July 30th, 2008
San Marcos CISD Blog: Back-to-school guide

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:

• August 11 – San Marcos High School New Freshmen & Parent Orientation, 6-8 p.m., SMHS
• August 11 & 12 — SMHS Packet Pickups for grades 10-12, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., SMHS
• August 11 & 12 – PRIDE High School former students register, 8 – 11 a.m., 1-4 p.m., PRIDE
• August 12 & 13 – SMHS “Fish Camp” (9th grade), 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• August 15 & 18 – SMHS Rattler Roundup (Grades 10-12), 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• August 18 -– Hernandez Intermediate School Back-to-School night, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
• August 18 –- Pathfinder Learning Center Back-to-School night, 5-7 p.m.
• August 19 –- Elementary School Back-to-School events, 6:30 – 8 p.m., (Bowie, Crockett, De Zavala, and Travis Elementary)
• August 19 –- Rebound Intake, 5-7 p.m., 500 W. Hutchison Street.
• August 21 –- Goodnight and Miller Junior High Schools Back-to-School, 6-7:30 p.m.
• August 22 –- Bonham PreK School Parent Orientation, 8:15 a.m. – 5 p.m. (as assigned)
• August 23 -– SMHS Textbook Checkout, Grades 9-12, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

New Student Information

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:

• birth certificate or its equivalent,
• immunization records,
• proof of residence including a deed or a lease agreement and a recent utility bill, a student’s social security
• number or state assigned ID number, and photo ID of parent or guardian

Registration is handled at the school the child will be attending. For further information, parents should contact the school.

General Information

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:

• Scores on achievement tests, which may be administered by appropriate District personnel.
• Recommendation of the sending school.
• Prior academic record.
• Chronological age and social and emotional development of the student.
• Other criteria deemed appropriate by the principal.

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.

Bonham Pre-Kindergarten School

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:

• Be unable to speak and comprehend the English Language; or
• Be educationally disadvantaged which is determined through eligibility to participate in the national free or reduced-price lunch program; or
• Be homeless; or
• Be a child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the U.S. including the state military forces or a reserved component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by proper authority; or
• Be a child of a member of the armed forces of the U.S., including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty; or
• Be a child who has ever been in the conservatorship (foster care) of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) following an adversary hearing; or
• Be placed through an ARD committee decision; or
• Be selected by the Head Start program to attend as a Head Start student.

To register, you must bring with you the following to Bonha.m. located at 211 Lee Street in San Marcos:

• your child’s birth certificate;
• your child’s immunization record;
• your child’s Social Security card;
• proof of residence in the San Marcos CISD, such as parents’ na.m.e and address o­n an electric bill, water bill, gas bill, or apartment/home lease;
• parents’ identification; and
• proof of income for everyone living in the home and 2008 Income Tax Return.

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:

• birth certificate or its equivalent,
• immunization records, records from the sending school,
• proof of residence including a deed or a lease agreement and a recent utility bill, a student’s social security number or state assigned ID number, and photo ID of parent or guardian

Registration is handled at the school the child will be attending. For further information, parents should contact the school.

Breakfast & Lunch

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.

School Hours

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:

• Bonham PreK School –7:45 – 11:00 a.m. (morning class) & 11:40 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. (afternoon)
• Elementary Schools (Kinder through grade 4) — 7:40 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Intermediate School (grades 5 & 6) — 8 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
• Junior High School (grades 7 & 8) — 8:15 a.m. – 3:55 p.m.
• High School (grades 9-12) – 8:15 a.m. – 3:55 p.m.
• PRIDE High School – 7:45 a.m. – 11:45 (morning class) & 12:15 -4 p.m. (afternoon class)

Immunizations

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.

Dress Code

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

Student Code of Conduct

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.

Transportation

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.

Health Insurance

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.

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