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

United Way Campaign Continues—Multiple Ways to Show Your Support!

Below are two examples of how United Way is making a real impact in our communities. Won’t you consider donating? 

Summer in the City – United Way made investments in several programs last summer designed to help students avoid learning loss over the summer months. The programs included literacy, health/nutrition and family engagement components. United Way’s investment in these Summer in the City programs was made possible due to the success of our recent campaigns and the generosity of Central Iowans – like you! 

• Des Moines Register article and video about the program 

Opportunity Summit – Last summer United Way partnered with other community organizations to bring together nearly 120 leaders and residents to discuss ways to end poverty in Central Iowa. The Opportunity Summit is just one example of the many ways United Way serves as a convener in our community – pulling together great thinkers, passionate advocates, experts, etc. to attack the critical issues facing our community. 

• Des Moines Register editorial about the summit 

Pledge Cards 
Pledge cards are an easy way to donate to the United Way. If you donate $50 or more, you are able to designate if you’d like your donated to go to specific agency/organization. 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. Pledge cards are great way to show your support, and they are the only way that United Way tracks our agency’s participation, so the more pledge cards we collect, the better our participation rate is! 

Online Auction 
The agency-wide United Way online auction launched Oct. 22 and bidding continues until 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 31! We’ve gotten some great bids so far, but we know there are some items out there that haven’t reached their full potential! Sign in today using your PeopleBox username and password and do some shopping! 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. 

Regional/Office Events 
The Johnston campus and each regional office will be doing their own individual fundraising event in support of United Way. Your participation is encouraged and appreciated!

Reminder: Volunteers Still Needed for NAACP College Prep Day

We are looking for volunteers to serve on our Heartland AEA panel at the 10th annual NAACP Youth Council College Prep Day hosted by our agency on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014 at the Johnston Regional Education Center. The Career Panel Discussion will be from 2:00-3:00 p.m. and involve talking about and answering student questions about pursing, attaining and day-to-day routine about a career in your discipline. 

We are looking for a school social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, special education consultant, speech-language pathologist and school psychologist for the panel but welcome anyone who would be interested in participating! We are also looking for one volunteer to read student essays to judge them for scholarships. 

College Prep Day provides high school students and their parent/s or guardian/s with a step-by-step overview of the transition from high school into a well-planned postsecondary learning experience. College Prep Day is sponsored by the NAACP Youth Council, along with community partners. This event is free and open to all Des Moines-area high school students and their parents. The goal of the event is to inform and prepare the next generation of college students with sessions geared specifically for students and parents. 

In addition to extensive expert advice on the college search process, pre-registered participants will receive a free lunch and college giveaways. Activities throughout the day will include a college student panel, as well as interactive sessions on topics such as financial aid, college admissions, career exploration and financial literacy. In addition, three scholarships will be given away to eligible high school seniors attending the event. 

If you are interested in volunteering for the panel discussion, contact Samantha Perry, Human Resources Specialist, at sperry@heartlandaea.org or Annis Austin-Woods, Regional Administrative Assistant, at aaustin-woods@heartlandaea.org.

New One-Pager and Presentation Added to Communications Resources

Two new resources have been added to the communications resources available on the Intranet. They are available on a page we have re-named Annual Publications, Presentations & Resources. An updated Mission & Priority Services (the “one-pager) document has been added that lists the Agency’s revised Theory of Action. The one-pager has also been adapted into a PowerPoint presentation that can be used as a brief overview of the Agency’s foundation.

Open Enrollment For Supplemental Life Insurance Coming Nov. 3

As we have previously indicated, enrollment for supplemental life insurance through the Agency is coming soon. You are encouraged to take advantage of VOYA’s “Life Insurance Calculator” to further assess your life insurance needs and review the “Enrollment at a Glance” document for additional information specific to coverage available through our Heartland AEA plan and rates. 

Just a reminder that the open enrollment period is only available from Nov. 3 through Nov. 28, 2014. 

Life insurance makes you feel Secure. Because when you have it, the financial future of your loved ones is better protected. Like many U.S. households, you may already have life insurance coverage, but is it enough? Taking advantage of Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance coverage can play an important part in your overall financial security. 

The amount of coverage you elect can: 
• cover funeral expenses 
• meet unsettled financial obligations or 
• cover college tuition for your children 

If you have any questions, contact Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, at jhouseman@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14315.

Mark Your Calendars: Optional Zoom Sessions for Chapter 62

In November Heartland AEA will begin offering Zoom sessions related to Chapter 62 requirements, FAST assessments and implications for our practice. Mark your calendars for these optional sessions and watch The Connection next week for details on how to join our first session. The schedule for future sessions will be announced in The Connection. 


Nov. 3, 2014 
1:00-2:00 p.m. 
Facilitated by Wendy Robinson and Martha Condon 

Dec. 10, 2014 
10:30-11:30 a.m. 
Facilitated by Wendy Robinson and Martha Condon

Reminder: 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.

Iowa Alternate Assessment Load Testing on Oct. 28; Not Recommended for Students to Test

On Oct. 28, over 270,000 users, with guidance from the technology team, will conduct load testing on KITE. Load testing activities are designed to evaluate the maximum operating capacity and uncover potential system issues under significant stress loads. We strongly recommend you do not access KITE for student testing on this day. We recommend you resume student test activities on Oct. 29. 

If you choose to access KITE on Oct. 28, you should expect slower than usual response times and the potential for other unusual system behavior. Slower performance is not anticipated in Educator Portal on Oct. 28.