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What are the latest trends impacting private-independent school enrollment? How can you be the most effective in your role as an administrator? How can you help your school meet its mission and best serve your students?
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We cover such topics as how to communicate with your constituencies, work with your fellow school leaders, leverage new technology trends, utilize recommended reading and resources, implement new strategies—all to better serve your school's mission.
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Pruning the Orchard: The Cost of a Few Bad Apples
Business and Operations // October 25, 2012
We’ve entered the fall harvest season, with apple, cranberry, and pumpkin festivals abound. This brings to mind the question whether we allow “a few bad apples to spoil the bunch”—or whether prudent “pruning” will help our orchards thrive in the years to come.
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How To Get People Talking About Your School
Advancement // October 24, 2012
Word-of-mouth marketing is the most powerful marketing you can invest time in. There is no budget to consider, no approval to seek, no research to undertake. It’s merely tossing a topic of conversation out to the masses and waiting for it to grow to a roar. Right?
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Recruiting Students Through Your Summer Program
Advancement // October 24, 2012
If your school has a thriving summer program that attracts students not just from your school but from neighboring schools as well, you have a pool of recruiting potential at your fingertips. But you’re thinking, “I don’t want to come across as I’m taking advantage of the situation.” You don’t have to. We have subtle tips that will help you work with the Summer Program Director to pique the interest of your summer attending families.
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Fight Bullying With an Acceptable Use Policy
Business and Operations // October 23, 2012
Nearly all states have anti-bullying laws requiring schools to provide awareness training, rules of engagement, reporting guidelines, and recourse for violations. However, many do not include cyberbullying—yet. Click here for the latest PDF from Cyberbullying Research Center displaying state cyberbullying laws.
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Halloween Safety
Business and Operations // October 23, 2012
Halloween is the one night when a child can become anyone or anything he/she fancy—it’s a haunting yet magical evening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated 40 million kids between the ages of 5 and 14 went trick-or-treating in 2011. There were tricks and treats, but also accidents, many of which could have been prevented.
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Common Core Standards and Independent Schools
Academic Leadership // October 16, 2012
According to a recent article in Education Week, Common Core State Standards, which are being adopted in public schools in 46 of the 50 US states, are starting to move into some independent school curricula. The standards cover K-12 math and English/language arts, in an attempt to provide all US students with the knowledge and skills they need for college and employment success.
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Playing the Numbers: An Exercise in Civics and Math
Academic Leadership // October 16, 2012
As the Presidential election grows closer, students are hearing a lot about deficit spending, the national debt, and balancing the budget. Now they have a chance to be in the government’s seat and come up with their own solutions.
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Who Is Responsible for Board Evaluation?
Board of Trustees // October 16, 2012
Historically, evaluation of the Board of Trustees has been either (a) nonexistent or (b) poorly performed with a generic instrument designed for use by any nonprofit entity. If the results were used at all, they formed the basis for a discussion at an annual retreat session, often with little or no action afterward. ISM recommends that the responsibility for Board evaluation at a private-independent school be lodged with the Committee on Trustees.
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Resources for Development Directors
Advancement // October 9, 2012
Both ISM and CASE offer a plethora of information, strategies, and resources for private-independent schools. Some materials are free (e-letters, e-lists, PDFs, etc.), while other materials are free for members, like ISM Consortium Gold members.
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Green Corner: Green Halloween
Business and Operations // October 9, 2012
Holidays are a great time to practice green options. From decorations to ghoulish night alternatives, there are thousands of creative green options available. Here are a few we found online.
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