Stay current with the latest private-independent school news.
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?
Sign up to receive Community Corner, a free newsletter 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.
Join more than 30,000 private-independent school administrators and have Community Corner delivered right to your inbox.
Search
See articles for School Heads, Business & Operations, Advancement, Academic Leadership, and Trustees, in addition to Private School News.
Remembering Your Own Renewal and Development
Business and Operations // April 27, 2011
With spring finally taking hold in most of the country, it is a pleasure to see how all of the flowers and buds in bloom are adding bright color to the landscape. While the spring semester is a busy one in all schools—bringing with it the temptation to keep one eye on the “finish line” and revel in thoughts of summer break—there is one other thought the coming of spring brings to mind. That is, just as the earth “comes back to life” in spring, we, too, need to attend to our own “renewal” as professionals.
Read More
Pointers in Podcasts For Contract Season
Academic Leadership // April 26, 2011
‘Tis the season for hiring new teachers for the 2011-12 school year—and also for renewing current contracts. You want to bring in the best possible teachers, and you want to keep those who are assets to your school. Still, you may have situations where you are not planning to renew a faculty contract, or have to deal with disciplinary situations.
Read More
YouTube For Your Classes: Is it Safe?
Academic Leadership // April 26, 2011
You can find just about anything on YouTube. There is a plethora of educational material that can apply to your classroom, from algebra lessons to science experiments to a video montage of the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Read More
Setting Goals for a Healthier School
Business and Operations // April 25, 2011
Rising costs and changing policies are leaving much more than a trail of frustrated employers and Business Managers. People are becoming more aware of their health, lifestyle, and options—changing their routines to include healthier options in hopes of avoiding expensive doctor visits and medical bills.
Read More
Gas Prices on the Rise … Again
Business and Operations // April 25, 2011
Here we go again. Gas prices are rising daily and reporters predict costs to peak this summer around $5 a gallon. Are we really going through this again?
Read More
Green Corner
Business and Operations // April 25, 2011
Springtime around ISM means it’s time to start our community garden. If your school has a garden, it might also have some native wildlife. Here in our patch, we have a few bunnies and a groundhog we’ve lovingly nicknamed “Tubby.” But, as much as we love to see them visit, we’re not huge fans of what they do to our vegetable garden—especially our bunny friends.
Read More
Keep Your Alumni in the Family
Advancement // April 19, 2011
In your fund-raising efforts, you are most likely focusing on the constituents who are with your school now—current families. But what about your alumni? Alumni and their families are some of your biggest fans, and you should strive to keep them “in the family.” Often, your alumni constituency is a lightly tapped, or untapped, source of support.
Read More
It’s Auction Time!
Advancement // April 19, 2011
Often the spring means it’s auction season—live and/or silent—at private-independent schools. The auction is not only a fund raiser but also usually a fun celebration for everyone. With eBay as a household word, more and more, schools are using an online auction options for their silent auctions.
Read More
Ask the Expert
Advancement // April 19, 2011
Your annual fund is the foundation of all your other fund-raising efforts at your school. This month, Phil Higginson, Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement, and Penny Rogers, Director of Communications, both from Ravenscroft School (NC), tackle a question about donor categories and benefits.
Read More
Does Your Teacher Evaluation System Include Professional Development?
School Heads // April 8, 2011
The conventional idea is that teacher evaluation is based solely on classroom observation—and that the annual review is a “lets get it over with” thing. Personal and professional development is not generally part of the equation, and the evaluation system can be viewed as punitive rather than productive.
Read More