LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Going to school every day is half the battle for a lot of students. But there is now a plan to improve student attendance at Jefferson County Public Schools.
It starts with clean clothing and a plan to put a washer and dryer at just about every school in the district.
In the last few years, those appliances have been a gamer-changer at Fern Creek High School. One student who's benefitted greatly is Gabby Wilson, a senior, who, between athletics and college visits, has had a hectic year.
There are plans to put a washer and dryer to nearly every JCPS school by October. (WDRB photo)
"I had a game on Monday, I practiced on Tuesday, at a game on Wednesday, at a game yesterday, and, after school, I'm leaving to go to an out-of -own tournament," Wilson said.
That's why she appreciates and takes advantage of Fern Creek's laundry and loot program.
"It's nice for me, obviously, because I forget to wash my jersey, I don't want to stink," she said. "It's nice to have that."
"So our principal did some research and found out that 6% of students miss school because they don't have access to a washer and dryer and clean laundry," Koki Harris, head of student support, said.
Harris said the laundry and loot program has helped a lot and her motivation for it is about sharing the love.
"I saw the impact that it had on our students and I thought that it was important that every student have access to this just to increase their chances of success," Harris said. "These are the things that we take for granted, but you would be surprised at how many kids don't have access to basic necessities."
Metro Councilman Jeff Hudson is working on a plan to make the program district-wide. He is seeking donations of washers, dryers, laundry detergent and personal hygiene products to put in more Jefferson County Public Schools.
Right now, the hope is for all of the washers and dryers to be delivered sometime in October.
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