Before I had kids, I was basically a project manager. I was reponsible for managing large direct marketing campaigns which insisted upon attention to detail. So, I pride myself with the fact that I carry this characteristic into my life as a mom and managing my latest project....two children. But this past week, I found myself not-so-prepared and a bit overwhelmed.
This coming Fall, our family will experience a new milestone. My first-born will be starting kindergarten. Sure, I knew this was quickly approaching, so I kept my ears open for news of our school's kindergarten roundup. My neigbors did not fail me as a couple of them made sure I was aware of the date. So, it went on the calendar, my husband planned to leave work early that evening, and the four of us set off to get our first glimpse of what the next several years would hold.
I had been told that kindergarten roundup was a very structured event where they would take the kids and tour them around the school while others spoke to the parents about what they needed to know. Kids would get to see classrooms, check out a bus, and see what their days would look like come mid-August. So, when I was ushered to the cafeteria....to stand in line...to get to a table...which i was unaware of its purpose....I was a little confused.
I soon learned that what I had been told was not quite right. Sure, we got to tour the school, see the classrooms, climb onto a bus, etc., but it was all self-led. I was then handed a registration packet and was told I could sit down and fill it out, but once I started catching sight of what all I needed to have with me, I realized I was far from prepared. This is where I entered the land of the overwhelmed!
The next table I found myself staring at was one that had dated papers where we were to sign our children up for their assessment. Again, I knew that was part of the plan, but I had no idea it would be two days from then! Wow! Things move fast!
So, this week, though it may only be applicable to a handful of you, I thought I'd share my experience and perhaps help you from being caught off guard. I can certainly roll with the punches and do a self-guided tour. No problem there. What I wish I had known, though, was all the paperwork I needed to gather in order to register my little boy for kindergarten. Onto the good stuff.....here's what you'll need to have in case you want to register your kindergartener the day of roundup:
Your Child's Social Security Card - You need the number for the registration form and the actual card to submit with the form. Don't worry, they promise they're only making a copy of this and returning the original to you.
Your Child's Birth Certificate - This must be a certified copy which will usually have a seal and state file number. Again, they promise to make a copy and return the original to you.
Georgia Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231) - Since my guy has a summer birthday and therefore isn't due for a checkup in a while, I was able to get the doctor to print out his current record at a recent checkup for my little one.
Georgia Eye, Ear & Dental Form (Form 3300) - Again, I picked up this form at my most recent visit to the doctor. The information was from when he was tested at his 5-year-old appointment. However, this was just his hearing and vision screening. I had NO idea that I also had to get the dentist to sign off. Guess I'll be making an appointment for the dentist!
Affidavit of Residence - This one still has me a bit confused. This is a form you'll be given in your registration packet. What confuses me most is it looks ike you have to get the form notarized. I'm not sure if someone at the school is qualified, or if you need to go to your neighborhood UPS store for this task. Also, you have to prove that you are the owner/lesee of your home, so you have to bring two documents proving that. Those could be: Copy of home mortgage payment book, current utility bill, apartment lease, homeowner's/renter's insurance registration card, current bank statement, copy of home contract, receipt to have utitilities connected, or a current paycheck stub.
Two Proofs of Residence Within Your School District - If you can manage the affidavit, you can use the same stuff here. Phew!
Valid Driver's License - This shouldn't be too hard!
Other things you'll need to know (for which you might need to plan ahead) are business name, address, and phone number for you and any other parent/guardian of your child, your family physician name and phone number, and your name of your insurance/health coverage.
If round up is right around the corner for you and you don't have time to get everything together, not to worry. You can turn in your registration anytime before the school year starts. But, hopefully you'll now feel a bit more prepared with what you'll need for this next step in your kid's life!
Have a great week!
Erin
