BY ROSE SCHMITT
VEEDERSBURG, Ind. — The No Zero Policy is working well at Fountain Central.
Science teacher, Michele Stucky updated Southeast Fountain School Board members Thursday on the success of the No Zero Policy with seventh- and eighth-graders.
The policy requires students to complete their homework instead of just taking a zero grade. Stucky said “it has drastically cut the number of F’s.”
Students who don’t turn in their homework when they are supposed to are to complete the assignment during activity period. If the students don’t report to the assigned room during activity period, then they lose their lunch time and have to report to the study hall with their lunch tray to complete the assignment.
Stucky explained students don’t want to lose their socializing time during activity period and lunch so they work to complete the assignments.
Superintendent Corey Austin added this policy “holds students accountable.”
The No Zero Policy will be implemented on ninth-graders beginning in the fourth grading period. The policy also helps to identify students who really need help in a subject. If a student is receiving F’s in two core classes, even though they are completing the homework, they are held over on Mondays for extra tutoring.
High school assistant principal Tony Coleman said “solidifying their start will help them have a better chance at graduating.”
In other business, school board members:
-- Approved the quote from RS Locker Repair and Installation Inc. from Greenwood, Ind., in the amount of $48,637 for high school locker replacement.
-- Approved the quote from RL Turner Corporation of Zionsville, Ind., in the amount of $19,814 for repairs to the swimming pool deck and gutters.
-- Approved the quote from Superior Fence Company of Indianapolis in the amount of $15,699 for replacement and repair of baseball field fencing. The school board discussed that the repairs were a safety issue.
-- Heard from members of the Professional Learning Communities Committee about how professional development would be worked into the school calendar. Marsha Holt, elementary librarian, said the committee has two goals: one to create professional development time and two to bridge the gap between the two buildings. The committee’s proposal beginning next year is to have one-hour late arrivals every Wednesday of the school year. The teachers would arrive at their regular time but would spend the hour in professional development.
-- Learned performances of My Fair Lady will be this weekend at the high school. Dinner theaters will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
-- Learned from Superintendent Austin that the third grading period will be extended to March 19 instead of ending on March 12 due the snow days.
