Green Hills AEA Partners with Council Bluffs Schools

 In January 2018, Council Bluffs Community Schools partnered with Green Hills Area Education Agency (AEA) to offer Chromebook support to five school districts. This partnership provided a much more affordable option for diagnostics and repair to smaller districts who may often order only a few parts at a time.

   Council Bluffs was able to create a credit earning opportunity for students at both Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln high schools to learn and explore the field of technology in their Technology Support Centers. These student technicians, typically six to eight per trimester, work with various models, each with unique differences, bringing on opportunities for independent learning. From the moment a Chromebook enters the help desk, the student technician works with the customer to uncover the problem, provide a diagnosis and develop a plan to repair the device. This can include issues ranging from the motherboard, speakers, touchpad, USB port, faceplate, keyboard, screen, software and more. When parts are needed, Council Bluffs is often able to order in bulk saving districts money. Council Bluffs does not charge for their service, simply the cost they paid for the necessary part. Junior Technician, Jonathyn Stiverson, enjoys the challenges of discovering a problem and working to resolve it. “The hardest and most fun part is working with web cams because you have to take the whole computer apart to access it,” he shares.

     In addition to gaining internship experience, students are also obtaining customer service skills, using critical thinking techniques and exposed to valuable networking avenues such as development channels for research and development with Google. Through this program Stiverson was connected with Iowa Communications Network  (ICN) and serves on their Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council (SYBAC). The Youth Advisory Board talks about problems that society faces today and look for solutions for the future. “We help the board prepare for the future because we will be the future,” Jonathyn shares.

David Fringer, Chief Technology Officer, and John Stile, Supervisor of Network & User Support, have been leading the program in Council Bluffs since its conception in 2012. Although they are not the first district to develop such a program, following after Omaha Westside, they are certainly paving the way in southwest Iowa. The Technology Support Center is only the beginning. The Council Bluffs Technology Support Centers have offered to help train students from districts interested in starting a similar program at their school.

This year Council Bluffs School District and Green Hills AEA are proud to offer this program to every district served by Green Hills AEA. If your district is interested in joining this partnership, you may do so at anytime throughout the year by contacting John Stile.

Serving Children From Birth to Age 21

Green Hills AEA is committed to helping each child grow and succeed. Chief Administrator, Dr. Lolli Haws, along with Creston Regional Administrator, Angie Hance, and Digital Learning Specialist, Stephanie Lane, share two programs that work to accomplish that very goal. Read Article Here

Green Hills AEA in the East

Last Friday, Dr. Lolli Haws and Patrick Rabbitt met with the Osceola Sintinel Tribune in Osceola to discuss the various services available to districts in east served by the Osceola Office. View full article

Iowa ALN? What's that?

In response to the governor's Future Ready Iowa initiative, Great Prairie AEA and Green Hills AEA partnered together to create a program for students to experience 21st-Century learning through the development of authentic learning experiences with area businesses, industry, and other organizations. THeir vision is to provide students the opportunity to explore their passions, engage with experts while learning and applying 21st-century skills that prepare them for their future within the K-12 setting. Learn More!

Gov. Reynolds Appoints First Teachers Cabinet

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds announced on Thursday she is appointing her first Governor’s Teachers Cabinet to give teachers a more prominent voice in education policy decisions. The teachers will meet quarterly with Gov. Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg and Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise to offer their advice about how to better prepare all students for the knowledge economy, elevate the teaching profession and strengthen the direct line of communication between the governor’s office, schools and communities.

2018-19 AEA Buyer's Guide

Take a look at some of the areas in which we can help you save money this upcoming school year through AEA Purchasing. We are excited to offer new opportunities to save! From technology to athletics, even food service and school management, we've got you covered!

Dr. Haws Visits Area Superintendents

Dr. Lolli Haws has been making her way around Green Hills AEA this past month. As of August 3rd, she had visited with Superintendents of 24 districts. She has scheduled to meet with each superintendent by the end of August and looks forward to meeting with Green Hills AEA staff at each regional office in the near future. Read more

Glenwood Receives State Recognition

Glenwood Community School District was recognized by the Iowa Department of Education for creating opportunities for all families and for the support of passionate, dedicated staff, family and community partners. Read the full article here.

Kaiti and Benelli at Lewis & Clark

Two new faces were recently introduced to students and staff at Lewis & Clark Elementary when Kaiti King and her therapy dog, Benelli, joined the Explorer’s team.
As part of Kaiti’s final rotation through her doctorate of occupational therapy degree at Creighton University in Omaha, NE, Kaiti completed 6 weeks of volunteer service with Ellen Dosen, School Psychologist, who served as Kaiti’s site supervisor.

Iowa Earns Approval for State Education Plan Under ESSA

DES MOINES – The U.S. Department of Education today approved Iowa’s plan for school accountability and support under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Iowa’s plan reflects a commitment to ensuring every student graduates ready for success in college and in the workplace.

Upping the Ante in the Science Classroom

Educators are focusing heavily on future ready practices in their classrooms. One way to do this is through personalized and authentic learning experiences where students engage in the Universal Constructs by working on a local project or solving a local problem through collaborative efforts with businesses, organizations, and community members. Naturally, these projects are interdisciplinary and in them, the Iowa Academic Standards can really come to life for student learning. Learn more about Green Hills/Great Prairie Science and Technology Consultant, Laura Williams, and two Iowa schools featured by the Iowa Department of Education for working to make learning come alive through the creation of authentic learning experiences!

Connecting Education to Business

The Iowa Authentic Learning Network (Iowa ALN), led by Stephanie Lane and Laura Williams, is dedicated to providing work-based learning experiences for students. Districts are given opportunities to partner with local business through this program. Students receive hands on learning experiences earlier, which helps discover what they're passionate about and want to pursue a career in. Iowa ALN was featured in the Department of Education's School Leader Update this month. See the full article here!

Skilled Trades Job Market is Booming

A four-year university track is not the only option for students. With a shortage of skilled workers, many students are finding high paying jobs in the skilled trades. Read the full story here.

School Administrators of the Year Awards

SAI  (School Administrators of Iowa) have selected their 2018 Administrators of the Year:

Superintendent - Greg Ebeling, Pella
Assistant Elementary Principal - Cory Allison, Carlisle
Assistant Secondary Principal - Brian Howes, Dubuque
Secondary Principal - Ryan Dumkrieger, Sioux City
Middle Level Principal - Terry Hogenson, Muscatine
Elementary Principal - Gayle Allensworth, Red Oak
Central Office - selected in spring 2018
Fine Arts - Darwin Lehmann, Forest City

A special congratulations to Gayle Allensworth, Elementary Principal at Red Oak CSD!

Iowa Review Teams Release Recommendations to Reform Developmental Education

   Two work groups charged with studying ways to reduce the need for developmental college coursework today released recommendations that support Iowa’s vision for all students to graduate from high school ready for college and for college students to have the support they need to complete a degree or credential.