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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?
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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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Ask the Development Expert
Advancement // March 22, 2011
Q: How do you count divorced families? As one household or two? Meaning, if one gave and the other did not, do you have a 50% parent participation or 100%?
Read MoreFund Raising. Development. Advancement. What Does it All Mean?
Advancement // March 22, 2011
As Development Director, you hear all these words describing your function. What’s the difference?
Read MoreA Word to the Wise: In Cyberspace Doesn’t Mean Free to Use
Advancement // March 22, 2011
The copywriters at Webcopyplus blew it. And they admitted it. They searched for an image for a tourism piece and found what they were looking for in Google images. Then they downloaded the image and used it, assuming that since the image did not have a copyright notice it was “public domain” and this free to use.
Read More1:1 Laptops in the Classroom—Where Are We Now?
School Heads // March 15, 2011
For more than a decade now, we have heard the battle cry: “Give every student a laptop to improve learning, engagement, test scores, graduation rates…” you name it. And many schools and school districts have adopted 1:1 laptop programs, giving students a tool to explore and have access to the wider world beyond their own community. Indeed, access to the world of information and instant communication via the Internet is one of the key pieces in the 21st Century School concept. But where are we, for real? What has happened in the classrooms that have adopted a 1:1 laptop program?
Read MoreBedbug “Epidemic” Means Schools Have to Be Ready
School Heads // March 15, 2011
There have been plenty of stories about bedbugs in the last couple of years. These nasty little creatures, that are very difficult to eradicate, have been found in all 50 states, according the National Pest Management Association. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently held its second national bedbug summit.
Read MoreStudent Dress Code Policies: Infringing Upon Religious Rights
Advancement // March 7, 2011
Clayton High School started the school year facing a lawsuit. Ariana Iacono, forced to take out her nose ring while in school, fought back against what she claimed was an infringement on her First Amendment right to exercise her religion.
Read MoreNewly Improved Online Software from ISM Changing the Face of Financial Aid Application Process
Private School News // March 4, 2011
Financial aid administrators at private-independent schools will have an easier time than ever making precise and appropriate aid awards in the coming year, thanks to FAST® v3-powered by ISM.
Read MoreFive Questions to Ask Yourself When Advertising Open Positions
Private School News // March 4, 2011
It’s that time of year again—hiring season … and it looks like a busy one for many schools! This year, we’ve received a record number of questions about what a good ad should say. Because each school is unique, there isn’t a stock answer to this. However, we can offer five key questions that you should ask (and answer) when writing the ad:
Read MoreEducating Kids About Social Media—21st Century Technology in the Classroom
Private School News // March 4, 2011
Have you seen the recent news article about the six girls who created a Facebook event, “Attack a Teacher Day,” and were arrested? This story might have turned out differently if their school had a program in place to educate students about social media.
Read MoreAre Obstacles—Real or Imagined—Standing in Your Way?
Academic Leadership // February 25, 2011
Progress—and success—requires hard work and determination. It’s often easier to fall back on some handy reason why you can’t accept a challenge, or face an issue. In his most recent book, Excuses Begone, self-help guru and motivational speaker, Dr. Wayne Dyer, lists 18 common excuses that people use to rationalize not taking action or striving to improve their lives. While some of these reasons may be very real (feasibility must be considered) many of these excuses are essentially are self-imposed obstacles for taking action.
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