In the past the Agency has allowed employees to suppress their home address from internally published Heartland employee directories. The Agency is moving to a new online system that allows employee photos and addresses to be viewed from computers connected from Heartland’s internal network only. Photos and personal information cannot be seen from outside the Agency’s network.
Due to this change, the Agency is making a policy that a staff member’s address can only be removed from our listing if there is a significant and direct safety reason (i.e., restraining order, harassment, etc.) for doing so. If you want to suppress your home address from the Heartland internal directory, please send an e-mail with your reason directly to Chris Pierson, Director of Human Resources, at cpierson@aea11.k12.ia.us for consideration.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Required Action: Mark Your Calendar for November 18 Office Meetings
November 18 will be a day of professional learning and office meetings. Professional development for special education is a continuation of the Polishing Practices learning. The attached schedule shows the location of each meeting. All morning meetings start at 8:30 and all afternoon meetings start at 1:00. Please note that Regions 9 and 10 meet in separate locations in the morning but will be together in one location for the afternoon. All other Johnston office staff will attend an office meeting in the afternoon at New Hope Assembly church.
Click here for a listing of all meeting locations.
Click here for a listing of all meeting locations.
November 11 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
Heartland Board of Directors meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month. November's meeting will be held tomorrow, November 11, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Johnston office. Click here for the meeting agenda.
In next week's Connection you will find a summary of the November meeting. After the October minutes are approved at this month's meeting, they will be posted on the Heartland server under the WorkGroups volume, under Meeting Notes and in the Board of Directors folder.
In next week's Connection you will find a summary of the November meeting. After the October minutes are approved at this month's meeting, they will be posted on the Heartland server under the WorkGroups volume, under Meeting Notes and in the Board of Directors folder.
North Star Project Update: Leadership Development
Name of Project: Leadership Development
Name of Initiative: Initiative One: Comprehensive Services to Schools
Team members:
Sharon Kurns
Cheryl Risen
Rob Brookhart
Roger Scott
Dick Sundblad
Mary Petersen
Dave Stickrod
Give the gist of what your project is about including the long term goal.
The Leadership Development project is intended to improve professional learning opportunities for Heartland leaders. There are two major strands to the professional learning that will be available. One is for LEA administrators and another is for internal Heartland leaders. Eventually the program will provide learning opportunities for aspiring leaders, new leaders and veteran leaders.
What are the things that your team has been working on?
The team has been working on creating a cohesive program for LEA administrators. The Agency made great strides over the past few years to develop a cadre of individuals who are qualified to deliver McCREL’s Balanced Leadership Program which is based on the research of Dr. Bob Marzano in his book Leadership that Works. This program serves as the basis for leaders to begin their learning with a focus on instructional leadership. The team supported a second year of learning for leaders who participated in Balanced Leadership through work with Dr. Bob Marzano and Dr. David Livingston. They will begin the planning for year three of the learning experience over the next few months.
Other learning for LEA administrators supported by the team is through on-site coaching provided by partnership directors, Roger Scott and Dick Sundblad. Additionally, the team will be supporting a pilot of a Superintendent Network based on the medical rounds model developed by Richard Elmore. The team has also been working on development of a Leadership Academy for Heartland leaders. This will begin with leaders having an opportunity to receive feedback on their leadership through a 360 Degree Survey. This survey is based on the Iowa Standards for School Leaders and will be used by leaders to determine their professional learning needs.
The Leadership Academy will meet for the first time on December 15. This will be an opportunity to dig deeper into Fierce Conversations. There will be two additional large group learning sessions this year. Participants of the Academy will also form smaller learning communities to study areas of specific need with a small group their colleagues.
What has your team accomplished?
We are developing as a team. The group was newly formed at the onset of this school year. We plan to utilize the background and expertise of each of the team members to learn from one another. So far, the team has accomplished a smooth delivery of three learning sessions attended by over 275 members of administrative teams from across Heartland. We have developed a system of on-site support for superintendents and their administrative teams. We are also very excited about the Leadership Academy for Heartland leaders. It is just kicking off this week as leaders learn about the 360 Survey and begin to gather data for their own learning. We are engaged in planning and developing high quality learning opportunities for all leaders in our agency.
Why are these important to the Agency’s goal of increasing student achievement?
A quote from Dennis Sparks, Executive Director of the National Staff Development Council, highlights the importance of learning for leaders... “I believe that it is essential that senior leaders first make deep changes in themselves before they expect changes in others.”
We know that significant changes are necessary to provide the schools and the instruction that will be needed for our students to compete and thrive in our global society. Strong school leaders, both LEA and AEA, are the key to this change and ongoing student achievement.
What can the staff expect in the future?
The Leadership Development team at Heartland is building on the strong foundation built through previous efforts. We will continue to work toward having a comprehensive and cohesive set of learning offerings for all leaders.
Name of Initiative: Initiative One: Comprehensive Services to Schools
Team members:
Sharon Kurns
Cheryl Risen
Rob Brookhart
Roger Scott
Dick Sundblad
Mary Petersen
Dave Stickrod
Give the gist of what your project is about including the long term goal.
The Leadership Development project is intended to improve professional learning opportunities for Heartland leaders. There are two major strands to the professional learning that will be available. One is for LEA administrators and another is for internal Heartland leaders. Eventually the program will provide learning opportunities for aspiring leaders, new leaders and veteran leaders.
What are the things that your team has been working on?
The team has been working on creating a cohesive program for LEA administrators. The Agency made great strides over the past few years to develop a cadre of individuals who are qualified to deliver McCREL’s Balanced Leadership Program which is based on the research of Dr. Bob Marzano in his book Leadership that Works. This program serves as the basis for leaders to begin their learning with a focus on instructional leadership. The team supported a second year of learning for leaders who participated in Balanced Leadership through work with Dr. Bob Marzano and Dr. David Livingston. They will begin the planning for year three of the learning experience over the next few months.
Other learning for LEA administrators supported by the team is through on-site coaching provided by partnership directors, Roger Scott and Dick Sundblad. Additionally, the team will be supporting a pilot of a Superintendent Network based on the medical rounds model developed by Richard Elmore. The team has also been working on development of a Leadership Academy for Heartland leaders. This will begin with leaders having an opportunity to receive feedback on their leadership through a 360 Degree Survey. This survey is based on the Iowa Standards for School Leaders and will be used by leaders to determine their professional learning needs.
The Leadership Academy will meet for the first time on December 15. This will be an opportunity to dig deeper into Fierce Conversations. There will be two additional large group learning sessions this year. Participants of the Academy will also form smaller learning communities to study areas of specific need with a small group their colleagues.
What has your team accomplished?
We are developing as a team. The group was newly formed at the onset of this school year. We plan to utilize the background and expertise of each of the team members to learn from one another. So far, the team has accomplished a smooth delivery of three learning sessions attended by over 275 members of administrative teams from across Heartland. We have developed a system of on-site support for superintendents and their administrative teams. We are also very excited about the Leadership Academy for Heartland leaders. It is just kicking off this week as leaders learn about the 360 Survey and begin to gather data for their own learning. We are engaged in planning and developing high quality learning opportunities for all leaders in our agency.
Why are these important to the Agency’s goal of increasing student achievement?
A quote from Dennis Sparks, Executive Director of the National Staff Development Council, highlights the importance of learning for leaders... “I believe that it is essential that senior leaders first make deep changes in themselves before they expect changes in others.”
We know that significant changes are necessary to provide the schools and the instruction that will be needed for our students to compete and thrive in our global society. Strong school leaders, both LEA and AEA, are the key to this change and ongoing student achievement.
What can the staff expect in the future?
The Leadership Development team at Heartland is building on the strong foundation built through previous efforts. We will continue to work toward having a comprehensive and cohesive set of learning offerings for all leaders.
Don’t Let Your 403(b) Contributions Stop!
Are you currently contributing to Heartland’s 403(b) plan or is the Agency contributing on your behalf? Those contributions will STOP December 31, 2008, if we don’t receive a new 403(b) election form from you by November 26.
Even if you have not participated in the 403(b) plan in the past, this is an excellent time to plan for your retirement. Take advantage of one of the Provider Fairs and meet one-on-one with an agent to start preparing for your financial future.
The provider fairs are scheduled as follows:
Beginning January 1, 2009, you will be permitted to direct money to more than one of the providers for investing if you choose to do so. Currently, you are limited to investing with only one provider. We encourage you to work with your financial advisor to determine what investment options are best for you. While you have the ability to invest in more than one of the providers if you choose, each individual provider has a broad range of investment options that will likely meet your needs. Using multiple providers may mean using multiple financial advisors, which may make it more difficult to manage your overall investment strategy. If you choose to use multiple providers, you will be required to complete a separate Salary Reduction Form for each provider, which will require a signature from each provider’s agent.
Investing 101 Seminar Video Available
In October, Robbie Stoecker from the Iowa Department of Administrative Services’ Retirement Investors Club presented Investing 101 seminars. Go to http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/intranet/403b/ to view this presentation. It has been divided into chapters so you can view as much or little of the presentation as you want at a time.
Even if you have not participated in the 403(b) plan in the past, this is an excellent time to plan for your retirement. Take advantage of one of the Provider Fairs and meet one-on-one with an agent to start preparing for your financial future.
The provider fairs are scheduled as follows:
- November 12 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Ames AEA office
- November 13 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., First United Methodist Church (new section), 307 W. Ashland Ave., Indianola
- November 18 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Johnston AEA office, ICN room
- November 18 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., Annunciation Parish Hall, 723 Elm Street, Coon Rapids
Beginning January 1, 2009, you will be permitted to direct money to more than one of the providers for investing if you choose to do so. Currently, you are limited to investing with only one provider. We encourage you to work with your financial advisor to determine what investment options are best for you. While you have the ability to invest in more than one of the providers if you choose, each individual provider has a broad range of investment options that will likely meet your needs. Using multiple providers may mean using multiple financial advisors, which may make it more difficult to manage your overall investment strategy. If you choose to use multiple providers, you will be required to complete a separate Salary Reduction Form for each provider, which will require a signature from each provider’s agent.
Investing 101 Seminar Video Available
In October, Robbie Stoecker from the Iowa Department of Administrative Services’ Retirement Investors Club presented Investing 101 seminars. Go to http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/intranet/403b/ to view this presentation. It has been divided into chapters so you can view as much or little of the presentation as you want at a time.
Winter is Approaching…Be Ready for Inclement Weather
As winter approaches, we’re all reminded that inclement weather is around the corner. If winter weather forces the closing of any Heartland offices, please stay tuned to the following radio and TV stations for closing information. Closings will also be posted to the Heartland Web site.
Radio
1040 WHO
95 KGGO
97.3 The Hawk
92.5 KJJY
TV
KCCI Channel 8
WOI Channel 5
WHO Channel 13 (posted on www.whotv.com)
Radio
1040 WHO
95 KGGO
97.3 The Hawk
92.5 KJJY
TV
KCCI Channel 8
WOI Channel 5
WHO Channel 13 (posted on www.whotv.com)
Jeans Day Will be November 21
Since the last Friday of the month will be during the Thanksgiving break, the monthly jeans day for November will be on the 21st.
United Way Campaign Drive Coming Soon
We wanted to let you know that the Agency will be participating in a United Way drive this year. We are in the process of identifying the dates of the drive and will have more information available in next week’s Connection.
Martin Brothers Named AEA Nutritional Support Vendor
The Area Education Agencies are pleased to announce that Martin Bros. Distributing Company, Inc. will be the nutritional support service for schools throughout the State of Iowa. The company will provide nutritional information on school foodservice products in accordance with Chapter 273.2 sub.7 of the Iowa Code. This agreement will begin December 1, 2008, for a one-year period. The contact person at Martin Bros. will be Chris Timmons, RD, LD. She can be reached at (800) 847-2404 ext. 3333. She will respond in a business-like time frame to any questions.
“Go Green” Tip of the Week
Do you ever find yourself searching for the perfect Iowa gift? Merchants from the Downtown Farmers Market and the Iowa Food Cooperative have teamed up to put together a CSA (community supported agriculture) of sorts, which is a virtual shopping network. You can now shop the Farmers Market year round and support local merchants. Foods and products are delivered to Merle Hay Mall once a month and shoppers can order online.
One of the many selections this month is apples and poinsettias from The Homestead. The Homestead is an organic farm and learning center for autistic adults in Runnels. For more information about the network visit www.iowafood.org/shop.
One of the many selections this month is apples and poinsettias from The Homestead. The Homestead is an organic farm and learning center for autistic adults in Runnels. For more information about the network visit www.iowafood.org/shop.
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