INDEPENDENTS - FCIS · 2 Nov/Dec W O R K S H O P S FCIS Academy2009 Jan22 -24 Tampa Heads’Retreat...
4
Volume 06-08 Nov/Dec 2008 from the executive director... Executive Director C. Skardon Bliss ORLANDO – The FCIS Annual meeting is always held in conjunction with the Convention. This year, after much fore- thought, a slate of top FCIS educators was put together. We need to recognize and congratulate our new Board of Directors. Dr. Barbara Hodges, President and Head of School at Holy Comforter Episcopal School was elected the new President of the Board, She replaces outgoing Presi- dent Richard Gehman, Headmaster at Oak Hall. Other officers are Vice- President Craig Maughan, Headmaster, Trinity Preparatory School, Secretary Dr. John Trainer, Presi- dent, the Bolles School, and Treasurer Cathy Ford, Head of School, Holy Episcopal Academy. Two School heads were newly elected to the FCIS Board; Dr. Ann Marie Krejcarek, Head of School, St. Andrew’s School, Boca Raton and Kevin Plummer, Head of School, Tampa Preparatory School. The new Executive Committee and Board are ready to move ahead with the challenges facing independent schools in Florida. —Several dollar saving possibilities were announced at the FCIS Annual Meeting. The FCIS State Office has negotiated special rates for those schools looking for a high-quality school management program. Renweb is now available to schools at a special FCIS rate. Contact Paul Baker at [email protected]. FCIS has extended its contracts with Govconnection.org to purchase hardware and Microsoft site licenses at dramatic discounts. Contact Tam in the FCIS State Office for informa- tion; The FCIS health Insurance programis in place. Seventeen schools are participating and several others are applying. Call Ron Gray at 800-570-9994 for information. CAPE – The November issue of CAPE’s “ OUTLOOK” gives a good summary of the findings of the eighth grade phase of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-99 (ECLS-K) which shows how well students do in independent schools vs. public and parochial schools. For a summary go to OUTLOOK at www.capenet.org. CAPE has also begun discussions with Linda Darling-Hammond who is heading the education policy team for the Biden/Obama Tran- sition Project. It was previously reported during the campaign that president-elect Obama supports public-school choice, but is opposed to Federal vouchers for use at private schools. He will propose doubling funding to charter schools to about $400 million. Overall, he is proposing$18 billion in new spending on pre-school and K-12 programs. Washington, D.C. has some good things happening. Independent school graduate, Michelle Rhee, Chancellor of the Washington, D.C. schools is turning the system on its head. She has closed 23 failing schools and restructured 27 more. She has fired nearly one third of the principals and cut back the bureaucracy. Her reform has caught the attention of the national media, with an article in the Wall Street Journal and a special on National Public Tele- vision. Ms Rhee will be a major speaker at the NAIS Conference in Chicago, February 20-21. FHSAA – At the last meeting of the year of the FHSAA Board of Directors retiring Commissioner John Stewart was honored. Newly appointed Roger Dering takes over as executive Director in a smooth transition. Along with the regular business of the Board, there was a report on the Steroid Testing program required by the Florida Legislature. In this random testing program 600 student-athletes were selected for testing in approximately 53 different schools. Four FCIS schools where included in the testing. The report notes, “of the 600 student-athletes testing for steroids, one individual tested positive.” WHAT TO DO? —The New York Post said, “About a dozen Catholic Schools closed last year and lower enrollment caused by higher tuition was one of the factors”. The New York Post talks about “Elite”privateschools across the region that are bracing for huge drops in enrollment as the economy rattles even wealthy parents.” Pat Bassett, Presi- dent of NAIS warns about 5%-10% or even 10%-20% drops in enrollments. Consultants fromISMtell us, “don’t panic.” FCIS schools report that this year’s budget will be met, and while enrollments are soft in some areas of the state, no one is panicking. Spring reenrollments will tell the tale. Will parents look at independent school tuition as a luxury they can no longer afford? The best advice heard around the cracker barrel seems to be to use intelligent enrollment management policies, find more financial aid to help families through rough times, do not cut back on quality education, and watch costs and continue to market to your constituency to keep the families you have. December means the end of the semester, the year, and hopefullythis financial crisis. Remember, in the past recessions independent schools have recovered in a matter of months, not years. HAPPY HOLIDAYS - from all of us at FCIS to all of you, have a joyous holiday season and a restful break from school. Dr. Barbara Hodges INDEPENDENTS The Newsletter of the Florida Council of Independent Schools The Newsletter of the Florida Council of Independent Schools
Transcript of INDEPENDENTS - FCIS · 2 Nov/Dec W O R K S H O P S FCIS Academy2009 Jan22 -24 Tampa Heads’Retreat...
Volume 06-08 Nov/Dec 2008
from the executive director...
Executive DirectorC. Skardon Bliss
ORLANDO – The FCIS Annual meeting is always held inconjunction with the Convention. This year, after much fore-
thought, a slateof top FCISeducators wasput together. We need to recognize andcongratulate our new Board of Directors.Dr. Barbara Hodges, President and Headof School at Holy Comforter EpiscopalSchool was elected the new President ofthe Board, She replaces outgoing Presi-dent Richard Gehman, Headmaster atOak Hall. Other officers are Vice-President Craig Maughan, Headmaster,
Trinity Preparatory School, Secretary Dr. John Trainer, Presi-dent, the Bolles School, and Treasurer Cathy Ford, Head ofSchool, Holy Episcopal Academy. Two School heads werenewly elected to the FCIS Board; Dr. Ann Marie Krejcarek,Head of School, St. Andrew’s School, Boca Raton and KevinPlummer, Head of School, Tampa Preparatory School. Thenew Executive Committee and Board are ready to move aheadwith the challenges facing independent schools in Florida.—Several dollar saving possibilities were announced at theFCIS Annual Meeting. The FCIS State Office has negotiatedspecial rates for thoseschools lookingfor ahigh-quality schoolmanagement program. Renweb is now available to schools ata special FCIS rate. Contact Paul Baker at [email protected] has extended its contracts with Govconnection.org topurchase hardware and Microsoft site licenses at dramaticdiscounts. Contact Tam in the FCIS State Office for informa-tion; TheFCIS health Insurance programis inplace. Seventeenschools are participating and several others are applying. CallRon Gray at 800-570-9994 for information.CAPE– The November issue of CAPE’s “OUTLOOK” givesa good summaryof the findings of the eighth grade phase of theEarly Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Classof 1998-99 (ECLS-K) which shows how well students do inindependent schools vs. public and parochial schools. For asummary go to OUTLOOK at www.capenet.org. CAPE hasalso begun discussions with Linda Darling-Hammond who isheading the education policy team for the Biden/Obama Tran-sition Project. It was previously reported during the campaignthat president-elect Obama supports public-school choice, butis opposed to Federal vouchers for use at private schools. Hewill propose doubling funding to charter schools to about $400million.Overall, he is proposing$18billionin newspendingonpre-school and K-12 programs. Washington, D.C. has somegood thingshappening. Independent schoolgraduate, Michelle
Rhee,Chancellor of theWashington, D.C. schools is turningthe system on its head. She has closed 23 failing schools andrestructured 27 more. She has fired nearly one third of theprincipals and cut back the bureaucracy. Her reform hascaught theattentionofthenationalmedia,withanarticlein theWall Street Journal and a special on National Public Tele-vision. Ms Rhee will be a major speaker at the NAISConference in Chicago, February 20-21.FHSAA – At the last meeting of the year of the FHSAABoard of Directors retiring Commissioner John Stewart washonored. Newly appointed Roger Dering takes over asexecutive Director in a smooth transition. Along with theregular business of the Board, there was a report on theSteroid Testing programrequired by the Florida Legislature.In this random testing program 600 student-athletes wereselected for testing in approximately 53 different schools.Four FCIS schools where included in the testing. The reportnotes, “of the 600 student-athletes testing for steroids, oneindividual tested positive.”WHAT TO DO? —The New York Post said, “About adozenCatholicSchoolsclosed lastyearandlower enrollmentcaused by higher tuition was one of the factors”. The NewYork Post talks about “Elite” private schools across theregion that are bracing for huge drops in enrollment as theeconomy rattles even wealthy parents.” Pat Bassett, Presi-dent of NAIS warns about 5%-10% or even 10%-20% dropsin enrollments. Consultants from ISM tell us, “don’t panic.”FCIS schools report that this year’s budget will be met, andwhile enrollments are soft in some areas of the state, no oneis panicking. Spring reenrollments will tell the tale. Willparents lookat independent school tuitionasa luxurytheycanno longer afford? The best advice heard around the crackerbarrel seems to be to use intelligent enrollment managementpolicies, findmorefinancialaid tohelpfamilies throughroughtimes, do not cut back on quality education, and watch costsand continue to market to your constituency to keep thefamilies you have. December means the end of the semester,theyear, andhopefullythis financialcrisis. Remember, in thepast recessions independent schools have recovered in amatter of months, not years.HAPPY HOLIDAYS - from all of us at FCIS to all of you,have a joyous holidayseasonand a restful break fromschool.
Dr. Barbara Hodges
INDEPENDENTSThe Newsletter of the Florida Council of Independent Schools
The Newsletter of the Florida Council of Independent Schools
2 Nov/Dec
W O R K S H O P S
FCISAcademy2009 Jan 22 -24 TampaHeads’ Retreat June15-17 HammockBeachAdminstrators’ Retreat July26 - 28 CoconutGrovewww.fcis.org
FETCFETC2009AnnualConference Jan 21 - 24 Orlandowww.fetc.org
ISACSDevelopingandSustainingAffective
School Programs March6 Chicagowww.isacs.org
NAISAnnualConference Feb 25-27 Chicagowww.nais.org
NBOASymposium2009 Feb 23 - 25 Chicagowww.nboa.net
SchoolNews
Bill Simmer
Elaine McEwan-Adkins
MISC
Seventy-ninecurrentandformerstu-dents at The Bolles Schools earnedthedesignation ofSPScholarbytheCollegeBoardinrecognitionoftheirexceptionalachievementonthecol-lege-levelAdvancedPlacementPro-gram Exams. The students took theexamsinMay2008.Congratulations!BocaRatonChristianSchoolseniorBobbyWaldbilligreceivedoneof the top 60 scores on the 2007Preliminary SAT/National MeritScholarshipQualifyingTest(PSAT/NMSQT) in the country and wasselectedasaNationalMeritScholar-shipSemifinalistinthe2009nationalMerit Program. Congratulations totheBocaRatonChristianHighSchoolchoir,underthedirectionofMrs.JoyPoole, forbeingselected to performin Disney’s Epcot Center CandlelightserviceonDec.13th.TheFloridaAssociationofSchoolSocialWork-ers presented Berkeley Prepara-torySchoolwiththeCitizensof the
Year Award. Berkeley’s middle divi-sion students received the award fortheir commitment to service work inthe community throughout the year.FloridaAir Academy teacher,LaniaRosengren,wasoneoffivefinal-ists in the national competition “Sci-ence Teacher of the Year” sponsoredby3MandtheDiscoveryChannel.Congratulations to the WellingtonWordWarriorsdebateteam.Thenewlyformed Speech and Debate LeagueinitiatedbyWellingtonSchoolhaditsfirst debate on November 15th. TheleagueisopentomiddleschoolsintheTampa Bay area. Teams fromWellington,Canterbury,Shorecrest,and Learning Gate participated withover 40 students in attendance. Thenext tournament will be on January10th. Seventh and eighth grademiddleschoolstudentsofSt. Mark’sEpiscopalSchoolrecentlycompletedindividualorteamsciencefairprojects.The top twentyadvanced to the Palm
BeachCountyScience&Engineer-ingFair.
Makayla Forgione and NaiyaOsiyemi,fourthgradestudentsatSt.Mark’s, were selected by audition toparticipateintheFloridaElementaryAll-StateChorus.Theyweretwoofalmost eight hundred 4th and 5th
graders throughout the state ofFlorida who auditioned for the all-state chorus.Congratulationsto The Weiss School’sNationalHonorSocietymembers.Theseex-emplarystudents wereinductedonFriday, December12th at a specialceremony. The Weiss School’s MaxShteiman was the October RotaryStudent of the Month and RebeccaWeissman was the November Ro-taryStudentof theMonth.
According to the Nonprofit BusinessAdvisor, Nov. 2008, there are 10 sur-vival tactics for belt-tightening times.1. Diversify your income streams. 2.Operate leaner 3. Market your needs.4. Keep donors’ desires and needs ashuman beings foremost in mind. 5.Communicate to donors how their sup-portmakesadifference.6.Elicit thehelpof the opinion leaders among your do-nors. 7. Recognize thestrength innum-bers. 8. Keep your ‘back-of-shop’operations efficient. 9. Helpyour boardunderstand the reality of the situation.10. Keep things in persepective.
Extended Tax Breaks: Deduction ofstate and local sales tax extendedthrough 2009, above the line deductionfor higher education expenses, educa-tor expenses extended through 2009,andnon-taxable IRAtransfers toeligiblecharities for 2008 and 2009.
St. Mark’sScience Fair
(Top 20)
Independents 3
Pine Crest
HalUrbanHalUrban
The53rd Annual FCIS Convention, “Innovation/Inspiration: Education for the21st Century” was a huge success!! Many thanks to our co-chairs, CharlieClark, Head of Saint Edward’s School in Vero Beach, and Warren Hudson,HeadofLakeHighlandPreparatorySchool inOrlando,andadedicated,hardworking steering committee. During the two day event, over 1400 peopleenjoyedaninterestingvarietyofspeakersandpresentations.
PatBassett,PresidentofNAIS,was thekeynote speakeron Thursdayand Friday. Other speakers from NAISincludedMarkMitchell,VicePresident -SchoolInformationServices,andDebraWilson,LegalCounsel.Inaddition,BruceDixon,founderofAnytime,AnywhereLearningandTomHoerr,HeadofNewCitySchool inSt.Louis,MOleadinformativesessionsonThursday.Dr.ArthurAgatston, theSouthBeachDietdoctorgaveanoverviewofhisprogramforschools topreventchildhoodobesity.PatWilliams,SeniorVicePresidentoftheOrlandoMagic,wastheluncheonspeakeron ThursdayaddressingTheSevenKeys to Leadership in the 21st Century.On Friday, more than 75 teachers from our FCIS schools gave partici-
pantsanexcitingarrayofpresentationsontopicsrangingfromphonicstoChinesecultureandfromwikistophysicaleducation!Dr.NedHallowell,founderoftheHallowellCenter,andawellknownnamein independentschools, spokeonFridaymorningandagainat theFacultyLuncheon.Dr.Hallowell spokeonclassroommanagementofADDandat lunchheaddresseda topic thathasimplicationsforallofus:Crazy/Busy!!OurthankstoTaylorPublishing,AppleComputers, IndependentSchoolManagement,TreetopSoftwareCompany,RichardsComputer, I-TechandKeyBankfor theirgenerousunderwritingofmanyconventionevents.Wegreatlyappreciate theoutpouringofdoorprizes,contributedbymanyofourschools,whichwereawardedto theluckywinnersat theFacultyLuncheononFriday.Mark your calendar for next year’s event! We will be returning to the Omni at ChampionsGate on November 19-20,2009.TheTampa Bayareaschoolswill beourhostsandBobFine,Headof Admiral Farragut Academy and Scott Laird, Head of Saint Mary’sEpiscopalSchool,willbeourchairmen.
FCIS ConventionNovember 20-21, 2008Omni ChampionsGate
Charlie Clark and Warren Hudson
PatBassett
Dr.NedHallowell
PresidentDr. Barbara HodgesImmediate Past PresidentRichard Gehman
Vice PresidentCraig MaughanSecretaryDr. John TrainerTreasurerCatherine Ford
Board of Directors
Dr. Charles ClarkDr. John DaviesRobert GoldbergMelba HardyWarren HudsonDr. Ann Marie KrejcarekDavid MahlerSean MurphyKevin PlummerJanet PullenDale ReganJacqueline WesterfieldHonorary DirectorsMarian KrutulisWilliam McMillan
Editor/DirectorC. Skardon Bliss
FCIS Upcoming Events
For more information go to,ww.fcis.org
Academy 2009Independent Day School, Tampa
January 22-24, 2009
Heads’ RetreatGinn Hammock Beach Resort
June 15-17, 2009
Gifted Endorsement Classes
CreativityFriday, January 9 - Sunday, January 11
Friday, 27 - Sunday, March 1
Guiding the GiftedMonday, June 22 - Friday, June 26
Special PopulationsMonday, July 20 - Friday, June 24
HolyTrinityEpiscopalAcademyMelbourne, FL
$200 per person for each courseContact: Catherine Koos @[email protected] or
321-723-8323 ext 206
Creativity for the GiftedFebruary 6, 7, 8 and March 6, 7, and 8
TheWeissSchoolPalmBeachGardens
Contact: Dr.Denise Spirou @[email protected]
University of Florida12thAnnual
Florida SchoolGarden Competition
www.gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/schoolgardens
Deadline: March 20, 2009
Categories: Single Class, MultipleClass and Entire School Garden
Administrators’ RetreatThe Ritz- Carlton, Coconut Grove
July 26 - 28, 2009
Prizes: 1st: $500, 2nd: $250, 3rd: $150
