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The ADD Student in Your School
Advancement // December 10, 2009
Attention Deficit Disorder, known as ADD, is one of the most common conditions that affects youth today. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is another common disorder affecting school-aged children. It's estimated that 4.4 million 4-17 year-olds are struggling with ADD and ADHD, both of which can interrupt their learning progress, and often leads to academic failure.
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Laughter Is at the Heart of All Effective Meetings
Business and Operations // December 10, 2009
How many meetings do you sit in on, or host, where the material is dry and driven by facts and policies? Ever look around and see all the nodding heads and droopy eyes? The truth is, most people tune out after a few minutes if the material isn't interactive and somewhat motivating.
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Employers Shedding Retiree Medical Coverage
Business and Operations // December 10, 2009
Health coverage is huge right now. What some organizations offer and/or don't offer can be selling points for potential employees. And although typically one of the first elements cut from organizational budgets in economic slumps are benefits, consider taking another look at what your school is offering. Does it attract the "right" people to match your culture and mission?
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Top 5 Best Foods To Feed Your Mind
Advancement // December 10, 2009
Winter puts most of into a sort of mental hibernation. We get up in the morning, make it through our routines, find our ways to work, and then somehow manage to clear stacks of paper from our in boxes and smile at students and coworkers in the halls. But through it all, many of us feel like we're missing something. As though some part of us isn't "alive" or wide awake.
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Resources You'll Want at Your Fingertips This Year
Business and Operations // December 10, 2009
ISM understands that in many schools the Business Manager also takes on Human Resource Manager duties (in addition to any number of other hats!). With this in mind, we wanted to start off the new school year on the right foot and supply you with some great HR Web sites you can browse for updates, information, and news in between our monthly e-letters.
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COBRA-Related Compliance Issues
Business and Operations // December 10, 2009
Most employers offering health care are facing new COBRA provisions that are part of the $787 billion stimulus plan. For most employers, the deadline for compliance was March 1.
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Easier Financial Aid Application Process + Happier Parents = One Happy Admission Office!
Advancement // December 10, 2009
This article is also seen in the monthly ISM Update for Business Offices It is no secret that financial aid applications have been at an all-time high this year. Even some parents who don't necessarily need financial aid have been applying. There's nothing to lose in trying, right? They're right—there's not. But, it does create more paperwork and a need for more manpower in your business and admission offices. If you're finding the extra applications and requests for financial aid are starting to take a toll on your nerves (and everyone else in your office), first take a deep breath, and then look into some of the software programs available on the market—especially if you're using software now that's causing you headaches.
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October Is Squirrel Awareness Month …
Business and Operations // December 10, 2009
… lucky little critters have their own month! (Don't worry, we haven't lost our minds. We just needed a light lead into President Obama's delivery earlier this month.) October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and National Depression Education & Awareness Month. In honor of it being National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and in response to President Obama's speech, ISM would like to share with you how this relates to private-independent schools.
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Five Lessons We Should All Take Away From the Recession
Business and Operations // December 10, 2009
The following is based on an article by Liz Pulliam Weston. Parts have been taken directly from her recent posting on MSN, "5 Life Lessons From the Recession". The past year has without a doubt been challenging. We've seen ups and downs, and unfortunately still have some way to go before we start to feel honest relief. But just as the Great Depression shaped our grandparents and parents, this recession lends some valuable lessons for all of us as well.
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Swine Flu Still Beating Up the Northeast—Expected to Hit the Rest of the Country Again This Fall
Advancement // December 10, 2009
Although the warmer weather has slowed down the spread of the swine flu, experts are saying it'll be back in the fall with a vengeance. Read the Forbes.com article with latest statistics here. For those living in the Northeast, you're going to continue to feel the threat over the summer, extending into the fall, and perhaps growing in intensity as the cooler weather moves in. New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and other New England states continue to see new cases and deaths in spite of warmer temps.
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