As teachers start taking attendance with class rolls today, The Gaffney Ledger’s Roll Call will go back into service for schools.

Roll Call, The Ledger’s talking newspaper, is an automated phone service that allows parents and students to get reminders about homework, school lunch menus and important school announcements. All you have to do is dial Roll Call at 489-0060 and enter the extension number you want.

The first extension listing for teachers’ Roll Call numbers appears in today’s edition. Messages may be changed from any touch-tone phone at any time, so be sure to check Roll Call regularly.

The extensions will be published each Monday throughout the 20052006 school year.

Cherokee County teachers have been given their own extension number to update with homework and other reminders for their students on a daily basis. Schools can also use other extension numbers on Roll Call to post lunch menus or reminders about upcoming events such as Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) meetings.

Now entering its 11th school year, The Gaffney Ledger’s Roll Call is part of the NewsTalk 24 voice information system operated in several markets in the Southeast by The Phoenix Marketing Group based in Huntersville, N.C.

Phoenix Marketing Group owner Bob Howe said he plans to feature The Gaffney Ledger’s Roll Call in one of his company’s upcoming newsletters as an example of how phone message systems can be an effective communication tool for schools.

“I think it’s a great way for people to stay informed about what’s going on in their schools. Even with the Internet, there’s still some people who either don’t have a computer or don’t have access to the Internet on a daily basis,” Howe said. “Everybody has a phone. Phone message systems such as The Gaffney Ledger’s Roll Call are an easy way for people to get current information about schools from their homes.”

As in previous years, The Gaffney Ledger will encourage use of its Roll Call service by awarding $50 each month to the teacher with the most calls to their extension number. Teachers can use the money to purchase things for their classroom to benefit their students.

Roll Call is run with the popular Mini-Page, which contains education activities that teachers can use in their classroom. Both services are made possible by the local businesses that sponsor the pages.

Sponsors include 1st Franklin Financial, Ehlich Family Chiropractic, Blakely Funeral Home, Earl’s Speed & Custom, Sub Station II, Kimbrell’s, Carolina’s Chicken & More, Hartzog’s Jewelers, Brannon’s Seafood, Tyler Home Center, White Columns Funeral Home, Wallace White, and Bell South. Also, Brown’s Landscaping, Custom Specialities, Airway Medical Supplies, Quality Rentals, Gordon’s Mortuary, Shuford Hatcher Funeral Home, Burns Automotive, Vic’s Tires, Buford Street Drug Store, Thicketty Mountain Fish Camp, and Taylor-Watson Furniture.