The Channel

Have you been tagged on a recognition thread recently and received a notification email that was unfamiliar? Chances are you’ve been recognized for something positive in the Quantum Workplace system being rolled out through Human Resources. While most Certified staff members have been piloting the system for several weeks at the direction of their Regional Administrator, it’s time to bring everyone on board.

What is Quantum Workplace? Essentially, it’s an employee engagement software used to recognize employees, help them keep track of their goals and progress, gather organizational feedback, and facilitate conversation between supervisor and employee. Over time, everyone will receive an introduction to all the components in the system, but for now, we’ll start with the recognition function. For those who hadn’t been exposed to the system previously, watch for a “welcome” email with login directions. Once you are in the system, enjoy reading the recognitions that others have written and start getting in on the fun!

Questions? Contact Karl Kurt.

The Central Rivers AEA staff cell phone directory is updated for 2018-19 and available on the staff website. Staff that receive reimbursement for their personal cell phone are listed in the directory. A QR code is also available for those with a QR reader app on their iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

If you have an update, please contact Laura Rinnels.  

A few reminders from the Human Resources (HR) office:

September 15 is the deadline for notifying HR of intentions to change lanes on the salary schedule (This applies to Certified staff only). Also, all professional licenses must be kept current. If you renew your license, just send an email to the HR office that it has been renewed. Our staff will look up your license on the BOEE website and update our records accordingly. 

The first month of the Own It! challenge has ended with over 300 submissions. Great work! The Human Resources office recently sent the new link to submit your September Bingo. Individually we have done a great job, now let’s make sure to help another staff member achieve a Bingo.  Replace “I” with “we” and you turn illness into wellness. Let’s goooooo!!

The Educational Directory for 2018-19 has been updated and can be found on the agency website under About.  In addition, a downloadable pdf of the directory can be found on the staff website under Resources. If you would like a printed copy, please contact your region’s administrative assistant.

To protect yourself and others, the CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible.  It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that will protect against influenza.  However, getting vaccinated later can still be beneficial even into January or later.

The agency will not be offering an on-site flu shot clinic this year. However, you can receive a flu shot at your physician’s office as well as walk-in flu shot clinics at urgent cares and many local retailers.  

Act now to receive a great deal from Wellmark Blue365.  Sign up before September 30 at a participating location and have the $29 enrollment fee waived and pay just a $29 monthly fee (3-month commitment required) for access to a network of 10,000 gyms.

Whether your goals are physical, such as losing weight and maximizing energy, or emotional like dealing with stress and improving your mood, a gym membership can help you meet your goals, on your budget and do it all on your own time.

As a reminder, cell phone reimbursement applications for the 2018-19 school year need to be submitted by the end of day on Friday, September 7th. The request form can be found on the Staff Website > Communications > Cell Phone Reimbursement. Cell phone reimbursement requests are approved when the use of cell phones are appropriate and necessary in an employee’s role to provide effective and efficient operations for the agency. Payment will be made to employees on September 28.

As a service to staff, representatives from the Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) will be stationed at the Cedar Falls office on Monday, Oct. 15 through Thursday, Oct. 18 for individual IPERS counseling sessions.

Monday, October 15 has been reserved for Central Rivers AEA employees only. If Monday does not work for you, you may schedule an appointment on another day but be aware, those appointments will fill up fast as they will be available to the public. Monday appointments start at 3 pm and run through 5:30 pm. Tuesday – Thursday appointments will be during the day.

If you are interested in making an appointment for Monday, Oct. 15, you may call the IPERS number anytime (1-800-622-3849) to schedule an appointment and be sure to identify yourself as an agency employee.

Please refer to the IPERS website for additional information. You can always schedule an appointment in Des Moines by calling 1-800-622-3849.

For those coming back on contract from summer break, as well as our year-round staff, welcome back! The August 14 all-staff meeting is quickly approaching and there are several important details you need to know.

Social time and registration will begin at 8:30 am with the meeting to begin at 9 am. Please review the agenda for the day, which includes details on the featured speaker and the afternoon Regional team meeting locations. Other pertinent information is detailed below:

Carpooling

As in past years, we ask that you please carpool with other employees to defray mileage expense and help to ease parking concerns. If you are in the Clear Lake or Marshalltown Office, please reach out to either Dr. Carol Sensor, Clear Lake Site Superintendent or Kim Swartz, Marshalltown Site Superintendent to sign-up for ride sharing if you have not already received information. See your supervisor if you have extenuating circumstances that you prevent you from carpooling as reimbursement for travel will be limited.

Dress for the day

Dress for the day is professional casual (shorts, flip flops, polos, etc. are all acceptable). If you would like, bring a pair of walking shoes to enjoy the trail.

Lunch/Time Clock

Lunch is being provided by Farmers State Bank and will include Jimmy John’s sandwiches. They will have an assortment of subs and will also offer “unwiches” (no bread) for those with a gluten restriction. Hourly staff do not have to punch in/out for lunch. (Please adjust your schedule for the day or week so as to stay within their scheduled weekly hours. Clear Lake or Marshalltown staff members can be given extra time beyond their normal work day hours for travel time.) Questions should be directed to your supervisor.

Afternoon Regional meetings

Regional meetings will be held from 1-3 pm in various locations throughout the conference center. Please refer to the agenda for details. If you are not required to attend the regional meetings, you may leave and report back to your designated office location to end your workday.

It’s going to be a great day!

A number of staff have indicated an interest in contributing to an effort to assist the many children, families and educators affected by the tornado in Marshalltown. In visiting with the Marshalltown Community School District, they are asking that those interested consider donating to Mid-Iowa Community Action where a special fund has been established. Thank you!