New Partnership with SchoolsPLP for Online Instruction

As AEA Purchasing kicks off our partnership with SchoolsPLP, we would like to invite you to see why SchoolsPLP is the fastest-growing provider for online instruction.

What is SchoolsPLP:

• Used for Credit Recovery, Virtual Program, Adult Ed, Virtual Instructional Services, Success Programs, Certifications, and more
• Over 1,900 courses, including 500+ CTE/Elective/Certification Courses
• Multiple Instructional Design Models: If a student struggles with their assigned course, transition to an alternative instructional designed course without compromising grades or time worked.
• Awarded partner vetted through a competitive bid process

Join SchoolsPLP on February 9th to see how they address credit recovery and how school counselors in particular can benefit from using the platform.  

Webinar info:
Date: February 9th, 12:00 – 1:00 (CTS)
Register Here:  https://educationaldesignsolutions.com/schoolsplp-reg/
Zoom Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7115295042?omn=81280924750

SchoolsPLP Contact:
Aaron Eusterwiemann
Educational Design Solutions
913-424-2128
aarone@educationaldesignsolutions.com
www.educationaldesignsolutions.com

Can't attend on the 9th? Check out these additional sessions on SchoolsPLP!
Register Here https://educationaldesignsolutions.com/schoolsplp-reg/

• Feb 21st, 12 – 1pm
• March 6th, 12-1pm
• March 21st, 12-1pm

SURF'S UP with School Breakfast

Yo, Dudes and Dudettes, Surf's Up!!

We hope you are stoked about this radical spring-like weather currently dropping in over Iowa, and it is getting you in the Aloha vibe for National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) coming March 4-8, 2024. This year's theme is SURF'S UP with School Breakfast, and how fitting as the weather feels like it might be getting closer to bathing suit season. Who are we kidding? It's Iowa; wait a few days, and it will probably be back under zero with 12 inches more of snow to fall. 

No matter what the weather may be on the outside, this year's NSBW theme is a surefire way to heat up your cafeterias with a much-needed tropical getaway for all your kiddos. It's time to lighten the mood and plan some super fun tropical menus, staff dress-up opportunities, and cafeteria decor to celebrate the importance of a nutritious breakfast in the success of your student's educational adventure. 

We felt the Aloha vibes in preparing these quantity breakfast recipes featuring some totally tubular tropical ingredients.

• Banana Creme Stuffed Waffles with Tropical Fruit Compote (2 B/G, 1/2 Cup Fruit) - a decadent way to start the morning. Compote is a fancy culinary word for a warm fruit or vegetable sauce. 
  
  
• Blueberry Coconut WGR Sheet Pan Pancake (2 B/G, 1/8 Cup Fruit) - super versatile recipe where the fruit toppings can be swapped out for any other tropical fruit.
  
  
• Pineapple Upside Down Oatmeal WGR Breakfast Cake (2 B/G, 1/8 Cup Fruit) - a classic dessert reimagined for school breakfast service. Adapted from Pineapple Upside Down Oatmeal Cake recipe - A Whisk and Two Wands, accessed 1/23/24
  
  
• Coconut Lime Cheesecake WGR Taquitos with Tropical Fruit Salsa (2 B/G, 1/2 Cup Fruit) - creamy filling surrounded by cinnamon sugar toasted tortillas. The salsa combines fruit with no veggies, making it more acceptable to younger kiddos. Adapted from Cheesecake Taquito recipe - Life in the Lofthouse, accessed 1/23/24
  
  
• Pineapple Creamsicle Yogurt Smoothie (1 M/MA, 1 Cup Fruit) - the Surf's Up theme lends itself to a wide array of tropical fruit smoothies; here is one recipe combining pineapple, bananas, and orange juice. Adapted from Tropical Pineapple Orange Smoothie recipe - Two Healthy Kitchens, accessed 1/23/24
  
  
• Hawaiian WGR Breakfast Pizza (1.25 M/MA, 1 B/G) - mini flatbread topped with queso, eggs, ham, and, of course, pineapple. Try it at lunch using a larger flatbread - Hawaiian WGR Breakfast Pizza for Lunch (2 M/MA, 2 B/G).
  
  
• Pineapple Orange WGR Muffins with Coconut Crumble (1 B/G, 1/8 Cup Fruit) - fruit-forward flavors with crunchy sweet crumble topping. Adapted from "I wish I were in the Tropics" recipe - A Cup of Sugar...A Pinch of Salt, accessed 1/23/24
  
  
• Mango Banana Oat WGR Muffins with Lime Glaze (1 B/G, 1/4 Cup Fruit) - applesauce and oats add well-deserved health benefits to this yummy muffin. Adapted from Banana Berry Muffins recipe - MyPlate.gov, accessed 1/23/24

Supporting Recipes

Tropical Fruit Compote (1/2 cup equals 1/2 Fruit)

Tropical Fruit Salsa (1/2 cup equals 1/2 cup Fruit)

  

Additionally, here are some resources we found for all your planning needs.

• School Nutrition Association NSBW Webpage - find out the history of NSBW and look for branded promotional products to help decorate and engage your students and community. 
• Jim Coleman Store - direct link to SNA's marketing materials.
• 100 Ways to Celebrate NSBW by Kristen Nauss of Buying School Foods - need a jump start on creative ways to celebrate this year? Check out this article.
• Iowa Department of Education Breakfast Program Home Page - a great place to start or get a refresher on what makes a spectacular breakfast program.
• Surfer Lingo - create awesome theme menu names using the latest and greatest surfer slang.

As always, we would love to see your rad NSBW pictures. Send photos of your menu, your staff having fun, and your decor.  

We wish you the very best National School Breakfast Week, and hope you, Dudes and Dudettes, continue to Hang Ten!!

Start the year fresh with BLICK Art Materials

 A new year brings new art supplies! The BLICK 2024 Materials for Art Education Catalog is filled with creative solutions for students of all ages and skill levels, from top-rated art supplies to classroom furniture, safety materials, and beyond. Plus, find FREE lesson plans, new educator resources, and super savings—all designed to enhance your curriculum while stretching your budget further.

Request your NEW 2024 catalog here!

All materials may be purchased from Blick Art Materials under the AEA Purchasing/AEPA contract. If ordering directly from Blick, remember to enter promo code QD20AEP during checkout.

And don’t forget — for hundreds more free art lesson plans, visit dickblick.com/lesson-plans. Lessons are geared for a wide variety of age and skill levels and are designed to meet the National Standards for Visual Art Education.

Contract benefits include 20% discount (some exclusions apply) and free freight on most orders of $49 or more after discount.

Contract Information & Quotes:
Megan Miller
RegionEquotes@dickblick.com
www.dickblick.com

23-24 Winter Paper Buy Has Been Extended!

Haven’t placed your paper order yet? Don’t sweat it! There’s still time. AEA Purchasing and The Paper Corporation are extending the ordering window through Friday, January 19, 2024. Any order placed after this date will not be eligible for the contract price.

To obtain your documents, email joni@aeapurchasing.org.

*As a reminder, when you order using the AEA Purchasing contract, you are not only supporting local educational services but also our economy. Our awarded vendor, The Paper Corporation, is an Iowa-based company proudly located in Des Moines!

The Bid Route vs The Cooperative Path

Curious as to why so many folks choose the cooperative path? Here's a visual selling point of choosing cooperative contracts such as those offered by AEA Purchasing vs. running your own bids.

If you are curious at all about AEA Purchasing's RFP/IFB process, please reach out. We are happy to answer any questions you might have. We are your resource when it comes to strategic procurement!

Are You Prepared for the Arctic Blast?

Strong winter storms are expected in the next few days. Are you prepared for large snowfalls and an arctic blast? Servicemaster Recovery Management is ready for whatever winter throws at us!

Water Mitigation: Thermal Imaging &Moisture Mapping Dehumidification and Moisture Control

Board-Up

Temporary Roofing

Odor Control

Emergency Power/Lighting

Catastrophe and Mini CATManagement

Contingency Plan Implementation

Mobile Command Centers

Storm Tracking and Resource Allocation

Advanced Equipment and Resources Staging

Should disaster strike, SRM has the resources and equipment needed to quickly help you recover.

Pricing for ServiceMaster services has been competitively bid by AEPA and awarded locally by AEA Purchasing. 

Artic Blast flyer

For any loss emergency, call SRM (ServiceMaster Recovery Management) 24 hours a day at 800-245-4622. Calling this number will begin the loss process and ensure you receive full benefits of this contract (AEPA-021.5 contract).

For individual quotes on services, please contact:

ServiceMaster by Rice

Trey Rice

Contract #AEPA 021.5-B

Office: (515) 274-9109

Cell: (515) 313-7373

treyr@smbyrice.com

www.servicemasterps.com

Evidence-Based Trends for Effective Learning Environments

Flexible classroom seating from Demco

As one of the fastest-growing learning environment companies in the USA, Demco is always looking for the best ways to help school leaders maximize the potential of their spaces. Often referred to as “the third teacher,” learning environments have a major impact on both student outcomes and educator effectiveness. With concerns about learning loss and teacher retention at the top of leaders’ minds, creating impactful and engaging spaces is more important than ever. 

Keep reading here for science-backed recommendations for updating and elevating your school spaces!

Per our contract with Demco, Iowa schools are eligible to receive competitively bid discounts on Demco and other manufactured furniture. Discounts range from 8-52% depending on the product and manufacturer. 

To start a conversation with Demco about how you can improve your learning environments and save money while doing so, contact:

Demco

Andrea Jones

Contract #AEPA 022-A, Bid # C10903

AndreaJ@demco.com

https://www.demco.com/

Be sure to ask for the AEA Purchasing discount!

Winter Paper Buy Closes Jan 12 2024!

Our Winter 2023 paper buy closes THIS Friday, January 12! Get your order in today to avoid missing the deadline.

​Complete information (including the order form) can be obtained by emailing Joni at  joni@aeapurchasing.org.

Bid features include:

• Wide variety of paper weights, colors and sizes
• Additional discounts for orders of 840 cartons of white or greater
• Letter and catalog envelopes

*As a reminder, when you order using the AEA Purchasing contract, you are not only supporting local educational services but also our economy. Our awarded vendor, The Paper Corporation, is an Iowa-based company proudly located in Des Moines!