Our United Way campaign continues as we officially launch our online auction today! Bid on great items that were generously donated by area businesses. There are lots of gift certificates to choose from to restaurants, sporting events and other area attractions. Our featured items are a football signed by Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads and two tickets to the Iowa vs. Wisconsin football game on Nov. 22!
To see what you may not be able to live without, go to http://unitedway.aea11.k12.ia.us to start shopping!
To place your bid
Login to the site using your PeopleBox username and password. Click on the item name to view the description and a larger photo. To place your bid, simply fill in the “Your New Bid” field and click on “Place Bid.” You will receive an e-mail notification if you are outbid, which will include a link back to the auction site if you wish to re-bid. The auction site is available anywhere, anytime until bidding closes at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 31!
Winning bidders will be notified by e-mail the week of November 3 to send in their payments (preferably checks made out to United Way) and to make arrangements for receiving their auction items.
If you have any difficulty logging in to the auction site, contact Maureen Whited at mwhited@heartlandaea.org.
Pledge Cards
Pledge cards are an easy way to donate to the United Way. You may designate in the lower left-hand corner of the card where you want your donation to go. Remember that everyone who hands in a pledge card donation of any amount will receive a casual day sticker! Casual day stickers will be distributed after the pledge cards have been processed. Pledge cards are available in every office. Please send completed cards to Samantha Perry, Human Resources Specialist, in the Johnston Administration Center.
United Way…GIVE IT FORWARD. GET IT BACK.
GIVE IT FORWARD
GIVE. Make an investment.
ADVOCATE. Spread the word.
VOLUNTEER. Lend a hand.
GET IT BACK
Our youth are better EDUCATED.
Our workforce is better TRAINED.
Our neighbors are financially STABLE.
Our community is more HEALTHY.
This week, join with thousands of other smart employees, young and old, by taking time to be sure you are on target to meet your retirement income needs. A little time and calculation now can make a huge difference in how you live in retirement. Take full advantage of your employer’s supplemental retirement savings benefit, the Iowa Retirement Investors’ Club (RIC) 403(b)!
You save automatically through payroll deduction and enjoy great investment options and services without paying sales charges and annual contract fees!
Make time now to take full advantage of this great employee benefit. If you already participate, take time to review the status of your accounts (no-fee advisor information available at http://ric.iowa.gov/403b/providers/index.html) and consider increasing your contributions by completing the RIC Salary Reduction Form. To enroll, view additional information at http://ric.iowa.gov/403b/enrollment.html.
Heartland AEA is pleased to announce
the launch of the Agency’s upcoming enrollment for group supplemental
term life insurance through VOYA. This is the first in a series of three
articles you can read in The Connection. This initial article provides
you with a high level overview of the value associated with this
important Life Insurance benefit offering.
So you have life insurance But do you
have enough? Enrollment for supplemental group term life insurance
coverage is coming soon. Life insurance can help protect your family
against the unexpected and obtaining it through your employer is a
simple, easy way to get the financial protection you need.
Guaranteed Issue Coverage:
If
enrolling at the upcoming enrollment or when you are initially eligible,
you will receive coverage without having to answer medical questions or
have a medical exam.
Convenient Payroll Deductions:
Since deductions are taken directly from your paycheck, you never have to worry about late payments or lapse notices.
Affordable Rates: The cost of purchasing group insurance may be lower than insurance that you could find on your own.
"Take it With You":
The
portability and conversion features allow for continued coverage that
can help protect your family even when your current employment ends.
Keep in mind that the enrollment period for this offering begins Nov. 3 and is only available from Nov. 3 through Nov. 28.
You are encouraged to closely review the packet of materials you should
have received. If you have any questions, contact Juliette Houseman,
Benefits Specialist, at jhouseman@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14315.
As discussed this fall, targeted professional learning opportunities are being coordinated across the Agency. Registration information for one exciting opportunity for all school psychologists and special education consultants who serve transitional kindergarten through third grade buildings is below.
In order to efficiently utilize dates already held by a number of staff members and to coordinate efforts across the Agency, these November sessions will primarily be held on Literacy Strand dates. If you have previously registered for November literacy strand dates, no further action is required on your behalf. If the location you registered for needs to be shifted, you will be notified via email.
If you currently participate in math or behavior capacity strands, please register for the session of your choice. Registration information is below.
November 4
Ames
IN0155-92111505
November 7
Johnston
IN015592111506
November 11
Johnston
IN015592111507
November 21
Johnston
IN015592111508
November 24
Ames
IN0155-92111520
November 25
Johnston
IN0155-92111509
If you have questions regarding your attendance, contact your regional director. If you have questions regarding the sessions, contact Martha Condon, School Psychologist, at mcondon@heartlandaea.org or ext. 18145.
On Oct. 15, 2014, the Iowa Department of Education hosted a webinar regarding the Parental Notification requirements of Chapter 62. During this session, the DE provided a template for schools. Additionally, a Family School Partnership sheet was provided. For in depth information regarding these tools, access the archived webinar on the DE website.
We have linked the Parental Notification Template and Family School Partnership Sheet here, and they can be found on the DE website as well.
Apple has just released a new operating system (Mac OS 10.10 Yosemite). We will be upgrading the operating system on our Macs agency-wide in the coming months. We ask that you DO NOT attempt to update your agency computer to the new operating system at this time. Thanks for your help in keeping our systems running smoothly.
Our Mission
To provide services and leadership, in partnership with families, schools and communities, that improve
the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth.
Our Goals
• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success
Greetings,
Do you think about ways you can make a difference for “the common good”? As Heartland AEA employees, we are fortunate to have careers that provide us the opportunity every day to advocate for things that are beneficial for all members of a community. Those basic or “common goods” may change over time or vary with different groups, but some basic requirements such as food, shelter and education are, in my opinion, always good for all people.
In an article from Time magazine, Jim Wallis wrote, “a commitment to the common good could bring us together and solve the deepest problems this country and the world now face: How do we work together? How do we treat each other, especially the poorest and most vulnerable? How do we take care of not just ourselves but also one another?”
As I think about the many ways I see Heartland AEA staff making a difference every day to improve the lives of children and young adults, I want to say thank you for doing your part to contribute to the common good. I also hope you will consider joining me in leveraging the work we do at our agency by partnering with other organizations that are also working to meet the most basic of needs in the communities in which we live and work through a donation to United Way.
- Partner with United Way to meet our shared education goals by completing a pledge card
- Did you know:
- $1 per week ($52) provides a week of academic enrichment for an elementary or middle school student in an after school program or activity?
- $1 per week purchases eight books for preschool-age children in the Book Buddy program to help develop pre-literacy skills needed to enter kindergarten ready to learn?
- $1 per week covers half the cost of one of the more than 1,600 free meals provided to extremely low-income families?
- $1 per week provides healthy food backpacks for 17 children to take home to improve access to nutritious food?
- A contribution of $42 per pay period is considered a leadership gift?
- Consider purchasing an item from the online auction that will launch on Oct. 20.
At Heartland AEA, this year we have a goal of increasing the number of staff who participate. Help us demonstrate that Heartland AEA staff are willing to “Give It Forward and Get It Back” and do our part to build communities that are great places to live and work.
Thanks for Living United,
Paula
