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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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See articles for School Heads, Business & Operations, Advancement, Academic Leadership, and Trustees, in addition to Private School News.
Reducing Risk When Hiring Vendors and Contractors
Business and Operations // May 17, 2017
Summer is rapidly approaching, which usually offers a slightly slower pace around campus. With students enjoying their summer break, most schools take advantage of the opportunity to renovate, expand facilities, and make changes to the campus that during the school year would be more difficult to schedule. Renovations usually entail the use of vendors and contractors—exposing your school to risks associated with contractual workers.
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Three Basic Questions Head Candidates Should Ask About the Planning Document
School Heads // May 17, 2017
Most School Head candidates familiarize themselves with a prospective school’s history and general prospects. They typically review various advancement and marketing materials, the website, and social media efforts. They may even seek constituencies’ viewpoints on issues, goals, and opportunities that may impact the next headship.
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Designing and Maintaining Safe Playgrounds
Business and Operations // May 17, 2017
When considering playground equipment and layout, you should keep in mind three different age groups—infants and toddlers under two, two- to five-year-olds (preschoolers), and five- to 12-year-olds (school-age kids). Different-age children will use different playground equipment, and you will need to design your outdoor play area with all of their developmental needs in mind
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Three Fundraising Apps Worth Checking Out
Advancement // May 9, 2017
Today’s world moves fast. How we reach donors, capture their attention, pique their interests enough so they support our causes, and make our cause accessible to them is constantly changing. Technology has reshaped the way we access and manage a good portion of our daily lives, and certainly that includes the way we manage fundraising. These apps could be the answer your looking for in your campaigns.
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Planning a Grandparents Day to Bond With These Key Supporters
Advancement // May 9, 2017
Many schools show their appreciation through an annual Grandparents Day—often expanded to Grandparents and Special Friends Day so all students can invite someone who is important in their lives. This can be one of the most important —and enjoyable—days of the year. In some instances, school leaders report, it’s so special that grandparents travel hundreds of miles to attend. Perhaps you’re considering adding this event to your school’s calendar, or updating your current Grandparents Day.
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Your School's Stories on Instagram
Private School News // April 28, 2017
Your school’s story is what makes your school unique. It’s what attracts families, strengthens retention, and unites your community. How you tell your school’s story is critical to how it’s received—and its success. And, how you communicate your story, via social media sites, video, pictures, statistics, testimonials, prose, school newsletter, Head blog, website, etc., is part of the puzzle of how you tell your story.
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Stretch Your Technology Hands
Private School News // April 28, 2017
If you use a smart phone, a trackpad on a laptop, or a computer mouse—(and, let’s be honest, of course you use at least one of those things, if not all of them, daily)—you could be developing Technology Hand.
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The Importance of Faculty Collaborative Time
Private School News // April 28, 2017
A teacher at a private school typically devotes most of the day to instruction, with almost no time for collaborating with other teachers, mutually planning lessons, or even reflecting on their practices. Professional isolation is a significant issue in many of our classrooms.
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Yet More Growth in the Charter School Population
Board of Trustees // April 11, 2017
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools supports and lobbies for charter schools at the state and federal levels. The organization’s latest annual report indicates that more than three million students now attend public charter schools. That’s nearly three times the student population of a decade ago. There are now more than 6,900 charter schools in the United States. Clearly there has been demonstrated growth in that sector.
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Foster Board Objectivity—Avoid Subjectivity
Board of Trustees // April 11, 2017
Trustees are human beings, and from a strategic viewpoint, human nature can impede or disrupt a Board’s key functions. One term that captures much of this problematic dimension of human nature is subjectivity. For Board members, subjectivity may lead to an overlying personalized way of seeing organizational purpose, envisioning the school’s future, and determining planning priorities. Subjectivity can easily undermine the strategic thinking needed to preserve school mission, ensure organizational stability, and lead a school into the future. Increases in tension or anxiety on the Board may contribute to increased subjectivity.
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