Staff Writer

Walking through the front door of Troy Elementary School may appear as if one is entering total chaos, but according to principal Geoffrey Spann, it’s organized chaos.

As the first day of school approaches, most elementary school principals are experiencing the same last-minute clean ups and fix ups.

And, in the midst of new textbooks being delivered and floors being cleaned, principals are getting new students enrolled, especially those who will enter as kindergarteners.

"We need them to come on and register because it affects staff decisions," Spann said of parents who have not already enrolled kindergarten students.

Thus far, most of the new students have been in first through fifth grade and Spann suspects there are some parents of kindergarten students who have yet to come to the school and fill out the necessary information.

In order to register a kindergarten student, a parent or guardian must have the child’s birth certificate, Social Security card, immunization card and two official address verification documents.

Transfer students will need those same items as well as records from the previous school, including a withdrawal form.

"In kindergarten it’s best to get them in on Day 1 ­ registered and ready to go," Spann said of young students.

He and other school officials are hoping parents will do just that before next Wednesday, which is Aug. 1 because the next day will be the day class assignments will be given out at TES and other schools will be having orientation.

Spann said class assignments will not be given over the phone, but parents can come between 1-4 p.m. on Aug. 2 and 8 a.m until 1 p.m., Aug. 3 to get that information. Also, on Aug. 2, new students can meet their teachers.

Orientation for parents of kindergarten students at TES will be at 7 p.m., Aug. 2.

Mark Bazzell, assistant superintendent for the Pike County Schools, said principals at Goshen Elementary, Pike County Elementary and Banks School are also urging parents to register their children before the first day of school.

"It’s important to do that," Bazzell said, adding some of the principals fear everyone will late until the last minute to register their children.

Goshen Elementary School will have orientation at 7 p.m. that same day.

Pike County Elementary School will hold orientation and registration for new and returning students on Aug. 2. Orientation will be at 6 p.m. in the PCES cafeteria. Registration will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the students’ assigned classrooms.

Anyone needing further information can contact his or her child’s school so everyone is ready to start the new year at 8 a.m., Aug. 6.

Spann is also inviting parents to come by the school tomorrow for a work day.

Parent volunteers are needed to do "come cut and weed eat" between 8 a.m. and noon, Spann said.