Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 22, 1991 TAG: 9102220734
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: ROBERTA ENGLISH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
All they have to do is pick up the phone.
All teachers now have their own voice mailbox where homework assignments are recorded daily.
"We're always looking for ways for students to be successful,"Principal Kay Duffy said.
The phone lines are funded by the Chapter One program for at-risk students, but is open to the entire school.
"Most students who are going to do their homework will write it down," Duffy said. "This is for marginal students who need an extra push."
The lines have been operating for one week and they get plenty of use, Duffy said.
Calls will be monitored for the rest of the semester. Teachers will then evaluate student performance to decide if the program will be continued. Similar programs have been successful across the country, Duffy said.
Parents are glad because they don't have to just rely on the word of the pupil when they come home with no homework.
Duffy said she has received numerous calls from parents who are glad they no longer have to rely on their child's word when they come home with no homework.
"It's been beneficial [for parents] to call up and see if Johnnie or Susie has any homework," Duffy said.
Duffy said it's not the sole responsibility of the school or the home to ensure that pupils are doing their work. Communication between the two is the phone line's goal.
"Anything we can do to enhance that relationship is beneficial to the child," Duffy said.
by CNB