The 2008-2009 school year will begin in the San Marcos CISD on Monday, August 25. The following information can help parents prepare their children for a successful school year:
Back-to-School campus events:
A child must be five years of age on or before September 1 to enroll in kindergarten or six years of age on the first day of school to enter first grade, or has been enrolled in the first grade, or has completed kindergarten, in the public schools of another state prior to transferring to a Texas public school.
To enroll a child in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten or first grade, the following is required:
Registration is handled at the school the child will be attending. For further information, parents should contact the school.
All children who are five years of age or over, but under 21 years of age on or before the first day of September and who reside within the San Marcos CISD may attend San Marcos CISD schools.
A minor student residing in the District but whose parent, guardian, or other person having lawful control under a court order does not reside in the District shall present a Power of Attorney assigning responsibility for the student in all school-related matters to an adult resident of the District.
Students entering a District school from accredited public, private, or parochial schools after grade 1 shall provide evidence of prior schooling outside the District. They shall be placed initially at the grade level reached elsewhere, pending observation by the classroom teacher, guidance personnel, and the principal. On the basis of these observations and results of tests that may be administered by appropriate District personnel, the principal shall determine the final grade placement. “Accredited” shall be defined as accreditation by TEA, an equivalent agency from another state, or an accrediting association recognized by the Commissioner of Education.
Students entering a District school from non-accredited public, private, or parochial schools, including home schools, shall be placed initially at the discretion of the principal, pending observation by classroom teachers, guidance personnel, and the principal. Criteria for placement may include:
The District shall validate high school credit for courses of transfer students from non-accredited public, private, or parochial schools by testing or by other evidence that the courses meet State Board requirements and standards.
Registration Dates: Now through August 13 from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.
To be eligible for the pre kindergarten half-day program, a child must be three or four years of age on Sept. 1 of the current school year and must:
To register, you must bring with you the following to Bonha.m. located at 211 Lee Street in San Marcos:
For parents who need full day service, one Bonha.m. class is offered at the SMCISD Child Develop.m.ent Center (CDC) at 540 Staples Road. This classroom provides childcare from 7-8 a.m., Pre-K classes from 8-11 a.m., and childcare from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. To register, one must complete the Bonha.m. Pre-K registration noted above and a Child Care Management Services (CCMS) waitlist form if you would like to access and qualify for payment assistance from CCMS. If you do not qualify for CCMS, the weekly fee is $105. In addition to the instructional classroom and childcare, breakfast, lunch and two nutritional snacks are provided daily. Students will be provided school district transportation to the CDC. For more information about the Pre-K opportunities, contact Bonham Principal Rosemary Garza at 393-6722 or the CDC Director Jennifer Vogel at 393-6868.
San Marcos CISD Intermediate and Secondary Schools
The following is required for a first time entry:
Registration is handled at the school the child will be attending. For further information, parents should contact the school.
San Marcos CISD school cafeterias will serve breakfast and lunch beginning on the first day of school. Free and reduced price meals will be available to students of fa.m.ilies meeting federal income guidelines. Applications, guidelines, and information are available at all schools. The completed application must be signed by an adult household member. Federal regulations require that a new application be filed each year. Only one application per family is necessary. For more information, parents may contact SMCISD’s Food Services Department at 393-6938.
Regular and prompt school attendance is very important. Parents are asked to help their children get to school on time every day. First bell and dismissal times are:
SMCISD has an important reminder for parents: Don’t wait … Vaccinate! Texas Department of Health regulations require that students be current with all required immunizations prior to the first day of school on Monday, August 25.
Parents are urged to go to their child’s physician for immunizations, or visit the local health clinic. For dates, times, and locations of immunization clinics, and for information about the Don’t Wait…Vaccinate! program, call 2-1-1 Texas.
SMCISD’s dress code is intended to maintain a safe, respectful, and positive learning environment and to model good citizenship. All clothing should be appropriate to the student’s age, the school setting, and weather conditions. Both students and parents share responsibility for the student’s attire because clothing often sets the pattern for behavior.
Students are required to use good judgment, to respect themselves and others, and to demonstrate modesty in selecting attire. The student and parent may determine the student’s personal dress and grooming standards, provided they comply with the guidelines and prohibitions contained the SMCISD
If the principal determines that a student’s grooming violates the dress code, the student shall be given an opportunity to correct the problem at school. If not corrected, the student shall be assigned to in-school suspension for the remainder of the day or until the problem is corrected (i.e., until parent or designee brings an acceptable change of clothing). Repeated offenses will result in more serious disciplinary action.
SMCISD provides bus transportation for students living two or miles from school, or who have a walking route that has been determined to be hazardous. For information about specific routes or bus stop locations, contact the Transportation Department at 393-6509 or www.smcisd.net under Departments/Business & Support Services/ Transportation.
Children who have health insurance are healthier, miss less school, and their parents miss less work. Depending on income, many families can get low-cost health coverage for children, offered through insure-a-kid. For information, parents may call (512) 324-2447, or check their Web site at www.insureakid.org.
Check the San Marcos CISD Web site at www.smcisd.net for the latest in Back-to-School information, or call your child’s ca.m.pus. The ca.m.pus telephone numbers are listed on the Web site.
Parents may also be interested in a series of meetings to help improve SMCISD Schools:
Who: Parents, Teachers & San Marcos Residents
What: A Meeting to discuss how to Improve San Marcos Schools
Where & Pick a Location & Time that is Convenient for you:
When: Thu 07 Aug @ 6-8pm at Martindale Baptist Church, 103 Main
Thu 14 Aug @ 6-8pm at 1st Baptist Church, 325 W. McCarty
Tue 26 Aug @ 6-8pm at Sinai Pentecostal Church, 208 Laredo
Thu 04 Sep @ 6-8pm at San Marcos Activity Center
Tue 23 Sep @ 6-8pm at Redwood Baptist Church, 2050 Poplar
Why: Need to Focus on Current Issues:
Behavior, Safety and Retention in our Schools
How: Take Survey, Discuss Issues, Brainstorm Solutions & Plan Next Steps
Light refreshments will be served.
Please RSVP to Cecil Pounds: 512-773-0654
http://www.aCallToExcellence.com
I would encourage anyone who lives in San Marcos to attend one of these meetings. Our tax dollars fund these schools and how well the schools do at retaining and educating those students, all of those students, directly impacts our economy and our quality of life here in San Marcos.