Heartland Board of Directors meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month. December's meeting will be held tomorrow, December 9, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Johnston office. Click here for the meeting agenda.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Consider Giving to the 2008 United Way Campaign
This year's Heartland AEA United Way campaign will begin on December 8 and run through December 19. Employees wishing to contribute to the United Way can do so through payroll deductions or a one-time check or credit card payment. Payroll deductions must be in whole dollar amounts ($10 per check vs. $10.21 per check).
Employees can designate on their pledge form where they would like their contributions to go to: United Way of Central Iowa, United Way of Story County, United Way of Carroll County, Marion County United Way or United Way of Jasper County. Employees can also direct their contribution to any 501(c)3 (non-profit) organization. We're hoping to meet or exceed our Agency total of $8,850 raised last year.
Paper pledge forms are available in the regional offices or you can download an electronic version by clicking here. All forms need to be printed, signed and returned to Carolyn Jones in the Johnston office by the end of the day on Dec. 19.
United Way funds go to support educational, income and health organizations throughout the United States.
Employees can designate on their pledge form where they would like their contributions to go to: United Way of Central Iowa, United Way of Story County, United Way of Carroll County, Marion County United Way or United Way of Jasper County. Employees can also direct their contribution to any 501(c)3 (non-profit) organization. We're hoping to meet or exceed our Agency total of $8,850 raised last year.
Paper pledge forms are available in the regional offices or you can download an electronic version by clicking here. All forms need to be printed, signed and returned to Carolyn Jones in the Johnston office by the end of the day on Dec. 19.
United Way funds go to support educational, income and health organizations throughout the United States.
North Star Project Update: Physical Structures & Supports
Name of Project: Physical Structures & Supports
Name of Initiative: Infrastructure
Team members:
Mark McMurry, Doug McVey, Jason Elliott, Dustin Gean, Scott Mayne, Nancy Penley, Sherise Ahlers, Paul Lauritsen
Give the gist of what your project is about including the long-term goal.
To develop and maintain adequate facilities and supports that promote efficient and effective services to staff and schools.
What are the things that your team has been working on?
The three main projects that the team is currently working on include:
• Coordinating the warehousing (storage) and distribution of supplies, materials and equipment for the entire Agency.
• Developing guidelines and procedures for distributing supplies, materials and equipment.
• Implementing systemic controls to enhance operational efficiency and ensure adequate warehouse space. This includes developing guidelines that stipulate space allocation, storage methods, maintenance requirements and storage criteria for all supplies, materials and equipment and making this information available on the server.
What has your team accomplished?
The results of the Kaizen event in 2007 led to the redesign of the Agency’s distribution system to integrate it more closely with the schools the Agency serves. The staff participating in our Kaizen helped identify what the current distribution system looked like and areas of weakness or concern and then redesigned a new system of distribution. We have continued to improve upon the original implementation to include other aspects of distribution.
The new distribution system also creates more efficiency for our staff in the lending libraries, staff who use specialized equipment and materials to serve children, staff who work in regional offices and staff who organize events in which they need significant amounts of materials and equipment. Instead of having multiple delivery methods of Heartland equipment and supplies, we are using our vans to deliver it all.
Why are these important to the Agency’s goal of increasing student achievement?
The more efficient our Agency’s support staff is, the more time and resources can be devoted to helping children. This example may say it best: If Heartland can save money and become more efficient in certain areas, more funds can be made available to purchase audiology equipment or time for a physical therapist to work with a child.
What can staff expect in the future?
The team is continuing to redefine and update our project to become more efficient and streamline the Agency’s receiving, warehousing and distribution systems. For example, we are currently in the process of bringing the OT/PT equipment to the warehouse to take advantage of our improvements in distribution. By moving the equipment to the warehouse, we will be able to realize a dramatic decrease in cycle time, thus, getting the equipment from one child to the next much sooner. We are also expanding our original North Star Initiative team to capture other perspectives on distribution.
Name of Initiative: Infrastructure
Team members:
Mark McMurry, Doug McVey, Jason Elliott, Dustin Gean, Scott Mayne, Nancy Penley, Sherise Ahlers, Paul Lauritsen
Give the gist of what your project is about including the long-term goal.
To develop and maintain adequate facilities and supports that promote efficient and effective services to staff and schools.
What are the things that your team has been working on?
The three main projects that the team is currently working on include:
• Coordinating the warehousing (storage) and distribution of supplies, materials and equipment for the entire Agency.
• Developing guidelines and procedures for distributing supplies, materials and equipment.
• Implementing systemic controls to enhance operational efficiency and ensure adequate warehouse space. This includes developing guidelines that stipulate space allocation, storage methods, maintenance requirements and storage criteria for all supplies, materials and equipment and making this information available on the server.
What has your team accomplished?
The results of the Kaizen event in 2007 led to the redesign of the Agency’s distribution system to integrate it more closely with the schools the Agency serves. The staff participating in our Kaizen helped identify what the current distribution system looked like and areas of weakness or concern and then redesigned a new system of distribution. We have continued to improve upon the original implementation to include other aspects of distribution.
The new distribution system also creates more efficiency for our staff in the lending libraries, staff who use specialized equipment and materials to serve children, staff who work in regional offices and staff who organize events in which they need significant amounts of materials and equipment. Instead of having multiple delivery methods of Heartland equipment and supplies, we are using our vans to deliver it all.
Why are these important to the Agency’s goal of increasing student achievement?
The more efficient our Agency’s support staff is, the more time and resources can be devoted to helping children. This example may say it best: If Heartland can save money and become more efficient in certain areas, more funds can be made available to purchase audiology equipment or time for a physical therapist to work with a child.
What can staff expect in the future?
The team is continuing to redefine and update our project to become more efficient and streamline the Agency’s receiving, warehousing and distribution systems. For example, we are currently in the process of bringing the OT/PT equipment to the warehouse to take advantage of our improvements in distribution. By moving the equipment to the warehouse, we will be able to realize a dramatic decrease in cycle time, thus, getting the equipment from one child to the next much sooner. We are also expanding our original North Star Initiative team to capture other perspectives on distribution.
6445 Administration Building Photos
New photos of the 6445 remodeling are posted on the Intranet under the Facilities tab. The building is still slated to open this month.
The Parent-Educator Connection Needs Your Input
My hope is that the Short and to the Point newsletter is helpful to you and the families you serve by providing information about topics related to living, learning and working for our students, both now and in the future.
As always, we are looking for ways to improve our newsletter and its delivery methods, so I have developed a short survey and ask that you please take the time to fill it out if you read the newsletter and find it applicable to your position. Your response is important and will help determine the future of the newsletter. You can access the survey online at http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/pareduc/STTP_news.html. It is a part of the Fall 2008 newsletter.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Terry Mendell
Lead Parent-Educator Coordinator
As always, we are looking for ways to improve our newsletter and its delivery methods, so I have developed a short survey and ask that you please take the time to fill it out if you read the newsletter and find it applicable to your position. Your response is important and will help determine the future of the newsletter. You can access the survey online at http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/pareduc/STTP_news.html. It is a part of the Fall 2008 newsletter.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Terry Mendell
Lead Parent-Educator Coordinator
Your Heartland Logo Clothing is Now a Few Clicks Away!
Heartland’s Lands’ End e-store is now up and running! As was mentioned in the November 17 Connection, Heartland logo clothing can now be purchased directly from Lands’ End. A Heartland e-store (Web site through which to purchase products) has been set up through Lands’ End for Heartland staff members. Staffers can visit the site at any time and order any and all items in the colors available.
The Web address of the e-store is ces.landsend.com/heartland. From there you can choose your item, size and logo. You will be given two logo options—the Agency logo and the Heartland Cares logo. The Heartland Cares logo choice was provided for staff who may want to represent the Agency while participating in volunteer opportunities.
As a reminder, there is a $5.95 charge for adding the Agency logo and an $8.50 charge for adding the Heartland Cares logo to a piece of clothing and there is a shipping fee. Offices or groups of co-workers can place an order together to save on shipping costs.
Logo clothing can be worn on any workday, as long as it is appropriate for your work environment. Any questions about dress should be directed to your supervisor. We hope you find this to be an easier way to order Heartland clothing. Happy shopping!
The Web address of the e-store is ces.landsend.com/heartland. From there you can choose your item, size and logo. You will be given two logo options—the Agency logo and the Heartland Cares logo. The Heartland Cares logo choice was provided for staff who may want to represent the Agency while participating in volunteer opportunities.
As a reminder, there is a $5.95 charge for adding the Agency logo and an $8.50 charge for adding the Heartland Cares logo to a piece of clothing and there is a shipping fee. Offices or groups of co-workers can place an order together to save on shipping costs.
Logo clothing can be worn on any workday, as long as it is appropriate for your work environment. Any questions about dress should be directed to your supervisor. We hope you find this to be an easier way to order Heartland clothing. Happy shopping!
Community Resource Information for the Des Moines Area
Are you looking for community resources to use with the students and families you serve? The Cultural Competence and Diversity team has identified two community resource booklets that contain information on numerous Des Moines-area resources.
The booklets list medical center resources, Dept. of Human Services contacts, addiction services, reduced price clothing, counseling services, dental services, disability insurance application and assistance, educational resources, employment services, ESL classes, family planning, financial assistance, food pantries, furniture and appliances, free and subsidized health services, housing facilities, legal services, older adult services, parenting programs, shelters, translation, vocational rehabilitation, and other services. We hope these will be helpful to you since they list so many resources around the area.
Click here for the United Way booklet and click here for the Visiting Nurse Services/Drake University Law School booklet.
The booklets list medical center resources, Dept. of Human Services contacts, addiction services, reduced price clothing, counseling services, dental services, disability insurance application and assistance, educational resources, employment services, ESL classes, family planning, financial assistance, food pantries, furniture and appliances, free and subsidized health services, housing facilities, legal services, older adult services, parenting programs, shelters, translation, vocational rehabilitation, and other services. We hope these will be helpful to you since they list so many resources around the area.
Click here for the United Way booklet and click here for the Visiting Nurse Services/Drake University Law School booklet.
Technology Update
What is the Open XML File Format Converter for Mac and why do I need it?
The Open XML File Format Converter for Mac gives Microsoft Office 2004 users the ability to open files that were created using the Microsoft Office 2007/2008 suite of applications (e.g. Word, Excel and PowerPoint). If you have Microsoft Office 2004 and you receive files that have .docx, .xlsx or .pptx extensions on the end of the file name then you will want to read and follow the instructions below. The converter will give you the capability to open those file types. If you have Microsoft Office 2008, you do not need to install or use the converter.
In order to be able to use the Open XML File Format Converter for Mac, you must have Mac OS 10.4.9 or later installed. To check if you have 10.4.9 or later, go to the Apple menu and choose “About this Mac.”
If you have Mac OS 10.3.9 or earlier, you cannot install and use the converter, so you can stop reading this now. If you have Mac OS 10.4 but it is earlier than 10.4.9 then you can use Software Update under the Apple menu to update your computer to the latest version. Then you can continue with these instructions.
You now need to make sure that Microsoft Office 2004 is up-to-date before you can install the converter. To do that, locate the Macintosh HD icon located on your desktop and double-click it. Then locate and double-click the Applications folder. Locate and double-click the Microsoft AutoUpdate application. Click the “Check for Updates” button. If you get an error message, make sure that your computer is connected to the Internet before clicking the “Check for Updates” button a second time. It will check for any updates. If there are updates available, it will alert you, and you can download and install them right from that application. The most recent update is Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.5.2 Update. If you have never updated your Microsoft Office Application, you will likely have several updates to download and install.
Once you have updated Microsoft Office 2004 to the latest version, you can click http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/4/f/f4f487c3-2d94-4641-937e-0e7564c754bc/OpenXMLConverter101.dmg to download the Open XML File Format Converter for Mac. Once the file is downloaded, you will need to locate and double-click on the file named OpenXMLConverter101.dmg. It will probably be located on your desktop. A new window will appear. Double-click on the file named Open XML File Format Converter for Mac 1.0.1.mpkg to start the installation. You will need to click the Continue button several times and the Agree button. You will need to click on the Macintosh HD icon then click the Continue and Install button to start the install. You will need to enter the admin password (which is usually aea11) and click the OK button. It will then install the converter. Click the Close button to exit the installer.
That completes the installation of the Open XML File Format Converter for Mac. You should now be able to open documents that were created with the latest version of Office.
The Open XML File Format Converter for Mac gives Microsoft Office 2004 users the ability to open files that were created using the Microsoft Office 2007/2008 suite of applications (e.g. Word, Excel and PowerPoint). If you have Microsoft Office 2004 and you receive files that have .docx, .xlsx or .pptx extensions on the end of the file name then you will want to read and follow the instructions below. The converter will give you the capability to open those file types. If you have Microsoft Office 2008, you do not need to install or use the converter.
In order to be able to use the Open XML File Format Converter for Mac, you must have Mac OS 10.4.9 or later installed. To check if you have 10.4.9 or later, go to the Apple menu and choose “About this Mac.”
If you have Mac OS 10.3.9 or earlier, you cannot install and use the converter, so you can stop reading this now. If you have Mac OS 10.4 but it is earlier than 10.4.9 then you can use Software Update under the Apple menu to update your computer to the latest version. Then you can continue with these instructions.
You now need to make sure that Microsoft Office 2004 is up-to-date before you can install the converter. To do that, locate the Macintosh HD icon located on your desktop and double-click it. Then locate and double-click the Applications folder. Locate and double-click the Microsoft AutoUpdate application. Click the “Check for Updates” button. If you get an error message, make sure that your computer is connected to the Internet before clicking the “Check for Updates” button a second time. It will check for any updates. If there are updates available, it will alert you, and you can download and install them right from that application. The most recent update is Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.5.2 Update. If you have never updated your Microsoft Office Application, you will likely have several updates to download and install.
Once you have updated Microsoft Office 2004 to the latest version, you can click http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/4/f/f4f487c3-2d94-4641-937e-0e7564c754bc/OpenXMLConverter101.dmg to download the Open XML File Format Converter for Mac. Once the file is downloaded, you will need to locate and double-click on the file named OpenXMLConverter101.dmg. It will probably be located on your desktop. A new window will appear. Double-click on the file named Open XML File Format Converter for Mac 1.0.1.mpkg to start the installation. You will need to click the Continue button several times and the Agree button. You will need to click on the Macintosh HD icon then click the Continue and Install button to start the install. You will need to enter the admin password (which is usually aea11) and click the OK button. It will then install the converter. Click the Close button to exit the installer.
That completes the installation of the Open XML File Format Converter for Mac. You should now be able to open documents that were created with the latest version of Office.
Reminder: Show Your Caring Spirit Through the Heartland Cares Campaign!
As has been announced in The Connection and HeartBeat, the Agency is participating in a charitable drive called Heartland Cares.
The campaign will run until December 15, and Heartland staff members are encouraged to donate items for children in need in our Central Iowa area. Collection tubs have been placed in all 10 regional offices and in the Johnston central office lobby. One school building in each region has been selected to be the recipient of the items collected in the corresponding regional office. The schools were listed in the November 24 edition of The Connection.
After the items are collected, Heartland staff members will deliver the items to each schools’ school nurse who will be responsible for giving the items to children in need. Please consider making a donation to the Heartland Cares drive! With your help, we can make a difference for kids!
Examples of items to donate:
• Toiletries (Kleenex, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, hairbrushes, deodorant)
• Socks
• Belts
• Underwear
• Sweat pants
• Mittens/gloves
• Hats
• Scarves
• Cash or gift cards (to be given to school nurses to make purchases)
The campaign will run until December 15, and Heartland staff members are encouraged to donate items for children in need in our Central Iowa area. Collection tubs have been placed in all 10 regional offices and in the Johnston central office lobby. One school building in each region has been selected to be the recipient of the items collected in the corresponding regional office. The schools were listed in the November 24 edition of The Connection.
After the items are collected, Heartland staff members will deliver the items to each schools’ school nurse who will be responsible for giving the items to children in need. Please consider making a donation to the Heartland Cares drive! With your help, we can make a difference for kids!
Examples of items to donate:
• Toiletries (Kleenex, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, hairbrushes, deodorant)
• Socks
• Belts
• Underwear
• Sweat pants
• Mittens/gloves
• Hats
• Scarves
• Cash or gift cards (to be given to school nurses to make purchases)
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