It's late, but still not too late, for the choice plan
The days when a parent could sign up a child at the nearest school are over.
By THOMAS C. TOBIN
Published July 23, 2003
For thousands of Pinellas families, all that remains on the back-to-school checklist is a shopping trip or two for new clothes, clean notebooks and fresh pencils.
The weighty process of selecting a school under the new choice plan was happily completed months ago.
But two weeks before the Aug. 5 start of school, some families are just beginning the selection process. Pinellas officials estimate as many as 600 kindergarteners have yet to register for school, not to mention students in other grades.
Some are from families who have just moved into Pinellas or are opting out of private schools. Others recently have moved within the county, which can nullify their earlier choices. A significant group are families, some of them poor, who haven't been informed about the choice system or won't consider schooling until the first day of classes.
For all of them, the situation is the same: They are late to the party, but not too late. As soon as possible, they are asked to register at one of two Family Education and Information Centers. The days when a parent could sign up a child at the neighborhood school are over.
If parents try it the old way, principals will direct them to one of the centers.
As a public agency, the district is obligated to find a seat for every child who needs one. It also must offer a bus ride to children who live 2 miles or more from their school. But the choice of schools will be limited.
Under the choice plan, which replaces more than 30 years of court-ordered busing for desegregation, students may select a variety of schools. However, several factors, including their race and their luck in a random computer lottery, affect where they are admitted.
For this school year, nearly 90 percent of the 19,000 students who participated in the choice "lottery" received their first- or second-choice school in a computer run early this year. Another 83,000 students chose to stay in their existing school, a choice option known as "grandfathering." An additional 8,500 existing students did not participate in choice, but were given leftover seats in the spring.
Scores of appeals or transfer requests still are pending, but the vast majority of students have been assigned to a school.
Those applying now are at the end of a very long line.
The family centers should be crowded in the coming days, but school officials plan to keep the centers open until 8 p.m. the first week of school.
WHERE TO GO ...
Families who have not secured a school assignment for the 2003-04 academic year first must register a student at one of two Family Education and Information Centers - not at a school. The center locations:
* 3420 Eighth Ave. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 552-1595
* 1101 Marshall St., Clearwater. (727) 298-2858.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Summer hours end after this week. They are Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Both centers will remain open until 8 p.m. the week of Aug. 4-8.
WHAT TO BRING ...
* Certified copy of child's birth certificate or other proof of birth, including baptism certificate, insurance policy or passport. (Children must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, to start kindergarten.)
* Proof of residency such as a utility bill that includes the parent or guardian's name and street address.
* Child's Social Security number.
* Recent report card (for students entering grades 1-12).
Note: Once a child is assigned to a school, the registration process is completed at that school. Parents should bring the Florida Certificate of Immunization (including the dates of shots) and a physical examination form signed by a licensed examiner within 12 months prior to registration.
CHOICE, TAKE 2
Less than one month into the first school year under the Pinellas choice plan, many families will have to start planning for the second year. The choice registration period for the 2004-05 academic year begins Sept. 1 for students who:
* Will be entering kindergarten, middle school or high school.
* Are applying for a magnet, fundamental or career academy school, all of which are open to students countywide.
* Didn't like their 2003-04 school assignment or plan to move, and want to enter the choice lottery again.
* Will attend private school this year but plan to attend Pinellas public schools in 2004-05.
The application period ends Nov. 1.
Students who apply for magnet, fundamental and career academy spots will know whether they were accepted by early December. They will apply over an automated phone line. Those who apply for regular choice schools will know their assignment by early February 2004. They must go to one of the district's two Family Education and Information Centers. The St. Petersburg center is at 3420 Eighth Avenue S. The phone number is (727) 552-1595. The Clearwater center is at 1101 Marshall St. The number is (727) 298-2858.
