The Channel

The Channel - a blog for Central Rivers AEA staff and board members blog site header

Category: Uncategorized

  • New name, new website, new email addresses…when do we make the transition?

    Central Rivers AEA logoThe branding work team continues to work diligently on the list of tasks associated with rebranding our agency. We are excited to announce that our new email addresses (first initial last name@centralriversaea.org) and website (www.centralriversaea.org) will be rolled out between June 16-19. Signage will begin being installed at all three of our locations in mid to late June.

    Several staff members have asked about gaining access to our new logos so that they can begin adding them to 2017-18 forms and documents. This Google folder contains several variations of the agency logo for staff member use. However, please do not begin using the new logo on documents to be distributed before July 1. Also, please reference the Central Rivers AEA Imaging Standards when using our new brand and leave the heavier design work to our graphic artists in Creative Services. Letterhead, envelopes, business cards, etc. are all being created and will be ready for use after July 1.

    Questions? Contact Beth Strike.

  • Join us for upcoming retirement celebrations

    Wedding bouquet closeupPlease plan to attend one or more of the upcoming retirement open houses honoring AEA 267’s 2017 retirees. The celebrations will be held on Tuesday, May 16 in the Cedar Falls Conference Center; Wednesday, May 17 in the Clear Lake Office; and Thursday, May 18 in the Marshalltown Office from 3:30-5 p.m. at all locations.

    These celebrations present a wonderful opportunity to congratulate our honorees and recognize them for their dedication and years of service. Those being honored this year include:

    Cedar Falls

    Clear Lake

    Marshalltown

     

  • Reminder: All staff meeting set for August 14

    Mark your calendars! Our first all-staff meeting as Central Rivers Area Education Agency will be held on August 14 at our new headquarters at 1521 Technology Parkway in Cedar Falls! We will start the day with social time and registration from 8:30-9 a.m. and are are planning a fun day complete with recognitions, inspiration and “edutainment” by Monte Selby. A detailed agenda will be sent out closer to the actual date. Plan to end the day by 3:30 pm or before depending on work group.

  • May Board Recap

    The AEA 267 Board of Directors met Wednesday, May 3, 2017 in the Cedar Falls Conference Center. The board packet is available online and the minutes will be published online after approval at the next month’s board meeting.

  • Staff member finds success in part through use of walking desk

    Kirsten Moore walks off the pounds on the walking desk in the Cedar Falls office.
    Kirsten Moore walks off the pounds on the walking desk in the Cedar Falls office.

    Congratulations to Kirsten Moore, who has achieved great success in her fitness efforts. After signing up for a fitness course in 2015, Kirsten began to modify her diet and then began using both a standing desk and the walking desk in the office. Over time she has lost a total of 15 pounds!

    Are you curious about how the use of a standing or walking desk can improve your health? Contact Karl Kurt, Assistant Chief Administrator/ Director of Human Resources for more information.

  • Wellness challenge results

    The Polar Bears may not have won the challenge, but team members Andy Smith, Laurie Huftalin, Shira Gebel, Sally Wolfe and Edie Penno, went out of their way to make fitness fun! The team participated in the Polar Plunge in the Cedar River to raise money for Floyd County Search and Rescue. Congratulations to the team on winning best costume and to team member Edie Penno who was named "oldest shiver"!
    The Polar Bears may not have won the challenge, but team members Andy Smith, Laurie Huftalin, Shira Gebel, Sally Wolfe and Edie Penno, went out of their way to make fitness fun! The team participated in the Polar Plunge in the Cedar River to raise money for Floyd County Search and Rescue. Congratulations to the team on winning best costume and to team member Edie Penno who was named “oldest shiver”!

    After 10 weeks of dedication to a healthier lifestyle by 14 teams, the results are in. Team rankings are below, along with the average score of participants in each team out of a possible 50 points.

    Team Percentile Ranking Avg. Score of Participants
    CreACTIVE Services 88% 44
    Fuchsia Fury (Region 11) 86% 43
    Healthy Habits 83% 42
    Southern Therapy Chicks (Region 9) 79% 40
    Roundabouts (Region 6) 79% 39
    Beverly’s Hillbillies (Region 1) 78% 39
    Rock Stars (Region 10) 77% 38
    Underground Roadies (Region 3) 76% 38
    Sam’s Club 73% 36.5
    EMS Wellness (Region 5) 73% 36.4
    Hot Mess Success 67% 33
    Willing, But Reluctant (Region 2) 63% 31
    Crazy 8s (Region 8) 62% 31
    The Polar Bears (Region 4) 50% 25

    Congratulations to everyone who participated in this fun challenge to promote wellness! The fist place team takes home $200.40; the second place team wins $100.20, and the third place team receives $33.40. 

  • Update on changes in leadership roles

    Melissa Tandy
    Welcome Melissa Tandy, Regional Administrator for Region 8 beginning July 1, 2017

    We would like to take this opportunity to announce a new leadership appointment to support the integrated services model in addition to some new Regional Administrator assignments. The AEA 267 Administrative Cabinet made a decision to identify a “Lead Regional Administrator” whose primary role will be to help ensure unified efforts across our regions, our disciplines, and to help support Amy Knupp in her new role as an Executive Director. The lead will also serve as a liaison to the Administrative Cabinet helping to ensure that goals and actions are implemented with fidelity in addition to monitoring results. Justin Stockdale has been tapped for this new role which will begin on July 1. Congratulations, Justin!

    With Justin taking on additional responsibilities, the agency has asked Melissa Hesner to assume his role in Region 7 (Waterloo), reassigned Justin to Region 10, and hired a new Regional Administrator for Region 8.

    The agency welcomes Melissa Tandy, currently a Facilitator of Special Education with Grant Wood AEA to the new Regional Administrator position for Region 8. Melissa holds Masters degrees in both Teaching (emphasis in Special Education/Multi-categorical Disabilities; Secondary Education) and Education (emphasis in Educational Leadership). In addition to her role as a Facilitator for Special Education, she has served as a Special Education Consultant, and secondary special education teacher. Welcome Melissa!

    These reassignments will take place on July 1. Thank you in advance for your patience, open-mindedness and flexibility during the upcoming transition!