2018 Kindergarten registration set for May 3: Gwinnett’s elementary schools to register new kindergartners

On May 3, 2018, thousands of Gwinnett County children will experience their first taste of school as their parents register them for kindergarten. Parents and guardians of children who will be five years old by September 1, 2018, should begin gathering information that they will need to register their children. Online registration for new kindergarten students is currently underway.

To begin the registration process, visit your school’s website. While much of the registration process is completed online, parents will need to complete the registration process at their local school on May 3. If parents are unsure which school their child will attend, they can enter their address using GCPS’ school locator web page (http://bit.ly/GCPSSchoolLocator) to identify their attendance zone.      

Kindergarten registration in GCPS is a full-day program. Registration for the new school year takes place before the summer to provide time to organize classes and to allow students to participate in local school activities that will help them get ready for their first day of school. The first day of school for the 2018-19 school year is Monday, August 6, 2018.     

Parents and guardians should call their local elementary school for registration times, and visit the “2018 Kindergarten Registration” section on the GCPS website (www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us) for more information and school phone numbers.     

Parents and guardians should bring the following on May 3, in order to complete their child’s registration for kindergarten:

Your child. Your child will complete a kindergarten entry profile and take part in other activities on registration day. 

An official document showing proof of birth date. Examples include an original birth certificate or birth registration, an official state or federal form with date of birth, or a passport. For a fee, parents can order a birth certificate for a child born in Georgia through the state’s ROVER service. (http://gta.georgia.gov/rover)

Proof of residency in the attendance zone. The school requires proof of residency, which may be verified by presenting a current utility bill (excluding telephone bills) with one of the following documents: 
– a non-contingent sales contract
– current lease/rental agreement
– most recent income tax return
– current paycheck stub
– current residential property tax statement or bill
– current warranty or quitclaim deed
– current home purchase agreement
– current homeowner’s insurance policy

Documents presented for residency verification must include the same address as the accompanying utility bill. 

An exception: A deed without an address is acceptable if accompanied by two utility bills (excluding telephone bills) with the same address in the attendance zone. 

A contingency contract is not acceptable. If the parent lives with a friend or family member and needs information about verifying residency, he or she can call the local school regarding a third-person affidavit of residency.

A Georgia certificate of immunization. By state law, a valid Georgia Certificate of Immunization (Department of Public Health Form #3231) or a notarized Affidavit of Religious Exemption (Department of Public Health Form #2208, available from the school) is required for enrollment. The certificate of immunization must be completed by the health department or your healthcare provider. A valid Form #3231 must be marked with either “Date of Expiration” or as “Complete for School Attendance.” (A certificate marked with a “Date of Expiration” expires on the date indicated. A current certificate must be submitted within 30 days of expiration.) A medical exemption, if applicable, should be noted on Form #3231 with a current date of expiration. 

Evidence of vision, hearing, dental, and nutrition screening obtained in the past year. This information should be on a current Georgia Form #3300 (rev. 2013), available from the health department or a physician and dentist and dated within the last 12 months. Letters from appropriate healthcare professionals and out-of-state certificates are acceptable if completed within the last 12 months and stapled to the state form.

Photo ID. The person enrolling a student should present proper identification. This identification may include a driver’s license, a state identification card, a passport, or other official photo identification, such as an ID card obtained through an official government agency or consulate. 

Proof of authorized person to enroll. The following people are authorized to enroll students: parent (natural or adoptive), legal guardian, grandparent with a properly executed power of attorney for the care of a minor child, kinship caregiver with a properly executed Kinship Caregiver Affidavit, or foster parent appointed by a state agency.

The child’s social security number. State law requires that schools ask for this number at the time of enrollment. Students will be enrolled, even if the number is not provided. However, parents not providing a number will be asked to sign a waiver.

A copy of the Pre-K progress report if available from your child’s state Pre-K program. You also can bring the final Pre-K assessment to your child’s teacher when the school year begins. This information can serve as a benchmark of your child’s skills and abilities.
     
If a parent is not sure which school their kindergartner will attend, they should call the GCPS Planning Department at (678) 301-7085. Parents and guardians who feel more comfortable speaking a language other than English should be ready to call with the assistance of a bilingual relative or friend in case an interpreter is not immediately available. Or parents can enter their home address using GCPS’ school locator web page (http://bit.ly/GCPSSchoolLocator) to identify their attendance zone.

News media representatives interested in visiting an elementary school on May 3, Gwinnett’s kindergarten registration day, should coordinate with the Department of Communication and Media Relations by calling 678-301-6020.

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