Families have the option of using an automated system to select a choice attendance area school.
By Times Staff Writer
Published August 29, 2004
This year, the district is offering families a new way to apply to a choice attendance area school: the telephone.
It is important to remember that this option is not for everyone.
You may use this option only if:
You are ready to apply without assistance. The automated phone system gives you step-by-step instructions, but some parents may prefer having a custo mer service assistant at a Family Education and Information Center assist them, especially if they are applying for the first time.
Your child does not require exceptional student education (ESE) or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services.
You are not requesting a family preference.
Another important point to remember is that you must complete a separate phone application for each child who is applying for a choice attendance area school for 2005-06. For example, if you have a student who is applying for an elementary school and another who is applying for a middle school, you must call twice.
Make sure you have the following information ready before you call:
The student's 10-digit ID number, which is issued at registration at a Family Education and Information Center.
The student's eight-digit birth date.
The student's grade in August 2005.
The student's attendance area. (Please see attendance area maps, pages 7, 9, 11.) Your choices are Elementary A, B, C or D; Middle A, B or C; or High School, which for purposes of the phone-in application is designated as H.
Names of the five choice attendance area schools to which you would like to apply and the schools' four-digit code numbers. (Please see code numbers printed next to each school in the School Listings section of School Search, pages 44-55.)
The instructions to apply to a choice attendance area school by phone:
STEP 1: Calling the phone system
You will be able to call (727) 501-0871 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the choice application period, which opens at 8 a.m. Sept. 1 and ends at 5 p.m. Nov. 1. If you get a busy signal, it means that all lines are busy and that you will need to call back. The busiest times will most likely be during normal business hours. Applications are not granted on a first-come, first-served basis, so there is no need to panic if you can't get through on the first day or in the first week of the application period.
STEP 2: Log on to the system by keying in the following information as the prompt requests it:
Student's 10-digit ID number.
Student's eight-digit birth date.
The phone system will tell you the student's grade in August 2005. You will be asked to verify that grade.
STEP 3: Main menu
Select Option 1 for choice attendance area schools.
STEP 4: Making your selections
Referring to your five school choices, enter the codes for each school. The automated phone system will allow you to choose only those schools in your attendance area.
STEP 5: Completing the call:
After entering the school codes, return to the main menu and select Option 3 to hear your school selections.
Press the star (*) key to get your confirmation number and exit the system.
* * *
IMPORTANT: Write your confirmation number down and keep it with your records. You may need it for future reference.
