Your Personal Emergency Office Kit

Business and Operations // October 29, 2014

In the event something should affect your ability to leave campus, most schools are well equipped with supplies to support faculty, staff, and students for a considerable amount of time. There are numerous natural and human-instigated disasters that can affect your school (as well as your personal safety) for which even the best risk management plans cannot protect you from. Tornados, earthquakes, fires, industrial accidents, and the like can happen without a moment’s notice, leaving you and your students without an immediate escape route. This is when a personal emergency kit can come to your rescue.

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Responding to Criticism, Part Two

School Heads // October 23, 2014

Last month, we talked about responding to (inevitable) criticism of school policies and decisions. POM Wonderful, a juice company, offered an example of how to respond positively to such criticism, but what about responding badly? School Heads should know just as much about how not to respond to criticism as they do about responding well, to avoid public and private faux pas across the board. Again, we turn to John Oliver’s HBO satirical news show “Last Week Tonight” for our case study in responding to criticism. This time, we’ll look at how Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler reacted to Oliver’s satire—and how it backfired. (Primary image credit to CNET)

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Fact or Fiction? 5 Strange Ways Students (Try to) Get High

School Heads // October 23, 2014

There’s an excellent reason why alcohol and nicotine via tobacco are banned from children—and why other mind-altering substances are completely illegal. Children trying to achieve a blissful “high” to escape from the pressures and doldrums of everyday life can do irreparable damage to their still-growing bodies. That doesn’t mean that students won’t try the darnedest things to achieve an elusive, forbidden high.

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“Your Fly Is Down”—and Other Awkward Conversations

Business and Operations // October 22, 2014

You walk into your monthly meeting, and your turn to speak arrives. You stand up in front of your fellow administrators to present your part of the agenda. As you take your seat, the School Head leans over to whisper, “I’m really sorry, but did you know your fly was down?” Moments like this happen all the time, and our example is relatively tame. Instead of a zipper having fallen, it could’ve been oppressive body odor or poor work performance. These issues—personal and professional alike—should be addressed. As Business Manager, sometimes it falls to you to have these tough, awkward conversations. Such situations require tact, sympathy, and—occasionally—some tough love.

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Managing Hazardous Chemicals on School Grounds

Business and Operations // October 22, 2014

The Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas, learned about disposing of hazardous chemicals the hard way this summer. CBS reported that the school’s Science Department Head found a small amount of acetone peroxide while cleaning up a classroom over the summer. Acetone peroxide can explode in even small quantities when confined in a container like a beaker, so the school was evacuated and emergency personnel contacted. A local bomb squad detonated the explosive substance in the vacant lot across the street. While no one was hurt, the incident was certainly a wake-up call for The Hockaday School and for everyone who thinks hazardous waste is glowing green barrels of nuclear byproduct. Hazardous chemicals exist at your school and require adequate management policies and practices to protect your school, faculty, and students.

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Ask ISM's Health Care Reform Specialist

Business and Operations // October 22, 2014

Q: We’re thinking about implementing a wellness program at our school, but we've found conflicting information about the benefits and expenses of such programs. What can you tell us?

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Must Tuition Outpace Inflation?

Board of Trustees // October 21, 2014

Boards often confront the issue of sustainability of private-independent schools, now and in the future. One common concern is that private school tuitions have historically outpaced inflation—a well-documented truth. The real question is whether this leads to the demise of private schools. To answer this question, we’ll need to explore several factors.

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School Administrators at Board Meetings: Who, When, and Why

Board of Trustees // October 21, 2014

Should school administrators besides the School Head routinely—or ever—attend Board meetings? Are there times when the Board ought to meet without the School Head? Don’t allow these seemingly small questions to become issues of contention. Put the following guidelines, observations, and recommendations to work.

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Is Your School Secure? Online Filters and Firewalls, Part Two

Academic Leadership // October 15, 2014

Last month, we talked about the different types of Internet filters available for school use and how they protect your students from dangerous hackers and disruptive websites. However, as powerful as these programs are, tech-savvy students—or even teachers!—can undermine your system. This month, we’ll turn our vision inward to examine security breaches from behind school walls.

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Dealing With Emotional Outbursts in the Classroom

Academic Leadership // October 15, 2014

In July 2014, the Los Angeles Times reported a lawsuit between a private school and a parent over the school’s treatment of its students during a time of emotional turmoil. What was the initial issue that sparked the litigious chain of events? A student’s inappropriate behavior during a classroom exam. Emotional outbursts can surprise and intimidate teachers unprepared to handle them—especially younger, inexperienced teachers. Let’s review how teachers could and should respond to students throwing hissy fits.

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