An updated version of the Heartland staff handbook has been posted to the Intranet > Human Resources > Agency Information and Policies > Staff Handbook. This updated version replaces any/all preceding versions of the staff handbook. Sections involving changes in the January 2012 edition include:
• Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA)
• FMLA reporting and approval process
• Process for Travel/Professional Development
• Reporting leave
• Making changes in dependents, personnel status or address and updating staff emergency contact information
Current staff members do not need to sign the receipt at the end of the handbook.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Reminder: Here’s How You’ll Know About Inclement Weather Closings
The recent snowfall serves as a good reminder that we are in the midst of winter and that the weather can turn nasty at any time. Here is a reminder about the process the Agency uses to communicate about office closings for inclement weather.
SchoolReach
SchoolReach is an online system that is able to send voice messages to staff when there is an office closure. When used, the service will call selected phone numbers in our employee contact list and will deliver a recorded message. The service will deliver the message to both live answer and answering machines. No answers (phones ringing over 40 seconds) and busies will be automatically retried twice in 15-minute intervals after the initial call.
We will contact only those staff members who are assigned to offices that close. For example, if the Newton and Indianola offices are closed, we will only call the staff members who are assigned to those offices. Staff in other offices won’t receive a call. The calls that SchoolReach makes will be generated by the Agency’s Communications Department—they will not come directly from a person at SchoolReach. We have previously asked you to update your phone contact information in the Agency’s Employee Online system. If you have provided both a home number and a cell phone number in Employee Online, we will call you at both numbers in the event of an office closing.
Website
We will post closing information on the front page of the Agency’s website (www.aea11.k12.ia.us) at the top of the Latest News section.
Cancellation Hotline
We will record closing information on a “cancellation hotline” that staff members can call into at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14041. When you call in you will hear a recorded message that says the date and which offices are closed if there are closings. If there are no closings, the message will reflect that.
Social Media
We will post closing information on the Agency’s Facebook & Twitter accounts (www.facebook.com/heartlandaea & twitter.com/HeartlandAEA).
SchoolReach
SchoolReach is an online system that is able to send voice messages to staff when there is an office closure. When used, the service will call selected phone numbers in our employee contact list and will deliver a recorded message. The service will deliver the message to both live answer and answering machines. No answers (phones ringing over 40 seconds) and busies will be automatically retried twice in 15-minute intervals after the initial call.
We will contact only those staff members who are assigned to offices that close. For example, if the Newton and Indianola offices are closed, we will only call the staff members who are assigned to those offices. Staff in other offices won’t receive a call. The calls that SchoolReach makes will be generated by the Agency’s Communications Department—they will not come directly from a person at SchoolReach. We have previously asked you to update your phone contact information in the Agency’s Employee Online system. If you have provided both a home number and a cell phone number in Employee Online, we will call you at both numbers in the event of an office closing.
Website
We will post closing information on the front page of the Agency’s website (www.aea11.k12.ia.us) at the top of the Latest News section.
Cancellation Hotline
We will record closing information on a “cancellation hotline” that staff members can call into at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14041. When you call in you will hear a recorded message that says the date and which offices are closed if there are closings. If there are no closings, the message will reflect that.
Social Media
We will post closing information on the Agency’s Facebook & Twitter accounts (www.facebook.com/heartlandaea & twitter.com/HeartlandAEA).
Reminder: Teacher Quality Registrations Due January 31
Just a reminder that you must be registered on or before January 31 in order to participate in Teacher Quality study groups and courses. You will register for study groups and then be assigned to smaller groups based on geographic locations. All Teacher Quality courses and study groups must be completed by July 1, 2012. Click here for the list of offerings.
Prairie Lakes AEA to Host CBC Workshop for Principals
Our colleagues to the north at Prairie Lakes AEA will host a three-day summer workshop for principals and assistant principals who wish to learn more about Concept-Based Curriculum (CBC) and how it ties to the Iowa Core. Dr. Lynn Erickson and Dr. Lois Lanning, both CBC specialists, will facilitate the workshop, which runs June 25-27 at the Prairie Lakes Pocahontas office. Click here for an informational flyer and here for a registration form.
Instructions on How to Print From an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch
Many of you have had questions about how to print from iOS 4.2 or later devices such as iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches. Click here for instructions on how to print from those devices. If you have questions, contact the Internal Technology Department for assistance.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)