First Steps News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2007
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School Preparedness Tips for Parents
This
Week's Tips Focus on Proper School Registration
As part of a public awareness strategy in conjunction with
its Countdown to Kindergarten initiative, South Carolina First
Steps offers weekly summertime school readiness tips for parents.
Each week, First Steps will release a new set of tips to help
transition our youngest learners into the K-12 school system,
including such topics as “to-do” lists for parents,
how to recognize a good kindergarten class, and what children
should know before starting school. This week’s tips
inform parents how to register their children for school:
Registration Information
REGISTER EARLY! Early registrations help schools determine
the number of teachers needed and the amount of materials
they need to order. Also, early registration allows students
to attend any classroom orientations or “Back to School
Days” that introduce children and parents to the school
ahead of time.
Children who will be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 must
enroll in a public or private kindergarten program, unless
parents or legal guardians sign waivers or home school their
children instead. Waiver forms are available at the school
your child would normally attend. State law requires students
to attend school from ages 5 to 17.
When registering your child, go to the local school your child
will attend and bring with you:
• Proof of child’s birth date
(birth certificate, 1-94 form or child’s passport);
• Health information. When children
enter school for the first time, they must have a physical
examination and show proof of necessary immunizations. Contact
your physician, county health department or military clinic
to complete a medical form for your child;
• Social security number (check with
your district to determine whether a copy of a social security
card will be required);
• Proof of address (ex: a utility
bill, valid S.C. driver’s license or apartment lease);
• Transcripts from other schools,
if available.
To find out specifically what your district requires, call
your local school district office. To find contact information
for your local school district, call the S.C. Department of
Education Office of Public Information at (803) 734-8500 or
go to the department’s Web site, www.ed.sc.gov.
Source: South Carolina State Department
of Education Parent Handbook
For more information on school registration, www.ed.sc.gov/agency/offices/ece/
and click on SC Parent Handbook.
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