Five Naperville schools unveil new Web sites

Naperville Unit District 203 is looking to improve communication with parents by launching five new Web sites this week.

Naperville Central High School, Madison and Washington junior highs, as well as River Woods and Meadow Glens elementary schools, all have received Web makeovers.

The sites, which were two years in the making, include updated calendars, answers to frequently asked questions, announcements and contact information, much like the district-wide site.

"It's better communication with parents, the public and is just a proactive way to put information and content out there so it's available 24-7," Webmaster Deanne Fulner said.

"It's available in a similar format to the district so it's easier to use and hopefully answers questions before they need to be asked."

The schools also will get new Web addresses. For example, Madison's will be http://schools.naperville203.org/madison. The others will follow the same format.

Because of a new content management system, it will be easy for officials at each school to update pages to ensure they're current.

Madison and Washington showed off their new sites Thursday during open houses.

Margaret Gilmore, Madison's computer support analyst, said the school has a variety of activities planned over the next few weeks, including posters and a scavenger hunt.

The district worked with Americaneagle.com Inc. on the sites. Other school sites will get overhauled, too, but a timetable has not been set. The total cost of the project for all 21 schools is $70,000.