In last week’s Marketing Matter, it was stated that this is the year to start a Pre-K program if you don’t have one.\u00a0 If you do have one, you need to get parents to come to your school to experience it.<\/p>\n
Before jumping right into it, let me ask a question.\u00a0 When do you think most Catholic elementary school parents are making the decision to enroll their child in a Catholic high school?\u00a0 8th grade?\u00a0 No.\u00a0 7th grade?\u00a0 Maybe.\u00a0 6th grade?\u00a0 We’re getting closer.\u00a0 Parents are considering high school options when their children are in 5th grade, since the 6th, 7th and 8th grade “middle school” experience forms the classroom bonds which will carry over into high school.<\/p>\n
I use Catholic schools as the example since they’re the schools that have distinct elementary and secondary school divisions.\u00a0 Christian and private schools have a different enrollment model since they usually provide the PK-12 experience.<\/p>\n
Of course, every now and then, an 8th grader comes home excited about the potential of visiting the Catholic high school because they may not be looking forward to going to a public school for high school, or the Catholic high school offers a unique opportunity for the student that the public school doesn’t.\u00a0 A visit from the guidance counselor or admissions director at the local Catholic high school might have created a wellspring of enthusiasm in this student, and he would like to check it out with his parents.\u00a0 How do I know this?\u00a0 Let’s just say I know a person who did that (think of the “asking for a friend” comment on social media today).<\/p>\n
But for the majority of the population, if the child remains in 6th, 7th and 8th grade in the Catholic elementary school or middle school, chances are that Catholic high school is seriously being considered today, and is why admissions or enrollment directors at Catholic high schools need to be speaking to 5th, 6th 7th and 8th graders, and not just the 8th graders and their parents.<\/p>\n
So how does this relate\u00a0to your Pre-K program at your Catholic, Christian, or other faith-based school?\u00a0 Just do the math.\u00a0 If parents are thinking\u00a03 to 4 years in advance for high school, when do you think they need to start thinking about\u00a0Pre-K programs?\u00a0 That’s right – when their new bundle of joy comes into this world.<\/p>\n
Consider a four-step program, where you reach out to new parents when their child is baptized or welcomed to the faith community, and on the 1st, second and third anniversary of this event.\u00a0 That’s four contacts with the family even before the child is in the school.\u00a0 In a nutshell, here are the four contact\u00a0points, and what should be given at those points.\u00a0 The Catholic experience is highlighted here, but can be modified to coincide with hierarchical roles within your school’s faith tradition:<\/p>\n
At Baptism: \u00a0A letter to the parents from the Bishop (which is simply a letter on the Bishop’s letterhead, in color, with the official coat of arms of the Bishop), as well as blanket with the school’s logo, or a plush animal that has significance with the school or Diocese.<\/p>\n
At First Anniversary of Baptism: A letter to the parents from the Superintendent of Schools, with a magnetic picture frame that says “Future Catholic School Student”<\/p>\n
At Second Anniversary of Baptism: A letter to the parents from the Pastor of the parish, with a book of first prayers.<\/p>\n
At Third Anniversary of Baptism: An invitation to a special open house event (such as a high tea – make it special.\u00a0 “Coffee and Donuts” is not special, and is a “dad” thing more than a “mother and child” thing) for the mother and child held at the school so they can visit, experience the Pre-K program, and enroll.<\/p>\n
Here’s what’s important to remember if you decide to implement this structure – DO NOT DO ALL FOUR STEPS AT ONCE!<\/p>\n
This year, focus on those little ones who are baptized starting this month and track them.\u00a0 That will be enough work to do, especially that means getting family contact information.<\/p>\n
Since privacy issues are of key importance today, the churches and parishes that support your school may not be willing to share this contact information.\u00a0 In fact, as laws have changed over the years, if parents DON’T give their permission to share this information with other organizations, the organizations they’re part of cannot share that information<\/p>\n
You’ll need to be vigilant about forming relationships with the churches and parishes.\u00a0 That may mean personally presenting that blanket at the baptism ceremony. so that you start a relationship with the parents and godparents!<\/p>\n
Then next year, add the first anniversary activities along with the baptism ones.\u00a0 This is how you grow the system and offer a vision for the future as well, since it has a long-term effect.<\/p>\n
These are, after all, “baby steps.”<\/p>\n
If you already have a Pre-K program, including those parents in your “regular” parent-teacher meetings and encouraging them to be a part of your school community, and they’re still not enrolling in your Kindergarten, we’ll look at that next week.<\/p>\n
\u00a9 Michael V. Ziemski\/SchoolAdvancement, 2010-2025 (Original Publication Date: 20100712)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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