Category: Uncategorized

What is RSS?

RSS most commonly refers to Really Simple Syndication.  It is a format for delivering regularly changing or updated web content from sites of your choosing. (RSS in Plain English is a video that provides a clear and simple explanation of RSS for those that want further explanation: http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english)

How to Read an RSS Feed

You will need an RSS feed reader or aggregator to grab, or subscribe, to an RSS feed.  There are multiple RSS readers available. In fact, most web browsers now have RSS readers built in to them.

Firefox PC (referred to as Live Bookmarks) http://www.atomiclearning.com/k12/en/movie/23351/play_window?type=Tutorial&sid=1547

Firefox Mac (referred to as Live Bookmarks)  http://www.atomiclearning.com/k12/en/movie/81185/play_window?type=Tutorial&sid=2330

Internet Explorer 7 http://www.atomiclearning.com/k12/en/movie/26537/play_window?type=Tutorial&sid=1637

Internet Explorer 8 http://www.atomiclearning.com/k12/en/movie/79061/play_window?type=Tutorial&sid=2284

Safari http://www.atomiclearning.com/k12/en/movie/79704/play_window?type=Tutorial&sid=2306

Google Reader – www.google.com/reader.  Google Reader is one of the more popular RSS readers.  The following link is a Getting Started Guide for Google Reader: http://www.google.com/support/reader/bin/answer.py?answer=113517

Questions? Contact Deb Versteeg, AEA 267 Digital Teaching and Learning Coordinator.

During the week of July 26, the Personnel Office will be sending out information to all certified staff on Educator Quality (EQ) Professional Development (PD) and Iowa Core Curriculum (ICC) Professional Development for 2010-11.  This PD is in addition to your regular contract days/salary and is paid for from these funds.  Since some of the courses start in August, we wanted to get the information out as soon as possible.  This information is being sent to your home address.

As you are keenly aware, my last day with AEA 267 is quickly approaching. Please consider this to be my sincere goodbye to each and every one of you.

As I retire, I do so with a mix of feelings; happy about the new phase of life that I will be entering and sad that I will be leaving so many wonderful friends and colleagues. The previous 15 years with the Area Education Agency system have been some of the most rewarding of my career. To have served as the chief administrator of an organization and system so driven to excellence has been an incredible experience.

The AEA 267 Board of Directors has secured two outstanding individuals to lead the agency beginning July 1. Roark Horn is highly respected around the state both for his leadership expertise as well as his approachability and respectful nature. Dr. Anne Sullivan will bring a wealth of experience as well as an energy well suited for the complexity of our agency. Both will hit the ground running on July 1. I encourage you to make them feel welcome and support them as they both lead you and learn from you.

Thank you so much for making my time at AEA 267 such a positive experience. I will remember you all with fondness.

David Giese, a retired educator living in Marshalltown, has been elected to the Director District 8 position on the AEA 267 board of directors. Giese will represent the districts of BCLUW, Eldora-New Providence, Grundy Center, Marshalltown and West Marshall. His term will expire in 2011. Giese was sworn in during the June 2 board meeting. Welcome, David!

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met June 2, 2010 at 4 p.m. at the AEA 267 Conference Center for their regular meeting.

During the meeting, the board:

• Welcomed newly elected board member, David Giese, who was administered the Oath of Office by Board Secretary Kerri Wilson.
• Accepted with regret the retirement of Paula Goetz, Special Education Principal (Devonshire School) effective August 1, 2010; Gayle Anderson, Special Education Consultant (Hampton) effective June 30, 2010; and Tom Adams, School Social Worker (Lenihan); effective December 31, 2010.
• Accepted with regret the resignations of Rebecca Eness, Speech-Language Pathologist (Clear Lake); Dennis Ford, School Psychologist (Castle Hill); Heidi Podhajsky, Speech-Language Pathologist (Reinbeck Elem); Kathy Kline, Teacher of Multi Disabilities-Resources (Sumner/Fredericksburg High School); Michelle Unwin, Teacher of Multi Disabilities-Special Class w/Integration (LaPorte City Elem.); Cynthia Lang, Teacher of Behavioral Disorders (Devonshire); Jeanne Sexe, Teacher of Behavioral Disorders (Devonshire); Dan Hummel, Teacher of  Behavioral Disorders (Devonshire); Susan Goodsell, Teacher of Behavioral Disorders (Devonshire); Jamie Hickman, Teacher of Physical Education (Devonshire); and Jeanna Cripe, Teacher of Behavioral Disorders all effective end of the 2009-10 school year.
• Recalled the following staff to employment: Randy Etscheidt, Teacher of Physical Education (River Hills); Timothy Malven, Teacher of Behavioral Disorders (Bremwood); Sarah Rottinghaus, Teacher of Behavioral Disorders (Castle Hill); Jack Smith, Teacher of Behavioral Disorders (Castle Hill); Katheryn Stainbrook, Teacher of Behavioral Disorders (Castle Hill); Penny Sturges, Teacher of Behavioral Disorders (Four Oaks, Gerard); William Aguiar, Teacher of Behavioral Disorders (TBD).
• Heard the first reading of revised board policy #402.2: Health Insurance for former employees.
• Heard the first reading of new board policy #101.6 Advisory Committees.
• Renewed agreement with Iowa Falls CSD for Sector Office lease.
• Held a strategy session for collective bargaining.
• Ratified collective bargaining contracts for 2010-2011 with AEA 267 Education Association and CWA.
• Held an exempt session to discuss non-union staff and administrative salaries for 2010-2011.

See related Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier article.

Ella Mae Gogel, a longtime board member of AEA 7 and later AEA 267, passed away on Monday, May 31 at the age of 82. Ella Mae was one of the original board members of AEA 7 when it was formed in 1975. She served AEA 7 and AEA 267 as a board member until her retirement from the board in April of 2008. Ella Mae worked tirelessly throughout her career as an advocate for all students–including those who were talented and gifted as well as those with special needs. She volunteered countless hours of service to a variety of causes in the Cedar Valley and was a well-known figure at both state and national conferences.  Services will be June 26 at 2:30 pm at St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center, 1019 West 23rd Street, Cedar Falls.

The June 7 Waterloo Courier featured a special tribute to Ella Mae. Read it here.

Greg Ehrig and Laurie Hayzlett are two AEA 267 staff members known to be riding in RAGBRAI this year. Are you? If so, let your colleagues know by posting a comment to this post so that they can support you! While the effort is informal and done on personal time, some staff members in InfoTech are already planning to cheer Ehrig and Hayzlett on along the RAGBRAI route. They invite everyone to get into the spirit and support our biking colleagues!

Get RAGBRAI route information and more here!

Summer hours officially began on Monday, June 7. Office hours will run from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Summer hours end Friday, August 13.

Are you retiring or resigning the end of this month? Please turn in all professional materials and AEA 267 owned equipment to your immediate supervisor before you go.

All mileage and expenses for July 1, 2009 thru June 30, 2010 must be submitted to the Business Office by Friday, July 2 to be paid on the July 15 mileage check.  This will be the final scheduled mileage check run for the 2009-10 fiscal year.  Please contact Kelly Johnson 319-268-7612 or Angela Graves 319-268-7633  in the Business Office with any questions.

Congratulations to Belmond-Klemme teacher, Don Dye, who has been voted “Top Teacher” on Live with Regis & Kelly! Don was chosen from a pool of five finalists for the honor which includes a $20,000 gift certificate from Staples for his school and a 2011 Ford Mustang convertible. Watch Don’s reaction as he learns he has won. We are proud of you!

Ninety-one percent of educators who responded to the 2010 Iowa Department of Education survey say that Area Education Agency 267 (AEA 267) services meet their professional needs. The survey, which has 13 basic questions about AEA services, yielded nearly 1,880 responses or about 37.6 % of the educators served by the agency.

Other results include:

• 85% of educators say that AEA 267 staff maintain good working relationships with them
• 85% of educators indicate that AEA 267 staff have the knowledge and skills needed to have a positive impact on their school
• 85% of educators say that AEA services have assisted in improving their classroom instruction and/or job-related practices
• 80% of educators believe AEA 267 is responsive to their local student learning needs
• 80% of educators indicate that AEA 267 delivers current and timely services.

“In the midst of an economically-challenged time for both the schools we serve and our agency, our staff are unwavering in their commitment to excellence,” said Dr. Dean Meier, chief administrator. “I continue to be incredibly proud of our staff members and the quality work they do.”

The 2010 Customer Feedback Survey data will be analyzed in a variety of ways including by district, sector, and educator group. Areas for growth and improvement will be identified and discussed as part of the agency’s overall action plan.

The Iowa Department of Education AEA customer feedback survey is administered to all Iowa educators annually.