Blogs, forums, chat rooms, listservs—the list goes on and on. These can be  valuable resources for finding alternative opinions and information about almost anything. From HR concerns to just needing a quick laugh to fuel the rest of your day, blogs can remind you that you're not alone in the all-too often chaotic world of private-independent education.

E-mailing for Pledges Katie Gilman, Director of Development at Veritas School (VA), asked for samples for an e-mail appeal that would help her bring in those last gifts to bring the school up to 100% participation.

Since we first explored QR code scanning in 2D Barcoding: Smartphone Technology to Promote Your School last year, those little square codes have been popping up everywhere! It's a good bet that you have seen them on mailings, sale fliers, in stores, in malls, and many other places. The widespread use of the smart device (iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, etc.) means you really have a new way to get your message to your supporters.

As the No Child Left Behind education law in the United States reaches its 10th anniversary, the maelstrom of teacher accountability, student performance, and high-stakes testing continues to dominate the educational reform rhetoric. And, as a private-independent school Head, your thoughts are turning to teacher contracts. While you are probably free from much of the issue, you are concerned about having the best faculty to deliver your mission to your students.

In his popular blog for teachers, Larry Ferlazzo takes a stab at what is going to happen in education in 2012. “I think I batted close to 50% in last year’s predictions,” said the English teacher from Luther Burbank High School, CA, “That can’t be much worse than those made by professional pundits.”

For schools with ISM’s Domestic Student Accident Insurance, it’s the beginning of the renewal season. For those without it, it’s the beginning of the contemplation season. Should you protect your students or leave it up to the parents to provide health and accident coverage for their children under their insurance plans?

Five Simple Things You Can Promise To Do in 2012 If you haven’t included any green living promises on your resolution list, here are five easy things you can promise to do this year that will make a positive impact on your community—and ours as well. Share this list with students and colleagues too! The more energy saving and recycling, the better.

The holidays have come and gone. Times Square has been cleared of all the streamers, noisemakers, and beads left behind by the thousands that gathered to watch the ball drop; residents and neighbors of Mt. Olive, North Carolina, celebrated the end to 2011 by dropping a large pickle at the stroke of midnight; and in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, revelers reined in the new year by dropping a giant carp. No matter what your local tradition is, the message is the same—it’s a new year.

Childhood obesity is a national epidemic. It’s one of the easiest diseases to detect, but one of the hardest to treat. There is no cure in a pill bottle, or magical outcome after a few days in the hospital. Childhood obesity is a whole-body illness affecting the mind, body, and spirit of the child.

Justin Tarte is a blogger. He’s also an educator living in Arnold, Missouri, who has recently taken on the role of Assistant Principal at Popular Bluff Junior High School. Technology in education excites him, his yellow lab Maddy loves to give kisses, and he’s been to Germany five times. No, we’re not stalking him. We do however follow his tweets and his blog postings.