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.
Search
See articles for School Heads, Business & Operations, Advancement, Academic Leadership, and Trustees, in addition to Private School News.
Your Role in the Development Process
School Heads // March 12, 2010
As School Head, you are one of the four key players—the quartet—in your school's Development efforts. While the Board President, the Development Committee Chair, and the Development Director are making the donations happen, you are the individual who leads the school and has the most credibility with the school's supporters. You are the person donors see as the primary steward of their gifts, and ultimately the "face" of the school. After all, your Development colleagues have reaped the gifts by connecting the school's mission and programs to donors' interests. You are the one putting gifts into action. Carry out your development responsibilities by taking these steps.
Read More
Ask the Expert
School Heads // March 12, 2010
Q:What do I do about compensation this year? I froze salaries last year!
Read More
Part Two: How Schools Should Adjust to Gen X Parents
Advancement // March 11, 2010
Last month, we defined the new generation of parents that have become the majority in schools—Gen X. We left off saying the first step to effectively communicate with Gen X parents is to know where they're coming from, and who they are. (You must know your market before you can be successful!) So, without further ado, here are some strategies that can help educators cope with Gen X parents.
Read More
How to Balance Your Marketing: What's New and What Works
Advancement // March 11, 2010
With all the buzz focused around social media, it's easy to get caught up in trying to learn how to maximize free Web resources, and cast aside developing another snail-mail campaign. This is especially true for marketers. We love what's new and what's trendy, and easily become bored with what we've done time and time again—even if it has shown great results.
Read More
Some Common Myths and Facts About People With Disabilities
Business and Operations // March 8, 2010
Myth: People with disabilities are brave and courageous. Fact: Adjusting to a disability requires adapting to a lifestyle, not bravery and courage. Myth: All persons who use wheelchairs are chronically ill or sickly. Fact: The association between wheelchair use and illness may have evolved through hospitals using wheelchairs to transport sick people. A person may use a wheelchair for a variety of reasons, some of which may have nothing to do with a lingering illness—for example, injuries.
Read More
Back Pain? Join the Majority of Americans
Business and Operations // March 8, 2010
A recent article in Consumer Reports states that nearly 80% of American adults have been bothered by back pain at some point in their lives. And, certainly after the winter we've had with all the shoveling and icy balancing acts, many of us are feeling the season's strains in our backs.
Read More
Green Corner
Business and Operations // March 8, 2010
Always Return Unused Medications to a Pharmacy The dangers of dumping unused or expired medications down the toilet and into the general plumbing system are not well known. Just like paint and other toxic chemicals, medications should not be discarded in this manner. They must be properly disposed of—most pharmacies will take them off your hands and do this for you.
Read More
Tips to Promote Online Giving to Your School
Advancement // March 2, 2010
While mobile giving is a relatively new tool, online giving has been long established. Mobile giving is targeted for small donations, while the Internet is a better tool for larger ones. For schools, a giving page on the Web site is fundamental. But how effective is yours?
Read More
"Text 'HAITI' to 99909 and Donate $10 to Earthquake Relief"
Advancement // March 2, 2010
Messages like this were broadcast and advertised widely—and still are—during the recent appeal to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. If you sent that text, $10 was added to your cell phone bill, and a donation—after fees deducted by the mobile carrier—went to the Red Cross. Text-to-give campaigns are becoming more common, as 83% of adults have cell phones or smart phone, according to the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project.
Read More
Ask the Development Expert
Advancement // March 2, 2010
Q: "Our current Head announced he will retire in the next two years. Aside from sending a letter to our families, what is appropriate for announcing this to the community?"
Read More