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
The Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) will meet April 5 from 9:00 a.m. - Noon at the Heartland AEA Regional Education Center in Johnston. For up-to-date meeting information, please refer to the HAA Google Site.
HAA Meeting
Date: April 5, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Agenda
Quality and affordable student planners are available for your school through Heartland AEA’s Creative Services Department. Planners have a plastic front and back cover, coil binding and contain intro pages, planner pages, note pages and numerous reference and resource pages from which to choose. The planners include a full-year calendar to accommodate extended year schedules.
Visit our website to choose your preferred cover design, planner pages and reference pages from our set styles for planners. Optional pages, such as hall passes, can be added for an additional fee. Place your orders by May 1, 2016 so they will be ready for the beginning of the school year.
For more information, contact the Heartland AEA Creative Services Department at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14368 or creativeservices@heartlandaea.org.
About 16 districts have started the online Request for Transportation Approval process for the 2016-17 year. You may check your district status here. Review the instructions and timelines including the updated video tutorials to complete the process. Districts are asked to begin the process this month and to complete step III by April 30.
Chapter 285.9(3) of the Iowa Code requires the Area Education Agency Board of Directors to approve all bus routes outside the boundaries of the school district operating the buses. This has been interpreted to mean regular routes and regular special education routes, not bussing for field trips or activity trips. The Code requires you to request permission from neighboring district(s) before any bus routes cross district boundaries.
For more information, contact Jenny Ugolini at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14441.
K-12 social studies teachers are invited to attend the 2016 Best Practices in Social Studies Institute, June 20-21 at the State Historical Museum in Des Moines. The Institute is entirely FREE to attend and license renewal credit will be available.
Time will be devoted during the event to discuss the process for writing the draft of new social studies standards. Elementary teachers will also have the opportunity to attend the statewide elementary social studies professional development. In addition, sessions are planned for history content, a Supreme Court update, psychology, technology and much more.
View the at-a-glance schedule here.
Register here by May 10.
For more information, contact Stefanie Rosenberg Wager with the Iowa Department of Education at (515) 725-7842.
Do you have a student that loves technology? Someone who likes to talk about new products, security and encryption, driverless cars and reliable broadband in schools?
The Iowa Communications Network (ICN) has a wonderful opportunity for your technology savvy student!
The ICN is looking for 10th-12th grade students with powerful voices to share their perspectives on technology and broadband. Applications are now being accepted by April 11 for the Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council (SYBAC) for the 2016-2017 school year.
The SYBAC will be made up of 11 young leaders from across Iowa who will identify effective strategies to improve broadband connectivity and community environments, which could assist in advocacy efforts for rural Internet connectivity.
To apply for the Council, students can visit the SYBAC website or contact Lori Larsen at lori.larsen@iowa.gov.
Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise announced he is seeking input from Iowans on alternative ways to provide support to students in high-need schools under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, which will replace the No Child Left Behind Act.
The Department is holding four public forums statewide to gather feedback. Iowans also can submit written feedback by sending an email to essa@iowa.gov.
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
Heartland AEA’s Newton Regional Office is moving! As of right now, the Newton office will begin moving March 18 and will re-open in its new home at the Newton DMACC campus on March 28.
The new address of the Newton Regional Office will be:
600 N. 2nd Avenue W.
Suite 259
Newton, IA 50208
Heartland AEA is beginning year two of the online Request for Transportation Approval process.
Chapter 285.9(3) of the Iowa Code requires the Area Education Agency Board of Directors to approve all bus routes outside the boundaries of the school district operating the buses. This has been interpreted to mean regular routes and regular special education routes, not bussing for field trips or activity trips. The Code requires you to request permission from neighboring district(s) before any bus routes cross district boundaries.
Last year the process was completed for the first time using an online submission process. Please review the instructions and timelines to complete the process for 2016-17, including the updated video tutorials.
Districts are asked to begin the process this month and to complete step III by April 30.
For more information, contact Jenny Ugolini at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14441.
The 1st Annual Iowa Summit featuring Google for Education will take place May 1, 2016 at Saydel High School in Des Moines. This two-day, high-intensity event with Google employees and world-class educational technology leaders focuses on deploying, integrating and using Google Apps for Education (and other Google tools) to promote student learning in K-12 and higher education. Come a day early for specialized pre-summit workshops!
Date: May 1, 2016
Location: Saydel High School, 5601 NE 7th St, Des Moines, IA
For more information and to register, visit ia.gafesummit.com. Group rates are available!
For every employer competing in the global economy, attracting and retaining top-notch talent is the most critical challenge they face. So how does Iowa create a workforce that’s prepared to take on the world? How do we assure that more students and workers have the career opportunities they deserve? The Governor’s 2016 Future Ready Iowa Summit presents ways to build on the work underway to close the skills gap.
In addition to superintendents Dan Cox, Paul Gausman and Dave Wilkerson discussing work-based learning, a number of students are serving on panels, and there is a student video contest.
Date: April 19, 2016
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Location: Hy-Vee Hall, Hall C, 730 Third Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Register by April 11
For more information on the Summit, visit Future Ready Iowa.
Each year, administrators on the School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) Representative Council choose two nominees for the position of vice president from application forms submitted. The two nominees are voted on by SAI members in April. The vice president is elected by a majority vote of active SAI members, serves a four-year commitment as a member of the SAI Executive Committee, and then moves through the chairs. One of this year's nominees is Art Sathoff, superintendent at Indianola Community Schools, who submitted this letter and summary of experience.
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
Heartland AEA is beginning year two of the online Request for Transportation Approval process.
Chapter 285.9(3) of the Iowa Code requires the Area Education Agency Board of Directors to approve all bus routes outside the boundaries of the school district operating the buses. This has been interpreted to mean regular routes and regular special education routes, not bussing for field trips or activity trips. The Code requires you to request permission from neighboring district(s) before any bus routes cross district boundaries.
Last year the process was completed for the first time using an online submission process. Please review the instructions and timelines to complete the process for 2016-17, including the updated video tutorials.
Districts are asked to begin the process this month and to complete step III by April 30.
For more information, contact Jenny Ugolini at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14441.
Each day, the Heartland AEA Communications Department provides links to local and national education news headlines to those who have signed up for our “News Clips” email list. If you would like to be added to the News Clips list, contact the Communications Department at comms@heartlandaea.org.
Have you followed Heartland AEA on social media yet? If yes, great—now tell a friend! If not, what are you waiting for?
K-12 social studies teachers are invited to attend the 2016 Best Practices in Social Studies Institute, June 20-21 at the State Historical Museum in Des Moines. The Institute is entirely FREE to attend and license renewal credit will be available.
Time will be devoted during the event to discuss the process for writing the draft of new social studies standards. Elementary teachers will also have the opportunity to attend the statewide elementary social studies professional development. In addition, sessions are planned for history content, a Supreme Court update, psychology, technology and much more.
View the at-a-glance schedule here.
Register here by May 10.
For more information, contact Stefanie Rosenberg Wager with the Iowa Department of Education at (515) 725-7842.
Heartland AEA’s Parent & Educator Connection is hosting transition fairs in April to link families of students with special needs to community and agency resources. Parents, students ages 14+, educators and AEA staff are invited to attend these fairs to gather information that will be of assistance for students with special needs who will be transitioning from high school to postsecondary pursuits.
April 5
Heartland AEA Ames Office
April 11
ADM High School
Do you have a student that loves technology? Someone who likes to talk about new products, security and encryption, driverless cars and reliable broadband in schools?
The Iowa Communications Network (ICN) has a wonderful opportunity for your technology savvy student!
The ICN is looking for 10th-12th grade students with powerful voices to share their perspectives on technology and broadband. Applications are now being accepted by April 11 for the Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council (SYBAC) for the 2016-2017 school year.
The SYBAC will be made up of 11 young leaders from across Iowa who will identify effective strategies to improve broadband connectivity and community environments, which could assist in advocacy efforts for rural Internet connectivity.
To apply for the Council, students can visit the SYBAC website or contact Lori Larsen at lori.larsen@iowa.gov.
Ever wish you could contact Apple and get support without waiting on the phone for a customer service representative? Do you enjoy learning tips and tricks about Apple’s products and apps? If you answered yes to both these questions, we have a great new customer service resource for you to explore.
Apple has launched a new Twitter account, @AppleSupport, dedicated to providing customer support. Customer service staff are already fielding questions about Apple Music and Apple IDs and tweeting out tips on how to use Apple products. Apple reps are available every day to answer your questions, from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. CST. Check it out!
Thousands of talented Iowa educators lead and inspire their students, but only one is chosen annually as the state’s top teacher.
The award recognizes an exceptional Iowa teacher who is helping to redefine education. The Teacher of the Year serves as an ambassador to education and as a liaison to primary and secondary schools, higher education and organizations across the state.
Nominations will be accepted from anyone, including students, parents, school administrators, colleagues, college faculty members and associations. Nomination forms can be found on the Iowa Department of Education’s website and are due by April 25. The 2017 Teacher of the Year will be announced this fall.
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
On March 2, Heartland AEA held its second annual Education Career Fair, to help match school districts in our service area with education job seekers. For the second year in a row, it was a resounding success, with approximately 300 in attendance! We were happy to see a great mix of attendees -- from experienced teachers, to new teachers to college students preparing for life beyond graduation.
In addition to being able to meet on-site with central Iowa school districts, applicants could participate in mock interviews, resume critiques and gather graduate program information from area universities. The mock interviews and resume critiques proved to be very popular as attendees filled all available slots for the day. And new this year, job seekers could have their professional head shots taken at no charge, courtesy of Heartland AEA’s multimedia specialists.
“We were excited to hold this education job fair for multiple reasons, first and foremost to provide a service to the districts and schools in our service area,” Tony Chiaramonte, Heartland AEA Human Resources Manager, said. “Our agency is aware of the high turnover rate in the teaching profession, especially during the first few years a teacher is in the classroom. We wanted to gather as many districts as we could in one place, so that educators can meet representatives from many districts at the same time and get a feel for what multiple districts have to offer. We want to be part of the solution and help keep new teachers from leaving the profession and from leaving Iowa by helping them find a district where they enjoy what they do.”
Find pictures of the event on our Facebook page.
Heartland AEA is beginning year two of the online Request for Transportation Approval process.
Chapter 285.9(3) of the Iowa Code requires the Area Education Agency Board of Directors to approve all bus routes outside the boundaries of the school district operating the buses. This has been interpreted to mean regular routes and regular special education routes, not bussing for field trips or activity trips. The Code requires you to request permission from neighboring district(s) before any bus routes cross district boundaries.
Last year the process was completed for the first time using an online submission process. Please review the instructions and timelines to complete the process for 2016-17, including the updated video tutorials.
Districts are asked to begin the process this month and to complete step III by April 30.
For more information, contact Jenny Ugolini at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14441.
Heartland AEA will be offering the 6-day paraeducator ESL certification class in June. Please let your associates who work with ELLs know about this opportunity. Title III funds will provide a stipend of $300 for all paraeducators who work with ELLs, who fulfill the course requirements and who are currently employed by a public or non-public K-12 school in the Heartland AEA area. (This option is not available for employees of Des Moines Public Schools).
Paraeducator Area of Concentration: English as a Second Language (ESL)
Dates: June 7-10, 13 & 14, 2016
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Dr., Johnston
Register: Here
For more information, contact Pam Childers at pchilders@heartlandaea.org.
Date: April 11, 2016
Time: 5:30-7:45 p.m.
Location: Adel-DeSoto-Minburn High School, 801 Nile Kinnick Drive South, in Adel
The Transition Resource Fair is a free event that focuses on linking families of students age 14 and older with special needs to valuable community resources that can be of assistance to them as they transition to living, learning and working after high school. Please share this information with educators and families in your district.
For more information, contact Paula Allen at (515) 270-9030 ext. 11257.
The March 2016 School Leader Update is available from the Iowa Department of Education. In it, Director Wise writes about the state transitioning to Every Student Succeeds Act, Policy Liaison Shan Seivert gives legislative updates, and Attorney Nicole Proesch offers some legal updates (and a wee bit ‘o Irish).
In this letter from the Iowa Department of Education to Iowa superintendents regarding ESSA, Director Wise addresses initial planning and a decision to no longer require school districts to set aside Title I funding for school choice or supplemental education services starting in 2016-17 (this will become a local decision). You will hear more from the DE soon about a plan to gather public feedback on providing alternative supports to SES-eligible students in schools with the greatest need.
Information and resources will be posted on an ongoing basis to the DE website.
