We’re approaching the end of “bikini season” throughout most of the United States, a time when obsession with cellulose, BMI, and diets seems to run rampant. Societal pressures—like being swimsuit-ready for Instagram selfies or slimmed down for yearly school pictures—can lead to painful and potentially fatal eating disorders. Early identification of those with “low body image” could help prevent new cases of eating disorders, so let’s examine some factors that may influence low body image.

This summer in New York City, Judge William Kuntz II ruled that families could not claim violation of religious freedom due to the city’s health policies. Three families had brought the suit after their unvaccinated children were banned from school for a month at a time when vaccine-preventable diseases were suspected, according to the city’s school immunization rules. While the case remains unsettled—the families are requesting a retrial—the judgment reopens the debate on religious exemptions from vaccinations and the low rates of vaccinations in some of our nation’s private schools. Where should schools draw the line between student safety and the family’s right to decide?

Entertainer Robin Williams passed away the morning of August 11, 2014, to the shock and dismay of everyone who had been touched by his gift for illustrating the human condition through his acting and comedic standup. Even President Obama commented on the tragedy, offering the First Family’s condolences to “everyone who found their voice thanks to Robin Williams.” His untimely passing sparked a worldwide campaign of remembrance, quoting a scene from his award-winning performance as a private school teacher in Dead Poet’s Society: “#OCaptainMyCaptain.” This quote strikes a deeper chord for those in private-independent education, as William’s presentation of English teacher John Keating was inspired by his own private school experiences.

There’s much to be said for being raised by two ecologists and attending a private school that encourages scientific exploration. In fact, with the kind of support Lauren Arrington received from her family and school, it’s no surprise that her science fair experiment was cited as a “pilot study” for groundbreaking ecological research on invasive species—all before she was old enough to drive.

What do you think of when someone says “customer service”? Terrible wait times and unresolved problems at mammoth corporations spring to mind, but these impressions are the opposite of what customer service should be. Every organization—including private schools—should strive for excellent relations with its clients. Your school must actively foster relationships with families, faculty, and students to avoid careless interactions that can lead to big publicity problems.

The annual conference for the School Nutrition Association (SNA) took place a few weeks ago. Vendors lined up in rows, all plying their goods and demonstrating how their product was not just tasty, but also in compliance with tougher U.S. federal guidelines for lunches, effective as of July 1 this year.

Blogging can be one of the easiest and most reliable ways to get your private school’s message onto the Web and into the community. However, worries about the time commitment or whether you have anything of interest to say can stop your school from publishing that first post. To inspire you for next year, here are four private-independent school administrators who are doing a marvelous job blogging their school’s mission to cyberspace—and whose example you can follow in your own blog.

For most students, summer vacation offers a time of relaxation and rest before the start of another jam-packed school year. For others, though, summer marks the beginning of new adventures and opportunities otherwise unnoticed during days full of classes and nights full of homework. What are your students doing this summer? Read on for a glimpse into the possibilities of summer break.

While the warm weather invites people to step outside their offices for some well-deserved relaxation from the stress of the school year, summer break also presents an opportunity to catch up on some books from your “read when I get a chance” list. Here’s our list of must-read books for private school administrators for the summer.

As the de facto Facilities Manager, you’re likely very familiar with your school’s minor facility inconveniences. The girls’ bathroom lights always seem to flicker as if in a horror movie; the projectors show the blue screen of death anytime the chemistry teacher wants to show a video demonstration; and the school garden attracts unseemly quantities of Japanese beetles. There are bigger problems on your plate, so you typically wait to “get around to it later.” Well, there’s one concern that if left untreated will become a big headache—fast. And that, dear readers, is mold.