SJCSD early registration schedule announced

The St. Johns County School district has announced its schedule for early registration.

Registration is required for children entering kindergarten and students new to St. Johns County or public schools.

Early registration will be available 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4; 1-5 p.m. Thursday, March 12; 9 a.m-1 p.m. Wednesday, April 15; and 1-5 p.m. Friday, May 8.

To be eligible for public kindergarten in St. Johns County, children must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1. They must also reside in-county.

To register for first-grade, children must be 6 years old on or before Sept. 1. They must also have documentation of successful completion of kindergarten.

Parents must register children at the school where they are zoned for the 2015-16 school year.

Three proofs of residency must be provided: A current mortgage statement, lease or rent agreement and two other forms of residency documentation. These can include a current electric bill, car registration and/or driver's license.

Information on residency and guardianship - and the Attendance Zone Locator - can be found at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us under "Featured Links."

Florida law requires any student entering a Florida school for the first time to show proof of required immunizations. These are to be documented on the HRS Form 680.

Proof of a physical examination obtained within one year prior to enrollment in school is also required. Physical examinations can be performed by either a private physician or the county health department.

Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (VPK) early registration will also take place at select schools on the above dates and times.

The district's VPK is an early childhood education program with small class sizes and teachers with certification in disabilities.

Children applying for the VPK program must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1.

Full-day VPK is at the following locations: The Webster School, John A. Crookshank, Cunningham Creek, Ketterlinus, Otis Mason, Mill Creek, Ocean Palms, Osceola, PVPV/Rawlings, South Woods, Timberlin Creek and Wards Creek elementary schools.

Osceola and Crookshank elementary schools as well as The Webster School are expanding their VPK programs to include more students.

For more information on VPK, call Early Childhood Services at 547-4897.

Students can be registered during spring and summer for the 2015-16 school year. However, parents are encouraged to register early so schools can adequately prepare for the next school year.

For more information on registration and school attendance zones, call Student Services at 547-7598.