Thursday, January 27 * 9:30 – 10:30 am  

Unlocking the Promise of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Role of the Head of School

VALAIDA L. WISE, VALAIDA WISE CONSULTING, INC.

Sponsored by: Carney, Sandoe & Associates
 

Independent schools have placed a renewed focus on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), in light of a global pandemic, political crisis, racial upheaval, and climate change. Schools are charting a path forward to make substantive changes to eliminate barriers for children from marginalized groups. To realize the true promise of DEI, heads must engage the entire community. The success of any DEI plan requires the thoughtful and purposeful engagement of the head in partnership with the board to work together to advance DEI efforts. Examine the critical function of the head of school in the successful implementation of DEI and explore such questions as how to start the work; what the board should know about the head’s DEI efforts; if the board should have a separate DEI Committee; the relationship among the head, the board, and the DEI director; and how heads can ward off fatigue. Leave with strategies to implement immediately to positively alter the trajectory of all students.
 

Friday, January 28 * 9:30 – 10:30 am  

Resilience: Maximizing Leadership Impact & Wellbeing

MICHELLE BUCK, KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT,
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Sponsored by: RG175
 

Independent school leaders inevitably face challenges and opportunities in their leadership journeys. Resilience is necessary to persist and maximize their impact, ensuring that they continually bring their best selves to the work of school leadership. This research-based and practically-focused session is both timeless and timely in examining the process of recovering from life’s inevitable challenges and setbacks. Practical exercises to transform adversity into opportunities for learning, growth, and even vitality will be shared.

During online registration you will be prompted to select your sessions. This year ISACS is REQUIRING session selections to assist with Health & Safety Protocols.
 

THURSDAY SESSIONS

• A Deeper Dive: Applying What We Know
  VALAIDA L. WISE, VALAIDA WISE CONSULTING, INC.
  Wise will provide a space to continue the conversation around the head’s role in DEI. Through small and whole group activities, this session will allow participants to utilize in, real time, some of the tools presented in the presentation, Unlocking the Promise of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The Role of the Head of School.
   
• Challenging Conversations in Challenging Times
  JANE & JIM HULBERT, THE JANE GROUP
  School leaders are increasingly finding themselves having more difficult conversations with parents, faculty, and staff. Conversations are being secretly taped and shared with the media and broader school community as parents challenge the faculty, staff, leaders, and trustees regarding decisions around COVID, DEI, curriculum, and more. This session will focus on how to manage difficult conversations be it at a social event, a basketball game, or in the grocery store. Strategies for taking control of the conversation, identifying questions you don’t have to answer, and other communication challenges will be shared. Participants will have the opportunity to role play. (This session will be repeated.)
   
• Top Ten Risk Management Topics for Heads of School in 2022
  SARA SCHWARTZ, SCHWARTZ HANNUM PC
  In this interactive session, Schwartz will facilitate a conversation about 2022’s top legal issues facing independent school heads. Current hot topics will be discussed and may include: good governance tips and traps; community unrest; increased labor organizing in private schools; parent complaints and more; lessons from recent litigation in schools; enterprise risk management; foundational documents before, during and after COVID-19; and anti-trust considerations. Case studies will be used to generate dialogue and highlight real world situations and practical solutions.
   
• Tips & Traps for Responding to Allegations of Student & Employee Misconduct SARA SCHWARTZ, SCHWARTZ HANNUM PC
  Schools are complex and involve a multitude of constituents and personalities, therefore, allegations of misconduct are commonplace. The allegations include harassment, bullying, hazing, discrimination, retaliation, threats of violence, sexual misconduct between students or, in the worst-case scenario, sexual misconduct involving adults and children. Schwartz will discuss challenges that heads may face when responding to an allegation of misconduct. Topics will include: best practices for employee and student conduct policies; investigation “do’s and “don’ts;” when to engage outside professionals; making reports to the government; implementation of interim remedies and discipline; crisis communications strategies; and fostering an effective partnership with the board. Case studies will highlight real world situations and solutions.
   
• Strengthening Communication & Team Building with Chicago’s Second City
  THE SECOND CITY - CHICAGO
  Heads are often called to build and support collaborative teams and effective groups. Led by the world-famous Chicago Second City team, participants can leave school behind and see why improvisation is the ideal skill for making more effective teams. This interactive session will focus on the application of improv to communication and team building, and how individuals can best contribute to a collective goal while being empathetic and supportive of each other. (Space is limited to 30 registrants; pre-register during online registration to secure your spot!)
   
• Office Hours with Jane & Jim Hulbert (please note this is from 3:00 – 4:00 pm)
  JANE & JIM HULBERT, THE JANE GROUP
  Join Jane and Jim when they will meet in small groups for 20 minute sessions to offer a more individualized consultation regarding specific communication challenges. During online registration, interested participants may select to attend Jim and Jane’s Office Hours. Prior to the conference, individuals will receive an email to confirm assigned appointment times. (Space is limited to 12 registrants.)

During online registration you will be prompted to select your sessions. This year ISACS is REQUIRING session selections to assist with Health & Safety Protocols.
 

FRIDAY SESSIONS

• Follow-up Dialogue with Michelle Buck 
  MICHELLE BUCK, KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
  Buck will engage with participants and facilitate further conversation on the Maximizing Leadership Impact and Wellbeing, with a focus on putting the material into practice and enabling dialogue and connection among participants.
   
• Leading Through Uncertainty: How To Handle Stress, Worry & Fatigue Inside & Out:
  A Live Virtual Session
  LYNN LYONS, PSYCHOTHERAPIST & AUTHOR
  Heads have many sources of stress, both internal and external. The demands of COVID, in addition to the normal responsibilities of leadership, have left most feeling anxious and worn out. What makes anxiety worse? How does stress impact the mind and body? How do you offer help to those that feel overwhelmed? Some answers may be surprising. This virtual session will provide concrete do’s and don’ts for those in charge of their own wellbeing and those around them.
   
• Strategic Thinking for a New Era
  TIM FISH, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS (NAIS)
  Join an energizing session designed to provide the context and tools needed to gain a clearer picture of the future and to develop an effective strategy for a new era. Fish will share insights on practical ways for heads and their boards to approach problem framing and to engage in strategic design that supports long-term sustainability. Case studies will be shared.
   
• Learning Design for a New Era
  TIM FISH, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS (NAIS)
  In this session Fish will break down lessons learned from hundreds of school visits, webinars, and workshops to explore the essential ingredients for powerful learning design. Fish is not presenting the answer, rather, his ideas will serve as an invitation to a spirited conversation among participants.
   
• Chinatown Rising: Sparking Student Reflection & Action Through Untold Stories of Asian American Activism
  JOSH CHUCK, CO-DIRECTOR & PRODUCER, CHINATOWN RISING
  Join Josh Chuck as he shares excerpts of his new documentary film Chinatown Rising, followed by Q&A. The award-winning film features previously unseen footage from the 1960s and 70s, along with first-person accounts of a persecuted immigrant community fighting to improve education, housing, and opportunity in their community, which sparked a nationwide Asian American movement. Explore ways to reflect on the parallels to Asian American and other minority groups’ challenges today. (This session will be repeated.) View a short YouTube clip about Chinatown Rising.
   
• Accreditation Team Leaders: Equity & Inclusion Considerations for School Visits
  DAWN KLUS, ISACS, & ISACS ACCREDITATION REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS Members of the Accreditation Review Committee will facilitate a discussion of issues and effective practices in leading accreditation teams, with a focus on how to address equity and inclusion topics with the host school. This session for aspiring and experienced accreditation team leaders will utilize case studies to explore challenging topics that can emerge during the visit. A review of team leader responsibilities along with supplemental information to further enhance team success will be included.

Thursday, January 27 * 12:15-1:15 pm
Luncheon Presentation

ISACS Annual Meeting
ISACS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Sponsored by Finalsite
Members of the ISACS Executive Committee will report on the state of the Association. All members will then vote on the most recent bylaw changes and the slate of new trustees and officers.

Friday, January 28 * 8:15-9:15 am
Regional Meetings
 

• Minnesota Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) & ISACS Planning Meeting for 2022 Annual Conference
• Association of Independent Michigan Schools (AIMS) Meeting
• Indiana Association of Independent Schools (IAIS) Meeting
• Iowa Schools Meetings
• Kentucky Association of Independent Schools (KAIS) Meeting
• Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools (LMAIS) Meeting
• Ohio Association of Independent Schools (OAIS) Meeting

Friday, January 28 * 12:15-1:15 pm 
Luncheon Presentation

ISACS Update & Interview with Josh Chuck
MARY MENACHO, ISACS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & JOSH CHUCK, CHINATOWN RISING
Mary Menacho will provide a brief update on the work and goals of ISACS followed by a conversation with Josh Chuck.

View a short YouTube clip about Chinatown Rising.

Thursday, January 27 * 3:00-5:00 pm
 

A Feel Good Film: CODA
End the day with a feel-good movie that illustrates the perfect example of student agency. Get comfortable and relax with your ISACS colleagues and enjoy the powerful journey of Ruby who, as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), is the only hearing person in her family. When she realizes her passion for singing, she finds that she must choose between her own life path and her family. Come see why this film was awarded the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, making it the most awarded film in Sundance history.

A Feel Good Film: GOOD TROUBLE
Be inspired by the intimate account of legendary U.S. Representative John Lewis’ life, legacy, and more than 60 years of extraordinary activism — from his teenage years on the front lines of the Civil Rights movement to the powerful legislative leader he was throughout his career. After Lewis petitioned Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to help integrate a segregated school in his hometown of Troy, Alabama, King sent “the boy from Troy” a round trip bus ticket to meet with him. From that meeting onward, Lewis became one of King’s closest allies. He organized Freedom Rides that left him bloodied or jailed and stood at the front lines in the historic marches on Washington and Selma. He never lost the spirit of the “boy from Troy” and called on his fellow Americans to get into “good trouble” until his passing on July 17, 2020.

Moments at the Museum: A VISIT TO THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
Step away from your role as head and into the world famous Art institute of Chicago. Visit your favorite masterpieces or experience brand-new additions to the collections. Explore the Modern Wing or step back in time as you nurture your soul with the beauty and stories of art through the ages. Stay in one area or try the “What to See in an Hour” self-guided tour. Tour alone or with colleagues. Take some time for yourself — you won’t regret it. An ISACS staff person will walk participants to the museum for this ticketed event. Pre-register and purchase your entrance ticket to the Art Institute during online registration. (Additional fee of $30/person required. Registrants will be able to purchase the Art Institute tickets during online registration for the registrant and a guest. NO REFUNDS will be provided after purchase.)

IVY ROOM CHICAGO

Thursday, January 27, 2022 * 6:00-9:00 pm Central

Reception Sponsored By: EdwardsCo.
Dinner Sponsored By: Flik Independent School Dining

All registrants and spouses/partners are invited to attend the conference reception and dinner. at the Ivy Room, a private event space located at 12 East Ohio, Chicago. The reception will be held from 6:00-7:00 pm with dinner to follow until 9:00 p.m. Additional details are as follows:

• Reception/dinner is included in your registration fee; pre-registration is required during online registration. You can select to attend reception only, dinner only, or reception/dinner.
• Transportation will be provided.
• If you are bringing a spouse/partner, there is an additional fee of $100 which can be selected during online registration.
• There is no on-site registration for the reception or dinner. 
• During online registration you will be prompted to select your and/or your guests main course. Meal options include:
  • Short Ribs with potato parsnip puree, pickled mustard seed gremolata, swiss chard, and bordelaise
  • Salmon with meyer lemon glaze, tuscan kale, and whipped parsnips
  • Burrata Ravioli with pomodoro, basil, and parmesan
  • Vegan option – will be determined by restaurant