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 You 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

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

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

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!