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
As districts begin to develop their Return-to-Learn plans, Heartland AEA has seen a substantial increase in professional learning requests related to instructional technology support for distance and blended learning. In order to meet the increased demand and provide support in a timely manner, beginning June 1, Heartland AEA’s Instructional Technology Team will centrally coordinate all professional learning requests.
What this looks like for your district
District and school leaders will continue to place instructional technology requests with the instructional technology consultant assigned to their region. The request will be quickly processed by the instructional technology team and they will determine who is available to provide support. It may be that your assigned consultant will be handling the request, or it may be reassigned to another consultant whose calendar and expertise best fits your needs.
Heartland AEA is dedicated to providing high quality professional learning support in a timely manner to our districts. We believe this temporary change in our service delivery model will allow us to better meet your needs during the unprecedented time of COVID-19 and the professional learning demands that come with it.
The ordering window for AEA Purchasing’s Summer '20 paper buy has been extended! Orders are now being accepted by The Paper Corporation through June 12, 2020.
Additional discounts for orders of 840+ cartons of white
Letter and catalog envelopes
Bid features Include:
AEA Purchasing is formed under the Code of Iowa as a 28E entity and is an initiative of Iowa’s Area Education Agencies. The goal of AEA Purchasing is to combine the purchasing power of Iowa school districts to offer aggressive pricing on materials, goods and services. Participation in AEA Purchasing is without cost to Iowa's schools and our other eligible clients in that it is funded by small fees paid by the vendors. Feel free to contact us at: www.aeapurchasing.org
Questions? Contact Laurie at AEA Purchasing today!
Most summers Heartland AEA hosts a book giveaway in our office in Johnston to any and all educators in our service area. Following that tradition but with a twist, this year we are offering books to 10 districts so they can distribute books to students to keep. We have approximately 750 used books and 250 new books so 10 districts will receive about 100 titles. Your staff can preview the titles for appropriateness before giving to the students. If more than 10 districts express an interest, there will be a drawing. Please let us know your interest by June 2 by completing the Heartland AEA Book Giveaway Form.
In an effort to support the well-being of districts, educators, students and families, Heartland AEA is pleased to bring you, "Wellness Weekly," a weekly series dedicated to all things wellness and well-being.
Check out the Wellness Weekly site every week for well-being resources, tips and fun and share with colleagues and families!
This week features:
Inspirational Quotes to Get Us Through the Coronavirus Shutdown
6 Essential Foods for Boosting Your Work Focus
Burst Your Thirst Challenge
Hilarious Pick-Up Lines Just for a World in COVID-19
Friday, May 22, 2020
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
Did you know that almost 60% of seniors in the Class of 2020 are reconsidering their postsecondary school choice due to COVID-19 closures? That’s over 20,000 Iowa high school seniors. Do you know how many of your students are reconsidering their plans? While many of you are already connecting with your graduating seniors, AEA PREP is sharing this resource to assist you in organizing and focusing your response to the needs of your seniors as we close out the 2020 school year. The attached document provides step-by-step strategies to ensure the Class of 2020 successfully pursues their postsecondary plans and includes resources to collect data or use existing data from your seniors to organize follow-up supports. These are Iowa-specific resources, adapted from this National College Attainment Network (NCAN) document. This work should be done in collaboration with a team of educators consisting of school personnel with additional capacity or existing relationships with students who can share in this work. Additionally, the information collected in this process will help your school complete the post-graduation plans required for state reporting (SRI). If you have questions about this message or the attachment, please send messages to questions@aeaprep.org.
Polk County Health Services is hosting a webinar series for schools and businesses as we begin to look at returning to school and work. The “Cultivating Resilience: Mental Health Supports in the Workplace/in Schools” will be a short, interactive refresher on cultivating resilience in the classroom and at work! This webinar will cover a return to learn plan that:
Gives tactical examples to help employees return to work
Adds extra support as many have experienced fear, trauma, grief or depression due to COVID-19
Informs about mental health and social emotional learning and the importance of connections
Helps you find a new normal post-pandemic
To sign up for the webinar follow the links below! Schools Workplaces
In an effort to support the well-being of districts, educators, students and families, Heartland AEA is pleased to bring you, "Wellness Weekly," a weekly series dedicated to all things wellness and well-being. Check out the Wellness Weekly site every week for well-being resources, tips and fun and share with colleagues and families! This week features:
25 Daily Affirmations to Improve Your Mindset
Daily Stretches You Should Practice When Working from Home
The Positive Psychology Podcast - Bringing the Science of Happiness to Your Earbuds
Talking Dog Gives Tips on Living Right During the Coronavirus Crisis
Apoyos de Educación Especial Para Escuelas Públicas de Iowa Durante COVID-19 The Spanish version of the Special Education Supports is now available. It has also been added to the top of the Special Education Supports and the individual enrichment opportunities have been added as well. The Spanish version has also been added to the COVID-19 resources on our website.
Last week the Iowa Department of Education announced the release of new resources to support districts and schools as they work on their Return-to-Learn Plans. These resources have been developed jointly by the Department with Iowa’s AEAs and can be found on a new Iowa Return to Learn Support site. Use the headings at the top of the home page to navigate to the area you want to explore. New Releases: Required Continuous Learning
R2L Tech Integration Framework for Online Instruction
Iowa Academic Standards
Unit Acceleration Planning Activity
Planning Protocol for Accelerated Learning
Social-Emotional-Behavioral Health (SEBH)
SEBH R2L toolkit
SEBH R2L action planning tool (to be used with toolkit)
Health & Safety
AEA Learning Online Module R2L: Health and Safety - District Leadership Teams
These resources are provided for your convenience and are not required. The Department will continue to provide new resources on the site multiple times each week, so check back frequently.
Friday, May 15, 2020
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
This year Iowa’s AEAs again will be subsidizing the costs for schools to upgrade their DE-provided FAST subscriptions that include the expanded assessment suite in math and behavior for K-6 and literacy, math and behavior for grades 7 & 8. Participation is available both to schools that purchased the expanded assessment suite in previous years and those that want to use it for the first time in 2020-21. Subscriptions are based on a per-student annual cost, and your AEA and the statewide AEA system have committed to covering 50 percent of the cost for each K-8 student in Iowa. The deadline to register is May 16. If you have any questions, contact Kevin Fangman, Chief Academic Officer. FAST Registration for the 2020-21 School Year
Here's some good news. Ebook usage statistics for April show the high-use titles our students read for what we assume were assignments (The Great Gatsby, Wuthering Heights, The Outsiders, Animal Farm, 1984) and for leisure (Harry Potter, Black Panther, Fault in our Stars). Stats are also showing that the ebook titles teacher librarians and teachers recommended for purchase in the last few months are also being widely read. Heartland AEA is pleased to play a part in providing remote access to reading materials. New ebook additions in 2020
We hope you will consider joining us for UNI's self-paced Leadership Camp. This online learning will be in lieu of the June 18-19 face-to-face learning for renewal of evaluator license. What: The UNI Leadership Camp is an opportunity to engage in reflection around the Iowa Standards for School Leadership, earn a reduced-cost Evaluator Approval Renewal credit ($75 reduced from $509), enjoy a meaningful, professional development experience hosted by UNI Educational Leadership faculty through online modules and have the opportunity to participate in a research project as part of a grant-funded by the Kern Family Foundation.
When: Self-paced modules and resources beginning on June 18 with one month to complete the work (UNI will communicate full timelines and expectations)
How: If interested, please email Denise Schares at denise.schares@uni.edu to register or for more detailed information regarding the course. Please note that we are also planning to host a Leadership Camp on July 21-22 and are hopeful that it will be safe to gather in person at that point.
In an effort to support the well-being of districts, educators, students and families, Heartland AEA is pleased to bring you, "Wellness Weekly," a weekly series dedicated to all things wellness and well-being. Check out the Wellness Weekly site every week for well-being resources, tips and fun and share with colleagues and families!
This week features:
Mental Health Resources
Being Our Best Self During Challenging Times
How to Manage Anxiety During the COVID-19 Outbreak
May is Mental Health Month
Staying Resilient During COVID-19
It's Okay Not to be Okay
Structure Your Day with Points
Emotions at Home: How do we want to feel?
9 Ways to Relax Without Spending a Cent
My 5 Parenting Rules for Letting Go and Getting Through the Coronavirus Crisis
Resources to Support Your Emotional Health
Compassion Resilience Toolkit
Friday, May 8, 2020
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
This year Iowa’s AEAs again will be subsidizing the costs for schools to upgrade their DE-provided FAST subscriptions that include the expanded assessment suite in math and behavior for K-6 and literacy, math and behavior for grades 7 & 8. Participation is available both to schools that purchased the expanded assessment suite in previous years and those that want to use it for the first time in 2020-21. Subscriptions are based on a per-student annual cost, and your AEA and the statewide AEA system have committed to covering 50 percent of the cost for each K-8 student in Iowa. The deadline to register is May 16. If you have any questions, contact Kevin Fangman, Chief Academic Officer. FAST Registration for the 2020-21 School Year
With the announcement from the governor that schools will remain closed for the remainder of the academic school year, we have been receiving questions and several requests from schools to pick up library items. To better understand the situation, we conducted a survey of teachers who have materials checked out to see if they are ready for return. Some schools are not accessible right now or teachers haven't had an opportunity to gather materials from students. Rest assured that materials may remain in the school building and Heartland AEA vans will pick up materials later in the year. If you have any questions, contact Susan Schrader, Director of Resources and Library Services.
In an effort to diminish or limit the spread of COVID-19, all classes and workshops that have been scheduled to be held before Aug. 15 at a Heartland AEA office will be offered remotely, postponed or canceled. Instructors of Heartland Courses: Please let the Professional Learning Team at profdev@heartlandaea.org know how you will proceed with your learnings so we know how to best support you.
The Heartland AEA Instructional Technology Consultants are excited to add mini-webinars to their wide array of district supports. New topics, courses and sections continue to be added to the offerings to meet the needs of educators. Contact your consultant for more information. Check out the team’s newsletter, subscribe and share it with your colleagues!
In an effort to support the well-being of districts, educators, students and families, Heartland AEA is pleased to bring you, "Wellness Weekly," a weekly series dedicated to all things wellness and well-being. Check out the Wellness Weekly site every week for well-being resources, tips and fun and share with colleagues and families! This week features:
The Iowa Communications Network is accepting applications for the next school year for its Student Youth Broadband Advisory Council. The statewide council is a unique opportunity for motivated high school students to research and discuss broadband and Internet topics, learn about Iowa technology companies, and discover technology careers. Students entering 10 - 12 grades may apply at https://icn.iowa.gov/sybac. This is a great experience for students and their input is highly valued, plus it’s a nice addition on a resume.
The Iowa Department of Education is providing new guidance regarding the distribution process of emergency relief funding in the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund within the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act.
Friday, May 1, 2020
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
This year Iowa’s AEAs again will be subsidizing the costs for schools to upgrade their DE-provided FAST subscriptions that includes the expanded assessment suite in math and behavior for K-6, and literacy, math and behavior for grades 7 & 8. Participation is available both to schools that purchased the expanded assessment suite in previous years and those that want to use it for the first time in 2020-21. Subscriptions are based on a per student annual cost, and your AEA and the statewide AEA system have committed to covering 50 percent of the cost for each K-8 student in Iowa. The deadline to register is May 16. If you have any questions, email Kevin Fangman, Heartland AEA Chief Academic Officer.
The Heartland AEA Library & Digital Resources newsletter is now available. Make sure to follow the newsletter and share it with your colleagues! In this issue…
High Interest Reading at Home or School with Ebooks
The AEA Special Education Directors have created a brief document that highlights some parameters for closing up paperwork for this school year. In summary it encourages teams to complete IEP meetings and evaluations following the AEA Special Education Procedures and the AEA parameters, as well as an update on ESYS and graduation. This new parameters document expands on the DE's special education Q&A document that was distributed on April 30.
In an effort to support the well-being of districts, educators, students and families, Heartland AEA is pleased to bring you, "Wellness Weekly," a weekly series dedicated to all things wellness and well-being. Check out the Wellness Weekly site every week for well-being resources, tips and fun and share with colleagues and families! This week features:
Being Our Best Self During Challenging Times
How to Manage Anxiety During the COVID-19 Outbreak
