December 2021 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda Available

The agenda for the Dec. 2021 Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting is available.

Reminder: Leave a Message for Terri Graeve, Our December Retiree

Terri Graeve (Executive Assistant/JO), who has spent 23 years with Heartland AEA, will be retiring at the end of December. In lieu of a retirement reception, please record a short video message for Terri to wish her well on her retirement! 

(Click on the link below and sign in with your Google account to access the Flipgrid site.) 

Terri Graeve

Leave a Message for Terri Graeve, Our December Retiree

Terri Graeve (Executive Assistant/JO), who has spent 23 years with Heartland AEA, will be retiring at the end of December. In lieu of a retirement reception, please record a short video message for Terri to wish her well on her retirement! 

(Click on the link below and sign in with your Google account to access the Flipgrid site.) 

Terri Graeve

FYI: CDC Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots; Education Considered High-Risk Setting

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has made a recommendation for a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccines in certain populations. The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization and CDC’s recommendation for use are important steps forward as we work to stay ahead of the virus and keep Americans safe. 

For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series: 

65 years and older 

• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings 
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions 
• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings 

For the nearly 15 million people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago. 

There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. 

Millions of people are newly eligible to receive a booster shot and will benefit from additional protection. However, today’s action should not distract from the critical work of ensuring that unvaccinated people take the first step and get an initial COVID-19 vaccine. More than 65 million Americans remain unvaccinated, leaving themselves – and their children, families, loved ones, and communities– vulnerable. 

Available data right now show that all three of the COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized in the United States continue to be highly effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and reduce the spread of the virus and help prevent new variants from emerging. 

The following is attributable to Dr. Walensky: “These recommendations are another example of our fundamental commitment to protect as many people as possible from COVID-19. The evidence shows that all three COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States are safe – as demonstrated by the over 400 million vaccine doses already given. And, they are all highly effective in reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even in the midst of the widely circulating Delta variant.”

Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Has Changed Its Email Addresses

ADM now uses firstname.lastname@admschools.org for its email address format.

Example: Greg Dufoe, superintendent - greg.dufoe@admschools.org

Oct. 2021 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda Available

The agenda for the Oct. 12, 2021, Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting is available.

St. Joseph & St. Theresa Schools Have New Emails

St. Joseph School now uses: @stjosephcatholicdsm.org 

Example: Jodi Halligan: jhalligan@stjosephcatholicdsm.org 

St. Theresa School now uses: @stsdsm.com 

Example: Ellen Stemler: estemler@stsdsm.com

Aug. 2021 Board of Directors Retreat Agenda Available

The agenda for the Aug. 10, 2021, Heartland AEA Board of Directors retreat is available.

Gilbert and Exira-EHK Schools Have Email Address Changes

Gilbert

Gilbert School District now uses: @gilbertcsd.org 

Example - new superintendent, Dr. Christine Trujillo: trujilloc@gilbertcsd.org 

Exira-EHK

Exira-Elk-Horn School District now uses: @eehkspartans.org 

Example - new principal, Nate McDonald: nmcdonald@eehkspartans.org

Heartland AEA Staff Can Again Take Advantage of Discounted Adventureland Tickets

If you haven’t taken a trip to Adventureland yet this summer, there’s still time to take advantage of the discounted ticket prices offered to Heartland AEA staff members! Visit the Adventureland/Heartland AEA discount site (which is always available) today.

Summer 2021 Van Routes Begin June 21

The Summer 2021 van delivery route schedule, which begins June 21, is now available.

May 2021 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda Available

The agenda for the May 11, 2021, Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting is available.

April 2021 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda Available

The agenda for the April 13, 2021, Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting is available.

Reminder: Leave a Message for Our April Retirees

As we let you know in the March 12 HeartBeat, Rod Howell (Information Systems Manager/JO) and Lisa Lumbard (Library Assistant/JO) will both be retiring at the beginning of April. In lieu of retirement receptions, please record a short video message for Rod and Lisa to wish them well on their retirements! Click on the links below and sign in with your Google account to access the Flipgrid site.

Rod Howell 

Lisa Lumbard

Check Out Vaccine Alerts on Twitter for Help Finding Vaccination Appointments

If you continue to need assistance finding vaccination appointments, a quick tip is to follow the @iavaccinealerts account on Twitter. The account posts every time there are appointment openings at Hy-Vee and other sites offering vaccinations. You have to be quick if you find an appointment, but the account can be helpful.

March 2021 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda Available

The agenda for the March 9, 2021, Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting is available.

Potential Income Tax Relief from the August 2020 Derecho

Victims of the Aug. 10, 2020 derecho may qualify for some income tax relief. Special rules for “Qualified Disaster Losses” apply to these Iowa counties: Benton, Boone, Cedar, Clinton, Jasper, Linn, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story and Tama.   

If you had unreimbursed expenses from the derecho, including expenses subject to your homeowners’ insurance deductible, consider discussing this issue with your income tax preparer as you complete your 2020 income tax returns (federal and Iowa).   

Other resources: 

• IRS announces tax relief for Iowa derecho victims
 
• Topic No. 515 Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Losses
 
• 2020 Expanded Instructions
  

Heartland AEA Business office staff cannot provide tax advice, but they wanted you to be aware of this matter.

February 2021 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda Available

The agenda for the Feb. 9, 2021, Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting is available.

Jan. 2021 Heartland AEA Board of Director Meeting Agenda Available

The agenda for the Jan. 12, 2021, Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting is available. 

Winter Break Van Delivery Schedule

Dec. 22, 2020 – Last day for delivery 

Jan. 4, 2021 – Delivery resumes