Communication of Inclement Weather Closings & Cancellations

Inclement weather office closings and professional development class cancellations will no longer be communicated via TV & radio stations. Closings and cancellations will be posted on our agency website under our “Latest News” section, on our Facebook and Twitter pages and on our cancellation hotline at (515) 270-0405/(800) 255-0405 ext. 14041.

Holiday Office & Van Route Schedule

Heartland offices will be closed December 24, 27, 28 and 31 during the holiday season. Please take note of the following schedule as you plan to send and receive items through our van mail.
• December 20-23, 2010 Regular Van Delivery
• December 27-31, 2010 No Van Delivery
• January 3, 2011 Regular Van Delivery Resumes

Message from Dr. Tom Lane to Superintendents

Greetings to all,

The holiday season is fast approaching and it is important we all reach out to our legislators now. Their calendars will fill up very quickly, so I’d ask you touch base before Christmas and invite them to our Legislative Breakfast on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. We’ll host in West Des Moines at the Learning Resource Center from 7:00-8:30 a.m. We’ll serve our typical breakfast fare.

Please contact your legislators soon.

On another matter, I’ll be representing our group again this year in gathering contract information. Jim Moore has been brought back by IASB and will be leading our group. IASB has a team developing new tools to assist in our work and they will be presenting to us at either our January or February AEA meeting. This team includes Jackie Black, Lee Tack, Jim Moore and Tony Vander Zyl. I think we’ll all be very appreciative of the work they are doing.

I probably won't see most of you prior to break, so have a great holiday season.

Dr. Tom Lane
Carlisle Community Schools

Use and Storage of Video/Audio/Photography of Eligible Students

Flip Video camcorders are becoming more popular and are an easy, efficient tool to capture student behavior. Some of our special education staff are using Flip Video camcorders for intervention work (e.g., video self-modeling) with students in special education. We wanted to inform you of the legal requirements for using and storing video/audio/photography with eligible students. This information has been summarized and shared with AEA special education staff and Partnership Directors. To view the memo and flowchart, please click here.

If you have any questions about the contents of the memo or flowchart, please see your Partnership Director.

Additional Information: ARRA-Funded Opportunities for Special Education Teachers

Last week, we informed you of the ARRA-funded professional development opportunities aimed specifically for special education teachers. Please be reminded that substitute costs will be reimbursed to allow teachers to attend. Click here to download an updated list and summary of sessions along with activity numbers. Teachers can register through the Heartland AEA Professional Development Catalog. If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Risen at crisen@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Iowa Core Teaching Videos Online

Help bring clarity to the Iowa Core by viewing any of the 44 short videos on collaboration, assessment, universal constructs, characteristics of effective instruction, teaching for understanding, rigorous and relevant instruction, math instruction, social studies instruction, etc. Just like YouTube, the videos are keyword searchable can be viewed full-screen. View the videos here.

Transitional Life Skills Training Coming in April

Sign up now to attend the "Transitional Life Skills: Educating Beyond Basics" training to be held April 7, 2011 in the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive). The session will focus on functional programming in the area of transition planning for students with disabilities. Information will be presented about resources, curriculum and units of study to help successfully incorporate transition activities to enhance post-secondary living, learning and working. Learn more by clicking here.

NOTE: Heartland AEA will reimburse schools the substitution pay for teachers to attend.

Keeping Students & Teachers Up-to-Date on Copyright Laws

Violation of copyright law is an ongoing and serious issue with Internet usage – especially with music and images. Click here to download Copyright BRIEFnotes for Students and here to download Copyright Condensed which is aimed toward teachers and administrators. These documents will provide staff and students will the proper guidance around copyright issues. They are always available on the Heartland website under the Educators tab>Library & Online Catalog. If you ever have any questions about copyright issues, contact Susan Schrader, Resource & Publications Supervisor, at sscrader@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Reminder: Doing What Works Implementation Awards Request for Proposals

As was communicated in last week’s Administrator Connection, Doing What Works (DWW), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, is seeking proposals for Implementation Awards designed to strengthen implementation of research-based practices through DWW. Awards will be used to integrate DWW resources into professional learning or school improvement support processes that support integration of evidence-based education resources into their daily work.

Access the RFP and download the required forms from the awards webpage at www.wested.org/dww. Proposals are due next Friday, December 17, 2010. For additional information, email dww@wested.org or call Kacey O’Kelly at (415) 615-3111.

ARRA Funding Provides Opportunities for Special Education Teachers

With funding from America Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) we will be providing special education teachers with opportunities to attend professional learning that is targeted specifically at instructional practices known to be effective with students with disabilities. Substitute costs will be reimbursed to allow them to attend. Click here to download a summary of the sessions. If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Risen at crisen@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Heartland AEA Early Childhood Professional Development

Here is the latest information related to Professional Development offerings for Early Childhood Professionals through Heartland AEA. If you or your staff are interested in a class, please register through the Heartland Professional Development Catalog.

Early Childhood Administrator Network
This learning opportunity is designed for administrators and principals of early childhood programs (State Voluntary Preschool Programs, Early Childhood Special Education and/or Community based Preschools). Focus topics will include IQPPS and program portfolios, preschool curriculum and assessment, early childhood-focused professional development and current early childhood updates. Participants will have an opportunity to network, get answers to frequently asked questions and develop future topic ideas.

Date & Time: Friday, December 10, 2010 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Location: Learning Center at the Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive)
Activity Number: EC008292111201

Direct Instruction Strategies for Early Childhood Students with Autism - Developmental Delays
This course provides best practice knowledge and hands-on practice in the areas of applied behavior analysis and instructional strategies for early childhood students with autism spectrum and related disorders. Participants will learn empirically-based practices and instructional strategies for preventing problem behaviors, increasing independence, motivating students, gaining instructional control, teaching critical communication and language skills, and promoting the generalization and maintenance of skills. Participants will have opportunities to practice the strategies they have learned.

Dates & Times: (Wednesdays) January 5 & 19, February 9 & 23, 2011 all from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Location: St. John's Lutheran Church (801 E. 18th Street, Carroll, IA)
Instructors: Alicia Pauley & Margaret Clark
Activity Number: EC008399991101

QPPS Study Group – New Offering In Urbandale!
This class will consist of four 4-hour in-depth study sessions on the Quality Preschool Program Standards (QPPS) and Portfolio Development. It will also assist programs in preparation for meeting the DE requirements for QPPS verification visits. Limited space is available – register now!

Dates & Times: (Wednesdays) January 12, February 23, March 30 and April 27 all from 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Location: Urbandale Schools Conference Room (11152 Aurora Ave., Urbandale)
Activity Number: EC005565791101