Our agency’s annual review of mandatory policies and procedural items are now available! For viewing, please visit the document as there are important updates to read. A few examples include:
Agency Operations (such as our vision, values, equity updates, etc.)
Navigating and understanding the important items in your Weblink portal
Quick links available on our new staff intranet
There is plenty of information to go through, please contact Shirley Horak or Robin Billerbeck, in HR with any questions.
Don’t forget to change your voicemail greeting and schedule an “away” message to your email during both the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday breaks so that callers and/or e-mailers will know when they can expect to hear from you. All Central Rivers AEA offices will be closed on November 23-24 in observance of Thanksgiving.
Voicemail example: “Hello, this is (your name). Our office will be closed beginning Thursday, November 23 and will reopen on Monday, November 27. Please leave your name, telephone number and a brief message and I will return your call on the 27. Thank you and happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Central Rivers AEA.”
Email “away” message example: Thank you for your email. I will be out of the office beginning Thursday, November 23 and will respond to your email upon my return on Monday, November 27. Thank you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Please note the office closure dates for the Christmas holiday break are Monday, December 25, 2023 – January 1, 2024. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 2.If you need assistance with either task, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org or 319-273-8231.
With winter almost here, be sure you are signed up to receive Central Rivers AEA weather alerts* via text, call or email regarding office closings or professional learning cancellations. *If you are already signed up, you do not have to do anything.
Staff members can contact Shirley Horak, Human Resources Coordinator,for assistance with signing up.
Empowered is a student-driven, authentic, work-based learning project that provides our students with opportunities to grow their employability skills and Universal Constructs, (critical thinking, communication, creativity, collaboration, flexibility, adaptability, productivity and accountability skills) while in attendance at one of our special programs including youth shelter classrooms (Woodhaven & Brookhaven), detention center classrooms (North Iowa Juvenile Detention Services & Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center) and River Hills School.
This Central Rivers AEA initiative provides students with authentic learning experiences through community partnerships. “Empowered students would like to help Central Rivers AEA celebrate 50 years of AEAs actively serving our communities and schools,” said an Empowered student. “We created custom merchandise and apparel for you to show your pride and honor the 50th anniversary.”Purchase your short or long sleeve custom shirts on the Empowered website. Reach out to Brian Foster, Work Experience Coordinator, with questions.
Micro-credential Incentive Deadlines: December 1 or June 3
Once again this year, Central Rivers AEA will support staff to enhance their well-being with a $250 incentive offered to all staff that submit evidence to earn the Awareness of Internal Energy micro-credential, found in our On-Demand Library. To receive the $250 incentive in your December check, please submit your evidence document for review by December 1, 2023. All evidence submitted by December 1 will be reviewed by Leslie Moore. You may also submit evidence of implementation by June 3 to receive payment in June of 2024.
Please read the micro-credential explanation document for more information on micro-credentials, or login and register in CRAEA’s On-Demand Library by selecting “Micro-credential” in the “Categories” drop down. You will also need to register in the AEA Professional Learning System. You have the opportunity to register as a “participant only” for $0 or to earn License Renewal Credit for $35. If you have registration questions, please contact Angie Gansen.
Core Energy Mythbusters!
While we often have hunches about what type of energy others might be experiencing, we can’t know for sure. Their energy is based on their thoughts and emotions, and it’s not helpful to tell someone what you think they are experiencing or to label them as “being catabolic.” What CAN be helpful is to clarify and affirm them. Clarifying happens when we listen intuitively, connecting without judgment, in order to summarize what was said. (“You’re frustrated because the meeting was held without contacting you.”) After they respond, it can then help to affirm them by normalizing what they seem to be feeling. (“It’s natural to be upset when you want to be included as a part of them team.”) Remember, we can also clarify and affirm ourselves with whatever we are experiencing!
Interested in 1:1 Core Energy Coaching?
If you are a Central Rivers Staff member, one of the well-being and leadership benefits is access to Core Energy Coaching with Certified Professional Coach, Dr. Leslie Moore. Sessions are one hour via Zoom, confidential, scheduled by you through Google Calendar invitations, and are based on your individual Energy Leadership Index results. For more information or questions, email Leslie at lmoore@centralriversaea.org.
This November, take time to share a positive thought, a small thank you or even a shout-out to your teammates. We often are so busy with the day to day we forget or don’t have the opportunity to spread a little love.
You will have the opportunity to contribute multiple statements on our Virtual Gratitude Wall and/or handwrite a message on the Tree of Thanks that will be at each office location. Sometimes, it’s the little things in life that can turn a person’s day around!
Have you taken Unconscious Bias training and want more? The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee invites you to join us in a DEI-focused book study!
All interested Central Rivers AEA staff will complete a short Google Form regarding interest and potential books.
Based on the responses, a book will be selected and you will receive an email including the book title, a study guide and a schedule for the book study.
We understand everyone is busy, so we will divide the book into sections to complete prior to our meeting.
All meetings will be held via Zoom to discuss the book and dig deeper into learning, understanding and growing together.
The book study will begin in January 2024.
If you are interested in participating in the DEI Book Study please complete this short form. We look forward to hearing from you and supporting each other as we navigate our DEI journey! Reach out to Dr. Dana Miller or MaKenzie Hakeman with questions.
The 2024 Central Rivers AEA All-Staff Kickoff meeting will be held on Friday, August 16. Please add this date to your calendar. The meeting will be held in the Cedar Falls conference center, and attendance is mandatory for all CRAEA employees.
Other important 2024 dates include:
Wednesday, August 14, 2024: CRAEA New Staff Orientation
Thursday, August 15, 2024: CRAEA New Staff Mentoring
Details about the day will be shared in a future monthly edition of The Channel.
The University of Northern Iowa School Psychology Program is partnering with Central Rivers AEA, Great Prairie AEA and Northwest AEA for the “Grow Your Own” program.
We will have a meeting to discuss the program at the Cedar Falls office on Thursday, October 12 at 3 pm (or join via Zoom https://buff.ly/46C00ft).
Reach out to Amy Knupp, Executive Director of Special Education, with questions.
Plan now to join Chief Administrator, Joel Pedersen, for coffee with the chief! This is a great opportunity to hear virtual updates on agency events, current trends in K-12 education and have any questions or concerns you have answered. All of the meetings will be held via Zoom and on Fridays, starting at 8 am. So, grab a cup of coffee or your favorite morning beverage and join us!
Mark your calendars for Monday, October 9 for a training with new website editors! The training, led by Phil Hendricks and Contessa Van Buskirk, will be held from 9-10 am, via Zoom. We will stay on Zoom from 10-10:30 am to answer any extra questions editors may have.
For those that cannot attend, this training will be recorded and sent out with a slide deck resource after the meeting. The resource/Zoom recording will also be available on the staff website in the upcoming week. Reach out to Phil or Contessa with questions.
