Letter from the President
Kirk Walker, Ph.D.
If I ... can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge ... but do not have love, I am nothing.
Love has been on my mind lately. While I have read numerous mission statements over the years, rarely have any of them mentioned the word love. But from my perspective, love is the unstated driver in all our schools. Love binds our communities; love of students motivates our faculties to give, and to give even more of themselves. And there is a good chance that it was love of others and the desire to serve that led each of you into education.
I am thinking today about the school that recently lost an entire family in a plane crash. I could as easily be thinking about dozens of other tragic situations over the years. None of our schools are untouched by loss and sadness. But what all of us have also witnessed has been the outpouring of love from our communities: love that supports; love that heals; love that unites. We have all witnessed the power. Each time a crisis arises, our communities respond, not just within our individual schools but across the entire network of schools. Sometimes we provide physical assistance; sometimes we offer words of encouragement and the wisdom of experience (even through a listserv). But in any case, we never hesitate to reach out and to give of ourselves.
In fact, we are a web of caring (even loving) communities, and, moving forward, that may be our greatest value.
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Let the Games Begin
By Christina Mimms, SAIS
Shaking up the regular school routine benefits students and faculty alike: a non-uniform day, a field trip, or some background music in the classroom can add some fun and interest to an otherwise typical day. But what if you turn two days upside down for team-building games and activities that really test students' abilities?
>>Read more.
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Kindergarten: Ready or Not?
By Carrie Spector, Executive Editor, Stanford Benefactor, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Stanford researchers weigh in on kindergarten preparedness
It's that time of year for families of preschoolers: kindergarten enrollment. This milestone can be fraught with uncertainty for parents who question whether their child is prepared - socially, academically or otherwise. What does being ready for kindergarten look like? Researchers at Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) have investigated this issue from all angles, offering strategies for parents and teachers to help make the transition a smooth one.
>>Read more.
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Q&A with Deans
SAIS recently surveyed deans of students to find out more about their work in schools. Some wear multiple hats as dean/teacher/coach, and typically all serve as the responding administrator in a student disciplinary situation, sometimes with interesting results.
>>Read more.
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Submit Your Session Proposal for the Dean of Students Symposium
Proposals are currently being accepted for
breakout sessions for the NEW
SAIS Dean of Students Symposium,
June 19-21 in Atlanta.
The deadline is May 1. Please submit your proposal
using
this form
.
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Leadership for Green Schools
By Dr. Lisa Kessler and Dr. Cynthia Uline
Reviewed by
Matthew Bruner
,
principal of lower school at Lee-Scott Academy, Auburn, AL
Forget what you thought about the term "green schools." This book is about more than a niche program that exists within some select schools to act as a magnet or serve the passions and interests of a leader or governing body. Instead, this book guides all teachers and leaders on ways schools should (and future schools will) operate to responsibly meet the needs of their learners and community.
>>Read more.
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Call for SAIS Board of Trustee Nominations
The SAIS Board of Trustees is responsible for the supervision, control, and direction of the association. Per the bylaws, trustees must be heads of SAIS member schools. Review the current board of trustees
here.
The SAIS Committee on Trustees will process the nominations and review the nominees. The slate will be presented for approval by the membership at the SAIS annual business meeting, which takes place at the SAIS Annual Conference, October 22-24, 2017, in Atlanta. New trustees will begin their terms on January 1, 2018.
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2017 Calendar of Events
SAIS offers a variety of affordable, accessible, and relevant professional development programs for independent school leaders.
June 19-21 | Emory Conference Center | Atlanta, GA
June 19-21 | Emory Conference Center | Atlanta, GA
June 20-21 | Emory Conference Center | Atlanta, GA
June 21-23 | Emory Conference Center | Atlanta, GA
June 21-23 | Emory Conference Center | Atlanta, GA
June 27-30 | Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa | Palm Beach, FL
July | Charlotte, NC | Nashville, TN | Atlanta, GA
July 13-14 | Atlanta, GA
October 22 | Crowne Plaza Ravinia | Atlanta, GA
October 22-24 | Crowne Plaza Ravinia | Atlanta, GA
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On-Site Board Workshops
SAIS President Dr. Kirk Walker is available to visit your campus and conduct on-site governance workshops.
- Trusteeship for Independent Schools
- New Trustee Orientation
- Becoming an Outstanding Board
- The Changing Landscape of Independent School Governance
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WANTED:
Your School's Logo
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Retiring in 2017?
If you are a
head of school who will be retiring at the end of the 2016-17 school year
, please let us know so we can induct you into the
SAIS Legacy Club
, a group of retired heads of school who gather annually. Please complete our
Legacy Club bio form
.
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SAIS Featured School
Trinity School
Trinity School in Atlanta, GA, was established in 1951, and everything we do is designed to help students ages three through sixth grade flourish. From the walking trails in Discovery Woods, and natural light and flexible learning spaces in each classroom to the cutting-edge media center, and design and makerspace known as the iHub, the School's 43-acre campus was made for exploration and inquiry. In 1963, Trinity became the first racially integrated private school in Georgia. As an inclusive community, we celebrate diversity, multiculturalism, and the value of every individual.
>>Read more.
Would you like to be an SAIS Featured School? Contact
christina@sais.org.
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Rabbi Ari Leubitz, head of Atlanta Jewish Academy, shows some teacher appreciation.
Jill Cross, director of teaching and learning at Maclay School in Tallahassee, FL, ponders "improvement."
Erik Kreutner, head of Mason Preparatory School in Charleston, SC, writes about the benefits of taking students on a journey.
Caitlin Garzi, associate director of digital marketing and communications at Cheshire Academy in Cheshire, CT, shares ideas for online publications.
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Fun in math and Latin, service projects, teacher humor, and more!
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The
SAIS Value Narrative Survey
is a school culture and climate survey that helps schools understand the important beliefs of stakeholders and the perceptions of how well the school is delivering on its mission. More than 150 schools have used the survey and more than 100,000 responses have been generated.
NEW! SAIS is piloting TWO new surveys:
The Self-Determination Survey is for faculty and students and helps the school measure and understand the critical relationships between these two groups.
The Board Governance Survey is aligned with the SAIS Governance Training and measures the board and the head's commitment to the SAIS five domains of governance.
Both of these are available in pilot phase and at no cost, for now! Email surveys@sais.org for more information. Both surveys can be delivered with the Value Narrative Survey or as stand-alones.
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