Community Corner
Community Corner

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?

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.

Recognizing Backyard Itchy Plants

Business and Operations // June 18, 2012

It's official—summer has arrived! If you’re living east of the Rocky Mountains, you might have noticed a lot of clustered greenery along your favorite hiking trails and in your backyard. Knowing what to avoid when working in the yard and while walking through the woods will save you from weeks of red, itchy rashes called allergic contact dermatitis.

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Green Corner

Business and Operations // June 18, 2012

Green Summer Tips Not to Be Missed While looking for tips to include in this month's issue, we stumbled upon a blog for green summer tips. Many of these are simple changes you can make to your daily routine with minimal effort. Here's to having a happy and green summer!

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Why Heads Need to Be Involved in Advancement

School Heads // June 14, 2012

As a Head of School, you are ultimately responsible for ensuring that all three advancement functions in your school are delivered with excellence. Understanding the symbiosis that exists among these three functions will assist you in your task of supervising the people in them, helping to insure that desired level of excellence for your school is achieved. Attending the Advancement Academy is an excellent way to begin gaining that understanding. Moreover, you will be in a position to better assist your advancement team with their professional growth and renewal. An often-cited leadership trait is the ability to make those around you better able to perform the tasks you have asked them to do.

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Kids Pushing Too Hard? Prescription Stimulants Abuse in Private Schools

School Heads // June 14, 2012

According to an article in the New York Times, pressure over grades and college admission competition is driving private school students to abuse prescription stimulants. Alan Schwarz, who wrote the story, said the Times contacted over 200 students, school officials, parents, and others—and 40 agreed to be interviewed.

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Ask Michael

Business and Operations // May 31, 2012

Q: We developed a “Characteristics of Faculty Excellence” statement a few years ago. At the time, it seemed to hold a lot of promise, but when we introduced it, it just sort of fell flat and was never really used. Is there any way to re-energize our list so that it’s not just one more forgotten document sitting on the shelf gathering dust?

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2012 Teacher Sex Scandals

Private School News // May 31, 2012

The 2011–2012 school year has certainly been newsworthy. Bus accidents, bullying cases, and teacher/student sex scandals have made headlines and topped Twitter feeds throughout the year. It has been one tail-spinning year of risk management concerns. But, among these headlining topics, perhaps the most troubling stories have been those involving student sexual abuse.

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From the HR Blogosphere

Business and Operations // May 31, 2012

As the semester winds down, we know that your schedule ramps up—often without a moment to spare. Following our recent practice, we wanted to offer a selection of quick-and-to-the-point HR perspectives culled from recent Twitter and blog postings, to encourage and support you.

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Students Teaching About Internet Safety

Private School News // May 30, 2012

Earlier this month students in Wichita set out to illustrate the power of the Internet, and the fact that what you can say and do online can have far-reaching consequences by launching the “Wonder Who’s Watching?” campaign.

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