Kindergarten registration set

JACKSON - Parents of children who will be 5 years old on or before Oct. 1 will have the opportunity to begin the kindergarten registration process for the 2007-08 school year.

"It's hard to believe, but the students who will be registering this year will ultimately become the Class of 2020," Superintendent of Schools Thomas Gialanella said. "That may seem like a long time in the future, but it does go by quickly and it all starts with kindergarten registration."

Forms necessary for registration will be available at all Jackson elementary schools during regular school hours beginning Feb. 27. The actual kindergarten registration dates will be determined by the first letter of the child's last name: May 7, A-C; May 8, D-H; May 9, I-M; May 10, N-R; and May 11, S-Z.

Any parent who is unsure of which school their child will attend for kindergarten is asked to call the Jackson School District Transportation Department at (732) 833-4614.

Parents are also asked to begin collecting the necessary paperwork now to avoid any last minute rush. Paperwork includes proof of identity and four proofs of residency. Both types of forms are required in order to register a child.

An original birth certificate with a raised seal is required for identity. Baptismal or hospital certificates are not acceptable forms of identity.

Four types of proof of residency are also required. They may include an original deed; affidavit of title/property; lease agreement; a voter registration card; a current credit card or utility bill; or a driver's license.

Post office boxes are not legal proofs of residence.

In addition to the residency and identity requirements, parents must bring the child's current medical and dental examinations and proof of immunization vaccinations.

A physical examination form and a dental examination form must be signed or stamped by a licensed doctor or dentist.

Immunization records should show proof of vaccinations and the dates they were administered.

The list of immunizations includes DtaP (Diptheria, Tetanus, Inactivated Pertussis); DPT (Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis); IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine); OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine, three dose series); Hepatitis B (three dose series); HIB (Haemophilus Influenza, one to three doses); Mantoux (TB test within six months of entering school); No. 1 MMR between 12 and 15 months of age; MMR Booster (one month after first dose and prior to kindergarten); and Varicella Vaccine (after age 1 and prior to entering school).

If applicable, parents may be required to present a settlement agreement and/or court orders regarding parental rights/limitations due to divorce or separation.

Anyone with additional questions pertaining to a child's kindergarten registration may call the registrar's office at (732) 833-4661 or call the child's school: Crawford-Rodriguez, (732) 833-4690; Elms, (732) 833-4680; Holman, (732) 833-4620; Johnson, (732) 833-4640; Rosen-auer, (732) 833-4630; or Switlik, (732) 833- 4650.