If you missed the last Coffee with The Chief, the link to the recording and passcode to view can be found below. The next Zoom meetings will be held in 2024 on February 9 and April 12.
We are excited for the opportunity to participate in giving back to our communities again this holiday season! This year, we are partnering with the Toys for Tots campaign with drop off locations at each of our three main Central Rivers AEA offices. From now until December 11, please help donate new toys to give children a better Christmas season.
Last year, Toys for Tots impacted over 31,000 children in the Cedar Falls, Clear Lake, and Des Moines (includes Marshalltown) areas. Toys for Tots is not just for young children – they give gifts to all children up to age 18, living in the home. The older kids need personal care items, clothing and other accessories. The following is a more detailed list of items needed other than toys.
All donations are appreciated and there are never too many gifts because Toys for Tots distributes remaining gifts all year long, giving to hospitals and other organizations with a need! Drop off your new and unwrapped toy or gift item at one of our office locations by December 11. Questions can be directed to Laura Rinnels, Administrative Assistant at 641-329-4244.
Don’t forget to change your voicemail greeting and schedule an “away” message to your email during the Christmas holiday break 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 December 25 – January 1 for the Christmas holiday break. All CRAEA offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 2.
“Hello, this is (your name). Our office will be closed beginning Monday, December 25 and will reopen on Tuesday, January 2. Please leave your name, telephone number and a brief message and I will return your call on the 2nd. Thank you and happy holidays from all of us at Central Rivers AEA.”
Thank you for your email. All Central Rivers AEA offices are closed December 25-January 1 for the holiday break, so I will be out of the office beginning Monday, December 25 and will respond to your email upon my return on Tuesday, January 2. Thank you, have a wonderful holiday season and happy new year!
If you need assistance with either task, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org or 319-273-8231.
Central Rivers AEA is a Make It OK organization. Custom shirts are available to order from our Central Rivers AEA Empowered students!
Make It OK is a community campaign to reduce stigma by increasing understanding and creating caring conversations about mental illness. Some important key messages behind this campaign include:
Visit MakeItOk.org to learn more about the campaign and “What to Say.”
The first step in helping to stop the silence is to take the pledge to Make It OK. By signing this pledge, you’re taking a stand against the mental illness stigma. Pass it on. Print it out. Tape it up. It can serve as a reminder to start more conversations and stop the stigma. Together, we can Make It OK. Take the pledge and Make It OK.
Dive into the Make It OK interactive experiences at your own pace to learn more about how you can help Make It OK.
It is that time of year to remind staff of the procedures for office closures due to inclement weather. The FAQ document provides a lot of information and specific examples for your reference.
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.
There is a new link available on the staff website to order lost/broken silver name tags or updated photo ID badges. Directions can be found below.
Reach out to Robin Billerbeck, Human Resources Specialist, with questions.
Let’s kick off the 2024 New Year by celebrating you as a parent/guardian/caretaker. Important details can be found below.
Please reach out to Loni Jorgenson, Family Educator Partnership Coordinator, for questions or check out the flyer for more information.
You are invited to celebrate the winter season at one of our hot cocoa bars! We will have a cocoa bar set up at the three main locations, beginning December 13. (River Hills to celebrate at a later date, TBD). Stop by, say hi, put your feet up and sip a hot cup of cocoa! If you are unable to make it to an office location during that time frame, contact Robin Billerbeck before December 15.
Join in on the fun and submit a photo of yourself, your pet, your family, your elf or anything that screams, “ugly sweater!”
Starting on December 20, we will be re-introducing our wellness bingo initiative! Inspired by the principles of “Educator Wellness” from Tina Boogren and Timothy Kanold, this program is designed to enhance the well-being of our staff across four key dimensions: Physical, Mental, Emotional and Social Wellness.
Over the next six months, our wellness bingo offers a unique and engaging way for you to prioritize your health and happiness. Each square on your bingo card will represent an activity or challenge that aligns with one of the wellness dimensions. We will focus on one specific dimension for the first four months and some integration of all the dimensions for the last two months. Whether it’s a physical exercise, a mental puzzle, an activity to boost your emotional health or a task to enhance social connections, each completed activity brings you closer to filling out your bingo card!
As a token of appreciation for your commitment to wellness, if you complete 20 out of the 25 activities, you’ll earn the incentive. The incentive is a $25 gift certificate (coupon code) from a large number of possible vendors.
Remember, this is more than just a game – it’s an opportunity to embrace a holistic approach to your well-being, find balance and enjoy the journey towards a healthier, happier you! Get ready to mark those squares, explore some wellness activities, and most importantly, have fun while doing it! Complete details will be sent out to all staff on December 20.
