Parents of students entering kindergarten in the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District will have a few additional opportunities to register them early.
The district will begin its Registration on the Road event for families of students entering kindergarten in fall 2018. Registration on the Road will bring kindergarten registration to families, rather than them having to come to the district. Dates and locations are: Feb. 22 at Oktibbeha County Head Start, March 23 at the East School, March 26 at Greater Ebeneezer Missionary Baptist Church and April 9 at Peter’s Rock Temple Church of God in Christ. All registrations will last from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Parents are required to show a Mississippi form 121 immunization record, a certified birth certificate and two proofs of residency. Acceptable proofs of residency include: homestead exemption application forms, mortgage documents or property deeds, apartment or home leases, utility bills, driver’s licenses, voter precinct identification or automobile registration.
“It’s just an opportunity for the district to coordinate a partnership with some of the local churches,” said SOCSD Board Vice President Lee Brand, who is also a pastor. “I’m still of the opinion that one of the best roads into a community is to go through the churches. “
Brand said the district also planned to work closely with churches in the future, hosting a pastoral breakfast on Friday, Feb. 10 to meet with local clergy.
“If we can do anything to help get these kids registered, so that thon the first day of school they’re not scrambling,” Brand said. “If we can get the registration out of the way, that’s one less hurdle they have to clear.”
In a previous interview, Sudduth Elementary Principal Elizabeth Mosley encouraged early registration, saying it made preparations for the school year more seamless, especially in regards to having an idea of the number of students.