As most of you know, President Obama recently signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The ARRA provides approximately $100 billion for education, creating an historic opportunity to create long‐lasting results for our students and our nation including early learning, K‐12 and post‐secondary education. As of this date, we do not know the exact amount that will come to Heartland. These funds will be distributed based on a formula that the federal government will decide. This federal stimulus money, the rules and regulations for spending it, timelines and a few other details surrounding the money are all issues that will need to be received before we can commit to how the money will be used.
However, we were given four key principles that will drive the work.
1. Funds will need to be spent quickly to save and create jobs. This principle is key to jumpstarting our economy. This could be for projects and uses that are already in process.
2. All projects are required to have an impact on improving student achievement through school improvement and reform. These include acquiring or improving data systems to track progress, improving teacher effectiveness and supporting lower performing schools.
3. These one-time monies must be used to minimize the “funding cliff.” An example of this would be hiring additional staff or providing salary increases that would not be sustainable without these funds.
4. Transparency will be a key component of every project. All projects will be publicly reported.
There will also be two other types of monies available.
1. The first is the availability of money from the Secretary of Education for competitive grants to further support reforms that drastically improve education quality.
2. The second is funds that will be distributed quickly to state Departments of Education for distribution.
Last Thursday, SACII (Staff Advisory Council) was asked for ideas for projects. There was an excellent discussion and some good ideas were generated for consideration. Minutes of this meeting will be available soon, located on the Workgroups Server under Meeting Minutes.
The Agency’s cabinet will be discussing ideas at their next meeting on March 23. There will also be ways for all staff to provide input on projects for consideration in the future. We will keep you informed as we receive more information.
For questions, please e-mail Maxine Kilcrease, Laura Gillon or Steve Prall.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Important Teacher Quality Payment Information
Three hundred thirty-five certified staff members have committed to participate in Teacher Quality activities for this school year. Based on this number of participants, the amount of money for each participant will be $550.00 per person (before taxes) for each 15-hour activity. We are no longer accepting new participants for Teacher Quality activities. The study groups and courses that will be held throughout this spring and summer are all aligned to agency goals and were targeted to the needs of specific work groups. Thanks to all who helped to develop courses, facilitate the commitment and registration of participants and provide other support to our Teacher Quality Professional Development efforts. Look for more information in the fall about Teacher Quality opportunities for next year.
Heartland Offices Celebrate Cultural Competence Through Diversity Day Activities
Each Heartland office has celebrated or will be celebrating further learning in cultural competence through Diversity Day celebrations.
Woodside Office
Date: February 26
The Woodside office held a soup/chili luncheon that included a guest speaker from Hope Ministries who presented about how that organization impacts our community. Among the many programs they offer to people are housing for homeless individuals and families, parenting classes, substance abuse assistance and assistance with preparation for job interviews.
Indianola Office
Theme: Understanding Through Helping
Date: March 9-March 13
Staff had the opportunity to sign up in teams and volunteer for two-hour blocks of time throughout the week for either Helping Hands or Habitat for Humanity. Teams were encouraged to make backpacks with school supplies for Serve our Youth. The backpacks were given to children ages 4-16 who have incarcerated parents. The office celebrated as a group on March 13 by participating in that day’s Lunch and Learn, which was Supporting Children and Families with Mental Health Issues. Afterwards Bernie Van Roeckel from Serve our Youth came to accept the office’s gifts of the backpacks and gave a short explanation about the work his organization does.
Newton Office
Theme: Heritage Dish Potluck & Recipe Exchange
Date: March 25, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
For more information contact: Melinda Worthington – Diversity Day Planning Committee Member
Knoxville Office
Theme: Our Cultures Date: April 14
During that day Knoxville staff will be having pod parties that represent the different cultures that are represented in the office.
For more information contact: Nikki Roorda – Diversity Day Planning Committee Member
Adel Office
Theme: Potluck and Interactive Game Day
Date: April 17, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
For more information contact: Angela Bosworth – Diversity Day Planning Committee Member
Carroll and Guthrie Center Offices
Date: April 17
The event will be combined with Regional Meeting day. It will include a potluck lunch and offer a choice between two Diversity Lunch and Learn DVDs from last year. Also, Doug Olson, our regional music expert, will provide diverse music for staff members’ listening pleasure during lunch. For more information contact: Sue Ford – Diversity Day Planning Committee Member
Ames Office
Theme: Get To Know Staff Better
Date: April 17
The Ames office will celebrate with a potluck, BBQ and ID game.
Johnston Office
Theme: Understanding Through Helping
Date: April 27 volunteer opportunities/May 1 Diversity Day potluck
Staff will have the opportunity to sign up in teams and volunteer for a two-hour block of time (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) on April 27 at Children & Families of Iowa, ChildServe, the Bureau of Refugees or Lutheran Services of Iowa. The Johnston office will celebrate as a group by having a potluck on May 1. Staff members will gather to talk about their volunteer experience and to network with co-workers.
Johnston office staff members are asked to register through Universal Registration for the office’s volunteer opportunities since there are limited openings for each opportunity.
IN0093-9211-0976 - Children & Families of Iowa
IN0093-9211-0977 - ChildServe
IN0093-9211-0978 - Bureau of Refugees
IN0093-9211-0979 - Lutheran Services of Iowa
For more information contact: Gilmara Mitchell - Diversity Day Planning Committee Member
Woodside Office
Date: February 26
The Woodside office held a soup/chili luncheon that included a guest speaker from Hope Ministries who presented about how that organization impacts our community. Among the many programs they offer to people are housing for homeless individuals and families, parenting classes, substance abuse assistance and assistance with preparation for job interviews.
Indianola Office
Theme: Understanding Through Helping
Date: March 9-March 13
Staff had the opportunity to sign up in teams and volunteer for two-hour blocks of time throughout the week for either Helping Hands or Habitat for Humanity. Teams were encouraged to make backpacks with school supplies for Serve our Youth. The backpacks were given to children ages 4-16 who have incarcerated parents. The office celebrated as a group on March 13 by participating in that day’s Lunch and Learn, which was Supporting Children and Families with Mental Health Issues. Afterwards Bernie Van Roeckel from Serve our Youth came to accept the office’s gifts of the backpacks and gave a short explanation about the work his organization does.
Newton Office
Theme: Heritage Dish Potluck & Recipe Exchange
Date: March 25, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
For more information contact: Melinda Worthington – Diversity Day Planning Committee Member
Knoxville Office
Theme: Our Cultures Date: April 14
During that day Knoxville staff will be having pod parties that represent the different cultures that are represented in the office.
For more information contact: Nikki Roorda – Diversity Day Planning Committee Member
Adel Office
Theme: Potluck and Interactive Game Day
Date: April 17, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
For more information contact: Angela Bosworth – Diversity Day Planning Committee Member
Carroll and Guthrie Center Offices
Date: April 17
The event will be combined with Regional Meeting day. It will include a potluck lunch and offer a choice between two Diversity Lunch and Learn DVDs from last year. Also, Doug Olson, our regional music expert, will provide diverse music for staff members’ listening pleasure during lunch. For more information contact: Sue Ford – Diversity Day Planning Committee Member
Ames Office
Theme: Get To Know Staff Better
Date: April 17
The Ames office will celebrate with a potluck, BBQ and ID game.
Johnston Office
Theme: Understanding Through Helping
Date: April 27 volunteer opportunities/May 1 Diversity Day potluck
Staff will have the opportunity to sign up in teams and volunteer for a two-hour block of time (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) on April 27 at Children & Families of Iowa, ChildServe, the Bureau of Refugees or Lutheran Services of Iowa. The Johnston office will celebrate as a group by having a potluck on May 1. Staff members will gather to talk about their volunteer experience and to network with co-workers.
Johnston office staff members are asked to register through Universal Registration for the office’s volunteer opportunities since there are limited openings for each opportunity.
IN0093-9211-0976 - Children & Families of Iowa
IN0093-9211-0977 - ChildServe
IN0093-9211-0978 - Bureau of Refugees
IN0093-9211-0979 - Lutheran Services of Iowa
For more information contact: Gilmara Mitchell - Diversity Day Planning Committee Member
March Board of Directors Meeting Summary
The March 10 Board meeting opened by recognizing the great work that Angelisa Braaksma Fynaardt has done with Positive Behavior Supports at Centennial Elementary in the SE Polk district. Kara Buerger, the guidance counselor at Centennial, was also recognized.
Frank Harty, a local labor relations attorney, provided a presentation to help the Board understand the proposed changes to labor laws in Iowa and the implications for the work of the Board.
Dr. Kilcrease gave an update around what the Agency currently knows about the federal stimulus package. The monies have not been identified as yet. The Agency has not received any guidelines, timelines or rules for the monies. There are some overarching principles in the use of the funds, including being able to sustain any use of the monies after the “funding cliff.” There is also the issue of whether or not the federal government is going to give the Agency the money and then the Agency spends it or whether the Agency is supposed to spend money and then recover. If it is the later, our hands will be tied as we have no extra money in the budget.
Brenda Gustafson led a discussion on the use of the information in the Agency's annual progress report. Currently, this information is on the Department of Education’s Web site. A public citizen and probably some educational staff would not know anything about the Agency by reading this information. It was the consensus of the Board that we pull the information together to help the public understand what the Agency does. We also discussed how this information could be personalized by region. Dates were discussed to have this be a reality by the start of the 2009-10 school year.
Steve Prall gave an update on the purchase and installation of a chiller for the 6500 building. The current chiller is in need of repair. To repair the chiller would be cost prohibitive, so the Board approved a new system. The bids have been requested and substantial completion is scheduled for April 27, 2009, dependent upon weather.
The Board then went into closed session for negotiation in Accordance with Section 21.9, Code of Iowa.
After the draft of the full meeting minutes has been approved by the Chief Administrator, it can be accessed at the Heartland Web site. Go to www.aea11.k12.ia.us, go to the lefthand side of the page and click on Heartland Information, then click on Board Minutes.
Frank Harty, a local labor relations attorney, provided a presentation to help the Board understand the proposed changes to labor laws in Iowa and the implications for the work of the Board.
Dr. Kilcrease gave an update around what the Agency currently knows about the federal stimulus package. The monies have not been identified as yet. The Agency has not received any guidelines, timelines or rules for the monies. There are some overarching principles in the use of the funds, including being able to sustain any use of the monies after the “funding cliff.” There is also the issue of whether or not the federal government is going to give the Agency the money and then the Agency spends it or whether the Agency is supposed to spend money and then recover. If it is the later, our hands will be tied as we have no extra money in the budget.
Brenda Gustafson led a discussion on the use of the information in the Agency's annual progress report. Currently, this information is on the Department of Education’s Web site. A public citizen and probably some educational staff would not know anything about the Agency by reading this information. It was the consensus of the Board that we pull the information together to help the public understand what the Agency does. We also discussed how this information could be personalized by region. Dates were discussed to have this be a reality by the start of the 2009-10 school year.
Steve Prall gave an update on the purchase and installation of a chiller for the 6500 building. The current chiller is in need of repair. To repair the chiller would be cost prohibitive, so the Board approved a new system. The bids have been requested and substantial completion is scheduled for April 27, 2009, dependent upon weather.
The Board then went into closed session for negotiation in Accordance with Section 21.9, Code of Iowa.
After the draft of the full meeting minutes has been approved by the Chief Administrator, it can be accessed at the Heartland Web site. Go to www.aea11.k12.ia.us, go to the lefthand side of the page and click on Heartland Information, then click on Board Minutes.
North Star Project Update: Operations Manual
Name of Project: Operations Manual
Name of Initiative: Supports to Staff
Team members:
Sarah Brown
Josh Burke
Courtney Croatt
Brenda Gustafson
Connor Hood
Steve Zimmerman
Give the gist of what your project is about including the long-term goal.
The goal of this project is to develop a comprehensive Operations Manual that will describe how to perform the routine operations and work of the Agency. We intend for this manual to be Web-based, searchable and easy to use and maintain. Many of our agency’s working procedures have previously been maintained in an informal and decentralized manner. Some procedures are not documented at all. By documenting our procedures in a centralized manual, we can improve our ability to deliver consistent service and improve our existing procedures.
What are the things that your team has been working on?
• Defining the purpose and scope of the manual.
• Identifying key areas needing formal written procedures.
• Identifying people with knowledge and expertise of specific procedures.
• Training on content development and management through use of the Content Management System (CMS).
• Developing and writing operating procedures.
What has your team accomplished?
• Interviewed key personnel and supervisors to determine content.
• Assigned team members to develop content.
• Identified subject matter experts to provide knowledge of procedures to team members.
• Interviewed some of the subject matter experts regarding procedures.
• Developed an online Table of Contents.
• Developed several operating procedures for the Operations Manual.
Why are these important to Agency’s goal of increasing student achievement?
Increasing student achievement requires effective and consistent practices and procedures. By documenting our procedures, we increase our ability to evaluate, improve and consistently execute our procedures.
What can the staff expect in the future?
• A comprehensive web-based, searchable Operations Manual.
• Opportunities to provide feedback on the Operations Manual and give suggestions for improvement.
Name of Initiative: Supports to Staff
Team members:
Sarah Brown
Josh Burke
Courtney Croatt
Brenda Gustafson
Connor Hood
Steve Zimmerman
Give the gist of what your project is about including the long-term goal.
The goal of this project is to develop a comprehensive Operations Manual that will describe how to perform the routine operations and work of the Agency. We intend for this manual to be Web-based, searchable and easy to use and maintain. Many of our agency’s working procedures have previously been maintained in an informal and decentralized manner. Some procedures are not documented at all. By documenting our procedures in a centralized manual, we can improve our ability to deliver consistent service and improve our existing procedures.
What are the things that your team has been working on?
• Defining the purpose and scope of the manual.
• Identifying key areas needing formal written procedures.
• Identifying people with knowledge and expertise of specific procedures.
• Training on content development and management through use of the Content Management System (CMS).
• Developing and writing operating procedures.
What has your team accomplished?
• Interviewed key personnel and supervisors to determine content.
• Assigned team members to develop content.
• Identified subject matter experts to provide knowledge of procedures to team members.
• Interviewed some of the subject matter experts regarding procedures.
• Developed an online Table of Contents.
• Developed several operating procedures for the Operations Manual.
Why are these important to Agency’s goal of increasing student achievement?
Increasing student achievement requires effective and consistent practices and procedures. By documenting our procedures, we increase our ability to evaluate, improve and consistently execute our procedures.
What can the staff expect in the future?
• A comprehensive web-based, searchable Operations Manual.
• Opportunities to provide feedback on the Operations Manual and give suggestions for improvement.
Heartland’s 07-08 State Performance Plan Results: A Reason to Celebrate
Heartland has received status letters from the Department of Education on selected State Performance Plan indicators used to determine AEA compliance with state and federal mandates. On Part C indicators, Heartland was in compliance with all areas of emphasis except 45-Day Timelines. In this area, we had 95.59% compliance on the 100% target and are considered to be in substantial compliance. This was excellent news and is a tribute to the hard work of our Early ACCESS staff.
On Part B indicators, Heartland was in compliance with all areas of emphasis except Transition from C to B and 60-Day Timelines. We were minimally compliant in Transition and were moderately compliant in 60-Day Timelines. The good news is that in all areas considered, Heartland has made excellent progress. Using our on-going monitoring processes with the support of Special Education Clerks and Assessment Team members, we have every reason to believe we have made progress beyond our reported results during this year and are on track for meeting our goals.
This has been a successful team effort. In the current light of very high accountability standards, we want to commend our staff for your efforts toward meeting our targets. We know that without the diligent work of our staff day in and day out we would not be able to make this important growth. Thank you for all of your time and attention to making an important difference for Heartland’s children and helping us meet our compliance targets.
On Part B indicators, Heartland was in compliance with all areas of emphasis except Transition from C to B and 60-Day Timelines. We were minimally compliant in Transition and were moderately compliant in 60-Day Timelines. The good news is that in all areas considered, Heartland has made excellent progress. Using our on-going monitoring processes with the support of Special Education Clerks and Assessment Team members, we have every reason to believe we have made progress beyond our reported results during this year and are on track for meeting our goals.
This has been a successful team effort. In the current light of very high accountability standards, we want to commend our staff for your efforts toward meeting our targets. We know that without the diligent work of our staff day in and day out we would not be able to make this important growth. Thank you for all of your time and attention to making an important difference for Heartland’s children and helping us meet our compliance targets.
Addendum Directories Sent Out
Heartland staff members should have received an addendum directory that lists staff members alphabetically and by workgroups. It should also correctly list all staff members’ phone extensions. If you didn’t receive an updated directory, please contact Claire Spellman in the Communications Department at cspellman@aea11.k12.ia.us.
New Activity # for “A Continuum of Interventions for ELLs”
The Activity Number for the “A Continuum of Interventions for ELLs” training on June 25 that was printed in last week’s Connection was incorrect. The correct Activity Number is IN019499991001.
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