Happy New Year from School Announcement

Helpful Summer Info for the Busy Education Pro

In the midst of a cold winter, I send you warm greetings from our team at School Announcement. By now you are back at school and into your routine, and I hope that 2010 is off to a great start!

Many schools across the U.S. have had delayed openings, early closings and days off due to the snow and ice. Can you relay this information to staff and students by making just one call from your own home? Administrators of schools and districts utilizing School Announcement do just that, using our user-friendly recording feature.

Power out due to ice and wind? That’s not a problem as long as your cell phone is handy! Punch in your unique user ID and PIN number, record your message and you will reach the hundreds or thousands of people reliably and efficiently - at a fraction of the cost of other copy cat systems. 

You are welcome to drop me a line or call me to learn more about our terrific, multi-purpose and most affordable system: 401-243-8415 or tracy@schoolannouncement.com.

I hope the education issues featured in this edition of School Pro Quick Tips will enrich your skills and your thinking in your critical role.

All the very best!
Tracy Duncan

How to Be the Best Administrator You Can Be...

…by doing “The Right Kind of Nothing.” In his article by that name, Michael C. Munger uses a humorous learning moment he experienced abroad as a metaphor to explain how: “The most successful administrators – the ones whoha accomplish the most and don’t burn out – have an enormous sense of responsibility but a very small need for control. And they know just when to do the right kind of nothing.” Though the article is directed at University administrators, the lessons apply to all kinds of management situations. Munger is chair of political science at Duke University. This “laugh out loud” article can be found here in The Chronicle for Higher Education

What do Marilyn Monroe, John Stossel & Darren Sproles have in common?

These famous people, along with many other successful individuals from all different industries, are known to have dealt with stuttering. The Stuttering Foundation of America maintains an easy-to-navigate, comprehensive web site that is a must as a resource for the over three million Americans who face this challenge – and for those who teach or care for them. Check them out here

For a quick read on the topic, see “How to Help a Student Who Stutters.” This article features 11 quick tips for teachers and administrators who would appreciate a quick refresher: "How to Help a Student that Stutters"

College Tuition: Vital Resources

Bet you haven’t heard nor used the expression, “It’s only money,” for awhile, especially regarding a college education. The economy has affected families at all socioeconomic levels, causing them to rethink the when, where and how of college education. With that in mind it may help to have the following information on hand to share with students and their families at meetings and through your newsletters:

www.savingforcollege.com - According to this web site, it was “established as a private company in 1999 with a mission to help individuals and professional advisers better understand how to meet the challenge of paying higher education costs.”

www.collegeboard.com - An excellent resource for parents and students alike. The page they will be most interested in as relates to this topic is the “Pay for College” page.

www.collegesavings.org - Information about “529,” a tax-advantaged investment plan developed to support higher education expenses.

Information regarding grants and paying for college is located on the U.S. Department of Education home page. Of note: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid has been simplified by reducing the number of questions and making all around navigation easier.