The Iowa Department of Education, in collaboration with the AEAs, is seeking input around Deaf & Hard of Hearing education in the state. The intended audience is for those with an interest in the education of our students with hearing loss, including but not limited to students, parents, educators, deaf community, and other agency partners.
The survey focuses on all ages, all modes of communication and all types of educational settings. This information will be reviewed by a larger group of stakeholders to shape recommendations for increasing success for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Please complete the survey before November 11.
Questions can be directed to Tori Carsrud, Iowa Department of Education, Education Program Consultant for Deaf/Hard of Hearing or Shandra Sarasio Meyer, CRAEA Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Karl Kurt, Assistant Chief Administrator/Director of HR
Thanks to the nearly 230 of you who completed the recent staff survey! We appreciate you taking the time to provide feedback, as it helps us identify your needs and how we can support them.
At the beginning of the year we hoped that positivity and flexibility would be a common theme. We can see it on display all over the place, and just want to express our gratitude for rising to the challenges in front of you. We have heard from districts, and they report that things are obviously different this year, but CRAEA staff continues to meet their needs and provide excellent and timely services. Keep up the great work!
A note on mental health since this topic comes up a lot in conversations related to the pandemic. Oftentimes anxiety comes from looking backward or trying to look into the future, and worrying because we just don’t know what is going to happen. Try and stay in the here and now and control the things that you can. The year is going very well at this point, and you are doing an amazing job given the circumstances. If we can help in any way, please let us know. We are in this together!
Finally, a few expressed an interest in having a document that they could use if pressed when asking students or staff to wear a mask. Feel free to download this letter to assist in explaining the agency’s stance.
Here is a summary of the results and key themes from the survey:
Gratitude/Positives
Common themes:
Being able to interact and serve again
People are awesome
A lot of support from everyone
Improved tech skills
Have gotten closer with my co-workers
Great experiences going to virtual services
A lot of grace
Flexibility
Safety/Comfort:
78% of staff “Strongly Agree” or “Agree” that they feel safe performing their job duties at this time.
Common themes:
Glad that I can now ask others to wear a mask
Nothing more the organization could do
Additional supplies —
Note: Please contact your discipline lead for additional discipline specific PPE supplies. We have additional supplies, and can order more if needed.
Agency doing a great job
Continue to provide flexibility – virtual options
Keep up the communication
Continue to follow the CDC guidelines
A recognition that some areas are outside of ability to control (as an individual or as an organization)
Productivity
89% of staff “Strongly Agree” or “Agree” that they feel productive with their job duties at this time.
Common themes:
Need some additional assistance with the I page
There have been a lot of changes due to the pandemic…getting back to “normal” would really help me feel more productive
Continue to recognize the stress and workload
Create a longer day?
Thanks for cancelling the October regional date…a lot of paperwork and count date looming
Continue to offer flexibility with RWS…less drive time
Biggest concern
Sp Ed Count —
Note: Amy Knupp recently provided some additional guidance on Count Date. Hopefully, the updated guidance she shared helps reduce the stress/anxiety.
Continued health/safety in a pandemic for myself and others
Catching up from spring
That we will have to go back to being completely virtual
Paperwork completion
Getting back to normal
Missing seeing people face-to-face
That we stay vigilant in our safety procedures
Please keep following CDC guidelines
Determining the best way to provide virtual services
Not enough hours in the day
How can we address your biggest concerns?
Continue to support and provide flexibility
Nothing the agency can do–just reality at this point
Continue the weekly meetings with Amy Knupp
Continue to communicate and get feedback
Continue to provide supplies for safety
Additional comments or concerns
Remote helps me be more productive
Keep following the CDC
Appreciate the care and concern
I appreciate my colleagues
The guidance and support from RAs has been awesome!!
Some users who have recently attempted to reset their CRAEA password in Classlink have reported receiving an error message; the pop-up window states “Undefined.” Even though this message appears, please note that your password has been successfully changed. You may begin using your new password.
After changing your password, you will receive a verification email notifying you that your password was reset.
If you have any questions, concerns, or need help with your CRAEA password, please contact the Tech Help Desk at Helpdesk@centralriversaea.org, 319-273-8231.
As part of the agency’s overall COVID-19 risk mitigation efforts, maintenance staff are using electrostatic sprayers in conference rooms, work areas and offices. Please clear your desk each night of papers and close laptop lids. In addition, our maintenance staff need staff members to clear the building by 5 pm each night so that the disinfecting can be completed by the end of the evening. Questions? Contact Karl Kurt.
Central Rivers AEA staff who receive reimbursement for their personal cell phones or carry an agency-owned cell phone are listed in the directory, which can be found on the staff website under Communications.
The directory can also be downloaded using the QR code. Please notify Laura Rinnels of any updates.
Did you know there is a direct relationship between how much you pay in fees and the return on your investments? You can earn more by paying less!
This is a great time to start identifying exactly how much you pay in fees. How much is the expense ratio (this is how mutual funds make their money)? Are you paying a Class A or C load (a commission that goes to a salesman)? Other commissions? Transaction fees? What is the financial advisor charging you? Other fees?
How might you pay less in fees? One option to consider is to invest in low cost index funds or ETFs that charge less than .1% per year. You should consider if paying a load or a commission when buying is worth it. One way to rid yourself of these other fees is to invest in a place like Vanguard.com. You can eliminate the advisor fee by doing it yourself.
It is never too early nor too late to better understand this world of investing. If interested in learning more you could start by reading What Color is the Sky by Michael Finley and/or The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John Bogle.
Did you know that Zoom now offers Closed Captioning? Closed Captioning enables you to not only hear the speaker but see what they are saying in transcript form. If you are the host of an upcoming meeting, please use these directions to turn Closed Captioning on and explain to users how they can use this feature. Highlighting this feature during the month of October will help others to know that it’s available which may make a tremendous difference in their ability to participate! Questions? Contact the IT Help Desk.
