Our Mission
To provide services and leadership, in partnership with families, schools and communities, that improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth.

Our Goals
• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success

Information Relating to Concerns About Ebola

The Agency is aware that staff members may have raised concerns about the Ebola virus. Below is information about Ebola from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). 

It’s important to remember Ebola is not a virus spread through the air and is only contagious if the infected person is having active symptoms. Ebola is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of a sick person or exposure to objects such as needles that have been contaminated. More information about Ebola can be found on the CDC's website. IDPH has been and will continue to work closely with the CDC and local public health agencies to ensure the state is ready to respond should the need arise. 

Please contact your supervisor immediately if you have specific concerns related to Ebola or other safety issues. Guidance is also available in the Health and Safety section of the Staff Handbook.

United Way Campaign Continues – Online Auction Launches Today!

Our United Way campaign continues as we officially launch our online auction today! Bid on great items that were generously donated by area businesses. There are lots of gift certificates to choose from to restaurants, sporting events and other area attractions. Our featured items are a football signed by Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads and two tickets to the Iowa vs. Wisconsin football game on Nov. 22! 

To see what you may not be able to live without, go to http://unitedway.aea11.k12.ia.us 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 31! 

Winning bidders will be notified by e-mail the week of November 3 to send in their payments (preferably checks made out to United Way) and to make arrangements for receiving their auction items. 

If you have any difficulty logging in to the auction site, contact Maureen Whited at mwhited@heartlandaea.org. 

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 want your donation to go. Remember that 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. Pledge cards are available in every office. Please send completed cards to Samantha Perry, Human Resources Specialist, in the Johnston Administration Center. 

United Way…GIVE IT FORWARD. GET IT BACK.
GIVE IT FORWARD 
GIVE. Make an investment. 
ADVOCATE. Spread the word. 
VOLUNTEER. Lend a hand. 

GET IT BACK 
Our youth are better EDUCATED. 
Our workforce is better TRAINED. 
Our neighbors are financially STABLE. 
Our community is more HEALTHY.

Oct. 19-25 is National Save 4 Retirement Week

This week, join with thousands of other smart employees, young and old, by taking time to be sure you are on target to meet your retirement income needs. A little time and calculation now can make a huge difference in how you live in retirement. Take full advantage of your employer’s supplemental retirement savings benefit, the Iowa Retirement Investors’ Club (RIC) 403(b)! You save automatically through payroll deduction and enjoy great investment options and services without paying sales charges and annual contract fees! 

Make time now to take full advantage of this great employee benefit. If you already participate, take time to review the status of your accounts (no-fee advisor information available at http://ric.iowa.gov/403b/providers/index.html) and consider increasing your contributions by completing the RIC Salary Reduction Form. To enroll, view additional information at http://ric.iowa.gov/403b/enrollment.html.

Reminder: Coming Soon: Enrollment for Group Supplemental Term Life Insurance

Heartland AEA is pleased to announce the launch of the Agency’s upcoming enrollment for group supplemental term life insurance through VOYA. This is the first in a series of three articles you can read in The Connection. This initial article provides you with a high level overview of the value associated with this important Life Insurance benefit offering.

So you have life insurance But do you have enough? Enrollment for supplemental group term life insurance coverage is coming soon. Life insurance can help protect your family against the unexpected and obtaining it through your employer is a simple, easy way to get the financial protection you need.

Guaranteed Issue Coverage:
 If enrolling at the upcoming enrollment or when you are initially eligible, you will receive coverage without having to answer medical questions or have a medical exam.

Convenient Payroll Deductions:
 Since deductions are taken directly from your paycheck, you never have to worry about late payments or lapse notices.

Affordable Rates: The cost of purchasing group insurance may be lower than insurance that you could find on your own.

"Take it With You":
 The portability and conversion features allow for continued coverage that can help protect your family even when your current employment ends.

Keep in mind that the enrollment period for this offering begins Nov. 3 and is only available from Nov. 3 through Nov. 28. You are encouraged to closely review the packet of materials you should have received. If you have any questions, contact Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, at jhouseman@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14315.

Required for Targeted Staff: November Elementary Literacy Professional Learning Sessions

As discussed this fall, targeted professional learning opportunities are being coordinated across the Agency. Registration information for one exciting opportunity for all school psychologists and special education consultants who serve transitional kindergarten through third grade buildings is below. 

In order to efficiently utilize dates already held by a number of staff members and to coordinate efforts across the Agency, these November sessions will primarily be held on Literacy Strand dates. If you have previously registered for November literacy strand dates, no further action is required on your behalf. If the location you registered for needs to be shifted, you will be notified via email. 

If you currently participate in math or behavior capacity strands, please register for the session of your choice. Registration information is below. 

November 4
Ames 
IN0155-92111505 

November 7 
Johnston 
IN015592111506 

November 11 
Johnston 
IN015592111507 

November 21 
Johnston 
IN015592111508 

November 24 
Ames 
IN0155-92111520 

November 25 
Johnston 
IN0155-92111509 

If you have questions regarding your attendance, contact your regional director. If you have questions regarding the sessions, contact Martha Condon, School Psychologist, at mcondon@heartlandaea.org or ext. 18145.

Parental Notification Template for Chapter 62

On Oct. 15, 2014, the Iowa Department of Education hosted a webinar regarding the Parental Notification requirements of Chapter 62. During this session, the DE provided a template for schools. Additionally, a Family School Partnership sheet was provided. For in depth information regarding these tools, access the archived webinar on the DE website. 

We have linked the Parental Notification Template and Family School Partnership Sheet here, and they can be found on the DE website as well.

New Mac Operating System Released; Do Not Update Your Agency Computer

Apple has just released a new operating system (Mac OS 10.10 Yosemite). We will be upgrading the operating system on our Macs agency-wide in the coming months. We ask that you DO NOT attempt to update your agency computer to the new operating system at this time. Thanks for your help in keeping our systems running smoothly.