Copyright BriefNotes: Everything Students and Teachers Need to Know

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies have created an extensive, easy-to-use resource to help students and teachers understand copyright laws and the associated rights and responsibilities as users of copyrighted information.

Two versions of Copyright BriefNotes are available to support students and teachers in virtual and physical classrooms: Copyright BriefNotes for Students and Copyright BriefNotes for Students and Teachers. Both are available as a flipbook, PDF and printed version. You are welcome to link the flipbooks and PDFs to your school website or LMS. Visit our website to learn more.

Join Us for the December Science Networking Session that Focuses on NGSS Instructional Routines

Join us Dec. 7 at 3:45 p.m. as Iowa’s AEAs across the state begin networking sessions to support science instruction during face-to-face, blended and distance learning. The Zoom networking sessions will be facilitated by AEA Science Consultants and are being held to provide networking opportunities for science teachers across the state. This session will focus on NGSS Instructional Routines. Join by Zoom at this link: https://gpaea.zoom.us/j/95605588969.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Offers Training in Blended, In-Person & Virtual Formats

Heartland AEA is pleased to announce we are now offering Youth Mental Health First Aid in a blended format. Read more about YMHFA and options available to districts, including YMHFA in blended, virtual and in-person formats. 

**Child Mental Health First Aid also now available!

To request a YMHFA Training Email the Heartland AEA Regional Director assigned to your district and Jadie Boens, Heartland AEA Director of Special Programs, who will coordinate scheduling the YMHFA training.

Check Out Our Wellness Inspiration Site: Shareable Resource For Educators, Families and Students

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:

• Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education workshops
• Down Dog Fitness App
• Funnies

Dec. 2020 School Leader Update

The Dec. 2020 School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is available.

State Education Board Adopts Revisions to Seclusion and Restraint Rules

The State Board of Education recently adopted revisions to Iowa administrative rules on seclusion and restraint (Chapter 103). The revised rules will go into effect on Jan. 20, 2021. In the December 2020 SAI Report, Matt Carver addresses the seclusion and restraint rules change on pages 4-5 (the revised Chapter 103 rules are linked in the first line of his article).

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 Office Hours and Van Delivery

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, all Heartland AEA offices will be closed Nov. 26-27. Our van delivery schedule will be as follows:

• Regular delivery Nov. 23-24
• No delivery Nov. 25-27
• Regular delivery resumes Nov. 30

Heartland Administrators’ Association Dec. Meeting

The next Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) meeting is Dec. 1. The agenda and meeting materials can be found here. This meeting will be held via Zoom and have an in-person option. As a reminder, for those wishing to attend in-person, you will need to RSVP by Nov. 25 to Jenny Ugolini. Room capacity will be capped at 32 people, and mitigation efforts will be in place.

Heartland Administrators' Assoc. (HAA) Meeting
Dec. 1, 2020
9 - 11:30 a.m.
Via Zoom at this link: https://heartlandaea.zoom.us/j/708115455 OR
In-person Location: 6500 Corporate Dr., Johnston

Agenda

Have You Signed Up for the CARE Workshop?

Through the use of COVID-19 Relief Funds, made available by the State of Iowa and our partners at Polk County Health Services, Heartland AEA is offering an exciting opportunity to support educator well-being and resiliency building. 

As a result of the current pandemic, the stressors placed upon educators have been further magnified, with many lives significantly disrupted due to millions of students now at home, thousands of educators teaching from home, and entire families and communities living in isolation. ALL educational staff are facing a plethora of challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic. Schools may be shifting between online learning and in-person learning; educators are adapting to new schedules and different ways of teaching; and trying to meet the needs of their students, while also meeting the needs of their own family and friends.

CARE (Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education) workshops are unique, evidence-based professional development programs that help educators handle the stresses and rediscover the jobs of teaching. 

The goal of CARE is to: 

• Offer educators tools and resources for reducing stress, preventing burnout, enlivening teaching, and helping students thrive socially, emotionally and academically.

CARE introduces tools such as:

• Mindful awareness practices
• Caring and emotion skills training

Research shows that such practices are helpful for developing awareness, openness, emotional responsiveness and sensitivity - all essential qualities for modeling healthy behavior in the classroom and optimizing teaching and learning. By practicing the skills learned in the program, educators learn to cultivate calmness, awareness, presence, compassion, empathy and ability to listen. In the classroom these qualities improve teachers’ classroom management, curricular implementation and relationships with their students.

REGISTRATION
We will be offering separate sessions to meet the unique needs of administrators, educators and Heartland AEA staff. Registration is limited to 35 participants per session.

Administrator Session
Dec. 7 and 14; Jan. 14, 22, 27 and 29
8:30 - 10:30 a.m. 
Via Zoom 
Registration information is located at this link: https://bit.ly/3etfhFr Course 190771

Educator Session
Dec. 9 and 14; Jan. 13, 22, 27 and 29
8:30 - 10:30 a.m. 
Via Zoom 
Registration information is located at this link: https://bit.ly/3etfhFr Course 190771

AEA Staff Session
Dec. 9 and 14; Jan. 13, 22, 27, and 29
8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Via Zoom 

Registration information is located at this link: https://bit.ly/3etfhFr Course 190771

Heartland AEA Innovative Educators Facebook Group

The Heartland AEA Instructional Technology Consultants have created a new Facebook group to advance authentic technology integration and to inspire adult and student learners to innovate. You don't have to be working in technology to be a member of the group. All are welcome!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/heartlandaeainnovativeeducators