School registration set for Monday

Registration for the 2013-2014 school year in the Mountain Home School District begins next Monday, Aug. 5.

Schools will be open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. for those registering in person, but the district is encouraging parents to register online this year.

For those who prefer to register in person, parents should go to their student's school beginning Aug. 5.

All new students must register in person. That includes all kindergarten students and all students new to the district.

Parents of students new to the district need to bring their shot records, birth certificate and any school records of their child to registration.

To be eligible to enter kindergarten, a child must be at least five years old as of Sept. 1 of this year.

Online registration also begins Aug. 5. To register online, parents must have a Parent Portal account, which can be created on the district's website (http://www.mtnhomesd.org) for parents who do not already have one. Once the district's website is accessed, follow the appropriate links. Each individual school's link from the district website contains additional registration information.

For those who don't have a computer, portal accounts can be created on computers available at the schools where parents are physically registering their child in person.

Parents who are unsure of which school their child will attend can view the district attendance map on its website, or call the district administration office at 587-2580, after Aug. 1.

To register in person at Mountain Home High School (grades 9-12) parents need to call 587-2577 and make an appointment.

In addition, to register in person at Mountain Home Junior High School (grades 7 and 8), parents also need to call (587-2590) to make an appointment.

District personnel will not be available, however, until they return from vacation this Thursday, Aug. 1.

No appointment is necessary at Hacker Middle School (grades 5 and 6) or the elementary schools (grades K-4).

Internet use

The Mountain Home school district requires that all students and their parents or guardians sign a network use procedure agreement before the student is allowed to use a computer and/or the internet.

The network use policy and procedures can be found at the district's website or picked up at each school.

The signed agreement is kept on file and carries over from year to year for grades 5-12. If a parent or guardian wishes to make a permission change, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to contact the school. Agreements for grades K-4 must be signed each school year.

School supplies

At Mountain Home High School and Mountain Home Junior High School, students need to bring the basics (pen, pencil and paper) the first day of school. Individual teachers will give out supply lists the first few days of school.

The school supply list for the other schools in the district can be found on the district website, or as handouts at local stores selling those products.

Fees

In addition, the district charges fees for participation in certain activities and classes:

MHHS Fees

Activity Card -- $30. The card must be purchased if the student is in choir, band, student council, drama, debate or any sport. It is non-refundable.

Advanced Biology -- $10 per class.

Agenda -- $2, non-optional ($5 replacement).

Art -- $15 per semester per class.

Automotive Technology -- $10 per class.

Band Rental --$25 per semester ($17 per summer).

Career and Personal Development -- $5 per class.

Class Dues -- $2 per student, non-optional.

Construction -- $10 per semester, in addition to project cost.

Drivers Ed -- $150 per class or $160 if available during school hours.

Fashion Design -- $5 per class.

Foods and Nutrition -- $20 per class.

Industrial Maintenance -- $10 per class.

Job Shadowing -- $15 per class.

Lifetime Sports -- $20 per semester.

P.E. Classes (general) -- $10 per semester.

Photography -- $10 per class.

Yearbook -- $50.

Zoology -- $15 per class.

MHJHS fees

Activity Card -- $7.50. Must be purchased if the student is in choir, band, student council, drama, debate or any sport. It is not refundable.

Agenda $3 -- Not optional.

Art -- $10 per semester per class.

Communication Tech/Video Production -- $10 per semester per class.

P.E. Classes -- $15 if PE clothes are purchased from the school. No charge if a child brings their own, but they must be acceptable by the school.

Other Fees -- Fees required for some elective classes for the purchase of supplies needed in that class are NOT considered as part of the registration fee.

NOTE: All returned checks will be charged a $15 fee.

Immunization requirements

All children in pre-school or entering into grades K-12 must meet state immunization requirements at registration and before attendance. State law says that no child shall attend school without proof of immunizations status.

The Idaho School Immunization Law requires that children be up-to-date on their immunizations shots to attend school. State health officials note that whenever children are brought into group settings, there is a potential for the spread of infectious diseases. Diseases such chickenpox, measles, and whooping cough spread quickly, so children need to be protected before they enter preschool and grades K-12.

Parents will need to present their child's immunization record to the school at the time of registration to enroll their child in school. The immunization record must show the date (month, day, and year) your child was given each required shot. Parents are reminded to review their child's immunization record to make sure they have a date for each required shot.

Children born on or before Sept. 1, 1999 must have a minimum of:

(4) Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)

(1) Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

(3) Polio

(3) Hepatitis B

Children born after Sept, 1, 1999, through Sept.1, 2005, must have a minimum of:

(5) Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)2

(2) Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

(3) Polio

(3) Hepatitis B

Children born after Sept. 1, 2005, must have a minimum of:

(5) Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)2

(2) Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

(4) Polio3

(3) Hepatitis B

(2) Varicella (Chickenpox)4

(2) Hepatitis A

Children entering grades 7-9 must meet the following minimum immunization requirements in addition to school entry requirements:

(1) Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (DTaP)

(1) Meningococcal

The fifth DTaP dose is not necessary if the fourth dose was administered at age 4 years or older.

The fourth polio dose is not necessary if the third dose was administered at age 4 years or older and at least six months after previous dose.

A history of chickenpox disease documented by a physician or licensed health care professional meets the requirement for the chickenpox vaccination.

If a child's record is missing some doses, the district urges parents to contact their doctor or clinic now to obtain the full immunization record or any doses needed. If a child recently received immunizations and needs an immunization later in the year, he or she can be allowed to attend, provided their parents complete a conditional admission form and get the remaining doses when they become due.

The district should be informed if a child is not immunized due to medical, religious, or philosophical reasons.

Idaho law allows a parent/guardian to claim an exemption from immunization requirements for their child for medical, religious, or personal reasons.

All exemptions must be documented, however, on the official Idaho Exemption Form provided by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Immunization Program (available at www.immunizeidahoschools.com).

A medical exemption requires the signature of a licensed physician and certification that the child has a medical condition, which prevents him or her from receiving one or more of the required vaccinations.

The law does not allow parents or guardians to claim an exemption because the shot record is lost or incomplete, or because it is too much trouble to contact the physician or clinic and obtain a copy.