Friday, November 17, 2017

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

Thanksgiving Holiday Office Hours & Van Delivery

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, all Heartland AEA offices will be closed Nov. 23 and 24. Our van delivery schedule will be as follows:

  • Regular delivery Nov. 20-21
  • No delivery Nov. 22-24
  • Regular delivery resumes Nov. 27

Plan for the Unexpected: Join us for a Special Workshop on Crisis Communication and Emergency Management

The Jan. 9 meeting of the Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) will not be a typical monthly meeting. Instead, Heartland AEA is bringing in Rick Kaufman, a nationally recognized crisis management consultant and trainer, to lead a workshop on Crisis Communication & Emergency Management.

Who should attend? Superintendents, principals, district communications specialists or another representative from the district are all invited. Learn more about the workshop at this link and be sure to register!

Crisis Communication & Emergency Management Workshop
Jan. 9, 2018 Heartland Administrators' Association Meeting
9 - 11:00 a.m.
*Note the location change to: Hilton Garden Inn, 8600 Northpark Dr, in Johnston

Register at this link

*There will not be a Zoom option for this meeting since it’s highly interactive.

Dec. 2017 Curriculum Network Meeting

The Dec. 2017 Curriculum Network meeting will be Dec. 1 at Heartland AEA in Johnston from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. The agenda includes presentations by Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise, FastBridge Learning overview of the behavior and math assessment suite, and Boone High School’s Pre-apprenticeship Program. 

Heartland AEA Curriculum Network Meeting
Dec. 1, 2017
8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

**Save the date for the Jan. 5, 2018 Curriculum Network meeting.**

Principles to Actions Essential Elements for an Excellent Math Program Coming in December - Send a Team!

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’s landmark publication Principles to Actions connects research with practice. Specific, research-based teaching practices that are essential for a high-quality mathematics education for all students are combined with core principles to build a successful mathematics program at all levels.

These workshops provide an introduction to the Principles to Actions’ Essential Elements that constitute the non-negotiable components of a successful mathematics program. Participants will focus on the following principles:
  • A Commitment to Access and Equity
  • A Powerful Curriculum
  • Appropriate Tools and Technology
  • Meaningful and Aligned Assessment; and
  • A Culture of Professionalism
Principles to Actions: Essential Elements for an Excellent Math Program (6-12)
Dec. 7, 2017
FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny
Register at this link

Principles to Actions: Essential Elements for an Excellent Math Program (K-5)
Dec. 8, 2017
FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny
Register at this link

For more information, view the workshop flyer or contact Vickie Borich, Heartland AEA Mathematics Curriculum Consultant, at (515) 270-9030 ext. 11273 or vborich@heartlandaea.org.

PRESS Literacy Training Coming to Storm Lake in February

PRESS Class-wide Interventions Training - C4KFeb. 15, 2018
12:30 - 4 p.m.
Registration Link

This training is idea for classroom teachers, literacy coaches and others who are providing whole-class instruction. Participant will learn an efficient process for data teams to analyze screening data and plan supplemental Tier 1 supports for whole-class implementation. A process for examining student data and using a protocol to guide instructional decisions will be introduced. The training includes a demonstration of an intervention framework for classrooms where over half of students have been identified as below grade-level on a universal screening measure. This process helps strengthen core instruction and, within a short time frame of ten days, the number of students requiring intervention can be significantly reduced.

PRESS Training - Tier 2 Interventions and Introduction to Progress Monitoring
Feb. 16, 2018
9:00 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Registration Link
This training will benefit classroom teachers, interventionists, literacy coaches and others who are providing small group interventions. Participants will:

  • Determine targeted, small group interventions using the PRESS data-driven decision making process
  • Learn how to identify students’ intervention needs using the PRESS diagnostic tools and then select and implement specific, skill-based interventions from the PRESS Intervention Manual. 
  • Consider the components of effective interventions and implementation fidelity. An introduction to continuous progress monitoring is provided with an emphasis on decision making using ongoing, reliable data collection.

Showcase Your District’s Promising Practices in Family and School Partnerships

Are there exciting and innovative programs going on in your school related to family and school partnerships? Would you like to be recognized by the Iowa Department of Education for these programs?

Application for this recognition involves four steps:

  1. Select a Promising Practice based on the criteria outlined in the Overview document (listed under Resources below)
  2. Complete the narrative application and save as a PDF
  3. Complete this Google form
  4. Upload the PDF copy of your application materials at the bottom of the form
Promising Practices Resources
Overview
Additional Resources (including law and definitions)

Contact
For more information contact Kim Drew, Family and Educator Partnership Consultant, Iowa Department of Education, at kim.drew@iowa.gov or Deb Chiodo, Family and School Partnership Project Coordinator, ASK Resource, at deb@askresource.org.

Friday, November 10, 2017

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

Thanksgiving Holiday Office Hours & Van Delivery

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, all Heartland AEA offices will be closed Nov. 23 and 24. Our van delivery schedule will be as follows:

  • Regular delivery Nov. 20-21
  • No delivery Nov. 22-24
  • Regular delivery resumes Nov. 27

Plan for the Unexpected: Join us for a Special Workshop on Crisis Communication and Emergency Management

The Jan. 9 meeting of the Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) will not be a typical monthly meeting. Instead, Heartland AEA is bringing in Rick Kaufman, a nationally recognized crisis management consultant and trainer, to lead a workshop on Crisis Communication & Emergency Management.

Who should attend? Superintendents, principals, district communications specialists or another representative from the district are all invited. Learn more about the workshop at this link and be sure to register!

Crisis Communication & Emergency Management Workshop
Jan. 9, 2018 Heartland Administrators' Association Meeting
9 - 11:00 a.m.
*Note the location change to: Hilton Garden Inn, 8600 Northpark Dr, in Johnston

Register at this link

*There will not be a Zoom option for this meeting since it’s highly interactive.

Principles to Actions Essential Elements for an Excellent Math Program Coming in December - Send a Team!

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’s landmark publication Principles to Actions connects research with practice. Specific, research-based teaching practices that are essential for a high-quality mathematics education for all students are combined with core principles to build a successful mathematics program at all levels.

These workshops provide an introduction to the Principles to Actions’ Essential Elements that constitute the non-negotiable components of a successful mathematics program. Participants will focus on the following principles:
  • A Commitment to Access and Equity
  • A Powerful Curriculum
  • Appropriate Tools and Technology
  • Meaningful and Aligned Assessment; and
  • A Culture of Professionalism
Principles to Actions: Essential Elements for an Excellent Math Program (6-12)
Dec. 7, 2017
FFA Enrichment Center1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, AnkenyRegister at this link

Principles to Actions: Essential Elements for an Excellent Math Program (K-5)
Dec. 8, 2017
FFA Enrichment Center
1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny
Register at this link

For more information, view the workshop flyer or contact Vickie Borich, Heartland AEA Mathematics Curriculum Consultant, at (515) 270-9030 ext. 11273 or vborich@heartlandaea.org.

PRESS Literacy Training Coming to Storm Lake in February

PRESS Class-wide Interventions Training - C4K
Feb. 15, 2018
12:30 - 4 p.m.
Registration Link

This training is ideal for classroom teachers, literacy coaches and others who are providing whole-class instruction. Participants will learn an efficient process for data teams to analyze screening data and plan supplemental Tier 1 supports for whole-class implementation. A process for examining student data and using a protocol to guide instructional decisions will be introduced. The training includes a demonstration of an intervention framework for classrooms where over half of students have been identified as below grade-level on a universal screening measure. This process helps strengthen core instruction and, within a short time frame of ten days, the number of students requiring intervention can be significantly reduced.

PRESS Training - Tier 2 Interventions and Introduction to Progress Monitoring
Feb. 16, 2018
9:00 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Registration Link

This training will benefit classroom teachers, interventionists, literacy coaches and others who are providing small group interventions. Participants will:
  • Determine targeted, small group interventions using the PRESS data-driven decision making process
  • Learn how to identify students’ intervention needs using the PRESS diagnostic tools and then select and implement specific, skill-based interventions from the PRESS Intervention Manual.
  • Consider the components of effective interventions and implementation fidelity. An introduction to continuous progress monitoring is provided with an emphasis on decision making using ongoing, reliable data collection.

Showcase Your District’s Promising Practices in Family and School Partnerships

Are there exciting and innovative programs going on in your school related to family and school partnerships? Would you like to be recognized by the Iowa Department of Education for these programs?

Application for this recognition involves four steps:
  1. Select a Promising Practice based on the criteria outlined in the Overview document (listed under Resources below)
  2. Complete the narrative application and save as a PDF
  3. Complete this Google form
  4. Upload the PDF copy of your application materials at the bottom of the form
Promising Practices Resources
Overview
Timeline
Application Requirements
Additional Resources (including law and definitions)

Contact
For more information contact Kim Drew, Family and Educator Partnership Consultant, Iowa Department of Education, at kim.drew@iowa.gov or Deb Chiodo, Family and School Partnership Project Coordinator, ASK Resource, at deb@askresource.org.

Friday, November 3, 2017

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

Meeting Reminder: Heartland Administrators’ Association Will Meet Nov. 7

The Heartland Administrators' Association (HAA) will meet Nov. 7, 2017, from 9 - 11:30 a.m. at the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive in Johnston, Rooms 107 A/B.

HAA Meeting
Nov. 7, 2017
9 - 11:30 a.m.
Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive
Rooms 107A/B
Click here for the Zoom Link
Agenda Link

Thanksgiving Holiday Office Hours & Van Delivery

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, all Heartland AEA offices will be closed Nov. 23 and 24. Our van delivery schedule will be as follows:

  • Regular delivery Nov. 20-21
  • No delivery Nov. 22-24
  • Regular delivery resumes Nov. 27

HAA: Registration is Open for a Special Jan. 9 Workshop on Crisis Communication and Emergency Management

The Jan. 9 meeting of the Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) will not be a typical monthly meeting. Instead, Heartland AEA is bringing in Rick Kaufman, a nationally recognized crisis management consultant and trainer, to lead a workshop on Crisis Communication & Emergency Management. Superintendents are invited to bring another representative from the district, such as a communications or public relations specialist or a principal. Learn more about the workshop at this link and be sure to register!

Crisis Communication & Emergency Management Workshop
Jan. 9, 2018 Heartland Administrators' Association Meeting
9 - 11:00 a.m.
*Note the location change to: Hilton Garden Inn, 8600 Northpark Dr, in Johnston

Register at this link

*There will not be a Zoom option for this meeting since it’s highly interactive.

Join the Conversation at the 2018 Legislative Education Advocacy Day

School administrators from across Iowa will come together in January to learn the most up-to-date legislative insight and meet with legislators face-to-face at the Capitol. The 2018 Legislative Advocacy Event sponsored by Iowa's Area Education Agencies will be held on Jan. 30-31. See the details below and be sure to register!

Legislative Update
Jan. 30, 2018
5:30 p.m.
Prairie Meadows Hotel

Legislative Visits
Jan. 31, 2018
7:30 - 9 a.m.
Iowa State Capitol

Registration is open until Jan. 23 at this link.

Principles to Actions Essential Elements for an Excellent Math Program Coming in December - Send a Team!

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’s landmark publication Principles to Actions connects research with practice. Specific, research-based teaching practices that are essential for a high-quality mathematics education for all students are combined with core principles to build a successful mathematics program at all levels.

These workshops provide an introduction to the Principles to Actions’ Essential Elements that constitute the non-negotiable components of a successful mathematics program. Participants will focus on the following principles:
  • A Commitment to Access and Equity
  • A Powerful Curriculum
  • Appropriate Tools and Technology
  • Meaningful and Aligned Assessment; and
  • A Culture of Professionalism
Principles to Actions: Essential Elements for an Excellent Math Program (6-12)
Dec. 7, 2017
FFA Enrichment Center
1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny
Register at this link 

Principles to Actions: Essential Elements for an Excellent Math Program (K-5)
Dec. 8, 2017
FFA Enrichment Center
1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny
Register at this link

For more information, view the workshop flyer or contact Vickie Borich, Heartland AEA Mathematics Curriculum Consultant, at (515) 270-9030 ext. 11273 or vborich@heartlandaea.org.

Nov. 2017 School Leader Update Now Available

The Nov. 2017 issue of the School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is now available.