Enrollment begins with a trickle
Emporia schools use mail, Internet
By Bobbi Mlynar
Originally published 01:27 p.m., July 8, 2008
Updated 01:27 p.m., July 8, 2008
Enrollment packets and on-line forms have begun to trickle in to the Emporia school district’s central office.
The district sent a mass mailing of packets to all returning students and pre-enrolled kindergartners on Thursday.
Community relations director Nancy Horst said this morning that only a few of the packets have been returned to the central office.
“They were just delivered on Saturday and so it’s way too early,” Horst said. “... 14 people have enrolled on-line and then we’ve had probably a dozen (forms) brought in.”
The forms can be completed online, returned by mail, or delivered to the Board of Education Office, 501 Merchant St., by July 24.
“Based on past years’ experience, they trickle in over the two-week period between now and when central enrollment starts,” Horst said.
Each packet contained a fee sheet, a student health history to complete, a Migrant Services questionnaire and an enrollment form, with pre-printed information that may need to be updated or blanks that need to be filled. Some schools may have included other information specific to that school.
Applications for free or reduced-priced meals also are included. Families that qualify also can apply for reductions in fees for textbook rental, Emporia Recreation Center use, and other scholarship programs, according to a letter enclosed in each packet.
People who enroll on-line may pay their enrollment and meal fees through EZSchoolPay. A 6 percent fee will be added to those credit-card transactions, according to the letter. The child’s student identification number is necessary to use the online enrollment option, which is available at www.usd253.org.
Class schedules will be available to EHS and Emporia Middle School students online through the PowerSchool link, beginning July 24. Schedules also may be picked up at central enrollment.
“If they need to make a change in their class schedules, they have to go out to the high school and make an appointment with their counselor,” Horst said.
Parking permits and locker assignments also must be picked up at the school after July 24.
Students new to the district will enroll during Central Enrollment from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, July 25, or Monday, July 28.
On both days, the Flint Hills Community Health Center will offer an immunization clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fees will be paid separately to FHCHC and parents need to bring proof of income to be eligible for sliding-scale fees. Immunization records and insurance or medical cards also need to be brought to the clinic. Parental consent is needed for children under age 18 to receive vaccinations.
Interpreters will be available to assist Spanish-speaking parents and students with the enrollment process.
The first day of school in Emporia is Aug. 11. All K-6 schools will be open for classroom visitations Thursday, Aug. 7.
Enrollment for North Lyon County students will be held in August.
Elementary students will enroll on Aug. 6 from 1 to 8 p.m. and on Aug. 7 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Seniors at Northern Heights High School will enroll from 8 a.m. to noon and juniors from 1 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 6.
Sophomores enroll from 8 a.m. to noon and freshmen from 1 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 7.
New and transfer students at NHHS will enroll from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 8.
The first day of school in the North district is Thursday, Aug. 16.
Enrollment begins on July 31 in the Southern Lyon County district.
Students may enroll from 12:30 to 8 p.m. on July 31 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 1.
Classes begin on Aug. 14.