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

• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success

Register Before Winter Break for Heartland Administrators’ Association January Meeting with Wixted & Co.

The Heartland Administrator’s Association (HAA) Jan. 5, 2021 meeting will focus on media and crisis awareness training.

The Media & Crisis Awareness Training 101 with Wixted & Co. discusses the fundamentals of media and crisis communication, beginning with the definition of a crisis versus an issue or controversy. In an environment that requires frequent, layered communication to many different audiences, participants will learn guidelines for interacting with the media during a crisis and why crises gain so much attention from key stakeholders and the media. We will examine how media convergence and social media are changing news coverage and the way organizations must respond when facing a crisis.

We will explore the most effective methods of communication to key stakeholders in 2021, examine the importance of audience analysis and discuss the four phases of a crisis. The trainer will use video examples to help illustrate key points.

The training will be held virtually via Zoom and capacity will be limited.

Registration is open to superintendents and any staff person managing district communications, social media and/or website. Register at this link OR by emailing participant names to Jenny Ugolini at jugolini@heartlandaea.org by Dec. 21.

Announcing the Launch of a New and Improved Heartland AEA Website

We are very excited to announce the launch of the Agency’s redesigned website. The new site will be easier to navigate, more user-friendly and quite graphically pleasing!

As a partner in education, it’s important for us to make information regarding our services and supports easily accessible for educators, students and families. We strive to provide our partners with the most accurate, up-to-date information and share our knowledge and expertise in education. Our goal with the redesigned website is to provide visitors an easier way to learn about Heartland AEA’s services and to browse information based on their own choices.

The new website gives better access to:

• Professional Learning opportunities

• Library & Digital resources 

• Creative Services materials and online ordering

• Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment supports

• Special Education services

• Family supports
 

The website also features:

• Enhanced web accessibility for those who use screen readers
• A responsive design that allows the site to be accessible on mobile devices
• Integrated social media buttons for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn

Seasonal Note Cards: We design it. You write it. We print it.

Administrators can keep in touch and reach out to staff, students and families with seasonal note cards. You can order blank cards or type in your own message when you place your order. Go to csonline.heartlandaea.org. Log in with single sign-on (SSO)—the username/password used for Mandatory Reporter or Bloodborne Pathogens. Enter note cards in the search box.

Blank card: $0.06 each
Personalized card: $0.08 each
Blank A2 envelope: $0.04 each
Folded size: 5.5”x4.25”

English Learners Nov./Dec. Newsletter is Now Available

We are approaching the end of the calendar year and our winter EL Smore newsletter (part 1) is now published. You may reach the newsletter at the following link: https://www.smore.com/atksn. The topic of the current newsletter is SEL (Social Emotional Learning) with Students Learning English.

We hope this message finds you doing well, and we wish you a peaceful December and before long, a new calendar year! Best wishes to all of you as you work to support our students and families learning English!

The EL/Diversity Consultants of Heartland AEA

Copyright BriefNotes: Everything Students and Teachers Need to Know

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies have created an extensive, easy-to-use resource to help students and teachers understand copyright laws and the associated rights and responsibilities as users of copyrighted information.

Two versions of Copyright BriefNotes are available to support students and teachers in virtual and physical classrooms: Copyright BriefNotes for Students and Copyright BriefNotes for Students and Teachers. Both are available as a flipbook, PDF and printed version. You are welcome to link the flipbooks and PDFs to your school website or LMS. Visit our website to learn more.

Join Us for the December Science Networking Session that Focuses on NGSS Instructional Routines

Join us Dec. 7 at 3:45 p.m. as Iowa’s AEAs across the state begin networking sessions to support science instruction during face-to-face, blended and distance learning. The Zoom networking sessions will be facilitated by AEA Science Consultants and are being held to provide networking opportunities for science teachers across the state. This session will focus on NGSS Instructional Routines. Join by Zoom at this link: https://gpaea.zoom.us/j/95605588969.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Offers Training in Blended, In-Person & Virtual Formats

Heartland AEA is pleased to announce we are now offering Youth Mental Health First Aid in a blended format. Read more about YMHFA and options available to districts, including YMHFA in blended, virtual and in-person formats. 

**Child Mental Health First Aid also now available!

To request a YMHFA Training Email the Heartland AEA Regional Director assigned to your district and Jadie Boens, Heartland AEA Director of Special Programs, who will coordinate scheduling the YMHFA training.

Check Out Our Wellness Inspiration Site: Shareable Resource For Educators, Families and Students

In an effort to support the well-being of districts, students, educators and families, we're pleased to bring you "Wellness Inspiration," a resource dedicated to well-being. Check out the Wellness Inspiration site for well-being resources, tips and fun and share with colleagues and families! This week features:

• Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education workshops
• Down Dog Fitness App
• Funnies

Dec. 2020 School Leader Update

The Dec. 2020 School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is available.

State Education Board Adopts Revisions to Seclusion and Restraint Rules

The State Board of Education recently adopted revisions to Iowa administrative rules on seclusion and restraint (Chapter 103). The revised rules will go into effect on Jan. 20, 2021. In the December 2020 SAI Report, Matt Carver addresses the seclusion and restraint rules change on pages 4-5 (the revised Chapter 103 rules are linked in the first line of his article).