 Learning Under Mother Nature's Roof
By Christina Mimms, SAIS
Many schools might consider free play or recess an optional activity. With a full day of curriculum-related goals and academics, testing, and sometimes a fire drill or an assembly, teachers barely have time to get their students to lunch and a restroom break. Given recent discussions about the importance of unstructured activities, fresh air, and the need to educate the whole child, many schools not only ensure their students enjoy daily outdoor time, but they have greatly enhanced their outdoor spaces to make them that much more inviting to students and teachers alike. >>Read more.
|
 Senior Projects Put the 'Cap' on High School Careers
By Christina Mimms, SAIS
Certainly every independent school requires its seniors to fulfill academic or other goals: complete four years of English and math, serve the community, and perhaps even work as an intern at a local business. Some schools also require students to participate in a senior project or other culminating activity before bestowing a diploma upon them. These capstones often give students the opportunity to explore a passion while taking them on a path of self-discovery at a pivotal moment in their young lives. >>Read more.
|
 The Art of Coaching Teams By Elena Aguilar
Reviewed by Josh Lutkus, Dean of Students, Gaston Day School, Gastonia, NC
Don't think of this latest book by Elena Aguilar, The Art of Coaching Teams: Building Resilient Communities That Transform Schools, as one that you will read for leisure while sipping a cocktail on the beach. It is a how-to manual for building effective teams and it will force you to reflect, which is a good thing. I am a big fan of any article or book that talks about ways to improve teamwork, or how to improve as a leader as I am fascinated by how others work and lead their various teams. The book grabbed my attention and respect right from the get-go. >>Read more.
|
 Stephen P. Robinson Collaboration Grant Recipient Report: The Master's Academy
In the upcoming issues of SAIS HeadLines, reports from the 2015 Stephen P. Robinson Collaboration Grant recipients will be published. These reports detail the programs funded by the grants.
The Master's Academy is an independent Christian school in Oviedo, FL. Our mission is to pursue spiritual and academic excellence with Christian families by going the second mile. This pursuit of excellence has led us to recently apply for accreditation with SAIS. In the fall of 2014, The Master's Academy achieved accreditation through SAIS. As a result of the self-analysis our faculty completed, the faculty and administration recognized a desire for increased professional development programs. >>Read more.
|
|
2016 SAIS Institutes: Leadership Development and Administrative Leadership
 The SAIS Leadership Development Institute (LDI) will introduce aspiring leaders, those new to school administration, and those who are on a professional growth track to the basics of school administration, operations, and leadership. Featuring Kay Betts (Bettstrategic), Allen Broyles (The Howard School) , Kristin Watts (Trinity School of Atlanta) , Lowrie McCown
(King's Ridge Christian School), Christie Holman (The Walker School), Kirk Walker (SAIS), and Damian Kavanagh (SAIS).
The overall framework of the LDI curriculum is to build your own ideal school starting with a mission statement and a reflection on your own core beliefs about students and their success. Each session will consider a major element of school life that is immediately applied to the creation of the ideal school. At the end of the institute, participants will present their school to the group for feedback. Does your newly created school adhere to the mission you created? Each session of the LDI will be facilitated by a topic master who will reference research-based best practices to give you the tools to build your ideal school - and ultimately to improve your current school and prepare for the challenges of the future.
The LDI is perfect for administrators who are eager to learn more about how an entire school program fits together. The ideal attendee is a risk-taker and life-long learner who accepts and embraces the challenges of learning through doing and collaborating with a group of like-minded peers. Join us June 15-17 in Atlanta! >>More information. >>Register here.
The SAIS Administrative Leadership Institute is an enriching opportunity on relational and personal leadership for independent school administrators who supervise adults, evaluate teachers, and/or work with parents. This program is designed for division heads, directors, and other administration who are not heads of school. It focuses specifically on the challenges of these roles. Featuring Rob Evans and Michael Thompson. Join us June 15-17 in Atlanta!
|
Call for SAIS Board of Trustee Nominations
The board is responsible for the supervision, control, and direction of the association. According to the bylaws, trustees must be heads of SAIS member schools. The board seeks to represent geographic diversity as well as diversity of school mission and a variety of other factors. 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, 2016, in Atlanta. New trustees will begin their terms on January 1, 2017. Submit a nomination for the SAIS Board of Trustees here.
|
 SAIS Membership Dues 2016-17 Just a reminder that your SAIS membership dues invoice for the 2016-17 school year will be sent electronically this week. Dues are calculated based on information your school provided via our annual spring survey. The payment deadline is August 1.
There are three ways to pay dues: ACH transfer, credit card, or check. If you are paying by check please note our new mailing address: 6050 Peachtree Pkwy, Suite 240-199, Norcross, GA 30092.
As a member of SAIS you can take advantage of member pricing for all of our professional development offerings listed at www.sais.org/events.
Thank you for being a member of SAIS. If any of our staff can be of service to you or your school, please do not hesitate to call upon us. Our staff list can be found at www.sais.org/contact. |
SAIS offers a variety of affordable, accessible, and relevant professional development programs for independent school leaders.
-
June 13-15 | Emory Conference Center | Atlanta, GA
-
June 14-15 | Emory Conference Center | Atlanta, GA
-
June 15-17 | Emory Conference Center | Atlanta, GA
-
June 15-17 | Emory Conference Center | Atlanta, GA
-
June 15-17 | Emory Conference Center | Atlanta, GA
-
June 21-24 | Omni Amelia Island Plantation | Amelia Island, FL
-
July 12-14 - Atlanta, GA | July 19-21 - Charlotte, NC | July 26-28 - Nashville, TN
-
October 22 | Crowne Plaza Ravinia | Atlanta, GA
-
October 22-24 | Crowne Plaza Ravinia | Atlanta, GA
|
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
|
|
Technical Assistance Services:
Benchmarking and Bylaws
Now is the time to use NAIS DASL data to plan for next year. Do you need benchmark salary information? SAIS can help and can teach you how to use this powerful tool.
Do your bylaws need a refresh? We have read quite a number and are happy to read yours and will provide suggestions on aligning your bylaws with your aspirations of being and remaining a strategically effective board. Contact Damian Kavanagh at SAIS, (404) 918-8850 or damian@sais.org.
|
WANTED:
Your School's Logo
|
|
|
|
|
Christian Heritage School
Christian Heritage School, located in Dalton, GA, will be celebrating 30 years of providing an independent, Christ-centered education to the families of northwest Georgia. CHS is a college-preparatory K-12 school serving approximately 400 students. >>Read more. Would you like to be an SAIS Featured School? Contact christina@sais.org.
|
Bo Adams, chief learning and innovation officer at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School in Atlanta, experiments with his experience.
Patricia Kuhn, dean of student research and library resources at The Randolph School in Huntsville, AL, discusses memorable projects that help students learn.
Chris Kennedy, superintendent of schools/ CEO with the West Vancouver School District in West Vancouver, BC, cautions others about rushing into new programs.
Educational consultant Janelle McLaughlin tackles a common question.
|
Field Days, teacher appreciation week, SAIS out and about, and more!
|
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 christina@sais.org.
|
Retiring in 2016?
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 annually. Please complete our Legacy Club bio form.
|
|
|
