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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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Massachusetts Tracks Bullying
Advancement // April 28, 2011
Massachusetts is the first state to officially track bullying by using biannual student health and behavior surveys. This data is a result of Governor Deval Patrick’s signed law mandating schools to have a plan in place for dealing with bullying.
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Artificial Turf Risks
Business and Operations // April 27, 2011
According to Environment and Human Health, Inc., there are risks concerning recycled tires used for athletic fields, gardening, playgrounds, and any other sort of asphalt–surface substitute.
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Ask Michael
Business and Operations // April 27, 2011
Q: What should we do if we know that we don’t want to invite a faculty member back for the next academic term but we haven’t provided any formal “warnings” or “corrective action”? Should we rush through a warning process in the next few months?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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