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Registering for school in Pasco County — what you need to know

 
Published July 30, 2014

Registration

Districtwide middle and high school registration for the 2014-15 school year will be held Aug. 12. Students will be able to obtain bus schedules, bus passes, pay student fees, find out the requirements for getting a student parking space and maybe get the early-bird special on the school yearbook.

Districtwide elementary registration will be Aug. 13. Students will have the opportunity to meet their teacher, tour the classroom and the school, and get a bus pass and classroom supply list. (Some supply lists are already listed on school websites.) Parents can pay any applicable fees, fill out emergency contact forms, pick up an application for the free and reduced-price lunch program and acquire information on before- and after-school care programs at school and in the local area.

For specific hours of operation on countywide registration day, contact your child's school. Not sure what school your child will be attending? Go to www.pasco.k12.fl.us/boundaries/

Special Registration/Orientation Days

(Typically for incoming sixth-graders and high school freshmen and some seniors.)

Charles Rushe Middle: Sixth Grade University for students and parents, 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Fivay High: Freshman Orientation, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 7. Parent session at noon. Lunch provided. Transportation provided for riding students. To reserve a spot on the bus, call (727) 246-4000.

Gulf High: Freshman Parent Night, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday. Freshman schedule pickup, 6:30-8 p.m. Aug. 7. Senior schedule pickup, 8:30-11 a.m. Aug. 8.

Hudson High: Freshman orientation, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 7.

• Land O'Lakes High: I.B. ninth-grade orientation/induction, 6 p.m. Aug. 14.

J.W. Mitchell High: Freshman orientation, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Pasco High: Cambridge program registration and picnic, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 8. Pasco Hernando State College dual enrollment registration for seniors, Wednesday-Aug. 8. PHSC dual enrollment registration for juniors, Aug. 8. Freshman registration, 5-7 p.m. Aug. 11.

Pasco Middle: Cambridge program registration, 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 7.

Ridgewood High: Ram University/Freshman Orientation, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 7. Representatives will be in attendance to explain departments, programs and clubs. Student Orientation Leaders will lead students through team-building initiatives and important freshman activities. Administration and counselors will be in attendance to reinforce high school requirements and expectations. All activities are free to incoming freshmen, including breakfast and lunch. Those who attend for the entire day will receive their class schedule.

River Ridge High: Freshman orientation, 6-7 p.m. Aug. 7.

River Ridge Middle: Incoming sixth-grader Royal Readiness Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 7.

Sunlake High: Talon Team Freshman Orientation, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 7.

Wesley Chapel High: Freshman orientation/Parent University, 9 a.m. Aug. 7.

• Wiregrass Ranch High: Senior Orientation, 5-7 p.m. Aug. 11.

Zephyrhills High: Senior registration, 3:30 p.m. Aug. 8. Freshman orientation/registration, 5:30-7 p.m. Aug. 8.

Required Documentation

Students entering a Florida school for the first time at any grade level will be asked to present the following:

• Current immunization records

• Proof of a physical examination dated and signed by a licensed health professional within the last 12 months

• Evidence of age (i.e. birth certificate)

• Social Security number (if available)

• Proof of Florida residency (utility bill, lease agreement, etc.)

• Copy of student's last report card (if applicable)

• Legal guardianship records (if applicable)

Note: Students entering kindergarten for the first time must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1. Prekindergarten and Head Start/Early Start programs are available to students who do not make the deadline.

Students transferring from another Florida county will be asked to present the following items upon registration at the school:

• Current immunization records

• Social Security number (if available)

• Proof of Florida residency (utility bill, lease agreement, etc.)

• Copy of student's last report card (if applicable)

• Legal guardianship records (if applicable)

Students currently enrolled in Pasco County schools will already be in the computer system and should not have to present any additional material. If your child is moving from elementary to middle, however, or from middle to high, you may want to bring proof of address (such as an electric or other utility bill). Students moving from one school to another under the school choice program should bring their approved school choice application at the time of registration.

As of July 1, 2010, all citizens born in Puerto Rico must be issued a new official birth certificate. Citizens living in the United States can request and receive a new birth certificate through the mail. People who have an immediate need (i.e., request for a passport, or other official purpose) should submit their request as soon as possible.

For information, to review the law or to download a Birth Certificate Application, visit vitalchek.com/birth-certificates/puerto-rico/

Immunization Requirements for the 2014-15 School Year

Pre-K (age-appropriate doses as indicated):

• DTaP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis)

• Polio vaccine

• MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella)

• Hepatitis B vaccine

• Varicella vaccine (or date of disease)

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine

• Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine (Prevnar) (Effective Jan. 1, 2008, for children age 2 to 59 months)

Kindergarten through Grade 6

• 4-5 doses of DTaP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis)

• 3-5 doses of polio vaccine (last one after age 4)

• 2 doses of MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella)

• Hepatitis B (3 Doses)

• 2 doses of varicella vaccine or date of disease as verified by parent or health care provider

Grade 7-12

• 4-5 doses of DTaP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis)

• 3-5 doses polio vaccine

• 2 doses of MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella)

• Hepatitis B (2-3 doses)

• 1 dose varicella or date of disease (year)

Grade 7 only

• 1 dose of Tdap vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis)

Grade 8-12

1 dose of Tdap vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) if seventh-grade requirement has not been met.

Recommended Adolescent Vaccination

Meningococcal vaccine can protect against bacterial meningitis, a serious and highly contagious infection that can become deadly in a short period of time. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that adolescents receive initial vaccination at age 11 or 12, with a booster at age 16.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine can protect against the types of HPV that cause most cervical or anal cancers. The CDC recommends that this vaccination be given to both boys and girls at age 11 or 12, in a series of three doses over six months. Teens and young adults who have not yet received HPV vaccine or who have not finished the series of shots should talk with their parents and/or doctor about getting those shots now.

Flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming flu season. Most people sick with the flu will recover in a few days to less than less weeks, however flu is unpredictable. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine each year. Preteens and teens should get a flu vaccine in the fall or as soon as it is available each year.

Immunization Waivers

Students who are enrolling and who have previously attended school in Florida are granted 30 days for their previous records to arrive. Schools will have the parent complete a 30-day waiver form. Parent/guardian agrees that when records from the previous school arrive, if the vaccination record is incomplete or cannot be located, they must provide proof of immunization for their child.

Note: 30-day waivers are not applicable for first-time enrollees (ie: kindergarten or prekindergarten) or Grade 7. Homeless students are the only exception to this rule. Florida Statute gives homeless students a 30-day grace period to comply.

Physicals

A physical exam report completed within one year prior to enrollment is required for any student who has never attended school in Florida, (kindergarten and out of state transfers). Homeless students are the only exception to this rule. Florida Statute gives homeless students a 30-day grace period to comply.

Physicals should include components of a general health examination.

• Can be on any form — no specific legal requirements.

• May be completed and signed by any licensed health professional: M.D., D.O., P.A., A.R.N.P, chiropractor

• Must be within one calendar year prior to enrollment.

• May be from any state in the United States.

The Pasco County Health Department offers immunizations and other family services at the following sites:

• 10841 Little Road, New Port Richey (727) 861-5260

• 5640 Main St., New Port Richey (727) 841-4425

• 4135 Land O'Lakes Blvd, Land O'Lakes (813) 558-5173

• 13941 15th St., Dade City (352) 521-1450

• 4717 Airport Road, Zephyrhills (813) 780-0740

For information and specific hours of operation, go to floridahealth.gov/chdPasco/family.html#family

Bus routes

Bus routes are subject to change after registration day and even after the start of the school year. For up-to-date information about your child's stop or pick-up/drop-off time, go to www.pasco.k12.fl.us/transportation, and call the appropriate bus compound listed below. Note: Some school websites also list bus stop information.

Northwest Bus Compound

14500 Cobra Way, Hudson

(727) 774-0540

Central Bus Compound

5346 Parkway Boulevard, Land O'Lakes

(813) 794-0520

East Bus Compound

13135 Fort King Road, Dade City

(352) 524-0560

Southeast Bus Compound

37820 13th Avenue, Zephyrhills, Fl 33542 Map

(813) 794-0500; (352) 524-0500