings that will save APA a lot of money if we can get it out tomorrow!!! PLEASE come help us with this project!! 

  • Address:  7220 South 2370 West, West Jordan, UT
  • Time:  9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (we may be able to stay later but won’t know until tomorrow)
  • Wear close-toed shoes and bring gloves
  • If you have power drills or screwdrivers and feel comfortable using them to take things apart bring them

We need to get an idea of who will be there to help.  Please fill out this VERY SHORTand let us know you are coming!!

THANK YOU!!! Call me with questions!

Carolyn Sharette

Executive Director

Cell: 801-808-3933

csharette@apamail.org

¡Hola personal de APA y miembros de la familia!

Nos han notificado que tenemos una oportunidad increíble MAÑANA para rescatar artículos de una escuela primaria de West Jordan.

Podemos entrar de 9 am a 3:30 pm y sacar lo que podamos. ¡Hay una TONELADA de excelentes muebles que le ahorrarán mucho dinero a APA si podemos sacarlos mañana!

¡¡POR FAVOR ven a ayudarnos con este proyecto!!

  • Dirección: 7220 South 2370 West, West Jordan, UT
  • Horario: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Es posible que podamos quedarnos más tarde, pero no lo sabremos hasta mañana)
  • Use zapatos cerrados y traiga guantes
  • Si tiene taladros eléctricos o destornilladores y se siente cómodo usándolos para desarmar cosas, tráigalos

Necesitamos tener una idea de quién estará allí para ayudar. ¡Complete esta encuesta MUY CORTA y háganos saber que asistirá!

¡¡¡³Ò¸é´¡°ä±õ´¡³§!!!

]]> P-EBT Reconsideration /p-ebt-reconsideration/ Fri, 21 May 2021 09:14:37 +0000 http://americanprep.org/?p=4814

May 21, 2021

Hello American Prep Families,

It has been an exciting school year! We have some important information for our families that participated in the free and reduced lunch program. The state is offering a Pandemic-EBT relief benefit to families that qualified free or reduced lunch through the National School Lunch Program. American Prep families became eligible for P-EBT on 8/19/2020 because we offered an Off-Campus learning model during COVID-19. Because our campuses were not closed for more than 5 consecutive days (with the exception of Draper 1 in September), most families did not automatically receive the P-EBT card. However, families that participated in our Off-Campus learning model can be reconsidered for the benefit. If you would like to apply for this reconsideration you can do so on our website, in Skyward Family Access, or by clicking the link below.

To be eligible for this reconsideration you must meet the following criteria:

  • Your student(s) qualified for Free/Reduced lunch as of May 10th, 2021.
  • Your student(s) participated in our Off-Campus learning model at some point this school year (being quarantined due to COVID-19 does not qualify as an Off-Campus learning model).
  • You must complete a Reconsideration Application –Ìý

In addition to the P-EBT benefit offered during the school year, anyone that qualified for Free or Reduced lunch this year will automatically receive a Summer-EBT benefit regardless of your learning model. No further action is required on your part for the Summer P-EBT.

]]> Ferpa /uncategorized/ferpa/ Sat, 01 Sep 2018 11:12:47 +0000 http://americanprep.org/?p=38472 American Preparatory Academy takes seriously its moral and legal responsibility to protect student privacy and ensure data security. American Preparatory Academy has developed procedures and guidelines concerning the collection, storage, and use and safekeeping of data by the school and its staff.

FERPA Annual Notification of Rights

Student Data Collection Notice

Directory Information Notice

 

]]> APA Draper High School Groundbreaking /apa-draper-high-school-groundbreaking/ Sat, 07 Jan 2017 07:45:00 +0000 http://americanprep.org/?p=4725

January 7, 2017

Due to extremely cold temperatures, we postponed our groundbreaking for the APA Draper High School. ÌýWatch the website for information coming soon on a reschedule date!

]]> UCA Board Meeting /uca-board-meeting/ Tue, 22 Nov 2016 06:12:03 +0000 http://americanprep.org/?p=4647

November 22, 2016

Utah Charter Academies will hold its monthly board meeting today at 4:30 at the West Valley 2 campus.

]]>