Registration by Aug. 18 avoids problems, allows schools to plan

On Monday, August 28, the doors will open, bells will ring, and a new school year will begin for Baltimore County Public Schools students. Principals and administrators urge parents to call and visit schools before Friday, August 18, to enroll students who are required to register (see sidebar for details).

“Registering as early as possible is great for parents because then they have all their arrangements in place,” explains Sharon Hoffman, Early Childhood Education supervisor, “and it is great for us because it allows us to get a better idea of student numbers and better plan for each student. When parents come in to register they can gather a lot of information about the school which will make the transition easier for them and their children.”

Parents must register their children if: A child is enrolling for the first time in a Baltimore County school. A child has recently moved to Baltimore County from another school system. A child has changed residences within Baltimore County since last school year and may begin attending a new school as a result of that move. A child who does not legally reside in Baltimore County but who may be allowed to attend a county school. (Considered a “non-resident” student under Board of Education Policy/Rule 5150; specific conditions, restrictions, and additional registration requirements apply.)

Parents must visit the school their child will attend to register for the upcoming school year. To determine a child’s attendance zone, parents can call the boundary line office at 410-887-4215, or click on an automated tool from the main page of the BCPS web site, www.BCPS.org.

All BCPS schools are open during regular hours, Monday through Friday, throughout the summer. Parents are encouraged to call ahead before stopping by the school for details.

At the time of enrollment, parents must produce a child’s birth certificate, immunization records, photo identification of the parent or guardian, and residency documentation. A page on the BCPS web site, www.bcps.org/schools/moving_tips.html, contains a list of documents needed for registration. Parents are encouraged to call the school for details before visiting.

For more information, parents and guardians should call their local school or visit the BCPS web site www.bcps.org/system/policies_rules to view policy and rule 5150.

Story by Diana Spencer, communications officer, and Charles Herndon, communications specialist.