The Connection: 2017

Monday, December 18, 2017

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

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

Happy Holidays to Your and Yours!

On the behalf of the Board and administration at Heartland AEA, I want to wish all of you, our awesome staff, a peaceful and joyous holiday season. Please enjoy this special time with family and friends. Thank you for the great work you did throughout 2017 for the children, families and educators of Central Iowa. Rest up, and we will see you in 2018!

- Jon

It’s Almost Tax Time! Is Your Address Current?

The Payroll Department will have your 2017 Form W-2, Wage and Tax State, ready around mid-January and your 2017 Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage, ready by the end of January. Both forms will be available electronically through Employee Online and a paper copy of both forms will be mailed to your home address. Help us ensure you receive your paper forms in a timely fashion by verifying your address is up-to-date in our Employee Online system. We ask that you verify your information in the system by Dec. 31, 2017.

To verify your address through Employee Online, login to your Employee Dashboard. Employee Online is one of the navigation tabs at the top of the page, just like the Intranet or Leave Online tabs. Once you’ve reached the Employee Online home page, click on “Your Home Address” in the left hand navigation section. If you need to update your address, click the “Edit” button in the lower right-hand corner of the page. It’s that easy!

If you have questions about your personal information, contact Heather Rinderknecht, Accounting/Human Resource Associate, at ext. 14427. If you have any questions about your Form W-2 or Form 1095-C, contact Steve Jordan, Senior Payroll Specialist, at ext. 14908.

Payroll Dates for 2018 Now Available

Staff members frequently inquire when timesheets, addendum pay, direct deposit forms and other changes need to be submitted to the Payroll Department in order to be processed for a particular pay date. To assist you in your planning, a list of 2018 pay dates and corresponding due dates is available. This document is archived on the Intranet > Business Office > Payroll Forms & Information > 2018 Payroll Dates. Payroll needs to receive all information by the end of the day on the due date to ensure payments and/or changes are made on the corresponding pay date. Any information received in Payroll after the due date may be processed during the next payroll cycle.  

For those staff members being paid from a timesheet or receiving addendum pay, keep in mind these items are to be completed, approved/signed by a supervisor and submitted to Payroll within four working days after the end of the pay period. Any items received after the due date may be processed on the next payroll.

  If you have any questions, contact Steve Jordan, Senior Payroll Specialist, at ext. 14908.

Reminder: Upcoming December Payroll Timelines

Due to the upcoming agency holiday schedule, staff members paid from a timesheet must have their Dec. 1-15 timesheets completed, approved by their supervisor and submitted to the Payroll Department by the end of the day on Wed., Dec. 20 in order to ensure they receive pay at the end of the month. The December end-of-month payday will be Dec. 28. If you have any questions, contact Steve Jordan, Senior Payroll Specialist, at ext. 14908.

Iowa School Report Card Updated and Released

Last week the Iowa Department of Education released the latest results of the Iowa School Report Card, a web-based school ratings system.

The Iowa School Report Card, which was launched in 2015 as part of a state legislative requirement, rates public schools on some measures of achievement. They include student proficiency rates in math and reading, student academic growth, narrowing achievement gaps among students, college and career readiness, student attendance, graduation rates, and staff retention. Based on each school’s performance over a two-year period, the report card assigns one of six ratings: Exceptional, High-Performing, Commendable, Acceptable, Needs Improvement, and Priority.

The Iowa School Report Card is updated annually to reflect the most recent statewide student assessment results. For most measures, school ratings are based on data from the 2016-17 and 2015-16 school years.

Statewide, 20.5 percent of Iowa public schools received a higher overall rating than last year, while the rest stayed the same (50.9 percent) or received a lower rating (28.6 percent).

Because several measures on the report card are based on statewide assessment results, overall school ratings reflect a decline in proficiency rates. The following chart shows the distribution of school ratings in 2017 and 2016:

	Exceptional	High-Performing	Commendable	Acceptable	Needs Improvement	Priority
2017	2.2%	8.8%	26.4%	41.5%	15.3%	5.8%
2016	2.1%	10%	30.6%	38.1%	13.2%	5.9%

“These results reinforce the need to continue moving forward with the bold education initiatives Iowa has put in place to strengthen instruction and prepare students for success in high school and beyond,” Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise said. “It’s encouraging that we’ve made significant progress statewide in improving the reading skills of children in kindergarten through third grade, as shown on early literacy screening assessments given three times a year. I’m also proud that Iowa continues to lead the nation in high school graduation rates.”

About the Iowa School Report Card: The Iowa School Report Card meets a component of House File 215, the comprehensive education reform legislation adopted by Iowa lawmakers in 2013. The legislation directed the Iowa Department of Education to develop a process for evaluating the performance of each school on certain measures and to “arrive at an overall school performance grade and report card” that is posted to the Department’s website. Scores and ratings apply only to individual public schools; school districts and nonpublic schools do not receive ratings.

“12 Days of Wellness,” A Hilarious Winter Wellness Video Update is Here

Check out this hilarious take on the “12 Days of Christmas” featuring a number of agency staff. Happy Holidays and Happy Wellness!

Join Fitness Your Way Through Blue 365 Before Jan. 1 When Price Increases

The cost to enroll in Fitness Your Way™ and the monthly dues will increase on Jan. 1, 2018 from $25 to $29. This is the first Fitness Your Way price change in five years. The program continues to offer the same great value for one monthly payment. As a member, you can visit as many locations as you’d like at no extra cost. This includes access to 10,000+ fitness locations nationwide including national chains and locally owned gyms. In addition, you can take your membership with you on vacation or when traveling. Learn more about the benefit through Blue 365, which offers discounts to Wellmark insurance members.

Tips for Staying Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

Winter begins this week and cold and flu season is well underway. Here are some other tips from the CDC to stay healthy and well this winter. 

Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. If you have an important meeting you feel you can’t miss, consider using Zoom from the comfort of your home rather than coming in to the office.
Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

Reminder: Winter Break Closing & Van Delivery Schedule Available; Save the Date for 2018 All-Staff Meeting

Winter Break*
Dec. 25, 2017-Jan. 1, 2018
All Heartland AEA offices will be closed to staff and the public.  APC has decided to continue the extended winter break schedule for the 2017-18 calendar year.   

*Paid holidays for 185, 199 and 218-day classified staff are Dec. 25, Dec. 29 and Jan. 1, 2018. All others should be non-work days on the calendar and timesheet.

Van Schedule Regular
Van Delivery: Dec. 18-21
No Van Delivery: Dec. 22-Jan. 1
Regular Van Delivery Resumes: Jan. 2

Save the Date for the 2018 All-Staff Meeting
Sept. 28, 2018
Airport Holiday Inn
Des Moines

Monday, December 11, 2017

Happy Holidays to You and Yours!

Upcoming December Payroll Timelines

Due to the upcoming agency holiday schedule, staff members paid from a timesheet must have their Dec. 1-15 timesheets completed, approved by their supervisor and submitted to the Payroll Department by the end of the day on Wed., Dec. 20 in order to ensure they receive pay at the end of the month. The December end-of-month payday will be Dec. 28. If you have any questions, contact Steve Jordan, Senior Payroll Specialist, at ext. 14908.

Reminder: Tuel Shed Training Presenting About Health & Fitness Goals on Dec. 14

Javier Tuel from Tuel Shed Training will discuss going after your health and fitness goals in a Lunch and Learn on Dec. 14. He will breakdown how to set achievable goals, how to refocus your thoughts and how you describe “your well.” Are you describing “your well” in a negative way that prevents you from accomplishing your goals or are you describing “your well” in a purposeful way that helps you further your goals? Come join in this positive, goal-oriented session!

Tuel Shed Training Lunch and Learn
Dec. 14, 2017
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 
Johnston REC, Conference Rooms 152 A/B/C
Registration

Update From Iowa’s AEAs on FastBridge Suite of Services; Link to Overview Webinar

Update shared with districts last week....

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies will subsidize costs for districts to upgrade their Iowa Department of Education-provided FastBridge (FAST) subscriptions. This offer will allow districts to gain access to all K-6 FAST application features, which includes additional functionality in the area of literacy and access to data warehousing, reporting, training and certification in math and behavior. Subscriptions are based on a per student annual cost. Your AEA and Iowa’s AEAs have committed to covering 50% of the cost for each K-6 student in Iowa.

This one-hour webinar recording provides an overview of the FastBridge suite of formative assessment tools available for K-6 students in math and behavior and was presented during the Statewide Curriculum Network on Dec. 1. These are the slides used during the webinar.  

This is information shared by the AEAs regarding the pricing structure negotiated with FastBridge Learning by the AEAs, and deadlines for notifying your AEA if your school plans to participate in 2018-19.  

Many districts have already expressed interest to their respective AEA about using this suite of assessments. We are asking that you complete this formal interest survey in order to facilitate a systemic approach to implementation.  

If you have any questions, contact Kevin Fangman, Chief Academic Officer, at ext. 14374. We will be collecting questions and facilitating feedback from FastBridge Learning and will share this in an FAQ document in the near future.

Winter Break Closing & Van Delivery Schedule Available; Save the Date for 2018 All-Staff Meeting

Dec. 2017 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda Now Available

The agenda for the Dec. 12, 2017 Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting is now available.

Reminder: Professional Learning Opportunity: Problematic School Absenteeism and Selective Mutism: Strategies for Working with Students to be Offered in January

Christopher A. Kearney, Ph.D., will be offering a professional learning opportunity, Problematic School Absenteeism and Selective Mutism: Strategies for Working with Students, for Heartland AEA staff on Jan. 4, 2018. Dr. Kearney will be presenting two workshops: school avoidance and anxiety and strategies for working with students who display selective mutism. More information can be found when you register. School social workers have already registered -- the remaining 50 or so spots are open to any special education consultative staff.

Problematic School Absenteeism and Selective Mutism: Strategies for Working with Students
Jan. 4, 2017
Registration

Do You Know What Goes Into the Annual Computer Replacement Cycle?

Marquis Jones (right) assists Karla Jones with her new computer.

The Internal Technology Department is just wrapping up the 2017 computer replacement cycle where 165 staff members received new computers. The process, which began in October, includes a number of detailed steps. Deployment began on Nov. 20 and concluded on Dec. 8. Tasks include sending communication to staff receiving new computers, coordinating transfer dates, imaging new hardware, updating software and various other tasks to ensure a smooth transition to the new computer. Thanks to our Internal Tech staff for all their hard work!

Monday, December 4, 2017

Do You Know How to Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?

Do you know how to use an AED? If not, take a few minutes to watch the video below to learn how easy it actually is. Agency offices have received new AEDs, which literally talk you through how to use them. Heartland AEA-provided AEDs are available in our Ames, Adel, Indianola, Johnston REC, Johnston Administration Center and Knoxville offices. AEDs are also available in the Guthrie Center, Carroll and Newton offices, as well as the Parkview and Delaware co-locations and the Polk County Detention Center. Devices will be added at the Rosedale Shelter and Youth Emergency Services & Shelter soon.

From ZOLL, the AED manufacturer:
When the Fully Automatic AED Plus® detects a shockable heart rhythm, it delivers the shock on its own. No one needs to push a button. Once the Fully Automatic AED Plus® prompts “Don’t Touch Patient,” and the heart analysis begins, if a shock is needed, it will be delivered automatically after a brief verbal countdown.

Like all ZOLL AEDs, the Fully Automatic AED Plus features Real CPR Help®. This revolutionary technology gives you real-time feedback for both depth and rate of chest compressions, helping you provide the best CPR possible in a rescue. Audio and visual prompts guide you to rescue with a confidence and clarity unmatched by any other AED.
• Not pushing hard enough? It will tell you when to push harder.
• Not pushing fast enough? A metronome will lead you to the right rate.
• Pushing hard and fast? You will hear “good compressions.”

We’ve all heard stories of people being saved by AEDs when in cardiac arrest situations. Please take a moment to watch the video below – you might just save a life.

If you have any questions, contact Dustin Gean, Operations Manager, and lead of the Emergency Response & Safety Team.

Final Call: Certified & Management Staff Eligible for Early Notification Incentive

During the past three years, Heartland AEA has filled up to 175 vacancies in the Certified Union and Management staff employee groups. It has been to the Agency’s advantage to enter the recruitment cycle as early as possible.  

For 2017-18, the Heartland AEA Board of Directors has again approved an Early Notification Incentive for staff who have signed a contract and who notify Heartland AEA of their intent to not renew their contract for the 2018-19 school year by Dec. 8, 2017. The details are listed below.  

Early Notification Incentive Process & Requirements

Certified Union and Management staff who do not plan to return to Heartland AEA for the 2018-19 school year submit early notification letters of resignation that are effective at the end of the 2017-18 work year.
Early notification letters must be received in the Human Resources Department by 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2017.
Heartland AEA’s Board of Directors takes action on early notification letters no later than the regular meeting on Dec. 12, 2017.
Departing staff must fulfill their individual employment contract obligations for the 2017-18 work year.

Early Notification Incentive

A $1,500 early notification incentive will be paid on June 30, 2018 to employees fulfilling these requirements.

If you have any questions about the early notification incentive, contact Tony Chiaramonte, Human Resources Manager, at ext. 14534.

2018 Social Security Wage Base Has Been Revised

The Social Security Administration has announced the 2018 Social Security wage base has been revised to $128,400 from $128,700 that was previously announced. The tax rate remains the same at 6.2%. If you have any questions, contact Steve Jordan, Senior Payroll Specialist, at ext. 14908.

Federally-funded Staff: A-87 Certification Notification Coming Dec. 6

Semi-annually, Heartland AEA must comply with the Federal Grant rules identified in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-87, pertaining to documentation needed for federal expenditures. For employees who are funded 100% with federal funding, there are Circular A-87 audit requirements we need to meet in order to document appropriate expenditures.

If you are in the fully funded group, on Dec. 6, 2017 you will receive an email from heartlandworkflow with the subject A87 Certification Notice - Action Required with a link to the certification page. The process is very simple and the same as previous years.

  If you are new to this process or need a refresher, you can view this presentation, which explains the background for Circular A-87 and the steps Heartland AEA is taking to meet the A-87 requirements. the steps Heartland is taking to meet the A-87 requirements. Keep in mind the video was created in March 2011. Although some of the dates and timelines in the video are old, the process and the purpose of the A-87 certification are still the same. The video will explain that employees who are fully funded from one grant will need to certify every six months that they are performing duties allowed under the federal grant.   

If you have any questions, contact Brian Whalen, Business Manager, at ext. 14005. The Business Office appreciates your prompt completion of the certifications and your assistance in helping us comply with this reporting requirement.

Opt-in and Test Message Coming From Emergency Notification System on Dec. 5

In order for you to receive SMS (text) messages from our SchoolMessenger notification system, you will need to opt-in to the SMS service.

If you have never received a message from SchoolMessenger before, on Dec. 5, 2017 (tomorrow), you will receive a message sent from a short code address -- 67587. To opt-in, just reply “Y” or “Yes” to the message. You must reply “Y” or “Yes” to the initial opt-in message, or you will not receive text messages that are sent out in the event of an office closing. You can also opt out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our messages with “Stop.” 

SchoolMessenger is compliant with the Student Privacy Pledge, so you can rest assured that your information is safe and will never be given or sold to anyone.  

We will also be testing the system on Dec. 5, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. You will receive an SMS message and an email saying that the Agency is testing the SchoolMessenger system.   

If you have any questions, contact Courtney Croatt, Communications Specialist, at ext. 14474.

Dec. 2017 School Leader Update Now Available

The Dec. 2017 issue of the School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is now available.

Dec. 2017 Each and Every Child Newsletter Now Available

The Dec. 2017 issue of the Each and Every Child newsletter from the Iowa Department of Education is now available. Featured in this issue is Heartland AEA-area school, Gilbert Intermediate.

Reminder: Registration For Five to Thrive Wellness Challenge is Open!

Pizza or a salad. A candy bar or an apple. Soda or a smoothie. These are the choices we face on a daily basis. Even when we know what is right, we sometimes choose the less-than-healthy option. If you fall into this category, you are not alone.

But don't worry – the Five to Thrive Nutrition Challenge is here to help! For 28 days, you will challenge yourself to eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day and record your progress. You will also get tips and advice on how to eat a healthier, more balanced diet. To earn credit for this challenge, you must track consuming 5 or more fruits/vegetables servings on 14 of the 28 days of the challenge.

Challenge begins: Dec. 11, 2017
Challenge ends: Jan. 7, 2018
Last day to record: Jan. 14, 2018

Professional Learning Opportunity: Problematic School Absenteeism and Selective Mutism: Strategies for Working with Students to be Offered in January

Monday, November 27, 2017

Reminder: FOUR Days Left to Enroll in or Waive Dependent Care Flex Plan

Our online enrollment for the 2018 dependent care flex benefit plan is open for four more days!

All full-time employees will need to either enroll during this period or waive participation through the enrollment process. For eligible part-time employees, due to system configurations, it is assumed that you automatically waive the benefit; however, if you wish to participate and are a CU employee with a 96-day contract, contact Juliette Houseman to enroll via paper.

The dependent care benefit allows you to pre-tax child, spouse or elder care expenses that you incur in order to allow you (and your spouse, if married) to work. If married, both spouses must be working to claim dependent care expenses. A dependent is defined as:

A dependent of the employee who is under 13 years of age
A dependent or spouse who is physically or mentally disabled

The maximum amount your family may flex per calendar year is $5,000. All claims must be incurred by Dec. 31 and submitted for reimbursement within 60 days of the end of the plan year (March 1).

The deadline for enrolling in or waiving the dependent care plan is Nov. 30 at 4:00 p.m.

As a reminder, all dependent care expenses for the 2017 plan year must be incurred by Dec. 31, 2017 and must be submitted to 121 Benefits for reimbursement by March 1, 2018.

To Enroll
First, go to your Employee Dashboard and go to the Employee Online Tab. On the left-hand side of the screen, click on the ENTER Your Dependent Care Deduction.

Next…

Click Dependent Care Coverage Type.
If you want to waive Dependent Care and not have this benefit for the upcoming year, enter 0 under the New Change Request column.
If you elect to enroll in the plan, your maximum deduction per pay period can be $208.33, which equates to $4,999.92 ($5,000) total for the year.
Click Save to complete your Flex Dependent Care. (In clicking Save you agree to the Terms and Conditions.)

NOTE: IF YOU ENTER AN AMOUNT GREATER THAN “0” IN EMPLOYEE COST PER PERIOD, THEN THAT AMOUNT WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM YOUR PAYCHECK PER PAY PERIOD.

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

Registration for Five to Thrive Challenge Opens This Week!

Challenge begins: Dec. 11, 2017
Challenge ends: Jan. 7, 2018
Last day to record: Jan. 14, 2018

Reminder: Tuel Shed Training Presenting About Health & Fitness Goals on Dec. 14

Reminder: Budgeting & Planning for Emergencies Workshop Coming to Ames in January

Did you know that 80% of workers polled nationally indicate they want their employer to provide financial wellness education? Consider where we are as a society today:

70% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck – Wall Street Journal
30% of Americans have outstanding loans on their 401ks – Business Record
#1 cause of stress is money problems and money fights – multiple studies

Heartland AEA is excited to announce that Justin Bennett of Strong Tower Consulting is coming back to teach more financial wellness workshops in 2018. Budgeting & Planning for Emergencies will be offered at the Ames regional office! Whether you are looking to pick-up a few nuggets of information, or you need a financial overhaul, this 90-minute workshop will teach you all of the basics of how to handle your money well.

Budgeting & Planning for Emergencies Workshop
Jan. 26, 2018 3-4:30 p.m.
Ames Regional Office
Or via Zoom
Registration
RSVP by Jan. 24

Changes Coming to Educational Evaluation Report on Dec. 1

At the request of the Iowa’s AEAs Special Education Directors, the following data fields will be removed/replaced from the Educational Evaluation Report (EER) effective Dec. 1, 2017. This change will impact EER forms that are open at the time this update is rolled live as well as future EERs that are created.

• The field highlighted in red will be removed from the EER.

• This question and its text field will also be removed from the EER: “Which of the above needs, if any, will require services and supports that exceed the capacity and obligation of the general education program and resources.” It will be replaced with the statement “The evaluation/IEP team will meet to review the Full and Individual Evaluation results and make an eligibility decision.”

An example of the updated EER blank form when printed on and after Dec. 1, 2017 is included here for your reference. If you have any questions, contact your regional director.

Tech Tip of the Week: MiFi Best Practices

Nearly half of the Agency’s staff have MiFis (WiFi hotspots) issued to them, and there are many available for checkout. Check out this week’s Tech Tip for a quick list of MiFi do's and don'ts and some best practices when using them.

Monday, November 20, 2017

Reminder: Process for Communicating Inclement Weather Office Closings & Course Cancellations

Winter is almost upon us, so please read below for your annual communication about inclement weather office closings and course cancellations. Heartland AEA offices will typically remain open unless all schools in a region are closed and travel is not recommended—which we know does happen. In preparation for the possibility of office closings and professional learning course cancellations, read below for the process the Agency uses to communicate about closings, cancellations and delays.  

First, read the Agency’s Inclement Weather Policy, which can be found in the Staff Handbook and posted separately on the Intranet > Human Resources > For All Staff/Frequently Used Items. If you have any questions about the Inclement Weather policy, contact Tony Chiaramonte, Human Resources Manager.  

Second, remember that the Temporary Remote Workplace Program can be used in extraordinary circumstances with supervisor approval. More information about the program can be found in the Staff Handbook. In an inclement weather circumstance, staff members who complete timesheets have the option of taking unpaid leave, even if they have other leaves available.

Third, make sure your phone information is up-do-date in Employee Online, so you will be notified of office closings. For the SchoolMessenger system referenced below, we will be updating information the week of Nov. 27. If you are a new staff member or have a new phone number, you will receive a message from the short code 67587 asking if you’d like to opt-in to receive messages from SchoolMessenger. Reply “Yes” to receive those messages. We will also send out a test message in the coming days.

Communicating Office Closures  
The Agency uses a variety of methods to notify staff members of office closures due to inclement weather.

SchoolMessenger: SchoolMessenger is an online notification system with the capability of sending voice, email and SMS (text) messages. We will send SMS and email messages through SchoolMessenger to only those staff members who are assigned to offices that close. For example, if the Newton and Indianola offices are closed, we will only notify the staff members who are assigned to those offices. Staff in other offices won’t receive an SMS or email message.
Website: We will post closing information on the front page of the Agency’s website.
Social Media: We will post closing information on the Agency’s Facebook & Twitter accounts.

Communicating Professional Development Class Cancellations

 If a professional development class is canceled, the cancellation will be communicated via the agency website and social media.

  If you have any questions about inclement weather communications, contact Courtney Croatt, Communications Specialist, at or ext. 14474.

Reminder: Early Notification Incentive Again Offered to Certified Union & Management Staff

Certified Union and Management staff who do not plan to return to Heartland AEA for the 2018-19 school year submit early notification letters of resignation that are effective at the end of the 2017-18 work year.
Early notification letters must be received in the Human Resources Department by 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2017.
Heartland AEA’s Board of Directors takes action on early notification letters no later than the regular meeting on Dec. 12, 2017.
Departing staff must fulfill their individual employment contract obligations for the 2017-18 work year.

Early Notification Incentive

A $1,500 early notification incentive will be paid on June 30, 2018 to employees fulfilling these requirements.

If you have any questions about the early notification incentive, contact Tony Chiaramonte, Human Resources Manager, at ext. 14534.

Reminder: Complete ALICE Online Training Before the End of 2017; Only Need to Complete It Once in Calendar Year 2017

As was communicated in previous Connection articles, agency staff have been asked to complete an online training to become familiar with the components of the ALICE program.

Click on the above link to read a description of the training and instructions on how to access it.

Please note that you only have to complete the training ONE time during calendar year 2017.

If you have any questions about the course material or the ALICE program in general, contact Dustin Gean, Operations Manager, Emergency Response & Safety Team Lead and Certified ALICE Trainer.

State Board of Education Adopts New Fine Arts Standards for Iowa Schools

Members of the State Board of Education last week adopted new fine arts standards for students in preschool through 12th grade. The board adopted, based on an Iowa’s team’s recommendation, the National Core Arts Standards, which are used in 22 states and were developed by an alliance of national arts and arts education groups. The standards are optional for Iowa schools. Fine arts generally include visual arts, music, theater, dance and media arts.

“Iowa students deserve a quality learning experience in all subjects, including fine arts,” said Charles Edwards, president of the State Board of Education. “Standards are a fundamental part of great instruction. The development of statewide standards will strengthen arts education in Iowa.” Unlike Iowa’s required academic standards – which outline expectations for what students should know and be able to do in English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and 21st century skills – fine arts standards focus on artistic processes. Those processes include creating, responding, presenting and connecting.

Iowa educators have clamored for fine arts standards, said Ronda Sternhagen, a member of the Fine Arts Standards Adoption Team, which reviewed and recommended the new fine arts standards. “Well-designed courses and activities in fine arts teach students life skills in addition to the obvious technical skills and appreciation for the arts,” said Sternhagen, a visual arts teacher in Grundy Center and a visual arts consultant at Central Rivers Area Education Agency. “These fine arts standards will serve as a guide for Iowa educators as they develop curriculum, courses and classroom activities locally.”

The adoption team sought public input on the National Core Arts Standards through an online survey as well as public forums. A majority of comments expressed support for the standards, as well as their connections to careers, consistency and rigor. The Fine Arts Standards Adoption Team recommended minor edits to the standards for clarity in the areas of general music and theater in its final report to the State Board of Education. The Iowa Department of Education convened the fine arts team earlier this year in response to public support for offering statewide standards that go beyond the mandatory subject areas.

For more information on the Fine Arts Standards Adoption Team, visit the Iowa Department of Education’s website. For more information on the National Core Arts Standards, visit their website.