� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

A d v o c a t i n g f o r E d u c a t i o n i n I o w a

SAI Legislative ReceptionMembers met February 22 at the State Capitol with legislators representing all areas of the state.

Administrators were briefed in advance on the current status of bills as well as SAI’s stance on legislative

issues. This event provided an ideal time for education leaders to thank legislators for their work as well as weigh in

on proposed bills.

This is the third such event for SAI, and participants were pleased with the legislative representation. House and Senate Education and

Education Appropriations Committee members specifically were well represented.

SAI’s legislative platform is available on the Web site along with the latest news from the Capitol at www.sai-iowa.org/legupdate. We

encourage you to use it to stay up-to-date and in contact with your legislators through the end of the session.

SchoolAdministratorsof Iowa

MMaarrcchh 22001111 LLiinnkkiinngg LLeeaaddeerrsshhiipp && LLeeaarrnniinngg

Report

How are You Promoting the Need for Innovation?The world is changing. We need to change with it.

That is why Iowa Future is promoting the need for innovation in education, sharing ideas from across the state and nation, and high-lighting the work underway to prepare for the future.

There’s a growing understanding that big changes are going to be needed in education for Iowa students to be successful learners, earn-ers and citizens in the 21st century.

“It’s not just the rest of the nation that Iowa’s kids have to compete with now. It’s the rest of the world,” said Iowa’s director of educa-tion, Jason Glass, when Governor Terry Branstad introduced him to the state in January.

To keep Iowa’s education stakeholders current with this new reality an interactive website is here to help. It’s Iowa Future, found athttp://iowafuture.org.

The site is a forum for sharing ideas from across the state and nation, and highlighting work underway to prepare students for thefuture — the Iowa Future. The website will provide videos, discussion guides, presentation templates, testimonials, links to great resourcesand more. In addition, visitors can offer fresh ideas of their own. Let SAI know how you’ve used the site, e-mail tharms@sai-iowa.org.

Five state education groups are collaborators on the site. They are Iowa Area Education Agencies, Iowa Association of School Boards,Iowa Department of Education, Iowa State Education Association and School Administrators of Iowa. The work is supported by a grantfrom The Wallace Foundation.

Announcing the Candidates for SAI V ice Pres ident

Watch your e-mail for information about SAI vice president candidates Patty Morris of

Corning and Carol Seid of West Des Moines and an online election ballot that will be avail-

able to all regular members beginning April 1. Cast your vote no later than April 15. The

winner will officially begin her term September 1, 2011.

Patty Morris Carol Seid

PPrreessiiddeenntt Linda Reysack, elementary principalCedar Rapids Community School Districtlreysack@cr.k12.ia.us

PPrreessiiddeenntt--eelleecctt Angela Huseman, high school principalTri-Center Community School Districtahuseman@tri-center.k12.ia.us

VViiccee PPrreessiiddeenntt Roark Horn, chief administratorAEA 267rhorn@aea267.k12.ia.us

PPaasstt PPrreessiiddeenntt Theron Schutte, superintendentBettendorf Community School Districttschutte@bettendorf.k12.ia.us

NNAAEESSPP SSttaattee RReepp.. Paul Wenger, principalEdgewood-Colesburg Elementarypwenger@edge-cole.k12.ia.us

NNAASSSSPP SSttaattee CCoooorrddiinnaattoorr Todd Wolverton, principalNorth Fayette High Schooltwolverton@n-fayette.k12.ia.us

AAssssoocciiaattee EExxeeccuuttiivvee DDiirreeccttoorr Dr. Bonnie Boothroybboothroy@sai-iowa.org

BBuussiinneessss MMaannaaggeerr Cyndi Petersencpetersen@sai-iowa.org

CCoommmmuunniiccaattiioonnss DDiirreeccttoorr Tracy J. Harmstharms@sai-iowa.org

DDiirreeccttoorr ooff IIoowwaa’’ss CCoohheessiivvee LLeeaaddeerrsshhiipp SSyysstteemmDr. Troyce Fishertroyce@sai-iowa.org

EExxeeccuuttiivvee AAssssiissttaanntt Jody Linkenhokerjlinkenhoker@sai-iowa.org

EExxeeccuuttiivvee DDiirreeccttoorr Dr. Dan Smithdsmith@sai-iowa.org

GGoovv.. RReellaattiioonnss DDiirreeccttoorr Dr. Ben Normanbennorman@mchsi.com

IIoowwaa SSttaatteewwiiddee PPIIRRCC DDiirreeccttoorr Ed Redaleneredalen@mchsi.com

IIPPEERRSS RReepprreesseennttaattiivvee Dr. Gaylord Tryongaylord@sai-iowa.org

LLeeggaall SSeerrvviicceess DDiirreeccttoorrMatt Carver, J.D.mcarver@sai-iowa.org

PPrrooggrraamm AAssssiissttaannttAmy Swansonaswanson@sai-iowa.org

PPrrooggrraamm AAssssiissttaannttCheri Wiggercwigger@sai-iowa.org

RReecceeppttiioonniisstt//SSeeccrreettaarryyDebbie Wrenndwrenn@sai-iowa.org

SScchhooooll AAddmmiinniissttrraattoorrss ooff IIoowwaa12199 Stratford Drive, Clive, IA 50325-8146Phone: (515) 267-1115 � FAX: (515) 267-1066www.sai-iowa.org

Follow SAI on Twitter - @sai_iowa22

NNaattiioonnaall RReepprreesseennttaattiivveess

SSAAII SSttaaffff

SSAAII OOffffiicceerrss

Focus“One learns by doing a thing; for though you think you know it, you have no certaintyuntil you try.”

~ Sophocles

Results Now (2006) is a book by Michael Schmoker that was the focus of my column inthe Fall of 2006. The main point at that time was that educational leadership needed tobe redefined and simplified around the core concepts of professional learning committees.I quoted Schmoker, “It’s this simple: schools won’t improve until the average buildingleader begins to work cooperatively with teachers to truly, meaningfully oversee andimprove instruction.”

Focus (2011) is Schmoker’s new book. In this book he challenges educators to stopdoing almost everything we are now doing in the name of improvement. He believes weneed to focus on “what is essential” and ignore the rest. He further states that reforms ofthe last 30 years have not been successful because they haven’t addressed the three essentialareas.

Those three areas are: � a reasonably coherent curriculum (what we teach), � sound lessons (how we teach), and � authentic literacy (which is integral to both what and how we teach).

Schmoker states that educators yearn to be told something like this:“There will be no more initiatives – at least for a time. Instead, we will focus oonnllyy on

what will have immediate and dramatic impact on learning in your classrooms: ensuringthe implementation of a common, content-rich curriculum; good lessons; and plenty ofmeaningful literacy activities (such as close reading, writing and discussion) across the cur-riculum. Moreover, we will not expect you to implement these elements until we havefully clarified that these three elements will – indisputably – have more impact on yourstudents’ success than all other initiatives combined.”

Much of the book gives specific examples of how clear curriculum combined with goodlessons will impact student learning. He repeatedly comes back to the importance of liter-acy in all subject areas. In fact, he makes the statement that how we teach is inseparablefrom literacy.

He also makes the point that we need to have the courage to implement what we know.There will be resistance but, in these difficult times with severe budget restraints, we mustfocus on what is essential.

City Superintendents to SAI Executive LeadersCity Superintendents is a group representing Iowa’s largest school districts, which hasexisted for many decades separate from SAI. The superintendents in this group have haddiscussions about how to elevate the voice and profile of all of Iowa’s superintendents.

As a result of these discussions, a new group that will iinncclluuddee aallll ooff IIoowwaa’’ss ssuuppeerriinntteenndd--eennttss will replace City Superintendents. This new group will be under the auspices of SAIand will focus on leadership issues and advocacy of superintendents. It will be called SAIExecutive Leaders.

An advisory group representing all of Iowa’s superintendents will be selected. Look forinformation on this selection process at each AEA Superintendents meeting in April.

If you have questions about Iowa Executive Leaders, contact Dan Smith.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �EExxeeccuuttiivvee DDiirreeccttoorr’’ss MMeessssaaggee from Dan Smith

IInnBBrriieeff

33

RREEPPOORRTT

The SAI Report is published for associationmembers and selected community and businessleaders by School Administrators of Iowa. Theviews expressed in the SAI Report do not neces-sarily reflect SAI opinion nor does acceptance ofadvertising imply SAI endorsement.

Your comments and suggestions are welcomed.

Tracy J. Harms, editor

At its February meeting, the SAIExecutive Committee:� reviewed membership and financialreports;� heard that the Iowa LeadershipAcademy Principals Center SummerInstitute registration is available; � learned that all Superintendents’Networks facilitators were being briefedon strategy versus strategic planning; � was told that August Conference role-alike session logistics are being established; � was updated on the LeadershipPartnership meeting, which included aconversation with Jason Glass.� heard that Dan Smith videotaped asummary to accompany the SAI AnnualReport; � was told the Iowa Future websitelaunched and can be followed via RSSfeed;� was informed Patty Morris and CarolSeid were selected by the Rep Council asSAI Vice President candidates; � was notified of the “Ask Matt” webinaraverage participation of 15-30 people andlearned the School Law Conference line-up;� participated in a learning together seg-ment reviewing SAI’s niche in providingprofessional development; and� reviewed the membership dues calcula-tion policy.

FFeebbrruuaarryy RReessuullttssIf your district hasvacancies for 2011-12,what are your mostpressing hiring con-cerns?

Respondents shared that it’s hard-to-fill positions, such as ELL,Industrial Tech and High SchoolMath that cause them concern.Learn more about hiring practiceson page 9.

TThhiiss mmoonntthh’’ss qquueessttiioonn::How does your school/districtsolicit feedback from students toinform learning and student out-comes?Provide your answers at

http://bit.ly/gUAJU8* This is an unscientific survey of volunteer partici-pants and is not a valid statistical sample.Credits: image is from the Crystaljingsr gallery and islicensed under Creative Common License.

Give us your feedback*

UUppccoommiinnggUUppccoommiinnggEEvveennttssEEvveennttssMarch10 - “Ask Matt” Webinar on Ethics andGift Law

April5 - Maximizing the Principal-CounselorRelationship to Increase StudentAchievement (for elementary and K-12principal and counselor teams),Courtyard by Marriott, Ankeny

6 - Maximizing the Principal-CounselorRelationship to Increase StudentAchievement (for secondary schoolprincipal and counselor teams),Courtyard by Marriott, Ankeny

23 - Aspiring to the Superintendency,SAI Office

27 - Superintendents' NetworkStatewide Meeting

Find registration information and learn about futureofferings at www.sai-iowa.org/events

Candidates for NAESPPresident-elect includeIowa’s Juli KwikkelJuli Kwikkel, principal of Storm Lake(Iowa) Elementary and Mark Terry, prin-cipal of Eubanks Intermediate SchoolSouthlake, Texas, are this year’s NAESPofficer candidates. More information willbe available in the March NAESPCommunicator.

NAESP ConventionApril 7-10, Tampa Registration information is availableonline: http://bit.ly/blUoyiA reception will be held Fri., April 8,from 6-8 p.m. at www.splitsvillelanes.com

Maximizing the Principal-Counselor Relationship to

Increase Student AchievementApril 5, 9-2:30 - Elementary/K-12 Teams

April 6, 9-2:30 - Secondary Teamsat the Courtyard by Marriott in Ankeny

During her Maximizing the Principal-CounselorRelationship workshops, Dr. Peggy Hines of theEducation Trust will use the morning to take asystemic look at education with a focus on theschool counselor/administrators’ roles. e after-noon will feature work by school teams usingtheir data and going home with an assignment.

About the SpeakerDr. Peggy Hines is director of the Ed Trust’sNational Center for Transforming SchoolCounseling. Dr. Hines consults with statedepartments of education, universities andschool districts. She was a member of the writ-ing team for the American School CounselorsAssociation’s National Model for SchoolCounseling Programs and one of the develop-ers of the National School Counselor TrainingInitiative.

Registration:e Yrst 150 counselors registered and accom-panied by their building principal attend at nocharge. Cost is $80/person for SAI membersand counselors, non-SAI member administra-tors are $136. Register at www.sai-iowa.org/events

KKeenntt SScchhwwiieessooww, retired assistant superin-tendent, LeMars. (2-10-11)

☙ In Memoriam

AASA Conference ResourcesOnlineAASA’s Conference Daily Online, accessibleat www.aasa.org, carries some useful infor-mation resources generated at AASA’sNational Conference on Education inDenver, Feb. 17-19.

You can find the following:· Short summaries of keynote presenters,topical sessions and award winners.· A video replay of Diane Ravitch’s well-received General Session address.· Brief audio clips of two conference pre-senters on college and career readiness.· Human interest stories (in the “Seen &Heard” link).· A daily photo gallery of conference activ-ities.· A conference blog with thoughtfulinsights and reactions by three bloggers,all superintendents and AASA members.

44

Until I had kids of my own, I was completely oblivious to the unwritten gift-giving system in our schools. Now, before I get a bunchof angry e-mails, II aamm nnoott ssuuggggeessttiinngg tthhaatt eedduuccaattoorrss aarree ddrriivviinngg tthhiiss ssyysstteemm, rather it is perpetuated by a bunch of parents, such as

my wife, who are far more considerate and thoughtful individuals than I. The gift system goes something like this: parents purchase a gift, make cookies or succulent desserts, or provide some other present to

show their appreciation for the teacher’s hard work. However, the unwritten rules also state that you do not provide such an expensive giftto create the impression that you are trying to curry favor for your child. The bottom line is that you don’t want your family appearing asinconsiderate as the Carver family may have been viewed in Urbandale, circa the 1970s and ‘80s. If any former Urbandale teachers outthere are still holding a grudge, don’t hesitate to contact me, and I will gladly provide you with a small gift card to your favorite bookstoreor coffee shop to make things right. Before I receive a rush of e-mails, I am only offering this up to the teachers who drew the short straw,and had to teach me, not one of my three siblings.

Whether teachers may receive gifts is just one of the common areas of question in the arena of Iowa’s gift law. After I received a thirdquestion on the topic of gift law during the past week, I thought it would be good subject for this month’s column. Then again, it proba-bly didn’t hurt when a superintendent walked up to me at the SAI School Law Conference and said: “Matt, you should write about giftlaws sometime.” I assume you are, once again, impressed with how quickly I catch on to such subtle suggestions. By the way, since I amworking on being more considerate, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jason Glass, Brett Nitzschke, Bryan Burkhardt, DrewBracken, Carol Greta and Thomas Mayes for presenting at the Law Conference. Drew gave two breakouts on separate topics (due to theillness of a colleague), so he gets an extra gold star.

OK, on to the law. For starters, the key portions of the law are found in Iowa Code Chapter 68B. Specifically, §68B.2 goes over definitions, §68B.21 gives

the “Legislative intent,” §68B.22 covers “Gifts accepted or received,” and §68B.23 concerns “Honoraria.” I’m not going to bore you with regurgitation of each pertinent Code section, but I have copied below the definition of a “restricted

donor” from the Code, as it is critical in identifying whether a party is a “restricted donor” to even determine whether the gift law applies.As aptly stated by the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board (hereinafter “Ethics Board” or “IECDB”): “The gift law is different[from] bribery. The intent of the donor and the potential impact on the behavior of the recipient are irrelevant for the law to be violated.Rather, the issue is whether or not the person giving the gift is a “restricted donor.” (IECDB AO 2007-09)Where you see “donee” below in the definition of “restricted donor,” think “school employee.”

To better understand the impact of “restricted donors” let’s consider a few examples.Your district is located in Crabapple Cove, Iowa. Dr. Pierce is a retired medical doctor in your community, who currently owns a suc-

cessful business, Rubber Chickens R Us, that produces gag gifts. Dr. Pierce’s business, in appreciation for the hard work of all of yourschool administrators, would like to give each one a gift card for $50. Rubber Chickens R Us does no business with the school district,and does not wish to do business with the school district in the future. Dr. Pierce is just a philanthropist therefore, neither he nor hisbusiness is a “restricted donor” and your administrators may receive his gift, short of a school district policy stating otherwise. On thatnote, make sure you check your policies. Some districts may have gift policies that are more restrictive than Iowa law requires. As anotherconsideration, while the gift may be legal, give some thought to how the fact that administrators are the only employees receiving giftswill go over with the rest of the staff.

For the next example, imagine you are back in Crabapple Cove, but Dr. Pierce’s business is a sporting goods store, Pierce Sports, Inc.Dr. Pierce is offering to give free warm-up suits to each of your coaches, athletic director, and administrators, so you may “try them out”to see if his products are of the quality that the school desires. Pierce Sports is wishing to do business with your school district in thefuture, with the hope of providing jerseys for all of your athletic teams. In this case, Pierce Sports would be a restricted donor, and thegifts would be illegal. Also, remember that the gift law applies to immediate family members as well, so Pierce’s operation may not getaround the law by offering warm-ups to the spouses of employees.

Beyond Apples

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �LLeeggaall VVoorrtteexx with Matt Carver, Legal Services director

Iowa Code §68B.2. . .24. “Restricted donor” means a person who is in any of the following categories:a. Is or is seeking to be a party to any one or any combination of sales, purchases, leases, or contracts to, from, or with the agencyin which the donee holds office or is employed.b. Will personally be, or is the agent of a person who will be, directly and substantially affected financially by the performance ornonperformance of the donee’s official duty in a way that is greater than the effect on the public generally or on a substantial classof persons to which the person belongs as a member of a profession, occupation, industry, or region.c. Is personally, or is the agent of a person who is, the subject of or party to a matter which is pending before a subunit of a regula-tory agency and over which the donee has discretionary authority as part of the donee’s official duties or employment within theregulatory agency subunit. (emphasis added)

55

For our last trip to Crabapple Cove, imagine that Pierce Sports has donated 15 windbreakers to the school dis-trict, and the district is going to give them out as raffle prizes at its teacher appreciation day. In this scenario,even though Pierce Sports may be a restricted donor, the gift of Pierce Sports is to the public body itself, and notto specified employees. As such, the school may give the windbreakers away during the appreciation day raffle.The Ethics Board has previously opined that truly randomly drawn door prizes are not subject to gift restrictions.

TripsAnother common question relates to the offering of trips by a restricted donor, so that employees may check outtheir services or products. Here are a few common examples that administrators frequently share with me: a) acompany wanting to fly the athletic director out of state to show off a field turf project at another school; b) atravel agency wanting to fly music teachers to a vacation hot spot to show off educational programs, with thehope that the music teachers will schedule band trips; c) a computer company offering to fly the superintendent and technology directorto a computer conference, as well as provide rooms and meals, where they may learn more about the company’s computer products andprograms.

In each of these examples it certainly appears that the company may get an advantage over others and curry favor with decision-makersby offering such luxuries. If your district is considering whether to send employees on a trip offered by a potential restricted donor, Iwould run it by your school district’s legal counsel and/or the Ethics Board. Of course, regardless of whether the company is a restricteddonor, if your district finds particular value in the conference or visit, to check out a program or learn more about product offerings, youmay always go ahead and pay for the trip and expenses on the school district’s dime.

Alternatively, it may be appropriate for a restricted donor to pay for travel costs, registration, meals and/or lodging if the employee isparticipating “in a panel or speaking engagement at a meeting when the expenses relate directly to the day or days on which the recipienthas participation or presentation responsibilities.” (Iowa Code §68B.23(2)(a) and Iowa Code §68B.22(4)(g)) So, if the employee is partici-pating in a panel on a Tuesday, and the conference is going through Thursday, the school district or individual employee should pick upthe cost for Wednesday and Thursday, but the restricted donor may pick up travel costs and the expenses relating to Tuesday’s panel par-ticipation.

Beyond gifts to a public body, and payment of expenses for a public employee to participate in a panel or speaking engagement, youmay find the rest of the 18 gift law exceptions at http://www.sai-iowa.org/giftlaw (Iowa Code §68B.22)

In addition to those already mentioned, a handful of the most common exceptions are as follows:

What about those gifts to teachers that Carver dropped the ball on back in the ‘70s and ‘80s? Back in 2007, the Ethics Board clarified that most gifts to teachers by students are authorized under Iowa law, because students are not

normally “restricted donors.” (IECDB AO 2007-09) As the Ethics Board shared in that opinion: “While a teacher certainly impacts a stu-dent through the grading and discipline process, it is difficult to see how this would rise to the level of a student being ‘directly and sub-stantially affected financially’ as required by the statute.” Yet, the board also reminded educators to ensure that the student was not being used indirectly to pass on a gift. For example, let’s saythat Tanner gives his Spanish teacher a $20 gift card to a bookstore. However, Tanner’s mom isn’t just anyone, but the owner of a travelagency that yearly attempts to get the Spanish teacher to take a group of students on a trip to Spain over summer break. Well, one mightbe able to delve into all of the facts and determine that mom’s business had nothing to do with the gift. From my perspective, at least forappearances’ sake, better judgment may be for the Spanish Teacher to politely turn down Tanner’s gift.

Having stated all of the above, remember, as I alluded to earlier, that your school district is still authorized to adopt a more restrictivegift policy regarding such gifts to teachers. Perhaps give some thought to what is reasonable vs. extravagant.- continued on page 7

This article is intendedonly as a reference in

regard to the subjectmatter covered. It is

furnished with theunderstanding that SAI

is not engaged in ren-dering legal advice. If a

legal opinion isdesired, private legal

counsel should be consulted.

. . .c. Anything received from anyone related within the fourth degree by kinship or marriage, unless the donor is acting as an agent orintermediary for another person not so related.d. An inheritance.e. Anything available or distributed free of charge to members of the general public without regard to the official status of therecipient.. . .f. Items received from a bona fide charitable, professional, educational, or business organization to which the donee belongs as adues-paying member, if the items are given to all members of the organization without regard to individual members’ status orpositions held outside of the organization and if the dues paid are not inconsequential when compared to the items received.. . .h. Plaques or items of negligible resale value which are given as recognition for the public services of the recipient.i. Food and beverages provided at a meal that is part of a bona fide event or program at which the recipient is being honored forpublic service.j. Nonmonetary items with a value of three dollars or less that are received from any one donor during one calendar day.. . .m. Funeral flowers or memorials to a church or nonprofit organization.n. Gifts which are given to a public official or public employee for the public official’s or public employee’s wedding or twenty-fifthor fiftieth wedding anniversary. (Iowa Code §68B.22(4))

This month we’ll examine nutrition, sleep and activity issues for children and youth with implications for home and school practices.Poor nutritional habits and inactivity lead to overweight children and subsequently to obesity. Obesity takes a huge toll on children’s

health. It can put them at increased risk for Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and other health problems. Today, about one-third of school age children and youth weigh too much. It is reported that half (51%) of obese teen-age girls and a third (37%) of teen-age boys will be morbidly obese, 80 to 100 pounds overweight by age 30, the research shows.

SleepHow much sleep do children and youth need? The amount a child needs depends on several factors, but reported guidelines for the agesof children include:

“There’s more and more information showing insufficient sleep affects cognitive ability, and emotional and physical well-being,” saysDennis Rosen at Children’s Hospital in Boston.

More than a third of elementary school-age kids and 40% of teenagers have sig-nificant sleep complaints, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Experts are saying, “get the computer, TV and cell phone out of the bedroom.”Light exposure from screens or anything lit up suppresses the release of melatonin,a hormone linked to circadian rhythms (affecting the timing of sleep). “Anythinglit up is stimulating and delays your ability to fall asleep.”

The majority of under-rested kids are simply going to bed too late and as a resultdo not concentrate well in school and cannot participate as well in class, sports andother activities. Some studies show that over the course of a week, high schoolersmiss nearly 12 hours of needed sleep.

Many parents develop a pre-sleep routine for their children and youth, includinga bath, reading, a light healthy snack. Essentially, a scheduled wind-down for theday is important for all elementary and high school children.

“Get the technology out of the bedroom. No TV, no cellphone, no computer. You really want it to be the place where they just sleep.” –Nancy Collop, American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Physical ActivityStudents at the elementary school level should engage in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each week.

Students at the middle and high school level should engage in 225 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each week.• Moderate physical activity: activity that results in an increase in breathing or heart rate (a few examples: walking briskly, dancing, swim-ming, jump-roping, bicycling on level terrain). This activity can take place during physical education class or extra curricular sports as wellas at home during late afternoons and on weekends.• Vigorous physical activity: activity that results in hard breathing or sweating (a few examples: jogging, high-impact aerobic dancing,swimming continuous laps or bicycling uphill). This activity can also take place in physical education class or extra curricular sports aswell as during out-of-school time.

Physical education supports the link of movement and physical activity to increased student achievement. A well-developed curriculumof physical education provides motor learning for better cognition. “A student’s physical movement, emotional, social and cognitive learn-ing systems are interactive and interdependent. Proper development, enrichment, and remediation of these systems are critical to a child’sability to learn. For example, motor development provides the framework used to sequence the patterns needed for academic concepts likereading. The body’s vestibular system interacts with the cerebellum to control balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. These systemsturn thinking into action and facilitate the student’s ability to place words and letters on a page. The four visual fields needed for eyetracking in reading are strengthened through navigation of space and crossing the brain and body midlines. Sensory components of bal-ance, coordination, spatial awareness, directionality, and visual literacy are developed as the child rolls, creeps, crawls, spins, twirls,bounces, balances, walks, jumps, juggles, and supports his/her own weight in space. Locomotor movement crosses the brain and body’smidlines to integrate and organize brain hemispheres. When students perform cross lateral activities, blood flow is increased in all parts ofthe brain making it more alert and energized for learning.” - Jean Blaydes Madigan, Action Based Academics

Increasing physical activity to moderate and vigorous levels has many other important benefits including:• Muscular strength and endurance • Cardiovascular health• Flexibility• Balance and agility

Many of us were raised as “outside kids”; now we have many being raised as “inside kids” thus leading to the present concern of obesitycaused by inadequate nutrition, limited physical activity and the related health issues of inadequate sleep.66

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �PPaarreenntt IInnvvoollvveemmeenntt with Iowa PIRC

Healthy Habits for Children and Familiesby Ed Redalen, Iowa Parent Resource Information Center, www.iowaparents.org

7

Gift Law- continued from page 5

Whether, your school district decides to adopt a more restrictive gift policy or not, it would be wise to have educators take some time toread Iowa Code §68B.21, that gives the legislative intent for Iowa’s gift law:68B.21. Legislative intent - It is the goal of the general assembly that public officials and public employees of the state be extremely cau-tious and circumspect about accepting a gratuity or favor, especially from persons that have a substantial interest in the legislative, admin-istrative, or political actions of the official or employee. Even where there is a genuine personal friendship, the acceptance of personal ben-efits from those who could gain advantage by influencing official actions raises suspicions that tend to undermine the public trust. It istherefore the intent of the general assembly that the provisions of this subchapter be construed to discourage all gratuities, but to prohibitonly those that create unacceptable conflicts of interest or appearances of impropriety.

After reading this statutory language, perhaps that little angel will appear on each educator’s shoulder more often, and whisper inhis/her ear that a particular gift just doesn’t feel right. Beginning to question the propriety of gifts is a good starting point.

Righting WrongsSo, what should you do if, after reading this column, you are afraid that you or another employee in your school district may have violat-ed Iowa’s gift law? I would strongly encourage you to contact your school district’s legal counsel to get his or her opinion. If it turns outthat a district employee has perhaps unwittingly accepted an unauthorized gift from a restricted donor consider one of the followingoptions:

1) Returning the gift.2) Donating the gift to your school district, another public body, or a bona fide educational or charitable organization within thirty

(30) days of receipt.3) Reimbursing the restricted donor for the value of the gift received.

Remember that failure to perform one of the above tasks may result in criminal prosecution by the county attorney.Hopefully we have cleared up a variety of the common gift law questions or issues you face in your schools. As a side note, the gift law

does not apply to lawyers at associations, so don’t hesitate to lavish me with extravagant gifts to your heart’s content. On second thought,let’s call off that request, as I am envisioning the reception of countless white elephant gifts from a bunch of smart aleck school adminis-trators.

Until next time, go Cubs, let’s get some runs!

“Ask Matt” Webinar March 10on the Gift Law

Matt Carver will elaborate on this month’s column, aswell as other details regarding the gift law, during

SAI’s March 10 “Ask Matt” webinar. Sign-up today atwww.sai-iowa.org/askmatt. There is no charge for members to partici-pate.

� Previous webinar participants are saying:� “This is a great way to share info and keep costs down for districts! Thanks for doing this!”

� “I got a lot of answers I needed without having to travel anywhere or leave school.

� “Please keep doing these. I also liked that it only took about 40 minutes of my day.”

� “Great way to share info—thanks! Loved being able to learn from my office.”

� “Thank you, the support is very much appreciated!”

� “This format is fantastic! Please continue to provide these types of sessions.”

� “Wonderful tool—good information presented concisely—good to see ques-tions from others.”

Ask Matt!

SAI School LawConferenceBrochuresDelayed

Our apologies to mem-

bers who did not

receive their Feb. 23 School Law

Conference brochures until within days

before or after the event.

We appreciated hearing from you, or we

wouldn’t have known that they were

received late.

The brochures were mailed from the

Main Des Moines Post Office Jan. 31, and

we started receiving registrations within

the next couple of days. It was not appar-

ent that there was a problem until a few

members contacted us about how late the

brochures arrived.

8

Iowa Safe and Supportive Schools Project (IS3)

Safe and Supportive SchoolsWhat do we hope to aaccccoommpplliisshh?

We hope all students in Iowa’s schools feel accepted, respect-ed and included, and that adults in their school buildingcare both about what students are learning and about thestudents as individuals.

What are we ddooiinngg?

Iowa DE, AEA, and LEA staff have been meeting withexpert consultants to adapt the current Iowa Youth Survey(IYS) so that sscchhoooollss ccaann ssppeecciiffiiccaallllyy mmeeaassuurree cclliimmaattee. Theadapted IYS will gather data from students, school staff, andfamilies.

In May 2011 the new climate survey will be ppiillootteedd wwiitthh 6600hhiigghh sscchhoooollss across the state. Once the pilot is complete, afinal version of the survey will be produced in the Fall of2011.

Twelve of the 60 high schools piloting the survey will beselected to receive funding that will support the iimmpplleemmeenn--ttaattiioonn ooff pprrooggrraammmmaattiicc iinntteerrvveennttiioonnss to address identifiedclimate issues in their schools. Lessons learned from these12 schools will provide the basis for a statewide implemen-tation system to support all LEAs with school climate issues.

By 2014 the survey and system of support for programmaticinterventions will be aavvaaiillaabbllee ffoorr aallll sscchhoooollss in Iowa.

For questions about the survey, contact the Iowa DE Project Co-DirectorsBarbara Ohlund • Barbara.Ohlund@iowa.gov • 515-681-2310Cyndy Erickson • Cyndy.Erickson@iowa.gov • 515-669-2226

HHooww are we doing?

As data become available, schools, LEAs and the state will be able to track progress in achieving safe, supportive and caring learning envi-ronments for all students. The table here lists the three construct areas covered by the survey and the types of questions and data that willbe available for schools to monitor progress over time.

CClliimmaattee AArreeaassSScchhooooll SSaaffeettyy

Data will address clear communication of rules about physical violence, bullying, and harassment, and the sense that students and adults feel safe from physical harm and teasing.

EEnnggaaggeemmeennttData will address use of encouragement and constructive feedback, creation of an atmosphere conducive to dialogue and questioning, support for development of social skills, mutual respect for differences, and supportive adult and peer relationships.

EEnnvviirroonnmmeennttData will address school norms that promote broad participation for students, staff, and families; cleanliness and appeal of facilities; adequacy of resources and materials; and positive relationships among school staff.

Funding provided by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe & Drug Free Schools, under grant #84.184Y (Award #Q184Y10013)

9

Deepening Learn ingWhat challenges are you facing in implementing the Iowa Core? student engagement? rigorous and relevant curriculum? teaching fordeep understanding? Maybe all of the above plus a dozen more. Here are two great opportunities to deepen your learning as instruction-al leaders.

Iowa Leadership Academy Principals Center Summer InstituteDates: June 22-23, 2011Location: West Des Moines SheratonTheme: Deep Learning: Digging DeeperSpeakers: Lynn Erickson (back by popular demand) and Iowa’s Sarah Brown Wessling, 2010 National Teacher of the YearRegistration fee: $170 (does not include hotel room), register online at www.sai-iowa.org/ilapcagendaCredit: noneIntended audience: Principals and assistant principals.Focus: The principal’s role in understanding and providing leadership for deep learning.

Two reputable speakers, Lynn Erickson and Sarah Brown Wessling, will be at the June Principals Center Summer Institute. LynnErickson’s research on “concept-based learning” goes hand in hand with the Five Characteristics of Effective Instruction. Sarah will beable to share authentic examples that narrow the “knowing and doing gap.”

Principals who attended past Summer Institutes appreciated the opportunity to learn, network and draft school improvement or pro-fessional learning plans for their schools. Principals are highly encouraged to consider both the Summer Institute and the SAI Pre-Conference Institute as they build on each other. You will be able to strengthen your knowledge during the Summer Institute and beready to expand or align teacher leadership at the SAI Pre-conference Institute.

August 2 SAI Annual Conference Pre-Conference Institute (online registration to open in April) Intended audience: Administrators with teams of teachers. (Team attendance is strongly encouraged, but not required.)Focus: Scaffolding thinking to deeper levels, developing guiding questions, and designing units of instruction for deep learning. More information is available at http://bit.ly/e2rW9x

Best Practices forHiring QualityTeachers ResourcesTake advantage of the opportunity towatch a 60-minute webinar offering tipsfor the hiring process.

Topics addressed include:� How to use an interview committee� Establishing hiring criteria� Screening applications� Interview day protocols� Asking powerful interview questions� Reminders about legal requirements� Checking referencesAccess the webinar to view anytime athttp://bit.ly/e2FEbv

SAI has also posted resources on thewebsite to use during the hiring process.Visit www.sai-iowa.org/mentoring for 10documents to download.