Nov. 3 HAA Meeting Reminder

The next HAA meeting will be held on Tues., Nov. 3. The agenda will feature a communications workshop with Wixted & Co. and an update on District Service Planning meetings. Partnership updates will begin at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will be held in person from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. at Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, in Conf. Rooms 107A/B.

Last Call - Fall Into Savings

Order Creative Services products and printing today and save with our fall sale through Oct. 31!

$5.00 off orders over $50.00! Use promo code SAVE5
$10.00 off orders over $100.00! Use promo code SAVE10
$25.00 off orders over $250.00! Use promo code SAVE25
$50.00 off orders over $500.00! Use promo code SAVE50

Place your order and enter the promo code on the payment screen prior to paying for your order.

Promotion available Oct. 1 - Oct. 31, 2026. Offer only available on new orders. Offer not available for Braille or custom graphic design orders.

Customized Braille: AEA Supports Students in Learning Braille

Did you know Iowa's AEAs provide comprehensive Braille services to support students who are blind or visually impaired? 

Access to Braille materials ensures these students have equitable access to educational content, and the way those materials are prepared can make a big difference in how students learn.

Our Library of Congress-certified Braillist doesn't just transcribe materials—they customize them to align with each student’s current stage in learning Braille contractions. This means students receive materials that are tailored to their individual progression, whether they are just beginning to learn uncontracted Braille or are gradually being introduced to contracted forms. This customization helps build confidence and fluency in Braille literacy.

Our services include:

• Transcription of instructional resources into Braille
• Production of tactile graphics
• Customization of Braille materials to match a student’s current understanding and use of Braille contractions
• Consultation with educators to support the integration of Braille literacy in the classroom

New this year! Order large print materials for low vision students

Learn more about Braille, Large Print & AIM/AEM Scanning and place your order today!

November 3 HAA Meeting Reminder

The next HAA meeting will be held on Tues., Nov. 3. This will be an in person meeting held from 9:00 -11:30 at Heartland’s Johnston office, Rooms 107A/B. Look for an agenda soon.

Save the Date: Day on the Hill 2027

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs), Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) and School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) invite you to the 2027 Day on the Hill on Jan. 25, 2027. Registration for this event will open in November.

Now Accepting Student Showcase Submissions
Do you have an innovative or exciting program you'd like to showcase for legislators? Submit your idea for a chance to exhibit in the Capitol Rotunda—student exhibitors are welcome!

Become a Social Studies Item Writer or Reviewer

Share this with your secondary social studies teachers, curriculum coordinators and instructional leaders

The Iowa Testing Programs at the University of Iowa is developing the new statewide social studies assessments for 8th and 11th grades and is currently recruiting Iowa social studies teachers to serve as item writers and reviewers. Interested teachers can review the Item or Reviewer overview and contact trevor-templeman@uiowa.edu with questions or complete the interest survey using the QR code on the flyer.

Promote and Celebrate Your District with Specialty Print Materials

Did you know that we can print on more than just paper? We can help design and print materials celebrating students, promoting school events or publicizing district information.

Yard Signs

Yard signs can be used to celebrate student activities and achievements or to inform and organize school events.

Signs are 24" x 18" corrugated plastic – with or without a step stake. They can be ordered either single or double sided.

Pricing
24" x 18" Full Color, 1 sided – $15.00 per sign
24" x 18" Full Color, 2 sided – $25.00 per sign

Price does not include any graphic design time if needed. Orders requiring graphic design should be ordered under Custom Graphic Design.

Retractable Banners

Banners on retractable stands are easily portable and can be used to promote your district or events, give directions, or share information. Banners are 80 inches tall and 33.5 inches wide.

Pricing
33.5" x 80" Full Color, 1 sided – $127.00 per banner (stand included)

Price does not include any graphic design time if needed. Orders requiring graphic design should be ordered under Custom Graphic Design.

We can also print:

• Stickers
• Vinyl adhesive wall and window graphics
• Vinyl banners
• Hanging parking tags
• 2-Pocket folders
• Magnets
• Door hangers

Reach out to creativeservices@heartlandaea.org with any questions or place your order on our website.

Plan Ahead for Your Staff Development

As district leaders get into the business of the year, remember that AEA staff are available to support on‐site learning, join regional sessions or provide customized professional learning and support that fits building‐level needs. Each AEA also has fall and spring professional learning options available, including instructional coaching, MTSS implementation, SEBH supports and curriculum‐focused sessions. Your AEA staff can help you develop a customized support plan for your district. Check out the courses available through AEA Professional Learning, or reach out for help accessing tools, training and staff support to help your teams be successful this school year.

Oct. 6 HAA to be Electronic Update

The Oct. 6 HAA meeting will be replaced with an electronic update. Superintendents will be emailed the monthly partnership reports on Oct. 6. There will be no in-person or zoom meeting. The next meeting will be held on Nov. 3. Look for an agenda later this month.

Fall Into Savings!

Order Creative Services products and printing today and save with our fall sale through October 31!

• $5.00 off orders over $50.00! Use promo code SAVE5
• $10.00 off orders over $100.00! Use promo code SAVE10
• $25.00 off orders over $250.00! Use promo code SAVE25
• $50.00 off orders over $500.00! Use promo code SAVE50

Log in to Heartland AEA Creative Services Online and enter the promo code on the payment screen prior to paying for your order.

Promotion available Oct. 1 - Oct. 31, 2026. Offer only available on new orders. Offer not available for Braille or custom graphic design orders.

Connect Statewide Through Iowa’s AEA Professional Learning Networks

Iowa’s AEAs are once again bringing educators together from every corner of the state through our FREE AEA Learning Networks! Whether you want to swap classroom strategies, master new digital tools or build your professional support system, these groups are designed for you. Connect with colleagues, expand your skill set and tap into valuable AEA resources in your field.

• Curriculum Directors
• English Learners
• Instructional Technology
• School Counselors
• SEBH MTSS/PBIS
• Talented & Gifted/Extended Learning
• Teacher Librarians
• Technology Directors

Ready to jump in? View the AEA Professional Learning Networks and join us!

New Dates Announced! Systematically Designed Instruction for Advanced K-2 Readers

How do I differentiate "up" during my literacy block? What do I do when a K–2 student has already mastered whole-group phonics content?

Join TAG Consultant Kate Boonstra and Literacy Consultant Lynn Bowen for a two-session Zoom workshop designed to help general education teachers and gifted specialists adjust literacy instruction for primary students.

When: Nov. 10 & Feb. 2 | 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. (Day 1 rescheduled from September)
Where: Zoom

Register for Systematically Designed Instruction for Advanced K-2 Readers on Nov. 10, 2026 and Feb. 2, 2027

For questions, contact Kate Boonstra.

EL Educators: Take Note!

Our new Multilingual Educator Exchange provides a dedicated collaborative space for educators serving English learners and multilingual students in schools outside of the Heartland AEA Title III consortium.

Gain year-round access to a repository of guidance materials, such as:

• Allowable Assessment Accommodations for English Learners
• Differentiated Lesson Plan Template for English Learners
• New Student Language and Education History Intake Form

By establishing a regional space for continuous learning, this group builds the foundation for educators to access practical resources, stay informed and grow a strong, supportive professional community.

Learn more and register for Multilingual Educator Exchange that begins on Nov. 2.

Tell Your District's Story

Showcase your district's accomplishments in a professionally designed annual report, infographic, social media campaign or brochure. Provide success stories, data points, photos and other information and let our graphic designers help you tell your story with compelling visuals branded for your district. Custom graphic design is $40.00 per hour, charged in 15-minute increments. Contact creativeservices@heartlandaea.org to get started or place your custom graphic design order on our website.

Testing Support Options for Homeschooled Students

Iowa public school districts must provide no-cost testing opportunities for families participating in Competent Private Instruction (CPI) Options 1 and 2, as detailed in the Private Instruction Handbook. Districts can contract with Heartland AEA to manage these services, with billing covering materials, administration, additional expenses, plus a 14% fee. For Independent Private Instruction (IPI), families may request an annual assessment from the approved options list in the handbook, pay the AEA directly, and schedule through them. For questions, refer to this flyer and contact Crista Carlile at Heartland AEA.

Partnering with Heartland AEA on Iowa’s New Behavior Law

Navigating Iowa’s new Student Behavior & Classroom Removal Law isn’t just about compliance; it’s about caring for educators and ensuring every student has a predictable, safe space to learn. Heartland AEA is ready to walk alongside your leadership team to build proactive behavioral systems that support staff and keep kids in the classroom.

By pairing Professional Learning + Coaching + Implementation Support, we work together to turn strategy into everyday practice.

• Deepen staff skills in functional behavior assessments (FBAs), evidence-based classroom management and Tier 1–3 PBIS
• Equip your team with Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training and specialized support like the Challenging Behavior Autism Team (CBAT)
• Foster resilience through Youth Mental Health First Aid, ACEs training and early childhood supports
• Protect teacher well-being, strengthen paraeducator confidence and build a healthy school culture

Tailored Support for Your District
Every school community is unique. Our team provides customized leadership consultation, classroom modeling, instructional coaching and data facilitation to fit your specific goals.

Contact
Learn more and contact your Heartland AEA regional director to start building your customized plan today.

Important Dates for Regional Planning Partnership Region 11

Executive Committee Meeting
Invited attendees: Executive Committee Members
Sept. 2, 2026
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Zoom

School Business Officials Meeting
Invited attendees: School Business Officials
Sept. 3, 2026
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Zoom

Program Approval Work Day 1
Invited attendees: Ag, Transportation, Manufacturing Educators
Sept. 14, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
DMACC Ankeny Campus Building 5, 2006 S Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny

Fall Meeting
Invited attendees: All district RPP representatives
Sept. 15, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

For more information, visit the Regional Planning Partnerships & Regional Centers page on the Iowa Department of Education website.

Classroom-Ready Materials at Your Fingertips!

Did you know our Creative Services Department has a catalog of hundreds of ready-to-print items for your building and classrooms? Use the search bar at the top of Creative Services Online to browse by subject or keyword or click Browse Products to look through our full catalog of instructional materials. Not finding what you’re looking for? Reach out to creativeservices@heartlandaea.org with any questions or to discuss a custom project!

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To ensure our resources align with your day-to-day priorities, please take a minute to share your priorities and needs with us in our Media & Technology Interest Survey.

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