The open enrollment for benefits will close on May 10. All benefits-eligible employees must complete this process even if declining insurance, making no changes, resigning, or retiring.
To complete enrollment, access the Portal and go to My Benefits > Benefits Enrollment.
Zoom recently released an update on April 27 to Version 5.0. To benefit from these updated features, you will need to ensure that you are logged into your Zoom account and your account is up to date.
If you need assistance, Central Rivers AEA Technology Support Services provide a wide range of support to staff during office closure. There are three ways to request IT support:
Many districts have submitted their 2020-2021 calendars, which are available online on the staff website under Resources > District Calendars. Continue to check back as the remaining calendars are submitted.
We made it to June! This meme seems to sum up perfectly how I’ve been feeling lately. It’s been an intense past few months and I think we are all anxious to make our best attempt at enjoying the nicer weather and more relaxed pace of summer, despite the fact that Covid-19 has not gone away and likely won’t for many more months.
Over the past several weeks, our agency administrative team, in support of the board, has been working on a “Return to Work” plan which began June 1. I use the word “return” a bit lightly because I know that the work didn’t stop for the majority of us while we have been working remotely. Our plan details are as follows:
Phase 1: Approximately June 1
Safety protocols were specifically designed for each of the following departments who have now physically returned to work (or will in the coming days). Our Phase I staff members can’t physically do their work from a remote setting which necessitated their return along with the fact that they have essential responsibilities to perform. We appreciate their commitment to keeping vital services such as equipment repair, custodial maintenance, printing, and the processing of media materials operational.
Phase 2: Approximately August 1
In Phase 2, we will move from essential/critical workers to lower exposure risk staff (office-based) who are eligible to return to a physical office location. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) defines these workers as having minimal occupational contact with the public and other co-workers. Office-based staff are considered lower exposure risk given that they have limited public contact and social distancing is easy to accommodate. Others may continue to work from home as deemed appropriate and necessary by their supervisor. Those employee groups who are identified as eligible to return to the office during Phase 2 include:
Each department is developing unique safety protocols in collaboration with Human Resources to mitigate risk and create an environment that is as safe as possible in light of what we know today about the spread of the virus. These protocols will be shared with “Phase 2” staff members prior to returning in August. Special considerations will be given to those employees deemed to be in a high risk category. If you feel that this applies to you, please contact the Human Resources department.
For those staff members who work primarily out in schools, reaching a conclusion on specific protocols will be heavily dependent on the Return To Learn plans that are developed by each district and due July 1. Rest assured that the agency will have a strong voice in the conversation to ensure that Central Rivers AEA employees are put in the safest position possible while delivering service. Much more to come on this topic as details begin to emerge! Also note that because Covid-19 is an evolving pandemic, our decisions may change as we continue to stay in conversation with public health officials and analyze the data in our area. This is still a very fluid situation.
Questions about returning to work? More specific details and direction will likely be coming from your supervisor. In the meantime, feel free to share any questions, concerns or ideas with Karl Kurt, who is heading up our Return to Work effort.
Earlier this week, the Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors authorized Chief Administrator, Sam Miller, to pay hourly and/or non-exempt employees and contracted, salaried and management employees their customary and regular pay, for a period extending through the end of the fiscal year during the temporary closure. The resolutions also state that if the Central Rivers AEA operations continue to be closed through the end of the fiscal year (i.e., later than June 30, 2020), then the Board shall reconvene and determine what authority, if any, the Chief Administrator has to continue paying hourly and/or non-exempt employees and contracted, salaried and management employees during the temporary closure.
We can’t thank our Central Rivers AEA board enough for their support during this challenging time!
The Open Enrollment period for insurance will be April 20 through May 10. Even if you do not take insurance, you must go through the open enrollment process, which can be found on the Portal under My Benefits > Benefits Enrollment. Be sure to go through each step carefully.
Information regarding the plans is under My Benefits > 2020-21 Insurance Information.
An insurance presentation for all staff will be held on Thursday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m. and the Zoom information to join is below.
Join Zoom Meeting on Apr 23, 2020, 1:00 PM
https://zoom.us/j/94207741241
Meeting ID: 942 0774 1241
One tap mobile: +13126266799,,94207741241#
Help celebrate Administrative Professionals Day on April 22 by taking the time to recognize our outstanding office support staff. This group of office support staff have been instrumental in helping keep the agency up and running during the temporary closure. We couldn’t do what we do without them!
Please join us in congratulating our retirees and recognizing them for their dedication and years of service to the agency. Those retiring this year include:
This year’s retirement celebration will look a little different due to the pandemic crisis and we will be holding a virtual celebration May 15, beginning at 9:00 am. The following Zoom information can be used to join the celebration:
Join Zoom Celebration
https://centralriversaea.zoom.
Meeting ID: 973 4359 3270
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,97343593270#
While our Navigate wellness portal is still open and you can still earn points for your efforts, our Human Resources department is also rolling out Wellness Wednesdays to help us navigate our “new normal” during the pandemic. This new initiative is designed to help keep us connected as an agency and is filled with tips, resources, and fun activities to support your health and well-being. Check in each Wednesday or any day of the week that you need a little mental break.
Tired of seeing your living room or kitchen behind you during your multiple Zoom meetings each week? Worried you forgot to pick up the kids’ toys before you clicked ‘join’? We’ve got the solution – use one of the new agency branded backgrounds!
If you need assistance, reach out to the Tech Help Desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org or call 319-273-8231.
