A AA W A MERICAN A SSOCIATION FOR A RAB W OMEN Massachusetts School Registration Presented by: Farah Assiraj January 22, 2011

AGENDA 1) Intro to Schools 2) 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?

I NTRO TO S CHOOLS 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

W HERE YOU L IVE ? Research the school’s report card Visit the schools Compare the differences Think about your child and their needs Choose the best programs School choices Preference Rank Or by street Or zone Or lottery MCAS and AYP School’s report card Programs ELL/SPED/Gifted Enrichment Music/Arts/PE Transportation

W HAT A BOUT C OSTS ? 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 lunch o Cost for daily lunch o If school is under Title 1 and provides “free” breakfast o Mandatory Uniform Cost

W HEN TO E NROLL ? 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 31 st or September 1 st Kindergarten or K2 (not mandatory) Child must be 5 years old by August 31 st or September 1 st 1 st Grade Child must be 6 years old by August 31 st or September 1 st Check age difference for your charter/private schools

W HAT D OCUMENTS TO BR ING ? 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

W HICH P ROGRAMS ? 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

W HAT 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

H OW T O G ET I NVOLVED ? 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???