The Marshalltown School District will soon test a plan that’ll use the district automated phone system to give wake-up calls to students who have a history of being tardy District communications director, Jason Staker, says the plan will involve around 250 students.
Staker says they have been looking at different ways to reach kids, and he says Dean of Students, Lisa Wunn, found one of the excuses from kids was they didn’t have an alarm. Students who have been recorded tardy more than five times can expect a call. Staker says they’re working out the final details.
Staker says they had hoped to have the system in place by Monday, but are working on logistical issues and hope to have it running sometime next week. Students in the early morning classes would get a call at 6:30 A.M. Students in first period classes would be called at 6:45 A.M.
Parents can sign up their student to be called. If parents don’t want their student called, they can visit with the dean of students to create an alternate plan to ensure their student’s attendance. Staker says if the test is successful, it may be implemented full time starting next fall.
By Lance Renaud, KFJB, Marshalltown