Friday, April 27, 2012

Instructional Practices Inventory Level One Training May 10

Jerry Valentine will be providing another Instructional Practices Inventory Level One training on May 10, again at Hoover High School in Des Moines. Click here for more information.

Heartland AEA Technology Integration Showcase

Please join us for a daylong showcase of outstanding examples of how technology can be integrated to address the Iowa Core and add value, rigor and variety to the classroom. Sessions will also be held highlighting our new ebook collection and Heartland AEA’s outstanding selection of free online resources.

Technology Integration Showcase
June 13, 2012
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Heartland AEA
Johnston Regional Education Center
6500 Corporate Drive


If you are interested in presenting technology integration during the showcase, please contact Lance Wilhelm, Director of Technology, at lwilhelm@aea11.k12.ia.us. Presenters will receive a stipend, and their mileage expenses will be covered.

Superintendents: May 1 HAA Meeting

Download a PDF or Word Doc of the May Heartland Administrators Association meeting agenda. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 1 in Room 13 A/B of the Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive) and will begin at 9:00 a.m.

May Curriculum Network Meeting

The May Curriculum Network Meeting will be held on Friday, May 4, 2012 in Rooms 13A & B of the Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston). We will begin at 8:30 a.m. with Our Time–Our Topic discussions. Our Time-Our Topic Discussions will include the following:
  • How is your district using Instructional Rounds? (Kevin Videgar, North Polk CSD)
  • Iowa Assessments Round Table (Connor Hood, Heartland AEA)
  • Is Modified Allowable Growth working for you? -- Success criteria, guidelines, changes in eligibility (Mark Crady, Norwalk CSD)
Click here for the online agenda.

Preview of Heartland AEA 2012-2013 Calendar

Click here for a copy of the Heartland AEA Agency Calendar of Major Events. This calendar contains the major events and start dates for Heartland AEA staff. We are currently working to schedule all professional development opportunities for next year.

Heartland AEA Staff Retirement Receptions

Members of the public are invited to attend our regional parties for retiring Heartland AEA employees. Below you will find information for retirement receptions that will be taking place in the coming weeks. We'd be honored if you would join us in celebrating these retirees.

Anita Davids (Administrative Assistant) & Mavis Hoogers (Administrative Assistant)
April 27
2:00-4:30 p.m.
Johnston REC, Conference Room 13

Allen Peterson (Special Education Consultant) & Joan Schooley (Speech-Language Pathologist)
May 4
2:30-4:30 p.m.
Adel Office

Marg Clark (Challenging Behavior & Autism Consultant), Monica Simons (Speech-Language Pathologist) & Judy Stockbridge (Speech-Language Pathologist)
May 9
2:30-4:30 p.m., program at 3:15 p.m.
Carroll Office

Joyce Reams (Secretary)
May 9
3:00-5:00 p.m.
Newton Office

Kim Thuente (Regional Director)
May 14
2:30-4:30 p.m.
Johnston REC, Conference Room 13

Sandi Callison (Special Education Consultant)
May 22
4:00-6:00 p.m.
THE STUDIO, Indianola

Reminder: District I-ELDA Testing Materials Due Tuesday, May 1

All testing materials must be returned to Northwest AEA by May 1, 2012. Please feel free to contact us at any time with ELL/ESL concerns or questions.

Pat Latham (Regions 1, 2, 7 & 8)

(515) 993-4596, ext 11228
platham@aea11.k12.ia.us

Stephaney Jones-Vo (Regions 3, 5 & 6)
(515) 279-0405, ext 14680
sjonesvo@aea11.k12.ia.us

Iowa Dept. of Education's May Edition of "Each and Every Child"

Click here to download the May edition of "Each and Every Child" brought to you by the Iowa Department of Education’s Bureau of Student and Family Support Services. The e-newsletter is designed to enhance communication between parents and teachers and eliminate the achievement gap in the State of Iowa. Please forward it to your parents, and use the stories as opportunities for discussion.

UNI to Offer Free Scratch Computer Science Training

University of Northern Iowa hopes will be offering two summer Scratch workshops. Scratch is a graphical programming environment designed at MIT to be appropriate for students in grades 4-12. The goal of these workshops is to prepare Grade 7-12 teachers to use computational tools and thinking in their classrooms, both in computer science courses and in content-area courses such as math, science and the humanities. See below about workshop details and registration information. Tuition, supplies and lunch will be provided to all who complete the workshops thanks to a generous grant from Google.

Introduction to Scratch in Education - 1 cr. hr
Date: July 11-13, 2012
(plus one follow-up Saturday in November 2012)
Preparation for teachers in Grades 7-12 to have their students use Scratch in the classroom (all disciplines). This workshop will address the basics of Scratch (mostly by example), ways to introduce Scratch to students and a discussion on general classroom integration. No computer science or programming background required. Teachers will be expected to have their students use Scratch and to report on that use during a follow-up meeting in November 2012.

Teaching Programming Using Scratch - 1 cr. hr.
Dates: July 16-18, 2012
(plus one follow-up Saturday in November 2012)
Preparation for teachers in Grades 7-12 to teach a unit on computer programming using Scratch or a similar graphical languages. This workshop will review the basics of programming as well as discuss the challenges and methods of teaching introductory programming. Participants are expected to have prior experience with Scratch or some other programming experience. Teachers will be expected to plan and begin teaching a unit on computer programming to an appropriate group of students and to report on that use during a follow-up meeting in November 2012.

To apply for either of these workshops, submit an application via http://www.cs.uni.edu/connections/cs4hs/ prior to May 11, 2012.

Questions can be directed to Ben Schafer, Assoc. Professor in Computer Science, at schafer@cs.uni.edu or (319) 273-2187.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Learn More about Leading Professional Learning Communities

More and more schools are implementing Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in which teachers and administrators continuously seek and share learning and then act on what they learn. In order for PLCs to be successful, it is imperative that administrators understand their role in PLC support and development. We hope that you will be able to join us on June 21 & 22, 2012 at the FFA Center on the DMACC Campus to learn more about successfully integrating PLCs in your schools and districts.

Paul Farmer from Solution Tree will be facilitating a two-day session. Day one is for principals and other administrators. The content will be focused on how leaders effectively support PLCs. On day two, principals and administrators may bring up to four members of their building leadership team for a session that will focus on the role of leadership teams in supporting the work of PLCs.

The cost for principals and other administrators is $175. There is no fee for leadership team members to join on day two, except for $10 to cover the price of lunch. EDEX graduate credit is being offered for this course. Register through the Heartland AEA Professional Development Catalog.

Leading Professional Learning Communities
June 21 & 22, 2012
FFA Enrichment Center
1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny
Activity Number: AD014199111301

Solution Tree and Heartland AEA Partner to Provide PLC Coaching Academy

In addition to the June session, Heartland AEA is collaborating with Solution Tree to offer a PLC Coaching Academy. K‐12 school teams consisting of the principal, coaches and teacher leaders. District leadership is also encouraged to attend. Click here for details about the Academy. Interested schools will register with Solution Tree and all fees are paid to Solution Tree. Registration will close by June 10, 2012. If there are not enough teams registered at that time, Solution Tree will not hold the Academy. If you are interested, please contact Sharon Kurns at skurns@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Session 1: July 30-31, 2012
Session 2: October 11-12, 2012
Session 3: January 17-18, 2013

Teaching & Learning with Technology for the 21st Century Learner Summer Academy

Heartland AEA's Technology Infusion Collaborative (TIC) will hold a summer academy that will explore tools that infuse technology for the 21st Century Learner to make critical connections. All K-12 area educators are invited to attend the academy on June 11 & 12, 2012 at Panorama High School, which will also showcase tools to support the four C's of the Universal Constructs (critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication). Seats are filling fast! Register through the Heartland AEA Professional Development Catalog by May 4, 2012.

Teaching & Learning with Technology for the 21st Century Learner Summer Academy
June 11 & 12, 2012
Panorama High School
Activity Number: DR342251211301

Upcoming Webinars/Trainings about IEC Website Vendors

In the upcoming weeks, the Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC) will be offering opportunities for you to learn more about our website vendors and how they can improve your school's website. Each of our website content management companies will be offering webinars and/or training sessions that you can attend to help you become more proficient with your current website.

If you are thinking of changing your current website, these webinars and trainings are the perfect opportunity to learn more about what our vendor partners have to offer. Click here to see the webinar/training session schedule.

IEC Spring 2012 Lamp and Ballast Order Guide is Now Online

In a partnership with Adventure Lighting, Inc. in Des Moines, the IEC is ready to announce that the lamp and ballast order guides are now ready and available online for spring 2012 orders.

The use of this order guide will give you excellent pricing on a large variety of lamps and ballasts for your school, buildings and offices. Adventure Lighting, Inc. is a leader in the State of Iowa, promoting high quality Philips lamps and Advance ballasts.

Features of this bid:
  • Direct ordering and billing with Adventure Lighting, Inc
  • A large variety of lamps and ballasts
  • Saves you time, labor and money
  • Special order items also get bid pricing
  • Recycling available
  • Delivery is F.O.B. Des Moines, IA
  • Deliveries in May-June
The order deadline is May 25, 2012.
You must tell Adventure Lighting, Inc. you want the 'IEC bid pricing.'

All orders should be sent directly to:
Adventure Lighting, Inc.
90 Washington Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50314
Orders may be faxed to (515) 288-1934.

If you have questions in regard to lamps or ballasts or to place an order over the phone, contact:
Brian Huff
Adventure Lighting, Inc.
(800) 782-7578 – Toll Free Phone
(515) 288-0444 -- Local Phone
bhuff@adventurelighting.com – Email

Click here to download the spring 2012 order guide.

IEC Spring AV Catalog Now Available

The IEC is pleased to announce that the Spring 2012 AV Co-op Catalog is now online. Save money on computers, AV equipment and other technology products for your buildings and district through this partnership! Spring pricing is valid through July 27, 2012. To view the products available from the awarded vendors, access the catalog online at http://av.co-op.k12.ia.us.

Also, if you have not seen the ‘new look’ of the IEC’s website (www.iec-ia.org), all AV co-op items can now be found in the ‘Technology’ section. Within that area there are several sub-sections to help you find the products you are looking for – ‘Hardware’, ‘Software’, ‘Furniture’, ‘Supplies’, ‘Websites’ and ‘Special Buys.’

For more information on product specs and catalog navigation, contact:
Bud Carruthers
Iowa Educators Consortium, AV Co-op
(319) 753.6561 ext. 1157
bcarruthers@iec-ia.org

District I-ELDA Testing Window Closes April 30

All testing materials must be returned to Northwest AEA by May 1, 2012. Please feel free to contact us at any time with ELL/ESL concerns or questions.
Pat Latham (Regions 1, 2, 7 & 8)
(515) 993-4596, ext 11228
platham@aea11.k12.ia.us

Stephaney Jones-Vo (Regions 3, 5 & 6)
(515) 279-0405, ext 14680
sjonesvo@aea11.k12.ia.us

April 2012 is School Library Month

Governor Terry Branstad recently signed a proclamation for School Library Month that can be downloaded and used in your school library. For the full story and a link to the proclamation, visit http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/archive/2012/04/news-scm.

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.

UNI to Offer Global Climate Change Workshop for Teachers

The University of Northern Iowa will offer a workshop focused on an examination of the underlying causes, both natural and human-induced, of global climate changes. The workshop will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., July 2-6 (no class July 4) and July 9-12 at McCollum Science Hall on the UNI campus.

This course is designed for elementary through high school teachers to provide a better understanding of this timely topic. Coverage will demonstrate systemic integration and the web of interrelated links affecting the physical and living world, including human society.

The class will involve lecture, discussion, multimedia and student presentations. Current popular media information will be used to note timely issues. Students can earn 2 of UNI undergraduate or graduate credits by attending the workshop.

The cost of the workshop is $554, reflecting a special workshop rate for teachers. Enrollment forms must be submitted by Tuesday, May 1. For more information, or to register, visit www.uni.edu/continuinged/global-climate-change or contact Bart Bergquist, professor of biology, at (319) 273-6213 or bart.bergquist@uni.edu.

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.

Students Like Social Media

We found this poster provided by ASCD interesting and wanted to share it with you. The poster shows insights on how students' lives have become more digitally connected.

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.



Surplus Office Furniture Available from DMACC

Click here to view pictures of surplus desks and filing cabinets from the DMACC Ankeny campus available to any school/district interested. There are five desks available and six 4-drawer filing cabinets. They will be available for pick up on the Ankeny DMACC campus. Please contact Julie Klocke at jaklocke1@dmacc.edu or (515) 964-6386 to schedule a pickup.

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.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Federal Sequestration is a “Four-Letter” Word

The Iowa Department of Education's School Business Alert newsletter is sent to school and AEA business officials to inform them of new initiatives or emerging issues in school business management. The April issue included information about “sequestration,” a word that is creating growing concern nationally for any programs receiving federal funds for education. Click here to read more about how districts could be affected if the process is triggered.

2012-13 Student Planners Available through Heartland AEA

We are excited to announce affordable, durable school planners for the 2012-13 school year! Help your elementary, middle and high school students be more organized and better prepared with their own planner.

We have two available sizes (5.5x8.5 or 8.5x11). Choose your preferred cover, intro pages, planner pages, note pages and calendars from our set styles for basic planners. Optional pages can be added for an additional fee (student handbook, activities calendars, etc.). Order quantities must be a minimum of 50 planners.

Click here to see the standard styles you can choose from and the order form. Please complete and return the order form to Heartland AEA at graphics@aea11.k12.ia.us by May 31, 2012 so that we have ample time to process your order and have it ready by fall.

Standard Planner Prices
5.5 x 8.5 - $1.25 per planner
8.5 x 11 - $2.35 per planner

For more information or to personalize your school's planners, contact our graphic designers at graphics@aea11.k12.ia.us or (515) 270-9030.

Superintendents: April 3 HAA Notes

Click here to view notes from the April 3 HAA meeting.

ELL Strategies the Focus of Our Kids Summer Institute

Registration is now open for the 2012 Our Kids Summer Institute. Network with other Iowa educational professionals and learn new strategies for working with English Language Leaner students. Other topics include RtI, co-teaching, technology for ELLs and literacy for the limited formal school population. To register, go to https://prodev.aeapdonline.org/4DCGI/ES006769571301INV&*

UNI Principalship Master's Degree Application Deadline April 15

The University of Northern Iowa Department of Educational Leadership & Postsecondary Education is now accepting applications through Sunday, April 15, for the upcoming Principalship Master's Degree or Advanced Studies Certificate program offered at a distance. This program can be finished in two years by completing 13 courses, or 37 hours of graduate credit and an internship.

With cooperation from UNI Continuing and Distance Education, a new program for aspiring educational leaders begins this fall. The two-year program is designed for individuals seeking endorsement in the state of Iowa as a pre-K through 12 principal or pre-K through 12 supervisor of special education. This performance-based program is unique in that it minimizes student class time and maximizes on-site skill development while working with a mentor. Students entering this program will be required to devote a considerable amount of time in an internship experience.

Courses in this program are offered one night per week during the fall and spring semesters via interactive video conferencing. The first summer session includes a short on-campus experience. Some courses are offered entirely online.

For more information about the Principalship Master's degree program and additional offerings available through Continuing and Distance Education at UNI, visit www.uni.edu/continuinged or contact Betty Hogan, administrative assistant at Educational Leadership & Post-secondary Education, betty.hogan@uni.edu.

Iowa Reading Association Conference, June 26-27

The Iowa Reading Association, an interactive group of individuals promoting literacy through leadership and educational programming, is pleased to announce an exciting professional development opportunity for all K-12 educators interested in literacy! They will be hosting The Iowa Reading Association ESEA Title Conference on June 26-27, 2012 at the Scheman Building on the Iowa State University campus in Ames, Iowa. The 2012 conference theme is “Summer Vacation: Destination Literacy!”

You and your staff are invited to come and experience the Iowa Reading Association’s first summer conference! Conference registration is now open and you can find a printable registration form at www.iowareading.org. Pre-register before June 1 and take advantage of special discounts on your registration fee. Groups of 6 or more from the same school or institution are also eligible for a 25% discount on registration (does not include meals). This is a great incentive for schools wishing to send their staff to the conference!

You and your staff will enjoy learning from nationally prominent speakers, meeting published authors, gathering strategies from experienced instructors, earning graduate/renewal credit, and shopping exciting exhibitors without the hassles of attending a conference during the school year.

A registration form, hotel information, daily conference schedules, keynote speaker information, concurrent session information, exhibitor lists, and details about earning 1 hour of graduate or renewal credit while at the conference are on their website at www.iowareading.org.

This event promises to be as relaxing as it is informative and will be one vacation destination you and your staff won’t want to miss! Please encourage all of your staff members interested in literacy to mark June 26-27, 2012 on their calendars and to attend this conference.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Latest offerings showcased in Professional Development Blog

Check out what's new on our Professional Development blog: Preventing Childhood Obesity II, Future of Secondary PE, iPads in Early Elementary, Introduction to Creative Curriculum for Preschool, Technology in Early Childhood Education, Cognitive Coaching: Planning and Reflecting (Level I), Rules of Engagement in Foreign Language and more! Find more detailed descriptions and registration information by clicking on the link below.

http://pdblog.aea11.k12.ia.us/

Important Message about Iowa Core Implementation Plans

This message comes from Lisa Albers of the Iowa Dept. of Education.

Currently the Iowa Core Implementation Plan application has a drop down with FY 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. What it should say is 2009-2010 and "Current." Lisa Albers at the Iowa Dept. of Education is working to get this changed, but in the meantime, please keep adding data to the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Also, the “complete” buttons in the application are only to mark individual activities as complete; they are not for a completed application.


On another topic, in an effort to minimize confusion around updating the Iowa Core Implementation Plan and the C-Plan, the "Current" version of a district’s implantation plan is not going to be provided on the DE public website. The plan on the DE public website will continue to be the October 2010 version.

In Iowa Core spring meetings, continue your revisions using the template that the Iowa Core Leadership team has designed. Beginning in December 2012 districts can begin entering this information from the template to the C-Plan application.

This does not impact those schools and districts that need to submit a K-8 plan by July 1, 2012 to meet compliance requirement. They will use the current application on EdInfo.

April 2012 Educator Connection Newsletter Now Available

Click here to download the April 2012 issue of the Educator Connection. This issue was e-mailed to all area educators earlier this week and contains information about iPad training and resources, new web-based professional development functions, special education opportunities and much more!

Reminder: Transition Times Workshop to Focus on Technology for Students

Heartland AEA's Parent & Educator Connection will hold a Transition Times workshop on April 10 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in Johnston with ICN sites in Ames and Carroll. The workshop will cover various technology and adaptive equipment that is available to students to lead more independent lives. Please pass on the attached flyer to students age 14 and older, families and teachers who may be interested in attending.

UNI to Host Last Hot Topics Webinar on April 26

The University of Northern Iowa College of Education is hosting its last Hot Topics in Education webinar of the year, One-to-One Pedagogy: Curriculum for the 21st Century Classroom at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 26, 2012.

The webinar will focus on changes in technology that need to be made in learning strategies and school environments. It will also present the best practices for 21st century classrooms. Leigh Zeitz and Ping Gao, both associate professors of curriculum and instruction, will present the webinar. For more information on Hot Topics in Education or to register, visit www.uni.edu/coe/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.