Rockdale County Public Schools’ Registration Center is inviting parents to register their 4 and 5 year olds for the 2009-
2010 school year. Pre-K registration is set for April 20 - May 1, and the lottery to choose students for full-day classroom assignments is Tuesday, May 5 at 9 a.m. Kindergarten students can register any time before the school year. While the 2009 -
2010 school year does not start until August 3, school officials are encouraging parents to register their students early.

For parents interested in registering their student for Pre-K, Rockdale County Schools offer the program in nine schools, with each school serving 20 students. Classes are filled by a random lottery drawing of registered students and priority is given to students
residing within the school’s attendance zone. Students who are not selected on May 5 will be placed on a waiting list.

If a child does not snag one of the public school Pre-K slots, there are still plenty of options for parents. There are several daycare
facilities in the county that offer the free, full-day Georgia Pre-K program. The program follows the regular school system calendar for the length of a typical school day. Available slots for the Georgia Pre-K program vary from one facility to another, so it is recommended parents call or visit the daycare to check for availability.

For Kindergarteners, early registration gives students the chance to participate in the Kindergarten Round-up, where teachers provide readiness screenings and use the data to help plan classes.

Kindergarten teacher Mandy Gudnason said she appreciates students registering early because it makes a difference during
the school year when students have had enough time to attend a round-up.

"We are better able to group our students and prepare for their first week. These students are more relaxed and are ready to
dive into learning. When parents wait until the first week of school to register, everyone in the students’ family has to rush
around. The registration center is open now. I sure hope that everyone who can take advantage of it, does so,” Gudnason said.

During the Kindergarten Round-ups, schools may provide a supply list and general information o help parents prepare for the first day of school.

Unlike the Pre-K waiting period, parents can register their kindergartner now. Rockdale parent Julie DeFelice recently registered her son Giovanni for Kindergarten.

“The whole registration process was extremely easy. First, I read the information on the Rockdale County Web site and was able to get all of my forms ready. When we arrived, the staff was very friendly and willing to help,” said De-Felice. “They even offered words of encouragement to Giovanni.”

The Pre-K program is open to students who turn 4-years-old on or before Sept. 1.

Registration forms are written in both English and Spanish. For those parents who will need an interpreter,please plan ahead to make arrangements with the center.

For more information on the Georgia Pre-K program, visit www.decal.ga.gov. The Rockdale County Public Student Registration
Office is located at 1143 West Avenue. Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For more information on registering for Pre-K and Kindergarten in Rockdale County, call 770-761-1147.