RESERVE – Parents of students who are enrolling in the St. John the Baptist Parish School System for the 2005-2006 school year are strongly encouraged to register their children early.

Besides beating the last-minute rush, registering early will ensure that children will be eligible to attend classes the first day of school, said Child Welfare & Attendance Supervisor Robert Schaff.

“We encourage parents to contact us as soon as possible so we can take care of all the necessary prerequisites. We want each new student coming to St. John the Baptist Parish Schools next year to have an easy transition and begin learning right away,” said Schaff.

Registration is being conducted daily at the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board’s Annex building in Reserve, he said.

Schaff noted that students entering the school system from either a non-accredited school or a home school setting must take and pass the end-of-the-year tests of the grade level completed. These tests must be taken at the school the student will be attending.

If students are seeking enrollment in the 5th or 9th grade, they must have either passed the 4th or 8th grade LEAP tests, or if after the spring and summer 2005 LEAP testing, the ITBS tests.

Parents are reminded that a child being registered for kindergarten must be 5 years old by September 30, 2005.

In order to register a child for school, the parent must present the following documents at the time of registration:

€ Original birth certificate with a birth date of September 30, 2000, or before

€ Copy of up-to-date immunization record

€ Copy of social security card

€ Two proofs of physical address (utility bill, residential phone bill, rental agreement), indicating the parent’s/guardian’s name (which must be indicated on the child’s birth certificate)

€ Student’s final report card (incoming 10th through 12 grade students need to present a copy of their transcript)

A copy of the detailed registration requirements for all students, including kindergarteners, is available at all schools and the central office in Reserve.

For more information regarding registration, please contact the Child Welfare and Attendance Office at 985-536-1106 and speak to Schaff at extension 2244, Clarence Brown at extension 2245, or Margaret Landry at extension 2239.