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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?
Check out Community Corner, a free blog from ISM.
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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See articles for School Heads, Business & Operations, Advancement, Academic Leadership, and Trustees, in addition to Private School News.
Creating Your School's Response and Recovery Plans
Business and Operations // September 6, 2017
An important function of every school’s Business Office is helping create and maintain the crisis management plan. Many schools have created a Risk Management Team to oversee this function. If you’re a member of the committee, don’t forget to create your response and recovery action plans.
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What Do You Do When a Family Files for Bankruptcy?
Business and Operations // September 6, 2017
The following scenario was recently shared in our Business Manager e-list, a free, email-based, position-specific resource for private-independent school community members. “A student is enrolled for the 2017–18 school year but has a small outstanding balance on their 2016–17 tuition account. The parents promised to pay it over the summer but, before making the payment, filed for bankruptcy and named the school as a creditor. What do we do?”
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Are Your Faculty Evaluations Effective?
School Heads // September 5, 2017
ISM believes that one of the core tenets of school stability is a high-performing faculty, leading to strong student satisfaction and enthusiasm. But how does one determine whether a faculty member is “high-performing?” For many years, schools have primarily used teacher evaluations—usually classroom observations—to make this distinction. However, there’s evidence to show that traditional classroom evaluations aren’t always the best indication of high faculty performance.
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6 Tips for Setting Your Leadership Team Up for Success
School Heads // September 5, 2017
No one said it would be easy being the School Head. Between implementing your school’s strategic plan, creating a safe and welcoming environment, and ensuring every decision falls in line with the mission, you have a lot on your plate. Therefore, it’s imperative that you’re able to rely on your direct reports—your Leadership Team—help support you on a day-to-day basis.
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Making the Case for Social-Emotional Learning Programs
Private School News // August 30, 2017
A new study shows that social-emotional learning (SEL) programs can have a tremendous impact on students’ overall academic performance and well-being. SEL programs focus on helping children develop positive emotional skills, and participants showed higher graduation rates, more social and emotional competencies, and were less likely to have anxiety and behavior problems.
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Helping International Students Transition
Private School News // August 30, 2017
One of the most important aspects of a strong international student program is the transition process. Many schools have strong international student programs but aren't sure how to assist with their international students’ transitions. Attending school in the United States is remarkably different from the visiting student’s life at home—and the school does play a role in helping the student become accustomed to their new surroundings.
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A Look Back at Summer Institute 2017
Private School News // August 30, 2017
During our 2017 Summer Institute, private-independent school administrators from around the world gathered in Wilmington, DE to develop effective strategies, create action plans, and network with their peers and colleagues. It was an extremely successful event with administrators participating in 26 different workshops throughout the four-week conference.
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2017 Summer Reading Recommendations for Private-Independent School Administrators
Private School News // July 27, 2017
It’s time to start thinking about preparing for the fall semester. And whether you’ve spent the summer relaxing or hard at work, there is still time to get through a good book or two before the school year begins.
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3 Steps to Meet Your Professional Goals This School Year
Private School News // July 27, 2017
August is rapidly approaching and you know what that means—it’s time to put your school year planning into high gear. Starting the school year with a clean slate is an opportunity to set new goals and take on fresh challenges. Whether this is your first year in your position or you’re a seasoned pro with decades of experience, everyone can use these strategies to begin the year on the right foot.
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A Primer on Data Privacy for Your School
Private School News // July 27, 2017
In a recent survey of more than 1,000 education technology vendors, only 56% encrypt login and personal information—such as usernames, passwords, and other personally identifiable information—on their websites. This is a stunning statistic. As schools embrace new technology, it’s clear that the burden to ensure data privacy and mitigate risk falls at the school level.
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