Time for the bell again

Many parents will be happy, while students and teachers might not be ready to return to the classroom. The fact is, though, it’s time to register to go back to school.

The first day of classes in the Farmington R-7 School District will be Aug. 14. Registration for the new year is underway.

All students entering kindergarten need to register ahead of time. The child needs to be five years old before Aug. 1, 2003. Enrollment will be held today at Truman Kindergarten Center from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Students entering grades 1 through 6 and new to the district, or who have moved within the district, need to register at their attendance center. Elementary schools include Jefferson, Roosevelt, Washington-Franklin and Lincoln Intermediate Center. Registration is today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All sixth grade students’ class schedules and locker assignments will be mailed in early August.

Registration for 7th graders will be today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enrollment for 8th graders was held Wednesday. New students entering 7th or 8th grades should call 701-1330 for an appointment to register.

High school seniors should have registered July 29. Juniors registered on Thursday, while sophomore registration was today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Freshman registration will be Aug. 1 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. New students to the district entering high school should call 701-1310 ext. 118 to set up an appointment to enroll.

Both high school and middle school athletic physicals will be held this evening at 6 p.m. at the high school.

Items required for new students entering the district to register include: a current immunization record, social security card, proof of residency (such as tax statement, rental agreement, utility or telephone bill). Kindergarten students must provide a birth certificate.

Photo identifications will be taken in grades 7 through 12.

Another aspect of going back to school is school breakfasts and lunches. The district recently revised its free and reduced price policy for children unable to pay the full price for meals served during school hours. Criteria is based on number of people in the household, and household income.

Children from families whose current income falls within the guidelines are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Meal Benefit forms are available at the principal’s office in each school. To apply, a family representative has only to fill out a Meal Benefit Form and return it to the school. Information is kept confidential.

The form asks for household income from all sources, names of all household members, and a signature and social security number of the adult household member signing the application.

Foster children may be eligible regardless of the income of the household in which they live. A foster child is considered a family of one and only personal use income is counted to determine eligibility.

A “food service secretary” in the district will review all applications and make determinations.

More information can be had by contacting the district board office at 701-1300.