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
We are thrilled to share that 165 of you have already taken the “test out” for Google Apps training! We’re also happy to report that 38 of those passed the assessment, meaning they answered 80% or more of the questions correctly.
Several people have asked if we will be sharing the correct answers to the assessment. Because this is a “test out” assessment, we are not sharing the correct answers at this time. Those of you who didn’t get to that 80% level will need take the Google Apps online training. And, of course, those of you who “tested out” are welcome to take the training, as well. We are sure you will learn many useful aspects of Google in the process. Detailed directions about how to log in to the training system are included in this Connection article.
Regional Google Seminars
We will be offering Google seminars in our Carroll, Ames, Newton and Indianola regional offices in October. The purpose of these seminars is to provide support as you work through the assessment or as you start the online learning modules related to Google. Mande Gamble, Technology Training Specialist, will be available in the offices on the dates below from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and from 1:00-3:00 p.m. There is no need to sign up ahead of time. If you have questions about the seminars, contact Mande Gamble.
October 20 -- Indianola regional office
October 22 -- Carroll regional office
October 27 -- Newton regional office
October 29 -- Ames regional office
Further Google Support
If you need support for the “test out” assessment or for further Google training, and you aren’t able to make it to any of the above sessions, other resources available to you include the tech support lead in your office and the instructional technology consultant assigned to your region.
As noted in earlier issues of The Connection, our agency is investing in building your technology skills this year! The first online assessment and training modules -- focused on Google Apps -- are now available.
To get started, click HERE. The link will take you to an assessment that will gauge your overall knowledge of Google Apps. If you get 80% or more of the questions correct, you will have “tested out” of the requirement to complete further training. If you get less than 80%, we want you to grow in your knowledge of Google Apps and ask that you complete the Google training module within the next month.
• We anticipate the assessment at the link above will take about 15-20 minutes to complete.
• Once you have finished all 60 questions, you will get an email with your results.
• If you do not test out, you will be provided information about how to log in to the training system to go through the six Google training modules.
• As you work through each module, there will be post-assessment questions. If your answers to these assessment questions indicate proficiency, you will be notified and can print a certificate of completion for that module.
• If more learning is indicated, you will return to the content module and do further study using the embedded resources.
• Then you can retake the post-assessment.
• (Even if you do test out, you are welcome to take advantage of the learning opportunity! Directions to access the training are listed below.)
Q: How do I log in to the AEA PD Online Learning System?
A: First, you will need to have an AEA PD Online account. (If you have an account, but don’t remember your login information, contact Shelley Christensen for assistance. This is the same system that you’ve used to take Bloodborne Pathogens, Mandatory Reporter, etc.)
If you haven’t created an account, follow the steps below:
1. Begin on the AEA PD Online Learning System.
2. First time user??? Click on Register here.
3. Enter your first and last name.
4. Enter your email address.
5. Enter your BoEE folder number
If you don't know this number, you can look it up at the BoEE Website.
If you don't have one, indicate N/A.
6. Click Yes to indicate that you are an AEA or District Employee.
7. Locate Heartland AEA from the district list.
8. Enter the District Password - aea11
9. You may complete the other fields, but they are not required.
10. Click on Submit Registration Info.
11. The screen will not appear to change, but you will see a Continue button under the Submit button.
12. Click on Continue.
Q: Once I login, how will I know where to start?
A: Once logged in to the AEA PD Online Learning System, you will choose the catalog link in the upper left hand sidebar. Then, click on district modules, and all of Heartland AEA’s content for our capacity building training will be listed. Begin by clicking on the course you want to take. If you did not test out, you will need to take the Google Docs, Calendar, Sheets, Slides, Sites and Gmail modules.
Q: Who will keep track of the learning modules I complete?
A: You will be able to keep track by printing a certificate when you complete each learning module. The Agency will also keep a master record of the learning modules completed by each staff member, which will be shared with supervisors.
Q: What supports are in place for me while I’m accessing these training modules?
A: We have a number of supports to offer.
• Some of your professional learning time this year will be about expanding your technology skills through an online learning experience. Work with your supervisor if you have questions about when you should be accessing the technology training during your work schedule.
• You can participate in face-to-face regional seminars to work on the online content in a setting where you can learn with others and be supported by a coach who knows that particular area of content. Seminars to support Google learning will be in various offices in the second half of October. More details to come.
• You can collaborate with others who are working on the same content.
• Significant resources are included within every learning module that you can access.
• Tech Support Leads and agency Internal Technology staff continue in their roles to provide technical support for routine questions and issues.
Q: When I finish Google, what’s next?
A: Additional information about other modules will be shared via The Connection once they are available. These modules will include digital citizenship, agency systems and online media resources.
Q: Whom do I contact if I have questions about the learning system?
A: You can contact Lynn McCartney, Instructional Technology Consultant, or Mande Gamble, Technology Training Specialist, for help with Heartland AEA-specific technology trainings. Continue to contact Shelley Christensen for help with the Bloodborne Pathogens, Mandatory Reporting and other statewide trainings.
As you know, Heartland AEA staff may contribute to a 403(b) plan made available through the State of Iowa’s Retirement Investors’ Club (RIC).
If it’s been awhile since you’ve talked with your invest provider or if you aren’t yet contributing to a 403(b) yourself, check out the 403(b) Investment Provider Vendor Fair we’ve set up!
Oct. 28, 2015
3:00-6:00 p.m.
Johnston Middle School, small gym
6207 N.W. 62nd Ave., Johnston
The vendor fair is being presented in partnership with Johnston Community Schools and will feature representatives from the RIC’s core 403(b) investment providers: Horace Mann, MassMutual, VALIC and Voya.
This fair will be of special interest to those who are currently investing with TIAA-CREF and will have to choose a different provider in order to keep contributing to a 403(b) after Dec. 31, 2015.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the 403(b) plan, how to choose a new provider if you currently use TIAA-CREF or how to get started saving for your retirement. If you have any questions, contact Steve Jordan, Senior Payroll Specialist, at sjordan@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14908.
Iowans who make up the Council on Educator Development have spent the past two years studying teacher and administrator evaluation practices and professional development. This document represents their preliminary recommendations. The council now needs feedback via an online survey on these recommendations from Iowa’s education community. The survey will be open through Nov. 30, 2015. All survey feedback will remain anonymous. The term “teacher” in the bill refers to certified staff and includes AEA staff. AEA administrative staff is also welcome to give feedback.
Gathering input is critical not only to this process, it is required by law. The council was formed in the fall of 2013 in response to an education reform package adopted by Iowa lawmakers that year. The legislation, House File 215, calls for a period of feedback beginning Oct. 1, 2015. Once the feedback is collected and analyzed, the council will use it to develop a final report in November 2016.
The October 2015 issue of the School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is now available. In this issue, Director Ryan Wise reflects on the highlights and headlines from the past month. Attorney Nicole Proesch addresses school visitation as seen through the lens of the Department of Human Services and there also are several important upcoming conferences that you will want to get on your calendar.
The October 2015 issue of the Each and Every Child newsletter from the Iowa Department of Education is now available. In this issue, read about Winterset Middle School and how they’ve borrowed great ideas and are seeing results.
Five Iowa schools are among 335 schools nationwide named 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools for their overall academic excellence or for their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups:
· Whittier Elementary School (Clinton Community School District)
· Ridge View High School (Galva-Holstein Community School District)
· Davis Elementary School (Grinnell-Newburg Community School District)
· Sunnyside Elementary School (Sioux City Community School District)
· Webster Elementary School (Urbandale Community School District)
“We’re proud of Iowa’s Blue Ribbon Schools and look to them for leadership and lessons as our state moves forward with the important work of making sure all students have a bright future,” Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise said.
The U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.
Wellmark’s standard process is to initially deny claims for individuals over age 65 if Wellmark doesn’t have the individual’s Medicare information on file due to CMS requirements. As soon as you receive your Medicare ID number, contact Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, so she can update your information. Once the information is transmitted to Wellmark and they update their systems, any denied claims should be adjusted and paid by Wellmark since they are still the primary insurance over Medicare.
Heartland AEA Wellness is pleased to announce details of this year’s wellness program! There will be more challenges, more activities to earn points and a wellness points catalog to choose wellness incentive items.
This year’s fitness component will have three main parts:
1) On-site biometric screenings: We will again schedule on-site biometric screenings (blood work), performed by Hy-Vee dietitians. Dates for the screenings will be listed on the Healthy Express calendar. If you aren’t able to have your screening done on any of those dates, you can have your family doctor perform a physical or see a Hy-Vee dietician in-store. We are asking all employees to do this step first before taking the wellness assessment, which will again be accessible via WebMD on your Wellness Portal on mywellmark.com. For information on how to sign up for mywellmark.com and access the wellness portal, see the attached instructions.
If you earned a Fitbit last year, you will earn 3 points for completing a biometric screening and taking the wellness assessment this year. These points can be spent in our new Wellness Catalog! You can spend your 3 points right away or save them for future use. If you didn’t earn a Fitbit last year, you will earn one this year by completing your wellness assessment.
2) Sync your Fitbit to the Wellness Portal: Once you’ve completed the biometric screening and wellness assessment, you will be asked to sync your Fitbit to the Wellness Portal. This will allow you to participate in challenges without having to record anything, as you can use your Fitbit to track your progress. (Please note that using your Fitbit is for tracking purposes only and your personal information will not be used by Wellmark.)
3) Participate in wellness activities: Once you’ve synced your Fitbit, you can participate in any of the activities listed, which relate to financial, physical, emotional and social wellness. Once you complete the required number of activities, you will earn 3 points to spend in the Wellness Catalog.
There will also be challenges throughout the year with chances to earn additional points to spend in the Wellness Catalog. More information about dates, challenges and events will communicated through The Connection and HeartBeat and will be available on the Healthy Express site as well.
Also stay tuned for offerings throughout the year about nutrition and how to manage stress!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Katie Streff, Human Resources Assistant, at ext. 14614.
Here’s to you and your health!
Technology Resources Available on the Intranet
Remember that there is a great deal of current technology-related information on the Intranet, including Google resources and a detailed list of who to contact when you have a technology-related question or problem. If you have ideas for items that should be added to this site, contact Lance Wilhelm, Director of Technology.
