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

See You This Friday at the 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. 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 and United Way Share Common Commitment to Improving Educational Outcomes

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. 

Heartland AEA and United Way are both committed to improving educational outcomes for students. Take a look at some of the strategies United Way is taking to improve outcomes and 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. 

SCHOOL READINESS 

• Provide access to preventative health services that foster positive children's physical and mental health development 
• Provide resources and supports to families that strengthen interactions and promote early learning in a home environment 
• Expand access and improve the quality of early care and education environments for at-risk children 
• Improve the quality of training and professional development for early care and education providers 
• Increase availability and utilization of quality pre-school for at-risk children 

EARLY GRADE SUCCESS 

• Provide supportive services for at-risk early grade students and families that promote learning and reduce school absence 
• Provide quality and engaging out-of-school opportunities for elementary students that reinforce and enhance academic & social/emotional learning 
• Promote and coordinate activities that reduce the summer learning loss for elementary school students 
• Develop programs that support positive physical and mental health for elementary school students 

MIDDLE GRADE SUCCESS 

• Promote successful transition into middle school for at-risk children 
• Provide supportive services for at-risk middle school students and families that promote learning and reduce school absence 
• Promote and coordinate activities that reduce summer learning loss for middle school students 
• Provide quality and engaging out-of-school opportunities for middle school students that reinforce and enhance academic & social/emotional learning 
• Develop programs that support positive physical and mental health for middle school students 

HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS 

• Promote successful transition into high school for at-risk children 
• Provide supportive services for at-risk school students and families that promote learning and reduce school absence 
• Provide quality year-round out-of-school time opportunities for high school students 
• Develop programs that support positive physical and mental health for high school students 
• Students will graduate or complete high school with a post-secondary plan in place 

And for 14 years in a row, United Way of Central Iowa has earned the highest rating from Charity Navigator—four stars—putting them in the top 1% of charities nationwide. This rating means we are best in class for sound fiscal management and our commitment to accountability and transparency.

Check Out the Sept. 2019 Educator Connection Newsletter

Last week the Communications Department sent out the first issue of the Educator Connection newsletter for the 2019-20 school year. The Educator Connection is intended to keep educators in the Heartland AEA service area better connected to our agency and to the many programs and services we offer to educators, students and families. The newsletter is emailed to educators and automatically archived on our agency website. Anyone can also subscribe to the newsletter via the webpage.     


Sept. 2019 Educator Connection  

• Watch: New Teacher Orientation to Heartland AEA Video 
• No Time to Make Materials for Your Classroom? No Problem! We Have Ready-to-Order Products! 
• These Easy-to-Use Oral Practice Books Are Great for Warm Up Activities or Transition Times 
• MackinVIA Has Added 50+ Narrative Nonfiction Ebooks for Your High School Students 
• Help Students Take Ownership of Their Digital Literacy with New Curriculum from Common Sense 
• Could Fridays Get Any Better? Only If You Join Us for Standards-Based Learning “Framework Fridays!” 
• Educators: Don’t Delay! Register Today for These Professional Learning Opportunities! 
• Have You Heard? Clayton Cook & Shannon Suldo to Present at the Heartland AEA SEBMH Leadership Series 
• Share This Networking Opportunity with Parents and Caregivers of Students with Special Needs • New Flowchart Helps with Student Resident District Questions 
• Looking for Professional Learning Activities to Support Tech Integration in Your Classroom? Read On! 
• Nominations Sought for STEM Teacher Awards

Iowa Department of Education Seeks Public Input on Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Schools

The Iowa Department of Education has announced six meetings to gather public input on proposed revisions to rules regarding the appropriate use of seclusion and restraint in schools. The meetings run Sept. 24 through Oct. 3. 

Proposed revisions to Iowa Administrative Code chapter 281-103 (“Chapter 103”) were voted down by the State Board of Education in August so that more feedback can be collected on some parts of the proposed rules, including seclusion room requirements, parent notification, and the term “serious physical injury.” (Please see 281-103.7(1), 281-103.7(2), and 281-103.8 of the proposed rules.) 

Department leaders will facilitate the statewide meetings, make further revisions to the proposed rules based on feedback, and will take revisions back to the State Board of Education in November. 

For more information about the meetings, contact Tana Mullen. Written comments about the rules may be emailed to Nicole Proesch. 

The local meeting will be held this Wednesday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. 

Sept. 25, 2019

Heartland Area Education Agency - Johnston

Conference Room 152A,152B, and 152C

6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston 

LifeWorks EAP Feature: Life Events and Our Mental Health

Whether it is the death of a loved one or the birth of a child, adjusting to the changes that significant life events bring can be tough. Coping with change takes strategy and effort, but is possible when you learn to focus on what you can control and let go of what you cannot.  

Check out Coping with Change: Change and Stress for more tips on managing life changes and don’t forget that your family and friends can be a great support system. You may also find the article Coping with Change: Helpful tips on coping with change. 

Online
login.lifeworks.com Using your own personal username and password 
Phone
LifeWorks toll-free, 24/7: (888) 456-1324 En español: (888) 732-9020; TTY: (800) 999-3004 
App
Download the “LifeWorks” app on the App Store or Google Play

Reminder: 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. You need to be on the Agency's network to access the web form, which means you either need to be in an agency office using the network, or you need to log in to the agency VPN. 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.

Reminder: Sign Up Now for the On Your Mark Steps Wellness Challenge!

Sign up now for the On Your Mark Steps Wellness Challenge! 

Earn your way toward 75 points and feeling good, when you complete the On Your Mark Steps Challenge – Sept. 23 to Oct. 20! 

Find registration information in this flyer. Lace-up your shoes and get set to get On Your Mark! 

If you have any questions, contact Carol McDaniel, Human Resources Assistant.

Reminder: 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.

Graduate Partner Changes for License Renewal Courses

The following changes took effect for courses offering graduate credit through the statewide AEA Professional Learning Registration system beginning Sept. 1, 2019, or after: 

• All courses with graduate credit will be offered for Drake, Grand View and Morningside credit. The 30 hours of outside work per credit will still be required. As before, all participants in the course must do the outside work no matter what type of credit they choose. 
• Instructor stipends will not be paid by any of the colleges. 
• The cost for graduate credit from all three colleges will be $90 per credit. 
• For courses with a paid instructor, the registration fees per credit are as follows:
• Participant Only = $85 
• License Renewal Credit = $85 
• Graduate Credit = $85 + $90 or $175 
• For courses with no instructor pay, the registration fees per credit are as follows: 
• Participant Only = $0 
• License Renewal Credit = $35 
• Graduate Credit = $35 + $90 or $125 

Instructors are not required to offer courses for graduate credit. They can be offered for License Renewal Credit only. If a class is not offered for graduate credit, the 30 hours of outside work are not required.   

If you have any questions, contact the Heartland AEA Professional Learning team at ext. 14701.

Reminder: Certified Staff 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.

Action Needed: Action Needed: All Certified Staff and Any Classified Staff Who Work Directly With Children and Families Must Complete New Suicide Prevention and Postvention Learning

This year, Senate File 2113 was enacted, requiring all school personnel to engage in annual training on suicide prevention and postvention. It is the Agency’s expectation that all certified staff AND any staff who work with children complete this module in preparation for our October Agency Directed Learning sessions, as we will be engaging in reflective conversations together. 

In the interest of honoring staff voice and choice regarding when to engage in this professional learning, as well as providing adequate time for this learning, we are offering two options:  

• You may complete the online module prior to arriving at your October Agency-Directed learning session. If you elect to complete the module prior to your October session, you will need to arrive at your session at 9:30 a.m.  

OR 

• You may complete the online module during the first hour (8:30-9:30 a.m.) of your October Agency Directed Learning session. If you elect to complete the module during your October session, you will need to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. on the day of your session. 

The module, “Suicide Prevention and Postvention,” can be accessed via AEA Learning Online. You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the module. You may download the certificate for your own records, however, you do not need to send the certificate to anyone, as we will be pulling completion reports from the online system. 

If you have any questions regarding the modules, contact your regional director and/or Jadie Boens, Special Programs Director. If you have any questions specific to the October Agency Directed Learning and the logistics for your session, contact Martha Condon, Director of Professional Learning.