Author: lthomas

Just a friendly reminder that calculating mileage remains the same as in previous years. As you might recall, a committee comprised of staff and administration developed a proposal last spring to address concerns with our current mileage policy. While the proposal had merit in addressing some of the issues, continued conversations led to a decision to discontinue plans for implementation. Thus, the current mileage policy has remained in effect with no change.

One of the new features of MackinVIA makes the creation of individual accounts or backpacks even easier using Google accounts. Most of our school districts, including Central Rivers AEA, use a Google domain for our e-mail and productivity tools. Media Services is working with our school districts to encourage the creation of backpacks for students and staff to increase the instructional power of the MackinVIA resource. So, since we are encouraging our schools to use the Google integration feature to create backpacks, Media Services decided to create backpacks for all of Central Rivers AEA staff using the new Google integration!

All staff now have an individual account created within the MackinVIA eBook portal. To access your account, you go to MackinVIA.com, enter Central Rivers AEA Staff VIA, Cedar Falls, IA (the location will pop up after typing in a few characters) in the top box labeled “site” and the screen will prompt you to login with your AEA Google login.  Having a backpack within MackinVIA will allow you to use the underlining, highlighting and note-taking features within the eBooks and also will allow for downloading to your Google Drive, making assignments within Google Classroom and downloading eBooks for reading/listening offline on any device you might use.

All of the schools that you support have access to MackinVIA, so please consider using these eBook resources in your work with students and LEA staff. MackinVIA contains a wealth of resources for teaching and learning! Please contact Cheryl Roberson or Cari Teske if you have any questions about using MackinVIA in your work with students and teachers.

A few reminders from the Human Resources (HR) office:

September 15 is the deadline for notifying HR of intentions to change lanes on the salary schedule (This applies to Certified staff only). Also, all professional licenses must be kept current. If you renew your license, just send an email to the HR office that it has been renewed. Our staff will look up your license on the BOEE website and update our records accordingly. 

The first month of the Own It! challenge has ended with over 300 submissions. Great work! The Human Resources office recently sent the new link to submit your September Bingo. Individually we have done a great job, now let’s make sure to help another staff member achieve a Bingo.  Replace “I” with “we” and you turn illness into wellness. Let’s goooooo!!

The Educational Directory for 2018-19 has been updated and can be found on the agency website under About.  In addition, a downloadable pdf of the directory can be found on the staff website under Resources. If you would like a printed copy, please contact your region’s administrative assistant.

To protect yourself and others, the CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible.  It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that will protect against influenza.  However, getting vaccinated later can still be beneficial even into January or later.

The agency will not be offering an on-site flu shot clinic this year. However, you can receive a flu shot at your physician’s office as well as walk-in flu shot clinics at urgent cares and many local retailers.  

Act now to receive a great deal from Wellmark Blue365.  Sign up before September 30 at a participating location and have the $29 enrollment fee waived and pay just a $29 monthly fee (3-month commitment required) for access to a network of 10,000 gyms.

Whether your goals are physical, such as losing weight and maximizing energy, or emotional like dealing with stress and improving your mood, a gym membership can help you meet your goals, on your budget and do it all on your own time.

As a reminder, cell phone reimbursement applications for the 2018-19 school year need to be submitted by the end of day on Friday, September 7th. The request form can be found on the Staff Website > Communications > Cell Phone Reimbursement. Cell phone reimbursement requests are approved when the use of cell phones are appropriate and necessary in an employee’s role to provide effective and efficient operations for the agency. Payment will be made to employees on September 28.

As a service to staff, representatives from the Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) will be stationed at the Cedar Falls office on Monday, Oct. 15 through Thursday, Oct. 18 for individual IPERS counseling sessions.

Monday, October 15 has been reserved for Central Rivers AEA employees only. If Monday does not work for you, you may schedule an appointment on another day but be aware, those appointments will fill up fast as they will be available to the public. Monday appointments start at 3 pm and run through 5:30 pm. Tuesday – Thursday appointments will be during the day.

If you are interested in making an appointment for Monday, Oct. 15, you may call the IPERS number anytime (1-800-622-3849) to schedule an appointment and be sure to identify yourself as an agency employee.

Please refer to the IPERS website for additional information. You can always schedule an appointment in Des Moines by calling 1-800-622-3849.