DeKalb County School District

Registration

Registration is an ongoing process that occurs throughout the school year.

Parents or guardians are requested to register children for school as soon as they move into a school attendance zone. Schools can register students any day during the regular school year. During the months of June and July, schools are required to designate specific days and hours for new student registration. Parents of students returning to the same school must submit updated information to the school prior to ending of the school year or during summer registration.

The following procedures will be utilized by all schools and centers and will serve to assist parents or guardians in registering students as expeditiously as possible. The procedures contained in this document include the process for students new to DeKalb County and for students moving from one attendance zone into another attendance zone within DeKalb County.

2012 Open House Dates

In an effort to enhance parental involvement, the DCSD will hold an Open House on the days and times listed below. Open House is a time for students to meet teacher(s) and visit classroom(s). In addition, this will be a time for parents to sign up for various school related jobs/responsibilities such as PTA, Room Parent, etc.

DCSD Open House dates are as follows:

• Wednesday, August 8, 2012
  • 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm (9th Graders and New Students Only)
  • 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm (High School Returning Students)
• Thursday, August 9, 2012
  • 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm (Middle School)
• Friday, August 10, 2012
  • 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm (Elementary School)

Who must register to attend a school within the DeKalb County School District?

• all students new to DeKalb County
• all students who move from one school attendance zone to another attendance zone within DeKalb County
• all students who are returning to the same school must submit an updated registration form

When does registration take place?

• registration is ongoing process that occurs throughout the school year at each school and center
• registration occurs during designated days and hours during the months of June and July
• students returning to the same school are expected to update and submit registration forms during May 2012; registration forms will be provided to parents by the school during May or June 2012
• parents or guardians of students may register for school any time school is open

Who is authorized to register a child in a DeKalb County school or center?

A child may be registered by his or her

• parent; or
• legal guardian, including an agent grandparent, as provided by the Power of Attorney for the Care of a Minor Child Act (Official Code of Georgia Annodated [OCGA] § 19-9-120 et seq); or
• guardian with military power of attorney (10 United States Code [USC] § 1044b); or
• migrant education program status (20 USC § 6391 et seq).

What documents are required for registration in a DeKalb County school or center?

Kindergarten

• parents or guardians must present an original or state-certified copy of the child's birth certificate
• the child must be five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2012
• social security card or waiver as per OCGA § 20-2-150(d)
• Certificate of Eye, Ear, and Dental Examination (Georgia Department of Human Services form 3300)
• Certificate of Immunization (Georgia Department of Human Services form 3231) or waiver as per OCGA § 20-2-771
• photo identification of the parent or guardian enrolling the child
• proof of residency documents (e.g. current utility bill [gas, electric, or water only—no phone bills], signed lease, or mortgage contract)
• proof of custody or guardianship if not the birth parent; in the case of grandparent agents, as per OCGA § 19-9-120 et seq, a copy of the power of attorney document that is in the substantially same form as provided in OCGA § 19-9-129(b)–(c) and proof of the parent's stated hardship

First Grade

• parents or guardians must present an original or state-certified copy of the child's birth certificate
• the child must be six (6) years old on or before September 1, 2012
• social security card or waiver as per OCGA § 20-2-150(d)
• Certificate of Eye, Ear, and Dental Examination (Georgia Department of Human Services form 3300)
• Certificate of Immunization (Georgia Department of Human Services form 3231) or waiver as per OCGA § 20-2-771
• photo identification of the parent or guardian enrolling the child
• proof of residency documents (e.g. current utility bill [gas, electric, or water only—no phone bills], signed lease, or mortgage contract)
• proof of custody or guardianship if not the birth parent; in the case of grandparent agents, as per OCGA § 19-9-120 et seq, a copy of the power of attorney document that is in the substantially same form as provided in OCGA § 19-9-129(b)–(c) and proof of the parent's stated hardship

All Other Grades

• students who have not attained the age of twenty by September 1 or they have not received a high school diploma or the equivalent as prescribed in OCGA § 20-2-150
• must present a copy of the birth certificate
• Certificate of Eye, Ear, and Dental Examination (Georgia Department of Human Services form 3300)
• Certificate of Immunization (Georgia Department of Human Services form 3231) or waiver as per OCGA § 20-2-771
• photo identification of the parent or guardian enrolling the child
• proof of residency documents (e.g. current utility bill [gas, electric, or water only—no phone bills], signed lease, or mortgage contract)
• discipline report (middle and high schools)
• withdrawal records from previous school including last grade placement
• proof of custody or guardianship if not the birth parent; in the case of grandparent agents, as per OCGA § 19-9-120 et seq, a copy of the power of attorney document that is in the substantially same form as provided in OCGA § 19-9-129(b)-(c) and proof of the parent's stated hardship

Immigrant Status

Schools shall enroll immigrants/non–visa holders meeting age and residency requirements and shall not inquire about their legal status.

Returning Students

Parents must update the DeKalb County registration form and any school-related materials each year (e.g. field trip permission, dismissal arrangements, clinic forms, etc.)

What are the requirements to verify proof of residency for co-residents?

In the event of co-residency, an affidavit of residence [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/www/documents/registration/affidavit-of-residence-(2011-2012).pdf ] must be completed as required by the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) and homeowner/lessee and submitted to the school, with all requested documentation attached. It must be submitted before the first day of school or upon moving into the attendance area of the new school.

• The parent(s)/legal guardian(s) and the owner/lessee must both be present to submit the required documents to the school (no exceptions will be made).
• The Affidavit of Legal Residence must be updated annually by both the homeowner/leaseholder and the parent or guardian.

How can a homeless child register for school?

Children who meet the definition of homeless as set forth in Section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 USC § 11434a et seq, and who are located within the DeKalb County School District district may present themselves to the school's principal in the respective attendance areas where the child's parents or guardians are located.

Homelessness may be characterized by the following:

• live in a shelter or motel
• share housing with relatives or others because the parents or guardians lost their housing or cannot afford housing
• live in a campground, car, abandoned building, or other inadequate shelter
• live on the street
• live in a temporary foster care residence
• has been abandoned in a hospital

Homeless parents have the right to

• enroll their child in school with or without health and school records;
• enroll their child either in the school where the parent is located or the school attended when permanently housed if in the best interest of the child;
• receive transportation to and from school, if requested by the parent/guardian, where required by federal law (42 USC § 11432[g][1][J][iii]); and
• participate in school related activities and receive other needed services.

Contact Dr. Michelle Meertins, homeless liaison, for more information.

Is there a means for provisional enrollment?

The compulsory attendance law of Georgia requires parents or guardians residing within Georgia and having control or charge of a child between the sixth (6th) birthday and the sixteenth (16th) birthday to send such child to a public, private, or home study program. A student shall be enrolled on a provisional basis and allowed to attend school for thirty (30) days while awaiting evidence of residence, guardianship, or other local requirements. A student shall not receive provisional enrollment while awaiting evidence of immunization requirements.

Georgia law, specifically OCGA § 20-2-771(b), requires a Certificate of Immunization prior to enrollment. The law permits a principal to grant a thirty (30) day waiver of this requirement for a justified reason.

If the parent does not produce the appropriate paperwork, the school shall notify the parent, in writing, ten (10) days before withdrawing a student from the school. If appropriate documentation is not produced during the ten-day notification period, the student shall be considered withdrawn at the end of the thirtieth (30th) day.

• Provisional enrollment does not apply to students in grades 7–12 who are subject to disciplinary actions or felony convictions.
• Students pre-registering shall not be eligible for provisional enrollment.

How can I establish guardianship for a child under my authority?

Guardianship may be granted by the DeKalb County Probate Court [ http://www.gaprobate.org ]; the contact number is 404.371.2892. Parents/guardians may download forms and other information.

A Grandparent may become an agent for a grandchild when hardship prevents the parent from caring for the child, as provided by the Power of Attorney for the Care of a Minor Child Act (OCGA § 19-9-120 et seq).

Student registration is a function of Student Support Services [ http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/student-support-services ].