SAIS produces periodic eNewsletters as a service to our membership. Browse the archives below to view past issues and articles. To sign up for SAIS eNewsletters, create an account (see the My Account menu), or use the following form if you are not with an independent school.
April 20, 2023Headlines: President’s Letter, An Interview with Devorah Heitner on Digital Well-Being, Big Picture Reflections to Inform Your Faculty Onboarding Re(Design), Suicide Prevention & Supporting School Community After a Loss, School Stories: Student Wellness Programs, SAIS President Search Update, 2024 SAIS Board of Trustees Nominations, Upcoming Events
March 23, 2023Headlines: President’s Letter, Faculty & Stuff Hiring: A Concierge Approach, Feedback as Furthering: The Three C’s, Engaging Challenging Parents, Board Self-Assessment, Evaluating the Head of School, News You Can Use, Reflect & Reset in Sarasota, Upcoming Events
February 23, 2023Headlines: President’s Letter, Vetting Candidates Throughout the Hiring Process, Employee Benefits in SAIS Schools, The Smartest Person in the Room, The Head’s Role in Cultivating Leaders, SAIS Career Center, Submit a Session Proposal, Upcoming Events
January 26, 2023Headlines: President’s Letter, The Strategic Value of an Interim Head, ChatGPT: Understanding the Tool & Implications for Our Classrooms, Powerful School Partnerships, DEI Institute Speaker Spotlight, Employee Benefits Survey, Submit a Session Proposal, Upcoming Events
December 8, 2022Headlines: President’s Letter, Building Teams, The Head of School Database: First-Year Findings, School Stories: Why Worldview? A Call to Christ, A Call to Virtue, Four Benchmarks That Predict a Successful Capital Campaign, Reviewing Enrollment Contracts, Data Collection Tools for Financial Planning, Upcoming Events
November 10, 2022Headlines: President’s Letter, Values That Bind and Divide Us, Considerations for an Evolving Legal Landscape: Student Pregnancy on Campus, Learning Restoration in the COVID Era: A Study of SAIS Member Schools, 2022 SAIS Annual Conference Recap, SAIS Academic Support Conference Preview, We’re Hiring, Upcoming Events
October 13, 2022Headlines: President’s Letter, Fundraising Trends, The Power of Process, Essential Questions for New Leaders, Using Data Science to Enhance Your School’s Perceived Value & Financial Vitality, Child Safety & Protection Resources, SAIS Volunteer Opportunities, 2023 SAIS Trustee Nominees, Upcoming Events
September 15, 2022Headlines: President’s Letter, Update: Nonprofit Status & Federal Financial Assistance, School Safety & Security, Board & Governance Resources, School Stories: Back to School Events, Preview: SAIS Annual Conference, Distinguished Service Award, 2023 SAIS Trustee Nominees, Upcoming Events
August 18, 2022Headlines: President’s Letter, Independent School Associations’ Response to Federal Court Ruling, Welcome & Congratulations, Dodging Potholes: An Open Letter to New Heads of School, School Stories: How Do You Celebrate Your 175th Birthday?, School Community Feedback Survey Trends, Volunteer Opportunities With SAIS, Upcoming Events
May 5, 2022Headlines: President’s Letter, SAIS Board of Trustees: Call for Nominations, Leadership Transitions, Investing in Early-Career Teachers, School Climate and Student Well-Being, SAIS Accreditation: Jumping Through Hoops or Getting Engaged, Summer Reading List, Governance Resources, Upcoming Events
April 7, 2022Headlines: President’s Letter, SAIS Board of Trustees: Call for Nominations, Work and Wellness, School Stories: The Mount Vernon School’s Innovation Diploma, Mental Health and Students Athletes, Suicide Prevention and Supporting the School Community After a Loss, FastStats, Serenity in School Leadership, SAIS Connect, Upcoming Events
March 3, 2022Headlines: President’s Letter, Helping Students Understand Current World Events, The Ins & Outs of Social Media, School Could Be Real Life, Powering On, Congrats Junior, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Upcoming Events
February 3, 2022Headlines: President’s Letter, Reinventing the Interview, What Employees Want: Post-Pandemic Retention Strategies, Recruiting & Retaining Diverse Faculty & Staff, Black History Month Resources, School Stories: Culture With Intentionality, Developing Onboarding Procedures, Required Skills & Responsibilities, Upcoming Events
January 13, 2022Headlines: President’s Letter, School Is Not Reality, School Stories: The John Crosland School, Partnering With Classroom Teachers to Support All Students, Service Learning in Middle School, Executive Functioning Skills for All Students, Career Center Offers Member Benefits, Upcoming Events
December 2, 2021Headlines: President’s Letter, FastStats: Financial Health Trends, Getting Your Financial House in Order, Financial Wellness, Traditions & Celebrations, Fundamentals Conference, Developing Financial Policies, Upcoming Events
November 4, 2021Headlines: President’s Letter, Dashboard Dive, Financial Planning Tools, Data Science Standards, School Stories: We Have a Data Breach, SAIS Surveys, Cybersecurity Pitfalls, SAIS Distinguished Service Award, Upcoming Events
Octover 7, 2021Headlines: President’s Letter, Amanda Ripley Interview, Working Through Conflict With the Board, Annual Conference Reading List, SAIS Distinguished Service Award, Leading Through Conflict, Effective Board Governance, Upcoming Events
September 9, 2021HeadLines: President’s Letter, 2021-22 HOS appointments, FastStats: Director of Communications, Communications in SAIS Schools, Calming Crisis, A Checklist for Crisis Planning & Preparation, Beyond the Open House, 2022 SAIS Trustee Nominees, Upcoming Events
August 12, 2021HeadLines: President’s Letter, Vaccine & Mask Survey Results, Measuring Student Well-Being, Improving Support for Mental Health, The Second Pandemic, Rebuilding Community, COVID-19 Resources, Upcoming Events
May 6, 2021HeadLines: President’s Letter, FastStats: Pandemic Impact on School Indicators, Financial Health, Strategic Steps to Design the Future of School, Lifelong Learners vs. Skill-Seekers, In-Person Events, Training for Your New TeachersApril 8, 2021HeadLines: President’s Letter, Post-Pandemic Skills for School Leaders, Learner-Center Education, Leading With Integrity, Post-COVID Entrepreneurship, In-Person Events, Upcoming Webinars, SAIS Board of Trustees: Call for Nominations
March 11, 2021HeadLines: President’s Letter, Working With Parents, Campus Tours, Designing With Intention, Fundraising Lessons, Summer Conference, Upcoming Webinars, In-Person Events
February 11, 2021HeadLines: President’s Letter, DEI in Independent Schools, Pollyanna Position Paper IV: Looking for a Partner, Insights From Derrick Gay, Three Reasons to Be Optimistic About Fundraising in 2021, Women’s Leadership Institute, In-Person Conferences
January 14, 2021HeadLines: President’s Letter, Strategic Planning 101, Eight Predictions for Education in 2021, Webinars, Virtual Conferences, The Reckoning Begins, In-Person Conferences
December 3, 2020HeadLines: President’s Letter, Learning From Crisis, Upcoming Webinars, Buckle Your Seatbelts! Navigating the Path to 2021-22, Winter 2021 Virtual Learning Opportunities, Parent Ambassadors, 2021 Events
November 5, 2020HeadLines: President’s Letter, FastStats: NAIS & SAIS Students & Personnel of Color, Quick Tuition Study: 2019-20 Data, Buckle Your Seatbelts! Navigating the Path to the 2021-22 School Year, 2021 Learning Opportunities, Knowledge Center, Upcoming Webinars
October 8, 2020HeadLines: President’s Letter, Shifts & Opportunities on the Path Ahead, SAIS 2020: Are You Registered Yet?, Jon Meacham Looks to Lessons From History & Meet Reuben Brigety, 2021 Learning Opportunities, Thank You Sponsors, October Webinars
September 10, 2020HeadLines: President’s Letter, Will It Still Matter Who Gets In & Why?, Conference Breakouts Span Variety of Topics, Jon Meacham Talks About His New Book, Webinars for Heads & Boards, Author Chat With Debby Irving, Webinars for Admin & Faculty
August 13, 2020HeadLines: President’s Letter, Return to Campus Resources, SAIS Virtual Conference, Community Well-Being, 2021 SAIS Board of Trustees Nominee, Active Learning & Physically Distanced Classrooms, Virtual Learning Opportunities
May 14, 2020HeadLines: President’s Letter, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Summer Programs, Virtual Summer Conference, Returning to Campus, The World of Higher Ed, Tuition Considerations, Connect & Learn With SAIS
April 9, 2020HeadLines: President’s Letter, Communicating About Refunds, Staying Grounded, Legal Guidance, Next Steps for School Leaders, Resources for Managing Difficult Times, COVID’s Impact on Education, Call for SAIS Board of Trustees Nominations, Upcoming Webinars
March 12, 2020HeadLines: President’s Letter, 10 Ways to Prepare for Coronavirus, Coronavirus Webinar Takeaways, Coronavirus on Campus, Student Wellness Trends, Webinar Recordings, Call for SAIS Board of Trustees Nominations, Upcoming Webinars
February 13, 2020HeadLines: President’s Letter, FastStats, Heifer International, Authentic Connections/SAIS Partnership, Share This With Parents, SAIS @ NAIS, Upcoming Webinars
January 16, 2020HeadLines: President’s Letter, Managing Cyber Risks Webinar, Highlights, ISM, Disaster Recovery as a Service, LinkedIn’s Changes to Lynda.com, SAIS @ NAIS Reception, Authentic Connections/SAIS Partnership, Upcoming Webinars
December 5, 2019HeadLines: President’s Letter, Head Contracts and Compensation, Compensation Strategy Resources, Southern Teachers, Financially Challenged Colleges, Student Wellness Webinar, January Professional Development
November 7, 2019HeadLines: President’s Letter, FastStats: Compensation Trends, Annual Conference Wrap Up, Mills Uniform Company, January Professional Development, Head Contracts and Compensation, In Case You Missed It
October 3, 2019HeadLines: President’s Letter, Compensation Strategies, SAIS Board of Trustee Nominees, The Carney Sandoe Commitment, Distinguished Service Award, Fall Magazine, Wage & Hour Law Update, In Case You Missed It
September 5, 2019HeadLines: President’s Letter, Hurricane Resources & Support, Antitrust Investigation, FastStats, SAIS Board of Trustees Nominees, Stop School Shootings, SAIS Annual Conference, Cognia, Quick Links, Compensation Strategies
August 8, 2019HeadLines: President’s Letter, SAIS Annual Conference, Governance Guidance, Transcript Consortium, SAIS Board of Trustees Nominees, Summer Recap, Book Review, Professional Development
May 9, 2019HeadLines: President’s Letter, Women in Leadership Retreat, Collaboration Grant Report, FastStats, Summer Events, VR in the Classroom, SAIS Staff News, College Admissions
April 4, 2019HeadLines: An Honor Well Deserved, Above and Beyond, Towards a More Humane High School Schedule, NAIS Recap, Book Review
March 7, 2019HeadLines: College Interviews, Collaboration Grant Report, The Value of Intellectual Humility, Retaining Top Talent, and Book Review
February 7, 2019HeadLines: FastStats on Faculty Salaries, Crisis Response, Book Review, and Re-enrollment HelpJanuary 10, 2019
HeadLines: Tabletop Safety Drills, Financial Aid, Snow Days, Book Review, and President’s Letter
Click for 2018 archives
Click for 2017 archives
Click for 2016 archives
Click for 2015 archives
Headlines: Top Trends in Independent Education; The 2015 Board/Head Retreat; Inspiring Creativity
September 24, 2015 Headlines: Letter from the President; A Delicate Balance; Savoring Earth’s Treasures; Book Review: A Curious Mind; Growth for the Future
September 10, 2015 Headlines: Branding: It’s Not Just For Cattle; So What Happens When … You Do Hurt Them?; Retiring in 2016?; Welcoming Christina!; Book Review: Go Set a Watchman; 2015 SAIS Annual Conference
August 27, 2015 Headlines: Letter from the President; Summer of Leadership at SAIS; Book Review: The Road to Character; 2015 SAIS Annual Conference
May 28, 2015 Headlines: Letter from the President; SAIS Summer Events; 2015 SAIS Institute for Heads; SAIS Undertakes Strategic Planning Process; SAIS Welcomes New Member Schools in 2015
May 14, 2015 Headlines: Institute for the Head’s Assistant; SAIS Interviews John Katzman on the New SAT; Summer Reading Round Up; Damian Kavanagh Named Outstanding Student; SAIS Board of Trustees: Call for Nominations; 2015 SAIS Annual Conference Breakout Session Proposals
April 30, 2015 Headlines: Letter from the President; SAIS Welcomes New Member Schools in 2015; Fast Stats: The Independent School Teacher; Book Review: This is Not a Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education; SAIS Board of Trustees Call for Nominations; 2015 SAIS Annual Conference Breakout Session Proposals
April 16, 2015 Headlines: Exploring Leadership Skills at the Institute for Strategic Leadership; SAIS Board of Trustees: Call for Nominations; Seven Steps Toward Online Learning; 2015 SAIS Annual Conference Breakout Session Proposals; Welcoming Carole!; Summer Reading Round Up; Virtual Tribute to SAIS President Steve Robinson
April 2, 2015 Headlines: Schools Using Social Media in Savvy Ways; Heads Leadership Retreat; Book Review: To Sell is Human; Call for SAIS Board of Trustees Nominations; Social Media Resource List; Virtual Tribute to SAIS President Steve Robinson
March 19, 2015 Headlines: What’s Your Change Leadership Style?; SAIS Goes to SXSWedu; Book Review: The Teenage Brain; SAIS Institute for Heads
March 5, 2015 Headlines: Empowering Head Leadership; Building a Global School; SAIS Institute for Heads; Serve to Be Great: Leadership Lessons from a Prison, a Monastery, and a Boardroom; SAIS Partners with GEBG on Global Endorsement
February 19, 2015 Headlines: 2015 Stephen P. Robinson Inaugural Collaboration Grant Winners Announced; Empowering Head Leadership; Pursuing Digital Leadership; Revisiting the Technology Arms Race in Independent Schools
February 5, 2015 Headlines: Letter from the President; The Public School Advantage, Take 2; SAIS @ NAIS; Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Dragon? Why China Has the Best (and Worst) Education System in the World; SAIS Collaboration Booklet; Benchmarking Data Collection; 2015 Calendar of Events January 22, 2015 Headlines: Enhancing Leadership Through Coaching; FastStats-2015 Heads of School Trends; SAIS @ NAIS; The Students Are Watching: Schools and the Moral Contract; SAIS Collaboration Booklet; Benchmarking Data Collection; 2015 Calendar of Events January 8, 2015 Headlines: Letter from the President; The Maker Movement; Maker Movement Resource Roundup; SAIS @ NAIS; Adaptability: Responding Effectively to Change; SAIS Collaboration Booklet; Benchmarking Data Collection; 2015 Calendar of Events
Click for 2014 archives
DECEMBER 4, 2014 Headlines: Letter from the President; Developing Entrepreneurs; Book Review: How We Learn; Five Reasons for Teaching Entrepreneurship in Schools; Benchmarking Data Collection; SAIS Collaboration Booklet Now Available Online
NOVEMBER 20, 2014 Headlines: Letter from the President; A Global Endorsement; Stephen P. Robinson Collaboration Grants; An Interview with Al Calarco from the Center for Creative Leadership; Collaboration with OESIS and NEASC; 2015 Calendar of Events
NOVEMBER 6, 2014 Headlines: SAIS Collaboration Booklet; Fundraising for Schools: 8 Keys to Success Every Head of School Should Know; Philanthropy in Independent Schools: A 20-Year Look; SAIS Announces the Stephen P. Robinson Collaboration Grants; Five Learning Lessons from Hunting Wild Turkey
OCTOBER 23, 2014 Headlines: Letter from the President; SAIS Annual Conference Highlights; Stephen P. Robinson Collaboration Grants; Search Committee Update; Book Review: Total Leadership; Independent Schools & Students Leading the Way
OCTOBER 9, 2014 Headlines: Annual Conference; Prototyping Portfolios; 2014 SAIS Distinguished Service Award Recipients; Tweechme About Twitter; Academic Planning for Online & Blended Learning
SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 Headlines: A Letter from the President; Annual Conference; Fast Stats-Independent Schools and Gender; Board/Head Retreat; School Leadership and Gender
SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 Headlines: Pursuing Mindfulness-Annual Conference Preview; Board/Head Retreat; What Teachers Can Learn from Sports Coaches; SAIS Partnering with NAIS / DASL on Benchmarking Data; SAIS Board of Trustees; Academic Planning for Online & Blended Learning
AUGUST 28, 2014 Headlines: A Note from the President; Board/Head Retreat; Fast Stats-Growth of LD Schools; Who Owns Water? 2014 Annual Conference Keynote; Book Review-Life, Animated
MAY 15, 2014 Headlines: A Note from the President; Call for Board Nominations; LinkedIN to College; Fast Stats: Professional Development Budget; The Think Tank; Book Review: The Power of Habit
MAY 1, 2014 Headlines: A Note from the President; Call for Board Nominations; Inspiring a Spirit of Service; Book Review of It’s Complicated; The Social Lives of Networked Teens
APRIL 15, 2014 Headlines: Independent School Apps; Call for SAIS Board Nominations; Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto; SAIS Member Needs Survey; How to Get New Teachers Off to a Great Start; Great Summer Books
APRIL 3, 2014 Headlines: Note from SAIS President; Call for Board Nominations; Book Review: Future of the Mind; Beyond Common Core; Heads Up – Summer Preview; Welcome Joanne Andruscavage
MARCH 20, 2014 Headlines: SAIS @SXSWedu; Graduate Programs Rising; Leadership and the Background of SAIS Heads; SAIS News; Ned Murray @TED
MARCH 6, 2014 Headlines: A Note from the SAIS President; 21st Century Head Searches; Leadership is a Lonely Business; Heads Leadership Retreat
FEBRUARY 20, 2014 Headlines: Social Media Superstars, The Doodle Revolution, New Teachers Shine at SAIS Institute
FEBRUARY 6, 2014 Headlines: A Note from SAIS President Steve Robinson; Diversity in Independent Schools; Independent School Leadership; Diversity and Inclusivity
JANUARY 23, 2014 Headlines: Finance Institute Q&A; Accreditation Research: Expectations and Outcomes; Heads Leadership Retreat; Accreditation Review: The SAIS Accreditation Revolution; Book Review: Education Transformation
JANUARY 9, 2014 Headlines: Note from SAIS President; STEM Reloaded; FastStats – 2012 PISA Scores; Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect; Heads Leadership Retreat
Click for 2013 archives
DECEMBER 17, 2013 Headlines: Holiday Wishes from SAIS President, Dr. Steve Robinson; The Gift of Education, Low-to-No Tuition SAIS Schools; 2014 Calendar of Events
DECEMBER 3, 2013 Headlines: From China to Enrollment Management; Connecting With the World; Athletics & 21st Century Skills
NOVEMBER 14, 2013 Headlines: Author Interview: The Public School Advantage; Improving Education Through Choice Theory; SAIS Schools Celebrate Veteran’s Day
OCTOBER 31, 2013 Headlines: Annual Conference Wrap-Up, Part 5 of 5 of the Succession Planning Series, Book Review: David and Goliath
OCTOBER 10, 2013 Headlines: Human Connections Matter, Annual Conference Preview, Part 4 of 5 of the Succession Planning Series
SEPTEMBER 26, 2013 Headlines: Succession Planning Series (Part 3 of 5); Digital Leadership; SAIS Bylaws Change
SEPTEMBER 12, 2013 Headlines: The Value Narrative, The Board: God on a Good Day, Interview: Fretta Reitzes
AUGUST 29, 2013 Headlines: Successsion Planning, 92Y interview, Big Disconnect book review, I Have a Dream
AUGUST 8, 2013 Headlines: Welcome Back from SAIS President Steve Robinson; SAIS Fall Events
MAY, 2013 Headlines: Curriculum as Conversation; Discussion with Educators; Book Review: Teach Like a Pirate
APRIL, 2013 Headlines: Should A School Pay It Forward?; Opportunities for Administrators; Is there BLOAT in Our Schools? ; Book Review: The Multiplier Effect
MARCH, 2013 Headlines: Understanding Common Core; Preparing Students for Their Futures; Upcoming SAIS Events
FEBRUARY, 2013 Headlines: The Purpose of Teacher Evaluation; SAIS at NAIS Conference; 5 Year Trend in Faculty Salaries; Book Review: Shifting the Monkey
JANUARY, 2013 Headlines: Tuition Banding; Financial Aid; Admissions Funnels; Book Review: Brain Rules
Click for 2012 archives
*Please note that our older 2012 newsletters (Jan-May) are no longer available*
DECEMBER, 2012 Headlines: Retreats for Heads & Boards Between The Lines: Learn to speak your CFO’s language
NOVEMBER, 2012 Headlines: Listening to Leaders Between The Lines: Listening to Leaders
OCTOBER, 2012 Headlines: Leadership; Pat Bassett; Accreditation Updates Between The Lines: Leadership; Pat Bassett; Accreditation Updates
SEPTEMBER, 2012 Headlines: Technology; 2012 Annual Conference; Scott McLeod Between The Lines: Technology; 2012 Annual Conference; Scott McLeod
AUGUST, 2012 Headlines: Summer Read; Annual Conference; Teaching Teachers Between The Lines: Summer Read; Annual Conference; Teaching Teachers
MAY, 2012 Headlines: The Language of Business: Interview with Barb Egan; New Trustee Orientation Series Between The Lines: Two Upcoming Events For Non-Head Administrators; Institute for New Teachers
APRIL, 2012 Headlines: Steve Robinson to keynote SSS by NAIS Leadership Forum; Call For Trustee Nominations Between The Lines: Three Questions with Keith Evans; Featured Blog: Susan Weintrob
MARCH, 2012 Headlines: Remembering Dale Regan; Innovative Approaches to Accreditation Reports Between The Lines: Climb Aboard Roseway; Accreditation Reports Get Creative
FEBRUARY, 2012 Headlines: Interview with Michael Thompson & Rob Evans; Featured Blog Spotlight Between The Lines: Call For Conference Presentation Submissions; Looking Forward to NAIS 2012
JANUARY, 2012 Headlines: Governance & Leadership Institute; Enrollment Forums; Welcoming New Trustees Between The Lines: Planned Giving Symposium; Events for Administrators; Five Questions With Jason Ramsden
Click for 2011 archives
*Please note that many of our older 2011 newsletters are no longer available*
DECEMBER, 2011 Headlines: Two Programs for Heads and Trustees; Examining the Duty to Report Between The Lines: Excerpt of Communicating and Connecting with Social Media; You Asked, We Answered With Two Great Events for Administrators
NOVEMBER, 2011 Headlines: Annual Conference Wrap-Up; Accreditation Report; Introducing SAIStalks Between The Lines: Reflections on the Annual Conference, #SAIS2011 Twitter Roundup, Five Minute Professional Development
OCTOBER, 2011 Headlines: New Annual Conference Features; A Lovett Student’s Experience in Beijing Between The Lines: New Annual Conference Features; A Lovett Student’s Experience in Beijing
SEPTEMBER, 2011 Headlines: Annual Conference Speaker Videos, New Trustee Nominations Between The Lines: Annual Conference Smartphone App, Speaker Videos, Virtual Book Club
AUGUST, 2011 Headlines: Announcing the 2011 SAIS Annual Conference Between The Lines: Announcing the 2011 SAIS Annual Conference
SUMMER, 2011 Headlines: Institute for New Teachers, Annual Conference Preview Between The Lines: Institute for New Teachers, Annual Conference Preview
MAY, 2011 Headlines: Facing Disaster as a Head of School, Good Mentoring Makes Good Teachers Between The Lines: Are You Considering a Headship?; Speaking Your Business Officer’s Language
APRIL, 2011 Headlines: Member Spotlight: Theo Coonrod; Institute for Experienced Heads Between The Lines: Learning Beyond the Books; Helping teachers Meet First-Year Challenges
MARCH, 2011 Headlines: Tuition Discounting, New Heads, Summer Opportunities Between The Lines: Affinity Groups for Diversity Professionals and Academic Deans; Growing Your Personal Learning Network
Click for archives
