See you at the 2017 SAIS Annual Conference, October 22-24!
Outstanding Breakout Sessions Planned at
SAIS Annual Conference
Be sure to review the complete schedule of breakout sessions at the SAIS Annual Conference, starting October 22 in Atlanta.

Topics include:
  • Leading from the Middle
  • The Art of Buy-in: Intentional Culture Creation
  • Top Trends in Advancement
  • Data and Analysis for School Leadership
  • The ABCs of Motivation and Healthy Culture
  • How to Win Students and Influence Parents
  • Righting Your Reputational Ship
  • Creating a Climate and Culture for Success
  • Roundtables
  • And many more!
Coming to the 2017 SAIS Annual Conference? Be sure to Like our Facebook page and your name will go into a drawing for a $50 gift card!
Are You Ready to Be a Team Leader?
By Lee Hark, Associate Head of School, Durham Academy, Durham, NC
I’m not surprised that the folks at SAIS asked me to write an article encouraging people to chair SAIS accreditation teams; I’ve been an SAIS supporter for years. I want to offer an enthusiastic endorsement of the chair experience, which over the years has been one of the most important professional development opportunities I’ve ever had.
Company Profile: ISM
Independent schools today face a number of challenges in their operations: increasing fundraising, growing and maintaining enrollment, attracting and retaining mission-appropriate faculty and staff, and for some, recovering from natural disasters. Many schools have turned to Independent School Management (ISM) for their expertise in these areas, offered through workshops and webinars, insurance services, financial aid software, publications, membership, and consulting services.
SAIS Featured School: Jackson Academy
A nurturing and spiritual academic community, Jackson Academy is an independent, co-educational college preparatory school in Jackson, MS. In 1959, Jackson Academy founders chose to offer an education based on reading by phonics. Counter to academic trends at the time, the founders believed — and evidence showed — that phonics, in-depth reading, time for play, and exploration of the arts all contribute to stronger student success. The distinctive purpose of the school’s founding was a progressive educational philosophy. 
How Would You Spend $5,000??
SAIS is accepting applications for The Stephen P. Robinson Collaboration Grants from now through December 31, 2017. Five member schools each will receive a $5,000 grant. Those applying must demonstrate a vision and capacity to pursue and carry out meaningful collaborations. Successful examples have demonstrated efforts that benefit the greater community or region in unique ways. The Robinson Collaboration Grants were created to encourage independent schools to form new partnerships with other schools or institutions of higher education, with preference given to collaborations with other schools serving students in any grades from K through 12th. Schools selected for grants will share their results with the SAIS community. Submissions are due by December 31, 2017. www.sais.org/grants  
Top Tweets
Students helping others, outdoor programs, gardens, rivalries, and more.
Blog of the Week
Three Life Lessons That Can Apply to Parenting
Michelle Alexander, head of lower school at Cannon School in Concord, NC, offers good advice. 
SAIS is now accepting proposals for breakout sessions at the 2018 SAIS Athletic Directors Conference, January 16-17, in Charlotte, NC. Registration is OPEN! sais.org/ADC
SAIS is now accepting proposals for breakout sessions at the 2018 SAIS Finance Institute, January 16-17, in Charlotte, NC. Registration is OPEN!
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