The Channel

Mike Lonning, River Hills School Principal

After 35 years of service to the children and families served by the Area Education Agency (AEA) system, Mike Lonning will retire from his position as principal of River Hills School, effective August 31, 2022.

The Central Rivers Area Education Agency Board of Directors acted on Lonning’s resignation during their regular meeting on January 5, and appointed Kelsey Baker, currently serving as an Assistant Principal for River Hills, to the position.

Lonning started his career with AEA 7 in 1987 as a Teacher of Behavior Disorders at Van Eaton School. He later held several positions including Interim Principal at River Hills, Evaluation Facilitator Interventionist Specialist, and Administrative Intern with Four Oaks  before becoming principal of River Hills School in 2008. 

“I sincerely appreciate the great support the agency has provided me over the years and for taking a chance on me over 13 years ago as a new principal at River Hills,” said Mike. “It’s been an honor to have the opportunity to be part of the incredible multidisciplinary team at River Hills. Though team members have changed from year to year, their inspiration and motivation had as much of a positive effect on me personally, as they undoubtedly had on the students, families, and districts we serve.”

“Mike has been an incredible leader for this agency,” said Sam Miller, Chief Administrator. “He is deeply respected by the River Hills community of educators and families and has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the students. We wish him all the best in retirement but know that Kelsey will bring the same level of passion to the role. We are grateful for the time Kelsey has spent learning under Mike’s tutelage.”

Prior to serving as assistant principal, Kelsey Baker has served area students and families as a School Psychologist with the Area Education Agency system beginning in 2007. She has also served as a clinician with the Malcolm Price Lab School as well as worked one-on-one with children through Exceptional Persons, Inc. (See related story about her appointment to the role of Assistant Principal at River Hills School in 2021.)

She holds a School Psychologist Specialist and Masters degree from the University of Northern Iowa, a Masters in Education degree through Dordt University, as well as a Bachelors of Education degree from Wartburg College. She was named Iowa School Psychologist of the Year in 2020 and authored the book, “Our Special Family” which highlights family diversity and uniqueness.

“I’ve seen firsthand that River Hills makes a difference for our amazing students every day. Our staff is dedicated to students and embodies an individualized education for each student. I am excited to continue learning and be a part of such excellence!”

Kelsey will begin her new position on July 1, 2022.

The Equity Committee met on January 6 to further plan for the upcoming focus groups to take place later this month. Much of the conversation centered around how to ensure that we have accurate representation in the groups, including increasing the number of staff of color and support staff who participate.

As a reminder, focus groups will…

• Take place during the span of January 5 -19  (8:30 – 10:30 am or 2 – 4 pm)
• Be conducted via Zoom
• Consist of 10 – 12 participants per focus group – that’s 100+ participants! 

If you are interested in participating in a focus group, please sign up on the CRAEA Equity Audit: Focus Group interest form ASAP!

In the survey above, please select all times that would work for you. All feedback will be reported anonymously and will greatly inform our understanding of the work the agency needs to do to become a more equitable organization. 

Please understand, we will be prioritizing participants who represent varied roles and populations which have been traditionally underrepresented within the organization. We will notify you by email if you have been selected for participation.

If you choose not to participate in focus groups, or if you are not selected based on availability or other determining factors, we would encourage you to provide feedback in survey form. A link to the survey will be emailed to all staff in the near future.

We greatly value your input and strongly encourage you to consider participating. As we aspire to be a more equitable and inclusive Agency, we are seeking your insights and feedback.  

Please reach out to Karl Kurt if you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding our Equity Audit and/or the process. 

Thank you to everyone who completed the Accessibility Self-Paced Training Course! We appreciate the time and effort each of you put in to expand your knowledge and skills regarding accessibility. Based on feedback from the course reflection, we wanted to provide you with some examples as well as some tips and tricks to ensure content that you create digitally will be accessible to everyone. We will continue to explore and address as many of your questions as possible. If you have any questions or need support, please contact the CRAEA help desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org.

Reminder of CRAEA’s expectations regarding accessibility: Digital accessibility is not only a legal requirement, but an obligation to ensure everyone can utilize our products and services. Creating an inclusive digital environment will provide access to our resources and limit barriers while enhancing participation among those we support and serve.
When creating content digitally, always consider the audience. You cannot assume your content regardless of the format (Documents, Slides, Sheets or the web) will not be accessed by someone who has a disability. Our job is to create opportunities, not obstacles.

Examples of assistive technology in action

• Using Braille Display
• Accessible PDF Screen reader demo is a good example of how headings are utilized by a screen reader.

Tips and tricks for you to try!

Did you know that you can adjust the speed of almost any video by clicking on the gear in the lower right hand corner of the video and selecting a speed that is comfortable for you. This works not only on YouTube videos, but also videos that are in your Google Drive, from Screencastify, Flipgrid videos, Vimeo, etc. When watching a video, look for a gear, three dots, etc. in the lower right corner and see if adjusting the playback speed is available.

playback speed options.

Did you know?

Approximately what percentage of the population between the ages of 18 and 44 have some difficulty hearing to a lot of difficulty hearing, even with a hearing aid? (according to data compiled by the CDC in 2019)

1. 2%
2. 5%
3. 7%
4. 12%

CORRECT ANSWER- 7%!
See this graph below for more info.

Figure 1. Percentage of adults aged 18 and over with difficulty hearing even when using a hearing aid, by age group: United States, 2019

NOTES: Hearing limitation is based on responses to the survey question, “Do you have difficulty hearing, even when using a hearing aid? Would you say no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty, or you cannot do this at all?” Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population

The board of directors approved the office calendar for 2022-23 during their meeting this week. The calendar contains the required 260 workdays and lists holidays and office closed days for the school year. A downloadable copy of the calendar can also be found on the staff website under Resources.

Plan now to join Chief Administrator Sam Miller on Friday, February 4, at 8:00 am for a virtual update on agency events and current trends in K-12 education. This is a great opportunity to get any questions or concerns you have have answered.  So grab a cup of coffee or your favorite morning beverage and join us!

Zoom information to join:

• https://centralriversaea.zoom.us/j/81908784702
• Meeting ID: 819 0878 4702
• One tap mobile  +13126266799,,81908784702# US

Mistakes – we’ve all been there!  Have you ever been working in Chrome and accidentally closed a browser tab?  Here are two easy ways to get your tab back:

• Use the Ctrl + Shift + T keyboard shortcut on a PC and Cmd + Shift + T on a Mac, or
• Right-click on your Chrome tab bar > Reopen closed tab

• Another very common frustration is working on a project and you accidentally make a mistake that could potentially undo all your great work. Happily, you can reverse the mistake with one easy keyboard shortcut: 
  • Ctrl + Z on a PC and Cmd + Z on Macs. 

Most programs have an Undo command that reverts back to the last change you made to your current project.  This can come in handy and just knowing the feature is available can be a big relief!

A newly launched learning center now available from Zoom!  The Learning Center, a free online platform that educates and empowers users to confidently use Zoom through a series of short, on-demand online courses and videos.  The Learning Center currently offers courses on Zoom Phone, Meetings, Webinars, and Rooms, along with being continuously enhanced and updated with the launch of new features and products.  With engaging content for new and experienced Zoom users, there is truly something for everyone so that you can work and collaborate more effectively on Zoom.

To get started with the Learning Center, please follow the link, sign-in with your Zoom account, and choose “Start Learning”.  Users will automatically be enrolled in the “Getting Started with the Learning Center” and “Getting Started with Zoom” courses.  We recommend that you start here to get acquainted with the platform and general layout of the courses.  From there, you can explore different learning paths, learn more about the products Zoom offers, and become an expert on all things Zoom.

If you have any questions or need technical assistance, please contact the Help Desk at: 319-273-8231 or helpdesk@centralriversaea.org.      

Roberta Kraft-Abrahamson

Congratulations and happy retirement to Roberta Kraft-Abrahamson, former Director District 1!

During her time at Central Rivers AEA (CRAEA), Roberta served 19 years on the board and 25 years at CRAEA in various roles including:

• Speech-Language-Pathologist (SLP)
• Parent Educator Coordinator
• Sector Coordinator
• School Social Worker

“Roberta was always a knowledgeable, solution-focused and caring board member,” said Sam Miller. “She constantly used her AEA experience to further our mission.”

Thank you for your 44 years of service to Central Rivers AEA, Roberta!  You will be missed!

Nicole Lovik-Blaser, Director District 1

The Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors met Wednesday, December 8 in Cedar Falls for the annual organizational meeting. Three district representatives were up for re-election this year and one new candidate filed for election. 

Congratulations to those re-elected to serve: Dr. Debra Rich, Director District 2; Dr. Tony Reid, Director District 7; and Bryan Burton, Director District 8.

Congratulations and welcome to Nicole Lovik-Blaser for being elected as Director District 1 to replace Roberta Kraft Abrahamason who recently retired from the board. 

Nicole sought election to the board because she believes in the work being done by CRAEA and also believes that public education is in need of the supplemented resources an AEA can provide, telling us, “Public education is vital in a democracy like ours – the opportunity it provides equally to every student is something we all should work to be proud of.  The support CRAEA gives students is phenomenal, and I am excited to be part of a great organization like CRAEA!”

Nicole is a Communication and Media Studies graduate from Waldorf University. She served as Director for the Forest City Education Foundation and is now in technology sales. Nicole’s husband, Jason, is a math teacher in Forest City.  She has three children; Trey, a junior at the University of Northern Iowa, Cooper, a seventh-grader and Brinley, a fifth-grader. Nicole’s favorite quote is, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi

While serving on the board, Nicole hopes to educate residents in her surrounding communities about the resources available to them through CRAEA. “The available opportunities provided by the AEA to students, families, teachers and schools are truly beneficial,” said Nicole. “I look forward to being a liaison and a positive representative of everything that Central Rivers AEA embodies.”

Join us in welcoming Nicole and in giving a huge thank you to the entire Board of Directors for leading the agency through another successful year of operations!

As part of the spectrum of health and wellbeing support the agency is offering staff, a cadre of administrators with advanced training in the INspired Leadership model have agreed to serve as coaches to agency staff. Coaching is available to work through challenging situations, process your own energy/thinking, and self-identify forward moving actions to ensure better results for both yourself and those the agency serves.

Learn more about the Internal Coaching program, including how to access coaches, today!

The Equity Committee met on November 4 and December 6 to continue with our equity audit work. Prior to the meetings, committee members completed a survey to identify potential priority areas for our audit.  The committee reviewed the survey results and engaged in small group discussions to take a deeper look into root causes, discuss what areas members felt would have the greatest impact, our current levels of readiness, and potential long-term implications.

The committee determined that our two focus areas will be: 

• Infrastructure/Resources—The organization has committed resources and structures to support equity work.
• Professional Development—The organization fosters ongoing equity learning and growth for its staff and stakeholders.

As part of this audit, we will be collecting staff feedback through a series of focus groups, as well as gathering the perspectives and input of all stakeholders through an anonymous survey.  

Focus groups will…

• Take place during the span of January 5 -19  (8:30 – 10:30 am or 2 – 4 pm)
• Be conducted via Zoom
• Consist of 10 – 12 participants per focus group – that’s 100+ participants! 

If you are interested in participating in a focus group, please sign up on the CRAEA Equity Audit: Focus Group interest form no later than December 17.

In the survey above, please select all times that would work for you. All feedback will be reported anonymously and will greatly inform our understanding of the work the agency needs to do to become a more equitable organization. 

Please understand, we will be prioritizing participants who represent varied roles and populations which have been traditionally underrepresented within the organization. We will notify you by email if you have been selected for participation by Dec 23. 

If you choose not to participate in focus groups, or if you are not selected based on availability or other determining factors, we would encourage you to provide feedback in survey form. A link to the survey will be emailed to all staff the first week of January. 

 We greatly value your input and strongly encourage you to consider participating. As we aspire to be a more equitable and inclusive Agency, we are seeking your insights and feedback.  

Please reach out to Karl Kurt if you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding our Equity Audit and/or the process. 

It is that time of year to remind staff of the procedures for office closures due to inclement weather.  This FAQ document provides a lot of information and specific examples for your reference.  However, in the interest of hitting the main takeaways, we offer the following condensed version:

All-Staff

You may arrive up to an hour late for work without using leave time or making up the time within the week if you find yourself in a unique weather circumstance that causes your delay.

It is expected that you will make contact with your supervisor to let him/her know your situation immediately upon knowing that you will be delayed so that s/he is assured that you are safe and an adjustment to your day can be made if necessary. 

260-Day Staff

*For 260-day full-time staff, if the office is closed or has an early out due to inclement weather, the time will be paid but you may be required to work or choose to work, for all or part of the day, based on your role, responsibilities, supervisor, and deadlines.  

*For 260-day full-time staff, scheduled leave will not be granted back to you during inclement weather, except in extraordinary circumstances.  

Certified Support Staff and Non-Instructional Staff (less than 260 days)

If I’m an hourly employee (less than 260-day) assigned to an AEA office and there is an office closure, how is my time impacted?

• Early Dismissal (AEA Office): The rest of the day will be forgiven (paid). Hourly staff must clock out at departure. The supervisor will make the time clock adjustment using the Inclement Weather job code for the actual time missed.   However, you may be required or choose to work, for all or part of the day, based on your role, responsibilities, supervisor and deadlines.  
• Office Closed: You must make up the day. Please submit a Work Year Calendar Adjustment to your supervisor no later than the Monday following the pay week. Once approved, it is routed to the Business Office to change your calendar in TimeClock Plus.

What happens if I am a certified support staff employee and there is a closure at your assigned AEA office and assigned school?

• Early Dismissal: The rest of the day will be forgiven (paid).  However, you may be required or choose to work, for all or part of the day, based on your role, responsibilities, supervisor and deadlines.  
• Office and Assigned School Closed: You must make up the day. Please submit a work calendar adjustment. (Note: If your assigned school is open, you must work.)

Hourly Staff

Hourly staff do NOT need to clock in/out when working remotely during inclement weather, except for maintenance/custodial staff.  The supervisor will make the time clock adjustment using the Inclement Weather job code for the actual time missed.  

The FAQ document was produced to assist in clarifying the agency’s procedures for inclement weather questions.  Please reference as needed and contact your supervisor if you have any questions.

We want to share an important update about your Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP can help you with your day-to-day concerns or provide guidance through a challenging situation. The EAP includes no-cost confidential help, referrals, and resources for issues like depression, stress management, financial or legal concerns, marital difficulties, anxiety, eldercare, and more.

The provider of your EAP service has recently changed their name and logo to LifeWorks. They are still the same company bringing you the same no-cost confidential help you need – just with new branding. Their phone number and website address will remain the same.

And don’t forget that your EAP also has a virtual fitness platform called LIFT. It’s an accessible, effective, and affordable way for you to reach your fitness goals.

For more details, download the Updated EAP Employee Packet (includes updated flyer, LIFT, and telemedicine information).

Holiday giving opportunity for the shelters
If you would like to donate funds to purchase holiday stockings filled with goodies for each student and a special catered holiday meal at each shelter location (Four Oaks, Woodhaven & Francis Lauer Youth Shelter), simply click on the ”GoFundMe” account. The deadline for giving is Monday, December 13.  Any excess funds will be used to purchase classroom games, books, supplies and personal items.

Coffee with the Chief recording available
A recording of today’s Coffee with the Chief is available to view for those who were not able to join us.  (Passcode: q6AG8@r9)

The next opportunity to visit with Sam and agency directors will be on Friday, February 4, at 8am via Zoom: https://centralriversaea.zoom.us/j/81908784702.

Weather notifications
With winter weather right around the corner, 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. Staff members can contact Shirley Horak, Human Resources Coordinator for assistance on signing up.

Holiday break – December 24-January 2
Central Rivers AEA offices will be closed for the Christmas holiday break, beginning Friday, December 24. Offices will reopen on Monday, January 3. Don’t forget to change your voicemail greeting and schedule an “away” message to your email so that callers and/or e-mailers will know when they can expect to hear from you. Detailed instructions can be found in last month’s edition of The Channel. 

The week of Christmas, office staff may dress a bit more casually (nice jeans, festive shirt/sweater), if desired.  Please keep in mind that your attire needs to be based on your role and responsibilities during that week.