Poughkeepsie Day School Hires Cutting-edge Communications Firm

October 10, 2007

Contact: Sandra Moore, director of development and communications (extension 110)

Poughkeepsie, NY - Poughkeepsie Day School has announced the hiring of Free Range Studios, a cutting-edge communications firm that has won awards for innovative Web and print design projects and viral marketing programs, to re-imagine its communications strategies, including all of the school's external marketing materials. Reviewing and revamping school communications are among the top priorities identified by school leadership as part of its comprehensive three-year strategic plan, which was initiated and completed last year and is in process of being implemented. Free Range was selected by the school's marketing and communications task force, led by parent trustee and graphic designer Rene Schnider, following an extensive national search and on-campus interviewing process. Located in Washington, D.C. and Berkeley, CA, the company's founders and principals, Louis Fox and Jonah Sachs, are alumni of Poughkeepsie Day School and natives of Woodstock.

According to the firm, the writers, designers and strategists of Free Range Studios are "message shapers and image makers {who} choose to inspire, educate and move people toward action." With its tagline of "creativity with a conscience" and an impressive client list, which includes Amnesty International, the Discovery Channel, the National Science Foundation and the University of Pennsylvania, the firm serves companies and organizations "whose vision goes beyond turning the world into a strip mall."

Josie Holford, Poughkeepsie Day School's head of school, said, "Free Range Studios' approach to problem solving is exuberant, collaborative and intellectually sophisticated, a perfect match-up with the school's spirit and approach to learning." Sandra Moore, the school's development and communications director, noted that Fox and Sachs were the subjects of a recent alumni profile in the school's magazine, Currents. In it, Sachs credited Poughkeepsie Day School with giving him the creative freedom to explore his interests as well as the idea that a career can be both creative and values-based. "Our interviewing Jonah and the subsequent exciting decision to move forward with a complete overhaul of our communications program was serendipitous, to be sure."

Jonah Sachs and Louis Fox have been artistic collaborators for the past two decades. As children they used their creative talents to write books, shoot short films and invent games. Even then Sachs' penchant for generating ideas and writing complemented Fox's visual artistry. Before founding Free Range, Fox worked as an art director in film for several years and Sachs spent time as a journalist and designer. For more information on Free Range Studios, visit the company's Web site.

Poughkeepsie Day School has been developing educated citizens with a passion for learning and living since 1934.The school opened with a record enrollment of 352 students this September. It seeks to promote curious and independent learners: critical thinkers who know how to ask questions and solve problems. Respect, responsibility and collaboration are among the hallmarks of the PDS school community. Typically, each year one-hundred per cent of the school's seniors who apply to college are admitted. For more information, contact the admissions office, 845-462-7600, extension 201.

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Editor's Note: To read the Currents article on Free Range founders and principals Louis Fox and Jonah Sachs, click here (PDF -- see page 9).

Read more about Jonah Sachs. Read more about Louis Fox.

Poughkeepsie, NY- Poughkeepsie Day School opened its doors for the 2007-2008 academic year with a record student enrollment. According to Jill Lundquist, director of admissions, as of opening day, September 5, there were 352 students enrolled in pre-K through grade 12, the highest number ever to attend the town of Poughkeepsie independent school. Among these 352 students are 85 new students, the largest number of new students in any year in the school's history.

Lundquist said, "The applicant pool was particularly strong this year. Under the leadership of Josie Holford, who has just completed her first year as the head of school, there is a very optimistic sense of moving forward. This year's record number of inquiries, applications and enrollments reflects this excitement and optimism." Josie Holford noted, "As well as many new families, this year brings new teachers, new programs and all the excitement of new beginnings. We began the year with program growth in the arts and a variety of expanded offerings in our elective and central study programs."

Poughkeepsie Day School has been developing educated citizens with a passion for learning and living since 1934. The school opened with a record enrollment of 352 students this September. It seeks to promote curious and independent learners: critical thinkers who know how to ask questions and solve problems. Respect, responsibility and collaboration are among the hallmarks of the PDS school community. Typically, each year one-hundred per cent of the school's seniors who apply to college are admitted. For more information, contact the admissions office at 845-462-7600, extension 201.

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