Month: March 2011

What’s happening in the legislature with respect to potential cuts to the AEA system? What decisions have been made regarding budget? AEA 267 Chief Administrator, Roark Horn, provides an update in his latest podcast.

If you haven’t been using the AEA Online databases and resources, you’ve been missing out! But if you are a new user, you’ll love the new line-up of resources coming your way beginning August 1. Iowa AEA Online is a virtual library that provides no-cost access to 12 high-quality, web-based resources for accredited public and non-public PreK-12 schools. Students and staff have access at school and at home. Iowa AEA Online is funded and supported by Iowa’s Area Education Agencies.

The 2011-12 AEA Online line-up includes:

• AccuWeather (PreK-12): Local and international weather conditions and forecasts for research, presentations and projects. AP Images (PreK-12): Over 7 million primary-source photographs from the 1800’s up to a minute ago, over 1.9 million sound bites from the 1920’s up to a minute ago, 230,000 maps, charts and timelines, and 2.5 million text news stories from The Associated Press.
• Atomic Learning (PreK-12) Professional development resources and curriculum materials to infuse 21st century skills into the classroom. Includes access to over 50,000 tutorials.
• BookFLIX (PreK-3): An online literacy resource that pairs fictional video storybooks with related nonfiction books. Read-aloud feature provides accessibility to all readers. Vocabulary feature and interactive games extend student learning.
• Britannica Digital Learning (PreK-12): A suite of products designed to support student research and classroom instruction, Britannica Digital Learning offers an extensive collection of reference and learning materials that are curriculum aligned and age-appropriate.
• CultureGrams (K-12): An insider’s perspective on daily life and culture, including the history, customs, and lifestyles of the world’s people.
• Gale – Cengage Learning (PreK-12): An eResource package offering screened and reliable content from magazines, newspapers, and reference materials. Ten different resources are designed for age-appropriate access.
• iCLIPART For Schools (PreK-12): A collection of more than 7.8 million royalty-free photos, clipart, fonts, animations, and sounds that can be used in multimedia presentations, Inspiration diagrams, school websites, worksheets, newsletters, posters, signs, and more.
• Learn360 (PreK-12): Educational streaming media offering thousands of full-length digital videos, video clips, images, audio files, newsreels, speeches and a comprehensive library of teaching resources from educational publishers.
• SIRS Issues Researcher (9-12): Exploration of the origins, perspectives, and essential questions under debate on over 300 pro/con social issues. Review thousands of highly targeted articles, primary sources, statistics, websites, and multimedia. Articles are read-aloud enabled and searchable by Lexile reading levels.
• soundzabound (PreK-12): Licensed audio that can be used without copyright infringement in videos, podcasts, and other forms of multimedia. The MP3 audio files are cross platform for use in any Mac or PC software that incorporates audio.
• Teen Health & Wellness (7-12): Provides students with nonjudgmental, straightforward, standards-aligned, curricular and self-help support. Topics include diseases, drugs, alcohol, nutrition, mental health, suicide, bullying, green living, online safety, financial literacy, and more.

To learn more, contact Deb Culp at 641-844-2492. Download a flyer with complete information as a reference.

An incredible day of learning and making connections is being planned for the annual Office Support Professionals’ Day (OSPD) on Monday, March 21 from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the AEA 267 Clear Lake Office. AEA 267 Chief Administrator, Roark Horn, and AEA 267 Assistant Chief Administrator/Director of Personnel, Dr. Anne Sullivan, will begin the day with a welcome and motivational message followed by two high-level sessions around the following three topics:

• Google Apps – including Google docs; spreadsheets, drawings, gmail; calendar, presentations and forms. Google Apps are on the internet and can be shared easily with others.

• Adobe Acrobat Pro – software allows the user to create, read and manage Portable Document Format (PDF) documents. Some of the features include: converting existing forms into fillable PDF forms or creating originals using templates; ability to transmit files between computers with different applications; combining and compressing a variety of files into one PDF. This session is just an introduction to PDFs. More in-depth training will be offered at a later date.

• Digital Storefront – simplifies and automates the entire print procurement and production process. Delivers added convenience and time savings for print customers; improves productivity for print shops.

All of these tools will help you be more efficient and effective in your positions. We will also have the opportunity to tour the newly remodeled Clear Lake Office. We will end the day with an uplifting message.

Please register online at http://www.aea267.k12.ia.us by March 14, 2011.

1. Click on Professional Development.
2. Click on AEA 267 Offerings.
3. Enter user name and password (information was transferred from previous system) or create a new account. If you have forgotten your user name and password – Click “Forgot Password” and enter your email. You will receive your user name and password in an email immediately.
4. Under the Course Section of the page, enter Section #6254 and Course #3981.
5. Click on any blue print in the section box.
6. Click on Register. When registering must accept/decline that you’ve read the disclaimer messages –both course specific and general course registration (refund policy).
7. You will see a registration confirmation which you may print.

If you have questions or concerns about the registration process,
please contact Hether Gustafson at 319-268-7662. If you need special accommodations or have special dietary needs, please contact Kerri Wilson at 319-273-8201.

See you there!

The AEA 267 Equity Committee has added a new section to the AEA 267 website filled with resources and tools regarding Section 504. Visit today if this information is helpful in your role!

The annual AEA/DE Customer Feedback Survey, which provides educators we serve with an opportunity to share feedback about our services, launches on Monday, March 7. Traditionally, our agency has enjoyed an enviable return rate on the survey (typically around 40%), which makes the data very useful.

Please encourage teachers and school administrators you work with to respond to the survey. They will be receiving a link to the survey via email.

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met March 2, 2011 at 6 p.m. in the Cedar Falls Conference Center for the regular board meeting.

During the meeting, the board:

• Heard a program review by Beth Strike, AEA 267 Communications Specialist, on the results of the AEA System Communications Audit.
• Accepted with regret the retirements of Joan Greenlee, Teacher of Behavioral Disorders (Carey Elementary – Waverly); and Connie Collins, Teacher of Multi Disabilities-Resource (Durant Elementary – Sumner), both retiring at end of 2010-11 school year.
• Motioned to hire Gregory J. Koppes, Special Education Principal (Castle Hill School) effective May 2, 2011.
• Authorized administration to seek bids on a 19-passenger bus for preschool programs.
• Approved renewal/amendment of ICN contract for internet services.
• Approved reciprocal transportation agreements between:

1. Mason City and Rockwell-Swaledale
2. Mason City and Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock
3. Mason City and North Central (Central Springs)
4. Mason City and Nora Springs-Rock Falls

• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.