Northwest AEA Preschool Newsletter

November 2021

Your communication hub!

We're happy to bring the November edition of our newsletter to you. Once again, there is a lot of information available for you at your fingertips. It might be helpful to create a Preschool Newsletter folder in your inbox to put these in so you can refer to them as often as needed. No worries if you don't; you can find our monthly newsletters on the Northwest AEA site under Early Childhood (Ages 3-5).


TIPS:

  • All images and buttons have links. Most open in a new window, however there are a few that don't so you'll have to use the back arrow to get back to the newsletter. You'll be able to tell in your browser tabs if a new window opens or not.
  • If you want the best experience for viewing the newsletter, open it in a new tab vs. reading it in an email. You can do that by going to this link: https://www.smore.com/mcvd9


As always, if you have any questions or concerns, we're here to help ~Joyce, Brenda & Shelley

Preschool Desk Audit Information for the 2021-22 School Year is here!

The Iowa Department of Education released guidance for the 2021-22 Preschool Desk Audit. That guidance can be found here. They also have shared a 13 minute webinar that further explains the requirements.


Submissions are due December 15th. Let us know how we can help.

IQRS changing to IQ4K

Some of you participate in the Iowa Quality Rating system. Changes are on the way, if you want to know more, click on the image below.

Intentional Teacher 2021

Intentional Teacher final three sessions are coming up. You can participate live or asynchronously. If you're still wanting to purchase Ramps & Pathways, here is the UPDATED link to purchase. It's not too late to purchase!

Substitute Authorization Classes

New sessions just opened up: Nov. 8, 9, 15, 16 & 17, 2021 OR Jan. 25, 26, 27, Feb. 1, & 2, 2022. Both offered via Zoom from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Click on image below for fees & flyer information.
Northwest AEA Early Childhood PD Plan

Here you have access to professional development designed specifically for early childhood staff for the 2021-22 school year.

Other Professional Development Opportunities

Nature Learning Indoors and Out

Need to add a little spark to children's learning? NAEYC's Fall 2021 Edition of Teaching Young Children features articles on using nature to spark learning- both inside and out.
GOLD Website Elevation Support

Click HERE for support from TS GOLD. Once the Fall Checkpoint is complete, the GOLD Website Elevation will occur for all Iowa users.

GOLD Support from the Iowa Department of Education

It is in Iowa Code that Statewide Voluntary Preschool Programs implement GOLD. The Iowa Dept. of Education developed a manual to assist teachers, practitioners, and administrations in setting up and using GOLD Online. Click on the image below for access to the most recent Iowa GOLD Online Procedure Manual.
5 Myths about ELLs & Special Education

Sherri Anderson shared this article from !Colorin Colorado! with our Early Childhood Department.

ECSE Supports

Early Childhood Special Education staff: Click here to access Iowa's IDEA website. You will find information and resources pertinent to all who work with and/or live with a child having a disability.


The Iowa Department of Education has a page on their website with information helpful to teachers and staff who work with children in early childhood special education. Click here to access the page.


Northwest AEA also has a website page designed to assist you as you support students with special education needs. Here is a link to that page.

ACHIEVE Updates for ECSE staff

Updated Implementation Dates

All districts will be using the ACHIEVE system no later than September 15, 2022, with the inclusion of all IEPs/IFSPs by June 30, 2023. This slide deck provides milestones in a few different formats to help provide you with an overview of the system rollout.


ACHIEVE Updates

Find updates here: ACHIEVE website.

Northwest AEA Early Childhood Consultants

Northwest AEA Early Childhood Consultants

Northwest AEA Early Childhood Consultants
We hope to be your first contact for timely and ongoing early childhood support. We want to assist you in improving the performance outcomes and well-being of your young learners.


Joyce, Brenda & Shelley

1520 Morningside Avenue, Sioux City, IA, USA bjenkins@nwaea.org 712.222.6122 nwaea.org/