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.
And Now for Something Completely Different…
School Heads // May 7, 2013
Students at Bellingham Christian School (WA) got exciting news on May 1— a Sun Day! No school due to nice weather! The school did not have to shutter for any snow days this year, and School Head Bob Sampson said he wanted to re-create how excited the kids get on snow days. So he started a teaser campaign about a possible day off earlier in the week.
Read More
What Do You Know About Financial Reporting?
School Heads // May 7, 2013
As School Head, you likely have a Business Manager to handle your financial reports. Still, you are the Board's only employee, and it is your responsibility, with your Business Manager’s support, to keep the Board informed of the school’s financial footing. You will also be part of the Board’s strategic financial planning process, and you need to be prepared for that responsibility. You must be able to report financials accurately to your constituents.
Read More
Risks That Keep You Up at Night
Business and Operations // May 2, 2013
Schools, like all organizations, are at risk of lawsuits and claims—even when all protocols are followed and proper insurance is carried. In a recent edition of Net Assets, the article Risk, Claims, And What Keeps You Up At Night (NBOA members can access the entire issue in the membership area of the NBOA site), mentioned that assaults, athletic injuries, slips and falls, and employment discrimination claims are both the most common and most costly risks that private schools face.
Read More
Planning Against Violent Acts
Business and Operations // May 1, 2013
There has been a great deal of violence in the news this year. The Sandy Hook Elementary shootings and the Boston bombings shook us on a national level. Within our local communities, tragedies such as teacher sex scandals, vicious bullying, and drug/gang wars have made headlines. For students, rationalizing these acts can be a struggle. (Read Suggestions for Handling Tragic Events.) For adults—especially educators and administrators—making sense of these events and establishing risk management protocols can be frustrating—and emotionally exhausting.
Read More
3-D Printing Initiative Attracts International Attention
Private School News // April 29, 2013
A recent article in Education Week revealed how a Virginia school attracted global visitors interested in its 3-D printing classes.
Read More
Be Not Afraid: The Head is In Charge, Not HR and the Attorneys
Business and Operations // April 29, 2013
There was a fascinating—and deeply disturbing—case in the national media this month involving the termination of a college coach for verbally and physically degrading his players. Many of the reports about the case indicated that certain administrators wanted to terminate the coach when the incidents first came to light, but they were advised by HR and legal counsel that they “didn’t have enough evidence” to do so. While we have no special insight into the veracity of the facts reported, we wanted to use this example as a means of examining a key leadership issue in private-independent schools today: How much power should the school’s attorney (and HR adviser) have?
Read More
Suggestions for Handling Tragic Events
Academic Leadership // April 29, 2013
In Education Week Teacher, Boston teacher Lillie Marshall writes about her personal reactions to the Boston Marathon bombings coupled with her seventh grade students’ desire to discuss and learn about the tragic events that happened right in their backyard.
Read More
Education Blogs You Should Be Reading
Private School News // April 29, 2013
As an administrator in a private-independent school, it’s always a great idea to stay atop current trends in the education world. This is often easier said than done, considering your intense work schedule of 60+ hours a week. However, blogs have the potential to bring professional development right to your office without consuming too much of your time. The question is, which blogs are worth skimming in those few extra moments and which can be avoided.
Read More
Ask Michael
Business and Operations // April 29, 2013
Q: A member of our Board came up with a performance evaluation form that he wants us to use to evaluate teachers. Is it better for us to introduce this to teachers at the end of the semester in May, or should we wait until September when the new year begins?
Read More
Yellow Light and Green Light Issues in Advisory
Academic Leadership // April 29, 2013
A strong advisory program is one of the hallmarks of the private-independent school experience. Your faculty advisers provide not only academic advice but also personal advice. In the course of personal advising, students will ultimately reveal uncomfortable, scary, and dangerous issues they are facing. Your advisers need to be adequately trained to recognize “yellow light” and “red light” areas so they will learn where the boundaries are to protect themselves, the students, and your school.
Read More