'Roll Call' provides link to school information for parents and students

School information is only a phone call away for parents.

The Gaffney Ledger launched its "Roll Call" service Monday with the publication of new teacher extension lines for county schools. The automated phone system allows, among other things, parents and students to get information on homework assignments, lunch menus, and check on school announcements about upcoming events.

"Roll Call" is part of NewsTalk24, a voice information system operated by The Phoenix Marketing Group in Georgia and the Carolinas.

"I think it's a great way for people to stay informed about what's going on in their schools," said Bob Howe of the Phoenix Marketing Group. "Everyone has a phone. Roll Call is an easy way for people to get information about what's going on in schools from their home."

Each teacher will have their own extension number that can be called 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Teachers can change the message on their own extension number as often as they want to provide students with reminders about homework or other class information.

The Gaffney Ledger gives a $50 cash prize each month to the teacher with the extension number that receives the most calls. All county teacher are eligible for the incentive money.

Grassy Pond Elementary teachers Charlene Key and Terri Bridges had a near lock on the $50 prize this past year. The teachers used quizzes and math word problems to encourage students to call their "Roll Call" phone numbers on a regular basis.

A listing of "Roll Call" numbers will appear in the newspaper every Monday along with a new feature called "Newspaper Fun." It contains education activities that teachers can use as part of their classroom lessons. Both services are made possible through the support of local businesses that sponsor the pages.