Over the next two months, public and private schools will open their doors to introduce prospective kindergarten, middle school and high school students to their new environment.

Suzette Helms, who is an assistant principal at Troy Elementary School, said it is important for parents and students to attend the TES kindergarten open house so children can become familiar with their teacher and the building.

"It's a scary time for the children and the parents as well," she said.

Sylvia Grissett at Collegedale Christian School said students and parents should become familiar with the teachers and the atmosphere so they will know how the school operates.

If children become familiar with the school, they will have less anxiety on their first day.

"They need to know where they're coming to go to school and they need to meet the teacher before hand so they won't be frightened when they do come," said Grissett.

Collegedale traditionally has a long list of children waiting to get in, but they only enroll 15.

Registration is going on right now, but there is only one spot left to fill.

In July, the registered students and their parents will attend an all-day open house.

"We used to have it at night, but this year we're going to try something a little different," Grissett said.

She said teachers will be there all day to visit and answer questions.

She hopes the convenience of an all-day open house versus only a few hours at night will allow more students and their parents to attend.

The TES kindergarten open house is this Sunday and is open to all prospective kindergarten students.

They, along with their parents, will be able to tour the building and meet the teachers.

Helms said parents will also receive a packet of information about the school.

A PowerPoint presentation in the cafeteria will inform parents about the activities at the school and ways they can participate with their child's education.

Registration for the Early Childhood Center will take place in the office of the ECC Monday and Tuesday.

Helms said when parents register their soon-to-be kindergartners, they will need to bring the child's birth certificate, Social Security card and the original Alabama Immunization Record.

Parents will need to fill out a registration/residency affidavit form and a home language survey.

They will also need to present two forms of identification proving they live in Troy City limits.

The forms of identification must come from the following: a copy of a City of Troy electric bill, an automobile registration, a driver's license, a homeowner's insurance policy, mortgage documents or property deeds, an apartment or home lease, property tax records, voter precinct identification and a decree declaring legal guardianship-if that is applicable.