Release Date: 6/11/2009 Contact: Office of Pupil Personnel Services,
410-887-0404
Charles Herndon, 410-887-6111

County school system recommends registering students now to avoid last-minute rush

Registration in early summer avoids problems, allows schools to plan

What: Parents or guardians who must register children for the 2009-10 school year should do so as soon as possible. Early registration is recommended so that families have time to provide proper documentation. Early registration also allows schools time to plan for each child and to adjust staffing.

Who: Parents or guardians must register their child if that child:

  • Is enrolling for the first time in a Baltimore County school.

  • Has recently moved to Baltimore County from another county.

  • Has changed residences within Baltimore County since last school year and will begin attending a new school as a result of that move.

  • Is entering the sixth grade or ninth grade this school year.

  • Does not legally reside in Baltimore County but may be allowed to attend a county school (considered a “non-resident” student under Board of Education Policy and Superintendent’s Rule 5150).

Additional requirements may be part of the registration process.

For more information about who must register their children, parents or guardians may call their local schools or visit the BCPS web site (www.bcps.org/system/policies_rules) to view policy and rule 5150.

When: All BCPS schools are open during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, throughout the summer. Parents or guardians should contact their local schools to schedule appointments. If students need English language support, parents or guardians must contact the Office of World Languages and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Programs.

Where: Parents or guardians must visit the school their child will attend to register for the upcoming school year.

Background:

At the time of enrollment, parents or guardians must produce a child’s birth certificate, immunization records, photo identification of the parent or guardian, and residency documentation unless they are identified as homeless (see below on homeless contact information). The BCPS web site, www.bcps.org/schools/moving_tips.html, contains a list of documents needed for registration.

As a part of the process that began last year, all children entering the sixth grade or ninth grade – regardless of where they attended school last school year – are required to verify their residency. This process must be completed by Friday, August 7, to avoid withdrawal. This verification process does not apply to homeless, shared domicile, or non-resident students since they are reviewed or renewed annually.

Families experiencing homelessness can request assistance with the school registration process by contacting either the last school attended or the nearest school. The schools can provide the name and telephone number of a school pupil personnel worker or a school-based homeless liaison. For more information, families can call 410-887-0404.

Parents or guardians of children who speak a language other than English should make an appointment for English language support screening before registering for school in Baltimore County. For more information, families can call 410-887-6752 or visit www.bcps.org/offices/world_languages/.

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