AAAW

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR ARAB

WOMEN

Massachusetts School Registration

Presented by: Farah Assiraj

January 22, 2011

AGENDA

1) Intro to Schools2) Where you live?3) What About Costs?4) When to Enroll?5) What Documents to

Bring?6) Which Programs? 7) What Are Your Rights?8) How to Get Involved?

INTRO TO SCHOOLS City Public- Ex: Malden

Public Funding One District with various schools Must meet state standards for each school

Charter- Ex: Benjamin Banneker (Cambridge) Public/Private funding One school and runs in one building Must meet stricter guidelines for state standards Renewed every 5 years Longer days and school year

Private Private funding Makes their own rules and how to operate

WH

ER

E Y

OU

LIV

E?

Research the school’s report card

Visit the schools

Compare the differences

Think about your child and their needs

Choose the best programs

School choicesPreference RankOr by streetOr zoneOr lottery

MCAS and AYPSchool’s report card

ProgramsELL/SPED/Gifted

EnrichmentMusic/Arts/PE

Transportation

WHAT ABOUT COSTS?o Kindergarten• Half/day or full day Cost Difference

o Before school and after school programs• Cost and registration

o Application for free or reduced lunchoCost for daily lunch

o If school is under Title 1 and provides “free” breakfast

o Mandatory Uniform Cost

WHEN TO ENROLL? Check the deadline for enrollment or lottery

application for each school or district. Boston’s first enrollment is open now Many Charter school lottery applications are due now

PreK or K1 (not mandatory) Child must be 4 years old by August 31st or

September 1st

Kindergarten or K2 (not mandatory) Child must be 5 years old by August 31st or

September 1st

1st Grade Child must be 6 years old by August 31st or

September 1st

Check age difference for your charter/private schools

WHAT DOCUMENTS TO BRING? Proof of Age

Birth Certificate or Passport if born outside of US Proof of Residency

Copy of Mortgage or Lease Utility Bill Parent ID

Immunization and Physical Exam Required by first day of school

Registration Packets Family information Mass Health Form Medical Release Form Home Language Survey MCAS/MEPA results Individual Education Plan, 504 Plan or English

Learner

WHICH PROGRAMS?

Special Education Individual Education Plan (IEP) 504 Plan English Language Learner

All students who have been assessed and determined eligible for these programs MUST be serviced or accommodated to meet federal and state mandates.

Parents have to sign for IEP and 504 Plan for child eligibility.

Parents can “opt-out” of ELL services but child can still be serviced if they are not progressing in English.

Assessment; Eligibility and placement

Gifted Program Classroom Placement

Advanced Placement Content Specific

Supplemental Education Services (SES) Free After-school tutoring

Music; Arts; Dance; Physical Education; Theatre; Recess

Before school or after-school tutoring programs

Not available at every school or district

Ask about child’s choices in enrichment and placement

Required by Law AND with translation

Enrichment or Advanced

WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS? BRING A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER AS AN INTERPRETER AND

ASK QUESTIONS!!! VISIT THE SCHOOL AND MEET THE TEACHERS CLASS SIZE & TEACHER -TO- STUDENT RATIO

OTHER SPECIALIST WORKING IN THE CLASSROOM

FIND OUT ABOUT THE TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS Ex: ELL, SEI, SPED or Highly Qualified to Teach

THE FACILITY AND SAFETY PROCEDURES GYM, CAFETERIA, PLAYGROUND, EMERGENCY

DISCIPLINE ISSUES AND POLICIES Ex: BULLYING PREVENTION

DIVERSITY OF STAFF and SAME LANGUAGE REQUEST TRANSLATION IN YOUR LANGUAGE

IT IS YOUR LEGAL RIGHT ADVOCATE FOR YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND

SECONDARY EDUCATION 781-338-3000

HOW TO GET INVOLVED?

Find our what is the curriculum, a typical day and class schedule Think of ways to support your child’s learning experience

Fill out a CORI form Sign up to chaperone and ask how you can get involved

Plan to attend school or classroom events on calendar Pay attention to forms; documents; notifications and homework being sent

home. If you can’t read anything that requires a signature and a return:

Call teacher or write back you need in your language Follow-up with Principal and ask for translation Help your child with their homework

If you can’t read or help them, ask them to tell you what they are learning and what they are doing

Read to them regularly in the preferred language Helping them to read in ANY language is a skill that will help them be

successful in school Ask allot of questions about what your child is reading, pictures and make the

connection to English Limit the amount of TV and video games and set a time for learning Support the classroom rules, structure and learning environment

This will help your child feel accepted from school to home and build confidence and self-esteem in making decisions

!!!YOU HAVE TO SHOW YOU ARE INVOLVED???