Don’t forget to register for the “Next Step” contest before August 28. Get your team together, nominate a captain and then go to www.livehealthyiowa.org. You will need to enter the Group ID LHIHAEA11 in the “start a team” box on the right side of the screen. (Remember, the Agency is providing the registration fee for this great wellness opportunity.) A registration page will pop up for you to sign up your team of 2-10 people.
If you have any questions, contact Tony Chiaramonte, Human Resources Generalist, at tchiaramonte@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14534. Let’s get walking!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Recent Delays in Online Training System Due to Large Increase in Users
If you or school staff you know tried to access the online training system last week, you know there was a lot of frustration in trying to use the system.
This year there was been a 125% increase in the number of users taking trainings on the online training system over last year at this time. Unfortunately, this unexpected increase in usage put a strain on the system and led to a frustrating user experience for district employees, as the server was slow to respond. Last week some changes were made to help with the issue, but the user experience has still been very slow.
A limit of 100 concurrent users was set. For those who are logged in, the system will run at a regular pace. However, once the limit has been met, users attempting to log in will see a screen informing them of the limit. Users are encouraged to complete trainings during non-peak times, such as in the evening or weekends. Traditionally, the number of participants tapers off in a week or so, which would then be an easier time to log in and complete the trainings.
Thanks for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, contact Professional Development at ext. 14702.
This year there was been a 125% increase in the number of users taking trainings on the online training system over last year at this time. Unfortunately, this unexpected increase in usage put a strain on the system and led to a frustrating user experience for district employees, as the server was slow to respond. Last week some changes were made to help with the issue, but the user experience has still been very slow.
A limit of 100 concurrent users was set. For those who are logged in, the system will run at a regular pace. However, once the limit has been met, users attempting to log in will see a screen informing them of the limit. Users are encouraged to complete trainings during non-peak times, such as in the evening or weekends. Traditionally, the number of participants tapers off in a week or so, which would then be an easier time to log in and complete the trainings.
Thanks for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, contact Professional Development at ext. 14702.
Remember to Complete Special Education Update Through Moodle
The “Special Education Update” Moodle course is up and running. It contains new updates and useful examples to help us work efficiently and effectively. Many of our special education staff have already accessed and completed the course. If you have not accessed the Moodle, please do so by September 1. If you work in special education, you are required to complete all sections with one exception. Those who serve early childhood and elementary only do not need to complete the transition section. Please follow these steps for access to this online opportunity:
Go to http://moodle.aea11.k12.ia.us/course/view.php?id=882 or
Go to http://moodle.aea11.k12.ia.us/
- Scroll down and click on Internal Heartland PD
- On the left side, scroll down and click Special Education Updates – Fall 2012
Thank you for completing this important training.
Go to http://moodle.aea11.k12.ia.us/course/view.php?id=882 or
Go to http://moodle.aea11.k12.ia.us/
- Scroll down and click on Internal Heartland PD
- On the left side, scroll down and click Special Education Updates – Fall 2012
Thank you for completing this important training.
Links to Presentations & Mission/Priority Services Sheet From All-Staff Meeting
We hope you found this year’s All-Staff Meeting informative and enjoyable. We’ve included links below to the presentations from Chief Administrator Paula Vincent and the rest of the Agency Planning Council members, from Sarah Brown Wessling, Johnston High School Teacher & 2010 National Teacher of the Year and to the Mission/Priority Services sheet that was referenced during the meeting. If you are referencing the mission statement, note that it has been modified ever-so-slightly, with the word “essential” being taken out of the first line.
Note that no agency resources were used to purchase the nail clippers that were available to staff at the meeting. The clippers were purchased as gifts for all AEA staff members from the Iowa Educators Consortium and the AEA system. Also, a thank you goes out to Dr. Vincent for donating the iTunes cards that were given to the winners of the bingo game that was played at the beginning of the meeting.
• Paula Vincent & APC
• Sarah Brown Wessling
• Mission & Priority Services Sheet
Note that no agency resources were used to purchase the nail clippers that were available to staff at the meeting. The clippers were purchased as gifts for all AEA staff members from the Iowa Educators Consortium and the AEA system. Also, a thank you goes out to Dr. Vincent for donating the iTunes cards that were given to the winners of the bingo game that was played at the beginning of the meeting.
• Paula Vincent & APC
• Sarah Brown Wessling
• Mission & Priority Services Sheet
United Way Campaign: Return Your Pledge Cards This Week
Remember that we kicked off the Agency’s 2012 United Way campaign at last week’s All-Staff Meeting. Blank pledge cards were sent to each regional office last week for those who want to support the campaign through a pledge or one-time donation. Check with the receptionist or regional administrative assistant to find out where the pledge cards are located in each office.
Remember that whoever submits a completed pledge card with any donation amount by this Friday, August 24 will get to leave two hours early on August 31, the Friday before Labor Day weekend. You will not have to submit vacation
time for the 2 hours and if you submit a timecard, you may mark it as normal time worked. Send your completed form via van mail to Claire Sowder in the Johnston Administration Center by August 24 to be eligible for the early leave incentive. Remember that our vans run Monday through Thursday. This is a great time to look up and learn your office’s van delivery schedule!
If you choose to do a pay deduction, your total contribution must be evenly divisible by 24 pay periods. Remember that pay deduction pledges from last year’s drive continue to be in effect until December 31, 2012.
The pledge form does have an area at the bottom where you can designate donations of $50 and over to other United Way offices or any of the organizations listed on the United Way’s website at www.unitedwaydm.org/designations. You can also check out the county offices in the Heartland area below to view each United Way’s website (if available).
United Way of Central Iowa (Serves Dallas, Guthrie, Madison, Polk and Warren counties)
United Way of Carroll (Serves Audubon and Carroll counties)
United Way of Boone County (no website)
United Way of Jasper County
Marion County United Way (no website)
United Way of Story County
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 charity 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
Other Special Events
Soon you will hear from your Regional Director about events that will happen in the regional offices in September to support the United Way. Start thinking of an auction item you can donate to the online auction we’ll be having September 24-28. If you think of one, send a digital photo and short description of your item to the Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Remember that your participation in the Agency’s United Way events is voluntary.
Remember that whoever submits a completed pledge card with any donation amount by this Friday, August 24 will get to leave two hours early on August 31, the Friday before Labor Day weekend. You will not have to submit vacation
time for the 2 hours and if you submit a timecard, you may mark it as normal time worked. Send your completed form via van mail to Claire Sowder in the Johnston Administration Center by August 24 to be eligible for the early leave incentive. Remember that our vans run Monday through Thursday. This is a great time to look up and learn your office’s van delivery schedule!If you choose to do a pay deduction, your total contribution must be evenly divisible by 24 pay periods. Remember that pay deduction pledges from last year’s drive continue to be in effect until December 31, 2012.
The pledge form does have an area at the bottom where you can designate donations of $50 and over to other United Way offices or any of the organizations listed on the United Way’s website at www.unitedwaydm.org/designations. You can also check out the county offices in the Heartland area below to view each United Way’s website (if available).
United Way of Central Iowa (Serves Dallas, Guthrie, Madison, Polk and Warren counties)
United Way of Carroll (Serves Audubon and Carroll counties)
United Way of Boone County (no website)
United Way of Jasper County
Marion County United Way (no website)
United Way of Story County
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 charity 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
Other Special Events
Soon you will hear from your Regional Director about events that will happen in the regional offices in September to support the United Way. Start thinking of an auction item you can donate to the online auction we’ll be having September 24-28. If you think of one, send a digital photo and short description of your item to the Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Remember that your participation in the Agency’s United Way events is voluntary.
Reminder: Composite Calendar Now Available
Click here to download the 2012-2013 Heartland area schools composite calendar. We have included all of our public districts, non-public schools and year-round schools in this year’s edition. The calendar lists our districts’ start dates, teacher workdays/in-services, parent/teacher conferences, early dismissals, holidays/no school days, breaks, semester ending dates and year-end dates. School schedules are subject to change throughout the year. It is in Excel format for easy viewing and printing.
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