Greencastle schools announce 2009 school opening information

GREENCASTLE -- Dr. Robert Green, Superintendent of the Greencastle Community School Corporation, recently announced the school opening information for the 2009-10 school year.

New student registration will be Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. New students may register and rent books at their individual buildings.

Regular student registration and textbook rental for all students grades kindergarten through 12th will be Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. All students, regardless of grade, will register at Deer Meadow Primary School.

Textbook rental is due at the time of rental. Greencastle Schools will once again be accepting the use of Visa and MasterCard for the payment of textbook rental. Deer Meadow will have credit card service available.

Individuals unable to pay at the time of rental must make arrangements with the building principal for payment. A minimum payment of $5 is due upon registration.

All building principals, counselors, school nurses, school lunch director and transportation supervisor will be at Deer Meadow should questions arise.

Student-parent guides will be available for all parents of students of the Greencastle Schools at the time of textbook rental. Incorporated in the handbook guide are guidelines and other helpful information about the Greencastle School system for parents and students.

Rental fees will be as follows:

Primary school

* Kindergarten: $79

* Grade 1: $86

* Grade 2: $83

Intermediate school

* Grade 3: $86

* Grade 4: $88

* Grade 5: $86

Middle school (rental fees vary fro advanced math and band students)

* Grade 6: $110.75

* Grade 7: $118.25

* Grade 8: $113.79

High school rental fees depend upon courses taken.

School lunch fees will be $2.15 for first through fifth grades and $2.25 in sixth through 12th. Breakfast will be $1.10 for all grades, and milk will be $.40.

Free and reduced lunches are available through federal programs in the schools for those who qualify. The criteria and applications for these programs will be available at the time of textbook rental.

Teacher inservice day will by Aug. 18, followed by the first student day on Aug. 18. All students will attend a full day, and buses will run on their regular schedule.

Beginning and dismissal times will be as follows:

*Elementary: 8:15 a.m. -- 2:50 p.m.

* Middle School: 8:05 a.m. -- 3:10 p.m.

* High School: 7:55 a.m. -- 3:10 p.m.

Parents are reminded that a child must be five years of age on or before Aug. 1 to enroll in kindergarten. Kindergarten parents should bring a completed Medical Record Form when book rental fees are paid. A birth certificate or hospital certificate as proof of the child's age is to be provided if they did not bring a certificate to the signup. The medical forms maybe obtained from the school principals.

All children in kindergarten and first grade are to be immunized against Hepatitis B for enrollment in the 2009-10 school year. Students need to either have completed or be on schedule for the three doses as a requirement for entering kindergarten or first grade.

All students entering the sixth grade must receive an additional measles shot (preferably an MMR booster) to bring their shot records up to date.

Free immunizations may be obtained from the Putnam County Health Services Clinic at 653-6171 and at the Board of Health at 653-5210. Appointments and the child's immunization record are required at both locations.

Principals of the schools are available in their buildings beginning today.