The New York Times recently looked at innovative efforts to help low-income students overcome some obstacles to regular school attendance – specifically a working washing machine.
In the story, Fern Creek High School was featured as one of the schools in four states that have provided a laundry room for student use.
The Fern Creek “Laundry and Loot” room also offers items like deodorant to kids who need them. The story quoted Fern Creek’s principal as saying that embarrassment over dirty clothes can contribute to truancy. Almost 70 percent of Fern Creek’s students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.