Parents with children eligible to enter Decatur County Schools kindergarten in the upcoming school year are required to meet screening and registration criteria prior to enrollment. A special registration day will be held Thursday, May 2, at each of the five district elementary schools.

Parents and children should report to the school offices between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. It is not necessary to make an appointment.

All children enrolling in a kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2013, in order to register.

Items parents must bring along with the child are the following: the child’s certified birth certificate, a Georgia certificate of immunization form 3231, child’s Social Security card and proof of residence.

Residence can be proven by providing a current rent receipt or utility bill. If the child is living with a relative, a notarized letter with one of the previously named bills attached will be accepted.

If a child has not yet completed the immunization process, the family should contact the Health Department. It is noted that three doses of Hepatitis B and two doses of Varicella are included in the required immunizations.

According to Christy Harrell, lead nurse for the Decatur County Schools, certain exemptions may apply for children who have not met the immunization requirement for either religious or medical reasons.

The child must be registered in the school for which he or she is zoned. Questions regarding the correct zone can be answered at the individual schools or at the Board of Education Bus Shop. Exceptions to attendance in zones must be requested during choice week, which usually occurs the second week of June. At that time parents can apply for admission to the school of their choice, but there are no guarantees as decisions are based on availability of space.

The five elementary schools are: Elcan-King Elementary, 725 Louise St., 248-2212; Potter Street Elementary, 725 Potter St., 248-2253; John-Johnson Elementary, 1947 S. West St., 248-2215; West Bainbridge Elementary, 915 Zorn Road, 248-2821; Jones-Wheat Elementary, 1400 E. Broughton St., 248-2218.