The response has been great for the upcoming Fall Boutique Recruitment Event,  Sunday, September 26 at the Heimbolt Visual Arts Center, Sarah Lawrence College. We look forward to an intimate discussion between select independent schools and families of historic African American organizations. Why is an independent school education so valuable? this is the question that will  lead a distinguished panel of current parents, students and school administrators. The hope is that parents who place a premium on quality education will consider independent schools as being the right fit for educating thier children.

RIISE and ChocolateChip have partnered on this event as parents who want to provide the best edcuational opportunity we can for our children. We know many parents feel the same way, so why are African American families so underepresented? Outreach plays a major role, yet we wanted to dig a bit deeper. What about  the cost and the fit? Yes, it can be a huge expense-for some, and yes, the community may not reflect many of our communities. Needless to say, we look forward to the events informative and inspiring discussion because many of us have successfully taken the dive. If the right networks are in place, it can absolutely be worth it.

I want to apologize now, this blog could have easily been two seperate and distinct blog posts, one blogging about the upcoming Fall Boutique Recruitment Event and the other talking about ”perfect fits”. But decided that the conversations should co-exist since recruitment -event and retention – “perfect fits” are not mutually exclusive. 

Recently, RIISE was connected with a family in distress. A family with a long history of partnering with independent schools (yes, if you pay-no matter how much, please know you are a partner in the deal! ). They had one child successfully navigate an independent school and gain acceptance into a top university, while the other child struggled to matriculate at same independent school. Does a perfect fit for one sibling dictate a perfect fit for the other? In this case, it did not. The ill-fit was acknowledged with a call stating that the students contract would not be renewed…this call came in June!. Now the family struggles to find the right fit, before September….today is August 31.  At what time do we as parents realize, acknowledge, and then make the change if the school is not a right fit academically, socially, philosophically? Particularly when siblings are involved. Unfortunately, the schools timing in making this decision for us can be bad timing.

Having two children in the same school can be a dream, just consider, one drop off! Add to this, a familiar curriculum, staff, politics too!  However the parent and institution must be vigilant in recognizing if what was a good fit is now a size too big or too small. Waiting too long to take action can ultimately be stressful for all. Another thing to consider is how we act…are our actions too passive, too agressive?

Here a a few things to consider once you have decided to become a part of an independent school community…

• Consider the philosophy, culture, and curriculum of school before you apply and certainly before you accept
• Seek out current families, students, and recent grauduates to gain their perspective
• One you are accepted know that the school is lucky to have you
• Quickly establish relationships with administration and ask the hard questions about your child’s social and academic progress
• Ask questions, listen to, and watch your child as they develop at the school
• Understand your school’s resources, ask for them, find them elsewhere if necessary
• If necessary, consider what your exit strategy will be ahead of time, your school may not have one
• and finally, what is good for the goose may not be good for the gander – I think I jusft dated myself with that quote :0). A bad fit need not be a reflection on academic and social success. Just watch, recognize, confirm, make a plan, and move on -hopefully to another independent school.

Related blogs/links:

A Fall Boutique Recruitment Event

Day 5: Comment on Three Blogs You’ve Never Commented On Before

• Thank goodness for this particular challenge because I did not know where to start with the whole Hunter College High School situation so my comment to InsideSchools blog post was the perfect opportunity to share my thoughts…BTW we are comment #16

http://insideschools.org/blog/2010/08/05/elite-schools-testing-and-diversity/#comment-13705

• The next comment was on a great video blog on Middle School Years. RIISE just posted a related blog earlier right here on Family Voices

http://thinking-forward.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/06/top-10-tips-for-starting-middle-school.html#comments

• …and the final was a comment on JasonWomacks blog

http://ht.ly/2h7Gk

Comments on my comments would be AWESOME!!!

RIISE Fav’s?

• Expect Greatness – especially from peers and how they treat you
• Carve Out Time For Family – this tip helps out parents who have to become secret agents just to stay involved

Check it out the rest,                                                                                                        http://thinking-forward.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/06/top-10-tips-for-starting-middle-school.html#comments, and Joe’s book Parents’ Guide to The Middle School Years

BTW, this post is perfect for Day 6 of Blog Challenge: Link to a Blogger in Your Niche

 As with RIISE’s 31 Day Brand New Blog Challenge, anything done for at least 30 days is suppose to become a habit. For most families we have just about that amount of time to get our kids, and our selves back into the routine of a new school year. ROUTINE, the word is the antithesis of summer with abandoned sleep routines, undisciplined summer diets, and plain old summer frolic.

 31 days and counting, to get school supplies, new clothes &uniforms, that needed hair cut, and to learn which teacher you will actually inherit for the year. But, what really scares many is how many books are still on that summer reading list, which math fact family got washed away with the sandcastle, or that nagging feeling that we still have not mailed the summer letter requested by the kindergarten teacher or suggested our senior tackle the inventible college admission bio.

My stomach really started to churn at the check out counter when I read Time Magazine’s front page article – The Case Against Summer Vacation. That title is just as depressing as our blog’s. This year’s family budget by passed camp altogether, we soothed our guilt by suggesting that our kids deserved a break from the year long (ok, 10 mo) workload right? The break is a slippery slope, according to author David Von Drehle and others. Summer breaks can be risky business for our kids as they compete globally with kids who go to school as much as 4 more weeks per year. 

Here are 5 tips to implement over the next 31 days that may just make up for the summer slide.

1. Seek Out A Challenge – Come up with a tantalizing academic goal that takes your child beyond the first day of school…thankfully my daughter completed her class reading list but, is struggling to take advantage of Barnes & Noble’s Read Eight Get One Free challenge. Her Aunt was brave enough to sweeten the deal with a daily double, read 25 books (which include summer reads) by Christmas and you will get a KINDLE. Needless to say, it is on and cracking!
2. Early to Bed Early to RIISE – Starting today, knock off 20 minutes from the undisciplined bedtime routine. If necessary, use the same strategy for wake up (remember, my kids are not in camp). Expect fussing and negotiating, but by day one of the school year your household should be fuss free at 6:30 am.
3. Find those old Flash Cards – Sad, but true – math skills suffer over the summer, so carry them around wherever you go. It is fascinating how much idle time we actually have waiting on a minor car repair, standing in line at Staples, or waiting on that meal to get to the table. Put a ban on the DSI and texting for half of that time and in an instant develop total recall. Math facts can easily slip away at any grade level. Really, who wants to go back to counting fingers?
4. Travel Abroad – Surely, you can find it in your budget to go to Egypt, children go for free! Summer travel is an absolute high-quality experience that stimulates the mind. The Vineyard is great but Egypt is absolutely fascinating, and relatively cheap, did I say kids go for free in NYC! (Code MCDTUT). So, pick a spot on the globe and then find a local museum, ethnic restaurant, cultural neighborhood, international film festival and explore.
5. Focus On Nutrition – Grillin’ is the fun and easy way to beat the heat and have tasty eats. But, summer diet can be rampant with random foods lacking essential nutrients for proper body & brain function. With summer still in full swing and the last official holiday looming, consider some crafty ways to include some nutrient dense foods. Suggestion – Cauliflower. Since it looks brainy grate it and sneak it into spaghetti sauce. It contains citicholine which enhances brain function. You can get 200 mgs of it and more in every scoop of GV Junior!

Conclusion

 As the summer winds down we can gradually work our way up to a successful new school year with just a few helpful tips. Does anyone want to stretch the list to SIX? Let us know.

 Today’s assignment

Write or tweak the about page for your blog. Your about page might include some or all of the following:
A welcome message
Your bio
A brief explanation on what your blog is about
A listing of education or other credentials related to your blog’s topic or niche
Links to some of your best posts that illustrate the essence of what your blog is about

ABOUT THIS BLOG

 Welcome to Resources In Independent School Education- RIISE, a live and virtual community of resources committed to independent schools and the well-balanced retention of families of color.

 RIISE was founded in 2009 by a mother of color with two children attending an independent school in NYC. As a senior executive in corporate events focusing on diversity & inclusion, RIISE was able to draw upon the striking similarities between both the corporate and private school environment.

 Family Voices is our blog resource and safe space dedicated to the frequent thoughts and feelings expressed, and not expressed, about the challenges, triumphs, aspirations, frustrations, isolation, assimilation, compensation, and successes (just to name a few) of families of color navigating the landscape of an independent school.

 Family Voices welcomes commentary and guest blogs by those who embrace the fine line often walked being a part of this dynamic educational community. We invite you to check out some of our best posts….

 http://www.4riise.org/2010/02/coloring/

 http://www.4riise.org/2010/03/congratulations-now-the-real-work-begins/#comments

 http://www.4riise.org/2010/06/riise-update/#respond

 …please come back, and check in often.

Wouldn’t you know, RIISE already had Google Analytics! Anthony, in his infinte wisdom set it up when he designed the site. Analytics are right on the “Dashboard”. It only took us another 15 min to realize it was at the bottom of the page!

So, now what does all of this mean for RIISE during the hot month of July?

Here goes:

1. 7o Visits/85% new visits
2. 162 Page Views
3. 55.71 Bounces
4. 1:25s Av Time Spent w/2.31 pages per visit
5. 24 referrals from Google
6. Top post….RIISE Home Page
7. Did not see anything on Key Words

Goal’s for month of August:

1. Why not 150 Visits
2. At least 20 minutes per Visit
3. Increase Blog Visit-this should be a cinch, we are posting every day for the next 31 with links on FB and Twitter!
4. Increase quality/relevance of content to get more comments

Hope old and new to our community are as engaged as we are.

What topics will interest you for the 2010-11 school year?

The assignment today is to write a purpose statement for your blog(s). Your purpose statement should answer the following:
Why do you blog?
What do you blog about? (be as specific as you can here, especially if you have a niche)
What do you want to become known for through your blog (what kind of reputation are you seeking to create for yourself)?

We like this challenge because it gets RIISE right back to the heart of it’s mission & vision…

Here goes…

• RIISE blogs to connect with families of color who are considering or are currently attending private independent schools.
• RIISE blogs about diversity/inclusion/academic/social/financial/cultural interests of families of color within independent school communities.
• RIISE wants to become a significant resource for families of color and the entire independent school community in establishing well-balanced retention and identifiable recruitment efforts.

This should do the trick in getting back into the groove with content and blogging as the fun lazy days of summer come to a close (sad, but true)!

RIISE has taken on this challenge in order to build a better brand for our community… and just in time for the new school year!

Today’s challenge is to analyze our traffic to date, report back, and compare these to metrics over the next 31 days:

1. How many folks visit?
2. How long do they stay?
3. How many page views?
4. Bounce rate
5. Traffic source
6. Popular posts
7. Key words

Hmmm, perfect time to contact our “Web Guy”….Ohhh, Anthony…

50 scholarships not being applied for are going away…APPLY NOW

Scholarships
 
African American Scholarships Under-utilized – Pass the Word!

AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS ARE NOT APPLYING!

Even if you do not have a college-aged child at home, please share this with someone who does, pass this scholarship information on to anyone and everyone that comes to mind. Though there are a number of companies and organizations that have donated monies for scholarship use to African Americans, a great deal of the money is being returned because of a lack of interest.

If you don’t ask or apply, no one will offer a scholarship.

Take the initiative to get your children involved. There is no need for money to be returned to donating companies because we fail to apply for it.

Please pass this information on to family members, nieces, nephews, friends with children etc. We must get the word out that money is available. If you are a college student or getting ready to become one, you probably already know how useful additional money can be. Our youth really could use these scholarships.

Note: (If clicking on the link doesn’t work, then type in the Web site address manually or search the internet for program name)
1) Bell Labs Fellowships for Under Represented Minorities http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.bell- labs.com/ fellowships/ CRFP/info. html

2) Student Inventors Scholarships http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.invent. org/collegiate

3) Student Video Scholarships http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.christophers .org/vidcon2k. html

4) Coca-Cola Two Year College Scholarships http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.coca- colascholars. org/programs. html

5) Holocaust Remembrance Scholarships http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; holocaust. hklaw.com/ =20

6) Ayn Rand Essay Scholarships http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.aynrand. org/contests/

7) Brand Essay Competition http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.institutefor brandleadership. org/IBLEssayCont est-2002Rules. htm

Gates Millennium Scholarships (major) http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.gmsp. org/nominationma terials/read. dbm?ID=12

9) Xerox Scholarships for Students http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www2.xerox. com/go/xrx/ about_xerox/ about_xerox_ detail.jsp

10) Sports Scholarships and Internships http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.ncaa. org/about/ scholarships. html

11) National Assoc. of Black Journalists Scholarships (NABJ) http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.nabj. org/html/ studentsvcs. html

12) Saul T. Wilson Scholarships (Veterinary) http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.aphis. usda.gov/ mb/mrphr/ jobs/stw. html

13) Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.thurgoodmars hallfund. org/sk_v6. cfm

14) FinAid: The Smart Students Guide to Financial Aid scholarships) http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.finaid. org/

15) Presidential Freedom Scholarships http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.nationalserv ice.org/scholars hips/

16) Microsoft Scholarship Program http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.microsoft. com/college/ scholarships/ minority. asp

17) WiredScholar Free Scholarship Search http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.wiredscholar .com/paying/ scholarship_ search/pay_ scholarship_ search.jsp

18) Hope Scholarships &Lifetime Credits http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.ed.gov/ inits/hope/

19) William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship for Minority Students http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.apsanet. org/PS/grants/ aspen3.cfm

20) Multiple List of Minority Scholarships http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; gehon.ir. miami.edu/ financial- !assistance/ Scholarship/ blackhtml

21) The Roothbert Scholarship Fund http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.roothbertfun d.com

22) BOEING scholarships (soma e HBCU connects) http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.boeing. com/companyoffic es/educationrela tions/scholarshi ps

23) Easley National Scholarship Program rget=”_blank”

24) Maryland Artists Scholarships http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.maef. org/

26) Jacki Tuckfield Memorial Graduate Business Scholarship (for AA students in South Florida ) http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; ww w.http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; jackituckfield. org/

27) Historically Black College & University Scholarships http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.iesabroad. org/info/ hbcu.htm

28) Actuarial Scholarships for Minority Students http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.beanactuary. org/minority/ scholarships. htm

29) International Students Scholarshi ps &Aid Help http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.iefa. org/

30) College Board Scholarship Search http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; cbweb10p. collegeboard. org/fundfinder/ html/fundfind01. html

31) Burger King Scholarship Program http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.bkscholars. csfa.org/

32) Siemens Westinghouse Competition http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.siemens- foundation. org/

33) GE and LuLac Scholarship Funds http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.lulac. org/Programs/ Scholar.html

35) Union Sponsored Scholarships and Aid http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.aflcioorg/ scholarships/ scholar.htm

36) Federal Scholarships &Aid Gateways 25 Scholarship Gateways from Black Excel http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.blackexcel. org/25scholarshi ps.htm

37) Scholarship &Financial Aid Help http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.blackexcel. org/fin-sch. htm

38) Scholarship Links (Ed Finance Group) http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.efg.net/ link_scholarship .htm

39) FAFSA On The Web (Your Key Aid Form &Info) http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.fafsa. ed.gov/

41) Scholarships and Fellowships http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.osc.cuny. edu/sep/links. html

42) Scholarships for Study in Paralegal Studies http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.paralegals. org/Choice/ 2000west. htm

43) HBCU Packard Sit Abroad Scholarships ( for study around the world) http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.sit.edu/ studyabroad/ packard_nominati on.html

44) Scholarship and Fellowship Opportunities http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; ccmi.uchicago. edu/schl1html

45) INROADS internships http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.inroads. org/

46) ACT-SO bEURoeOlympics of the Mind ‘A Scholarships http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.naacp. org/work/ actso/act- so.shtml

47) Black Alliance for Educational Options Scholarships http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.baeo. org/options/ privatelyfinance d.jsp

48) ScienceNet Scholarship Listing http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.sciencenet. emory.edu/ undergrad/ scholarships. html

49) Graduate Fellowships For Minorities Nationwide http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; cuinfo.cornell. edu/Student/ GRFN/list. phtml?category= MINORITIES

50) RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS AT OXFORD http://www.facebook .com/l/78a3b; www.rhodesschola r.org/info. html

Important Links:
Visit Calhoun’s Website!
Calhoun News & Events
Steve Nelson’s Blog