The Channel

It’s hard to believe that it’s time once again for what’s quickly becoming an annual tradition. The Ugly Christmas Sweater competition will be held on December 19 for Rivers Hills staff and December 20 for all others. Separate contests will be held at each location with first place prizes of $25 gift cards and runner-up prize of $15 gift cards. Feel free to pair that ugly sweater with jeans as is appropriate for the day’s responsibilities. Let the games begin and the odds be ever in your favor! Happy holidays!

Hats off to the Marshalltown staff who worked together to make blankets for families impacted by tornado damage. Many children and families will be warmer this winter because of your efforts. Amazing!

The Climate & Culture Committee wishes to thank staff for participating in the Crazy Sock Day!  Overall, Central Rivers AEA raised $746.00 in donations to be given to the House of Compassion in Marshalltown.  The Clear Lake office staff raised the most money.

Great job everyone! The money collected will help families during the holidays who were affected by the tornado.

Just a friendly reminder that employees on a reduced contract will continue to have that option. Reduced contracts are considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the programmatic and workload needs of each department or discipline. Key considerations are overall efficiency and capacity to ensure equitable service to children, families and educators.

Should you have a question about reduced contract status, please contact your supervisor or Karl Kurt, Assistant Chief Administrator/Director of Human Resources.  Any new requests for a change to your existing contract should be made by March 1 by using the attached document. Staff members currently on a reduced contract do not need to take action to continue partial status.

The Culture & Climate Committee would like to applaud each one of you for accepting, attempting, and/or completing the Own it! Bingo challenge. Just a friendly reminder that bingo submissions are due on Friday, December 14. Even if you have not participated, we encourage you to consider an additional New Year’s Eve Challenge. All gift cards for individual BINGOs and BLACKOUTs will be distributed at the December 20 regional meetings.  Included with this distribution will be your Own it! t-shirt (if you placed an order). Those not part of regional meetings will receive their prizes via their supervisor.

Due to the success and positive feedback, we will be creating another round of bingo challenges for January through May. Cards will be distributed at the December regional meetings and available at each location. Can’t locate one? Feel free to download and print your own from the portal.

The deadline for submission of EQ individual 16 hours is December 20, 2018, with payment made on January 18, 2019. Please submit your hours on this Google document. The next and final deadline for submission will be June 8, 2019, with a June 20, 2019, payout.

Longtime board member Richard Vande Kieft passed away on Wednesday, November 7. He resigned from the Central Rivers Area Education Agency (AEA) Board of Directors on July 11 following an extended illness. Richard began serving on the board in 2008 and held the Director District 7 seat representing the school districts of Cedar Falls, Denver, and Janesville. In addition to serving on the AEA board, he also served 31 years on the Cedar Falls Community School District Board of Directors, including nine years as board president or vice president.

At the state level, Richard served as a member of the board of directors of the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) from 1993 to 2011. Elected to leadership positions of president-elect, president or treasurer of the association from 1998 to 2011. He served on the IASB Legislative Resolutions Committee, and also served and chaired the Board of Trustees for the Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust (ISJIT), Iowa Schools Cash Anticipation Program (ISCAP).

At the national level, Richard served as an Iowa representative to the NSBA Delegate Assembly and has served on both the Central Region and National Nominating Committees for NSBA directors and president.

“Dick Vande Kieft is an incredible example of selfless service to the community,” said Sam Miller, Central Rivers AEA Chief Administrator. “He worked quietly behind the scenes for decades serving children, families, and educators in the Cedar Valley. His leadership will be sorely missed.”

For information about arrangements as well as a complete obituary,  please visit http://www.dahlfuneralhome.com/obituary/richard-vande-kieft.

An email was recently sent from HR regarding the annual review of agency policies and other informational items.  Included in this email was a link regarding mandatory trainings for Central Rivers AEA staff. Please take a moment and review the listing of mandatory trainings as they pertain to you. It is each staff member’s responsibility to keep up-to-date on these trainings.  If you have any questions, please contact the Human Resources Office at 319-273-8245.