Public school starts Tuesday in Pinellas County. If your child doesn't already have a school, you have some work to do today or Monday. Gather up your paperwork and prepare to stand in line.
Who might be affected? Parents who are new to the district, those who moved after Dec. 13, 2002 - the day the choice application period ended - and those who made no choice for their children.
Parents new to the district:
If you have a child entering a public school for the first time - as an incoming kindergartener, as a transfer student from a private school or as a new resident - here are the steps for registering for a school assignment.
Visit a Family Education and Information Center at 3420 Eighth Ave. S in St. Petersburg or 1101 Marshall St. in Clearwater. Bring a birth certificate or other proof of birth, a recent report card for students entering grades 1-12, and proof of residency such as a utility bill. Utility bills must bear the name of the parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian is living in someone else's residence, the person in whose name the bill appears must sign an affidavit of residency (available at the FEIC or the school) and have it notarized.
Receive an assignment to a school that has seats available in your attendance area.
Finish school registration at your child's assigned school. Parents of middle and high school students should call the assigned school to see if an appointment is necessary. Bring proof of immunization and a physical examination certificate issued within the past 12 months signed by a licensed examiner.
Parents who have moved since Dec. 13, 2002, the close of the choice application period:
If you have moved since completing your declaration of intent or choice application last fall but have remained in your attendance area, you must visit your child's assigned school with proof of residency and inform school officials that your address has changed. You do not need to reapply for another school.
If you have moved to a different attendance area since the close of the application period, you must go to a Family Education and Information Center and get a new school assignment in the new attendance area. See the instructions above for registering for a school assignment.
Parents of children who attended a Pinellas County school last year but who did not participate in the choice application process:
Your child has been assigned a school. You should have received a student assignment from the district in the mail. You can check your assignment by calling the choice help line, (727) 588-5000, but the line will quit working at the end of today. Children who have been assigned to a different school from the one they attended last year but who show up at their previous school will be directed to the new school.
