PRESS RELEASE - KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

The St. Mary's County Public School System is pleased to announce that registration will begin on April 15, 2008, for children entering kindergarten for the 2008-2009 school year.  Under current Maryland law, kindergarten attendance is mandatory for all children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2008.  Parent(s)/Guardian(s) not intending to register an appropriately aged child for kindergarten must obtain a waiver from St. Mary's County Public Schools' Department of Pupil Services.  It is not necessary for children enrolled in prekindergarten in the public schools to register again.

To promote smooth registration, please bring the following required information to the school:

§         Birth certificate

§         Social Security number

§         Immunization record

§         Proof of residence

§         Court orders, notarized statements, or other legally binding instruments concerning custody, when custody of a minor student is an issue.

Documentation which indicates the current domicile of the student will be acceptable as proof of residence.  Proof of residence will include one of the following:

a.      deed with 911 address assignment, mortgage paper with 911 address assignment, and/or rental agreement which shows occupancy of an owned or rented domicile

b.      building contract (letter from builder, realtor, landlord, etc. which indicates 911 address and projected occupancy date)

c.      current property tax bill/Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation form

d.      current utility bill with parent/guardian name and 911 address of a bona fide residence (no post office box is accepted – wireless telephone bills are not acceptable)

e.      a signed, notarized affidavit from the landlord of the home in which the child lives verifying that the child resides at that 911 address.  Language to include "I solemnly affirm under the penalties of perjury and upon personal knowledge that the contents of the foregoing paper are true."  If the documentation is from the landlord, then the landlord must provide parent with proof of residence using one of the preceding categories

f.        Patuxent River Naval Base housing form NOW-NATC-1110-1/15, Assignment to Public Quarters, which identifies bona fide residence in St. Mary's County         

g.      St. Mary's County official 911 address assignment

h.      hardship case as determined by the Executive Director of Student Services

A physical examination for entering school is also required by Maryland law.  The Maryland Schools Record of Physical Examination form and immunization form (DHMH 896) may be obtained from all local physicians, the Naval Medical Clinic Patuxent River , and school offices.

Questions regarding which school serves your residential area should be directed to the Department of Capital Planning at 301-475-4256, option 6.  Questions about the program may be directed to Sheila K. Draper , Supervisor of Instruction for Early Childhood and Elementary Education, 301-475-5511, ext. 101.

            If there are any questions regarding registration, please contact the Department of Pupil Services at 301-475-5511, option 2.

                                                                                    Submitted by: 

                                                                                    Kathleen Lyon

                                                                                    Executive Director of Student Services

04/01/08