March 6th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

Children who will enter public school for the first time in August should be registered April 6-30,2021, by appointment only at the appropriate elementary school as determined by their residence.  Parents need to contact their child’s in-district school by telephone or email to schedule an appointment.  School telephone numbers and emails can be found on the school system’s website, www.acpsmd.org.

                                                                                    Parents should take their child’s birth certificate, immunization record, social security card, and physical exam (if completed) to the school at their scheduled registration meeting.  Regulations from the Maryland State Department of Education require parents enrolling their children in Allegany County Public Schools to show Proof of Residency (rental lease, current utility bill showing the physical address, or notarized statement if living in another household).

                                                                                    Any child entering a Maryland public school for the first time must have a physical examination completed either nine months prior to entering school or six months after entering school.  The Board of Education and the local health department also place a great deal of emphasis on kindergarten and first grade children having dental examinations prior to entering school.  The examinations may be done by private physicians or at clinics held by the Health Department.

                                                                                    The law requires a parent to present to school officials an immunization record verifying that each child, entering public school for the first time, has had all of the required shots.  Immunizations may be obtained from your private physician or from the Allegany County Health Department on Willowbrook Road.  Clinics are held every Wednesday from 1-4 p.m.  Please call 301-759-5082 for further information.   Students who have not furnished evidence of immunizations will not be admitted to school.

                                                                                    A child entering the kindergarten program must be 5 years old on or before September 1^st of the school year in which he/she applies for entrance. 

                                                                                    To apply to the pre-kindergarten program, a child must be 4 years old on or before September 1^st of the school year in which he/she applies for entrance.  The Maryland State Board of Education has COMAR regulations that apply to all public pre-kindergarten programs for 4-year-old children administered by local boards of education.  These regulations determine the eligibility and selection of students for pre-kindergarten programs.

                                                                                    School sites must fill those vacancies by the criteria set forth in COMAR regulation 13A.06.02.03B giving enrollment priority to those children who meet the eligibility criteria.

In accordance with COMAR regulations to be considered as Priority 1 status for pre-kindergarten enrollment, families will be required to submit proof of monthly household income.  This includes Federal Tax form 1040, W2, documentation of receiving unemployment, written/signed statements from your employer verifying wages, SSI documentation, or pay stubs. 

                                                                                    Parents may call the Board of Education Student Services Office at 301-759-2001 or the Elementary Education Office at 301-759-2012 for further information.