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Letter to the editor

Schools

Some choice advice

By Thomas C. Tobin, Times Staff Writer
Published February 17, 2008

Pinellas families interested in special programs at public schools have a few more days to act. The deadline is midnight Friday to apply for magnet programs, fundamental schools or high school career academies.

By late last week, the district had received nearly 8,000 applications since Feb. 11. Here are some questions and answers to help you navigate the system.

I hear it's first come, first served. If I apply for a school this week, don't I stand in line behind all those people who've already applied?

No. It's a lottery. The person who applies just before midnight this Friday has the same chance of getting invited to a program as the person who applied earlier. Each application is assigned a random number.

Is it too late to find out about these programs?

Not at all. Many programs have discovery nights this week and there are three remaining minifairs where program staff will answer questions. A schedule of minifairs accompanies this Q&A. More information on the programs and their discovery nights is available at www.pcsb.org/Choice/

I hear you can apply to only three schools. Is that correct?

No. There is no limit on how many programs you can apply to. People might be getting the wrong idea from the district's Directory of Programs. Page 14 has a tutorial on how to apply by phone. The worksheet has space for only three schools but it's only an illustration.

How do I apply for a special program?

It requires a little work. First, you'll need two sets of numbers - your child's 10-digit student ID number and the ID numbers for the desired programs. You can get the student ID from your child's school. Middle and high school students have them on their report cards.

If your child is new to the system, you can get a student ID number by calling the district at 727 587-2020 or (727) 588-6210. Or you can call or visit a family education and information center. Be prepared to give your student's legal name and address, the grade he or she will enter next year and any special services the child will need.

When you have the student ID and program ID numbers, call (727) 501-0871. You'll be asked to enter the student's ID number and date of birth. The system will guide you through the rest of the process.

Program ID numbers are listed in the district's Directory of Programs.

So all I have to do is make a call?

Not necessarily. Some programs have entrance criteria requiring you to submit additional information such as student transcripts. The deadline for submitting the information is the end of the school day Feb. 25. All of the high school and middle school magnet programs, as well as the Center for Gifted Studies at Ridgecrest Elementary, have entrance criteria.

The call-in application sounds complicated. Is there another way to apply?

No, but help is available. Staffers at this week's minifairs will sit with you and help while you call. The same is true at the Family Education and Information Centers. For general questions about the process, call the student assignment office at (727) 588-6210.

I'm hearing there may be a shortage of seats at Southside Fundamental Middle School. Is that true?

If every fifth-grader in the three south county fundamental elementary schools accepted an invitation to Southside for next year, there would not be enough seats. That wasn't the case in past years. What's different is the class-size amendment, which has resulted in more seats at the fundamental elementary feeder schools and fewer seats at Southside.

However, a number of fundamental elementary students typically accept invitations at other middle schools, so news of a shortage may be overblown.

Some parents say they've been told by district personnel to apply for both Southside and Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School. If you want your child in a south county fundamental middle school, that's good advice.

How do I know if my child is accepted to a special program?

You MUST call between March 10 and 16 to find out whether your child was invited and you MUST accept the invitation. You'll also find out if your child is on any waiting lists. You won't receive anything in the mail. The number to call is (727) 501-0871. Your child's invitation will be voided if you don't call back and accept it.

I'm not interested in a special program. When do we find out about our close-to-home school?

This spring after the district knows which students will be admitted to all the special programs.

In late March, the district will send letters to students entering sixth and ninth grade next year at regular close-to-home schools. The letters will tell them their close-to-home assignment or if they have been assigned with a sibling at another school.

In mid April, after spring break, the registration process begins for incoming kindergartners and other new students. At some point this spring, the district plans to produce maps showing the close-to-home zones around every school.

Thomas C. Tobin can be reached at tobin@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8923.

In the know

The remaining minifairs for special programs are from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the following days:

Tuesday: Gibbs High School, 850 34th St. S, St. Petersburg.

Wednesday: Douglas L. Jamerson Jr. Elementary, 1200 37th St. S, St. Petersburg.

Thursday: Martin Luther King Jr. Center, 1201 Douglas Ave., Clearwater.

Family education and information centers:

North County

1101 Marshall St., Clearwater (727) 298-2858.

South County

3420 Eighth Ave. S, St. Petersburg, (727) 552-1595.

For more information: Get a directory of programs published by the district - available at a family center or at www.pcsb.org/Choice/.

Still have questions?

E-mail us at schoolplan@sptimes.com.

[Last modified February 17, 2008, 00:28:26]