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See articles for School Heads, Business & Operations, Advancement, Academic Leadership, and Trustees, in addition to Private School News.

Crisis Leadership Lessons From “Blue Bloods” (Editorial)

Business and Operations // May 24, 2011

I’ve become a big fan of the TV series Blue Bloods. Starring Tom Selleck as Frank Regan, a fictional New York City Police Commissioner, the beautifully written and acted show chronicles the intersecting public and private lives of the widowed commissioner’s close-knit Irish-Catholic family, who are all in the “family business” of law enforcement (retired cop, streetwise detective, sharp assistant district attorney, and idealistic rookie cop). It struck me while watching the dramatic season finale last week that the episode offered some excellent lessons in crisis leadership.

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It’s Not What You Think—It’s What You Know

Advancement // May 19, 2011

As the Development Director, you need to cultivate your donors and prospects, and give them reasons to get excited about supporting your school. You need to understand who these individuals are, what their passions are, and how they connect to the mission of your school. The more you listen and learn, the better able you will be to make an effective appeal.

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Ask Michael

Business and Operations // May 18, 2011

Q: We don’t provide faculty members (or any other employees) with written performance evaluations. Is this a problem?

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Human Resources Isn’t Social Work (or Paperwork)

Business and Operations // May 18, 2011

With human resources professionals slowly gaining more acceptance as a necessary part of the administrative team in many private schools, this month we wanted to take a broad look at two types of HR professionals. Consider the following conversation.

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The Head as the Face of Your School’s Advancement

School Heads // May 9, 2011

The fact is that there are fewer new donors out there giving to fewer institutions, but these donors are giving bigger gifts to the institutions they are supporting. It is more important than ever that the School Head play an active role in qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, stewarding, and recognizing your donors.

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Combating Spring Allergies

Advancement // May 9, 2011

What to do when the allergies arrive with the great weather and render you sneezy? And what to do when these eye-watering, itchy, congested, sniffling symptoms carry over into the summer months, along with pollen, heat, summer air pollution, stinging bugs, and more weeds. It almost doesn’t pay to go outside after breathing indoor air all winter, but no way are you staying inside! You deserve some outdoor relaxation.

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According to a New Study Teachers Ill-Prepared to Teach Cybersafety

School Heads // May 9, 2011

“Kids and teens have embraced the digital world with great intensity, spending as many as a eight hours a day online by some estimates,” comments Michael Kaiser, Executive Director of the National Cyber Safety Alliance, StaySafeOnline.org. “Yet, America’s schools have not caught up with the realities of the modern economy. Teachers are not getting adequate training in online safety topics, and schools have yet to adopt a comprehensive approach to online safety, security, and ethics as part of a primary education. In the 21st century, these topics are as important as reading, writing, and math.”

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Jamie Oliver’s Healthy BBQ Tips

Private School News // May 3, 2011

It’s spring! With warmer weather, who can resist the great outdoors and the urge to fire up the grill and BBQ up some favorites? Those BBQ pounds can be shed with a few laps around the block, right? And, with the nicer weather, we’ll all be tempted to stroll around the neighborhood.

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Graduation Safety Tips

Private School News // May 3, 2011

It’s already time for graduation—amazing how fast the 2010-2011 year has come and gone. Graduation season is exciting for everyone. Faculty and staff members, students, and parents are all gearing up for end-of-the-year celebrations. But, as you know, these exciting times can also pose risks. Here are a few tips to share with students, parents, and faculty members that will help keep this year’s graduating class as safe as possible.

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