What 2011 Means For Marketing Your School

Private School News // December 28, 2010

Over the past decade, the Internet has reshaped the way major companies have marketed their products and services. After the dot-com crash, advertising agencies and marketing firms alike refocused, and Web metric analysts joined the conversation on how to best place marketing materials online. Demographics, psychographics, and behavioristics that are important in media planning concerning traditional mediums such as print, radio, and television, are just as important when discussing online marketing. And, moving forward into 2011, Web metrics are going to play even a larger role in decisions companies make for online placement.

Read More

Form 990 FAQs

Private School News // December 28, 2010

With changes beginning to unfold from the health care reform policies, there has been some buzz around changes to Form 990. Here are some general Form 990 FAQs taken from GuideStar. What is an IRS Form 990? Form 990 is an annual reporting return that certain federally tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. It provides information on the filing organizations mission, programs, and finances.

Read More

13 Funny New Year’s Resolutions Found on Twitter

Private School News // December 28, 2010

Many people start off the new year with the tradition of setting resolutions. That might mean a new diet, a different way of looking at things, or even something as dramatic as a career change. And, with the new year just a few days away, blog sites and social forums are exploding with promises of how people are going to make a difference in the year ahead. Here are a few that we came across on Twitter that made us smile.

Read More

Find Out What They Think Before They Leave the School

Private School News // December 6, 2010

Attrition surveys are tools for discovering why families leave your school. The results can help you find out if you are missing a marketing opportunity, sending mixed signals, or areas you need to strengthen. You might find that Admission needs to fine tune its process to make a better student-school match. All useful information. But wouldn’t it be even more useful if you could get parents’ and students’ impressions before they leave the school, while they are still active at the school? After all, once they are out the door, they really have lost the affinity for your school. They could be indifferent or they could be angry. By conducting current parent and student surveys, you are going to get a boatload of information that may reveal your strengths and your weaknesses, from individuals who continue to have a vested interest in your school.

Read More

The Autistic Child in Your Classroom

Private School News // December 3, 2010

Knowing the difference between an autistic meltdown and a temper tantrum is important for parents of young children, and especially early educators who must manage outbursts and control situations. As symptoms can have similar traits, it can be difficult to identify a child showing early warning signs of autism—and early diagnosis can be critical for an autistic child, reducing some of the challenges associated with the disability.

Read More

Can Maslow Help Fix Performance Issues? (Editorial)

Business and Operations // November 22, 2010

By Michael Brisciana As I was working with an administrator recently, discussing strategies for improving the performance of a staff member who seemed to be “cracking” under pressure, a “light bulb” went on for me. There we were, trying to fix what appeared on the surface to be a ”job performance” problem — never recognizing that the real issue was likely something far different. This caused me to flash on advice from an “old friend”—Abraham Maslow.

Read More

LIVESTRONG Foundation Curriculum Helps Kids Learn About Cancer

Academic Leadership // November 22, 2010

You can’t deny that seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong is probably the most recognizable cancer survivor in the world. His LIVESTRONG Foundation pioneered the support bracelet, the little yellow wrist band that millions of people wear every day to show their support. Now LIVESTRONG is bringing cancer education into the classroom. According to the LIVESTRONG Web site, “one in three people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. That means children in your classroom are likely to be dealing with cancer right now—whether through a grandparent, parent, family member, friend, or teacher.”

Read More

Ask Michael

Business and Operations // November 22, 2010

Q: In order to reduce costs, we’ve considered requiring candidates for faculty openings to provide (and pay for) their own background checks. Is this a good idea? What are the pros and cons?

Read More

Thinking Differently, Change the “Rules”

Academic Leadership // November 22, 2010

Star Trek fans, remember the Kobayashi Maru (how could you forget—it’s got its own Wikipedia entry)? It was no-win scenario test that Kirk beat during his Academy training by “changing the conditions of the test.” Well, the band Atomic Tom did the same thing–and its innovation video has gone viral. Everyone sharing Atomic Tom’s subway ride! Yes, it is marketing, but it demonstrates how changing the conditions, the tools, the delivery can generate the spark of new thinking and new learning. Back in 1997, Apple’s slogan was “Think Different.” Well, Apple has become the innovator of the information/music delivery system, coming up with the “coolest” products—the iPhone and the iPod—that everyone wants. It's all part of the same thinking as the 21st Century School concept.

Read More

Health Care Reform After The Elections: What Do We Do Now?

Business and Operations // November 22, 2010

Much has been written as what “might” happen with health care reform in the wake of the dramatic changeover of party leadership in Congress in the recent midterm elections. Some have speculated that opponents of the Patient Protection and Care Act (PPACA), signed into law by the president in March, will seek to have the law overturned in its entirety or limit its effect by refusing to fund certain of the law’s initiatives.

Read More