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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.
Improving Your Facility With Living Roofs
Business and Operations // May 31, 2011
If you’ve been looking to expand your school, or update your facilities, you may have heard about living roofs. Some states are requiring new construction to incorporate efficient roofing and building design to help reduce the demand of natural resources for heating and cooling. (Maryland is one example of a state that is mandating new building design to be green.) But, even in states that haven’t changed their requirements, there is still a movement happening within American schools.
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Social Media Disasters: Costs, Dangers, and Quagmires
Private School News // May 31, 2011
As with any business practice, using social media has its benefits as well as its dangers. Your first line of defense against the unspeakable (insert your numerous employee-related concerns here) is to have an updated social media policy in your employee handbook—and to ensure that everyone has received a copy, AND read it. However, even with clear expectations and guidelines, staff and faculty members can engage in online behavior that can cause concern. Since social media is still a relatively new phenomenon, legal principles and court decisions are still evolving. Here are three recent cases of note.
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Keeping Parents Informed on Facebook
Business and Operations // May 31, 2011
As a Business Manager, your first concerns may have little to do with your school’s social media efforts. You’re more concerned with your school’s budget, employee benefits, facility upgrades, the database, and the millions of other projects your Head has passed down to your office. However, if you’re part of your school’s Risk Management team, then you might want to take another look at social media platforms as a way to keep parents, students, and even faculty and staff connected.
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Smart Phone Apps for Teachers and Students
Private School News // May 31, 2011
Does your cell phone play a major role in your daily routine? Have you become as dependent on its apps to keep connected while on the go as you have your computer while you’re in the office? Here are some apps that are dedicated to making the lives of educators a little easier:
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Green Corner
Business and Operations // May 31, 2011
No Child Left Inside ®—Planning Low-Impact Day Vacations Memorial Day marked the unofficial start of summer. Pools, parks, and beaches that were closed for the winter season all opened their gates and welcomed the flood of eager tourists. For many families, it was a weekend packed with outdoor events.
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Stay Inside, Get Outside, Safely!
Academic Leadership // May 25, 2011
As Division Head, you need to keep children safe and healthy while getting a stellar education at your facility. Inspiring your faculty to support the children to grow and learn is a top priority, so keeping your students safe while having fun is a never-ending lesson.
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Avatars—Making Their Way to the Classroom?
Academic Leadership // May 25, 2011
As a Division Head, focusing your faculty on the students and their learning is one of the most important roles you have. New ways of teaching can be auditioned, but how to know if they will work?
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Identifying and Controlling Water Activities Risk
Business and Operations // May 24, 2011
Memorial Day is right around the corner. I&Ps less than a week away! Besides having an extra day away from the office, Memorial Day also marks the opening of most community pools, and the start of most summer league swim teams. Anytime there is more than an inch of water involved in an activity, there are risks to be aware of.
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Crisis Leadership Lessons From “Blue Bloods” (Editorial)
Business and Operations // May 24, 2011
I’ve become a big fan of the TV series Blue Bloods. Starring Tom Selleck as Frank Regan, a fictional New York City Police Commissioner, the beautifully written and acted show chronicles the intersecting public and private lives of the widowed commissioner’s close-knit Irish-Catholic family, who are all in the “family business” of law enforcement (retired cop, streetwise detective, sharp assistant district attorney, and idealistic rookie cop). It struck me while watching the dramatic season finale last week that the episode offered some excellent lessons in crisis leadership.
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It’s Not What You Think—It’s What You Know
Advancement // May 19, 2011
As the Development Director, you need to cultivate your donors and prospects, and give them reasons to get excited about supporting your school. You need to understand who these individuals are, what their passions are, and how they connect to the mission of your school. The more you listen and learn, the better able you will be to make an effective appeal.
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