23rd Annual Iowa Culture and Language Conference

We are pleased to offer your district an exciting opportunity to send a cross-section of K-12 educators (particularly classroom and content teachers) to attend the 23rd Annual Iowa Culture and Language Conference on February 10 and 11, 2009. Title III funds will reimburse districts for conference registration ($115, if registered by December 9, 2008) plus up to two days of sub costs, per participant. Early registration is encouraged; neither late nor on-site registration will be reimbursed.

Click here to register through the Northwest AEA Web site. You must register your own participants.

This national-level conference is a premier opportunity for professional development for professionals who work with English language learners and other diverse learners to increase achievement. Please distribute this information to your staff (fellow administrators, classroom and ESL teachers, counselors, associates, etc.), and consider sending a representative group from your district.

Note: Title III funds will pay for:
• up to 10 participants from large districts (such as Ames, Perry, Urbandale, Waukee and West Des Moines)
• up to 5 participants from smaller districts (such as Coon Rapids, Saydel, Boone, Carlisle, Indianola and private schools such as Sacred Heart, Des Moines Christian, and Saint Patrick’s in Perry)

After attendance is completed, districts should request a District Reimbursement Form by emailing Pat Latham, platham@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Important Message: Please accept our personal invitation to attend the Immigration Forum on February 11, 2009 from 2:00-5:00 p.m., sponsored by Heartland AEA 11 and moderated by Rekha Basu from the Des Moines Register. National and state experts will discuss educational implications and facts related to immigration in Iowa. Attendance is free with reception to follow.

For further questions, please direct them to:

Stephaney Jones-Vo sjonesvo@aea11.k12.ia.us
515-270-0405 ext. 14680

Pat Latham platham@aea11.k12.ia.us
515-270-0405 ext. 14681

Toll-free: 1-800-255-0405 followed by the extension of choice, above

Curriculum Network Meeting -- December 5th

The next Curriculum Network meeting will be held on Friday, December 5th from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church (4300 Beaver Ave., Des Moines). Click here for the agenda.

Iowa English Language Development Assessment Training

The 2009 Statewide Iowa English Language Development Assessment (I-ELDA) Training will be offered on January 7, 2009, in the Northwoods Room at Stoney Creek Inn, 5291 Stoney Creek Court, in Johnston. Continental breakfast with networking will take place starting at 8:30 a.m., and the I-ELDA training will begin at 9:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided.

As last year, Dave Booth of Heartland AEA will be videotaping the training to prepare a DVD for those unable to attend.

Registration is limited to 100 and deadline for registration is December 18, 2008. Click here to register through the Heartland Professional Development catalog. Enter activity number ES0047-9999-0901.

Early Bird Registration for the Iowa Culture and Language Conference

Heartland AEA would like to invite you and your staff to attend the Iowa Culture and Language Conference on February 10 and 11, 2009. The ICLC planning committee is excited and proud to bring to Iowa many renowned experts in the ESL field as conference presenters. Click here for information explaining the reimbursement process for participation, registration and substitute pay.

The early bird registration deadline is December 9th.

First Heartland-sponsored Immigration Forum

Heartland Area Education Agency is pleased to invite you to an Immigration Forum and Reception on February 11, 2009, at the Polk County Convention Complex from 2:00-5:00 p.m. The Immigration Forum, held on the final day of the Iowa Culture and Language Conference, will include a panel of national and local experts who will share facts about refugees and immigrants in Iowa and implications for educators. This rare opportunity to meet representatives knowledgeable on laws and issues related to immigration offers an excellent networking and learning experience for educators and partners in education.

To register, click here and complete the online registration.

We look forward to meeting you at the first Heartland-sponsored Immigration Forum, with reception afterward. Consider bringing a team from your area and complete a registration for each participant.

For more information contact:
Stephaney Jones-Vo, (515) 270-0405 ext. 14680
Gilmara Mitchell, (515) 270-0405 ext. 14679