• Home

• Educators

• Parents/Students

• Professional Development

• Media Center Catalog

• Schools

• School E-mail

• Online Resources

Several changes are occurring with the Sixth Street facility:

·         The Marsden company is now handling all cleaning in the agency facilities.
Curtis Thomas, who many staff will recognize, has been hired by Marsden to provide service to Grant Wood AEA. The primary Marsden contact is the facilities manager, Tony Messner at ext. #6414 or amessner@marsden.com.  
·         This weekend, the parking lot at the Sixth Street office will closed for repaving and restriping.
·         Starting next week, we will begin the process of replacing the heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system in the Sixth Street office. The four huge heating/cooling units on the roof of the office will be replaced with eight smaller (though still large) units. This will cause considerable noise at times. There may be some “hot spots” in the building as the process moves along, and all of the ceiling tiles will be temporarily removed during the process. We anticipate that staff will, for the most part, be able to continue to work in the facility while all of this work goes on.
·         If you normally park on the east side of the agency parking lot, please be aware that the delivery trucks and work crews will be using that area for the staging of their work, and staff should park on the south or west sides of the lot.
·         Our flood wall is nearing completion, and we will soon have a “test run” to make sure we can install the flood doors and pumps correctly. This will help us know how long the process takes in case of a real flood, and how many people it will take for us to respond in a timely fashion. The flood wall was funded by FEMA, and we believe it will keep our facility dry and protected in case another flood occurs in the area.

Why the HVAC work is being done now:

·         Our HVAC system is 20 years old, and has nearly reached the end of its product life cycle.
·         Our system was scheduled to be replaced in 2009, but due to flood recovery, plans for this work were pushed back to 2011.
·         The agency has accrued funds for this replacement project over several years; so we will not have to borrow monies to pay for it.
·         Our system is inefficient and poorly designed for how we currently utilize our building. It has been kept running by the extraordinary effort of Curtis Thomas and others as they patch it up long enough to keep it working a little longer.
·         If the system is not replaced, when it breaks down, it will cost significantly more to repair while leaving us with the same old inefficient equipment.
·         In the long term, this project done now saves the agency many dollars into the future related to on-going repairs, energy usage, and dealing with heating/cooling issues in the building. The energy audit conducted earlier this year revealed many flaws with the current HVAC. We are hopeful this reworking of the system will make the work environment throughout the office more comfortable for staff.

Video streaming of the Iowa Education Summit, July 25-26

Live streaming of the Iowa Education Summit will be available next week using the following links:

Iowa Department of Education - Eduvision

https://educateiowa.eduvision.tv/default.aspx

Schedule of live events:
https://educateiowa.eduvision.tv/SchoolLiveSchedules.aspx

Grant Wood AEA Eduvision

https://gwaea.eduvision.tv/Default.aspx

Iowa in-state streaming: DE Portal

https://educateiowa.eduvision.tv/

E-school News (national streaming)

http://www.eschoolnews.com/video

Education in Iowa depends on good leadership

IASB encourages Iowans to consider school board service

The Iowa Association of School Boards urges Iowans who are passionate about education to consider running for election to their local school boards.

Nominations for open seats on the state's more than 350 local public school boards can be filed between July 11 and August 4, 2011. School board elections will take place on Sept. 13.

School board members are elected to serve four-year terms, with elections taking place in odd-numbered years. Those elected receive no pay. Experienced school board members say the rewards of service lie in meeting the needs of children and communities.

Nomination papers for school board seats are available from local school board secretaries. School board candidates must obtain the signatures of at least one percent of the qualified electors of the district or 50 electors, whichever is less, but at least 10 signatures. A free guide for board candidates, titled "Leaders Who Care," is available upon request from the local school district board secretary or from IASB.

Board members for community colleges are also elected on Sept. 13. Board members for area education agencies are elected by the boards of schools within each area.

New Online Staff Photo Directory Planned

A new online staff directory is planned with the launch of the new agency website that will incorporate staff ID badge photos. Staff can decline having their photo included as part of the directory by contacting George Held, ext. 6714 or gheld@gwaea.org.

back to top

Food Service Available for Sixth Street Office

Beginning Monday, July 18, Woolf’s Lunch Box will have a food service truck stop by the Sixth Street Office to sell hot and cold sandwiches, muffins, cookies, desserts, milk, fruit, etc. The truck will arrive at about 11:40 a.m. and will stay for ten minutes. There is no cost to the agency for this service, and we have no contract with them. It’s strictly an entrepreneurial business. The driver of the truck is named Teri. She can accept cash or checks, but  no credit cards. Prices for sandwiches range from $3 to $4.50; and the company often has specials for the day that include a beverage. The business is headquartered in Marion.

For a limited time, coupons to the Lunch Box are available at the front desk. The coupons give individuals a $1 discount on purchases of $5 or more with Woolf’s Lunch Box .

The Bulletin Board...

...has entered a bi-weekly summer publication schedule. Watch for the next issue on
Friday, July 29.

Iowa Troops Return Home

Christopher Rew, son of Sue Thuma-Rew, GWAEA parent-child educator, recently returned to the United States after completing military service in Afghanistan. Welcome home!

GWAEA Team - Especially for You® Race Against Breast Cancer

You are invited to register for the Especially for You® Race Against Breast Cancer as part of the GWAEA team.

Who:   Women, Men and Children are welcome
 
What:  Women’s and Men’s 5K Run
             Women’s and Men’s 5K Walk
            1-Mile Family Fun Walk
 
When: Sunday, October 2, 2011
            Opening ceremonies at 7:45 a.m.
            Race begins at 8:00 a.m.
 
Where:  Start at Mercy Medical Center on 8th Street SE
 
For safety reasons, dogs, bicycles, roller skates and in-line skates are prohibited from the course.  Baby strollers, joggers and wagons are permitted.
 
How to Register with the GWAEA Team:

Fill out a registration form and return with your payment to one of the GWAEA Team Reps no later than Monday, August 29, 2011
 
A registration form is attached or you may pick up a copy from one of the GWAEA Team Reps
 
GWAEA Team Representatives
Kim Martin, ext. 6710 kmartin@gwaea.org
Stacy Murphy, ext. 6888 stmurphy@gwaea.org
Karen Desmarais, Voice Mail 6656 kdesmarais@gwaea.org
Elizabeth Steffensmeier, ext. 6210 esteffensmeier@gwaea.org
 
FAQ:
Will my shirt have a GWAEA logo on the back?
This is an option available to us if we have 15 people who would like a logo on the shirt.
You do not have to add the logo!
 
May I register friends and family members?
Yes, any is welcome to register as part of our team.
 
What is the race registration deadline?
The deadline to register as part of the GWAEA team is Monday, August 29.  However, race registrations are accepted even the day of the race.  
 
What is the run/walk entry fee?
$20 Youth (15 & under); $25 (16 and over)
 
What is the color of the shirt this year?
The shirts are a dark purple.
 
When and how will I pick up the t-shirt and goodie bag?
A GWAEA team rep will pick up all of the t-shirts and goodie bags on Thursday, September 29, 2011 and bring them to the GWAEA Sixth Street facility.  

9th Annual Quota International of Cedar Rapids Charity Golf Tournament - Registration deadline is Aug. 6

back to top

Thank you

To the people who work at Grant Wood AEA:
 
Thank you for allowing FOTSI to place a donation box in your facility and for the money we raised!  We had a very successful Dog-A-Fair this year and it was made possible through places like yours!  They raised $1300 at the garage sale and adopted out a dog that day so it was a very successful day. Thank you!

Friends of the Benton Co. Animal Shelter

Professional Development for AEA staff members only

Formative Assessment to Improve Teaching and Learning

4504-10-01

https://www.gwaea.org/apps/profdev/user/signon.cfm

Upcoming Sessions:
Whole Group Session:  8.22.11 (6 hours)
 
Ongoing CLT Meetings: 90 minutes per meeting
(at least two sessions between August and January whole group sessions)
 
 Whole Group Session 1.18.12  (6 hours)
(at least two CLT sessions between January and June whole group sessions)
 
Whole Group Session 6.7.12    (6 hours)

If AEA staff members are interested in participating, but can’t attend all the sessions, please contact Myra Hall, ext. 6820, or mhall@gwaea.org. AEA 10 Iowa Core Teacher Qualty monies available to compensate off-contract time.

Iowa Core Content and Coaching to Improve Teaching and Learning

AEA Staff Members...You can sign up now!  Registration is open on the Grant Wood AEA Professional Development site.

Number: 4506-11-01

Professional learning for AEA 10 staff members: special and general educators as well as administrators who work with learners (students and teachers) across the Pk-12 range.

Time and Dates:
August 18, 2011  (6 hours) 8:30 – 3:30

 CLT Work: (90 minute sessions)

• September 15, 2011

• November 15, 2011

(Exact time, date, location for CLT sessions TBD by teams)

January 16, 2012  ( 6 hours) 8:30 – 3:30

CLT Work: (90 minute sessions)

• February 15, 2012

• April 16, 2012

(Exact time, date, location for CLT sessions TBD by teams)

June 11, 2012 (6 hours) 8:3 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Iowa Core Outcomes:  # 4 (Iowa Core Content), #5 (IPDM), #6 (Effective Instruction)

• Effective instructional approaches to improve teaching and learning

• Instruction focused on essential concepts and skills in the Iowa Core

• Instructional Coaching content and skill development

Structure:

Whole group content delivery and facilitated learning
Collaborative learning teams between whole group sessions

Course Description
This course will provide educators with an opportunity to learn about and to apply effective instructional practices as identified in the Iowa Core Characteristics of Effective Instruction. Participation in this course supports Iowa Core professional learning goals. 

Participants will:

• use their learning to reflect on current instructional practices designed to improve teaching and learning for all

• develop and engage in collaborative learning teams that will be used to plan for application in real settings with students

• use lead learning teams to develop their skills to guide/provide professional learning with colleagues and staff members.  

• work collaboratively to learn about core content, effective instruction, and instructional coaching.

• reflect on practice and engage in collaborative learning conversations

• have opportunities to engage in on-site and authentic practice of skills following the Iowa Professional Development Model. 

Instructional Coaching content learning and skill development are embedded in this learning. Instructional Coaching materials compiled and  developed by Jim Knight will support this course.  Partnership principles, learning structures, and coaching components will be addressed.  

Iowa Core TQ money will be used to compensate AEA staff members’ time beyond the contract day. License renewal credit is available.

If you have questions, please contact:
Susan Parker (sparker@gwaea.org, 399-6507) or Myra Hall (mhall@gwaea.org, 399-6820)

back to top

Grant Wood AEA Professional Development opportunities

For more information, contact Sherry Sines, Professional Development Coordinator, Ext. 6517.

Grant Wood AEA Webinars

The webinars have concluded for this year. Visit the link above for archived Grant Wood AEA and Assistive Technology webinars.

Buy, Sell or Trade:

For Sale:  Kawai Digital Piano- Model HS22, 9 years old-played sparingly, beautiful cherry wood with bench.  The manual and all details are on line if you google the manufacturer/model number.  Was $ 3400.00 new- would like $ 1800.00 or best offer.  
Donna Claflin, 319-393-9400 or dclaflin@gwaea.org

Lost and Found:

- A car key found in the ladies room upstairs. It is an automatic type that will lock/unlock and open three separate entrances along with a panic button.

- A telephone charger power cord that was left at an upstairs work station.

- Red Coleman cooler holding a water type bottle and a 1- quart container. Found in Linn Room late May.

Vacancies, July 15, 2011

back to top