SAES NOTES - SEPTEMBER 2024


Missed Connections and Flight Delays


Have you embarked on a journey filled with excitement and joy, only to get deflated and discouraged when your flight connection gets delayed and you begin to experience the frustration of being stuck in an airport for an extended and indeterminable time? Maybe there was some weather someplace else that has resulted in a chain reaction of delays, or a mechanical issue with an airplane. Perhaps a faulty software update resulted in a global technology outage that created havoc within the airline industry. Whatever the reason, these unanticipated events can be a source of deep frustration and can turn feelings of joyful anticipation into feelings of extreme exhaustion, causing weary travelers to feel stuck and powerless.  


As you recall your own experiences with being stuck and stranded, imagine the plight of Astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams. Anticipating a layover of just over a week, they now find themselves stuck in space for what may be another 6 months!  


In my experience, the journey of a school year often starts with joyful anticipation. Somewhere along the way, however, the journey inevitably gets interrupted by unanticipated delays and missed connections that can drain our joy, sap our energy, and distract us from our mission. As a result, sometimes we find ourselves feeling discouraged and stuck, and our once bright and optimistic view of tomorrow gets clouded over by events outside our control. But as Christ himself reminds us, fear not and take courage! When we are feeling stuck or stranded, or when circumstances conspire to distract us from our mission and purpose, may we take comfort in the promises of our Heavenly Father who is walking before us.  


I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and

heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and

the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked

along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust

in the Lord. - Psalm 40:1-3 NLT


So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze

on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be

gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. -

2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT


My prayer for you all is that you will experience smooth travels this year. However, if you happen to miss a connection and find yourself stuck or stranded at some point along the way, give us a call and we will be there to support and encourage you. And remember to lean into the promises of your loving Father, finding a new song of hope and courage and peace as you wait patiently for the Lord. 


LGLO,

Selected Resources for Reflection, Learning, and Growth

Hope and Fear in the Election Year (Yale Divinity School Webinar)


I Hope My Campus is More Political


DEI is not Working on College Campuses: We Need a New Approach


Maintaining Community Amid Conflict (NAES Webinar)


What Motivates Teachers to Enter the Profession?

New research suggests that the reason someone chooses to become a teacher could determine how successful they will be in the role.


Meta-Analysis of Screen Time Studies

A new study combines ALL of the research that we have on kids and screen time


LISTEN: Fighting the Good Fight

There are fights taking place everywhere we look. On the field, in the political arena, in the workplace, and at school. But which of these fights is worth taking on, and which is better left alone?


Five Key Beliefs Beneath Student Motivation

Credibility, Value, Effort, Efficacy, and Belonging — these are the roots of student motivation, which presents itself as care-driven, learning-conducive behaviors. They explain why markedly different-looking classrooms can have such similar motivational dynamics.


Using AI to Fuel Engagement and Active Learning

Amy Holcombe (High Point University) and Steve “Woz” Wozniak (co-founder of Apple) explore ways to use artificial intelligence, combined with human intelligence, to boost student engagement and achievement. Each idea is accompanied by a sample prompt!


The How and Why of a Great Thank You Note

“This is a smart leadership approach. Showing appreciation and recognition to those who deserve it works to engender enthusiasm, hard work, and loyalty.” 


If you know a middle- and high-school world history teacher, please pass along this PDF of Kim Marshall’s 14-page illustrated summary of Jared Diamond's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Guns, Germs, and Steel.  Diamond gives us an intriguing explanation for how a few European nations came to dominate the world - and begs the question of what happens next.

2024 Head’s Meeting and Leadership Institute


Friday, September 20, 2024

9:00 am - 3:00 pm


  • Featuring sessions on:
  • Trust and School Climate
  • Operationalizing Episcopal Identity through the Evaluation Process 
  • Risk Management 
  • Scenario Simulations

The Westin Riverwalk

San Antonio, TX

DON'T DELAY!   -   REGISTER TODAY!

Virtual Learning Opportunities


How Innovative Schools Are Addressing Social Media, Tech, and Current Events


September 11, 2024

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CST

 

Fee: FREE

 

Every day, students are hit with social media posts, comments from friends, changing tech trends, and a variety of pressures. Schools try to support student well-being and address social media and tech to foster productive learning environments, but it’s easy to make mistakes. In this keynote presentation, TSI will guide educators in cultivating modern life skills in their students for sustained success. Attendees will learn actionable strategies to build a systemic approach to modern life skills that also addresses one of the biggest influences on students: social media. Attendees will learn: 1) 5 best practices

 

REGISTER NOW


Student Mental Health and Well-Being


October 2, 2024

10:00 am - 11:00 am CST

 

Fee: $199.00 Per Member School

 

Student mental health and well-being is a hot topic in schools these days, and it continues to be a concern for school professionals of every division. Join us as we hear from experts who are "boots on the ground" in the lives of students. This panel of lower and middle school counselors will be sharing their thoughts on the trends that they are seeing in their schools as well as offering tips for helping students of all ages succeed. 

 

REGISTER NOW


A Virtual Program for Independent School Parents & Caregivers


Six One-Hour Webinars: 6:30 - 7:30 pm CST live, or anytime via recording


Topics:


September 25, 2024 | Lynn Lyons

Back-To-School Momentum: Prepping Children of All Ages for the Challenges (& Successes) of a New School Year


November 19, 2024 | Jennifer Wallace

Never Enough: When Achievement Pressure Becomes Toxic—And What We Can Do About It


January 15, 2025 | Phyllis L. Fagell

How to Raise Socially Skilled Tweens & Teens Who Can Navigate Friendship Challenges


February 12, 2025 | Hasan Merali

Squish the Peas: Life Lessons from Toddlers on How to Live a Happier, Healthier Life


March 11, 2025 | Ken Ginsburg

Raise Your Children & Adolescents to be Authentically Successful, Emotionally Healthy & Prepared to Thrive


April 9, 2025 | Michael Thompson

Planning for Summers of Growth & Joy


LEARN MORE AND REGISTER TODAY!

ACCREDITATION NOTES

SAES Annual Reports were sent to all member schools several days ago.  Completion of the Annual Report is a requirement of maintaining accreditation.  The data collected in the Annual Report not only helps SAES assist you with benchmarking data but is required as part of the reports SAES must submit to the various state agencies and commissions that recognize SAES accreditation. Please submit your report as soon as possible.  


Did your school have its required safety drills in August?  SAES Accreditation Standard G.1 (Facilities, Safety & Security) requires that SAES schools comply “with applicable municipal, county/parish, state, and federal health and safety codes and regulations.”  Most states in the SAES region have specific requirements that apply to non-public schools for fire and/or other safety drills. Because these vary by state, SAES does not specify the time or frequency of such safety drills but rather expects individual schools to comply with the regulations of their state.  The SAES Documents in Adherence to Standards do require that schools keep records of all safety drills to demonstrate compliance with state regulations. Unless your state has more stringent or specific requirements, I recommend retaining records of the prior year’s drills until the end of the current school year, so that you always have documentation of one full school year’s drills. 



Chris Carter

SAES SOLUTION PARTNER HIGHLIGHT

Contact: Arlette Benoit Joseph


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The mission of the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools is to lead, nurture, and unify Episcopal schools in order to advance academic excellence within the faith community of the Episcopal Church.

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