Requested Action: Submitting Information for All Connection Newsletters

If you would like to submit information for any of The Connection newsletters--Staff, Superintendent, Principal or Leadership--please send all submissions to the Communications Department e-mail address at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Post-Employment Benefit Policy Update

At its October 14 meeting, the Board of Directors will be reviewing a number of policies, including the Post-Employment Benefit policy. The Board will have its second reading of and vote on this policy. The Post-Employment Benefit (retirement benefit) is available to employees who qualify by meeting criteria for years of service and years of age, as set forth by the Board. If the Board approves changes to this policy, there may be significant implications for some staff members. Please watch The Connection for further information.

Connection Comments & Replies Posted on Mondays

Comments and responses to those comments in The Connection blog will now be posted every Monday, so please watch for them. Please keep the comments coming!

Heartland Directory Update

This year the Heartland directory has only an alphabetical listing of employees with their current phone numbers. We simplified the directory because we will be changing phone numbers for five of our offices over the next few months. To produce a full product would have been futile since over half of the numbers would have been incorrect within weeks. But we didn’t want to hold up the entire document.

We will be sending an updated (staff only) insert in January with the updated phone extensions and work group placement for all employees. In the meantime, as we change over, you may need to consult the online directory located at http://staffdirectory.aea11.k12.ia.us/ to find correct phone numbers. Staff should receive a copy of the directory by the end of October.

And as a reminder, this will be the last year the directory is done in print form.

Online Professional Development: Where You Are!

While we typically think of on-line offerings as those “Mandatory Reporter things,” there is a whole world out there of on-line offerings for professional development. Heartland is thrilled to offer several on-line professional development opportunities for educators. Along with the PD360 program, we have catalog courses available in Internet Safety, Discovery Education Streaming, Spanish for Educators, Meso-America, Understanding China and a host of other opportunities. Visit our Professional Development Catalog at https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/YYYYYYYYYYYYYYSRCH to view the many offerings at Heartland.

Technology Update

IFAS Maintenance TODAY
Today, Monday, October 13 at 4:30 p.m. the IFAS system is going to be shut down for system maintenance. This means the IFAS Dashboard and the Applicant Online functions will be unavailable. We expect to finish the maintenance in two to three hours. During the down time, anyone attempting to navigate to either of these functions will be redirected to an "under construction" page. Sorry in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

"Go Green" Tip of the Week

More Green Shopping Tips
It is important to familiarize yourself with what types of containers and items can be recycled in your local recycling program. Once you know what you can recycle, look for products that come in containers you know you will be able to recycle when the products are all used up. Products that can be reused are cheaper in the long run than those you throw away and buy over and over again. Goods that are designed to last a long time are also cheaper in the long run than those that wear out quickly. A family can save $1,000 each year by buying reusable and long-lasting products.

• Use rechargeable batteries in toys, flashlights and radios. You can save $200 a year by using rechargeable batteries instead of disposables in one CD player used two hours a day.
• Use cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers. You’ll save $600 per child by using a laundry diaper service instead of disposable diapers.
• Use a real camera instead of disposable ones. If you take 24 pictures each month, you will save $144 each year.
• Many families spend over $260 each year on paper towels and napkins. Switch to cloth napkins, sponges and cloth towels or wipes.
• Use washable plates, cups and silverware for parties and picnics instead of disposable products.
• Use an electric razor or hand razor with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors.
• Buy high quality/long life tires. They cost less per mile traveled and reduce the problem of disposing of used tires.
• Use a washable commuter mug for your morning coffee and eliminate a Styrofoam or plastic cup every day.
• Bring bags to the market, either cloth ones or your old paper and plastic ones. Many markets will credit your bill for using your own bags. When buying only a few items, don’t take a bag.
• Clean and service your appliances, computers, tools and cars so that they will enjoy even longer lives. And, before you replace them, check to see if they are repairable. Consider sharing equipment that is used infrequently such as hedge clippers, pruners, fruit pickers or chain saws.