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.

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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.

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Dancing Through Science … and Math … and More?

Academic Leadership // November 22, 2010

When budgets get tight, one of the first things cut is the arts. “For decades, arts education has been treated as though it was the novice teacher at school—the last hired and the first fired with times get tough,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

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Attention Maine Private Schools: There Might Be a New Feeder School in the Neighborhood

Advancement // November 17, 2010

In an economy where enrollment may be suffering, budgets are tight, and change is the only thing schools can predict, here shines the power of positive—creative—thinking. The power of positive thinking and the inevitable element of change just might be the layer of hope private schools in the Northeast have been waiting for—and from an unexpected source, too.

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Phonathon—How to Handle the “Difficult” Calls

Advancement // November 17, 2010

For many people, it’s hard enough asking others for money. So, when your phonathon volunteers hear objections to making a pledge, are they likely to just say “that’s okay, thank you” and end the call? Or are they prepared to manage those objections in a productive and supportive way? It’s important to train your volunteers on handling objections.

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December 31 Is Approaching … Your Donors Are Ready. Are You?

Advancement // November 17, 2010

More likely than not, when your donors are scrambling to make those last-minute contributions of the 2010 tax year, your school will be closed for the holidays. But your donors are ready to give THEN. Will you be ready to RECEIVE what could be significant donations? Nothing is worse than a donor calling in a gift and hearing “The Point School is closed until January 3. We look forward to hearing from you then.”

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Four Ways Schools Can Increase Interest with YouTube

Advancement // November 17, 2010

According to ForeSee Results’ 2010 Social Media Study, YouTube is the second most powerful social network for consumer engagement. (You’ll have to download their study to learn what was ranked number one.) This proves that having an online video strategy is an important social networking strategy. The following four tips can help your school establish—and maximize—your YouTube strategy for the most impact.

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2D Barcoding: Smartphone Technology to Promote Your School

Advancement // November 17, 2010

They are starting to pop up in retail ads—for Sears, Target, Sephora. Little square boxes with an array of black boxes in them. They could be coupled with teasers like “take a closer look” or “get more information. And you are going to be seeing more and more of them this holiday season. But what are they? And what are they for? These boxes are QR Codes or 2D bar codes that are readable with mobile phones with a camera or smartphones. The information encoded is a URL, text, or other data. Someone with a smartphone need only download a reader and then use the phone’s camera to scan the code. Once scanned, you ask the app to “decode” and more than likely you will be then linked to a Web site or a video with more information about the product. Your customer, user, or potential donors gets key information that can help him/her make an immediate decision in the most convenient way possible. It’s just another new technology that is making mobile marketing an essential tool for reaching your audience.

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Managing Stress 102

Business and Operations // November 9, 2010

In our last issue, we published an article about managing stress, Managing Stress 101. At the conclusion of that article, we promised readers we would follow up with some stress-management strategies after giving them time to reflect on elements in their daily lives that may trigger symptoms. If you were one of the readers who, in fact, did begin a stress journal, and who pinpointed some stressors in your daily routine, as promised here are some management tools that may help you as you continue to de-stress your life.

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Controversial Sexual Orientation Curriculum Policies

Business and Operations // November 9, 2010

Anoka-Hennepin, the largest school district in Minnesota, has been the center of a national spotlight over gay bullying and harassment issues. Seven students—five from the school district and two from affiliated area schools—committed suicide in the past year. Of those seven, activists said four were harassed because of their sexual orientation. School Board Chairman, Tom Heidemann, said Board members will not address the district's controversial policies. “They believe the policy is fine as it is now,” said Superintendent Dennis Carlson.

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