Monday, December 7, 2009
Reminder About Inclement Weather
With all the forecasters calling for snow and high winds over the next few days, staff members are reminded that they should be familiar with the Agency's Inclement Weather policy. Click here to read the policy. Also remember that if any offices happen to close, the closings will be broadcast through the media, but the best source of closing information is our agency Web site.
Creating a “Culture of Austerity”: Cost Saving Tips For Staff Members
The next installment of our cost savings feature focuses on reducing costs associated with heating. We know the weather is getting a bit chillier, but we ask for your understanding as we implement the following measures.
* Discontinue the use of space heaters in your offices and cubicles. As the temperatures begin to fall, the use of personal electric space heaters rises. Space heaters are a very dangerous and expensive way to maintain comfort. The National Fire Protection Association found in a recent study that space heaters caused 32 percent of home heating fires in 2005 and 73 percent of deaths from such fires. In addition, these heaters are very expensive to operate. We ask that you please take home any space heater that you currently have in your workspace.
* Thermostats will be set at 70 degrees. We have made a number of improvements to our heating and cooling systems over the past few years, and some of this work should help alleviate the temperature fluctuations that we have had in our facilities in the past. We are turning the thermostats to 70 degrees in all our facilities. If your area cannot be kept at 70 degrees, please contact Dustin Gean and he will see what can be done to address this concern. We will monitor and maintain the 70 degree level and will rely on staff members to help us maintain this temperature level.
* Discontinue the use of space heaters in your offices and cubicles. As the temperatures begin to fall, the use of personal electric space heaters rises. Space heaters are a very dangerous and expensive way to maintain comfort. The National Fire Protection Association found in a recent study that space heaters caused 32 percent of home heating fires in 2005 and 73 percent of deaths from such fires. In addition, these heaters are very expensive to operate. We ask that you please take home any space heater that you currently have in your workspace.
* Thermostats will be set at 70 degrees. We have made a number of improvements to our heating and cooling systems over the past few years, and some of this work should help alleviate the temperature fluctuations that we have had in our facilities in the past. We are turning the thermostats to 70 degrees in all our facilities. If your area cannot be kept at 70 degrees, please contact Dustin Gean and he will see what can be done to address this concern. We will monitor and maintain the 70 degree level and will rely on staff members to help us maintain this temperature level.
December 2009 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
Click here to download the agenda for the December 8, 2009 Board of Directors meeting.
Mini-Library for Smartphone or iTouch
A mobile interface to the EBSCO databases is now available. Enter this URL on your smartphone or iTouch and then bookmark it: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,uid&profile=mobsmart. Research by the Pew Internet and American Life Project states that in regards to “robust” uses of mobile devices, “most of those hyperusers are young Latinos and blacks.” This indicates a possible shift in the digital divide regarding access to Internet-based information.
The EBSCO mobile interface re-sizes the screen to give full access to features. * Resource library in the teachers (or students) pocket. * Full searching capability--search by date, document type, publication title and other limiters. * Full-text articles, documents and images are can be e-mailed or viewed. * PDFs (some of primary source documents) are available. * Image Collection (especially news and current events) is available.
Note: Javascript must be enabled on the Smartphone or iTouch. BlackBerry users can refer to this link for information on enabling Javascript: http://www.ehow.com/how_4965723_enable-javascript-blackberry.html For a list of the 24 EBSCO databases and/or an 8.5 x 11 poster, contact the professional library.
The EBSCO mobile interface re-sizes the screen to give full access to features. * Resource library in the teachers (or students) pocket. * Full searching capability--search by date, document type, publication title and other limiters. * Full-text articles, documents and images are can be e-mailed or viewed. * PDFs (some of primary source documents) are available. * Image Collection (especially news and current events) is available.
Note: Javascript must be enabled on the Smartphone or iTouch. BlackBerry users can refer to this link for information on enabling Javascript: http://www.ehow.com/how_4965723_enable-javascript-blackberry.html For a list of the 24 EBSCO databases and/or an 8.5 x 11 poster, contact the professional library.
Reminder: Poverty Expert Donna Beegle to Present January Workshop
Highly-experienced national public speaker, discussion leader, trainer and author, Donna M. Beegle, Ed.D., will present a poverty workshop in Altoona on January 20, 2010, for AEA and school personnel interested in learning more about understanding those who live in poverty. Click here for more information and to register.
December 2009 Department of Education School Leader Update
Click here to download the December 2009 School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education.
Van Meter Schools Change E-mail Addresses
The Van Meter School District has changed all of its staff e-mail addresses. The new addresses all end in @vmbulldogs.com—the previous addresses ended in @vanmeter.k12.ia.us. The changes have been made in the PeopleBox database, but if you have contacts in personal address books or distribution lists you should update them now. The old addresses will continue to work until January 1, 2010, but on that date they will be shut off.
Follow Iowa’s AEAs on Twitter
Iowa AEA Director of State Services Brent Siegrist has joined the ranks of those who “tweet” on Twitter and has begun to write about education and political issues. You can find and follow him at http://twitter.com/iowa_aea. Spread the word to others who use Twitter who may be interested.
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