May 29, 2009

May 29, 2009
Internal Weekly Announcements
for Grant Wood Area Education
Agency Staff and Board
Mark Your Calendars
June 10 GWAEA Board Meeting
June 15 Summer Hours Begin
Aug. 14 Last day of Summer Hours
Aug. 17 All Agency Inservice-p.m.
Announcements
Attached to this issue:
•Vacancies
•EAP June Newsletter
Agency Leadership Group Holds Graduation Event
On May 20, the Organizational Leadership Program participants celebrated the
graduation of Tina Hoffman, Karla Ries, Sherry Sines and Lynn Tiemann from this
Grant Wood AEA sponsored program.
The participants presented their findings from projects they had worked on throughout the past year to members of the management group who were able to attend.
In addition to the program graduates, current members of the program include Liz
Delsandro, Jenny Fitzpatrick, Mary Lukas, Loretta Mitvalsky, Melanie Reese, David
Maiers, Jill Ries, Jody Beck, Katy Lee, Tammie Beener, and Tracy Liebermann.
Other individuals who have participated in the agency’s leadership program are
Christine Allen, Kelly Jones, Kim Malcolm, Johanna VanderZee, Jill Weigel and Judy
Weyant.
“The reason we created this program was to help grow our own talent within the
agency,” said Dr. Fielder. “We also wanted to give staff an opportunity to explore
management work within the agency and to gain a greater understanding of leadership roles. We are pleased with the number of individuals who have been able to
assume leadership roles in the agency after they participated in this program.”
Participants in the 2008-09 program year included back left: Mary Lukas, Liz Delsandro, Jenny Fitzpatrick, Melanie Reese, Loretta Mitvalsky. Front row from left: Tina
Hoffman, Sherry Sines, Lynn Tiemann and Karla Ries.
May 29, 2009
2009-10 Holidays
The following are scheduled holidays for
the 2009-10 School Year:
•Independence Day-July 3, 2009
•Labor Day-September 7, 2009
•Thanksgiving Day-November 26, 2009
•Friday following Thanksgiving-November
27, 2009
•Winter Break-December 25, 28, 29, 30,
31, 2009
•New Year’s Day-January 1, 2010
•Memorial Day-May 31, 2010
Employee Assistance Program
The EAP is FREE...The cost of the
assessment and short term counseling
is provided to you at no cost by your
employer.
The EAP is SIMPLE...A phone call is all it
takes to start the process.
The EAP is CONFIDENTIAL...All information between you and your counselor
is private.
Please call 369-8152 to schedule an EAP
appointment today!
Relax, Renew, Recycle
“Nature Rocks – The Concert”
A GREEN Benefit for
The Indian Creek Nature Center & SPT
Theatre Company
Sunday, June 21, 7-10 p.m.
Indian Creek Nature Center
6665 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids
www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org
Enjoy:
·The outdoors on the summer solstice
· Authentic Mexican food by Tony Bata
·Chair massage by Massage Therapist
Alex Collins
·A live music concert by SPT’s Doug Elliott, Gerard Estella, Janelle Lauer, Jane
Pini and guest artist Dave Moore
·Educational displays
·Fun lessons about recycling by the
Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste
Agency – www.solidwasteagency.org
Bring:
·Lawn chairs
·Food and beverages in recyclable
containers
Get there:
·Drive a hybrid car, carpool or bicycle
·Park your car at the Sac & Fox Trail and
walk
Tickets are $25 for adults, children 16
and under are free.
Friends and colleagues of
Barb Anderson
and
Patty Sebetka
are invited to a
Retirement Celebration
on Friday, June 5th at 4:00 p.m.
at 2603 Glen Elm Dr. NE
Buy, Sell, Trade...
FOR SALE: 2007 Current Designs
Kayak, the model is ‘kestrel’. It is 12'
long w/watertight storage and is a ‘sit in’
kayak. $500. Call 310-8699.
FOR SALE: Adorable and very wellmaintained 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch in
a quiet, friendly North Liberty neighborhood. Lots of upgrades in 2007 make
this a “must see.” *$167,900* Call (319)
331-8096 for more information or visit
www.fsbo.com/128057.
Call the Nature Center at (319) 3620664 or pay at the gate.
Grant Wood Area Chapter June
2009 Blood Drives
Give the gift of life by donating blood.
Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543)
or visit www.givebloodgivelife.org for
more information or to schedule an appointment.
Thank you:
Alliant Energy ~ Cedar Rapids/Linn
County Solid Waste Agency ~ Cedar
Rapids Toyota ~ Habitat for Humanity
Restore ~ Linn County Trails Association
~ OPN Architects
Grant Wood Area Education Agency extends equal opportunities in its employment practices, educational programs and services, and does not discriminate on the basis of color, gender,
race, national origin, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation,
gender identity, marital status, disability, veteran status or as
otherwise prohibited by law. If you believe you or your child has
been discriminated against or treated unjustly, please contact
the Agency’s Equity Coordinator, Maria Cashman, at 319-3996847 or 1-800-332-8488 or TDD 319-399-6766, Grant Wood
AEA, 4401 Sixth St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
VACANCIES
2009-2010
MANAGEMENT
Facilitator
(Northern Facility/Agency-wide)
(Recommendation Pending)
(1.0)
SALARIED
Computer Services Consultant - Project
Support
(Northern Facility/Technology Center)
(Closed to applications; interviewing)
(1.0)
CONTRACTED
Autism Consultant
(Northern Facility/Central Region)
(Recommendation to the Board)
Child Support Specialist OR Inclusion
Resource Specialist OR School Social Worker
(Southern Facility/Southwest Region)
Curriculum Consultant Science
(33 rd Ave/Northeast Region)
(.6)
(Recommendation to the Board)
Occupational Therapist
(Southern Facility/Agency-Wide)
(Northern Facility/Cedar Rapids Region)
(Northern Facility/Agency-wide)
Physical Therapist
(Agency Center TBD/Region TBD)
(Agency Center TBC/Region TBC)
Speech-Language Pathologist
(Southern Facility/Agency-wide)
(Northern Facility/Northeast Region)
(Northern Facility/Northeast Region)
(Northern Facility/Cedar Rapids Region)
(Northern Facility/Northwest Region)
(Northern Facility/Central Region)
(Northern Facility/Central Region)
(Southern Facility/Southwest Region)
(Southern Facility/Iowa City Region)
(Southern Facility/Iowa City Region)
Special Education Consultant OR
Inclusion Resource Specialist
(Southern Facility/Southwest Region)
5/29/09
(1.0)
(2.0)
(.6)
(.4)
(1.0)
(Recommendation to the Board)
(Closing date: June 8, 2009)
School Psychologist
(Northern Facility/Cedar Rapids Region)
School Social Worker
(Northern Facility/Cedar Rapids Region)
(Northern Facility/Cedar Rapids Region)
(Northern Facility/Northeast Region)
(Northern Facility/Central Region)
(Northern Facility/Central Region)
(Northern Facility/Cedar Rapids Region)
(up to 1.0)
(up to 2.5)
(1.0)
(up to 1.5)
(up to 1.0)
(Closing date: June 12, 2009)
(Closed to applications; interviewing)
(Closing date: June 1, 2009)
(Closed to applications; interviewing)
(Closed to applications; interviewing)
(Closed to applications; interviewing)
(Closing date: June 1, 2009)
(Closed to applications; interviewing)
(Closed to applications; interviewing)
(Closing date: June 1, 2009)
(up to 3.6)
(.5)
(up to .5)
(.4)
(.2)
(up to 1.0)
(up to 1.0)
(up to 7.1)
(1.0)
(.4)
(.2)
(up to 1.4)
(1.4)
(up to .7)
(.3)
(up to .7)
(up to .6)
(up to .4)
(3.5)
(1.0)
(Northern Facility/Cedar Rapids Region)
(Northern Facility/Central Region)
(Northern Facility/Central Region)
(Closing date: June 1, 2009)
(Closing date: June 8, 2009)
School Psychologist OR
Special Education Consultant OR
Inclusion Resource Specialist
(Northern Facility/Central Region)
(Southern Facility/Iowa City Region)
(Southern Facility/Iowa City Region
(.5)
(1.0)
(1.0)
(up to1.5)
(up to .5)
(.5)
(.5)
CLASSIFIED
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
(Northern Facility/Agency-wide)
(Up to 40 hours/week; school year)
(Closed to applications; interviewing)
(up to.769)
Compiler Clerk
(Northern Facility/Media)
(29 hours/week; year round)
(Closing date: June 8, 2009)
(.725)
IMS Operator
ESC/Information Management (IMS)
(40 hours/week; school year)
(Closing date: June 1, 2009)
(.8846)
VACANCIES
2008-2009
SALARIED
Programmer
(Northern Facility/IMS)
(Recommendation Pending)
(1.0)
ASSIGNMENT OPENINGS
In addition to the vacancy posting, assignment openings may also be available to contracted staff members for a period of
five days. For a listing of those assignment openings, staff may call voicemail box x6302. (In-house: 6555, x6302; Cedar
Rapids calling area: 399-6555, x6302; WATS line: 1-800-798-9771, x6302). Staffs wishing to be considered for a change in
assignment are to submit the request in writing to both the identified Regional Administrator and the Associate
Administrator. (For further information regarding assignment requests, please see Article 10, Paragraph D, of the Master
Agreement for Contacted Staff)
5/29/09
June 2009
Wellness, Productivity & You!
St. Luke’s Employee Assistance Program (319) 369-8152
Heavy Smokers
Can Quit
Payoffs for Not
Sweating the
Small Stuff
J
ust reported, a long-term
study examined the health of seven-year-olds to see
what kind of health problems they came to experience
later in their mid-30s—and whether those participants with
fewer health problems had exhibited attitude or behavioral
differences from their peers at age seven. Results: Those in
their mid-30s with fewer physical health problems had exhibited better skills at age seven when it came to staying focused and not sweating the small stuff. A superior attention
span and a more positive outlook in youth seem to have had
a positive effect on health in older subjects. Could the study
provide evidence that behavior and emotions associated
with certain temperaments play a crucial role in long-term
health? Help children cope with frustrations and alter their
way of responding to distressful events. It may influence
positive health outcomes later in life.
Postponed
Retirement
M
Source: Health Psychology, May 2009
illions of workers have
seen their long-awaited
plans for retirement placed
on hold because of the current economic recession. Such an
event can be so disturbing, it may contribute to depression.
Although no one can replace a depleted nest egg, support
for coping with this reality—and help in overcoming the anger and grief associated with it—might be necessary. Talk
to your employee assistance program or qualified financial
counseling advisor. Feel good again and renew your determination to meet retirement goals.
R
esearch shows that the
majority of smokers at
any one time are interested in quitting. Your employer will love it if you decide
to make another attempt. Fiftyone percent of smokers in the
most recent national study
tried quitting in the past year;
only 20% succeeded—about
one in five. Here’s the kicker: If you are a heavy smoker—
officially, more than 20 cigarettes a day—you are almost twice
as likely to be successful if you decide to quit smoking! Go for
it.
Source: Smoking in the U.S. Workforce, National Health
Interview Survey [NHIS] and the Tobacco Use Supplement
to the Current Population Survey, 2003.
Water Safety Tips
Worth Heeding
S
ummer is here—so be safe,
especially when participating in
water sports. Eighty percent of
people who drown aren’t wearing
life jackets. Wear one if you need one.
Here’s a rarely reported safety tip:
Stay out of the water when you are
around boats using electricity at a
dock to avoid the possibility of being shocked from by an
electrical current leaking into the water. Only a small current
is needed to cause paralysis and possible drowning. If you
feel tingling sensations while swimming toward a boat, a boat
lift, or a dock—back away and get out of the water.
Important notice: Information in FrontLine Employee is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the counsel or advice of a qualified health or legal professional.
For further help, questions, or referral to community resources for specific problems or personal concerns, contact an employee assistance or other qualified professional.
June 2009 FrontLine Employee
Parents:
Beware Eating
Disorder
Web Sites
Y
ou can find almost anything on the Internet,
including Web sites that worsen deadly eating disorders. Called “pro-Ana” Web sites because they
promote anorexia and similar illnesses, they have loyal followings. Evidence that your child may be visiting such Web sites can
provide important early clues to the potential onset of an eating
disorder or reveal an existing though well-hidden illness. Many of
these Web sites focus on helping victims “do it right.” Some proana Web sites masquerade as helpful resources, weaving useful
and accurate information into their mixed messages. Unfortunately, these home-built, privately run Web sites make eating disorders worse. Photos of glamorized models and famous ultra-thin
people are used for inspiration. Discussion forums encourage inappropriate weight-loss goals. Web sites hook users and bond
them into superficial online friendships. The result is a normalization of these illnesses that can make it tougher to overcome them,
to have effective relationships with parents or loved ones, and to
maintain positive mental health. Pro-Ana sites usually contain images of overly thin people to inspire others with eating disorders
to stay focused on their misguided weight-loss goals. With slogans like “You can control your life from the inside out” and “If it
tastes good, it’s trying to kill you,” these Web sites have their own
language. For example, the phrase “my ‘thinspo’,” is slang for
“my thin inspiration.” It refers to anything—usually an image or a
video—that inspires a person with an eating disorder to keep losing more weight.
Introducing
“Freecycling”
Y
ou already know about recycling, but you may not have
heard of a more recent Earth-friendly movement with big
payoffs—freecycling. The Freecycle Network™ is made up
of 4,745 groups in communities around the globe. It’s a grassroots movement and an entirely nonprofit network of people who
are giving (and getting) stuff for free. It’s all about reusing and
keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated
by a local volunteer. Chances are there’s a freecycling group in
your town. Have stuff in your garage or basement that you would
like to discard but that is too good to throw away? Freecycling
may be for you. Learn more at www.freecycle.org.
Building Resilience to
Prepare for Stress
D
on’t wait until you
are on the skids
with stress. Start
beating it back before it
arrives by building resilience. Building resilience
is not a passing poppsychology fad. The
American Psychological
Association has weighed in on the strategy and endorsed a 10-step approach. How many of these tips do
you follow? Which ones would be good to work on
more? 1) Build effective, supportive relationships with
others. 2) Avoid “catastrophizing” (seeing crises as insurmountable). 3) View change as part of life, with new
opportunities accompanying it. 4) Be proactive. Move
toward your goals. Don’t let things just happen to you.
5) When faced with problems, act decisively. Don’t just
go with the flow. 6) In the midst of a crisis (or sometime
soon after), ask yourself, “Can this event change my
life for the better in some way?” 7) Nurture a view of
yourself that includes the ability to withstand adversity.
8) Practice not zeroing in on the worst part about a crisis or adverse experience. 9) During a tough time,
practice looking forward to the hoped-for conclusion
and resolution while avoiding the visualization of your
worst fears. 10) Take care of yourself by maintaining
your physical and mental health, because this makes it
easier to bounce back when adversity strikes.
Save Money
on Groceries
Shop
Less Often!
H
ow many times do you go to the
grocery store in a week? Is it more than once? If
so, here is a great way to save money over the
next month: Stop this practice. Try shopping for groceries only once per week. You are less likely to put
items in your shopping basket that you do not need.
These expenditures can add up. So, make a list and
stick to it for a once-per-week visit.