News Releases

Congratulations!  

You amazed us by submitting so many entertaining and innovative videos that it is impossible for us to pick a winner for the May Video Challenge.........so we are putting it up for a vote!  

Voting is open through May 19 at 10pm

Good luck to everyone!

 Note :  You can also vote by following us on Facebook! 

Attention Students!  

Show us the creative, fun things happening at your school by participating in our video challenge!   The deadline to submit is Wednesday, May 15, 2013.  The winner will be announced on Friday, May 17, 2013, and the winning school building will receive a special treat for the last day of school!     Submit your video.

Your friends at Keystone AEA have started the challenge with our own version of the Harlem Shake.....Now it's your turn!

Keystone AEA Staff Harlem Shake - May Video Challenge Event kickoff

Submit your video.

For more information email webmaster@aea1.k12.ia.us

Craig Beytien, who resides with his wife, Alyson, in Dubuque, was elected by the Dubuque Board of Education on February 11, 2013, to fill the Director District 9 position on the Keystone AEA Board of Directors.

Keystone AEA Regional History Day was held Saturday, March 9, 2013, at Decorah Middle School, Decorah, Iowa. This year's theme is Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events.

The following State Qualifiers advanced to the State Contest held at the Iowa State Historical Museum, Des Moines, on Monday, April 29, 2013 (Senior Division), and Monday, May 6, 2013 (Junior Division). They have a chance to advance to the National Contest, held at the University of Maryland, June 9-13, 2013.

13 Schools Receive Awards
– excerpt from Iowa Department of Education Learning Supports

 
Thirteen schools were recognized last fall for their work on Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) during the 2011-12 school year. Since Iowa began implementing the awards in school year 2009-2010, a full 24 schools have been honored. The current honorees are recognized in three categories, each progressively more developed. The first level, the Honor Recognition Award, went to five schools that have implemented and sustained critical elements of Tier 1. The second level, the Banner award, went to five schools that were recognized for their continued implementation of Tier 1 and have Tier 2 supports in place for students needing targeted interventions. The highest award, the Paramount, went to the three schools that maintained Tiers 1 and 2 and provided intensive supports by establishing Tier 3 systems and practices, including wraparound services.

Congratulations, 2012 Recognition Awards schools and staff!

2011-12 PBIS Recognition Awards

Honor

• West Delaware Middle

• Lambert Elementary

• Sioux Central Elementary*
• Grant Wood Elementary
• LeMars Gehlen Catholic

Banner

• Roosevelt Middle*

• Clayton Ridge Middle*

• Clayton Ridge Elementary

• Sunset Heights Elementary
• West Sioux Elementary*

Paramount

• Stratford Elementary*
• East Sac Elementary* (Sac City Center)
• East Sac Elementary* (Wall Lake Ctr.)

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) are a multi-tiered continuum of supports for all students in the school environment. Supported by the Iowa Department of Education, PBIS provides schools with the framework and organizational plan to promote and maximize academic achievement and behavioral competence for all students.

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs Technical Assistance Center on PBIS indicates there are 13,300 schools implementing PBIS in the United States and other countries including Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, and Canada. Since 2002, PBIS has continued to grow in Iowa. Currently, more than 300 schools are implementing PBIS in 107 districts around the state.

For more information regarding training opportunities, contact De Blanchard at 800-632-5918 or at dblanchard@aea1.k12.ia.us.

*Previously recognized

The Dubuque Community School Board elected a new member to the Keystone Area Education Agency Board of Directors at a February 11 election convention at the Dubuque School Administration Office in Dubuque.

Craig Beytien of Dubuque was elected as the director in Director District 9. The director district is wholly within the Dubuque Comm. School District and includes Dubuque County Precincts 1, 2, 4, 16, 20, 32, 34, 42, and 45. Beytien will fill the position formerly held by John “Fritz” Ganshirt who served on the Board since December 1974. Craig Beytien will serve for the remaining two and one-half years of a four-year term expiring in October 2015.

Beytien will join the Keystone AEA Board of Directors at its next meeting on February 18 in Elkader.

Keystone Area Education Agency will be offering the required training course for the Iowa Substitute Authorization. This authorization allows an individual to substitute in a middle school, junior high school, or high school. If you are a Certified Paraeducator, this assigned special education classroom may be at the elementary, middle school, junior high school or high school level.
 
The four core components of the course are Classroom Management, Strategies for Learning, Diversity, and Ethics. Upon successful completion of the program the participant may apply to the Board of Educational Examiners for a license, ($85 issuance fee.) A state and federal background check is required, ($65 background fee.) Local districts have the option of hiring individuals with the Substitute Authorization. It does not guarantee employment. Please check with your local district.
 
Anyone who meets the following five criteria is eligible to receive this new authorization:
 
1.   Has achieved at least one of the following: (1) holds a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, OR (2) has completed an approved Paraeducator Certification Program and holds a Paraeducator Certificate.
2.   Has attained a minimum age of 21 years.
3.   Has successfully completed an Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation background check.
4.   Has successfully completed a National Criminal History background check.
5.   Has successfully completed all the requirements of an approved Substitute Authorization course.
 
What are the requirements to get my Substitute Authorization?
 
The following must be sent in to the Board of Educational Examiners:

• A complete application form.
• $150.00 ($85.00 issuance fee, $65.00 background fee) check or money order made payable to the Board of Educational Examiners, Licensure, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th St., Des Moines, IA 50319-0147.
• Completed fingerprint cards and waiver form.
• Official verification (transcript) of completion of the 15 contact hour (minimum) course required for the Substitute Authorization.
• Official transcript showing a bachelor’s degree or a paraeducator certificate.

 
Renewal of Authorization
 
The period of renewal for this authorization is once every three years. At the time of renewal you will need to submit verification of two 15 contact hour courses taken within the three year period from the date your Authorization was issued, the renewal application form, documentation of Mandatory Child and Dependent Adult Abuse training and the renewal fee.
 
The Substitute Authorization course is 20-clock hour training. The course dates at Keystone AEA, Elkader are as follows:
April 12, 6:00 – 9:00 pm;
April 13-14, 2013, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
 
No late registrations or walk-ins will be accepted. A minimum of 10 participants is required to make the course a “go”. Participants must attend all sessions. Course fee will be $90.00 plus materials fee of $30.00. Keystone AEA reserves the right to cancel the program due to low enrollment. Notification of cancellation will be made to those registered.
 
If interested, call Dee O’Brien at 1-800-632-5918, ext 1465, during regular business hours.
Registration deadline is March 22, 2013.
Registration and payment information will follow to people that have registered.

Area school boards elected two new members to the Keystone Area Education Agency Board of Directors at December 10 election conventions in Farley and Dubuque.

Sandy Gassman of Epworth was elected as the director in Director District 6. The director district includes the Edgewood-Colesburg Comm. School District; the Clayton County Buena Vista Township, Dubuque County Precincts 33, 34, 35, 38, 40, 41, 42, and 44; and Jackson County Precincts 4, 5, and Richland-Washington of the Western Dubuque Comm. School District; and Dubuque County Mosalem-Table Mound E-Washington Precinct and Jackson County Precincts 2 and 3 in the Dubuque Comm. School District. Gassman will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of John Perrenoud of Farley. She will serve for the remaining year of a four-year term expiring in October 2013.

Galen Reinsmoen of Dubuque was elected as the director in Director District 7. The director district includes the Dubuque County Precincts 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 31, and 36 in the Dubuque Comm. School District. Reinsmoen will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Merle Gaber of Dubuque and serve for the remaining year of a four-year term expiring in October 2013.

Gassman and Reinsmoen will join the Keystone AEA Board of Directors at its next meeting on December 17.
 

The Keystone AEA Board of Directors held its annual meeting on October 15, 2012, and elected new officers for the year.

Francis Peterson of Decorah (left) was elected President for 2012-13. He is presenting a plaque in appreciation for Gary Gassett’s services as President. Gassett, of Lime Springs, served as the Board’s President from 2009 to 2012, and remains on the Board.
 

Keystone AEA Advisory Committee Meeting
October 16, 2012; 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Keystone AEA Conference Center, Elkader


Committee Chair: TBD
Committee Secretary: TBD

I. Call to Order/Roll Call
Introductions
Appointment of Committee Chair (Motion)
Appointment of Committee Secretary (Motion)
Additions to the Agenda (Motion)
Approval of the Agenda (Motion)


II. Approval of Minutes of May 8, 2012 (Motion)


III. Old Business
A. Purpose of Keystone Advisory (Sue Daker)
B. Technology In Classrooms (TIC) Conference Information (Rhonda Sheeley)
C. Other
 

IV. New Business
A. S.T.E.M. update (Rhonda Sheeley)
B. Professional Learning Communities / Professional Learning Networks
(Sue Daker / Marcia Kruse)
C. Statewide Online PD Update (Rhonda Sheeley)
D. Future Keystone Advisory Meeting format (demonstration / discussion)
E. Other


V. Reports
A.


VI. Adjournment
 

2012-2013 Keystone Advisory Committee meeting dates:
October 16, 2012 • (12:30 PM – 3:30 PM)
February 5, 2013 • (12:30 PM – 3:30 PM)
May 7, 2013 • (12:30 PM – 3:30 PM)

Youth Vote Live Discussion
October 30, 2012
9:00-10:30am

KWWL and Wartburg College are inviting classrooms to enter a live election discussion on Oct. 30, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Ron Steele and Jacqueline Schutte are co-hosting Youth Vote, featuring a live studio audience and interaction from your area schools.

High school students across eastern Iowa can engage personally in the event by posting questions online using live chat, Facebook and Twitter, to be answered and discussed on air.

Classrooms can watch Youth Vote through multiple channels. The show will air live on KWWL channel 7.3 as well as stream live on the Wartburg Circuit at www.wartburgcircuit.org/youthvote.

Four issues relevant to young voters will be highlighted in the discussion on Youth Vote. These include gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights, education reform, the economy and job creation.

Register your school to participate by Oct. 22 and receive supplemental materials to the live discussion. This show will be a complete lesson on the elections, relevant to all young voters. To register go to www.wartburgcircuit.org/youthvote.

Keystone AEA’s board member, Merle Gaber (left), of Dubuque was presented with a plaque by Board President Gary Gassett (right) Monday evening, September 17, 2012, in recognition and appreciation for his services to the Keystone AEA Board of Directors and the schools and children of Northeast Iowa.

Merle served as a board member, representing Director District 7 for 15 years (since 1997). He has served on all board committees, including the Agency’s Equal Employment/Affirmative Action Committee and also as vice-president from 2001 to 2004 and again from 2008 to 2012.

Thank you, Merle, for your services. You will be missed!
 

• A complete application form.
• $150.00 ($85.00 issuance fee, $65.00 background fee) check or money order made payable to the Board of Educational Examiners, Licensure, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th St., Des Moines, IA 50319-0147.
• Completed fingerprint cards and waiver form.
• Official verification (transcript) of completion of the 15 contact hour (minimum) course required for the Substitute Authorization. 
• Official transcript showing a bachelor’s degree or a paraeducator certificate.

Keystone Area Education Agency will be offering the required training course for the Iowa Substitute Authorization.  This authorization allows an individual to substitute in a middle school, junior high school, or high school. If you are a Certified Paraeducator, this assigned special education classroom may be at the elementary, middle school, junior high school or high school level.

The four core components of the course are Classroom Management, Strategies for Learning, Diversity, and Ethics. Upon successful completion of the program the participant may apply to the Board of Educational Examiners for a license, ($85 issuance fee.) A state and federal background check is required, ($65 background fee.) Local districts have the option of hiring individuals with the Substitute Authorization. It does not guarantee employment. Please check with your local district.

Anyone who meets the following five criteria is eligible to receive this new authorization:

1. Has achieved at least one of the following:  (1) holds a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, OR (2) has completed an approved Paraeducator Certification Program and holds a Paraeducator Certificate.
2. Has attained a minimum age of 21 years.
3. Has successfully completed an Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation background check.
4. Has successfully completed a National Criminal History background check.
5. Has successfully completed all the requirements of an approved Substitute Authorization course.

What are the requirements to get my Substitute Authorization?

The following must be sent in to the Board of Educational Examiners:

• A complete application form.
• $150.00 ($85.00 issuance fee, $65.00 background fee) check or money order made payable to the Board of Educational Examiners, Licensure, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th St., Des Moines, IA 50319-0147.
• Completed fingerprint cards and waiver form.
• Official verification (transcript) of completion of the 15 contact hour (minimum) course required for the Substitute Authorization.
• Official transcript showing a bachelor’s degree or a paraeducator certificate.

Renewal of Authorization

The period of renewal for this authorization is once every three years. At the time of renewal you will need to submit verification of two 15 contact hour courses taken within the three year period from the date your Authorization was issued, the renewal application form, documentation of Mandatory Child and Dependent Adult Abuse training and the renewal fee.

The Substitute Authorization course is 20-clock hour training. The course dates are June 8, 6:00 – 9:00 pm; June 9-10, 2012, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm at Keystone AEA, Elkader.

No late registrations or walk-ins will be accepted.  A minimum of 10 participants is required to make the course a “go”.  Participants must attend all sessions.  Course fee will be $90.00 plus materials fee of $30.00.  Keystone AEA reserves the right to cancel the program due to low enrollment.  Notification of cancellation will be made to those registered.

If interested, call Dee O’Brien at 1-800-632-5918, ext 1465, during regular business hours.  Registration deadline is May 18, 2012.  Registration and payment information will follow to people that have registered.