Grosse Ile School Launches New Website, Strengthens School-Community Bond: Dynamic Content Markets the "Grosse Ile Advantage: Achievement, Vision, Community"

Grosse Ile, MI, January 25, 2009 --(PR.com)-- If Grosse Ile is a hidden gem, then Grosse Ile Township Schools might be its most brilliant facet. Consistently ranked as one of the top districts in the state and boasting an astonishing 98.7% graduation rate, the district's web presence did not reflect the quality of education it provides. This was as much a problem for the community as it was for the schools itself. "When it comes to attracting new residents to an area, having schools with a great reputation is a significant advantage," says Dena Dardzinski, Superintendent of Grosse Ile Township Schools. While this is especially true for families of school-aged children, when a school district attracts new residents, it also increases property values generally. "The quality of education young people receive here is tremendous," says Dardzinski, "and we needed a web presence that would market it and our special island environment." The new site, http://www.gischools.org , is now "a community focal point."

Prior to becoming superintendent four years ago, when Dardzinski herself was researching Grosse Ile's schools, the first place she looked was online. "Back then, our website did not have the depth and variety of information one would expect from a district like Grosse Ile Township Schools. One of my priorities was to make information about the wonderful advantages we have to offer available on our website." While Dardzinski succeeded in turning the original website into a data warehouse, she admits it was difficult for parents, teachers, students and community members to find relevant information quickly and easily.

Dardzinski and a team of marketing-savvy community members reached out to Foxbright, a West Michigan firm specializing in improving the way schools use the web. "I am very glad we did," says Dardzinski. "Foxbright gave us excellent guidance on putting together a website that works well, is easy to update, projects a highly professional image, and enables us to tout the benefits of Grosse Ile living," she says.

Foxbright's vice president of sales and marketing, Rob Huisingh, says, "All school districts share the same essential mission, and at the same time each has a unique message. Grosse Ile is a remarkable district in no small part because of the support it receives from the community, which is an important component of the message they send to the world." Underlying the new website is Foxbright's Content Management System, a software tool that enables non-technical district employees to update web pages quickly and easily. "Grosse Ile wanted a web presence as dynamic and exciting as the school itself. It was a pleasure working with them to achieve that."

"We have nothing but praise for the work Foxbright did on our behalf," says Dardzinski. "We brought a number of creative and passionate people to the project, and Foxbright managed the process very effectively. Our new website says it all, and that is a high compliment."

About Foxbright: Foxbright specializes in helping schools and education focused organizations leverage the internet, web strategy, tools and technologies; because communication matters. For more information, please visit www.foxbright.com

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