Students can register on Portal, in person

By Donnie A. Lucas

Online registration is currently underway for students at both Albany ISD campuses, with two in-person registration days available as well for parents who are new to the district or who require assistance registering.

“We had quite a few students registered on the first day of online held Monday,” said Leigh Lowe, director of student services. “It seems to be going smoothly, and we have 10 students who are new to the district so far.”

Online registration started Monday, Aug. 1, with in-person registration available Thursday (today) from 12:00 noon until 6:00 p.m. School officials from both campuses will also be available from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 8.

In-person registration for both campus will be held at the high school with staff members on hand to assist with the process.

The district is once again using the Ascender Parent Portal for online 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,” Lowe said. “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.

All parents are asked to list a cell phone as their 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 the number of 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 a school laptop after paying the $25 computer use fee at the high school office on the in-person registration days. Elementary students will have access to classroom laptops, which must remain in the classroom.

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 students can also registert in person on Aug. 4 and Aug. 8. Anyone registering in person must also 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

Meet the Teacher sessions for both campuses will be held on Monday, Aug. 15.

Students entering grades K-3 will meet at 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by grades 4-6 at 5:30 p.m. 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 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.