GHAEA Voice

Did you know that as a GHAEA employee, you have access to the agency's school personnel e-mail database? It is housed under Agency Lists in the For GHAEA Staff section of the GHAEA website.      As information is updated in Medianet, it is also updated in this database. The site allows GHAEA staff, teachers and administrators to designate the grades and content they teach and other areas of interest.       What does this mean for you? It is another way that you can notify specific groups about upcoming trainings, meetings or workshops  by selecting targeted grade levels, school districts, content and other areas of interest.       Staff  can send an e-mail directly from the system or can download the information to an Excel spreadsheet. "Whenever a change is made or a person is added, the system is updated," said Julia Hood , supervisor, media support services. "To make sure that you have the most current information, you should download the information into a ne

GHAEA's MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support and Response to Intervention) Conference is coming up next week --  April 5 , 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cass County Community Center in Atlantic, with video feed sites in Creston and Red Oak. Dr. Kimberly St. Martin with Michigan’s Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative will be the presenter. She provides leadership in the development of MiBLSi’s district model for implementing an integrated academic and behavior Multi-Tiered System of Support. Registration is $25 for GHAEA staff and educators in our service area; $50 for those outside GHAEA. If you have questions about the conference, contact Jenny Barnett, Terri Bush or Patrick Rabbitt . Register here . 

Do you want to learn more about how to use apps with students who have special needs? How about working with Google Hangouts or becoming more proficient with Google mobile apps? Now you can personalize your PD and learn more about these and other topics with Atomic Learning .      All AEA employees have access to training videos from Atomic Learning. You can watch a short video for a specific skill or watch an entire set of videos. After you complete a series, you will be emailed a certificate of completion to add to your portfolio and share with your supervisor as proof of your technology goal. One of the best things about Atomic Learning is that you are able to learn anytime, anywhere and at your own pace.      Log in with your AEA email address (username) and the password "learning" (you can change this after logging in the first time). If you haven't used this site before, you are invited to watch a three-minute overview of Atomic Learning . 

Last week, t he Iowa Legislature approved a 2.25 percent increase in state spending for Iowa school districts. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is expected to sign the two education spending bills --  Senate Files  174  and  175  — passed by the House and Senate. Read more here. 

Konnor Sudmann, daughter of Derrick and Nancy Sudmann (instructional materials assistant, Halverson), has been named to the second team, Council Bluffs Nonpareil's All-Area Girls Basketball Team. Konnor is a freshman at Treynor High School. She is the Cardinals' second-leading scorer, netting 11.9 points per game; 26 points in 55-49 win at IKM-Manning on Jan. 8 and 20-point three-steal night in season-ending loss to eventual 2-A state champ Unity Christian. 

Charlie and Connie Richardson  (consultant, school improvement, Red Oak) are thrilled to announce the birth of their first grandchild! "Our grandson, Silas Richardson, was born March 15," said Connie. "Soon we will be traveling to Los Angeles to visit Silas and his parents, Matt and Lisa. As first-time grandparents, we're open to any and all tips!"

In the latest  Voice from the Field ,   Jane Schmidt, director of professional growth and student learning at Maquoketa Community School District, looks at math and the studio framework. 

A few weeks ago, Jamie Reid  (supervisor, operations) and Cindy Wohlenhaus  (human resources coordinator) spotted a red balloon landing on the grounds of Halverson Center. When they went outside to investigate, they noticed a message tied to the balloon: "If you find this message, please write to Xavier at St. Paul Lutheran School" with a Utica, NE address and e-mail address. Utica is an hour and  36 minutes from Halverson. On the other side of the card was a handwritten message from Xavier, a fifth grader. Jamie sent an email confirmation to Xavier telling him when and where the balloon landed. 

Ten years ago on March 21, 2006, the very first tweet was launched into cyberspace. Since  t hen, Twitter’s popularity has skyrocketed. In honor of its 10 year anniversary, the site is sharing some of the very first tweets . 

3-26  . . . Cecilia Fenton 3-27  . . . Andrea Danker 3-28  . . . Brandi Krakowski 3-28  . . . Jacqueline Wills 3-29   . . . Keri Riddle 3-30  . . . Kacie Bryant 4-3  . . . Sondy Laughlin 4-4  . . . Kim Riesselman 4-4  . . . Emily Selsor 4-5  . . . Jonathan Skarin 4-7  . . . Lori Lynn Ahrends 4-7  . . . Ellen Dosen 4-7  . . . Jane King 4-7  . . . Stacy McWilliams 4-7  . . . Sarah Stone 4-8  . . . Melanie Freund 4-10  . . . Sheree Tomasek 4-11  . . . Paula Godwin 4-12  . . . Karen Spahn

Melanie Freund . . . March 7, 2001 Gloria Hansen . . . March 3, 2003 Kimberly Joyce . . . March 5, 2012 Lynsi Perkins . . . March 7, 2011 Lois Schreur . . . March 19, 1973

I want to thank you for the kindness you've shown through cards, emails and phone calls following the death of my mother. Your support during this difficult time is greatly appreciated. Sheryl Bald

David VanHorn, associate administrator Each year the AEA system conducts a survey of its customers, educators to whom we provide services. More than 1,000 educators in the GHAEA service area completed the 2015-16 survey. Statewide, a total of 8,250 educators completed the survey. Overall, and for GHAEA, the number of educators completing the survey was down. This may be attributable to when the survey was conducted. Historically, the survey has been conducted in the spring; this year the survey was conducted in the fall. This document provides results of the survey for GHAEA and results for all AEAs combined (statewide data). As you will see, the results of the survey are positive for GHAEA and the AEA system, as represented in the statewide data. For each question, a respondent could answer by indicating they don’t have an opinion, agree, strongly agree, disagree, or strongly disagree. The percentages listed below are based upon respondents who indicated they agree, strongly ag

The GHAEA communciations committee met on Feb. 29. Click here to access the talking points from this meeting. 

Nominations are being accepted for the 2015-16 Carla J. Nigro Spirit Award .  This award recognizes a person who shares the spirit of making a difference in the lives of others. Carla was a school psychologist at AEA 13 and she had an enthusiasm for life. She lost her life to cancer in September 2010, but will always be remembered for her great spirit in the way she demonstrated a positive outlook, a friendly nature, a selfless attitude, and a passion for helping others. This annual award acknowledges a Green Hills AEA special education representative (school psychologist, school social worker, or special education consultant) who exemplifies Carla's spirit in his/her daily work with students, parents, teachers and coworkers. The recipient of this award will receive a gift certificate, a plaque to honor his/her commitment to others, and will be acknowledged by peers at a GHAEA special education representatives meeting. Nominations for this year’s award must be submitt

As you know, s taff at the Peterson Regional Office are preparing to move to  Halverson Center on March 17, and many obsolete items that are no longer needed are turning one man’s trash into another’s treasure.  When Julie Stessman (supervisor, physical therapy services) and Kim Madsen (occupational therapist) found pegboard in the garage as it was being cleared out, they came up with an idea to make sensory boards for students in the extended learning  program at Carter Lake Elementary, Council Bluffs.  Julie and Kim used items -- old and new, colorful and playful -- to make boards that will encourage exploration, peer interaction and visual and tactile stimulation. Carpet swatches, pipe cleaners, light switches, craft pom poms, wheels, small plumbing fixtures, puzzles, empty water bottles and puffy paint are turning ordinary into extraordinary! Kim has her finger on the trigger, hot glue gun, that is! Kids will no doubt love the boards  that  Julie and Kim crafted. 

Peterson Regional Office's move to Halverson Center is this week, March 17 and 18. The signage has been installed on the Burton Building announcing the new home for the Council Bluffs Regional Office. Their new fax number will be 712-366-0774. The fax number for CB Regional Office staff in the Hills Building is 712-366-0501. Pictured are Jeremy Kern and Tim Perrin who did a fantastic job (meaning it's straight and spelled correctly!) installing the new sign for Council Bluffs Regional Office. 

Seldom can this group of East region audiologists and audiometrists all be together in one place, so why not take a picture! Pictured are Deb Norman, Regina Mieska, Sallie Lund and Shawna Fletcher . The GHAEA audiology department provides comprehensive support and management to children with hearing difficulties, birth through high school graduation. This dedicated group of employees is uniquely qualified, working to ensure that all students have adequate access to auditory information in the learning environment. GHAEA audiologists also include Jennifer Bakkerud, Kimberly Joyce and Michelle Mullenix . Audiometrists are Angie Bramman, Pat Perkins, Melanie Thomas and Meta Trailer .

Congratulations to the 2014-16 GHAEA mentor graduates! Pictured, l-r, are Connie Richardson , Journey to Excellence Mentoring and Induction facilitator; Murray Fenn, Amber Johnson, Sarah Wiberg, Jessica Williar, Janis Wanke, Jacqueline Wills, Sandra Burk, Joe Woracek along with Chief Administrator Lane Plugge .

The agency provides GHAEA note cards to staff who wish to write an agency-related note. The card feature the agency logo on the front and mission statement on the back. Contact Denise Fricke with the amount you would like; envelopes included!

GHAEA staff who are in the first or second year with the agency attended a mid-year training day on March 1, all part of the Journey to Excellence Mentoring and Induction program. According to Connie Richardson , mentoring and induction facilitator, the goal s for the mid-year day included GHAEA evaluation expectations and information; electronic portfolio information; linking the Iowa teaching standards and criteria to their work; addressing any concerns and questions they might have; tips for collaboration; Journey to Excellence information and progress and instructional coaching. 

3-13  . . . Dana Willis 3-16  . . . Jana Hensley 3-18  . . . Andy Raczynski 3-19  . . . Pam Sargent 3-20  . . . Lenna Hiatt 3-24  . . . Brittney Bills 3-25  . . . Barbara Nelson 3-26  . . . Cecilia Fenton 3-27  . . . Andrea Danker 3-28  . . . Brandi Krakowski 3-28  . . . Jacqueline Wills 3-29   . . . Keri Riddle 3-30  . . . Kacie Bryant

The week of March 6-12 was National School Social Work Week.School social workers are trained mental health professionals who provide services related to a person's social, emotional and life adjustment to school and/or society. They are the link between the home, school and community in providing direct and indirect services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students' academic and social success. GHAEA's school social workers are Sarah Esser , Glenwood; Lora Hight , Creston; Leah Olson , Osceola; Lois Schreur , Peterson, and Sandra Sickels , Creston.