Specialities
Legal and Risk Management
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Independent School Legal Update – October 28, 2021 – Webinar
On October 28, 2021, McLane Middleton’s Education Law Group will provide a free, virtual legal update for independent schools. As part of the half-day session, attendees will receive practical strategies for managing risk from experienced practitioners who advise numerous independent schools on a daily basis. This program is recommended for Heads of School, Senior Leadership, […]
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New CDC Guidance for K-12 Schools: Update Your COVID-19 Policies and Protocols for Back-to-School
On July 9, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidance for COVID-19 prevention in K-12 schools. This updated guidance should be carefully considered and integrated into schools’ health and safety policies and protocols as the 2021-2022 school year approaches. The CDC guidance emphasizes that in-person learning is a priority, even […]
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Five Tips for Writing Effective Volunteer Job Descriptions
Once you have published your Guide to Giving and Getting Involved and have identified your school’s volunteer needs, it is time to develop job descriptions for each position. Without job descriptions, you risk matching the wrong person to the job, misusing the volunteer’s time, and having no formal means of giving feedback and celebrating your […]
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How to Adapt Your Enrollment Strategies for Millennial Parents
If marketing to millennials seems to be more difficult, you’re probably right. Not only do millennials have shorter attention spans, but they also have high expectations. Their generation expects your school to supply high-quality academics focusing on well-rounded students, organic lunches free of chemicals and not served on plastic products, comprehensive outdoor education and play, […]
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Boost Engagement and Build Community With Virtual Events
Hosting a community-building event in the wake of COVID-19 may seem like an impossible task, but building community is more important than ever in our current environment. Schoolwide community building helps connect students, parents, teachers, and leaders. These personal connections will foster new school traditions and promote a sense of purpose, inclusiveness, and responsibility. You […]
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Four Steps for a Successful Marketing Communications Audit
Do you know which marketing tactics are working at your school and which ones require your attention? Find the answers with a marketing communications audit. ISM defines marketing communications as how your school develops messages and carries out integrated strategies. Your approach informs the way you promote your school values and nurture constituent relations—their commitment […]
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How to Create a Terrific Case for Support
One of the pillars of an effective fundraising campaign is your school’s Case for Support. The Case for Support communicates with donors and prospects, and begins the process of matching their values and interests with your school’s mission and guiding principles. Here’s how to create a terrific Case for Support. The Case for Support should […]
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Here’s What You Need to Know If You Experienced a Fall Admission Bump
ISM Consultants have worked with many school Admission and Marketing Directors who enjoyed surprising spikes in inquiries and applications during the late 2020 summer months. And, while this may seem like encouraging news, we caution against premature excitement. Keep in mind the bump in enrollment may come from families who are not aligned with your […]
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Six Ways to Use Your “Guide to Giving and Getting Involved” During and After COVID-19
Many schools are engaged in all or partial distance learning. This does not reduce the need for volunteer or philanthropic support. In fact, it is critical to remind parents your school must be sustained through the commitment of time and money from its friends. ISM recommends creating and using a “Guide to Giving and Getting […]
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Teachers Weigh In on the Best Distance Learning Approaches
This article is a compilation of research and data from an ISM survey of over 1,000 teachers conducted over the 2020 spring and summer. The rapid shift to distance learning left the majority of teachers and school leaders dealing with impossible tasks. In retrospect, teachers reported one of the biggest mistakes was trying to recreate […]
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Inbound and Outbound Marketing Strategies That Work
Inbound marketing involves sharing relevant and meaningful information that answers the needs of your community. You can share information by publishing it on your blog, on social media, or through digital marketing tactics such as social and display ads. The key to effective inbound marketing is creating a lead magnet. Two examples of tools you […]
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Should Your School Purchase Email Lists?
As a marketing leader, a primary goal is sharing your school’s message with your community. While you already have an email list of former and current families, you are always looking for ways to expand your reach and drive interest in your school. Schools ask us if they should purchase email marketing lists of prospective […]