2011-2012 Heartland AEA Staff & Schools Directory Now Available

Click here for the 2011-2012 Heartland AEA Staff & Schools Directory. It is archived on our website under the General Information link, which can be found under the About Us link on our homepage. The Agency no longer prints bound copies of the directory to be more environmentally friendly and budget conscious.

Also keep in mind that Heartland AEA has an online staff directory. This electronic directory contains the most up-to-date information about Heartland staff members. To access this directory, visit our homepage and click on the “AEA Staff Directory” link on the top right hand side of the page above the Leaders tab. You can search for Heartland staff members by last name, position or by the school districts they serve.

Superintendents: November 1 HAA Meeting Agenda

Click here to download the November Heartland Administrators Association meeting agenda. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 1 in Room 13 A/B of the Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive) and will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Our schedule will be a bit different for this meeting. Tom Narak from School Administrators of Iowa will be first on the agenda as he was unavailable later in the morning. We will have our professional learning session from 9:30-10:30.

Director Jason Glass will also be joining us to discuss the Department's future plans and the Blueprint for Education.

Title III/ESL Reminders and Opportunities

Mini Grants
The following two mini grants with proposal templates that are available to school districts. Questions and proposals may be sent to Pat Latham at platham@aea11.k12.ia.us or Stephaney Jones-Vo at sjonesvo@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Family Literacy/Parent Involvement Mini Grant
Three grants of $3,300 each will be awarded on December 6, 2011, so don’t delay in sending your proposal electronically to Pat Latham or Stephaney Jones-Vo, due November 30, 2011. See the proposal template found here to help you write and submit your district’s proposal for the Family Literacy/Parent Involvement Mini Grant.

Title III Mini-Grant to Support Districts in Providing Access to the CORE through Differentiated Materials for Content Classes and the Development of Language
The number of ESL students in your district will determine the grant amount. Send your proposal electronically to Pat Latham or Stephaney Jones-Vo by December 6, 2011. See the proposal template found here to help you write and submit your district’s proposal for this mini grant.

Iowa Culture and Language Conference
November 8-9, 2011
Coralville Marriot Hotel and Conference Center
Coralville, Iowa

Title III will fund participation in this statewide pre-conference and conference. Title III will reimburse for registration, substitutes and provide a travel stipend based on the number of teachers attending the conference (5 or fewer-$150, 6-10-$300 per district). Districts are encouraged to send a team. Districts will be reimbursed following submission of the claim form, which will be available after the conference from Pat Latham. Full attendance is required for reimbursement.

For registration and to see full conference details, click here: http://tinyurl.com/3mrck85

Collaboration and Co-Teaching
November 11-12, 2011 & April 28, 2012
Activity Number: ES006669571201
Andrea Honigsfeld and Maria Dove, authors of Collaboration and Co-Teaching Strategies: Strategies for English Language Learners. will address the fundamental questions, issues and structures about collaboration and co-teaching to help ELLs be successful in the classroom. While participants are welcome to attend the class for no credit, there is a two a 2-credit option available.

Sexual Abuse Prevention Task Force to Hold Public Hearing, Oct. 31

Iowa's Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Task Force will hold a public hearing on Monday, October 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Room 103 at the State Capitol. This is an opportunity for Iowans to come and share public testimony about child sexual abuse prevention policies and other actions and recommendations the Task Force should consider in its report to the Iowa Legislature. IASB attorney Mary Gannon sits on the task force.

All members of the public are invited to attend and share ideas. For more information, contact Steve Scott of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa at (515) 244-2200 or 1-800-CHILDREN, or sscott@pcaiowa.org.

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

Teaching About the Holocaust and the Iowa Core, Nov. 10

The Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, in cooperation with the University of Northern Iowa Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education, will co-host a learning opportunity for middle and high school teachers. The workshop, Teaching About the Holocaust and the Iowa Core Curriculum, is offered free of charge and will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2011 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Temple B'nai Jeshurun in Des Moines. Register by e-mail to chge@uni.edu. Participants should provide a name, school building, district and grade/subject taught.

For more information, contact Stephen J. Gaies, Director, Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education, at www.chge.uni.edu, gaies@uni.edu or call (319) 277-1909.

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

Children’s Museum to Offer Iowa Core-Focused Field Trips

The Iowa Children's Museum in Coralville has updated their schedule to include K-5th grade field trip packages to match the Iowa Core standards. Click here for their “Standards at a Glance” field trip offerings. All of their focused field trip information may be found at http://www.theicm.org/programs/group-visits/focused.

Starting in January, they will be offering CityWorks S.T.E.M. focused field trips which will cater to 1st-5th grade audiences.

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

Technology Program Promotes STEM Interest for Girls

Microsoft, along with the Technology Association of Iowa, will be hosting a free technology program, Digi Girlz, specifically for 8th-12th grade girls. During the event, the girls will interact with women in technology, participate in technology tours and demonstrations, network and learn with hands-on experience. Digi Girlz will be held November 17, 2011 at the Hy-Vee Conference Center and is prior to the Iowa Women of Innovation awards dinner that elevates and celebrates today’s extraordinary women in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Click here for more information.

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

Letters to Governor Branstad and Senator Harkin Issued by Executive Leaders Group

The Executive Leaders is a new group in Iowa, coordinated through SAI and open to all school superintendents. The purpose of the SAI Executive Leaders is to provide strategic leadership for system improvements that will result in a quality education for Iowa's youth. The group met September 25 and 26 at Drake University and listened to presentations by Bruce Hunter, AASA associate executive director; and Jason Glass, Iowa DE director, on Iowa school reform. The letters (attached below) resulted from participants' discussions and may be used as superintendents participate in the town hall meetings occurring around the state, to help inform legislators, etc.

Letter to Governor Branstad
Letter to Senator Harkin

You Have a “Friend Request!”

Heartland AEA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts are bustling with activity! We use Facebook and Twitter to post information about resources, classes, good news stories and other fantastic reads.

Follow Heartland AEA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HeartlandAEA

Like Heartland AEA on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/heartlandaea

Also remember to check out Iowa’s Area Education Agencies social media sites. Get quick and current updates on education issues, policies and professional learning opportunities available around the state.

Follow Iowa's Area Education Agencies on Twitter at http://twitter.com/iowa_aea

Like Iowa's Area Education Agencies on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/iowaaea

Urbandale CSD to Host ESL Simulation

Click here for more information on Urbandale CSD’s Life in a Second Language, a unique, interactive experience about the challenges faced by non-English speaking Urbandale residents. The free event will be held next Monday, October 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Webster Elementary. Registration has been extended to be open until filled.

SAI to Host Administrator-Counselor Workshop, Dec. 7

Click here for more information about the Administrator-Counselor Workshop that SAI will host on December 7, 2011. In light of the Governor’s Education Blueprint, this workshop will explore how the principal/counselor team can work together to ensure every learner's success. Dr. Matt Davidson, executive director of the Institute for Ethics and Excellence will lead the workshop.

Session with Linda Fandel, Governor's Special Assistant for Education, Oct. 17

On Monday, October 17 Linda Fandel will be presenting a session for the Heartland Administrators’ Association. The session will be held at the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive) at 10:00 a.m. Linda will be addressing the Governor's Blueprint for Education. She will speak for about 20 minutes and then take questions.

If you are unable to attend in person, you may access the session online via webinar. The directions for the webinar are below. If you access the session this way, you will be able to hear the session and text in any questions that you would like to have answered.

If you need assistance, please contact Sharon Kurns at skurns@aea11.k12.ia.us or (515) 270-9030. On the morning of the session contact her by cell phone (515) 419-5814.

Before the Session

• Go to http://admin.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm to test the computer you will be using for an Adobe Connect session.
• Adobe Connect will automatically run a test of your computer. The latest Acrobat Connect Add-In will be installed if necessary. It is strongly recommended to use an ethernet connection (as opposed to wireless).

Checklist of Items You Will Need

• A computer (tested with the above URL).
• The computer connected to an ethernet cable (Recommended, it will work with wireless, but the ethernet connection will be more reliable).
• The computer connected to a projector/screen (only if several participants are in the same room).
• The computer connected to external speakers (only if several participants are in the same room).

Webinar Directions for the Day of the Session

• Click on this link or paste the URL into your browser http://iowa.adobeconnect.com/fandel
• Click "Guest."
• Type in your name.
• Adjust the volume on your computer.
• Use the chat box on the left hand side of the screen if you want to ask a question.

HEART Training to be Offered in Adel Office

We will be offering a session on HEART on Tuesday, November 1 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the meeting room at the Adel regional office (600 Visions Parkway). The class is intended for the newly tapped HEART users (and those who would like a refresher) who will need to understand how to run HEART and retrieve data in the system.

To register for this class, click here or go to the Heartland Professional Development Catalog and enter activity number AS003792111203 in the correct field.

Participants for this class will need to bring a laptop. If you do not have a laptop of your own, please reserve one by contacting Jennifer Swanson at jswanson@aea11.k12.ia.us or (515) 270-0405 ext. 14560.

EdInsight Training to be Offered Nov. 1

As we have communicated last year, EdInsight is the Iowa Department of Education’s data warehouse and analysis system. It holds data from Project EASIER, the IMS system (IEP information) and the Iowa Testing Program.

Heartland AEA is providing a training opportunity in the Adel regional office meeting room on Tuesday, November 1 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. To register for this class, click here or go to the Heartland Professional Development Catalog and enter activity number AS005192111201 in the correct field.

Participants for this class will need to bring a laptop. If you do not have a laptop of your own, please reserve one by contacting Jennifer Swanson at jswanson@aea11.k12.ia.us or (515) 270-0405 ext. 14560.

Learn more about EdInsight at http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1691&Itemid=2490

Exit Code Clarification and Procedures Manual Language

Two exit codes, RRT and RRC, communicate that a student has returned to general education in Iowa. These codes have been rewritten for clarification.

RRT: Returned to Iowa general education, either within or outside of AEA, Iowa IEP inactivated; student remains eligible for special education.

RRC: Returned to Iowa general education, either within or outside of AEA, Iowa IEP completed or parent revoked consent for services; student no longer eligible for special education.

There are two circumstances when a student is no longer eligible for special education upon the return to general education; 1) when an IEP team has determined that a student is no longer eligible (“Iowa IEP completed”) or 2) when a parent or age of majority student revokes consent for services. In all other circumstances, students who return to general education retain special education eligibility.

When code definitions were changed in the Web IEP, the IMS and the Documentation Guide, the Procedures Manual language on page 173 was not revised to reflect the code change. As of March 1, 2011, the correct code for revocation of consent for services is “RRC.”

The Document Revocation of Consentjavascript:void(0) of Service, on page 173 of the Procedures Manual should read as the following:

“When it is determined that a student should be exited from special education due to the revocation of consent for services, the student is removed from the roster and the Exit form is completed using the appropriate exit code (RRC) for IMS.”

The full document with this information can be found on the Iowa IDEA website at http://www.iowaidea.org/vnews/display.v/ART/4a8b1534597fd labeled Errata: Return to General Education Exit Code for Revocation of Consent – Posted September 2011.

If you have questions, please contact the Heartland AEA Regional Director that serves your district.

Invitation to Participate in Title III Mini-Grant

Districts are invited to apply for a Title III Mini-Grant that supports districts in providing access to the CORE through differentiated materials for content classes and language development. The number of ESL students in a district determines the eligible grant amount. A base amount of $1,000 will be awarded to the recipients with an enrollment of 1-50 ESL students. This amount will increase an additional $500 per additional 50 students. Don’t delay in sending your proposal electronically to Pat Latham or Stephaney Jones-Vo, which is due on or before December 6, 2011.

See the proposal template found here to help you write and submit your proposed Title III Mini-Grant.

The following is the timeline for the grant. (These dates are non-negotiable.)

• December 6, 2010-Grant Proposal Due to Heartland AEA 11 ESL/Diversity Consultants
• December 16, 2011-Awards will be announced
• December 16, 2011 to May 6, 2012- Purchase of materials
• May 8, 2012-Money must be expended by this date
• May 8, 2012-Narrative Report of purchases
• May 31, 2012-Signed invoice sent to Dr. Kim Thuente, (515) 270-0405, ext. 14372 by your district’s business office

Please direct questions to Stephaney Jones-Vo at sjonesvo@aea11.k12.ia.us, (515) 270-0405, ext 14680 or Pat Latham at platham@aea11.k12.ia.us (515) 993-4596, ext. 11228.

ICLC: Coming Together to Move Forward, Nov. 7-9

Pre-conference-November 7, 2011
Conference-November 8-9, 2011
Coralville Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
Coralville, Iowa

Title III will fund participation in this statewide pre-conference and conference. Title III will reimburse for registration, substitutes and provide a travel stipend based on the number of teachers attending the conference (5 or fewer-$150, 6-10-$300 per district). Districts are encouraged to send a team. Districts will be reimbursed following submission of the claim form, which will be available after the conference from Pat Latham. Full attendance is required for reimbursement.

For registration and to see full conference details, click here: http://tinyurl.com/3mrck85

Collaboration and Co-Teaching in the ELL Classroom

Teacher collaboration and co-teaching are proven strategies for helping students with diverse needs achieve academically. Two national presenters, Andrea Honigsfeld and Maria Dove, will address the fundamental questions, issues and structures about collaboration and co-teaching to help ELLs be successful in the classroom. This course will include three face-to-face sessions with the presenters and activities online and in the classroom between sessions.

Substitute reimbursement (Friday) and teacher stipends (two Saturdays) will be provided for all teachers/schools/districts that are part of the Heartland AEA 11 Title III grant. To register for this class, click here or go to the Heartland Professional Development Catalog and enter activity number ES006669571201 in the correct field.

ISPRA to Host PR Power Hour Webinars

The Iowa School Public Relations Association (ISPRA) board invites you to participate in the 2011-12 PR Power Hour Webinars. All PR Power Hours begin at 11:00 a.m. Each event is free for members and $10 for non-members. ISPRA has coordinated two locations for ISPRA members to come together, discuss and participate in the webinars.

Grant Wood AEA Coralville Office
Conference Room C
200 Holiday Road
Coralville, IA 52241

West Des Moines Learning Resource Center
3550 Mills Civic Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50265

2011-12 PR Power Hours

• October 14, 2011 - The Inside Scoop: Learn the Trends, Results, and Insight from the Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll on the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools (Webinar)
• November 18, 2011 - New Tactics and Strategies for Passing Finance Elections
• December 2, 2011 - Doing It Right! Introducing Your New Superintendent to Your School Community
• January 6, 2012 - How to Empower Your Principals with Branding and Marketing Skills (Webinar)
• January 27, 2012 - Setting the Foundation for Effective Social Media in Your District
• February 24, 2012 - Getting Proactive About School Security (Webinar)
• March 16, 2012 - Keeping Score: Proving the Value of School Communication Using the Balanced Scorecard Approach (Webinar)
• April 13, 2012 - Fresh Perspectives on the Superintendency: The Integral Role of Communication

Click here to sign up for the webinars.

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

PreK-3 Reading Handout for Parents and Educators

Parents of beginning readers might be interested in the ebooks and online reading materials that they can use at home. Schools may order copies of a small folded handout describing BookFLIX, Britannica Learning Zone and Kids InfoBits. There is a space to write the school username/password on the handout. Contact Sherise Ahlers at sahlers@aea11.k12.ia.us for copies.

Handouts Available from September Autism Conference

On September 9, Heartland AEA provided 160 educators, parents and AEA staff a chance to learn together at a day-long conference. By popular request, we wish to make available the resources that were presented. Handouts and presentations are now available on the front page of our website under “Latest News.” You may access the handouts here.

New Issue of Educator Connection Newsletter Released

On Wednesday, Heartland AEA Communications Department sent out October issue of the Educator Connection newsletter. It was e-mailed to all educators in the Heartland area and is intended to keep our educators better connected to our agency and to the many programs and services we offer to educators, students and families. Click here to download the newsletter. If you have any comments or suggestions for articles you’d like to see, please e-mail them to the Heartland AEA Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.

IEC Customer Service Evaluation

The Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC) is an initiative of Iowa’s Area Education Agencies and was formed as an independent, tax-exempt, nonprofit institution that supports the mission of the Area Education Agencies. Earlier this week, the IEC invited school administrators to participate in the following survey to help them plan for the 2012-2013 school year as well as to learn how to better serve Iowa schools and AEAs in the future. Please remember to take the survey if you have not done so. All of your responses will be kept confidential unless you indicate otherwise.
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22D87DYERZZ