Author: Nema Brewer-Candy • First Posted: Thursday, February 19, 2009

Elodie Elayi received a packet to register her child for kindergarten at Rosa Parks Elementary School. Elodie arrived at the school at 6:30 a.m. and was the first in line. (Photo: Nema Brewer-Candy)

For Jennifer Bryant, reserving her son a seat in next year’s kindergarten class at Rosa Parks Elementary School is more important than scoring front row seats to a UK basketball game at Rupp Arena. 

That’s what led Bryant and 30 other parents to venture out before sunrise Thursday to begin lining up for kindergarten registration, which opened at 9 a.m. at all Fayette County elementary schools.

“I wanted to make sure he got in,” said Bryant, whose son Davis will be her first child at Rosa Parks.

The first kindergarten registration window, which opened Feb. 19 in Fayette County, runs through March 20. 

“Registering early is very important,” said district attendance analyst Bob Joice. But lining up on the first day isn’t necessary. “In most cases, parents who register their child during this first period will have a spot in next year’s class,” he said.

That assurance didn't change some parents’ minds.

“I told myself that I would get up at 4 a.m. if I had to,” joked Elodie Elayi, whose family moved here from France in September.

She braved Thursday’s chilly temperatures to be the first in line at Rosa Parks at 6:30 a.m. “I hear good things about this school,” she said.  

Sharing conversation and a stick of gum with her was Bryant, who spent most of the morning texting her office.  “I have a meeting at 10 a.m.,” she said with a smile. “I think I’ll make it. ... It’s been nice to meet some of the parents of kids that my child will go to school with.”  

The staff members at Rosa Parks are pros at registering children for kindergarten.  Last year, they registered 79 families on the first day of the registration window. 

The gymnasium is set up like a command center – complete with copiers, volunteers and information stations.  The only thing missing is food.

“We tried donuts and coffee one year, but the parents didn’t eat them,” said Principal Leslie Thomas. “I try to put myself in their place.  We know there is anxiety involved in this process, and we want to reduce that.”

Jennifer Bryant noticed the extra effort. 

“The staff has been great and very helpful,” she said. “It only took about 20 minutes to register.  I’m excited to get him started.” 

And as a bonus, she smiled, “I’ll make my meeting!”

***

More than 3,200 kindergarteners are expected to enroll in Fayette County’s 33 elementary schools for the 2009-2010 school year.  Registering for kindergarten is critical because it helps schools plan for the fall.

Any child who turns 5 on or before Oct. 1 is eligible for full-day kindergarten in Fayette County Public Schools this August. To enroll a child, families should go to the school their neighborhood is assigned to and fill out a registration packet. Families can find their neighborhood’s assigned school using our online street directory or by calling (859) 381-4315 or (859) 381-4130.

Families who want to enroll their child in a school other than their neighborhood’s assigned school must complete an out-of-area request. Those applications will be available when the registration windows open, but decisions about those requests are not made until May. It is still recommended that you register at your neighborhood school to reserve a spot. Call (859) 381-4122 for more information.

Sign-up windows:

Registration for students entering FCPS for the first time in 2009-10 is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during these periods:

• Feb. 19 to March 20
• April 13 to May 1
• Every Tuesday from June 9 to July 28
• July 29 through Aug. 12, the first day of school.
• Evening registration will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 24, March 10, April 14, April 28.

After the registration window closes, families will receive a letter either confirming a student’s enrollment in the neighborhood school or advising them that the school is full and explaining their options.

Documentation: 

Please bring the following paperwork to registration:

• Child’s birth certificate or other reliable proof of identity
• Two proofs of residence, such as a property deed, sale agreement or current lease agreement in your name and a secondary document such as a current utility bill or a current tax bill or receipt
• Child’s immunization records *
• Proof of a recent preventive health care examination *
• Proof of an eye exam (must be completed by December 2009)
• Court documents pertaining to your child (if applicable)

* You may register without these documents, but your child cannot attend school until they are provided.

Questions? Call (859) 381-4130.

Kindergarten orientation: 

Mark your calendars for the Kindergarten Kickoff, an orientation for all incoming students. The dates are July 31 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Aug. 3 from 2 to 7 p.m. Get more details and make an appointment at your school.