AISD in-person registration set Aug. 2-3
By Donnie A. Lucas
Registration for all Albany ISD students will open online beginning Wednesday, Aug. 2, with in-person registration also available at the high school campus for all grades on Aug. 2-3.
The district is once again using the Ascender Parent Portal for registration, with a link available on the district website. Parents are instructed to access the “Parents Sources” tab, then look for the Ascender Parent Portal.
“I have created a tab titled ‘Registration Help’ for anyone having a problem registering online,” said Leigh Lowe, director of student services. “There are step-by-step instructions on how to complete the registration process.”
Parents can log in to an existing account or create a new account if they do not have one. Follow the instructions provided on the website. New students can also be registered online if a parent creates an account on the portal and uploads all the required documents.
“We will be available on the two in-person registration days at the high school to provide help for anyone new to the district or who either can’t access their portal account or who would rather register their child in person,” Lowe said.
In-person Registration
Parents requiring in-person assistance for either the elementary or secondary campus can receive help at the high school campus on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 2 and 3.
School officials from both campuses will be on hand from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon on Wednesday, Aug. 2 and from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 3.
Elementary personnel will be at the high school to assist with K-6 new student registration or help parents having an issue registering through the online portal.
All parents are asked to use a cell phone as the main contact number if they have one, as well as providing a current e-mail address.
“Both campuses will be using School Messenger to contact parents again this year, so we need the number of the primary person who needs to receive texts and e-mails,” Lowe said. “If there has been a change in contact information since last year, we need parents or guardians to make those changes in the Asender Parent Portal.”
The registration process is virtually the same for both the elementary and secondary campuses this year, but it is consolidated in the high school main building.
“All in-person registration for new students or those having issues using the portal will be consolidated at the high school for both campuses again this year,” elementary principal John Gallagher said.
Secondary counselor Brittney Harmon is asking students in grades 7-12 who register online to come to the high school in person to sign a personal graduation plan.
School laptops will be issued during in-person registration days to students in grades 7-12.
Secondary class schedules will not be available for students until Meet the Teacher on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 6:00 p.m.
Students new to the district can use the Ascender protocol to register, but will have to upload required documents by scanning them with their phones and submitting them through the website, including the student’s birth certificate, shot record, proof of residency, driver’s license, student social security card, and a transcript or report cards (for grades 7-12).
New student registration is also available in-person on Aug. 2-3. Anyone registering in person must bring required documents.
Officials added that it may be easier for parents of new students to bring the documents and register in person so the required documents can be scanned.
Meet the Teachers
Both campuses have tentatively announced Meet the Teacher sessions on Tuesday, Aug. 15.
Students entering grades K-6 will meet from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Nancy Smith Elementary campus. Students who will attend junior high and high school classes can meet with teachers from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. An informational meeting will be held first in the auditorium at 6:00 p.m., followed by parents and students visiting classrooms.
Head Start/Pre-K
There are still spots available for both Head-Start and Pre-K programs at the elementary school.
New and returning Head Start families can pick up applications at the high school during one of the in-person registration days. Required documents for Head Start are income verification (tax return or pay stubs), birth certificate, immunization records, insurance card, CHIPS or Medicaid information, social security card, and proof of residency (parent’s driver’s license or identification card).
Head Start Family Services director Anabel Castillo will work with families to determine eligibility and complete the official enrollment paperwork.
Parents of students who do not qualify for Head Start can attend one of the in-person registration dates to determine if they qualify for pre-kindergarten.
Parents enrolling students in pre-kindergarten will need to provide proof of income. Right now, there is not a waiting list.
Criteria to qualify for the program include any one or more of the following qualifiers: eligible for free or reduced lunch program, having a parent on active duty in the military or who was injured or killed during military service, homeless children, students unable to speak and comprehend English, children in CPS, and children of a Star of Texas award winner.
All students being registered will need a copy of the child’s birth certificate, student’s social security number, proof of residency, and parent’s driver’s license or identification card.
Free/Reduced Meals
All parents are being asked to complete and return the application for the Free and Reduced Meal Program, even if they do not plan to have their student use the program.
“We are asking everyone to fill out that application since we are a Title I school,” Lowe said. “Those numbers are used in several areas in determining the funding that is available to the district. It isn’t just about eating meals at school.”
Staff Development
All teachers new to the district will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 8 for orientation from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The event will start at the district administration office, with campus meetings in the afternoon.
All teachers and staff will start on Wednesday, Aug. 9 for professional development, starting with breakfast at The Feed Store from 8:00 until 8:30 a.m. The district meeting will follow until 11:00 a.m. Campus meetings will be held from 12:30 until 3:00 p.m.
Professional development days are also set Aug. 10 and 14, with “comp days” Aug. 7, 8, and 11. Teacher workdays are Aug. 15-16.
