Author: lthomas

This month, we continue with highlighting the three main focus areas of the agency strategic plan by focusing on Specially Designed Instruction (SDI). Please use this link to the form referenced in the video. A big thanks to Brena Huber for being featured!

Do you ever wonder how your other Central Rivers AEA co-workers spend their work life? On the Job @ Central Rivers AEA is a monthly series we’ve just launched to give you a peek into the work of others in the agency. Each month, Chief Administrator, Sam Miller, will spend time with a Central Rivers AEA employee and learn more about the work involved in their position. These highlight videos will also be shared on our website and social media sites to help educate the public about the work of an AEA.

This month? Dawn Jaeger, School Social Worker and member of the agency well-being team.

The 2020-21 office calendar has been approved by the board and is now available to view/download on the staff website under Resources > Meeting Dates & Office Calendar.

 

While it’s been a pretty mild start to winter so far, undoubtedly, a major weather event is in our future. This is a good time to review the inclement weather and emergency closing information, which can be found on the staff website under Resources > Inclement Weather and Emergency Closing Information and also on the portal under My Toolbox. 

Be sure to read through the weather FAQs as several different scenarios are addressed.  Remember that for those serving local school buildings directly, our priority is to be in schools and calendar adjustments need to be submitted to your supervisor in a timely manner.

Please keep in touch with your supervisor when weather-related issues arise and share any questions that may come up.

At roughly the half-way of the year mark, 411 of 545 staff earned dollars through Navigate.  We will be paying out $47,565 on January 23 and this incentive you have earned will be a separate/additional deposit from your monthly paycheck. 

The next agency-wide challenge, Spring into Shape, begins February 3. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2020!!

Mark your calendars now for the 2020-21 all staff meeting to be held Tuesday, August 18, 2020, in Cedar Falls. We listened to the feedback from this year’s meeting and pushed back the date to kickoff the 2020-21 school year.  The orientation for new staff will be held the day before on Monday, August 17. 

For those coming back on contract from summer break, as well as our year-round staff, welcome back! The August 13 all-staff meeting is quickly approaching and there are several important details you need to know.

Social time and registration will begin at 8:30 am with the meeting set to begin at 9 am. Please review the agenda for the day, which includes details on the featured speaker and the afternoon Regional and Department team meeting locations. 

Other pertinent information is detailed below:

Carpooling

As in past years, we ask that you please carpool with other employees to defray mileage expense and help to ease parking concerns. If you are in the Clear Lake or Marshalltown Office, please reach out to either Dr. Carol Sensor, Clear Lake Site Superintendent or Kim Swartz, Marshalltown Site Superintendent to sign-up for ride sharing if you have not already received information. See your supervisor if you have extenuating circumstances that prevent you from carpooling as reimbursement for travel will be limited.

Dress for the day

Dress for the day is casual (shorts, flip flops, polos, etc. are all acceptable). If you would like, bring a pair of walking shoes to enjoy the trail.

Lunch/time clock

Lunch will be “on your own” this year with plenty of time provided for you to get to/from downtown locations.  Carpooling is highly encouraged. We have also secured Chick-fil-A’s mobile food truck which will be on site and available for quick and easy walk-up service. Credit, debit cards and cash are all accepted. Hourly staff do not have to punch in/out for lunch. (Please adjust your schedule for the day or week to stay within scheduled weekly hours. Clear Lake or Marshalltown staff members can be given extra time beyond their normal work day hours for travel time.) Questions should be directed to your supervisor.

Afternoon Regional/Department meetings

Regional and department meetings will be held from 1:15-3 pm in various locations throughout the building. Please refer to the agenda for details and locations. Please bring your computer or device. 

Get ready for a great day!

A new expense reimbursement form is available on the portal under My Toolbox > Expense Reimbursement > Reimbursement Req Spreadsheet.  You may have to click on “Enable Editing” at the top of the spreadsheet when opening. You will submit both Educator Quality (EQ) and regular travel expenses on this form and enter them as one expense reimbursement request. Expense reimbursement requests should be submitted monthly.  View the new  “How-To” Video for more detailed instructions.

Central Rivers AEA will be deploying a Single Sign On (SSO) system called ClassLink this Fall.  ClassLink 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. You can also access agency resources such as file servers and applications not normally accessible outside of the agency network.

AEA Learning Online resources such as the professional learning site and Scout will also be integrated with ClassLink as the year progresses.  This new SSO system basically acts as a “one-stop shop” for all your Web resources. As we get closer to rolling out the system you will have access to training videos and other resources to help you use it effectively.

The agency Culture and Climate Committee is excited to kick off the 2019-20 year! In order to ensure that we have the greatest positive impact, we want to gather fresh ideas and feedback from you! Please fill out this brief survey. Completion will automatically enter you in a drawing for a Carlos O’Kelly’s gift basket.

The following changes went into effect on July 1:  The Child Abuse and Dependent Adult Abuse trainings are now separated and updated information from the BoEE clarified that educators will need to take BOTH the Child Abuse and Dependent Adult Abuse trainings beginning July 1, 2019.

Each of those trainings will move to a three-year expiration. Currently, it is five years; however, current valid certificates are not affected. If a person took a training before July 1, his/her certificate is still valid for five years from completion. At that point when he/she renews, this next certificate would be valid for three years.

Please contact Shirley Horak in Human Resources if you have questions.

The employee cell phone reimbursement is for the necessary use of a personal cell phone in order to perform the responsibilities of the employee’s position, per Central Rivers AEA Board Policies 401.27R1 and 401.27R2. 

Staff understands that their personal cell phone number will be listed in the Central Rivers AEA cell phone directory, which is published on the internal staff website. 

• The reimbursable amount is based on the number of contracted months up to $120 annually.
• All requests are subject to the approval of the AEA Regional Administrator and Executive Director.
• New employees hired after the start of the year have 30 days from the date of hire to submit a request for reimbursement at a prorated amount.

To apply for the 2019-20 reimbursement, submit the request form before September 1, 2019. Payment will be made on September 20, 2019.

Any changes to a staff member’s number must be promptly reported for adjustment to Laura Rinnels at 641-355-4244.

Just a friendly reminder that representatives from the Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) will be stationed at the Cedar Falls office, 1521 Technology Pkwy, Central Perk area, on Monday, August 26 through Thursday, August 29 for individual IPERS counseling sessions.

All time slots for appointments have been filled; however, you can always schedule an appointment in Des Moines by calling 1-800-622-3849 or visit the IPERS website for additional information.

Central Rivers AEA office locations return to regular office hours of 8:00-4:30 on Monday, August 12.

The 2019-20 Culture & Climate Committee is planning a tailgate party/potluck for lunch during the regional meetings on September 10. Please plan on joining everyone for this fun event which will be themed around the upcoming Iowa vs. Iowa State game on September 14. Watch for more details to come closer to the meeting date.