HEART Database Training Classes for 2009-2010

Classes on HEART basics for administrators and the HEART behavior module have been scheduled for the upcoming school year. The August 6th class sessions have been scheduled to try to target new administrators, allowing them to attend before the beginning-of-the-year "chaos" begins. If your district will have new administrators or others who will have a leadership/management role for the use of HEART, this is a good opportunity for them to become familiar with the system. The classes will be repeated every six to eight weeks throughout the school year, providing multiple opportunities to attend the session that fits people’s schedules and needs.

HEART Administration
This class is intended for school leaders new to HEART and those who want a refresher. In this training we will cover the use of HEART, security setup and cleanup, as well as general Q&A. This class is intended for building/district leaders who will be responsible for local implementation of HEART. Among others, this may include superintendents, principals, technology and/or curriculum coordinators, but may also include building/district clerical personnel who provide major support for HEART.

HEART Behavior Module
This training will cover the setup and operation of the behavior module as well as some discussion of its use in a building/district setting. We recommend the behavior training be attended by at least one administrator and another person who will assist with technical support (primarily building data files for import). We also encourage the school to invite members of the AEA team such as the School Psychologist and/or School Social Worker, as they may be able to assist in the implementation of the behavior module in your building/district.

If you plan to attend, please make sure to have your login information when you come to class. New login setup is handled by someone in your district and needs to be done prior to attending to avoid delaying the rest of the class.

Please feel free to pass this class information on to any others in your district that might be interested.

At this time all classes are scheduled to take place in the new computer lab in the Heartland offices in Johnston. Please register all who will be attending so that we can manage materials and space appropriately. This will also help us know who to contact if the location changes or we have to cancel a class.

If you are interested, you may register for either one or both sessions. To register, go to the Heartland Professional Development catalog on our home page or click on the link below. Copy the appropriate activity number and paste it into the search box on the registration page in the browser.

https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/YYYYYYYYYYYYYYSRCH

HEART Administrator Overview class (all from 8:30-11:30 a.m.)

August 6, 2009 --- AS003792111001
September 3, 2009 --- AS003792111002
October 13, 2009 --- AS003792111003
December 2, 2009 --- AS003792111004
February 1, 2010 --- AS003792111005
April 8, 2010 --- AS003792111006

HEART Behavior Module class (all from 1:00-4:00 p.m.)

August 6, 2009 --- AS003692111001
September 3, 2009 --- AS003692111002
October 13, 2009 --- AS003692111003
December 2, 2009 --- AS003692111004
February 1, 2010 --- AS003692111005
April 8, 2010 --- AS003692111006

Revised Ellison Letter Pricing

For the first time in 15 years, our pricing for Ellison letters has changed. Click here for the the new prices of our letters and shapes. Please share this information with your staff.

Follow-up to McLeod's CASTLE Summer Online Book Club

The sole article of last week's Administrator Connection informed of the Second Annual CASTLE Summer Online Book Club that will be hosted by Iowa State University professor, School McLeod. If administrators are interested, Heartland will have copies of this summer's book, Why Don't Students Like School, for long-term check out. Copies will also be available if administrators wish to develop a study group with staff. Unfortunately, however, it is not yet available on audio.

There is still time to register for the book club which will begin June 15, 2009. If you are interested in joining, go to http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/05/summerbookclub.html and fill out an online registration form by midnight, June 10, 2009.

Heartland AEA to host Farewell Reception for Maxine Kilcrease

You are cordially invited to attend a Farewell Reception for our chief administrator, Maxine Kilcrease on June 16, 2009 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. The reception will take place in the cafe area of the Heartland AEA 6445 Corporate Drive office building in Johnston. Come wish Maxine well as she departs Heartland AEA for her new position at the Iowa Association of School Boards.

Grace Bargstadt named Director of Special Education at Heartland AEA

It is with great excitement that Heartland AEA announces the appointment of Grace Bargstadt as our new Director of Special Education. Grace’s diverse background in educational leadership as well as her experience as a former assistant director of special education makes Grace an ideal candidate to further the department’s work in the Agency. It was fortunate for the Agency, that we found the criteria we needed in Grace enabling us to move a leader into this department quickly knowing that we have a lot of work to do for the upcoming year.

“I am thrilled to be asked to lead this department,” said Grace, “I have a deep passion for special education. I am confident that together we can accomplish the important work that will assure that students with diverse learning needs in Heartland experience successful learning outcomes preparing them for a twenty first century world.”

Grace, located at our Woodside Office, is currently the partnership director for Ankeny, Bondurant-Farrar and North Polk.

If you have questions or comments, please send them to Heartland Communications at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Dr. Maxine Kilcrease to leave Heartland AEA

Today, June 1, 2009, Dr. Maxine Kilcrease announced her resignation as chief administrator of Heartland AEA after close to three years with the Agency. She has accepted the position of executive director of the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB).

“It has been a privilege to serve at Heartland, and I am confident that the Agency will continue on the pathway to increased excellence," Dr. Kilcrease said. “I leave knowing that there is a clear focus on student achievement and that the Agency is strongly rooted in a new regional system of service delivery that has made a major difference for our students and families, staff, teachers, leaders and other partners. I look forward to working collaboratively with the Agency in the future and supporting the work of Heartland and area education agencies in any way possible.”

Heartland AEA wishes Dr. Kilcrease success in her new endeavor with IASB. She will transition into her new position this summer, tentatively around July 1, 2009.

If you have questions or comments surrounding Dr. Kilcrease's resignation, please contact Heartland Communications at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.

CASTLE Summer Book Club Starts June 15, 2009

After much deliberation, Scott McLeod has decided to do another online summer book club. Last year’s discussion of Influencer: The Power to Change Anything was so much fun that he can’t resist doing it again…

This year’s reading for the CASTLE summer book club will be Why Don’t Students Like School? A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What It Means for Your Classroom. The author is Dr. Daniel Willingham, Professor of Psychology at The University of Virginia. To go to Dr. Willingham's Web site, click here.

The book club will begin June 15, 2009. If you are interested in joining, go to http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/05/summerbookclub.html.