Monday, May 3, 2010
Required: Annual Staff Survey Approaching Soon
The end of the school year is quickly approaching which means it’s once again time to collecting our annual staff survey data! This year each Heartland staff member will be invited to participate in two surveys. The first survey is the annual staff survey that all staff members complete at the end of each school year. This survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and your invitation to take the survey will be sent via e-mail on May 10, 2010. In addition, this year there will be a second survey that will give staff members the opportunity to provide feedback about their professional development needs and preferences. The invitation for this survey will to be sent via e-mail approximately May 17 or 18. We look forward to receiving this year’s staff data to help us plan appropriately for next year.
Required For Regional Staff: Follow-Up from Regional Meeting Webinar
The webinar that was presented at the regional meetings on April 29 can be accessed by going to http://iowaec.na4.acrobat.com/p30205001/. If you were unable to attend a regional meeting, please watch the webinar through the link above.
During the webinar, we mentioned the Learning Teams outcomes survey that was in a pervious issue of The Connection. If you have not yet completed that survey, we would like to have the outcomes from your learning team this year. Your team facilitator can use the link below to complete the survey. Each team member does not need to complete the survey.
http://tp2.aea11.k12.ia.us/019/learning_teams_outcomes.tp4
We only had one question submitted during this webinar. The question and answer are below:
Q: Why doesn’t the Agency track and include Early ACCESS data in reports? These numbers impact caseload.
A: The Agency does collect and track Early ACCESS data as well as Part B data. We have not spent time during our office meetings this year discussing these data because the changes to the Child Find rules affect only Part B. Since we expected larger changes in these data, we have focused our attention on these data at this time.
During the webinar, we mentioned the Learning Teams outcomes survey that was in a pervious issue of The Connection. If you have not yet completed that survey, we would like to have the outcomes from your learning team this year. Your team facilitator can use the link below to complete the survey. Each team member does not need to complete the survey.
http://tp2.aea11.k12.ia.us/019/learning_teams_outcomes.tp4
We only had one question submitted during this webinar. The question and answer are below:
Q: Why doesn’t the Agency track and include Early ACCESS data in reports? These numbers impact caseload.
A: The Agency does collect and track Early ACCESS data as well as Part B data. We have not spent time during our office meetings this year discussing these data because the changes to the Child Find rules affect only Part B. Since we expected larger changes in these data, we have focused our attention on these data at this time.
Required For Staff Who Have Working Days Calendars: New Work Calendar Entry Function
The 2010-11 calendar has been added to the Employee Dashboard for all staff wh
o need to complete a calendar. The link to this function is found in the Calendar Online Forms folder on the LeaveOnline tab.
The calendar presented will be the default calendar based on the individual staff member’s pay assignment. This will look very similar to the online Calendar View function. However, functionality is built into the interface to allow the personalization of the calendar to reflect the staff member’s schedule. This is done by simply clicking on the day in question. Each time a day is clicked, it will change to one of the following:
• Blue X – represents a non-working day
• Green / – represents a half working day
• White Space – represents a full working day
Unpaid holidays are represented by a yellow H and paid holidays are represented by a yellow H followed by an asterisk (*). Sundays and holidays cannot be changed.
At the top of the screen two numbers will be presented. The number on the left is the number of working days based on the days selected as such. In other words, the total of the white spaces (full days) and green slashes (half days). The second number is the number of days expected to work based on the pay assignment. These two numbers must match when the calendar is submitted.
A help document named “Calendar Online Entry Documentation” is available on the Help tab. This document describes in detail all functions of the interface.
When the calendar is submitted, it will be routed to the staff member’s supervisor just as a leave request would be. And, just like a leave request, the supervisor will review the calendar and can approve or reject your calendar. Applicable e-mails are sent to the staff member and his or her need-to-know person.
Once approved, each 2010-2011 calendar can be viewed by the staff member who submitted the calendar, his or her supervisor and his or her need-to-know person. All subsequent changes to the 2010-2011 calendar must be submitted via the Calendar Exchange Online request system after July 1, 2010.
Working days calendars are due before you leave for the summer or June 10, 2010, whichever comes first.
All questions about this calendar system should be sent to Chrissy Bradley, Human Resources Specialist, at cbradley@aea11.k12.ia.us.
o need to complete a calendar. The link to this function is found in the Calendar Online Forms folder on the LeaveOnline tab.
The calendar presented will be the default calendar based on the individual staff member’s pay assignment. This will look very similar to the online Calendar View function. However, functionality is built into the interface to allow the personalization of the calendar to reflect the staff member’s schedule. This is done by simply clicking on the day in question. Each time a day is clicked, it will change to one of the following:
• Blue X – represents a non-working day
• Green / – represents a half working day
• White Space – represents a full working day
Unpaid holidays are represented by a yellow H and paid holidays are represented by a yellow H followed by an asterisk (*). Sundays and holidays cannot be changed.
At the top of the screen two numbers will be presented. The number on the left is the number of working days based on the days selected as such. In other words, the total of the white spaces (full days) and green slashes (half days). The second number is the number of days expected to work based on the pay assignment. These two numbers must match when the calendar is submitted.
A help document named “Calendar Online Entry Documentation” is available on the Help tab. This document describes in detail all functions of the interface.
When the calendar is submitted, it will be routed to the staff member’s supervisor just as a leave request would be. And, just like a leave request, the supervisor will review the calendar and can approve or reject your calendar. Applicable e-mails are sent to the staff member and his or her need-to-know person.
Once approved, each 2010-2011 calendar can be viewed by the staff member who submitted the calendar, his or her supervisor and his or her need-to-know person. All subsequent changes to the 2010-2011 calendar must be submitted via the Calendar Exchange Online request system after July 1, 2010.
Working days calendars are due before you leave for the summer or June 10, 2010, whichever comes first.
All questions about this calendar system should be sent to Chrissy Bradley, Human Resources Specialist, at cbradley@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Iowa Core Summer Professional Development Updates
Based on current registrations, there is a great deal of interest in the Agency about Iowa Core. The Overview class is closed and has a waiting list. The Effective Instruction Institute still has room, but there is no more Iowa Core Teacher Quality money left for additional registrants. It is critical that staff cancel their registration if they will be unable to attend so that other staff on the waiting lists can be added. If you have questions, please contact Kim Thuente at ext. 14372 or kthuente@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Administration Center Conference Rooms Added to Resource Scheduler
Two small conference rooms at the Agency’s Administration Center (6445 building) in Johnston have been added to the list of available rooms to reserve in the Resource Scheduler. Please note that these two rooms are now open to reserve if you are planning a small meeting.
• 6445 Conference Room 1 (holds 6-8 people)
• 6445 Conference Room 2 (holds 4-5 people)
• 6445 Conference Room 1 (holds 6-8 people)
• 6445 Conference Room 2 (holds 4-5 people)
Correction to Last Week’s Sound Booths Article
An article in last week’s Connection indicated that Heartland audiology staff performed hearing tests at a sound booth at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. We wanted to let you know that this information is incorrect. Heartland audiology staff members provide hearing tests in Newton using portable testing equipment. Skiff Medical Center has an audiologist who provides hearing tests in a sound booth located at the Medical Center. The Agency’s audiologists currently perform hearing tests at sound booths in the Ames, Guthrie Center, Indianola and Woodside offices, and this summer, sound booths will be installed in the Knoxville and Johnston offices.
Diverse Family Structures Lunch & Learn Tomorrow in Johnston
The May Cultural Competence Lunch & Learn will be about diverse family structures and will offer ways for educators to learn how they can better support students who come from diverse family structures. The events will be held on May 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 building) in Conference Rooms 3 & 4.
Reminder: Heartland Cares Spring Activity: Supporting Shelter Care Students
Reminder: The Events Committee has set up a drive to support students who attend classes in the Agency’s Shelter Care classrooms. Donations of personal care items for students are being sought, and Shelter Care staff members will distribute the donated items to Shelter Care facilities.
From April 26 to May 7 items can be dropped off at any Heartland office. Students who will be receiving the items range from 5 to 18 years old. Items that have been suggested to donate include:
• Socks
• Slippers
• Lotion
• Soap/body wash (including soap for males)
• Lip balm
• Deodorant
• Shampoo & conditioner/other hair care products (including products for African American hair texture)
• Toothbrushes & toothpaste
• Books are also welcome
Please consider making a donation to help these important students!
From April 26 to May 7 items can be dropped off at any Heartland office. Students who will be receiving the items range from 5 to 18 years old. Items that have been suggested to donate include:
• Socks
• Slippers
• Lotion
• Soap/body wash (including soap for males)
• Lip balm
• Deodorant
• Shampoo & conditioner/other hair care products (including products for African American hair texture)
• Toothbrushes & toothpaste
• Books are also welcome
Please consider making a donation to help these important students!
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