[7/25/04]Preparation for the new school year cranks into high gear this week with new-student registration, orientations and, for many students, the first glance at schools they will attend.

Classes begin Aug. 5.

For enrollment of first-time students in Vicksburg Warren School District, parents must show at least two of the following proofs of residency:

A filed homestead exemption application form

Mortgage documents or property deed or apartment or home lease,

Utility bills

Driver’s license

Voter precinct information

Automobile registration or any other documentation establishing that the parent or guardian lives within the school district.

If parents move to a different school zone and know which schools their children will attend, parents are asked to simply call the school office to confirm.

If parents aren’t sure which school a child should attend, whether starting kindergarten or moving into the district, parents may call the information management office of the school district. That number is 638-5112. Students must attend school in the zone in which parents or legal guardians live unless approval has been granted by the VWSD Board of Trustees.

Parents of students in kindergarten through fourth grade may send children to the elementary school of their choice within their zones. There are three elementary schools in each zone as well as Bowmar Magnet School, which takes children from both zones.

Students interested in attending Bowmar apply in February before the following school year for kindergarten through fourth grade. Students are selected on a first-come, first-serve basis of students with an academic average of 83.

The schools send out letters to parents at transition time into intermediate, junior high and high school to make sure parents know which schools children will attend next.

All district schools, elementary through high school, will host individual orientations to answer questions for new and returning students in the next several weeks.

Private, parochial schools

Students interested in attending Vicksburg Catholic School should call the office at St. Francis Xavier Elementary School or at St. Aloysius High School office for information.

Dr. Ann Wheeless, assistant principal, said interested parents and students may request a tour of the school and an application.

Once the application is completed and returned, members of the board review the application and look at class loads and openings, then accept students accordingly.

Priority in Vicksburg Catholic Schools is given first to current students, then children of Catholic families with siblings in the school, then children of parishioners of St. Paul, St. Mary and St. Michael, then children of other Catholic parishes, then children of other religious affiliations.

Porters Chapel Academy Headmistress Dr. Gwen Reiber said interested parents can be sent a brochure and application, then meet with faculty and staff for questions and a tour of the school.

The student’s most recent report card must be sent in with the application and a $300 registration fee. Reiber said the information is then evaluated, informal interviews are conducted and recommendations are made to the board of directors for admittance.

Students interested in attending All Saints’ Episcopal School should contact the school to schedule a visit and have an informal interview with the director of admissions and the rector and head.

Emily Sabol, director of communications, said once the students and parents are sure what they offer is what they want, then an application can be completed along with a $25 registration fee.

Sabol said once the application is reviewed and previous school records are sent to All Saints’, acceptance letters are mailed out.

Enrollment at All Saints’, Vicksburg Catholic Schools and Porters Chapel remains open, and administrators said enrollment will remain open throughout the school year until the maximum student-teacher capacity is filled, which is rare and varies at each school and from year to year.

Administrators will walk students through the enrollment process and answer questions before school starts.