Kindergarten roundup slated for GCSC

GREENCASTLE -- It's that time of year again.

The Greencastle Community School Corporation will hold its kindergarten roundup from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Feb. 15 to Feb. 19. The school will depend on location of residence, and parents should enroll their children at Deer Meadow or Ridpath during that week.

The following instructions are important for attending roundup:

* Children who will be 5 years old on or before Aug. 1 are eligible to enter the kindergarten class.

* Parents must bring a certified copy of the student's birth certificate or other reliable proof of the student's full legal name and date of birth, for example a passport can replace the birth certificate.

A certified copy of a birth certificate can be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Vital Records in the state where the student was born. A lot of states now have this request available online. Indiana residents can visit www.in.gov/isdh and click on birth certificates. There is usually a minimal charge.

Proof of immunization including five DPT, four IPV, three Hepatitis, two MMR and one Varicella. All immunizations are required before the first day of school. If immunizations are not presented, the child will not be able to attend school until proof of immunization is shown.

* The state now requires the varicella or chicken pox vaccination for kindergarten and first grade students. If the child had chicken pox already, the month and year needs to be documented by the parents to the school.

Children do not need to attend the roundup, as they will have the opportunity to visit the schools during orientation held on April 26 at Ridpath or April 28 at Deer Meadow.

Parents or guardians unable to attend the roundup should contact the respective school offices to verify the child's placement in kindergarten.