Heartland recently purchased and installed Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in each agency office. AEDs are designed to help people survive through sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). During SCA, heart function ceases suddenly and often without warning. AEDs can greatly increase the probability of survival in the event of SCA, which is one of the leading causes of death in the workplace.
All Heartland employees should learn the location of the AED in their office and know that AEDs are available in all agency offices. You are also strongly encouraged to click on the link below to view a video that demonstrates how to use the specific AEDs that were purchased for our offices.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIGSb1zxGlA&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1
While the video does have a slight marketing feel, it will help you to understand how the AED is used and what the voice prompts from the device will be during a rescue. Note that of the two models presented, Heartland has the Automatic version.
The video also mentions pediatric pads. These pads are designed to give a less powerful shock to children under age 8 and under 55 pounds. These pads are available in the AED cabinets in the Ames, Guthrie Center, Indianola and Knoxville offices and the Johnston REC. These offices were chosen due to the presence of our sound booths in these locations.
Additional training on AEDs will be provided to all agency crisis responders. Please direct any questions about the AEDs to Steve Zimmerman at ext. 14534 or szimmerman@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Voice Your Thoughts on The Agency’s Beliefs & Mission
In office meetings over the past couple of weeks, Dr. Vincent shared the most recent draft of the Agency’s “Setting Our Direction” work, which contained the following statements:
At Heartland AEA, we believe:
• Education is every one’s responsibility.
• Learning impacts the quality of life people enjoy.
• An educated citizenry is essential for a civil, prosperous and democratic society.
Our Mission:
• To provide essential services and leadership;
• in partnership with families, schools, and communities;
• that improve the learning outcomes and well being of all children and youth.
• We are fueled by a passion for excellence in all that we do and strive to provide caring, innovative and equitable services.
The core values of our organization describe how we go about our work, how we interact with each other and which strategies we employ to fulfill our mission. As we look toward the future, it is important that all staff members have an opportunity to provide input on these values for our agency. Please click on the link below to respond to a short survey about our beliefs and mission. Thank you for your input!
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDdIUUdDNnk3MTZDVlpqcnd6UzUyR2c6MQ
At Heartland AEA, we believe:
• Education is every one’s responsibility.
• Learning impacts the quality of life people enjoy.
• An educated citizenry is essential for a civil, prosperous and democratic society.
Our Mission:
• To provide essential services and leadership;
• in partnership with families, schools, and communities;
• that improve the learning outcomes and well being of all children and youth.
• We are fueled by a passion for excellence in all that we do and strive to provide caring, innovative and equitable services.
The core values of our organization describe how we go about our work, how we interact with each other and which strategies we employ to fulfill our mission. As we look toward the future, it is important that all staff members have an opportunity to provide input on these values for our agency. Please click on the link below to respond to a short survey about our beliefs and mission. Thank you for your input!
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDdIUUdDNnk3MTZDVlpqcnd6UzUyR2c6MQ
November 2010 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
Click here to download the agenda for the November 9, 2010 meeting of the Heartland Board of Directors.
2010-11 Staff & Schools Directory Now Available
You’re waited long enough! Click here for the 2010-11 edition of the Heartland Staff & Schools Directory. Once again we won’t be printing hard copies of the directory. If you feel that you absolutely need a hard copy of the directory, please submit a request to the Print Shop to have it printed; don’t print it on an office printer.
Join in the Fun of the 2010 United Way Campaign!
Thank you to all who participated in the kick-off United Way fundraising activities. We’ve already had a tremendous start to our campaign! In case you were unable to attend one of the office meetings or didn’t quite catch all that was shared; we wanted to fill you in on Heartland’s 2010 United Way activities.
Online Auction
Our online auction will kick off next week on November 15. As was announced at the office meetings, staff will not have to be in a Heartland office to participate! You will be able to access the auction while in the schools or at home. The auction will close at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 19.
To have an online auction, we first need items to bid on! We’ve heard many fantastic ideas, now we need you to share them with us. Send a digital photo and short description of your item to the Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us by November 12. We ask that you keep items until the close of the auction.
Winners will be notified by e-mail the week of November 22 to send in their payments. Make checks payable to “United Way.” Items will be sent to you through the van mail after you have sent your checks to Claire Spellman at the Johnston Administration Center. (Private delivery arrangements must be made for items too large or heavy for Heartland van delivery.) When all the payments are received, we will announce the winners of each item in the December 3 HeartBeat.
Pledge Cards
Pledge cards are an easy way to donate to the United Way. You may designate in the lower left-hand corner of the card where you would like your donation to go. This year, we would prefer that you give on the local United Way level and choose one of the United Way offices in Heartland’s area.
United Way of Central Iowa (Dallas, Polk, Warren counties)
United Way of Carroll (Audubon and Carroll counties)
United Way of Boone County
United Way of Jasper County
Marion County United Way
United Way of Story County
There are many options on how you can donate, but our staff members prefer the pay deduction or one-time donation. It is important that your total contribution is evenly divisible by 24 pay periods into whole dollar amounts if you choose to have your pledge deducted from your paycheck. Remember that pay deduction pledges from last year’s drive continue to be in effect until December 31, 2010. Deductions for this year’s drive will start in January and continue through December. The form also allows you to give a one-time donation instead of payroll deduction if you prefer.
There are a few incentives for completing and handing in pledge cards.
1.) Staff who submitted pledge cards the day of the office meetings were entered in a drawing for a “Heartland Cares” goodie bag. Congratulations to our goodie bag winners!
2.) Everyone who hands in a pledge card donation of any amount will receive a casual day sticker. Casual day stickers will be distributed after the pledge cards have been processed.
3.) Employees who donate a minimum of $2 per pay period or a $48 one-time donation will be entered to win one of five “United Way Days.” Winners may take time from work to give back to the community. A “United Way Day” is “your day, your way” to support your community. Winners will be notified by e-mail and announced in the December 3 HeartBeat.
If you did not receive a pledge card at the office meetings, you may download one here. When opening the form, choose “Save” instead of “Preview” so your information gets saved to the form. E-mail the completed form to comms@aea11.k12.ia.us or send it through the interoffice/van mail to Claire Spellman in the Johnston Administration Center. Pledge cards are due November 19.
Your participation in the Agency’s United Way events is voluntary. It is not the Agency’s intention to pressure any Heartland staff into donating. We have tried our best to make this year’s campaign events fun and enjoyable for staff. We hope you find donated to the United Way as an easy way to reach out and help the communities we live in.
Online Auction
Our online auction will kick off next week on November 15. As was announced at the office meetings, staff will not have to be in a Heartland office to participate! You will be able to access the auction while in the schools or at home. The auction will close at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 19.
To have an online auction, we first need items to bid on! We’ve heard many fantastic ideas, now we need you to share them with us. Send a digital photo and short description of your item to the Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us by November 12. We ask that you keep items until the close of the auction.
Winners will be notified by e-mail the week of November 22 to send in their payments. Make checks payable to “United Way.” Items will be sent to you through the van mail after you have sent your checks to Claire Spellman at the Johnston Administration Center. (Private delivery arrangements must be made for items too large or heavy for Heartland van delivery.) When all the payments are received, we will announce the winners of each item in the December 3 HeartBeat.
Pledge Cards
Pledge cards are an easy way to donate to the United Way. You may designate in the lower left-hand corner of the card where you would like your donation to go. This year, we would prefer that you give on the local United Way level and choose one of the United Way offices in Heartland’s area.
United Way of Central Iowa (Dallas, Polk, Warren counties)
United Way of Carroll (Audubon and Carroll counties)
United Way of Boone County
United Way of Jasper County
Marion County United Way
United Way of Story County
There are many options on how you can donate, but our staff members prefer the pay deduction or one-time donation. It is important that your total contribution is evenly divisible by 24 pay periods into whole dollar amounts if you choose to have your pledge deducted from your paycheck. Remember that pay deduction pledges from last year’s drive continue to be in effect until December 31, 2010. Deductions for this year’s drive will start in January and continue through December. The form also allows you to give a one-time donation instead of payroll deduction if you prefer.
There are a few incentives for completing and handing in pledge cards.
1.) Staff who submitted pledge cards the day of the office meetings were entered in a drawing for a “Heartland Cares” goodie bag. Congratulations to our goodie bag winners!
2.) Everyone who hands in a pledge card donation of any amount will receive a casual day sticker. Casual day stickers will be distributed after the pledge cards have been processed.
3.) Employees who donate a minimum of $2 per pay period or a $48 one-time donation will be entered to win one of five “United Way Days.” Winners may take time from work to give back to the community. A “United Way Day” is “your day, your way” to support your community. Winners will be notified by e-mail and announced in the December 3 HeartBeat.
If you did not receive a pledge card at the office meetings, you may download one here. When opening the form, choose “Save” instead of “Preview” so your information gets saved to the form. E-mail the completed form to comms@aea11.k12.ia.us or send it through the interoffice/van mail to Claire Spellman in the Johnston Administration Center. Pledge cards are due November 19.
Your participation in the Agency’s United Way events is voluntary. It is not the Agency’s intention to pressure any Heartland staff into donating. We have tried our best to make this year’s campaign events fun and enjoyable for staff. We hope you find donated to the United Way as an easy way to reach out and help the communities we live in.
Reminder: Check the Construction Blog for Johnston REC Project Updates
Johnston REC remodeling project updates can be found at http://construction.aea11.k12.ia.us/.
Reminder: Due to construction in the building at various points in time, meetings previously scheduled for some of the rooms in Johnston have been moved to new locations. Please check the internal calendar before coming to meetings in Johnston to verify the location of your meeting. We will be using Zion Lutheran, St. Mary's, Lion's Club and other off site locations during the remodeling. If you are the organizer of a meeting, please help by notifying participants.
Reminder: Due to construction in the building at various points in time, meetings previously scheduled for some of the rooms in Johnston have been moved to new locations. Please check the internal calendar before coming to meetings in Johnston to verify the location of your meeting. We will be using Zion Lutheran, St. Mary's, Lion's Club and other off site locations during the remodeling. If you are the organizer of a meeting, please help by notifying participants.
Nevada E-mail Addresses Have Changed
The Nevada School District’s e-mail addresses have changed. Example: John Doe is now jdoe@nevada.k12.ia.us, changed from jdoe@mail.nevada.k12.ia.us.
Last Week’s Regional Special Education Webinar Available
Last Thursday a webinar was held for regional special education staff members. Below is the link to the webinar in case you missed it. Answers to the questions submitted will be posted in future Connections so watch for the information!
http://iowaec.na4.acrobat.com/p25559997/
http://iowaec.na4.acrobat.com/p25559997/
Appropriate Use of Special Education Funds Document Available
In October 2010, the Iowa Department of Education released a question and answer document about appropriate use of special education funds in local school districts and area education agencies. This clarification is the result of conversations and questions that have been discussed throughout recent months both in local school districts and AEAs. At Heartland we are discussing the answers that are provided and confirming that our practices are in alignment with the guidance contained in this recent Department of Education document, which you can download by clicking here.
Teacher Quality Class/Activity Registration Now Open
The Teacher Quality (TQ) activities that Certified Staff can participate in are now open for registration. There are some activities that are open to all discipline groups and some that are just specific to a discipline. You should receive an e-mail next week with the options for your discipline group. Registration for TQ will be open through December 7, 2010. Staff members need to be registered before December 8 to participate for TQ money. The following activities are available across all discipline groups:
• IN010592111101 TQ: Digital Literacy and 21st Century Learning Tools
• IN010592111102 TQ: Digital Literacy and 21st Century Learning Tools
• IN017892111201 TQ: Cognitive Coaching Days 1-2
• IN022392111201 TQ: Cognitive Coaching Days 3-4
• IN037992111101 TQ: Supporting Under-Resourced Students and Families
• IN038892111101 TQ: Examining Cultural Competence Through Current Media
Below are questions and answers about TQ activities and classes.
Q: I looked online and can’t find the options for TQ.
A: You will receive an e-mail with the options for your discipline area from your discipline program assistant. The options that are available to all disciplines are listed above. You will need the activity number to go online and register through Universal Registration.
Q: Can I do more than one activity?
A: Yes, you can do more than one activity. You will only be able to receive TQ money for participating in one activity.
Q: What do we need to do a study group?
A: Study groups need to have at least four people to form a group (one person to be the facilitator and three people to participate in the study). Participants will be notified (this will be e-mailed on 12/10/10) of the people who signed up for the same study group so they can determine who will be their facilitator and the dates/times/location where their study group will meet.
Q: What if the activity I sign up for does not have enough people?
A: If a course or study group does not have enough people, you will have an opportunity to sign up for a different activity. You will be notified after 12/8/10 if an activity does not have enough people.
Q: Can I use the credit to move on the salary schedule?
A: These can be used to move on the salary schedule. A memo from Chris Pierson was sent to Certified Staff on the requirements around using credits to move on the salary schedule. Please make sure you review those procedures and complete the needed steps for using TQ to move on the salary schedule.
Q: How much money will I receive for participating in TQ this year?
A: After registration closes and we know how many people are participating, we will be able to determine the amount of money people will receive for TQ. We are anticipating that the amounts will be similar to last year. People who will are facilitating or teaching a course will receive extra for the additional duties they are taking as a part of the group as they have in the past.
Q: What are the deadlines?
A: Registration for TQ courses and study groups is from 11/7/10 through 12/7/10. Classes and study groups will take place between 1/15/11 and 6/30/11. Groups should not start before 1/15/11 in order to make sure they will have all the materials they need for the group. Groups need to complete all of their activities by 6/30/11.
If you have further questions about Teacher Quality contact Rob Brookhart at rbrookhart@aea11.k12.ia.us, Sharon Kurns at skurns@aea11.k12.ia.us or your discipline program assistant.
• IN010592111101 TQ: Digital Literacy and 21st Century Learning Tools
• IN010592111102 TQ: Digital Literacy and 21st Century Learning Tools
• IN017892111201 TQ: Cognitive Coaching Days 1-2
• IN022392111201 TQ: Cognitive Coaching Days 3-4
• IN037992111101 TQ: Supporting Under-Resourced Students and Families
• IN038892111101 TQ: Examining Cultural Competence Through Current Media
Below are questions and answers about TQ activities and classes.
Q: I looked online and can’t find the options for TQ.
A: You will receive an e-mail with the options for your discipline area from your discipline program assistant. The options that are available to all disciplines are listed above. You will need the activity number to go online and register through Universal Registration.
Q: Can I do more than one activity?
A: Yes, you can do more than one activity. You will only be able to receive TQ money for participating in one activity.
Q: What do we need to do a study group?
A: Study groups need to have at least four people to form a group (one person to be the facilitator and three people to participate in the study). Participants will be notified (this will be e-mailed on 12/10/10) of the people who signed up for the same study group so they can determine who will be their facilitator and the dates/times/location where their study group will meet.
Q: What if the activity I sign up for does not have enough people?
A: If a course or study group does not have enough people, you will have an opportunity to sign up for a different activity. You will be notified after 12/8/10 if an activity does not have enough people.
Q: Can I use the credit to move on the salary schedule?
A: These can be used to move on the salary schedule. A memo from Chris Pierson was sent to Certified Staff on the requirements around using credits to move on the salary schedule. Please make sure you review those procedures and complete the needed steps for using TQ to move on the salary schedule.
Q: How much money will I receive for participating in TQ this year?
A: After registration closes and we know how many people are participating, we will be able to determine the amount of money people will receive for TQ. We are anticipating that the amounts will be similar to last year. People who will are facilitating or teaching a course will receive extra for the additional duties they are taking as a part of the group as they have in the past.
Q: What are the deadlines?
A: Registration for TQ courses and study groups is from 11/7/10 through 12/7/10. Classes and study groups will take place between 1/15/11 and 6/30/11. Groups should not start before 1/15/11 in order to make sure they will have all the materials they need for the group. Groups need to complete all of their activities by 6/30/11.
If you have further questions about Teacher Quality contact Rob Brookhart at rbrookhart@aea11.k12.ia.us, Sharon Kurns at skurns@aea11.k12.ia.us or your discipline program assistant.
November 2010 School Leader Update From Iowa Department of Education
Click here to download the November 2010 School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education.
Literature Review to Your Desktop
The Heartland Professional Library offers a “Table of Contents” service from the latest journals in the library’s collection, which allows staff members to be the first to know the latest in their respective fields. Another service is available that will alert you via e-mail (or RSS feed) to journal articles on a specific topic. This service will provide continuous professional development. The only downside is that the journals are embargoed anywhere from 2-18 months.
Scenarios:
• Monthly notices of articles on a specific medical condition
• Bi-weekly notices of articles by a specific author/researcher
• Weekly notices of newspaper articles on a current topic
Follow these steps or watch the demonstration video at https://aea111.eduvision.tv/Default.aspx?q=CT1wecDsedDm5GtbhJyuwA%253d%253d
• Go to http://search.ebscohost.com.
• Enter the online database username/password (this step might be optional depending on IP access).
• Click Sign In and create your own personal account.
• Click Choose Databases and click the boxes next to the appropriate databases and click OK. You’ll probably want to check Academic Search Elite and Professional Development (and maybe Newspaper Source).
• Enter your search topic—note the various search options of full-text, peer reviewed, reading level, journal name, etc.
• Click Search.
• Peruse your results in case the search strategy needs to be changed.
• Click Alert/Save/Share in the blue bar.
• Choose E-mail Alert. Add your e-mail information and select your settings.
• Click Save Alert.
Scenarios:
• Monthly notices of articles on a specific medical condition
• Bi-weekly notices of articles by a specific author/researcher
• Weekly notices of newspaper articles on a current topic
Follow these steps or watch the demonstration video at https://aea111.eduvision.tv/Default.aspx?q=CT1wecDsedDm5GtbhJyuwA%253d%253d
• Go to http://search.ebscohost.com.
• Enter the online database username/password (this step might be optional depending on IP access).
• Click Sign In and create your own personal account.
• Click Choose Databases and click the boxes next to the appropriate databases and click OK. You’ll probably want to check Academic Search Elite and Professional Development (and maybe Newspaper Source).
• Enter your search topic—note the various search options of full-text, peer reviewed, reading level, journal name, etc.
• Click Search.
• Peruse your results in case the search strategy needs to be changed.
• Click Alert/Save/Share in the blue bar.
• Choose E-mail Alert. Add your e-mail information and select your settings.
• Click Save Alert.
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