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
Each January/February, ISFIS partners with Piper Sandler and Iowa's Area Education Agencies to host ISFIS Budget Workshops. This is the 11th year of these hands-on workshops that provide the opportunity for superintendents, SBOs and their teams to prepare their individual district Certified Budget in one highly productive day. Districts will leave the workshop with a completed Certified Budget and will know all options for publications. Attendees also learn about sales and property tax debt and other variables affecting district finances.
Typically, ISFIS Budget Workshops are held in-person at an Iowa AEA location, but after much deliberation, we decided the 2021 workshops will be virtual to ensure safety for all involved.
ISFIS Budget Workshop
Jan. 25, 2021
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Virtual format
Cost to attend is $250 per district.
Register online at this link: https://www.iowaschoolfinance.com/Budget_workshops
For more information, contact Jen Albers at jen@iowaschoolfinance.com or (515) 251-5970.
The next regular meeting of the Heartland Administrators' Association will be held via Zoom on Feb. 2 from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. An agenda will be sent next week.
The meeting will include guest speaker Todd Whitthorne, President and CEO of Cooper Concepts, Inc., who will present on wellness. Look for more details soon.
Paul Gorski from the Equity Literacy Institute will share four racial equity detours commonly embraced in schools, followed by equity principles that can help educators avoid these detours and build a more transformational racial equity approach. This webinar will be held during Heartland AEA Curriculum Network. If you want to attend, please fill out this form and a Zoom link will be emailed to you the week of the webinar. There is no cost to participate.
Avoiding Racial Equity Detours
Feb. 5, 2021
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Audience: School administrators, teacher leaders and Heartland AEA staff
Welcome to the first Heartland AEA ESL/Diversity newsletter of 2021. In this newsletter, we highlight topics related to preparing our students learning English to be Future Ready. Please access this LINK to view our latest newsletter. Contact your ESL/Diversity consultants if you would like to expand on information from this newsletter and create Future Ready opportunities for students in your school.
Iowa’s AEAs are collaborating to improve access for Iowa’s PK-12 educators to creative services (printing, lamination, graphic design, production of instructional materials). Equity and access are guiding principles that influence the common pricing of materials and services across the state. As a result, a common statewide pricing structure will be implemented for schools in the Heartland AEA service area beginning Feb. 1, 2021. Statewide pricing impacts costs for lamination, graphic design time and our various printing services (color, black/white, posters, banners, binding, special print, etc.). Production costs are subsidized by each AEA, and the AEAs do not profit from the schools’ purchase of these services and materials. If you have any questions, contact Kurt Subra, Heartland AEA Chief Financial Officer or Susan Schrader, Heartland AEA Director of Resources and Library Services.
These professional learning resources were compiled and developed to assist school districts in meeting the requirements of Senate File 2360 (Guidance for Safe Classroom Learning Environments) and Chapter 103 (Corporal Punishment, Physical Restraint, Seclusion and Other Physical Contact with Students). Information is included on research-based intervention strategies for students with Social, Emotional, Behavior, and/or Mental Health (SEBMH) needs in the school setting.
Foundational Behavior Principles
- Understand the functions of behavior
- Recognize the ABCs (Antecedent - Behavior - Consequences) of behavior
- Realize the importance of building relationships with our students as the key way to prevent behavior
Prevention Strategies
- Know what prevention strategies mean
- Understand how to use prevention strategies to minimize triggers for problem behaviors
- Recognize prevention strategies that can be used in your classroom to promote appropriate behavior
Supporting Communication
- Know the definition and purpose of teaching replacement behaviors
- Understand how replacement behaviors reduce the occurrence of problem behavior
- Know general procedures for teaching replacement behaviors in the classroom
Response Strategies
- Know strategies for responding to problem behavior in the classroom
- Understand the importance of reducing reinforcement for problem behavior
- Know a decision making plan for responding to crisis behavior in the classroom
De-Escalation
- Understand the importance of preventing crises
- Gain knowledge of effective verbal de-escalation strategies
Access the Safe Classroom Learning Environment modules at this link.
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:
- How to Build a Strong Inner Foundation for Your Life
- 21 Tips for a Positive New Year
The United Way Homework Helpers Hotline was launched last week. United Way Homework Helpers Hotline is a volunteer-based hotline aiming to support students with homework questions outside of the school day during this time of ever-changing learning models.
Operating hours are from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. Call 211 for FREE Homework Help for students K - 12 and select #7 to speak with a Homework Hotline Helper. Interpreters also available.
Please share with students, teachers and families that could benefit from this resource.
