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Showing posts from 2017

January Birthdays

1/1      Jennifer Christensen 1/3      Olivia Lickteig 1/4      Casey Abler 1/4      Kim Wise 1/6      Susan Marshall 1/8      Nancy Boswell 1/8      Janice Hughes 1/9      Eunice Bohanan 1/9      Leah Olson 1/10    Emily McGuire 1/10    Mike Peters 1/10    Jennifer Reed 1/13    Amy Mendoza 1/14    Lori Durand 1/14    Emily Kallsen 1/17    Amy Kading 1/17    Amy Rommel 1/18    Connie Hiatt 1/20    Connie Fenn 1/24    Emily Schwartz 1/28    Marsha Guttau 1/29    Carrie Powders 1/29    Laurine Price 1/30    Jennifer Adams-Potter 1/30     Sarah Girres 1/30    Daniel Kenkel 1/30    Alex  Reed    1/31    Denise Young

January Service Anniversaries

1/2      Ashley Denton 1/2      Sarah Girres 1/3      Stacy Buresh 1/4      Marjorie Armstrong 1/4      Laurie Peterson 1/5      Mollie Frazier 1/7      Martin Mulligan 1/8      Maryann Farrell 1/11    Andy Ruff 1/19    Keri Riddle

Joy in Early ACCESS

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Green Hills AEA Early ACCESS providers, Diane Emsick and Sarah Girres, delight in celebrating a final adoption with a family.

Weather Alerts

Winter weather is here (whether we are ready or not). Green Hills AEA uses a program called Schoolreach to alert you of an office closing. To ensure that you get a message in the event of a closing, please make sure you have listed the phone number(s) and alert type (phone call or text message) for which you would like to receive this information. The Schoolreach program must have documentation that you've agreed to accept text messages on your phone. Therefore, if you have listed a cell phone in our personnel system as a means of notification, you will be receiving a text message today,, December 22nd at 11 a.m. asking you for approval to receive future messages from Schoolreach. Schoolreach will send a text, which will be displayed on your phone as 67587. It will show on the display yes or no. You will need to respond to this text. (An email was sent out yesterday with a visual description) A broadcast test message will be sent to all staff on today at 3 p.m. This message will

Email Signature Template

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In an effort to create consistent branding and communications, we encourage you update your email signature to the following appearance: Font Type: Sans Serif Font Size: Normal or 10 Font Color: Black Left Aligned < GHAEA logo image> First & Last Name Title (as listed on contract, along with any other) Green Hills Area Education Agency ghaea.org • 800-Phone Number and Ext. Also, welcome: Degrees, Endorsements, etc. following your name Quotes after the signature (recommend same font & color, but add quotes or italics) Social Media links to GHAEA or Professional Profiles Need Help? How to Create a Gmail Signature Right click on the logo above and select "Save image as", then use this image to insert into your signature.

Room Management Changes

A change has been made to the GoSignMeUp Room Management section. No bookings will be able to be created for dates after June 30, 2018. On this date, Room Management in GoSignMeUp will expire.  The Green Hills technology team is meeting today to discuss options for a future system. Keep your eyes peeled for more information to come. If you have questions, please contact Michelle Lidgett 

Live Healthy Iowa

Make 2018 a healthy one. Start a New Year's resolution, have fun with some friends, or challenge yourself to participate in a 10 week wellness challenge from Live Healthy Iowa. You and your team will track active minutes and/or weight loss through the provided website. The website's dashboard allows you to sync your Fitbit and Garmin watches as well. Join today to have fun, be healthy, and have a chance to win prizes!

Thank You, Heroes

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To Our Everyday Heroes, Though you wear no cape, nor fly though the air, There's no one else who can quite compare. You give time, energy, and even sweat. And because of you, our goals are met! Your days are often busy and wild, But you'd do it again for just one child. We're challenging kids to reach higher and higher, But you're the ones who light the fire. All it takes is compassion and care, Something you're always willing to share. So maybe we don't always say it enough, Thank you all so very, very much. Happy Holidays, Everyone!

From Psychology to Volleyball...The Path to Victory

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   Rachel Eikenberry is a School Psychologist for Green Hills, as well as Tri-Center's Head Volleyball Coach. This dual role started over 20 years ago, with the help of one colleague. Rachel tells us,  " I was serving Thomas Jefferson High School while working out of the Peterson Office. I interacted with Mike Bond who was a Special Education Lead Teacher and head volleyball coach  at TJ . He knew that I had played college volleyball and always liked to pick my brain about volleyball drills and philosophies. He asked me if I'd like to be an assistant volleyball coach for him at TJ. I wasn't sure if it was possible, but my AEA administrator, Cal Sinn, loved the idea of me trying out both roles." After her first season, Rachel and her husband were expecting their first child, so she stepped away from coaching to focus on parenting.     Fast forward 20 years, t hat baby now attends Cornell College, where she has started on the volleyball team as a freshman, and wa

Gammon to Board President

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   Marland Gammon, Director of District 7, will serve as this year's Board President. Marland has been with the agency since 1975, first starting in the rehabilitation program for adults. His passion for advocating and working with people with disabilities has been driving him since 1965. After high school, Marland worked at the Glenwood Resource Center, he later moved to Nebraska where he served in the Educational Service Unit as the Coordinator of Special Education Services. Marland also taught for a period of time in Auburn, Nebraska, as well as founded Nishna Productions in Shenandoah, Iowa.    One of the most impactful moments of his career occurred while he was working as a teacher associate in Glenwood with toddlers. There was a young boy who was blind that Marland worked with daily. Using an exercise ball for support, and eventually a grocery cart to navigate, Marland taught him to walk. The boy went on to graduate high school. Marland still runs into the boy's parents

Two Familiar Faces... One Familiar Story

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Start your holiday festivities with Jennifer Dillon and Lori Lynn Ahrends as they star as  Mrs. Cratchit  and  Ghost of Christmas Past  in the Omaha Community Playhouse production, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens . If you haven't seen them this year, make your way to the playhouse between now and December 23 to catch a show. For more information click here .

December Service Anniversaries

12/1    Kris Wood 12/4    Debbie Hayes 12/6    Susan Marshall 12/11  Julia Hood

December Birthdays

12/2    Tacy Cummings 12/2    Linda Perdue 12/3    Maryann Farrell 12/4    Michele Harrison 12/4    Mary Kay Walter 12/5    Joy Beemer 12/5    Billie Jo Clausen 12/6    Carrie Champine 12/6     Destanie Rucker 12/9    Angie Hance 12/11  Darek Madejski 12/12  Pam McCampbell 12/12  Jamie Reid 12/12  Alex Wetering 12/13  Debbie Hayes 12/14  Jeremy Kern 12/14  Stephanie McDonald 12/15  Brooke Lamp 12/16  Faith Bessire 12/18  Kellie Peterson 12/19  Kim Joyce 12/19  Becca Boswell 12/19  Joe Woracek 12/22  Tammy Schaapherder 12/28  Rana Thomsen 12/31  Deb Katzer 12/31  Jordan Laughlin 12/31  Sameena Noetzel

Meet the New Faces of the GHAEA Board

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   On October 24, Green Hills AEA swore in two new board members, Connie Maxson and John Gambs.   Connie comes to us with a diverse educational background, having been a teacher, media specialist, curriculum specialist, superintendent, chief administrator, and DE bureau chief. She will be serving District 2 as Director, a position previously held by Julie Wilken. Connie grew up in Coon Rapids, Iowa. She enjoys traveling, reading and scrapbooking. Connie earned three degrees from Iowa State, which contributed to her deep rooted love for Cyclone Nation. She warns, "I can withstand working in Cornhusker country!" Connie and her husband, Leon, have one son, Larren, who lives in Denver with his wife. Connie has always had a love of knowledge and a desire to learn something new with each and every day. She finds personal alignment with the efforts Green Hills displays in uniting a diverse group of students and adults throughout rural Iowa. Ensuring that all students continue to h

United Way Campaign

Our agency United Way campaign will be ending on November 30th. If you would like to donate, you can use this one-time link   or fill out a designation form  (for payroll deduction and designation options) and return it to Devin Laughlin at the Halverson Center or e-mail me  What your dollars can do: $1/Paycheck (one vending machine snack/drink) = 2 field trips for a youth group, one pediatric oral exam, provide a drivers' license, state ID, or birth certificate to someone that needs employment, one student to take the ACT $2/Paycheck (one Redbox rental) = 2 round trips of wheelchair van medical transportation, school supplies for one student for the academic year, childcare for a mother participating in ESL classes for 8 weeks $4/Paycheck (one large coffee) = 5 hours of interpretation services for a client in need of services, medical help, or legal counseling, Prevent a utility shut off for a family during the cold winter months, 10 clients with a support group session $2

2016-17 Better Boardsmanship Award

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The Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) presented the 2016-17 annual Better Boardsmanship Awards on Nov. 16 during the IASB Convention at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The awards are given each year to individual board members, board teams and administrators who dedicate time and work to learning, advocacy, leadership and service projects to expand their knowledge and skills for better governance. Better Boardsmanship Awards highlight commitment to professional growth. To receive an award, recipients have earned credits through participation in IASB learning opportunities and have shown a desire to take on leadership roles and engagement in service and advocacy. Karen Thomsen, Green Hills AEA board member, was recognized for earning a Better Boardsmanship Award every year for the past 30 years.

GHAEA Communication Committee Talking Points

The Communications Committee met via zoom on November 1st. Click here   to read the Talking Points from this meeting. If you have any questions, please contact a committee member (David VanHorn, Casey Abler, Devin Laughlin, Brooke Dornack, Carissa Otto, Laurine Price, Angie Williams, Beth Torneten   or Rana Thomsen)

GHAEA Flex Plan

If you are currently taking advantage of the FLEX plan opportunity available to you, or would like to participate for the year 2018, please read this memo . ALL 2018 participants, regardless of previous enrollment status, will need to complete an enrollment form for the upcoming year. Please open the form and make a copy (see instructions below) before making any changes. Enrollment forms will need to be returned to Lori Kinyon no later than December 5th. Make a Copy in DocHub: Click on the upper right hand "File" button > Actions > Make a Copy Make a Copy in Google Docs: Click on "File" in the upper left hand corner > Make a Copy

Job Opportunities

Green Hills AEA has an opening for a full-time Instructional Materials Assistant II at the Halverson office. This position is a Grade 5 on the classified salary schedule. If you are interested in applying for this opening, please submit a completed application via Teach Iowa no later than November 16, 2017. Contact Lori Kinyon, lkinyon @ghaea.org with any questions you may have. A complete list of current openings can be viewed  here .

Getting to Know You

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and what better time to let your coworkers know you appreciate them? Maybe that starts with getting to know them a little bit better. Take a look at the Green Hills AEA  Gettting To Know You  publication and do just that! Plus, you may learn something about one of our 41 new employees! The publication can be reached throughout the year in the staff portal > Communications/Media/Logos > Getting to Know You

Early Dismissal for Thanksgiving Break

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All agency offices will close at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, for Thanksgiving break. We wish you all a happy Thanksgiving and safe travels. We'll see you back on Monday, Nov. 27.

GHAEA Internal Calendar

Did you know there is a Google Calendar that holds all of our agency board meeting dates, expense report due dates, trainings/meetings for AEA staff, holidays, etc.? This is a new feature this year, so check it out! If there are any additional dates you would like added, contact Debbie Hayes .

We Want to Hear From You

As an agency, we cover a vast geographical area. It is easy for us feel disconnected. We love to hear from you! Here are a few ways we can help bridge the miles that separate us: 1. Have a suggestion, comment, question, concern, or compliment? Submit them here  and we will direct them to the appropriate GHAEA personnel. 2. Do you have something to celebrate?  Submit them to the Voice   3. Is there news to share about your district, building, or classroom? (awards, success stories, opportunities)  Share them in our In Touch 4. Planning a conference, workshop, training etc. and need some help with promotion?  Submit your request here

Veterans Day

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Saturday, November 11, is Veterans Day. Honor those who have served by attending a Veterans Day program near you. Many districts and communities have such events planned to take place today as well as this weekend. Words cannot fully capture our appreciation, but thank you, veterans.

GHAEA Brag Book

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Welcome Finley Jo Elena Anson (Halverson) welcomed her second grandchild, Finley Jo, On October 19. Finley was born at 6:25 pm. At 7lbs. 5oz. and 19 3/4", this little baby has already brought immense joy to the family! "We are truly blessed," Elena says, as they have a wonderful 6 year old grandson, Carlos and another granddaughter on the way!

Halloween Events Near You

Tonight kicks off Halloween weekend. Below is some information on events taking place in your neighborhood. Please keep in mind that this is just a brief overview of events, and not a complete list. Atlantic RO : Atlantic   10/27-  Halloween Party               10/28- Biannual Halloween Hike               10/31- Trunk-or-Treat Avoca RO: Harlan         10/28- Murder Mystery Dinner                    10/28- Annual Harvest Fest Walnut         10/31- Trick-or-Treating Carson         10/27- Community Annual Trick-or-Treat Night Macedonia   10/31- Trick-or-Treating on Main Street CBRO: Council Bluffs    10/27-29, 31- Halloween Event at Bass Pro                          10/27-29- Henry Doorly Zoo Spooktacular                          10/28- Trick-or-Treat at the Museum                          10/28- Flashlight Tour                          10/28- YMCA Pumpkin Party                          10/31- Trunk-or-Treat Creston RO: Creston    10/28- Bright Eyes in the Park    

Thank You Physical Therapists

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October is National Physical Therapy month. We would like to thank our GHAEA physical therapists for serving children in southwest Iowa from birth to 21 years old. Without your determination and drive, many students would miss out on opportunities for increased educational and future success. Andy Ruff Julie Stessman Katie Wells Mary Beth Korver Patsy Schimmel

November Service Anniversaries

11/1    Mary Dick 11/1    Patricia Roberts 11/2    Melissa Lassek 11/4    Mike Peters 11/10 Cynthia Redding 11/14 Laurine Price 11/15 Emily Selsor 11/17 Amanda Crees 11/22 Elena Anson 11/26 Emily Nelson

November Birthdays

11/4    Amy Hoffman 11/7    Dorene Driver 11/7    Regina Mieska 11/10 Jennifer Foglesong 11/10   Tim Perrin 11/10 Todd Reznicek 11/11 Jennifer Bakkerud 11/11 Sarah Matulka 11/11 Sue Wagner 11/12 Nancy Lindgren 11/13 Sherry Huffman 11/13 Audrey Wheeler 11/14 Mary Korver 11/14 Karen Wessel Hesse 11/16 Vicki McGlade 11/16 Jennifer Pontefract 11/16 Susan Rensch 11/17 Ashley Denton 11/17 Denise Volker 11/23  Tim Redd 11/24 Jennifer Housman 11/24 Deb Zebill 11/26 Jenny Barnett 11/26 Marcene Marvin 11/28 Stephanie Lane 11/28 Christina Wahlert 11/29 Kelsey Nenneman 11/29 Margaret Woodruff 11/30 Joan Holmes

This is Halloween! Halloween, Halloween!

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Halloween is creeping up on us. This season is full of fun activities and traditions. There's jack-o-lantern carving, hay-rack riding, orchard/pumpkin patching, haunted housing, and trick-or-treating. The holiday brings with it, several treats as well, including: carameled apples, apple cider, candy corn, and hot chocolate. Share your holiday traditions or recipes and have them featured in the next issue of the Voice!

Text-to-911

Governor, Kim Reynolds and Lieutenant Governor, Adam Gregg, announced a new public safety tool for Iowans, Text-to-911. The system allows cell phone users to text 911 in an emergency. 94 of Iowa's 113 emergency call centers are already able to accept text messages. While, the other 19 centers are expected to have this capability by the end of the year. "Text-to-911 is a prime example of how we’re using technology to make Iowa a safer place for everyone,” Gov. Reynolds said. “Iowans are able to send a text to 911 when a voice call would put them in danger or when a medical condition makes it impossible for them to speak.” This has become a nationwide initiative, with the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management overseeing Iowa's 911 program. They've been working with wireless carriers and local public safety agencies to build a statewide network and make this program possible. Check with your carrier to see if Text-to-911 is available in your area. For m

Best Wishes to One of Our Own

After 33 years of dedication to the agency, Emily Nelson, Director of Finance, will be retiring at the end of December. We will certainly miss seeing Emily's face around the Halverson office, but are excited for her to start a new life in retirement! Make sure you work just as hard at relaxing as you have in your long career, Emily! Beginning December 1, Emily will assist in training our upcoming Director of Finance, Kris Wood. Kris currently serves Hamburg Community School District as the School Business Official and Board Secretary. We are excited to welcome her to our team!

Campaign Kickoff

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United Way is under way... try saying that ten times fast! Our annual United Way campaign will kickoff on November 1 and run throughout the month. Check your email during the first week of November for more information. If you'd like to learn more about the organization, check out the video below.

Spooky Superstitions

In case you have yet to notice, today is the notorious Friday the 13th. For centuries, people have been filled with horror at the mention of this particular date, or even the number 13 itself. Hotels often opt to skip the 13th story of their buildings, many refuse to travel or undergo surgery on this date, and many airports do not have a 13th gate. Some believe that this superstition stemmed from a biblical history. The 13th is said to be the day that Eve bit into the Forbidden Fruit, the beginning of the Great Flood, and also the number of guests at the Last Supper before Jesus was killed on Friday. Although, throughout history several other tragedies including the fall of the Aztec Empire (1521), the Uganda rugby team plane crash (1972), and the death of a 13 year old boy stuck by lightning at 13:13 military time (2010) all occurred on the 13th of the month. Some believe that the number 13 got its bad rap due to number twelve's historic representation of completeness (12 hours on

Introducing Technology to Learning

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At the last secretaries meeting, participants were introduced to two exciting, new pieces of technology. Milo, a robot designed to help children with autism learn about a wide range of social interactions, was demonstrated by Lori Durand of the GHAEA Autism Team. Katie Bergansen took us on an underwater excursion through the use of Google Expedition. Employees put on a pair of goggles, where they joined the adventure into the world of virtual reality. 

School Psychology Spotlight

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Stephanie Dredge was selected as the Iowa School Psychology Association's first psychology spotlight for the year!  Learn more about Stephanie's background, goals, and favorite parts of working with the GHAEA psychology team. Stephanie also describes what a day in the life of a school psychologist looks like, as well as the roles they play in helping to improve the lives of our students.

Connect With Us on Instagram

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Our new Instagram page is now LIVE! Follow us on Instagram  @aeagreenhills   to keep up with the latest event information, pictures, videos, and news on all things GHAEA

Get the Flu Shot, not the Flu

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Fill out your consent form and bring it in to get your free flu shot! Dates and locations are listed below: Avoca: 10/6, 7:30-8:00am Atlantic: 10/5, 3:30-4:00pm Osceloa: 10/10, 7:30-7:45am Creston: 10/12, 3:30-4:00pm Council Bluffs: 10/6, 3:00-4:30pm Glenwood: 10/11, 7:00-8:30am NE Elementary Glenwood: 10/11, 1:00-2:00pm High School

October Service Anniversaries

10/1    Leslie McCaslin 10/5    Cynthia Juhl 10/6    Diana Dewaele 10/7    Jonathan Skarin 10/11 Kimberly Madsen 10/13 Cheryl Case 10/14 Donna Dannar 10/17 Michelle Hicks 10/19 Angie Bramman 10/22 Eunice Bohanan 10/22 Darek Madejski 10/22 Roxanne Matzen 10/24 Donal Welch 10/25 Billie Clausen

October Birthdays

10/1    Leslie Dickinson 10/2    Jenna Hucka 10/4    Jessica Williar 10/7    Jessica O'Dell   10/9    Kristine Kelly 10/11 Rebecca Hamilton 10/11 Lane Plugge 10/12 Emily Nelson 10/12 Andrew Prine 10/13 Patricia Schimmel 10/13 Amy Whipp 10/15 Cheryl Case 10/18 Theresa Bush 10/18 Danielle Glidden 10/22 Kendra Peitz 10/23  Jeri Fyock 10/23  Jasmine Zeitner
September Service Anniversaries 9/3     Deborah Zebill 9/5    Sheryl Bald 9/8    Steve Martin 9/9    Kelly Gerhardt  9/11  Michele Harrison 9/12  Ruth Rust 9/15  Daniel Kenkel 9/16  Carrie Powders 9/16  Andy Raczynski 9/18  Diane Hoskinson 9/20  Kathleen Tague 9/23  Jennifer Bakkerud 9/29  Lois Hartje 9/29  Cathy Mann
September Birthdays  9/1    Kathleen Tague 9/1    Teresa Johnsen 9/3    Amanda Crees 9/4    Katie Hensley 9/4    Monica Weber 9/8    Michelle Custer 9/8    Diana Dewaele 9/8    David VanHorn 9/9    Rachel Eikenberry 9/11  Joanie Finck 9/12  Marjorie Armstrong 9/12  Christine Watkins 9/14  Katie Collins   9/15  Lori Helgevold 9/16  Stacy Buresh 9/17  Lea Ann Huckins 9/20  Theresa Jozwiak 9/20  Roxanne Matzen 9/20  Tera Schechinger 9/20  Elizabeth Torneten 9/23  Kathleen Hanafan 9/23  Jamie Ptacek 9/27  Jenna Hoesing 9/27  Melanie Van Dyke 9/28  Amanda Halstead 9/28  Marie Neve 9/29  Jason Plourde 9/30  Kimberly Madsen
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YouTube Under Construction  GHAEA is revamping its YouTube Channel! Stay tuned to see new technology in action, virtual tours, and resources near you!  Subscribe HERE & never miss the excitement!
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Honoring Extraordinary Service Kerry Aistrope, Red Oak Regional Administrator, and her husband, Doug had the privilege of being inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame this summer. The couple has always believed that the future is in the hands of our youth. Their devotion to the 4-H organization and efforts towards constant community improvement are a testament to that belief. Kerry and Doug have contributed countless hours to ensure that youth in both Fremont County, in which they reside, and the entire state of Iowa are given opportunities to grow and succeed. They are committed to instilling ideals such as leadership, community, responsibility, and citizenship in each child, and excite in seeing them transform into strong, successful young adults through 4-H. Thank you for all that you are doing in our community! Here's to pledging our heads for clearer thinking, our hearts for greater loyalty, our hands for larger service, and our health for better living.

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Deb Katzer and Shawna Fletcher in Creston Blinded by the...Dark? Red Oak staff ready for the show Several of our regional offices engaged in viewing the Great American Eclipse on August 21. But don't worry, everyone was equipped with proper eye wear, and nobody is actually going blind! Besides the fact that the Great American Eclipse was the first total eclipse in 38 years, it was also unique due to its visibility among a wide area ranging from Pacific to Atlantic coasts throughout the United States. If you were intrigued by this phenomenon, you may want to mark you calendar for the next total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. The Great North American Eclipse, as it has been called, is predicted to have a more vertical path, spanning from Mexico, through the United States, and into Canada.
The Hunt Is On As many of you know, our Chief Administrator, Lane Plugge, will be retiring at the end of this school year. While we are sad to see him go, we must begin the search for our new chief. The bar has been set, employees and superintendents have weighed in on desired qualities, and the board has identified the qualities, values, and expectations they will be looking for in our next Chief Administrator. The application deadline is November 24, 2017. 

Back In Action

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Opening Day  This year's opening day was aimed at reconnecting with staff from all regions throughout Green Hills. It was a fun and welcoming way to kick off another year, and also celebrate all that was accomplished throughout 2016-17. As you can see, the Avoca office definitely had a good time! Green Hills is excited to welcome forty new staff members this year, including six rehires. Keep your eyes peeled for the this year's edition of "Getting to Know You," to learn more about your new team members!

Barriers or bridges?

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Instructional services staff recently participated in an activity designed to help them focus on the importance of perspective and attitude. The activity, facilitated by Patrick Rabbitt and Joe Woracek , regional administrators, also served as a reminder of the need to build relationships in order to create meaningful change. Each employee was instructed to take a single paper lunch sack and write down a barrier to their work in support of children on one side and a bridge to this work on the other. The bag was opened and a second bag placed inside this one which created a wall. "As an instructional services group we built a wall with barriers on one side and then discussed these barriers and their impact on our work," Joe said. " We then walked around the wall and discussed the bridges and how they impact our work (and the consistent bridge of the support we provide to each other).  Later we allowed folks to knock the wall down and retrieve a brick as a reminder (prefe

In other words, good bye!

Adios, ciao,  sayonara,  auf Wiedersehen! In other words, good bye! I will be retiring the end of June and I want to say how much I have enjoyed being the editor of the  Voice ! This newsletter has certainly evolved. When I started working at Loess Hills AEA in, ahem, 1978, it was called AEA News and later,   Focus . Green Valley AEA's employee newsletter was  The Valley Voice ,   so when Green Valley AEA and Loess Hills AEA merged in 2010, it became  Green Hills Voice . I have considered the Voice  'my baby', but in reality it belongs to all of you who have shared your news, ideas and photos. It has been a vehicle for announcing good news such as births, weddings and awards, and for sharing thank you's for care and concern during difficult times. It has been used to recognize the dedicated work and accomplishments of our employees and to communicate information on legislation and statewide system work -- it even had a few giveaways! Employees, especially those who hav

AEA PD Online is celebrating!

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AEA PD Online is celebrating one million completed courses . This accomplishment represents millions of hours of professional learning and reflects Iowa educators' dedication to ensuring all Iowa students experience high-quality learning opportunities and environments. 

June birthdays

Nancy Nelson  6/8 Sarah Esser  6/13 Kari Olson  6/15 Lynsi Perkins  6/16 Angela Williams  6/16 Patrick Rabbitt  6/18 Lynn Thompson  6/18 Cynthia Juhl  6/19 Staci Emerton  6/20 Joanne Farmer  6/20 Maureen Lonsdale  6/21 Donal Welch  6/21 Meagan Ross  6/26 Nancy Sudmann  6/27 Julie Williams  6/27 Meghan Wilson  6/27 Mary Dick  6/29 Linda Streicher  6/30

July birthdays

Carole Cherne  7/2 Melody Osbahr  7/4 Colleen Dupuis  7/5 Kelly Gerhardt  7/5 Angelia Shindelar  7/6 Donna Danner  7/8 Katherine Bergansen  7/9 Eric Doty  7/10 Keri Jahnke  7/10 Sandra Williams  7/10 Pam Elwood  7/11 Judy Griffin  7/11 Lynn Hockenberry  7/12 Hilary Brummer  7/13 Laureen Peterson  7/13 Lois Schreur  7/13 Julie Stessman  7/14 Amanda Arkfeld  7/17 Catelyn Newman  7/18 Carissa Otto  7/18 Michelle Mullenix  7/19 Ruth Rust  7/19 Brooke Dornack  7/20 Murray Fenn  7/20 Shawna Fletcher  7/21 Lisa Magneson  7/21 Angie Mittan  7/22 Leslie Ehlers  7/26 Connie Terry  7/26 Emily Ramsey  7/27 Sandra Sickels  7/27 Connie Richardson  7/28 Meta Trailer  7/28 Jill Clayton  7/29 Jenny Seuntjens  7/31