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
In celebration of Winter Break:
- Dec. 23-24, 2019: Heartland AEA offices closed to the public; staff will have workdays.
- Dec. 25, 2019-Jan. 1, 2020: Heartland AEA offices will be closed to the public and staff.
Van delivery schedule will be as follows:
- Dec. 23-24, 2019: Regular van delivery
- Dec. 25, 2019-Jan. 1, 2020: No van delivery
- Jan. 2, 2020: Regular van delivery resumes
The Dec. 2019 issue of the School Leader Update is available from the Iowa Department of Education.
Last year, Heartland AEA filled 60 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 2019-20, the Heartland AEA Board of Directors has again approved an Early Notification Incentive for staff who have a signed contract and who notify Heartland AEA of their intent to not renew their contract for the 2020-21 school year by Dec. 6, 2019. 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 2020-21 school year must submit early notification letters of resignation that are effective at the end of the 2019-20 work year.
- Early notification letters must be received in the Human Resources Department by 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, 2019.
- Heartland AEA’s Board of Directors acts on early notification letters no later than the regular meeting on Dec. 10, 2019.
- Departing staff must fulfill their individual employment contract obligations for the 2019-20 work year.
Early Notification Incentive
- A $1,500 early notification incentive will be paid on June 30, 2020, to employees fulfilling these requirements.
If you have any questions about the early notification incentive, contact Nia Chiaramonte, Director of Human Resources, at ext. 14534.
December is underway which means cold and flu season is underway as well. 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're sick. If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you're 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 into 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.
Wash 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.
The Value of Device Syncing
The Interactive Health member portal offers users the ability to connect personal activity tracking devices and apps such as an Apple Watch or Fitbit. Syncing a fitness device with the member portal allows users to seamlessly connect their offline activity with their digital wellness experience for overall deeper engagement.
Opportunities for Improvement
Through on-going user testing and client feedback, Interactive Health has identified a number of opportunities to improve the overall user experience of connecting one’s fitness device to the member portal. This product update will result in:
- Higher syncing success rates
- Lower member frustration
- Deeper engagement with the wellness program
Check out this document from Interactive Health for all the information.
