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College for Kids celebrates 25 years
2011 classes held at Coe College and Mount Mercy University

Invitation to Fall, 2011 Form E Content Webinars

To Iowa Educators –
 
During the 2011-2012 academic year, new forms of the Iowa Assessments will replace the current ITBS and ITED forms.   With new forms comes a need to share information about content and alignment.   As part of our ongoing process of introducing the new forms, Iowa Testing Programs would like to invite you to a series of informational webinars in early Fall for a more in-depth review of the content coverage of the new Forms—their development under and alignment to the Iowa Core, and what has changed and what remains the same.  The sessions will be appropriate for curriculum supervisors, department heads, and classroom teachers; though you are free to invite any interested colleagues.
 
The webinars will focus on different grade spans:   K-2; 3-5; 6-8; and 9-11.  The webinars will be held early in the day (7:15 – 8:00 a.m.) and repeated each afternoon (3:15 – 4:00 p.m.).  For grade spans higher than K-2, separate webinars will be held for different content areas (Reading, Mathematics, English Language Arts {ELA}, Science, and Social Studies).  There is no cost to attendees, and you are welcome to attend as many sessions are you find useful.  You may register here:  https://www.education.uiowa.edu/itp/contentworkshops.aspx

Upon registration, you will receive a confirming e-mail.  Approximately one week prior to your session(s), you will receive a follow-up e-mail with instructions on how to access the webinar.
 
Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact David Henkhaus at 319-384-2714, or david-henkhaus@uiowa.edu.
 
We look forward to sharing with you this chapter in Iowa education.
 
Catherine Welch
Iowa Testing Programs

Iowa Safe & Supportive Schools

Thirty-five Iowa high schools are partnering with the Iowa Department of Education to work on solutions to eliminate barriers to learning, including bullying and substance abuse, through the Iowa Safe & Supportive Schools Program.

Iowa is one of 11 states awarded funding by the U.S. Department of Education to measure and improve statewide conditions for learning, including school safety, student engagement, and the quality of the overall school environment.

A video featuring U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, Governor Terry Branstad and Iowa Department of Education Director Jason Glass introducing the new Iowa Safe & Supportive Schools program is available on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlZYVl0_0iw.

Iowa Safe & Supportive Schools Program online updates are available on Facebook and Twitter:

• Facebook: http://on.fb.me/SafeSupportiveSchoolsIowa

• Twitter: http://twitter.com/SafeSupportIowa

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The Bulletin Board...

...is entering a bi-weekly summer publication schedule. Watch for the next issue on
Friday, July 1.

Grant Wood AEA Summer Van Delivery Schedule
June 13 - Aug. 12, 2011

The Southern Facility is on the summer delivery schedule for delivery on Tuesday of each week during the summer. We will not be making any deliveries to the Southern Facility on Wednesday – Friday.  If there is something that needs to be delivered that cannot wait for van delivery, please contact Char Haddy at ext. 6750.
 
Please note there will be no deliveries during the week of July 4.  

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

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Congratulations

Victoria Klein Girard (central region SLP) along with husband, Lee, welcomed Cora Adeline Girard on Friday, June 3 at 8:52 a.m. Cora weighed 6 lbs., 12 oz. and was 19 inches long. Cora is welcomed home by big sister, Maren.

Thank you!  

We would like to thank everyone who stopped by the “farewell” party for us.  We appreciate all of the kind thoughts, cards and gifts!  We have enjoyed our time with all of the great people at Grant Wood AEA and in the schools!  Thanks!
 
Don Sievers and Debbie Crane

Thank you

Dear Friends,

When my sister (Amy Cameron) arrived in Joplin just days after the recent tornado I knew I would be glad to see her, but I never dreamed of the gifts that she would be carrying with her. There are no words big enough to communicate the thanks we feel.  I was overwhelmed by the gifts of financial assistance as well as clothing and other donations that you sent - gifts meant to heal brokenness and to offer comfort.  Your gifts have already begun to give back to those from whom so much was taken away. Please know that our hearts are filled with gratitude for your response and for your continued prayers.  
           
Gratefully,

Rev. Jill Cameron Michel
South Joplin Christian Church
www.southjoplindisciples.org

Dog-A-Fair

Saturday, June 18, 2011
6:35 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
Sponsored by Virginia Gay Hospital, Vinton
Hosted by: Friends of the Shelter, Inc
Location: Benton County Fair Grounds, South 2nd Ave, Vinton
Garage Sale: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Dog-A-Fair: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
No fee for bringing your dog!
See attached flier for ticket information.

Horizons Night at the Ballpark

Saturday, June 18, 2011
6:35 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
Cedar Rapids Kernels
See attached flier for ticket information.

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Curriculum Mapper Alignment Workshop

Professional Development for AEA staff members only

Formative Assessment to Improve Teaching and Learning 4504-10-01

2 recertification credit hours - 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.

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 will emphasize partnership principles, learning structures, and coaching components.  Additional resources on effective coaching, collaboration, and consultation will be utilized: IPDM Technical Assistance Manual, Bruce Wellman’s Miravia and Mentoring Matters, New Teacher Center resources, as well as the work of other experts in this area.

Registration link will be on the professional development site soon — posted for Grant Wood Staff.

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)

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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.

Grant Wood AEA Online Resources Webinars

Webinars featuring information about the online resources.

Buy, Sell or Trade:

For Sale: 2 tickets to Michael Buble', Row 18 - Main Floor, Thursday, June 23, 2011,
7:00 p.m., Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, Iowa. $95 each. Call Bart Mason, 319-930-2833.

Lost and Found:

- A power cord found by the back door on 5/31/11. Call or see Cathy at the front desk,
399-6544.

- Silver earring sort of shaped like a small snowman.

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

Vacancies, June 17, 2011

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