GHAEA Voice

At their regular meeting on Nov. 18, the State Board of Education voted unanimously to revoke the accreditation of Farragut Community School District. GHAEA Chief Administrator Lane Plugge informed GHAEA staff and board of this decision, and its impact on the agency, in an e-mail on Nov. 20: "The District will continue to exist and operate as a school corporation until  June 30, 2016 , under receivership of GHAEA. The Farragut Board of Education will technically exist until the formal dissolution date of  June 30, 2016 , but will have no authority for decision making. Day-to-day operations of the district are delegated to the AEA Chief Administrator or his/her appropriately licensed designee. This includes personnel and finance decisions. The Department of Education and the AEA are responsible for dividing the assets and liabilities of the District. The DE is responsible for distributing the land comprising the Farragut CSD to contiguous school districts. On two previous occas

Congratulations to Michelle Hicks (speech-language pathologist, Creston) for receiving the 2015 Stephen Tsai Award for Excellence in Autism Education. The award was presented at the Autism Society of Iowa's fall conference and honors an individual who has had a positive impact on an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is named for Stephen Tsai, who was diagnosed with ASD when he was three years old. Today at 36, Tsai is working at a library and living a full life, thanks to dedicated individuals, like Michelle, who help persons with ASD. Michelle is a core team member on the GHAEA Autism Resource Team. Photo: Evelyn Horton (ASI Board President), Michelle, Kris Steinmetz (ASI Director).

This time of Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful. When it comes to showing gratitude, Denise Volker (school psychologist, Peterson) goes above and beyond. In honor of School Psychology Awareness Week (Nov. 9-13), Denise made goodie bags for the staff at Wilson Middle School, Council Bluffs. "I wanted to acknowledge and thank staff for the hard work they do each day for kids," Denise said. Along with bookmarks, an awareness week wristband, Chex Mix and candy bars, the goodie bags contained a "gratitude" note that stated, "We all have potential for greatness, and we all have the promise of possibility. However,  sometimes we are just blinded to the possibilities. In those times, we need to know how to connect   the dots. This year's School Psychology Awareness theme, Connect the Dots and THRIVE, recognizes  that everyone has strengths, skills, and abilities that can bring about positive change and  achievement.” 

Congratulations to David Bald and Sheryl Fritz (support services secretary, Halverson) who were united in marriage on Nov. 24 in Reno. David is employed with Titan Machinery in Avoca. The couple have purchased a home in Oakland. Photo: Sheryl was joined by one of her nieces Alliison Hay at a bridal shower on Nov. 18. 

Sarah Esser , school social worker, Glenwood, hails from Cedar Rapids, IA. Her husband is a teacher at Logan-Magnolia CSD and they have two sons. Sarah enjoys finding resources to help families in need and seeing students make progress. Her father lives in Hawaii, so vacations there are most memorable. She enjoys "dumb teenage movies" and likes all kinds of music. Welcome Sarah! 

Elise Juhl, daughter of  Cindy Juhl (speech-language pathologist, Avoca) participated in the Iowa State Mock Trial competition, Nov. 16-19, as a member of the 8th grade team from Harlan Middle School. Congratulations to Elise and her team members who placed second out of 34 teams at the state level. Photo: Elise (8th from left, pink shirt) with the team and coaches from Harlan Middle School

Early ACCESS staff surprised Vicki McGlade (administrative secretary, Peterson) on Nov. 19 with a grandma shower. Vicki's granddaughter, Payslee Joanne McGlade, came into this world early on Aug. 2. She is home with her parents, Jim and Nicki McGlade, and is doing great. 

11.26     Jennifer Barnett 11.28   Stephanie Mikkelsen 11.28   Christina Wahlert 11.29     Margaret Woodruff 11.30   Joan Holmes 12-2     Linda Perdue 12-3     Maryann Angeroth 12-4     Mary Walter 12-4     Michele Harrison 12-5     Billie Jo Clausen 12-5   Patricia Schliesman 12-9   Angie Hance 12-11   Cindy Unger 12-11  Darek Madejski 12-12   Jamie Reid 12-13   Debbie Hayes 12-14   Jeremy Kern 12-14  Stephanie McDonald 12-15   Brooke Lamp 12-16   Faith Bessire

It's School Psychology Awareness Week and school psychologists nationwide are celebrating with this year's theme, Connect the Dots and THRIVE! School psychologists work to help connect students to the academic and social-emotional skills they need to promote personal achievement, growth and resilience, as well as a sense of belonging and well being. Thank you, GHAEA school psychologists, for all you do!

American Education Week, Nov, 16-20, presents all Americans with an opportunity to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education. This year’s theme is "Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility," and will be reflected in special observances each day of the week long celebration: Monday, Nov. 16: Kickoff Day Tuesday, Nov. 17: Parents Day Wednesday, Nov. 18: Education Support Professionals Day Thursday, Nov. 19: Educator for a Day Friday, Nov. 20: Substitute Educators Day

GHAEA realizes that when you and your family are healthy and happy, you will feel better and work better. That is why GHAEA provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through CHI Health.     This service is free to staff and their dependent family members.  The service is confidential and free. If additional assistance is needed, a counselor will refer you to additional resources included in the agency's health insurance plan, as well as other affordable options.There are many service locations with day and evening appointments available.      If you are struggling with stress, depression, grief, financial issues, or family challenges, the  first step is to call,  402-398-5566 or 888-847-4975 or visit them online at CHIhealth.com/EAP. 

11.13   Sherry Huffman 11.13     Becky Zorn 11.14     Mary Korver 11.14     Karen Wessel Hesse 11.16     Jennifer Pontefract 11.16   Vicki McGlade 11.16     Susie Rensch 11.17     Ashley Denton 11.17     Denise Volker 11.18     Echo Pierce 11.24     Jennifer Housman 11.24     Deb Zebill 11.26     Jennifer Barnett 11.28   Stephanie Mikkelsen 11.28   Christina Wahlert 11.29     Margaret Woodruff 11.30   Joan Holmes 12-2     Linda Perdue 12-3     Maryann Angeroth 12-4     Mary Walter 12-4     Michele Harrison 12-5     Billie Jo Clausen 12-5   Patricia Schliesman

Elena Anson   11-22-1999 Amanda Cairney   11-17-2014 Mary Dick     11-1-2011 Edie Goodwin   11-18-1985 Karen Meiers   11-27-2000 Emily Nelson   11-26-1984 Michael Peters   11-4-2011 Laurine Price   11-14-2011 Cynthia Redding   11-10-1998 Patricia Roberts   11-1-2010 Emily Selsor   11-15-2004 Meta Trailer   11-1-1995

Amber Kearney, speech-language pathologist, Osceola, is originally from Chariton, IA. She enjoys working with kids and "providing ways for them to communicate." Her talents extend beyond the classroom! Did you know she plays the ukulele? Her favorite movie is Singing in the Rain and she enjoys the music of Ingrid Michaelson. Welcome Amber!

The GHAEA website provides a couple ways to find contact information for GHAEA employees. One provides a search based on an employee’s name, position or specific program. Click on Staff Listing on the GHAEA homepage. That same page  provides a link to the 2015-16 GHAEA Directo ry staff listing which lists employees by regional office. If you want the four-digit phone extension for an employee, click on For AEA Staff and look for the Staff Phone Extensions link. 

301! That's the number of  tickets purchased by AEA staff, statewide, for Iowa AEA Day at the Iowa Hawkeyes game tomorrow, Nov. 14, against Minnesota. The game is sold out!

On Nov. 21, the link to access the early childhood referral database will change. More information will be forthcoming. If you have questions, contact Debbie Hayes, Creston. 

At their Oct. 27 organizational board meeting, the GHAEA Board of Directors elected Jere Ann "Jake" Powers as president and Kenneth Lee , vice president.      Powers represents Director District 9 Council Bluffs precincts of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 17; Carter Lake precincts 1, 2 (within the Council Bluffs CSD). Lee represents Director District 6 which is East Mills, Essex, Farragut, Fremont-Mills, Hamburg, Red Oak, Shenandoah, Sidney and South Page.       Powers came "on board" July 24, 2012, filling the term vacated by Nancy Coziahr. She was already familiar with the agency as her daughter, while in elementary school, received services from the AEA.  Powers believes in the power of volunteerism, having served as the adult volunteer coordinator for Jennie Edmundson Hospital and as volunteer director for the American Red Cross and Union Pacific Railroad Museum. Photo: B oard members Karen Thomsen,  Raymond Storm, Jere Ann "Jake" Powers, Marland