A few months ago we introduced you to a new system called Employee Online that allows you to electronically view and manage your personal information such as home address, phone numbers, emergency contact information and payroll tax withholding.
Employee Online is accessed through the Employee Dashboard and appears at the top of the page as a tab along with other tabs such as Leave Online and the Intranet. When you click on the Employee Online tab, you will be directed to its home page. You can move about Employee Online by selecting any of the options on the left hand navigation menu.
In preparation for the winter months and the need to contact staff members in the event of office closings for inclement weather, we need to make sure that we have all staff members’ current phone numbers on file. If you haven’t already taken the time to do so, please login to the Employee Online system and review/update your phone information. This will ensure that you receive a call if your office should close due to inclement weather.
If you have any questions about Employee Online, contact Rod Howell at rhowell@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14599 or Jessica VanKamen at jvankamen@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14650.
We will review the process for communicating about office closings due to inclement weather in an upcoming Connection article.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Print Center Transition to Laser Resources to Begin October 31
At the end of October, the Heartland Print Center will transition from Xerox managed services to Laser Resources, as the Board of Directors approved at its September meeting. Laser Resources is a locally owned company that provides printing services to corporate, government and educational organizations. The agreement with Laser Resources puts the Agency in a position to save on monthly costs, benefit our customer service needs by working with a local company and furnish the Print Center with more appropriate equipment that reflects the Agency’s printing capacity and needs.
During the week of October 31, the Print Center will be undergoing equipment changes, so during this week, there will be limited printing capability. Please plan your printing needs accordingly as we re-tool the Print Center. We anticipate that the new Print Center equipment will be installed and functional by Monday, November 7, if not earlier.
As part of the agreement with Laser Resources, Heartland will continue using the WebCRD online ordering system. All agency support staff members have been trained to use WebCRD, and it is the required method to order printing. WebCRD will still be available during the equipment re-tooling; however, the orders will not be processed until the new equipment is installed. WebCRD has not yet been rolled out to our schools, but the Agency will soon pilot the system to a few schools this fall.
Please contact Steve Prall at sprall@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14423 with any questions you may have about the changes taking place in the Print Center.
During the week of October 31, the Print Center will be undergoing equipment changes, so during this week, there will be limited printing capability. Please plan your printing needs accordingly as we re-tool the Print Center. We anticipate that the new Print Center equipment will be installed and functional by Monday, November 7, if not earlier.
As part of the agreement with Laser Resources, Heartland will continue using the WebCRD online ordering system. All agency support staff members have been trained to use WebCRD, and it is the required method to order printing. WebCRD will still be available during the equipment re-tooling; however, the orders will not be processed until the new equipment is installed. WebCRD has not yet been rolled out to our schools, but the Agency will soon pilot the system to a few schools this fall.
Please contact Steve Prall at sprall@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14423 with any questions you may have about the changes taking place in the Print Center.
United Way Online Auction Begins Today!
The Heartland United Way Online Auction site is now up and running! Bid on great items that were generously donated by employees and local businesses. This is a great way to do some holiday shopping while supporting a great cause! Some of the items available for bidding are gift baskets, handmade children’s quilts, gallery quality jewelry and gift cards, sporting event tickets, a wine tasting party for 15 people, rounds of golf, hotel stays, music performance tickets, restaurant gift cards and gift cards from local retailers. All auction items have a minimum value of $25.
To see what you may not be able to live without, go to http://209.56.207.21/ to start shopping!
To place your bid
Login to the site using your PeopleBox username and password. Click on the item name to view the description and a larger photo. To place your bid, simply fill in the “Your New Bid” field and click on “Place Bid.” You will receive an e-mail notification if you are outbid which will include a link back to the auction site if you wish to re-bid. The auction site is available anywhere, anytime-----until bidding closes at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 21!
Winning bidders will be notified by e-mail the week of October 24 to send in their payments. When all the payments are received, we will announce the winners of each item in the November issue of the HeartBeat.
If you have difficulty logging in to the auction site, contact Lori Thelen at lthelen@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14669.
Don’t forget the Pledge Cards!
Pledge cards are available in each office. Remember that everyone who hands in a pledge card donation of any amount will receive a casual day sticker. Employees who are Loyal Contributors or Leadership Circle members will be entered to win one of several prizes.
Loyal Contributors
Employees who donate a minimum of $3 per pay period or a $72 one-time donation (equivalent to just 20 cents per day!)
Leadership Circle
Employees who donate a minimum of $42 per pay period or a $1,010 one-time donation (equivalent to just $2.76 per day!)
Potential prizes for pledge card donors include framed inspirational pictures, MP3 ear buds, retail gift cards or one of three United Way Days – a day you may take time from work to give back to the community.
If you choose to make a pledge, please remember to turn in your pledge cards to the designated office staff members below by the end of this week.
Region 1 – Janet Steinkamp (Carroll) and Colleen Chalfant (Guthrie Center)
Region 2 – Angela Bosworth
Region 3 – Kathy Teigland (Indianola) and Annette DeRouchey (Knoxville)
Region 4 & Central Staff – Katie Streff
Region 5 – Sue Mostek
Region 6 – Mary Johnson
Region 7 – Donna Wagner
Region 8 – Carrie Roose (Newton) and Jodi Capps (Clay Elementary)
Johnston Administration Center – Carolyn Jones
SCEP – Christina Allen
If for any reason you do not wish to donate to United Way, the Community Health Charities of Iowa and Iowa Shares are two other charitable organizations in which you can donate. We are unable to do payroll deductions for these organizations at this time. If you choose to donate to these organizations, you can contact the agencies at the following:
Community Health Charities of Iowa -- (877) 517-6266
Iowa Shares -- (319) 338-1446
Remember that donations to United Way are strictly voluntary. Contact Claire Sowder at csowder@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14014 or Lisa Fleming at lfleming@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14625 if you have any questions.
To see what you may not be able to live without, go to http://209.56.207.21/ to start shopping!
To place your bid
Login to the site using your PeopleBox username and password. Click on the item name to view the description and a larger photo. To place your bid, simply fill in the “Your New Bid” field and click on “Place Bid.” You will receive an e-mail notification if you are outbid which will include a link back to the auction site if you wish to re-bid. The auction site is available anywhere, anytime-----until bidding closes at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 21!
Winning bidders will be notified by e-mail the week of October 24 to send in their payments. When all the payments are received, we will announce the winners of each item in the November issue of the HeartBeat.
If you have difficulty logging in to the auction site, contact Lori Thelen at lthelen@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14669.
Don’t forget the Pledge Cards!
Pledge cards are available in each office. Remember that everyone who hands in a pledge card donation of any amount will receive a casual day sticker. Employees who are Loyal Contributors or Leadership Circle members will be entered to win one of several prizes.
Loyal Contributors
Employees who donate a minimum of $3 per pay period or a $72 one-time donation (equivalent to just 20 cents per day!)
Leadership Circle
Employees who donate a minimum of $42 per pay period or a $1,010 one-time donation (equivalent to just $2.76 per day!)
Potential prizes for pledge card donors include framed inspirational pictures, MP3 ear buds, retail gift cards or one of three United Way Days – a day you may take time from work to give back to the community.
If you choose to make a pledge, please remember to turn in your pledge cards to the designated office staff members below by the end of this week.
Region 1 – Janet Steinkamp (Carroll) and Colleen Chalfant (Guthrie Center)
Region 2 – Angela Bosworth
Region 3 – Kathy Teigland (Indianola) and Annette DeRouchey (Knoxville)
Region 4 & Central Staff – Katie Streff
Region 5 – Sue Mostek
Region 6 – Mary Johnson
Region 7 – Donna Wagner
Region 8 – Carrie Roose (Newton) and Jodi Capps (Clay Elementary)
Johnston Administration Center – Carolyn Jones
SCEP – Christina Allen
If for any reason you do not wish to donate to United Way, the Community Health Charities of Iowa and Iowa Shares are two other charitable organizations in which you can donate. We are unable to do payroll deductions for these organizations at this time. If you choose to donate to these organizations, you can contact the agencies at the following:
Community Health Charities of Iowa -- (877) 517-6266
Iowa Shares -- (319) 338-1446
Remember that donations to United Way are strictly voluntary. Contact Claire Sowder at csowder@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14014 or Lisa Fleming at lfleming@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14625 if you have any questions.
Exit Code Clarification and Procedures Manual Language
Two exit codes, RRT and RRC, communicate that a student has returned to general education in Iowa. These codes have been rewritten for clarification.
RRT: Returned to Iowa general education, either within or outside of AEA, Iowa IEP inactivated; student remains eligible for special education.
RRC: Returned to Iowa general education, either within or outside of AEA, Iowa IEP completed or parent revoked consent for services; student no longer eligible for special education.
There are two circumstances when a student is no longer eligible for special education upon the return to general education: 1) when an IEP team has determined that a student is no longer eligible (“Iowa IEP completed”) or 2) when a parent or age of majority student revokes consent for services. In all other circumstances, students who return to general education retain special education eligibility.
When code definitions were changed in the Web IEP, the IMS and the Documentation Guide, the Procedures Manual language on page 173 was not revised to reflect the code change. As of March 1, 2011, the correct code for revocation of consent for services is “RRC.”
The Document Revocation of Consent of Service, on page 173 of the Procedures Manual should read as the following:
“When it is determined that a student should be exited from special education due to the revocation of consent for services, the student is removed from the roster and the Exit form is completed using the appropriate exit code (RRC) for IMS.”
The full document with this information can be found on the Iowa IDEA website (http://www.iowaidea.org/vnews/display.v/ART/4a8b1534597fd) labeled (Errata: Return to General Education Exit Code for Revocation of Consent – Posted September 2011).
Contact your regional director if you have any questions.
RRT: Returned to Iowa general education, either within or outside of AEA, Iowa IEP inactivated; student remains eligible for special education.
RRC: Returned to Iowa general education, either within or outside of AEA, Iowa IEP completed or parent revoked consent for services; student no longer eligible for special education.
There are two circumstances when a student is no longer eligible for special education upon the return to general education: 1) when an IEP team has determined that a student is no longer eligible (“Iowa IEP completed”) or 2) when a parent or age of majority student revokes consent for services. In all other circumstances, students who return to general education retain special education eligibility.
When code definitions were changed in the Web IEP, the IMS and the Documentation Guide, the Procedures Manual language on page 173 was not revised to reflect the code change. As of March 1, 2011, the correct code for revocation of consent for services is “RRC.”
The Document Revocation of Consent of Service, on page 173 of the Procedures Manual should read as the following:
“When it is determined that a student should be exited from special education due to the revocation of consent for services, the student is removed from the roster and the Exit form is completed using the appropriate exit code (RRC) for IMS.”
The full document with this information can be found on the Iowa IDEA website (http://www.iowaidea.org/vnews/display.v/ART/4a8b1534597fd) labeled (Errata: Return to General Education Exit Code for Revocation of Consent – Posted September 2011).
Contact your regional director if you have any questions.
Upcoming ESL Events
Iowa Culture and Language Conference
Pre-conference – November 7, 2011
Conference – November 8-9, 2011
Coralville Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, Coralville, Iowa
Title III will fund participation in this statewide pre-conference and conference. Title III will reimburse for registration, substitutes and provide a travel stipend based on the number of teachers attending the conference (5 or fewer: $150, 6-10: $300 per district). Districts are encouraged to send a team. Districts will be reimbursed following submission of the claim form, which will be available after the conference from Pat Latham, ESL/Diversity Consultant. Full attendance is required for reimbursement. For registration and to see full conference details, go to http://tinyurl.com/3mrck85
Collaboration and Co-Teaching in the ELL Classroom
November 11-12, 2011 & April 28, 2012 (plus additional online learning)
Activity # ES006669571201
Teacher collaboration and co-teaching are proven strategies for helping students with diverse needs achieve academically. Two national presenters, Andrea Honigsfeld and Maria Dove, will address the fundamental questions, issues and structures about collaboration and co-teaching to help ELLs be successful in the classroom. This course will include three face-to-face sessions with the presenters and activities online and in the classroom between sessions. Substitute reimbursement (Friday) and teacher stipends (2 Saturdays) will be provided for all teachers/schools/districts that are part of the Heartland AEA Title III grant. Please review the class description for more details.
Pre-conference – November 7, 2011
Conference – November 8-9, 2011
Coralville Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, Coralville, Iowa
Title III will fund participation in this statewide pre-conference and conference. Title III will reimburse for registration, substitutes and provide a travel stipend based on the number of teachers attending the conference (5 or fewer: $150, 6-10: $300 per district). Districts are encouraged to send a team. Districts will be reimbursed following submission of the claim form, which will be available after the conference from Pat Latham, ESL/Diversity Consultant. Full attendance is required for reimbursement. For registration and to see full conference details, go to http://tinyurl.com/3mrck85
Collaboration and Co-Teaching in the ELL Classroom
November 11-12, 2011 & April 28, 2012 (plus additional online learning)
Activity # ES006669571201
Teacher collaboration and co-teaching are proven strategies for helping students with diverse needs achieve academically. Two national presenters, Andrea Honigsfeld and Maria Dove, will address the fundamental questions, issues and structures about collaboration and co-teaching to help ELLs be successful in the classroom. This course will include three face-to-face sessions with the presenters and activities online and in the classroom between sessions. Substitute reimbursement (Friday) and teacher stipends (2 Saturdays) will be provided for all teachers/schools/districts that are part of the Heartland AEA Title III grant. Please review the class description for more details.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)