Administrator Connection is Going on Summer Vacation

As the school year comes to a close, so does our weekly Administrator Connection. Today is our last planned weekly update until August. We’ll communicate any important information via email during the summer.

Have a very enjoyable summer!

ClassLink OneClick Coming Soon

ClassLink may sound familiar as we shared information at the Curriculum Network and at technology coordinator meetings. Heartland AEA will be reaching out to help your district connect with ClassLink OneClick.

What is it?
ClassLink OneClick is a single sign-on approach for students and teachers to access the K-12 digital resources, AEA Scout, AEA Professional Learning Registration System, and AEA Learning Online Training System. The AEAs are providing it to schools at no cost.

Why?
Privacy, security and access. Usernames/passwords will no longer be posted on classroom walls. Students and teachers will log in with their Google or Microsoft credentials that they already use in the district. The digital content will be displayed and accessed on one dashboard. And, there will be QR codes for our youngest learners to log in (think BookFLIX and PebbleGo).

Why is this important?
This secure approach represents the latest development in technology that Iowa AEAs think will provide the best and most up-to-date access to digital content. It takes the burden of updating some locally created content (URLs and passwords) and moves it to the ClassLink OneClick dashboard. We also think it will be engaging as the dashboard apps have the familiar smartphone and iPad layout and function.

What do I need to do now?
Heartland AEA will be reaching out to the technology coordinator to add your school district domain and users. As users are added or removed to the district email, ClassLink OneClick is automatically updated. We will ask for a contact person at the district. We will also provide assistance in rolling out this new way to access digital content to students and teachers. As you work and plan with the teacher librarians and technology coordinators, keep ClassLink OneClick in mind.

Iowa School Library Study Released, Includes Learning from Pandemic

The annual School Library Survey included a new section this year to document and understand how Iowa teacher librarians adapted services and programs during the pandemic to support student learning and engagement. It was developed using the national School Librarian Role in Pandemic Learning Conditions. Enrollment size and grade span data are included for the following sections:

Section 1: Face-to-Face Learning
Section 2: Blended Learning
Section 3: Distance Learning

There are a lot of activities and programs to recognize that had a direct impact on student learning. Here are a few highlights from the report.

• Collaborated with educators to develop and co-teach
• Taught learners how to use digital platforms and resources
• Assembled targeted resource lists for educators and parents that are regularly updated and aimed at specific age groups or needs
• Collaborated with administrators, educators, parents/caregivers, and community members proactively responding to evolving needs
• Participated in educator professional learning communities to provide differentiated learner resources and support
• Listened for and assessed community needs to support the school curriculum, school culture, and social and emotional needs
• Explored and shared methods of engaging all learners in online discussions
• Curated and provided SEL resources for student learning and/or educator self-care
• Worked to ensure equity and learner access to the internet
• Provided technical support for learners and families
• Ensured provided resources are divers
• Managed the impact of social distancing requirements
• Developed procedures for safe handling of materials

Read the full study here.

Open to All Iowa Educators: Join Renowned Author Doug Fisher, Corwin Instructors and Heartland AEA Consultants for a Summer Learning Opportunity Like No Other!

Administrators, please forward this to your teachers!

Heartland AEA’s “Summer Learning Academy: Reflect, Reconstruct, Rebound” has been designed with area educators, for area educators. Over the past year, you’ve stretched your abilities and increased your confidence as you’ve tried new tools, new models and new ways of teaching.

The vision for our time together in the Summer Learning Academy includes:

• Augmentation of content
• Study around instruction
• Learning about assessment and feedback practices
• Perusal of technology integration

All these topics have been compiled for a steadfast rebound and rich catapult into the 2021-22 school year!

To learn more about the Academy, sessions with Corwin instructors, learning tracks and license renewal credit, view the Academy flyer and share it with your friends and colleagues!

Summer Learning Academy: Reflect, Reconstruct, Rebound
June 21-25, 202
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. each day
Virtual Format
$100

Registration Links
1 license renewal credit - Register Now
2 license renewal credits - Register Now
No credit/participant only - Register Now

Questions?

Contact Amy Wichman or Wendy Robinson, Directors of Instructional Services, Heartland AEA.

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

Heartland AEA Library & Digital Newsletter is Now Available

The Heartland AEA Library & Digital Resources newsletter is now available. Make sure to follow the newsletter and share it with your colleagues!

This issue is all about planning and sharing (for summer and fall):

• Tales2Go Summer Listening Site
• New Pebble Go Articles
• Pebble Go Summer Activities Guide
• New Look and New Functions: AEA Scout
• ClassLink OneClick
• Book Rotation Service
• 2020-21 Iowa School Library Survey Pandemic Report

Heart of Innovation Summer Summit Schedule Posted

Heartland AEA's Heart of Innovation Summer Summit is back this June with two mornings of free, virtual learning that are going to be totally rad!

Join the 90 educators who have already registered!

• No Cost!
• Completely Virtual
• Win Prizes
• Build Your PLN
• Learn From Local and National Educators
• Option to Earn Credit

June 15 & 16
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. each day
View the schedule here

Register at this link

Open to All Iowa Educators: Join Renowned Author Doug Fisher, Corwin Instructors and Heartland AEA Consultants for a Summer Learning Opportunity Like No Other!

Heartland AEA’s “Summer Learning Academy: Reflect, Reconstruct, Rebound” has been designed with area educators, for area educators. Over the past year, you’ve stretched your abilities and increased your confidence as you’ve tried new tools, new models and new ways of teaching.

The vision for our time together in the Summer Learning Academy includes:

• Augmentation of content
• Study around instruction
• Learning about assessment and feedback practices
• Perusal of technology integration

All these topics have been compiled for a steadfast rebound and rich catapult into the 2021-22 school year!

To learn more about the Academy, learning tracks and license renewal credit, view the Academy flyer and share it with your friends and colleagues!

Summer Learning Academy: Reflect, Reconstruct, Rebound
June 21-25, 202
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. each day
Virtual Format
$100

Registration Links
1 license renewal credit - Register Now
2 license renewal credits - Register Now
No credit/participant only - Register Now

Questions?

Contact Amy Wichman or Wendy Robinson, Directors of Instructional Services, Heartland AEA.

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 issue features:

• Mental Health Resources: There's a Name for the Blah You're Feeling: It's Called Languishing; The Other Side of Languishing is Flourishing. Here's How to Get There
• Apps and Other Stuff: The 9 Best To-Do List Apps of 2021
• Funnies: Stay Strong, the School Year Is Almost Over!

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

CPI Training Announcements for 2021-22 School Year

We have learned many things throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with one of those being how to provide CPI training in the most efficient manner. When school resumes in the Fall, we know your priority is going to continue to be to have educators in the classroom, supporting children/youth; likewise, our agency’s priority is to have our staff in buildings, supporting your educators, children and youth. Highlights of CPI training in the next academic year include:

• Heartland AEA will continue with the blended learning option for CPI Initial (New) and Re-training (Refresher) certification for the 2021-22 school year.
• We continue to request that districts prioritize those staff with the highest level of risk.
• We have developed asynchronous learning options on De-Escalation / Verbal Intervention in 15, 30, and 60-minute increments
• We are asking that CPI training continue to occur within the district and/or be regionally-hosted.

Please refer to the CPI Training Information for the 2021-22 School Year for complete details.