COUGAR INFORMATION NETWORK TO USE PHONES TO UPDATE PARENTS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 29, 1992                   TAG: 9201290084
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER
DATELINE: DUBLIN                                LENGTH: Medium
COUGAR INFORMATION NETWORK TO USE PHONES TO UPDATE PARENTS
Parents of Pulaski County High School students soon will be able to check daily with their youngsters' teachers on what happened in class that day and the next day's homework assignments.
The parent-teacher phone connection is to be called the Cougar Information Network, and it could be operating by March.
A team of teachers will explain how it works at the school's PTA meeting Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Little Theater.
"As the program is introduced and explained, it will become apparent that the technology employed at PCHS is one of the first of its kind in the United States," PTA President Howard Sadler said. "It will also become apparent that the dedication and hard work of the PCHS staff and their consultants has resulted in a first-rate system that will benefit all concerned."
Principal Thomas DeBolt had proposed the idea Aug. 7 to the county School Board. He said it was a technological tool that could greatly boost parent involvement with students' work. It would provide all necessary information for a parent to keep up with a student's education.
It will take a teacher about 10 minutes daily to record announcements for parents. Parents will have a special number to call and a four-digit identification number for each student.
The system can be operated only with a Touch-Tone phone. Most county phones are Touch-Tone, and others can be converted by C&P Telephone Co. for a one-time charge of $10.80 and a monthly charge of 60 cents.
The teachers' messages also will include what parents can do at home to help their sons and daughters with school work.
Students also can use the system to find out what they missed if they were absent and what the next assignment is, or to clarify a homework assignment.
The system will offer other communication options in addition to the one tailored to each student. Callers can punch in other numbers and get recorded information on school activities, sports schedules and testing.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB