World Food Prize Posters to be Distributed Via Van Mail

Dr. Norman Borlaug arguably did more to alleviate world hunger than anyone in history. To help celebrate his legacy, Iowa’s leaders proclaimed October 16 as Dr. Norman Borlaug – World Food Prize Day. The World Food Prize Foundation has organized a series of events throughout the state for a week-long celebration and has coordinated with the AEAs to distribute a poster to promote the awareness of Borlaug and global food security issues. Posters, accompanied with a letter from the governor, will be delivered to area schools via the Heartland van mail service in the next two weeks. 

Update on Level 1 Investigator Training

Iowa Code Section 280.17 requires all public and non-public schools to annually appoint a Level 1 investigator and alternate to investigate complaints regarding abuse of students by school employees and volunteers. The board-appointed Level 1 investigator and at least one alternate are to be posted with their phone numbers in *every building (see correction here). Investigators and alternates are to be trained upon initial appointment and once every five years thereafter. The training is to familiarize designated individuals with their roles, rules, procedures and required timelines for action. 

The delivery of training for Level 1 Investigators is changing this year from the ICN to a self-paced activity online. This training will be available for participants on Monday, September 24. The training consists of videos, case study scenarios and online lessons to help meet the above objectives. Individuals will also have access to the necessary materials such as the Chapter 102 Level 1 Investigators Manual (Blue Book - Revised January 2011). After completing the course, you will be able to print off a certificate of completion. 

There is no fee required to attend. To access the training, you must: 

 1. Go to http://moodlesw.aeapdonline.org/course/view.php?id=116 (this won't be available before September 24). 

2. Login with your statewide Moodle username and password. 
*NOTE: This is on our new statewide server, Moodle version 2.0. Since we have not completed a full migration from our old server, you will need to make a new username and password if you have not previously logged into the new server. To do so, from the link above: 

• Click "Create a New Account" on the right side of the screen.
• Enter a username, password, full name, city and email address, and then select your country.
• Click "Create My New Account."
• A verification email will be sent to you (you might want to check your spam filter/folder if you don't receive it).
• Click on the link in the email to verify.

If you have difficulty logging in to the Moodle server, please contact AEA PD Online at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14668.

Waukee CSD to Host Rick Wormeli, Oct. 19

The Waukee Community School District will host two workshops on October 19 with featured guest Rick Wormeli. The first workshop will focus on differentiation and the second on standards-based grading and assessment. Click here for more information.

7th-12th Graders With Disabilities & Their Families: Transition Times Workshop on Oct. 16

Join the Heartland AEA & Des Moines Public Schools' Parent & Educator Connection for a Transition Times workshop on October 16. Information will be shared on planning for successful post-high school experiences. This workshop will feature a panel of successfully employed young adults with disabilities who will share their success stories. Please pass on the attached flyer to students age 14 and older, families and teachers who may be interested in attending.

Reminder: Title III ESL Seminar Next Wednesday

All administrators working with Title III (ELLs) are invited to bring a team of ESL and content/grade level teachers to this full day seminar to meet the new Title III director and hear from a number of experts. Title III will provide reimbursement for substitute teacher costs (up to five), and ELL-specific resources will be available to districts. Click here for more information.

September 26, 2012
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center, Rooms 13 A & B

Click here to register or register through the Heartland AEA Professional Development Catalog and put activity number ES006892111301 in the correct field.

Nominations Sought for Iowa School Counselor of the Year

Do you know someone who deserves to be named Iowa School Counselor of the Year? Think of a counseling colleague… someone with whom you work, someone from whom you find support, someone whose counseling program supports the ASCA standards, someone who does the extra to support his/her students, someone who makes a true difference and is a credit to the school counseling profession. Doesn’t this individual deserve state-wide recognition by his/her peers? 

Then take a few minutes and nominate a school counselor by submitting an application for an Iowa School Counselor of the Year Award. Your nominee must be a current member of ISCA as of October 15, 2012. 

Here are the steps:

• Write a letter of recommendation and include the award category (elementary, middle school/junior high, high school or multilevel).
• Attach a vita for the nominee.
• Write a statement describing the program, activity and/or contribution demonstrating the individual’s worthiness to receive this award. 

The application procedure is also detailed at the ISCA website at www.iowaschoolcounselors.org under “Awards and Grants.” Applications can be mailed to Janis Powers, Prairie Crest Elementary School, 401 76th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 or faxed to her at (319) 848-5283. Questions can be directed to Janis at jpowers@prairiepride.org. 

The deadline for application submission is October 15, 2012. 

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.

Nominations Sought for ISCA Lifetime Achievement Award

Annually, the Iowa School Counseling Association recognizes an individual who has made major contributions to the school counseling profession in the state of Iowa through the awarding of the ISCA Lifetime Achievement Award. 

The nominee must:

• Hold a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling or its equivalent.
• Have worked as a school counselor, district administrator of school counseling programs, and/or AEA school counseling consultant.
• Maintain high moral standards in their personal and professional conduct. 

Criteria for recognition:

• The nominee has been responsible for innovations in guidance and counseling programs, for providing leadership in the further development of existing guidance and counseling programs, or for performing an outstanding service to the school or community.
• The nominee has contributed to the professional development of school counselors at the local, area or state level. 
• The nominee has represented the interest, needs and concerns of school counselors. 
• The nominee has impacted the future of school counseling in Iowa. 
• The nominee demonstrates exemplary support and promotion of guidance and counseling services.
• The nominee demonstrates the implementation of new/additional guidance and counseling services.
• The nominee should demonstrate the improvement of guidance and counseling services. 

Procedures for nomination:

• Complete Nomination Form.
• Complete letter of nomination. This letter should contain a description of the program(s), activities and/or contribution(s) for which the individual is being nominated (not to exceed three pages).
• Send Vita (resume) for the nominee (not to exceed two pages)
• Send Letters of support (not to exceed four letters). 

The form can be found at the ISCA website at www.iowaschoolcounselors.org. All award materials must be received by October 15, 2012. Questions can be directed to Janis Powers at jpowers@prairiepride.org or (319) 848-5285. 

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.