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AISD registration to get underway next week

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Albany News

By Donnie A. Lucas

Registration for all Albany ISD students will open online beginning Monday, Aug. 1, with in-person registration available later in the week.

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 new 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.

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. 3 and 4, and again on Monday, Aug. 8.

School officials from both campuses will be on hand from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on both Wednesday and Monday, plus from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4.

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 email address.

“Both campuses will be using School Messenger to contact parents again this year, so we need a number for the primary person who needs to receive texts and emails,” secondary principal Glen Hill said. “If there has been a change in contact information since last year, we need parents or guardians to make those changes in the Ascender 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, which seemed to work well last year,” elementary principal John Gallagher said.

Students in grades 7-12 who register online will be able to pick up printouts of class schedules and check out school laptops at the high school office on the in-person registration days. Elementary students will not be issued laptops until after the start of classes on Wednesday, Aug. 17.

New Student

Registration

Any students who are new to the district can still use the Ascender protocol to register, but will have to upload required documents by scanning them with their phone and submitting them through the website.

Items required for registration include the student’s birth certificate, shot record, proof of residency, copy of 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. 3-4 and Aug. 8. Anyone registering in person must bring all required documents.

Officials added that it may be easier for parents of new students to bring the documents and register in person.

Meet the Teachers

Both campuses have tentatively announced Meet the Teacher sessions on Monday, Aug. 15.

Students entering grades K-3 will meet at 5:00 to 5:30 p.m., followed by grades 4-6 at 5:30 until 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.

Head Start

There are still spots available for both the Head-Start and Pre-K programs offered 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 starting on Aug. 3. 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 Martinez will work with families to determine eligibility and complete the official enrollment paperwork.

Pre-K Program

Gallagher said parents of students who do not qualify for Head Start can attend one of the in-person registration dates for information to see if they qualify for pre-kindergarten.

Parents enrolling students in pre-kindergarten will need to provide proof of income.

Students who will be four years of age prior to Sept. 1 have priority over younger students if space is limited, but 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 who is 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.

Call NSES with question about Head Start and pre-registration for Pre-K at 325-762-3384 during office hours from Monday to Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Free/Reduced Meals

Last year, the school district was able to use grant money available because of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide all students free meals, but that program has ended.

All parents are being asked to complete and return applications for the Free and Reduced Meal Program, even if they do not plan to have their student use the program.

“We need everyone to fill out that application,” Hill 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.”

The school board set the price for student meals at a meeting last week. The cost for breakfast at either campus will be $2.05 during the school year, while the elementary lunch price was set at $2.65, with $2.75 for secondary students.

Prices for adult meals have not been determined.

Staff Development

All teachers new to the district will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 2 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 Tuesday, Aug. 9 for professional development, starting with campus meetings at 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. A district luncheon will be provided at the elementary campus starting at 12:00 p.m., following by the district meeting for all personnel from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m.

Professional development will continue on Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 8 and Friday, Aug. 12 are both comp days, with teachers not required to attend if they completed the required number of training classes over the summer.

Both Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 15-16 are designated as teacher workdays, with the first day of class on Wednesday, Aug. 17.