On September 19th, UTVA Students had the opportunity to visit Utah’s Hogle Zoo and get ed’zoo’cated about animals and careers related to their care. We learned about conservation, training, veterinary care, and the many things that can be done to protect and care for our world and its inhabitants.
Students attended a class on zoo related careers, as well as the Hogle Zoo World of Flight Bird Show, we also completed a scavenger hunt full of facts and fun about different aspects of the zoo and animal related careers. The weather was beautiful, and a lot was learned.
We are excited to launch a new statewide initiative.

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)is a free program provided through the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, we have partnered with some of their contract providers to provide individualized transition services to UTVA students through out the state including opportunities to do work based learning and internships (which depending on the site and the partner may be paid).
Pre-ETS is offered to any student ages 14-21 with a disability and aids students in exploring and planning for successful future employment through targeted training in:
- Career Exploration
- Workplace Readiness
- Counseling in Post-Secondary Education
- Self-Advocacy
- Work Based Learning

In launching this initiative we realize that some students may have independently contacted and received services or are currently receiving services through the Pre-ETS program, and that is great. If you are one of those students please let us know as we’d love to hear about your experiences, and how we can better help you.
To sign up simply contact your Special Ed Case Manager. There is NO cost to the family or student to participate in this program.
This May has been an eventful month with preparing for the end of the 2018-2019 school year. One of the fun things that happened this month was that the UTVA Ambassadors along with a select few students and a few teachers were able to enjoy an afternoon at Boondocks together. Not only was this a fun opportunity to socialize but it was a great way to show our school pride!
Cheers to many more outings with UTVA students and teachers!
Mrs. Peterson
Mrs. Peterson, Mrs. Q, and Mrs. Smith
UTVA students enjoyed a beautiful day out and about in the Murray area near the UTVA office. Students were provided with instruction on how to find schedules for routes, to plan a trip, and safely navigate public transit by UTA Travel Trainer Doraleen. Following that brief presentation, we went out and practiced our newly learned skills by taking a ride on the bus to the Cottonwood Regional Park and then back to the UTVA offices.