November 1 is the deadline for staff to update their AEA Learning Online account information. Please be sure the email address listed is your Central Rivers AEA email account and that Central Rivers AEA is listed as your employer. Your account can be found here: https://training.aealearningonline.org. If you have any difficulties please contact Professional Learning at 319-273-8200.
Author: Beth Strike
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Flu shots available this month
Onsite flu shots will be available this year through Hy-Vee Pharmacy at each Central Rivers AEA location. All employees (and family members, age six and above) are free to go to whichever location is most convenient. Each person receiving a flu shot will need to bring a copy of their driver’s license and both sides of their insurance card. Please sign up by October 8 and complete the required form to bring the day of your shot using this flyer.
- October 15 (beginning at 8:30 am): River Hills School
- October 17 (beginning at 7:45 am): Cedar Falls, Clear Lake and Marshalltown offices
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Culture & Climate Committee survey results
The Culture & Climate Committee would like to thank everyone who completed the CRAEA Culture & Climate activity survey. Many great ideas were shared and your input is greatly appreciated. As the 2019-20 activity schedule is created, many of your new ideas will be included.
The winner of the Carlos O’Kelly’s gift basket was Christy Diermer. Christy mentioned she has never been to Carlos O’Kelly’s so this is a terrific reason to go!
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ClassLink and Navigate have arrived!
As we shared last month, the agency is launching a new tool called ClassLink to take the pain out of remembering multiple passwords. ClassLink, which is essentially known as a “single sign-on” gives you instant access to all your Web applications from anywhere on the Internet using any type of browser or device. It also allows you to manage all your Web applications (e.g. Gmail, Zoom, Quantum Workplace) using one login and/or include agency resources, such as file servers and applications, not normally accessible outside of the agency network.Earlier this week, you should have received an email from the company that manages Navigate, our new employee wellness website. The link will take you to ClassLink where you will enter your user name (everything before the @ symbol in your email address) and email password. You will be required to set up two-factor authentication by identifying a symbol to use each time you log in. Once inside ClassLink, you can click on the Navigate icon and begin using this amazing new wellness tool! Need extra support? Watch this short how-to video for details! Questions about how to use ClassLink including adding resources? Contact Bryan Knecht.
Our first agency challenge will be “Choose Joy”which begins September 9. Sign-up is open today within Navigate so let’s get rolling! Questions about Navigate or the individual challenges? Contact Karl Kurt.
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Get your flu shot at the office…and earn $15!
Onsite flu shots will be available this year through Hy-Vee Pharmacy at each Central Rivers AEA location. All employees (and family members, age six and above) are free to go to whichever location is most convenient. Each person receiving a flu shot will need to bring a copy of their driver’s license and both sides of their insurance card. Please sign up and complete the required form to bring the day of your shot using this flyer.
October 15 (beginning at 8:30 am): River Hills School
October 17 (beginning at 7:45 am): Cedar Falls, Clear Lake and Marshalltown offices
This wellness initiative is worth $15 in the Navigate wellness portal.
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New Central Rivers AEA apparel items now available
Have you checked out the Central Rivers AEA branded clothing store lately? Several new items have been added, including the expansion of these popular brands: Sport-Tek, New Era, The North Face, Nike, and Eddie Bauer. Grab your Central Rivers AEA swag today! -
The Stream? The Channel? Which one should I read?
Last year, the agency unveiled a new blog called The Stream targeted specifically to region staff. The Stream is published on an as-needed basis by Regional Administrators and strives to provide news and information that staff out in the field need to best serve schools. Please don’t confuse The Stream with this publication, The Channel, which goes out monthly to all Central Rivers AEA staff members and shares more general agency-wide news and information. Both blogs serve a unique purpose and are important to review upon receipt in your in-box. You can find a live link, including archived information, to each publication on our staff website.
Want more information on the variety of ways the agency communicates? Check out this Agency Major Communication Channels doc to learn more about all our tools and how they are used to share news and information about Central Rivers AEA.
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Update on Quantum: How do we plan to use it this year?
Quantum Workplace has become a valuable tool for recognizing our colleagues for their efforts. This year, a handful of regions will be piloting the use of Quantum Workplace for goal setting, one-on-one progress meetings, and other professional growth activities. Please visit with your Regional Administrator for specifics in your region! Also, Quantum now has an app for those interested.
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Guidelines for Google Groups
Google Groups and email lists are maintained as a means of facilitating electronic communication between CRAEA and its stakeholders. Groups and lists are established and maintained by the Director of Communications & Creative Services in cooperation with other staff members. The Director of Communications & Creative Services and/or Chief Administrator has sole responsibility for authorizing individuals and offices/departments to post to these lists and will provide information to departments on the approval process for using distribution lists.
Individuals may create subsidiary distribution lists as desired using their individual Google or email accounts but should not duplicate efforts to solicit email addresses from local schools. Use of Contact Manager is the preferred method for reaching individual teacher groups vs. maintaining individual lists.
Agency e-mail distribution lists are not available to non-agency entities.
General guidelines for All-Staff and Superintendents Google Groups:
- Administrative staff will forward to the Executive Assistant/Board Secretary for review any email that he/she is requesting be distributed, and will identify the list(s) to which they wish to send the message.
- The Director of Communications & Creative Services will either approve the utilization of the distribution list (or lists) for the message or will inform the representative of the reason(s) why such utilization is denied.
- Material sent to distribution lists must be related to the specific group to whom the mail is being sent. Email will not be sent to superintendents and principal groups to promote professional learning for teacher audiences except at the discretion of an Executive Director.
- Use of plain black text, links and PDF attachments are encouraged. Prepare the email message exactly the way it should be sent out. Keep messages brief and to the point.
- Each message must contain the intended recipient(s), a meaningful subject line, and signature block with sender, sender’s agency affiliation, office telephone number and email address. Emails should be edited carefully for content before being sent for review.
- Repeat emails and corrections will be sent on a very limited basis.
- Messages should be sent to the Executive Assistant/Board Secretary two days in advance of the requested send date to allow adequate time for review whenever possible. Requests for same-day event messages are not guaranteed to be reviewed in time for the desired distribution.
Phew! That’s a lot of “stuff” to know. If you have questions, please contact Beth Strike.