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See articles for School Heads, Business & Operations, Advancement, Academic Leadership, and Trustees, in addition to Private School News.
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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E-mailing Your Annual Fund
Advancement // October 9, 2012
E-mail has become the preferred form of communication for many people. You get messages and take action on your own time. It’s true that chockfull inboxes can be unwieldy, and messages can get lost or deleted. And, let’s not forget the scourge of spam, too. However, receiving an e-mail from a recognized source—like your school—puts the information in writing that the reader can easily respond to 24 hours a day.
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Risk Management: Avoiding Scams
Business and Operations // October 9, 2012
A large shipment of toner shows up at your school. Scratching your head, you try to remember the last time you placed an order. Did you order this much toner? Was it that afternoon you were fighting off a nasty head cold?
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Business and Operations // October 9, 2012
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Because of its wide reach, women need to be aware of their risks and the signs of the disease for early detection. As part of your wellness program, share the following information with your faculty and staff in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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