Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 1-2:15pm • Communicating with Poise While Facing Crises
Assessing threats, preparing ahead, and managing communications when confronted
Presenters: Betsy Linaberger & Dan Alt, Carmichael Lynch Relate
The inevitability of disruption has never been clearer, and few sectors are as susceptible to unpredictability as education. In our workshop, we will explore the growing reputational threats that independent schools face every day and provide high-level insights into our experience navigating situations related to cultural or societal issues, social media issues, labor negotiations, data breaches, leadership transitions, and other unforeseen challenges. We’ll discuss how to assess vulnerabilities and threats, design plans to prepare and respond effectively, and manage a situation when it happens. This highly engaging workshop will provide participants with a sense of how to prepare for a variety of organizational threats, as well as best practices for communications when confronted with a crisis.

Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 8:30-9:45am • Helping Small Schools Create a Big Experience
Presenters: Dr. David Willows & Suzette Parlevliet, [YELLOW CAR]
It can be tough for schools to stand out in the crowd, particularly if you are a small school. In this workshop, we will introduce you to the world of Experience Strategy and give ten reasons why it matters for your school. We will also explain why we believe small schools might have a significant advantage when it comes to designing the experience of school for students, parents, and employees. We will also explore how to measure the felt experience of students, families, and employees in your school.

Wednesday, February 4, 1-2:15pm • An Exploration of Distributive Leadership
Presenter: Ted Fish, Founder Fish Leadership
Often, distributive leadership is the key to success in small schools with lean administrative teams and dedicated teachers and staff members. Learn more about the framework of distributive leadership and its successes and challenges. This program will feature a presentation describing the framework and how to implement it, followed by a panel of four Heads of School who have worked hard to make it happen!

Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 9-10am • Be Bold: How One Small Independent School Used the Power of Purpose to Raise $75M
Presenter: Nicole Antil, Graham-Pelton
Join us for a discussion about how Miss Hall’s School harnessed the power of purpose to achieve their remarkable $75M Be Bold campaign. Discover how this small but mighty team cultivated meaningful engagement within their community through a series of purpose-driven gatherings, fostering genuine connections and amplifying campaign momentum.

In this session, we’ll unpack the creative, three-part structure Miss Hall’s used to deliver a consistent yet distinctive experience for each attendee. By sparking purposeful conversations and designing moments that connected deeply with the school community, this approach generated genuine interest in the campaign that led to tangible fundraising results. Participants will leave with practical insights and inspiration to design powerful events that foster collaboration, adaptability, and shared purpose among their donor community.

The PAIS Circle of Peers program is a round-table format, bringing together members in the same role in our schools for open and candid discussions.
The programs are not recorded, but notes are taken and shared with everyone who is registered. The participants select the topics to discuss.

We all know the important role our teachers play in our schools, AND, they can be a great support out of the classroom as well, especially in low-resourced schools and schools with a small administrative team. This program will run from April 2025 to February 2026, meeting regularly to grow teacher leaders.

Goals for the program are to:
• Build teacher leaders and model power of distributive leadership
• Promote professional learning in a cohort builds connections
• Strengthen school culture
• Learn about all aspects of school life
• Offer professional growth that leads to happy and incentivized teachers
Registration opens February 2025. Talk to your teachers today to generate interest and excitement!