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

2019 All-Staff Meeting: The Place to be to Connect, Celebrate and Learn!

We look forward to a great day of connecting, celebrating and learning from one another on Sept. 27, as this is our one opportunity during the year to come together as an entire Heartland AEA staff!

Location  
Holiday Inn Des Moines - Airport

6111 Fleur Drive 
Des Moines, IA



Time  
7 – 9:20 a.m. - Health Evaluations (Venipuncture) & Biometric Screenings
7:30 – 9 a.m. - Informational tables
9 – 9:30 a.m. - Registration
9:30 a.m. – Noon - General Session
Noon – 1:15 p.m. - Benefits & Wellness Fair, Lunch
1:15 – 3:05 p.m. - Staff Presentations

Hotel Map

Morning Informational Tables
New this year, there will be six informational tables set up to showcase information or just have fun! 

Heartland Education Association: Collaborating for Career Wellness 

Collaboration is key to accomplishing great things. Learn more from members of the Heartland Education Association about the advantages of having a strong collaborative voice to promote career wellness and advocate for the things that AEA staff need to help students succeed.

Math Tools and Visuals

Would you like to know what math tools are available for Heartland AEA staff, teachers and schools to help strengthen a child's math understanding? Check out the group's subitizing cards, games, number paths and more!

Instructional Technology

Interested in exploring some innovative technology that can be used in classrooms or with your own children or grandchildren? Come check out Heartland AEA’s Instructional Technology Team table where you can explore the Taj Mahal or look inside the human body using virtual reality, add music and sound effects to a read-aloud using the free Novel Effect app and hold the solar system in your hand using augmented reality!

Creative Services

Looking for materials to use in the classroom or in your work at Heartland AEA? Come learn more about the Creative Services Department by browsing Creative Services Online for agency materials and teacher resources, learning how to order custom-designed items and checking out some great samples.

Job-Alike Facilitators: Moving Forward Together, Bringing out the Best in Each Other

Join the Job-Alike Facilitators in recognizing and celebrating successes by playing a game, winning a prize, reconnecting with friends and meeting new faces!

Teamsters Local #238

If you are a Classified Union employee, you’re invited you to stop by and check out the Teamsters Local #238 table. Your membership gives you a voice and a vote in decisions that affect you. As a group, members can work more effectively for fair and equitable compensation, secure what they like about their jobs and strive to make changes in areas that may need improvement.

General Session

In the morning general session, we’ll be inspired by Antonio Mouzon, a professor of Personal Empowerment at the University of Dubuque, who will speak to us about "Self-Management Through Emotional Intelligence." The session will focus on identifying and enhancing our ability to manage our emotions more effectively. We'll learn new techniques that can improve our emotional state of mind and learn more on ways we can implement these skills into our everyday lives. 

As always, we'll hear from agency leaders with a year in review and a look ahead as we enter a new school year. We'll also have a chance to celebrate successes and honor our years of service award recipients. 

Food & Beverage 
Only coffee and tea will be served in the morning, so please plan to eat breakfast before you arrive. Lunch will consist of a club sandwich on a hoagie roll, apple slices, mini carrots and a cookie. If you have special dietary needs, complete this form by Sept. 20 to let us know. Water stations will be available throughout the day if you’d like to bring a water bottle, and an afternoon snack will be served as well. 



Afternoon Staff Presentations

Our afternoon will again be spent learning from one another during 20-minute staff presentations. There are time slots for you to see up to four presentations from your colleagues. 



United Way

We will kick off our annual United Way campaign again this year at the All-Staff meeting. We are counting on you to once again pledge record support to United Way, so they can in turn support communities through education, income and health initiatives! Watch your tables for pledge forms to begin pledging your support on Sept. 27. Everyone (whether you donate to United Way or not) will have the chance to fill out a form to get your name in a drawing for some cold hard cash!



Benefits & Wellness Fair (Including Flu Shots)

The Benefits & Wellness Fair will be held from Noon - 1:15 p.m. Many of our past vendors will again be on hand, including our flu shot nurses! The Fair will be held in the foyer outside of the Iowa Hall, where our general session will be held. If you're interested in getting a flu shot, fill out this consent form and bring it with you to the Fair so you're ready to go! Flu shots will be given in the area behind the registration table during the Benefits Fair.

Benefits & Wellness Fair participants

Wear Agency Colors

Wear your agency colors – purple and/or green – and proudly display your Heartland AEA pride! You are welcome to wear typical casual Friday attire and any agency logo t-shirts you have. 



Fill in the Tables

Please fill in the chairs at every table and do not move chairs from table to table. This helps us avoid having to scramble to find a place for everyone to sit. 

Parking 
The Holiday Inn has 400 spots on-site, however, there is free street parking to the north, south and east, as well as paid parking on the north and south sides of the hotel. We encourage you to carpool to the meeting if possible. 

Heartland AEA Staff – Let’s Live United! Consider Donating to United Way at the All-Staff Meeting

Central Iowa LIVES UNITED year-round, but United Way is extra special during the fall, when organizations like ours across the community run campaigns to raise money for the fight—the fight for the health, education and financial stability of all central Iowans.  


Heartland AEA and United Way are so grateful to you for the courage and compassion you’ve shown in the past toward this fight. You are truly an impact-maker for so many central Iowans in need! As a donor or volunteer, or as someone who wants to learn more about United Way’s work, you are joining the effort to ensure that everyone in Central Iowa gets a chance at a quality life.  


When you watch the videos below that show you two examples of how United Way has assisted those in need, consider filling out a pledge card at our All-Staff Meeting on Sept. 27. Note that pledges of at least $50 can be designated toward the county United Way or organization of your choosing. 

Missy’s Story

Missy has missed a lot of school. She has been raising her younger sister since the age of 11, because her parents must work long hours to provide for the family. Recently, she’s been caring for her young niece, too. Plus, the 17-year-old has juvenile arthritis and severe migraines, which cause debilitating pain. All these struggles meant Missy wasn’t on track to graduate high school, despite good grades. Flex Academy, funded by United Way of Central Iowa, has allowed the senior to work at her own pace—attending school when she can, working from home, and interacting personally with her teachers to keep up when she misses days. 

Rhonnie’s Story 
Last summer, Rhonnie was forced to choose between putting down a deposit on an apartment and paying for textbooks for nursing school. She chose the latter—and lived in her car for months, breaking out in hives with worry over how to pay for her last two semesters at Mercy College of Health Sciences. Fortunately, she found United Way’s Central Iowa HealthWorks, which not only funded the rest of her education but also provided the emotional support she needed to earn her degree and pass her boards. After years of struggling financially, this grandmother of nine can now support herself in an industry that desperately needs workers. 

Bizimana’s Story 
When war struck Burundi, Bizimana’s family lost the land they farmed as they fled the country, eventually landing in a Tanzanian refugee camp. There Bizimana cared for his two children, taught school, and grew vegetables on a tiny plot. In 2009, Bizimana and his children resettled in Des Moines as refugees. Through the United Way-funded LSI Global Greens program, he began to farm again. Today, Bizimana grows eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, and many other crops on two acres in Altoona. His family, which now includes his wife and three young kids, can eat healthy year-round, helping Bizimana manage his diabetes and save money on groceries. He also sells his produce at the Downtown Farmers’ Market to make additional income. 

Reminder: Heartland AEA Emergency Response & Safety Plan Updated for 2019-20

Contact information has been updated on the Agency’s Emergency Response & Safety Plan and is current for the 2019-20 year. 

Please take some time to familiarize yourself with the plan, which can be found on the Intranet > Emergency Response & Safety Plan. 

If you have any questions, contact Dustin Gean, Operations Manager, Lead of the Agency’s Emergency Response & Safety Committee.

State Board of Education Adopts Proficiency Recommendations for New State Test

Last week the State Board of Education approved performance levels that determine how many students met expectations on Iowa’s new state test, the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP). 

The board adopted performance levels based on a recommendation from a committee of Iowa educators and the test’s developer, Iowa Testing Programs at the University of Iowa. The recommendations were shared during Thursday’s board meeting, along with statewide test results based on the performance levels. 

“Our students must be ready to meet the demands of the 21st century,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds. “Iowa’s new state test introduces higher expectations and new measurements to better assess student progress as well as improve accountability in our education system. Partnering with educators and students, our state will continue to ensure access to STEM, computer science and work-based learning programs to better prepare our young people for their future success.” 

“These recommendations are a testament to Iowa teachers who hold high expectations for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level,” Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise said. “Having challenging statewide academic standards and a state test that better measures progress in meeting the standards will help prepare students for the demands of postsecondary education and the workforce,” Wise said. 

ISASP replaced the former Iowa Assessments, with students taking the new tests for the first time in the spring. The English language arts and math tests were administered to students in grades 3 through 11, while science tests were given in grades 5, 8 and 10. 

The new state test went beyond the traditional paper-pencil format and multiple-choice questions to include an online format and an assessment of student writing. 

Student performance on the ISASP was scored at three levels: Advanced, Proficient and Not Yet Proficient. A committee of 185 Iowa educators met in July and participated in a nationally recognized process to determine the recommended performance levels, which define the range of scores for each of the three performance levels. The process was led by Pearson, a vendor of Iowa Testing Programs. 

The committee also reviewed the impact of the performance levels when applied to 2019 assessment results before recommending them to the State Board of Education. 

On Thursday, board members reviewed the same “impact data,” which represent statewide proficiency rates for each grade level, subject area and subgroup of students, such as students from low-income backgrounds. 

2018-19 Statewide Student Proficiency Rates 

“This is a different, more challenging test that is better aligned with Iowa’s academic standards,” Wise said. “These results set a new baseline for future progress on the test. They should not be compared to results from previous years because the test is new and different.”  Results by school and school district will be available in October. Parents will receive individual student results from their schools. 

Iowa’s academic standards and assessment complement other state education efforts and achievements, including: 

• The nation’s highest graduation rate (91 percent). 
• The nation’s most extensive teacher leadership system, which taps into the expertise of top teachers to strengthen teaching around them and raise student achievement. In 2018, Iowa saw a significant increase in school districts reporting they met student achievement goals. 
• A focus on connecting students with future careers through a statewide expansion of work-based learning opportunities, computer science instruction, career and technical education programs, and a statewide science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiative. 
• An early literacy screening system to catch and address reading problems in kindergarten through third-grade students early on. Since 2015, the share of students who met or surpassed benchmarks has climbed nearly 7 percentage points. 
• A school accountability system that includes a focus on postsecondary readiness and student engagement and safety in addition to student achievement and growth.   

“Iowa has the right roadmap in place to prepare all students for success in high school and beyond,” Wise said.

State Board of Education Adopts New Career and Technical Education Standards for Iowa Schools

Last week members of the State Board of Education adopted new career and technical education (CTE) standards for secondary CTE programs that enroll middle and high school students. 

CTE broadly encompasses six service areas: agriculture, food and natural resources; applied sciences, technology, engineering, and manufacturing; business, finance, marketing and management; health science; human services; and information solutions. 

The board adopted statewide standards based on recommendations from Iowa program management teams in five of the six service areas. Work will begin on standards for the sixth service area, applied sciences, technology, engineering and manufacturing, later this year. The CTE standards corresponding to each service area are required for Iowa schools that offer those programs. 

“An educated and skilled workforce is the backbone of Iowa's economy,” Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise said. “These standards recognize the need for innovation and new skills in ensuring Iowa's students are future ready. They provide a framework for CTE programs to keep current with industry changes, provide for ongoing learning for CTE faculty, and integrate core skills to prepare students for college and careers.” 

The standards were established as part of HF 2392, state legislation signed into law in 2016, which is helping shape the future of CTE in Iowa. The new CTE standards and benchmarks will set clear and consistent foundational expectations for what students need to learn in high-quality CTE programs across the state. They will also serve as a guide for Iowa educators as they develop curriculum, courses and classroom activities locally.  

“Ensuring high-quality CTE programs begins with industry-aligned standards that are consistent across the state,” said Tara Troester, career and technical education content lead for the Cedar Rapids Community School District and member of one of the program management teams that reviewed and recommended the new CTE standards. “These standards are critical for schools because they provide clear expectations for the academic, technical and Future Ready skills necessary for high-demand career pathway programming.”   

The program management review teams developed draft standards based on national standards from Advance CTE, the Computer Science Teachers Association, the National Association of State Administrators of Family and Consumer Sciences, the National Council for Agricultural Education, MBA Research and Curriculum Center and the National Consortium for Health Science Education. 

In addition to input from team members, public input was sought through an online survey. More than 400 stakeholders participated in the public review with the majority of comments expressing support for the standards, as well as their connections to consistency, rigor and industry demands. 

CTE standards will join other academic disciplines that already have both voluntary and required standards. Standards are required in science, social studies, English language arts, mathematics and 21st Century skills (employability skills; and civic, financial, health and technology literacy). Voluntary standards include computer science, fine arts and physical education and health. 

Find more information on the CTE Standards webpage.

Required Action: Read 2019-20 Staff Handbook & Sign Read Receipt; Disclose to HR If You Are Related to Agency or District Staff

You received an email earlier today with a request to read the updated Staff Handbook. This article serves as a reminder of that request.  

The Heartland AEA Staff Handbook has been updated as of July 1, 2019, and is now available for all staff to read and become familiar with. Changes to the 2019-20 Handbook to be aware of include the following: 

• Lunch Periods (Section 3:4) 
• Transfer and Seniority Procedures (Section 4:7, no changes, moved from bargaining agreements) 
• Certified Staff Salary Placement (Section 5:10, moved from bargaining agreement) 
• Certified Staff Salary Reclassification and Course Approval (Section 5:11, moved from bargaining agreement) 
• Physical Fitness for Duty (Section 11:10, moved from bargaining agreements) 

All previous versions of the Staff Handbook should be discarded or archived. The Handbook also contains a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Notice for staff to read. After you understand where to find the Staff Handbook and are able to review it along with the HIPAA notice, you are required to complete a web-based read receipt form that confirms you have reviewed both of these documents. Please DO NOT print and send this form to Human Resources. 



Once you click on the link to the web form, you will need to enter the username and password you use to login to the Employee Dashboard. You will then be prompted to complete the read receipt form. If you do not fill out the form in a timely manner, you will receive a friendly email reminder to do so.  



Please note: In addition, all staff is asked to certify that they are not currently related to any employee or board member within Heartland AEA or anyone within their district assignment. If such a relationship exists, please disclose the relationship to Human Resources using this form. Only relationships within your immediate family (spouse/partner, child, sibling, step-child, in-law) need to be disclosed.



For future reference, the Staff Handbook is located on the Intranet tab of the Employee Dashboard. Look under Human Resources and click on the 'Staff Handbook' link.

Wellness: Check Out the Discounts Available to Wellmark Members Through Blue365

The Blue365® program through Wellmark takes you beyond your health care coverage by offering easy access to trusted health and wellness resources 365 days a year. As a member, you can take advantage of discounts and savings on health care resources, healthy living programs, recreation and travel. A link to the Blue 365 website is always available on the Intranet > Wellness > Discounts.  

Now through the end of September, you can join Blue365's Fitness Your Way program without paying the $29 enrollment fee. 

• $29 enrollment fee waived through Sept. 30 only.
• Only $29 per month, plus local tax.
• Get up to 30% off on more than 20,000 experienced health and well-being specialists including chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, personal trainers, nutrition counselors, yoga and pilates instructors and more.*
• Save on vitamins, exercise equipment, aromatherapy, organic products, and unique gifts*.
• With 10,000 locations, find fitness facilities that fit you and your needs.

Reminder: You Have 4 Hours to Get Out and Volunteer!

Heartland AEA staff members are granted up to 4 hours of agency time per fiscal year to do volunteer/community service work. Keep the following guidelines in mind when volunteering:  

• There must be at least three Heartland AEA staff members (you and at least two other staff) working at the same volunteer opportunity together.  
• You are encouraged to wear Heartland AEA logo clothing or our “Heartland Cares” stickers that were created for this purpose. You can request stickers by contacting the Communications Department. (Please wear logo shirts or stickers so others can see where you're from!)  
• You must approve your leave with your supervisor before taking the time off.  
• Volunteer leave should be recorded in the Leave Online system as Volunteer Leave.  
• Finally, to celebrate our work, take a photo of your group during the volunteer activity and send it to the Communications Department with information about the activity and who was involved.  

Thank you for representing the Agency and serving our communities!

Action Needed: Certified Staff Should Register for 2019-20 Agency Directed Learning Sessions

Please use this information to register for your assigned Agency Directed Learning Sessions in October 2019, February 2020 and April 2020. Course participant lists will be used for critical communication regarding sessions, so registration is important. If you need assistance registering, reference this instruction sheet. 

If you have any other questions, contact Martha Condon, Director of Professional Learning.

New Flowchart Helps Staff With Student Resident District Questions

A new flowchart from the Iowa Department of Education is now available to help you with questions you may have when you’re unclear about students’ resident districts. The chart helps make clear the guidelines in the Iowa Administrative Code regarding students’ resident districts.

Reminder: Special Education Staff Members Reminded of the Roles & Responsibilities of an IEP Team

As the new school year gets underway, this is a good time to remind special education staff of the roles and responsibilities of an IEP team. 

Having everyone know what role they serve and responsibilities they need to take, including our school district partners, helps the team ensure we develop the needed programming and supports for each student who has an IEP. 

Roles and Responsibilities of the IEP Team