LEONARDTOWN, Md. (Jan. 23, 2009)—The St. Mary's County Public School System on Friday announced that registration will begin on April 15 for children entering kindergarten for the 2009 - 2010 school year. Under current Maryland law, kindergarten attendance is mandatory for all children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2009.
School officials say parents or guardian not intending to register an appropriately aged child for kindergarten must obtain a waiver from St. Mary's County Public Schools' Department of Pupil Services. It is not necessary for children enrolled in prekindergarten in the public schools to register again.
School officials say the following information is required for the registration process:
-- Birth certificate
-- Social Security number
-- Immunization record
-- Proof of residence
-- Court orders, notarized statements, or other legally binding instruments concerning custody, when custody of a minor student is an issue.
Documentation which indicates the current physical address of the student will be accepted as proof of residence. Proof of residence will include, but is not limited to, one of the following:
-- mortgage/deed/rental agreement with 911 address assignment
-- current utility bill with parent/guardian name and 911 address of residence (no post office box is accepted - cable bills and wireless telephone bills are not acceptable)
-- Patuxent River Naval Base housing form NOW-NATC-1110-1/15, Assignment to Public Quarters, which identifies bona fide residence in St. Mary's County.
A physical examination for entering school is also required by Maryland law. The Maryland Schools Record of Physical Examination form and immunization form (DHMH 896) may be obtained from all local physicians, the Naval Medical Clinic Patuxent River, and school offices.
Questions regarding which school serves your residential area should be directed to the Department of Capital Planning at 301-475-4256, option 6. Questions about the program or registration may be directed to Sharon S. Thorstensen, Supervisor of Instruction for Early Childhood and Elementary Education, 301-475-5511, ext. 101.