First Steps News

REGISTER EARLY! If you haven't already registered your child for kindergarten, don't wait! Early registrations help schools more accurately estimate the number of teachers they need to hire and 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. By registering early and encouraging families of other rising kindergartners to register early, you are benefiting both your children and their school.

Children who will be 5 years old on or before September 1st must enroll in a public or private kindergarten program unless the parent or legal guardian signs a waiver or chooses to home school their child. Waiver forms are available at the school your child would attend in the fall. All students entering first grade must be six years old on or before September 1st. By state law, students must be in school from age 5 to 17.

When registering your child, go to the local school your child will attend and bring with you:

• Child's birth certificate (kindergarten and first grade only);
• Child's properly completed immunization certificate obtained from either physicians, county health departments or military clinics;
• Some districts require parents bring their social security cards and up to two proofs of residence and other information. 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 SC Department of Education Office of Public Information at (803) 734-8500 or go to: www.myscschools.com/PublicInformation/schooldirectory.cfm;
• If you are new to the district, you may bring sealed permanent records from your child's previous school. Contact your local school district office for more information.

######