Summer Foodservice Resources

With rising temperatures and longer days, summer has definitely arrived in blazes this year!  As a solution to reduce child hunger during school breaks several school kitchens will continue offering summer feeding in June, July and August this year. As we transition, now seems like a perfect time to share a reminder of the appropriate components for a reimbursable meal. 

USDA has created this great one page resource for PROGRAM BASICS breaking down the Summer Food Service Program meal pattern for children. Additionally, with current regulations allowing for off site meals and multiple day distribution AEA Purchasing’s Molly Gilmore created this amazing Milk Quantity conversion table. Take advantage of these great tools by printing & posting for all staff to have a quick, easy to read visual. 

Remember AEA Purchasing is ALWAYS here to help connect the dots and find the best resources to assist and educate you and your staff in school foodservice, assisting in meal pattern requirements and available market basket products to meet those needs. A few additional resources available to help plan summer feeding menus with market basket products include IW Heat-and-Serve Grab & Go lists, Cold Sandwich Assembly, Thaw & Serve Resources, and MORE!  Let us know if you would like this information, we would be happy to share any and all of these lists again!  

Thank you for your part in continuing to feed the children of Iowa. “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well if one has not dined well.” - Virginia Woolf 

Not an AEA Purchasing Cooperative Food Member?  We would love the opportunity to talk… email megan@aeapurchasing.org .

Vendor Profile: Romtec

Romtec is one of AEA Purchasing's awarded vendors providing turnkey solutions for pre-engineered restrooms, shelters, aquatic buildings, and other public utility structures of all sorts and sizes!

Contract benefit includes a 5% discount. Interested customers can contact the Romtec sales department by phone at 541.496.3541 to discuss their unique project requirements. Romtec sales will then provide preliminary drawings, specifications, scope of work, and quote.

Bid Reference: AEPA IFB 019.5 B

Download a digital product brochure here.

For more information on how you can save on your next structure from Romtec, visit their profile page on our website or contact:

Romtec, Inc.

Kris Lamar, Contracts Administrator

541.496.3541

klamar@romtec.com

www.romtec.com

Happy saving!

Part 3 - Coding & Robotics from Pitsco: High School Resources

In parts 1 and 2 of our "Coding & Robotics from PITSCO" blog series, we introduced several products and resources for elementary and middle school learners. Today in part 3, we bring you ideas for high school instruction.

Handpicked for high school: Real-world robotics! Robotics & coding are all the rage, but getting started can be tough. That’s why we’re here to help! 

This tech is for real! Is STEM learning and CTE through robotics your idea of a good time? EXPLORE UBTECH EDUCATION.

Are you wanting to let engineering design and systems thinking take center stage? TETRIX® MAX delivers future-relevant learning through real-world robotics. EXPLORE TETRIX MAX.

Are you looking to focus more on coding rather than engineering design? The modular Fable system offers endless robot configurations in minutes – as easy as click, click, code. EXPLORE SHAPE ROBOTICS.

Are you seeking to inspire the next generation of artists and scientists? With an array of high school solutions ranging from IoT to comprehensive STEAM learning platforms, Arduino Education enables creativity and innovation to take flight! EXPLORE ARDUINO EDUCATION.

Have ARP/ESSER II Funds? Yes! Pitsco coding and robotics solutions qualify under federal guidelines. Learn more! 

To discuss these options and more, contact:

PITSCO Education

Preston Frazier, Iowa Sales

800-835-0686 Ext. 4559

pfrazier@pitsco.com

All Iowa schools receive an exclusive contract discount and free shipping on all orders! Reference "bid code 716331" or "AEPA22" at checkout.

Lighting Webinars from FSG!

AEA Purchasing vendor partner, FSG Lighting, will be hosting two webinars in June PLUS announce the launch of a new ordering website. Get all the details here!

Webinar: Learn How Lighting Color Affects the Way Your Students Learn
June 15th @ 2PM Eastern/1PM CST
Register here.

Today with new LED technologies, you can purchase color-tunable LED fixtures for only a slight premium over many non-color tuneable fixture options. We will review the US Department of Energy study on how color-tunable lighting can affect the way students learn and can improve the learning experience for special needs students.

*See if you qualify for an installed demo of up to 10 fixtures

Webinar: Introduction to WellAir Products and Nano-Strike Technology
June 22nd @ 2PM Eastern/1PM CST
Register here.

This webinar will cover the WellAir product line of disinfection products, which include in duct systems by Plasma Air, Portable units by Novaerus and hand held disinfection wands by Nuva Wave

Iowa schools can save on LED lighting supplies, equipment and services through contract code AEPA IFB 018-B LED Lighting. To learn more on how you can save, contact:

FSG Lighting

Alyssa Mika, Account Manager

855-642-1109

aepa@fsgi.com

www.AEPA.lighting

Pandemic Protocols: A Year Later (Webinar)

What’s Next? A Year Later – Pandemic Procedures and Protocols

Protocols related to COVID-19 have evolved significantly over the last year. From masks to temperature screenings, we’ll address how the introduction of a vaccine has impacted safety protocols, and how schools are adapting and reopening. We'll also discuss how temperature screenings compliment health monitoring in a partially-vaccinated school population.

During this webinar, you will learn:

• How the introduction of a vaccine has and will continue to impact current COVID-19 protocols

• What school officials should know and do to continue to keep students and faculty safe

• The role temperature screening will have going forward

Join our panel discussion. Our panel of experts will look at general health and safety procedures and discuss how you can continue to keep your students safe. As an attendee, you can submit a question to our panel and become a part of our discussion. Joining our panel will be:

• Scott Lillibridge, M.D.

• Monica Lewis, Deputy Chief of Communications at the School District of Philadelphia

Join us Thursday June 17th, 2:00PM Central Time

Register Here!

Iowa schools can save on purchases from School Health through the AEA Purchasing contract (School Health Quote #3354243). For more details, click here.

Vendor Profile: Proquest

ProQuest is one of AEA Purchasing's awarded vendors providing online resource content and tools that enable research and curiosity!

Contract benefits include discounts on the following products:

• eLibrary
• SIRS Discoverer
• Research Companion
• eBook Central (Schools & Educators Complete)
• BBC Landmark Video Collection

Free trials are available!

For more information on how you can save on resources from ProQuest, visit their profile page on our website or contact:

ProQuest
David Ulrich
Account Manager, K-12 Sales
734-997-4070               
Toll Free:  800-521-0600 (Dial by name)
david.ulrich@proquest.com
www.proquestk12.com

Happy saving!

Part 2 - Coding & Robotics from Pitsco: Middle School Resources

In part 1 of our "Coding & Robotics from PITSCO" blog series, we introduced several products and resources for elementary learners. 

Today in part 2, we bring you the latest and greatest for middle school!

We’ve got coding, yes we do! We’ve got coding, how 'bout you? At PITSCO, coding is our jam! Is it yours? Which solution is right for you? Let us help.

Do you want to let engineering design and systems thinking take center stage? TETRIX® PRIME offers real-world robotics made classroom accessible. EXPLORE TETRIX PRIME. 

Are you seeking to inspire the next generation of artists and scientists? The Arduino Education middle school assortment enables creativity to take flight! EXPLORE ARDUINO EDUCATION.

Do you want to focus more on coding rather than engineering design? The modular Fable system offers endless robot configurations in minutes – as easy as click, click, code. EXPLORE SHAPE ROBOTICS.

This tech is for real! Is STEM learning and CTE through robotics your idea of a good time? EXPLORE UBTECH EDUCATION.

Now you can robot wherever you are. Explore our single-student sets, perfect for remote and blended learning environments. EXPLORE SINGLE SETS.

Have ARP/ESSER II Funds? Yes! Pitsco coding and robotics solutions qualify under federal guidelines. Learn more! 

To discuss these options and more, contact:

PITSCO Education

Preston Frazier, Iowa Sales

800-835-0686 Ext. 4559

pfrazier@pitsco.com

All Iowa schools receive an exclusive contract discount and free shipping on all orders! Reference "bid code 716331" or "AEPA22" at checkout.

Stimulus Funds for Education: Improve School Safety for the Longer Term

Is your district interested in purchasing the Centegix CrisisAlert™ system, but having difficulty fitting it into your budget? Click here to learn more the state, federal, and private funding sources that can be tapped to help purchase school safety technology.

In addition to funding sources, contract pricing is available through AEA Purchasing!

CENTEGIX™ innovates technology to save and enrich lives with the push of a button through their CrisisAlert™ solution. Their easy-to-use solution allows staff and administrators to immediately handle any situation, anywhere on the premises.

For more information, contact:

Centegix

Tara Heaton

theaton@centegix.com

404.313.7226

https://www.centegix.com/

*Bid Reference: AEPA021-G

Signs and Symptoms of Heat Illness

Heat emergencies are health crises caused by exposure to hot weather and sun. While both serious and life-threatening, they are entirely preventable. 

There are three stages to heat emergencies: 

• Heat Cramps are the first noticeable stage of a heat-related illness. Most common in athletes, the cramping begins as muscle pain and tightness in the abdomen, arms, and/or calves.

• Heat Exhaustion includes symptoms such as: dizziness, mild confusion, fast heart rate or breathing, headache, extreme thirst, nausea, pale skin, heavy sweating, and fainting.

• Heat Stroke has many of the same symptoms as heat exhaustion, however, some key differentiations are high body temperate over 106 degrees, and central nervous system dysfunction including seizures, confusion, emotional instability, combativeness, and irrational behavior.

Keeping athletes hydrated, monitoring unusual behaviors, and having a heat emergency plan can help prevent life-threatening heat emergencies.

Learn more here as well as find a heat illness product flyer from School Health.

Iowa schools can save 13% on most orders AND receive free shipping on orders over $125 via the AEA Purchasing contract! Reference School Health Quote 3354243 on all POs. 

For more information, contact:

School Health
Danita Jones
630.339.7946
djones@schoolhealth.com
www.schoolhealth.com

Happy saving!

Analytics+ : NEW! from ClassLink

ClassLink, popular for empowering students and teachers with instant access to single sign-on apps and files at school, is completing the picture of digital engagement with its launch of Analytics+!

What is Analytics+? 
Analytics+ expands the usage analytics you see through ClassLink to include any digital resource, even those accessed outside of ClassLink. Analytics+ gathers, crunches, and presents this data from the district level, down to the individual student, to help leaders make informed purchasing decisions and better support learning.

Learn more here on all the details on this new offering!

What's more, did you know that special pricing has been negotiated for Iowa schools as a result of the AEA Purchasing partnership with ClassLink?  For information on contract details and Iowa pricing, reach out to:

ClassLink
Lyle Dadian, Director of Instructional Technology
ldadian@classlink.com
(862) 203-2099

Gail Dinkelkamp, Director of Inside Sales
gdinkelkamp@classlink.com
(862) 414-4819

Be sure to reference AEA Purchasing on all correspondence.
 

Part 1 - Coding & Robotics from Pitsco: Elementary Resources

Coding and robotics are all the rage, but getting started can be tough. That's why AEA Purchasing and PITSCO Education are here to help! In our 3-part blog series, we will explore all the options available for elementary, middle school and high school learners!

In part 1 of our series, we feature coding and robotics products for elementary grade levels.

We’ve got coding, yes we do! We’ve got coding, how 'bout you? At PITSCO, coding is our jam! Is it yours? Which solution is right for you? Let us help.

Want to create a coding continuum that engages even the littlest of learners using pre-coding games and robots? EXPLORE TTS CODING.

Looking for a screenless solution that can be up and running in fewer than 5 minutes? EXPLORE KUBO ROBOTICS.

Not so into robots but want to deliver hands-on coding that will engage all students? EXPLORE CODE CUBE™. 

Do you dream of exposing your students to the vast opportunities STEM fields offer to their futures? EXPLORE SMART BUDDIES™.

Science, technology, engineering, and math . . . oh my! Is STEM learning through robotics your idea of a good time? EXPLORE UBTECH UKIT BEGINNER.

Have ARP/ESSER II Funds? Yes! Pitsco coding and robotics solutions qualify under federal guidelines. Learn more! 

To discuss these options and more, contact:

PITSCO Education

Preston Frazier, Iowa Sales

800-835-0686 Ext. 4559

pfrazier@pitsco.com

All Iowa schools receive an exclusive contract discount and free shipping on all orders! Reference "bid code 716331" or "AEPA22" at checkout.