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Want to keep your child's info private?

High schools can release students' contact information to military recruiters, unless parents opt out.

By DONNA WINCHESTER
Published August 1, 2006

The days are long past when parents could arrive in Pinellas County a week before school began and send their children to their neighborhood school.

For the past several years, the school district has been operating under a "controlled choice" method of student assignment that requires parents to select schools for their children far in advance of the start of the academic year.

The application periods for magnet schools as well as "attendance area schools" for the coming year were in January and March, which means most students have had their assignments for months.

Parents who needed to apply - basically anyone new to the district, including those with kindergarteners - who missed the application period must call or visit one of two Family Education and Information Centers to register their child and receive a school assignment.

This is a change from past years when parents needed to apply for schools in person.

Simply by calling the St. Petersburg center at 552-1595 or the Clearwater center at 298-2858, they can begin the process for school assignment.

Beginning Monday, the centers will operate from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

After a child is assigned to a school, the registration process is completed at the school.

Parents must bring an original or certified copy of their child's state-issued birth certificate; proof of residency such as a recent utility bill for power, water, cable, sewer or noncellular phone or lease agreement with the parent or guardian's name and address; the child's Social Security card if available; and a recent report card for students entering grades 1-12.

A Florida certificate of immunization form signed in the past 12 months by a licensed examiner also is required.

It's best to call ahead to make sure the school will be open and that someone will be available to help with registration.

[Last modified August 1, 2006, 07:45:48]