What Type of Leader Are You?
By Christina Mimms, SAIS

A typical head of school likely experiences a number of sleepless nights. An upcoming board meeting, a financial audit, a potential snow day, or a serious issue with a student all can contribute toward the lack of good sleep. And with these types of issues, who is there to lean on? A spouse? An assistant head? Perhaps there is no one to share the load, leaving a head of school feeling somewhat isolated. Who better to lean on than a fellow head of school, and to do so in a room full of peers facing the same intense, complicated issues? >>Read more. 
End of Year Assessments 

There is no shortage of opinions about student assessments. Read a roundup of articles and blogs about different types of reporting. >>Read more. 
The Art of Work 
By Jeff Goins  
Reviewed by Melinda Holmes, Director of Library Services, Darlington School, Rome, GA  
 
Jeff Goins explains in his book The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do that everyone seeks to find purpose in their life; therefore, each of us seeks a calling. As human beings, though, we spend a lot of time trying to figure out our calling or vocation. Some people find their vocation easily, while others struggle much of their lives to figure it out. Goins emphasizes that being open to finding the job or vocation that you were meant to do is important. Finding a vocation that you are passionate about is also imperative, and if you find yourself working hard and loving the work you do, then most likely you have found your calling.  >>Read more.
2016 SAIS Athletic Directors Conference
 
SAIS is hosting an Athletic Directors Conference, January 14-15, 2016, in Atlanta. Topics will include strategic leadership, marketing and social media, legal issues, and operational excellence in the athletic offerings at the school. >>More information.  >>Register here.   
The word Events in cut out magazine letters pinned to a cork notice board. Events may refer to news
2016 Calendar of Events
SAIS offers a variety of affordable, accessible, and relevant professional development programs for independent school leaders. 
See the full SAIS calendar of events at www.sais.org/events.
See events hosted by others at www.sais.org/otherevents.  
The Stephen P. Robinson Collaboration Grants 
 
The Stephen P. Robinson Collaboration Grants were created to encourage independent schools to form new partnerships with other schools, institutions of higher education, businesses, and/or nonprofits. SAIS will annually divide a total of $25,000 among two to five member schools. 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. SAIS will accept proposals for the 2016 Collaboration Grants until December 31, 2015. >>Read more. 
On-Site Board Workshops
 
SAIS President Dr. Kirk Walker and Vice President Damian Kavanagh are 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 
Retiring in 2016?A blue nametag sticker with the words Hello I Am Retired to illustrate that you are done with your career and are living off a pension or 401k or other retirement savings
 
If you are a head of school who will be retiring at the end of the 2015-16 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 twice a year. Please complete our Legacy Club bio form.
WANTED:
Your School's Logo 
 
Does your school's logo appear in the SAIS Online Member Directory?  If not, please send your school's logo to [email protected].
Benchmarking Data Collection
 
It's time to enter your data into DASL by NAIS. We are not collecting this important statistical information and encourage all schools, regardless of NAIS membership to enter data. When you need a benchmark on salary or student ratios or operational expenditures, you will need it. Don't delay - data entry has already started. Visit http://dasl.nais.org for more information and to get started. 
 
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
End of Year Assessments
Book Review
2016 SAIS Athletic Directors Conference
2016 Calendar of Events
Stephen P. Robinson Collaboration Grants
On-Site Board Workshops
Retiring in 2016?
WANTED: Your School's Logo
Blogs of Note
Tweets of Note
QUICK LINKS
Blogs of Note
 
Amy Wasser, head of Hillel Academy in Tampa, FL, extends a personal touch to each student. 

Mark Crotty, head of St. John's Episcopal School in Dallas, debates the pros and cons of a makerspace classroom.

Michael Ebeling, head of Summit School in Winston-Salem, NC, ponders the power of a metaphor in relation to the school day.

At Poughkeepsie Day School in Poughkeepsie, NY, 6th grade humanities teacher Shirley Rinaldi looks at the changing world surrounding her students today. 

>>Read more blogs here.
Tweets of Note
 
Thanksgiving celebrations, chemistry class, love for Paris and one seriously mod suit.
 
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Just Say Cheese: 
Your Photos Wanted!
 
Got any great photos of your campus, students, or a special occasion at your school?  Would you be willing to let SAIS use them on our website, in marketing materials, and in publications such as this?  If so, please send high-resolution files to [email protected].