A AA W American Association for Arab Women

1. AAAWAmerican Association for Arab Women Massachusetts School Registration Presented by: Farah Assiraj January 22, 2011

2. AGENDA Intro to Schools Where you live? What About Costs? When to Enroll? What Documents to Bring? Which Programs? What Are Your Rights? How to Get Involved?

3. Intro to Schools • City Public- Ex: Malden • Public Funding • One District with various schools • Must meet state standards for each school • Charter- Ex: Benjamin Banneker (Cambridge) • Public/Private funding • One school and runs in one building • Must meet stricter guidelines for state standards • Renewed every 5 years • Longer days and school year • Private • Private funding • Makes their own rules and how to operate

4. School choices • Preference Rank • Or by street • Or zone • Or lottery • MCAS and AYP • School’s report card • Programs • ELL/SPED/Gifted • Enrichment • Music/Arts/PE • Transportation Research the school’s report card Visit the schools Compare the differences Think about your child and their needs Choose the best programs Where you Live?

5. What About Costs? • Kindergarten • Half/day or full day Cost Difference • Before school and after school programs • Cost and registration • Application for free or reduced lunch • Cost for daily lunch • If school is under Title 1 and provides • “free” breakfast • Mandatory Uniform Cost

6. When to Enroll? • Check the deadline for enrollment or lottery application for each school or district. • Boston’s first enrollment is open now • Many Charter school lottery applications are due now • PreK or K1 (not mandatory) • Child must be 4 years old by August 31st or September 1st • Kindergarten or K2 (not mandatory) • Child must be 5 years old by August 31st or September 1st • 1st Grade • Child must be 6 years old by August 31st or September 1st • Check age difference for your charter/private schools

7. What Documents to BRing? • Proof of Age • Birth Certificate or Passport if born outside of US • Proof of Residency • Copy of Mortgage or Lease • Utility Bill • Parent ID • Immunization and Physical Exam • Required by first day of school • Registration Packets • Family information • Mass Health Form • Medical Release Form • Home Language Survey • MCAS/MEPA results • Individual Education Plan, 504 Plan or English Learner

8. Which Programs? Required by Law AND with translation Enrichment or Advanced • Special Education • Individual Education Plan (IEP) • 504 Plan • English Language Learner • All students who have been assessed and determined eligible for these programs MUST be serviced or accommodated to meet federal and state mandates. • Parents have to sign for IEP and 504 Plan for child eligibility. • Parents can “opt-out” of ELL services but child can still be serviced if they are not progressing in English. • Assessment; Eligibility and placement • Gifted Program • Classroom Placement • Advanced Placement • Content Specific • Supplemental Education Services (SES) • Free After-school tutoring • Music; Arts; Dance; Physical Education; Theatre; Recess • Before school or after-school tutoring programs • Not available at every school or district • Ask about child’s choices in enrichment and placement

9. What are your rights? • BRING A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER AS AN INTERPRETER AND ASK QUESTIONS!!! • VISIT THE SCHOOL AND MEET THE TEACHERS • CLASS SIZE & TEACHER -TO- STUDENT RATIO • OTHER SPECIALIST WORKING IN THE CLASSROOM • FIND OUT ABOUT THE TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS • Ex: ELL, SEI, SPED or Highly Qualified to Teach • THE FACILITY AND SAFETY PROCEDURES • GYM, CAFETERIA, PLAYGROUND, EMERGENCY • DISCIPLINE ISSUES AND POLICIES • Ex: BULLYING PREVENTION • DIVERSITY OF STAFF and SAME LANGUAGE • REQUEST TRANSLATION IN YOUR LANGUAGE • IT IS YOUR LEGAL RIGHT • ADVOCATE FOR YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION • CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION 781-338-3000

10. How To Get Involved? • Find our what is the curriculum, a typical day and class schedule • Think of ways to support your child’s learning experience • Fill out a CORI form • Sign up to chaperone and ask how you can get involved • Plan to attend school or classroom events on calendar • Pay attention to forms; documents; notifications and homework being sent home. • If you can’t read anything that requires a signature and a return: • Call teacher or write back you need in your language • Follow-up with Principal and ask for translation • Help your child with their homework • If you can’t read or help them, ask them to tell you what they are learning and what they are doing • Read to them regularly in the preferred language • Helping them to read in ANY language is a skill that will help them be successful in school • Ask allot of questions about what your child is reading, pictures and make the connection to English • Limit the amount of TV and video games and set a time for learning • Support the classroom rules, structure and learning environment • This will help your child feel accepted from school to home and build confidence and self-esteem in making decisions !!!YOU HAVE TO SHOW YOU ARE INVOLVED???