Residence: Pupils are required to attend school between the ages of six (6) and seventeen (17),
both inclusive, unless withdrawn in accordance with legal requirements. (T.C.A.§49-6-3001). Educational services will be provided for homeless students in accordance with local, state and federal guidelines (NCLB).
NOTE: Homeless children are defined in NCLB as an individual who lacks fixed, regular and adequate residence or has a primary residence in a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter for temporary accommodations, a public or private place not designated for use as a regular sleeping accommodations for humans. For further information please contact the Homeless Liaison, Katie Stanton, Director of Student Services, at 321-2627.
Federal Court orders prohibit the enrollment of any child in Shelby County Schools unless they are living with a parent/legal guardian who resides in the area served by the Shelby County school system. Proof of official residence will be required at registration and will be checked randomly as well as when there is a reasonable question regarding the location of the current residence.
Proof of Residence: The parent/guardian of every student will be required to provide 2 of the following items showing the parent/guardian's name and address, to prove residency: Sale Contract (contingency agreements not accepted), Real Estate Tax receipt, Mortgage information, Current Memphis Light Gas and Water bill or turn on receipt, Rental Contract, or Military Letter of Assignment.
Custody Issues: Only the residence of the parent with legal custody may be used for the registration.(T.C.A.§49-6-3103) In cases where parents have joint custody, only the address of the parent with physical custody of the student or named as the primary custodian or designated primary responsibility to determine educational issues may be used for registration. The parent whose residence qualifies the child to be registered is the parent the school personnel will consider as the custodial parent. The non-custodial parent may receive school records when a written request is given to the school principal in compliance with T.C.A.§49-6-902 or T.C.A.§36-6-104.
The serious illness or incarceration of a parent or legal guardian;
The physical or mental condition of the parent or legal guardian is such that care and supervision cannot be provided;
The loss or uninhabitability of the child's home as the result of a natural disaster.
When one of the above hardships is applicable, the custodial parent(s) and the caregiver must make an appointment to meet with Student Services Personnel in order to complete the application for Power of Attorney. If this is not possible, the Director of Student Services must be contacted.
Hardships not listed above should be referred to Juvenile Court to change the custody.
Immunization
All students must have a current Permanent/Temporary Certificate of Immunization or a Tennessee Child Health Record to attend public schools in Tennessee. Forms may be obtained from any health care professional. Students transferring from an out-of-state or non-public school in Tennessee have thirty (30) calendar days after enrollment to provide this certificate. The immunization certificate should be sent with a student's records when the student is transferring from a Tennessee public school. If any corrections or additions need to be made on the certificate after it arrives, the parents have ten (10) school days to update the records.
NOTE: Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year, all students will be required to have two (2) doses of MMR.
All kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 7th grade, 8th grade 9th grade students will be required to have three (3) Hepatitis B shots for the 2004-2005 school year.
Waiver of Immunization Requirements
State law (T.C.A.§49-6-5001) provides waiver of immunization requirements under the following conditions.
Absent epidemic or threat of epidemic, parents may object in writing, when immunization conflicts with the teachings and practice of a well recognized religious denomination to which the parents adhere. However, if an epidemic or threat of epidemic occurs, objections on the behalf of religious teaching are invalid.
Certificate in writing from a physician stating that such immunization would be harmful to the child involved is provided to the school for the students permanent file.
Enrollment of Kindergarten Students
Students enrolling in kindergarten who have not previously enrolled in any school will furnish the following:
Certified birth certificate (other evidence of age is acceptable only if the certificate is not available, such as a foreign born student, and only if approved by the Department of Student Services.)
A Tennessee Child Health Record* signed by a physician indicating proof of the following:
4 doses of DPT -DTaP-DT-DTP/Hib-Td, one of which was given on or after the fourth birthday. If age seven or older three doses are required.
4 doses of Polio (OPV/IPV) If the 3rd dose was given on or after the fourth birthday, the 4th dose is not required. However, if a combination of IPV/OPV (2IPV/2OPV) is used all 4 doses are needed regardless of age.
2 doses of MMR with 1 dose being given after the first birthday.
3 doses of Hepatitis B.
The varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or proof of having had the disease.
Proof of a medical examination within the past 6 months (Policy 6101).
*Equivalent forms for immunization records will not be accepted.
Social Security Number
Parents are encouraged to enroll students who are of legal age in kindergarten at the beginning of the school year. Students not enrolled previously in kindergarten will not be enrolled after the first thirty (30) days of the school year (T.C.A.§49-6-3001). Students who have been enrolled in an approved kindergarten will be accepted for enrollment throughout the school year. (Policy 6102.1)
Students entering school for the first time who have not met the requirements of the preceding requirements (numbers 1, and 2) shall not be permitted to enroll. Principals shall notify the Department of Student Services for assistance in meeting the requirements 1 - 3.
A Temporary Tennessee Certificate of Immunization may be submitted, if the physical examination has been completed and immunizations have been started. The student may attend school as long as the immunizations are completed according to schedule.
Age Requirements (Policy 6102)(T.C.A.§49-6-3001)
A child entering kindergarten must be five years of age on or before September 30, 2004 or was legally enrolled in an approved kindergarten program in another state and will be five years old on or before December 31, 2004. A child entering first grade must be six years of age on or before September 30, 2004 and has completed an approved kindergarten program; or was enrolled in an approved first grade program in another state and will be six on or before December 31, 2004.
Students Beyond Compulsory Attendance Age (Policy 6106)
After reaching the age of eighteen (18), students shall not be permitted to enroll after the first 20-day attendance period of each semester. An exception will be made if the student can show proof of attendance in another school system during the first 20-day period or if a doctor's certificate states that illness has prevented enrollment during the first 20-day period. Students certified as disabled are exempt from this policy. Students may be dropped from the rolls after three (3) consecutive unexcused absences or five total unexcused absences from class or school.