Happy March!
We’re so lucky to have the best staff around! We hope you had a great mid-winter break. We’re loving the warmer weather and the sunshine-filled, longer days that are just around the corner! Before you know it, Spring Break will be here!
For March, the wellness initiative is Balanced Nutrition. Nutrition is the relationship between food and your body, which plays a critical role in your health and development. Having proper nutrition provides the body with the nutrients it needs to function. It can lead to a stronger immune system, improved concentration and attention span, and even a longer life span. Eating a well-balanced meal helps protect against illnesses and diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Here are a few tips to get started on a journey to healthy nutrition:
- Get a personalized eating plan: talk to your doctor to develop a plan that will give you the portions of each food group you need daily. You may be referred to a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
- Set realistic goals: gradual changes increase the likelihood of success and strong habits. Start with the small changes and work your way into bigger ones.
- Balance your diet with a variety of foods: In general, your plate should be 50% fruits and vegetables, 25% lean meat, poultry, fish, or other protein, and 25% grains.
- Focus on whole fruits: top your cereal, oatmeal, or pancakes with bananas, chopped apples, blueberries, or other fruit. Set aside time each week to clean and prep fruits for easy snacking throughout the week.
- Make half of your grains whole grains: This can help with weight management while providing important nutrients like carbohydrates and B vitamins. Replace regular sandwich bread with a whole-grain pita, tortilla, or roll.
- Vary your veggies: Make a stir-fry with fresh or frozen vegetables for a quick, nutritious meal. Pick out a new vegetable you haven’t had before a try a new recipe.
- Mix up your protein: Plan to have fish or seafood twice per week. Incorporate more meatless protein, like tofu or beans, which are tasty, cheaper, and good for you!
- Eat slowly: It can take 15-20 minutes for your brain to get the message that your body is full. Eat slowly to reduce the likelihood of overeating. Try to avoid distractions while eating (think: chew time!) in order to encourage mindful eating.
With the warmer weather approaching, it’s easier to get outside and get active! Here’s a reminder that you have a built-in benefit in your United Healthcare insurance plan! Did you know that you can earn money for healthy habits? Through the UHC Rewards program, you can earn money for steps, tracking your sleep, completing a biometric screening, and going paperless! Check out the UHC Rewards program to learn more:
March is full of fun events! Here are a few things we’re looking forward to on our calendars:
- Month of March: National Music in our Schools Month (thanks to our awesome Music Teachers!)
March 2nd: Read Across America Day - March 4th: Grammar Day
- March 10th: Daylight Savings
(move clocks forward 1 hour = more light in the evenings!) - March 14th and 15th: Parent Teacher Conferences
- March 14th: Pi(e) Day!
- March 17th: St. Patrick’s Day
- Week of March 18th: Staff Appreciation Week!
- March 22nd: Goof Off Day
- March 26th Professional Development Day
- March 31st: Crayon Day
We appreciate you! We always look forward to seeing you on Professional Development Days. Don’t forget to register for your Paycom classes well in advance.
As always, if you have any questions, please reach out! We are happy to help: hr@apamail.org
We hope you have a wonderful March!
Your APA HR Team
Hey fantastic American Prep Staff!
Congratulations! You’ve officially passed the half-way mark hurdle and you’re on the downhill for the rest of the school year. As we enter into February, here are a few tips and reminders from your HR team.
Recently, the “Intent to Return” survey was distributed. We have already received so many responses! Thank you! If you have not completed the survey yet, please do so at your earliest convenience. It’s just a few short questions, and only takes about 2 minutes to complete. Your participation in this survey will be a great help as we plan for staffing next year. If you didn’t receive the survey, or it’s buried in your email, here it is again!
Similarly, we’re starting to hire for the 2024-2025 school year! Work is even more 
fun with friends, so spread the word! Find all of our current job openings here.
In continuing with our wellness initiatives, February’s theme is Heart Heath!
Did you know that your heart will beat around 2.5 billion times over your lifetime? Your heart works hard to push blood to every part of your body. Heart health keeps our systems running smoothly so we can live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Our heart is constantly working, so it’s vital to make choices that strengthen it.
There are many things we can do to improve our heart health, such as physical activity, adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and having healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Here are a few more tips to improve heart health!
- Learn your Health History
Talk to relatives about health trends in your family, then visit with your doctor to learn more about your individual risks. - Eat a Health Diet
Adding more whole grains, lean meats, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats all support a healthy heart. Decrease your salt, saturated fat, and added sugar intake to avoid chronic disease. - Move More and Sit Less
Live an active lifestyle! Take short walking breaks during the day. Implement strength-based activities twice per week, and aim for 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week. - Quit Smoking
Smoking is a risk factor for many chronic diseases. Quitting smoking can cut your risk of heart disease in half! - Take your Medications as Directed
Be sure to follow the instructions given for your medications. Don’t be afraid to ask your pharmacist of physician if you have any questions! - Think about what you Drink
Make water your best friend! Swap sugary drinks for water. - Monitor your Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is a direct indicator of heart health. Get regular check-ups with your health care provider, or take your blood pressure at home with easy-to-use blood pressure monitors.
Lastly, here are a bunch of delicious, heart-healthy recipes! During the month of February, take some time to take care of your heart!
To wrap it up, we have just a few more reminders for you:
- On January 1st, your United Healthcare deductible and out of pocket maximum
- Looking far ahead: If you’ve opted to go paperless with UHC (you can check this setting in your UHC app or in your online account), then you’ll only receive electronic insurance cards. This means that UHC will not mail a physical card to you. If you prefer a physical insurance card, please check your UHC settings. You can access your electronic insurance card anytime in the UHC app.
- Since it’s a new year, there are new limits for your 401k contributions and your HSA
- The 2024 annual limit for your 401k is $23,000. You can change your 401k contributions any time through your Fidelity account.
- The 2024 annual limit for your HSA as an individual is $4150 and the family limit is $8300. You can change your HSA contributions any time through your Paycom Account. Navigate to the benefits section, and go to “My Benefits”. Click on the pencil and edit icon next to “Health Savings Account (Employee Contributions)” in order to make changes to this benefit.
- The 2024 annual limit for your 401k is $23,000. You can change your 401k contributions any time through your Fidelity account.
If you have any questions about benefits, please reach out to Rachel Ames (rames@apamail.org).
- Additionally, your W-2 tax document is now available on your Paycom account.
- Your 1095-C (proof of insurance) will be available in Paycom by the end of February.
We hope you have a wonderful February! Mid-winter break will be here before you know it!
Love,
Your APA HR Team
November 2023 - Rachel Ames, HR Generalist
Hello amazing American Prep Staff!
As another calendar year is coming to a close, holidays are in full swing, and winter is well on its way, we want to ensure you are taking care of your mental and financial health!
Did you know that the Headspace App offers FREE access to K-12 Educators for their premium library content? This includes over 1000 hours of mindfulness and sleep content, mini exercises for busy schedules, and hopefully reduced stress! To get started, visit https://www.headspace.com/educators, select Utah as the school location, and register for an account with your school email address.
While the holidays can strain our wallets, it's never too early to consider securing your financial future. Our retirement broker, HUB International, offers free one-on-one meetings with a certified financial planner in December. Doug Macdonald, Investment Advisor, is our designated resource. In a meeting with Doug, you can expect to increase your understanding of your retirement plan benefit, learn the difference between a traditional 401k and a Roth 401k, review your investment allocation, obtain a retirement projection to determine if you are on track to retire, and learn more about the transition to retirement. To schedule your meeting with Doug, please use the following link: https://calendly.com/dougmacdonald-hub/investment-financial-planning
Lastly, we are in the preliminary stages of developing a wellness program for our wonderful staff. Each month, we’ll announce a theme to promote physical, social, intellectual, emotional, occupational, environmental, or financial wellness. The theme for December is Volunteering. Volunteering is a great way to connect with your community and learn about others around you. Studies show that volunteers have an overall healthier, happier outlook on life. Still not convinced? Read about more of the benefits of volunteering here. Consider giving the gift of service, time, or a meal to someone in need this holiday season. Click here, for other ideas on how to get involved in this month's wellness initiative.
We hope the rest of 2023 is full of fun, good health, and safety for you and your loved ones.
Happy everything,
Your APA HR Team
July 2023 - Jeremiah Brennan, Human Resources Director
Hello amazing American Prep Staff!
It's that time again! Our training is in full-swing and we're preparing for another wonderful school year. We are excited to welcome new staff members and thrilled to see so many remarkable, returning staff. In the midst of all our preparations, it's also time for Benefits Open Enrollment!
Open Enrollment will begin on Tuesday, August 1st and end at midnight on Friday, August 18th. During this time, please log in to Paycom to make your benefit selections, update dependent information as necessary, and review your beneficiaries if applicable. This link includes an interactive benefit enrollment guide, which allows you to easily click on the weblinks found throughout the guide. You can also watch this video, which explains the highlights of our benefits, small changes for this benefit year, and other helpful information.
- This year, American Prep is having an Active Enrollment, which means all benefit eligible employees must log in to Paycom to make their benefit elections. Benefits from the previous year will not roll over. Any benefits left without an enrollment decision (enroll or decline) will be considered declined automatically at the end of the enrollment period.
- In order to simplify your decisions, we've reduced the number of medical plan options from four to two. This is because the network has changed. United Healthcare's Options PPO network now covers more hospitals than ever, including IHC. Historically, IHC was only included in the Choice Plus network, but now it is included in the Options PPO network. This simplifies your decisions, as you will only have to choose a deductible. Please also utilize the "Find a Provider" link through UHC to ensure that your physicians accept the Options PPO network.
- Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability plans have no changes for the next benefit year. Although there are no changes to the plans, you will still need to enroll in these benefits if you want them for the next year.
Please be mindful of the enrollment period ending on August 18th. Failure to complete your enrollment during this time will result in ineligibility for benefits until the next open enrollment session, unless you have a qualifying event. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rachel Ames at rames@apamail.org or 801-707-0089 ext. 1030.
LUXE Vision
We are excited to offer onsite vision screenings to our employees again this year. LUXE Vision, a professional vision team, will come directly to our pre-service training to provide *comprehensive vision & contact lens exams for all team members and their dependents. (Eye Exams take only 25 minutes!!!)
LUXE also offers a wide variety of top-selling frames & contacts that you can buy directly from them during your eye exam.
WHEN: August 1st to 4th from 9:00am to 5:00pm
WHERE: APA WV2/3 Conference Room (TBD)
WHO: All employees & their dependents
COST: *NO COST with INSURANCE! ... minus copay and overages.
Take advantage of this convenient benefit!
Employee Referral Bonus
Starting August 1st, APA will be paying a $200 Employee Referral Bonus to those staff members that refer a candidate for employment who is hired and begins work at APA. The payment will be split, half upon the new employee's start date and the remaining bonus paid on the referral's two-month anniversary. Please think of people you know who might be a great fit at APA and forward their names to the HR department, as well as the position you think they will thrive in!
Reminder of Paycom Ask Here
Here are some examples of questions you can ask through Ask Here: Paycom
- How does annualized pay work?
- How do I request new insurance cards?
- How do I get a teaching license?
To access Paycom's Ask Here application and ask your HR department a question, log into your Paycom phone app or log in to the Paycom website and click on the question mark on the top right of the screen. Move through the preset queries to ensure the correct member of the HR team receives your request. Once your query is sent, the HR team will be notified, and a response will be headed your way as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you through Ask Here!
Click Here for the official Paycom Ask Here instructions:
Thank you for all that you do! If there is anything the Human Resources Department can do for you, please do not hesitate to reach out. Have a great year!
April 2023 - Jeremiah Brennan, Human Resources Director
Hello! My name is Rachel Ames, and I'm a new addition to the Human Resources team at American Prep! In a way, working here feels like coming home: I attended APA as a student when the school first opened, then worked as a substitute after graduating high
school. Over the years, a few of my family members have worked here as well. My husband is a fifth-grade teacher at Draper 2, and my three-year-old son attends Bright Beginnings child care center. Needless to say, APA has always been a huge part of my life and has shaped me into the person that I am today. I am thrilled to be back!
Over the last five years, I have had opportunities to work in a variety of industries. I started my HR career in the automotive industry, then moved to manufacturing. Following that, I worked in construction and most recently found my way to the public sector at the county and city levels. I've learned a lot about how HR operates in different settings and am eager to navigate HR in 
education. The thing I love most about HR is helping people, which has been a constant privilege of mine, regardless of the industry.
When I'm not working, I love spending time with my husband and son. Whether we are going to the park, playing in the mountains, or having a bonfire in our backyard, we enjoy being outside together. We also love a good movie night at home and playing board games. We like cooking yummy food and sharing it with friends. I love baking, singing in the car,
The Office, napping, and planning more trips than we'll ever be able to take.
I am so happy to be at American Preparatory Academy. I look forward to getting to know all of you, and I hope to be a great resource for you!
“We are thrilled to announce the addition of Rachel Ames to our Human Resources team with one of her primary roles being benefits administration! With her extensive experience and knowledge in human resources, Rachel will be a valuable asset to our organization. She brings a wealth of expertise in areas such as talent acquisition, employee engagement, and benefits administration. We are confident that her contribution will greatly enhance our team and support our mission to create a positive and productive work environment for our employees. Please join us in welcoming Rachel to the team and wishing her all the best in her new role!”
- Jeremiah Brennan, HR Director
March 2023 - Jeremiah Brennan, Human Resources Director
Dear American Preparatory Academy Team,
We understand that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is vital for our overall well-being, especially in the
world of education. As a team, we want to remind you that your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and we're here to support you in every way possible.
Mental health encompasses our psychological, emotional, and social well-being, allowing us to lead fulfilling lives, contribute positively to our communities, and achieve our goals. We know that it can impact every aspect of our lives, so it's essential to prioritize it and find ways to cope with stress.
We want to share some heartfelt advice and stress-relief strategies that can help you maintain a positive mental health balance:
Exercise: Physical activity is an excellent stress reliever and mood booster. Engaging in regular exercise can help reduce anxiety and depression. We're happy to offer free group fitness classes on Saturdays at 8 a.m. at the Draper 3 campus - all staff are welcome to join!
Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and promote a sense of calm. Whether it's through
meditation, yoga, or simply being present in the moment, mindfulness is achievable, even in a classroom setting.
Social Support: Building connections with your colleagues and friends is essential for mental well-being. Remember, at APA, we're all friends and encourage you to reach out for support, advice, or just a friendly chat.
Relaxation Techniques: Incorporating relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualization into your daily routine can help alleviate stress. Some of our staff even involve their students in these activities, making it a fun and inclusive practice!
Time Management: Planning and prioritizing tasks can help you feel more in control and less overwhelmed. Effective time management also ensures you have enough time for self-care, like exercise and socializing.
Healthy Lifestyle: Embrace a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and avoid harmful substances to improve your overall well-being. Seek joy and meaning through hobbies, volunteering, or attending student events at APA.
Professional Help: If you need more support, don't hesitate to seek professional help from therapists, counselors, or psychiatrists. They can provide valuable guidance and help you regain a sense of control.
Remember, our Employee Assistance Plan offers short-term, confidential counseling for you and your household members with no out-of-pocket expense. Click here for more information: APA Employee Assistance Plan or call 1 (888) 628-4824, 24/7.
We care about your well-being and want to ensure that everyone at American Preparatory Academy feels supported and valued. Prioritizing mental health and managing stress effectively allows us to live fulfilling lives and positively contribute to our community.
Jeremiah Brennan
Human Resources Director
January 2023 - Jeremiah Brennan, Human Resources Director
Dearest APA Staff,
First, I want to commend you on being a Utah Top Workplace in 2022. That is a remarkable feat that you, the staff of this fantastic organization, most undoubtedly deserve. Your hard work and dedication to our students, our culture, and your profession make our schools unique. We would be unable to provide high-quality academic and character education to our students without each and every one of you. Regardless of your role, you are vital to our mission, and that is why you are here. Thank you, staff, for all that you do for APA!
IMPORTANCE OF RETIREMENT PLANNING
Saving for personal retirement is an essential aspect of financial planning that should not be overlooked. While it can be tempting to prioritize immediate spending over long-term savings, putting aside money for retirement has numerous benefits that can significantly improve your financial situation in the future.
First and foremost, saving for retirement allows you to maintain your standard of living once you stop working. With a steady income stream from a job, it can be easier to cover your basic expenses and enjoy the same quality of life you're used to. By setting aside money for retirement, you can ensure that you have the financial means to maintain your current lifestyle or even improve it.
In addition to providing financial security, saving for retirement can also give you more control over your future. When you have a nest egg set aside, you can retire earlier than you might otherwise be able to. This can give you the freedom to pursue other interests, travel, or spend more time with loved ones. It can also provide peace of mind, knowing that you have the financial means to support yourself if you cannot work due to illness or injury.
Another benefit of saving for retirement is that it can help you avoid burdening your loved ones. If you don't have sufficient savings and cannot support yourself in your later years, you may have to rely on family members for financial assistance. This can put a strain on your relationships and cause unnecessary stress for both you and your loved ones. By saving for retirement, you can avoid this situation and maintain independence.
Furthermore, saving for retirement can also provide tax benefits. In many countries, contributions to retirement savings plans are tax-deferred, meaning that you don't have to pay taxes on the money you set aside until you withdraw it. This can provide a significant financial benefit, allowing you to keep more of your hard-earned money and grow your savings faster.
Saving for personal retirement may seem daunting, but many resources and tools are available to help you plan and achieve your savings goals. One option is to work with a financial planner who can provide personalized advice and guidance on the best savings plan for your circumstances. Many employers (such as APA) also offer retirement savings plans, such as 401(k)s, which can make it easier to set aside money for the future.
With the right plan and guidance, anyone can take the steps necessary to save for a comfortable retirement.
CHANGES TO APA RETIREMENT PROGRAM
We in Human Resources would like to inform you that there has been a change to the APA Retirement Program. Before this school year, only specific individuals based on their position were allowed to participate in our 401(k). The new plan enables all APA staff, regardless of position to participate in the 2% matching contribution after they have passed their thirty-day probationary period. Staff members eligible for our previous plan, 2% match and 4% company contribution, still have that plan available. The change to that plan is you, the employee, no longer have to contribute a set percentage to receive the 4% company match. If you have an APA Fidelity retirement account, APA will start contributing 4% to your account. Additionally, vesting requirements are no longer tied to our APA retirement program.
All employees will receive a letter through their Paycom account on what retirement program they are eligible for and instructions on moving forward. Current retirement plan participants do not need to make any changes to their accounts; they will continue to receive distributions/contributions based on the percentage chosen. You are also able to get started by setting up a fidelity account. Below are the instructions.
Signing up for a Fidelity Retirement Account
- Go to 401k.com
- On the green banner - press GET STARTED.
- Fill out identity information.
- Once you have completed enrollment, you can set your contribution amounts. There is an EASY ENROLLMENT (you choose a percentage, and Fidelity puts you in a plan they think best suits you based on your projected retirement date and age), or you can manage your contribution percentage and investments.
- Once you choose a contribution amount and submit the plan, it will take up to two pay periods to process and start being deducted from your account.
If you have any further questions, contact HR (hr@apamail.org) or Fidelity directly at 800-347-2673 to talk with a Fidelity representative and get help enrolling in your plan.
As always, please get in touch with your HR team for any questions or concerns regarding pay, benefits, licensing, onboarding, policy, etc.
October 2022 – Brenna Fontaine, HR Generalist
It's no surprise that we can all get overwhelmed or exhausted at work. You may think, "I need to find a way to love my job again," or "What can I do to enjoy coming to work?" It may happen the day before the first day of school, right before a week-long Spring Break, or on a random Thursday morning when you forgot to submit report cards. So, what can you do to love your job again and enjoy coming to work? Here is a short list of ways we've seen our most successful employees love their job, year after year!
- Learn something new!
- You may find yourself doing the same daily tasks for an
- entire year, which can quickly become boring and uninspiring. But challenging yourself to learn something new will help you love your job!
- Ask for help and support!
- Nobody can do everything on their own, even though some of us try. If you are feeling overwhelmed with your daily tasks, ask for help! You might find a parent volunteer to grade your grammar tests or ask another instructor for tips to keep your line quiet in the hallway! You never know who might have a helpful tip!
- Set new goals and write them down!
- Goals are the best way to review your career progress. If you find that you are working without clear goals, you may feel directionless or unmotivated. Goals help you drive your career forward.
- Remember, you are making an impact!
- Think about the impact your job has on those around you – your students, your coworkers, the front office staff, the Character Development team, the lunch staff, or even the Operations Teams! Broaden your perspective, appreciate your worth, and then love your job again.
- Help someone first!
- When you see a need, be the first to fill it. If people know that you are there to help, they will want you to come to work!
- Make everyone feel like part of the team!
- Writing someone a small note, complimenting someone, or including someone in a conversation is a great way to look forward to coming to work! When you are part of a team, you feel wanted and important. If you can make someone a part of your team, they will ensure you are a part of theirs.
- Stay present!
- Focusing on the tasks in front of you and ignoring things out of your control will ease the feeling of being overwhelmed. Look at what worked well and what could be improved the next day. You may also find it helpful to mentally say goodbye to your workspace the moment you leave for home.
September 2022
Hi all! I know many of you from working with American Preparatory Academy since 2017. I started as an instructor at Draper 2 for the upper grades. In 2019, I switched campuses to West Valley 1, where I was a 4th-grade teacher, homeroom coach, instructor trainer, and Academic Coordinator. Although I started at Draper 2, I consider West Valley 1 my home campus! My role in HR has included assisting with Paycom, recruiting, and auditing. There is so much to learn in Human Resources and I am having a blast!
I can’t wait to meet you all and get to know you a little bit better! I am so excited to be a part of the HR team at American Prep and I hope to be a resource to all staff and help clear the way so you can do the best job possible.
"Brenna Fontaine joined the APA Human Resources team only a short time ago but has made a considerable impact already. Brenna's enthusiasm and desire to soak up as much knowledge as possible have allowed her to become a contributing member of the HR team, taking on significant tasks. Since Brenna started, she has not only aided the HR team in its efforts but also goes above and beyond helping in other departments such as Character Development and Marketing. Occasionally, she can be seen at the campuses providing help where it is needed. The Human Resources team is grateful for her contributions, and we are excited to see Brenna learn and grow.
Welcome to the HR Team!" - Jeremiah Brennan
August 2022 – Brenna Fontaine, Human Resources Generalist
Dear APA staff,
It is wild to think that a month has already passed for the 2022-2023 school year! We saw significant growth and friendships as we welcomed our new and returning staff to DI Week. We hope that you were able to learn something new and make new relationships with your teams this year.
Here are a few reminders to help you succeed this year.
PAYCOM – CLOCKING IN AND OUT
Many of our employees have been incredible at keeping track of their time on their timesheets in Paycom – THANK YOU! It helps so many parts of our work run smoothly when you are able to stay on top of your timesheet.
As a reminder, the following employees must clock in daily.
- Instructors/Paraprofessionals
- Assistant Special Education Teachers
- School Secretaries
- Academic Coordinators
- Operations/Custodial Staff/Procurement/Transportation
- Day Care Providers
- Food Service Employees
- Sistema Employees/Afterschool Mentors
- Hourly Employees
- Part-Time Employees
- Non-exempt Employees
If you are unsure if you fall into these categories and would like to know if you should be clocking in and out, please reach out to the Human Resources department. You can reach us by using the handy-dandy “Ask Here” function in Paycom or by sending an email to hr@apamail.org
If you need assistance with this process or need help requesting a new punch change, please click here.
MEET THE AMERICAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY HUMAN RESOURCES TEAM!
The HR Team is happy to help with any concerns or questions you may have. The best way to reach us is through the “ASK HERE” function on Paycom. However, if you need to contact us differently, we are easily reached through email.
Jeremiah Brennan – HR Director – jbrennan@apamail.org
Layne Sims – HR Manager and Payroll Specialist – lsims@apamail.org
Shelly Anderson – Benefits Administrator – sanderson@apamail.org
Afiffa Munawar – HR Generalist, Recruiting Specialist – amunawar@apamail.org
Jace Ochsenhirt – HR Generalist, Termination Specialist – jochsenhirt@apamail.org
Brenna Fontaine – HR Generalist, General HR Needs – bfontaine@apamail.org
REMINDER – DRESS CODE
American Preparatory Academy prides itself on being an academically rigorous school and preparing our students to be successful citizens. Part of our policy lies in our dress code for students and staff. As the weather changes, we ask our team to keep in mind the dress code guidelines stated in the employee handbook (available to view on Paycom). If you are unsure if an item of clothing is appropriate to wear to school, feel free to take a picture of the item and ask your supervisor (Academic Director, Team Lead, etc.) for assurance.
We believe that encouraging our students to consider their outward appearance in professional settings will give them an advantage in making a positive lasting impression. This starts with our staff members modeling professional dress at school. We hope all APA staff will support this endeavor and uphold the same high expectations for themselves that we have for our students.
Thank you, everyone! Have a fantastic year!
July 2022 - Jeremiah Brennan, Human Resources Director
Dearest APA Staff,
Welcome to a new school year at American Preparatory Academy. We are excited to have all of you returning and brand-new staff with us this year. Please read through this article for information that is important for all staff to know.
BENEFITS - OPEN ENROLLMENT
This year we will be holding an active open enrollment session starting on Monday, August 1, 2022, and ending at midnight on Friday, August 12, 2022. It is crucial that you take the time to approve and decline any benefits you will need for yourself and your family during the 2022-2023 school year during this enrollment session. Failure to choose your benefits by August 12, 2022 will make you ineligible for benefits until the next open enrollment session unless you have a qualifying event.
Due to quite massive increases in premiums from our previous carrier, APA has changed its medical carrier to United Health Care (UHC). We dislike changing health insurance as we know that it is challenging for our employees and we never want to do anything that makes life more difficult for you. However, in spite of the general dislike we have toward changing medical carriers, there are some aspects of this that we are excited about. We believe some of you, too, will be quite excited to see the benefits that UHC brings to you and your families. With this change, please take the time to review each plan that UHC offers to ensure you understand what each entails. Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life plans will remain the same, but unlike in other years, your benefits will not “roll over” to next year and so you will need to select all your benefits this year during the open enrollment period.
The American Prep human resources team will be available in person during DI training week to answer any questions you may have regarding open enrollment. We will be located at the entrance of West Valley 2 at the HR table.
UHC Benefits Meeting
We encourage EVERYONE to come listen to the offerings of UHC on Tuesday August 2, 2022 at 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm in the West Valley 2 small gym near the elementary offices.
LUXE VISION BUS
We are excited to offer a new onsite benefit for all American Preparatory Academy team members. LUXE Vision, a professional vision team, will come directly to our DI training to provide comprehensive vision & contact lens exams for all team members and their dependents.
WHEN: August 1st-5th - 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: APA WV2 - LUXE Vision Bus
WHO: All employees & their dependents
COST: *NO COST with INSURANCE! ... minus copay and overages (such as for purchases).
APA Retirement Program
All staff, stay tuned for some amazing updates to our retirement plan. If you are currently eligible to participate and have not set up an account with Fidelity yet, do so at 401k.com. Or visit us at the HR table and we will walk you through it! Don’t leave money on the table and sign up for your 401K plan!!
Employee Referral Bonus
Starting August 1st, APA will be paying a $200 Employee Referral Bonus to those staff members that refer a candidate for employment who is hired and begins work at APA. The payment will be split, half upon the new employee’s start date and the remaining bonus paid on the referral’s two-month anniversary. Please be thinking of people you know who might be a great fit at APA and forward their names to the HR department, as well as the position you think they might be a good fit for.
Reminder of Paycom Ask Here
The American Preparatory Academy human resources department has launched the new Paycom Ask Here program to streamline questions and concerns about pay, benefits, licensing, new hire onboarding, policy, concerns, etc. Through this employee communications tool, your request will be directed to the most appropriate staff member automatically!
Here are some examples of questions you can ask through Ask Here: Paycom
- How does annualized pay work?
- How do I request new insurance cards?
- How do I get a teaching license?
To access Paycom's Ask Here application and ask your HR department a question, log into your Paycom phone app or log in to the Paycom website and click on the question mark on the top right of the screen. Move through the preset queries to ensure the correct member of the HR team receives your request. Once your query is sent, the HR team will be notified and a response will be headed your way as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you through Ask Here!
Click this link for the official Paycom Ask Here instructions:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e7aH0EQBsOPyumdBN6yGcO_bgLdvQJm-/view?usp=sharing
Thank you for all that you do! If there is anything the Human Resources Department can do for you, please do not hesitate to reach out. Have a great year!
June 2022 - Jeremiah Brennan - Human Resources Director
Dearest APA Staff,
It is my great pleasure to introduce you to APA's newest member of the Human Resources team, Paycom's amazing Ask Here program. The American Preparatory Academy, human resources department, will implement this new program to streamline questions and concerns about pay, benefits, licensing, new hire onboarding, policy, grievances, etc. Through this employee communications tool, your request will be directed to the most appropriate staff member.
Here are some examples of questions you can ask through Ask Here:
- How does annualized pay work?
- How do I request new insurance cards?
- How do I get a teaching license?
To access Paycom's Ask Here application and ask your HR department a question, log into your Paycom phone app or log in to the Paycom website and click on the question mark on the top right of the screen. Move through the preset queries to ensure the correct member of the HR team receives your request. Once your query is sent, the HR team will be notified and a response with be headed your way as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you through Ask Here!
Click this link for the official Paycom Ask Here instructions:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e7aH0EQBsOPyumdBN6yGcO_bgLdvQJm-/view?usp=sharing
May 2022 - Jeremiah Brennan - Human Resources Director
Dearest American Prep Staff,
You have made it yet again to the end of another amazing year! Thank you for your hard work and diligence. Whether you are sprinting through the finish line with next year's class already in mind, or you're fighting tooth and nail just to get there, YOU MADE IT!!! The students of American Preparatory Academy are a year older, smarter and wiser, thanks to all of your hard work.
Before you set off into the wide blue yonder, discovering your passion for parasailing, sword swallowing, or spelunking - please ensure you are doing so safely! Utah is an amazing place to enjoy recreation in some of the world’s most beautiful settings. Yet some of those settings are quite dangerous and we encourage everyone to make solid plans to stay safe this summer!
Here is a link to some great tips to stay safe: https://info.totalwellnesshealth.com/blog/summer-safety-tips
Additionally, keep an eye out for some information you may have received or will receive during the summer:
- 2022-2023 Letter of Understanding
- Updated Staff Manual
- Benefits Guide
- Open Enrollment information
- Mobile Eye exam sign-up opportunity during pre-service
- June and July HR Newsletter
Enjoy your well-deserved time off, and as always, if there is anything your human resources team can do to help, please email us at HR@apamail.org.
April 2022 - Jeremiah Brennan - Human Resources Director
Dearest APA Staff,
The end is nigh, but we have yet to face our most difficult challenge - Heat! As the days grow longer and 
the sting of early morning chill thaws away, our first instinct may be to cast off those heavy furs and don board shorts and flip flops! However, there are a few more weeks until summer vacation and so this is an opportune time to refresh our knowledge of our staff dress code! We are almost to the finish line; let us show our students how classy we can be by ensuring our attire is up to the APA standard.
American Preparatory Academy Staff Dress Code
The student dress code at APA is one that helps to create an environment of respect and dignity. Student dress exemplifies respect for themselves, their classmates, and for learning. It is not the intent of the American Prep administration to outline a specific uniform for staff members; however, the following guidelines should be considered. We often have visitors to the school, and we always want to present a professional appearance.
A well-groomed appearance and good personal hygiene are essential and express confidence in your overall effectiveness. Staff should consider the formality of the student uniform and ensure that their dress rises to the same level or above.
- Male staff members (with exception of Operations, IT, Lunch, and PE staff members) must wear a dress shirt and necktie daily.
- Female staff members (with exception of Operations, IT, Lunch, and PE staff members) must wear knee-length skirts, dresses, or professional slacks daily.
- Slacks/skirts must not be tight-fitting – You must be able to easily pinch one inch of excess fabric in the front and the back. Leggings as pants are not appropriate.
- Modesty should be an essential consideration when determining appropriate dress for staff members. For women, shirts with sleeves and dresses or skirts at least to the knees are appropriate.
- Professional shoes and footwear should be worn (no casual flip-flops or tennis shoes, et cetera).
- Staff members should wear no facial piercings or ornaments.
- It is preferred that tattoos are not visible. Please keep tats under wraps.
- Male staff should maintain well-groomed facial hair or be clean-shaven.
- Hair should be well-groomed and non-distracting.
- Hair colors must be natural.
- Operations/IT/Lunch Staff/PE: Dress must meet "Casual Friday" dress standards outlined below.
- Designated Casual Friday: Staff may wear a collared shirt (either button up or polo) with slacks/skirts that are not tight fitting. No tie is required.
- Jeans are NEVER allowed as part of the daily dress code.
Adhering to any dress code has its challenges, but at American Prep, we believe that encouraging our students to consider their outward appearance in professional settings will give them an advantage in making a positive lasting impression. This starts with our staff members modeling professional dress at school. We hope all APA staff will support this endeavor and uphold the same high expectations for themselves that we have for our students.
If you have any questions about the staff dress expectations, please see your administrators. Thank you all.
I cannot believe we are nearing our final respite before the freedom of summer vacation is upon us! I wanted to take this time to commend all the staff members out there that braved and survived the introduction to the new Paycom professional development tracking system. Though we had the occasional hiccup, this method allowed a more accurate and expedited collection of your well-earned professional development hours. Though we can call our last adventure with Paycom a success, now is not the time to rest on our laurels! We need to seize this moment, ensuring the momentum of our victory over Luddism is not in vain.
In this spirit, the Human Resources department is brimming with excitement over yet another technological opportunity. As we venture into the upcoming LOU season, you will find that there will be a slight change to how you stamp your ticket for the APA Train leaving August 1, 2022 (your LOU). Your Human Resources department is thrilled to announce that 100% of the LOUs for the upcoming school year will be signed through Paycom!
To ensure you are ready to sign your Letter of Understanding when the time comes, log in to your Paycom, get help resetting login information (if necessary), familiarize yourself with the functions within your Paycom app. As you poke around your Paycom profile, check out the different sections.
- Payroll is where you can view your pay stubs, find your year-end tax forms, and change/set up your direct deposit.
- Time-Off Requests allow you to view your available PTO and request time off.
- Benefits will enable you to see current benefits and enroll in benefits at the appropriate time.
- Documents & Checklist allow you to sign new documents as well see old documents, including the APA Staff Manual.
As you peruse through Paycom, please ensure you go into Documents, find any unsigned documents, and ensure you read and sign them. Thank you for being proactive about getting familiar with the Paycom system. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of the human resources team.
Have a great APA day!
Hello! This is Afiffa, and I am one of the HR generalists at American Preparatory Academy. My career started as a recruiter in Bangladesh when I was a student. After coming to the US almost 14 years ago, I worked for Intermountain Healthcare as HR Generalist and later joined APA as an instructor at Draper 2 in 2018, when I wanted to spend a little more time with my children. While teaching, I completed HR management certifications offered by the University of Utah and Salt Lake Community College. I also completed my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing and Human Resources.
Becoming an Instructor at American Prep helped me learn more about the education system and discover ways to help my kids with their studies. I fell in love with the APA curriculum. Teaching my 
students and being with them in class was rewarding beyond words. This position fostered a sense of inner strength and a desire to return to class each day.
Eventually, I was transferred to Draper 1 campus to support their needs. This change was a fantastic experience for me. The environment and positive vibe at Draper 1 changed my life in many ways. My co-workers and administrators encouraged me to pursue my dream, a career in Human Resources. I am grateful for their encouragement and today, I am an HR Generalist for APA.
I am so grateful to my Admin for giving me the opportunity to apply
my education and knowledge to HR.
I live with my husband, two beautiful children, and three dogs, who are my lifeline. I often go camping with my kids. I love to travel, cook, and hang out with my family and friends.
I am indebted to APA for trusting me with this new position. I love working in HR with fantastic people and learning new things every day. I am proud to be a Builder!
Fun Facts about Me: My nickname is Diana, I am a certified makeup artist, and I love K-Drama (Korean Drama).
January 2022 - Jeremiah Brennan - HR Director
This month we feature Jace Ochsenhirt, the newest member of the APA human resources team. He comes to the APA family from the Huntsman Cancer Institute, where he worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Jace's role on the human resources team is to aid newly hired staff with the onboarding process, such as fingerprinting, recruiting, and Paycom tasks.
Jace is not only a dedicated recruiter on the HR team, but he is also an avid craftsman. In his spare time, he is a talented pyrographer. Pyrography is the art of burning wood or the free-handed art of decorating wood or other materials with burn marks resulting from the controlled application of a heated object such as a poker. The term means "writing with fire," from the Greek pur and graphos.
This is just one of Jace's excellent examples. Please reach out to Jace if you would like to see more.
Jace is excited about this new and challenging opportunity at APA. His fun and enthusiastic personality pull in everyone around him. He looks forward to serving the staff of American Preparatory Academy through hard work and diligence. He has an open-door policy and is always available to help.
GO! FIGHT! WIN!
July 2021 - Katy Brown - Human Resources Manager
2021 Open Enrollment is here!
WHAT is Open Enrollment?
Open Enrollment is a period each year when you can sign up or change insurance enrollment. It is also an opportunity to disenroll if you no longer want the coverage.
WHY is Open Enrollment important?
Without Open Enrollment, your elections are locked in for the full school year unless you have a certifiable qualifying life event.
WHEN is Open Enrollment?
From 7/20/21 to 8/20/21
The sooner you submit your enrollment, the better! ID cards and other insurance documents are sent 2-3 weeks after enrollment is submitted.
WHERE should you go to complete Open Enrollment?
Log in to your employee dashboard at Paycom.com.
Username recovery link: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ee/web.php/recovery/username/index
Password recovery link: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ee/web.php/recovery
HOW do you complete Open Enrollment?
In Paycom, go to Benefits>2021 Benefits Enrollment>and follow the prompts.
If you make no changes, your current enrollment will roll over to the following year. Nonetheless, don’t miss your chance to review your current enrollment!
Benefits Help Center
Our Human Resources team has created a Benefits Help Center to assist employees in understanding our benefit options and answer frequently asked questions.
Click Here to access the American Prep Benefits Help Center
The Benefits Help Center can help employees:
- Find carrier's contact information
- Find answers to common benefits questions
- Provide information and other resources that supplement the information provided in the employee benefits guide
For more information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits Help Center.