As the summer break draws to a close and children everywhere enjoy what is left of their time off, school officials are gearing up for the first day of classes and are giving parents a “heads up” on registration dates, orientation and other important need-to-know information.

David Helms, director of instructional support and operations for Troy City Schools, said an important part of the registration process is making sure affidavits are filled out and turned in a timely manner.

“Right now, we need parents to immediately come in and turn in their residency affidavit,” Helms said. “If parents lived in Troy last year and are at the same address, we don’t need their proof of residence, but if they’ve changed their addresses or are new, then we need them to bring in two proofs of residency.”

Helms said the “main thing” is to complete the affidavits, which can be found at school offices throughout the city of Troy, and must be completed within the coming week.

“Our original deadline to have the affidavits filled out and turned in was August 1, but if parents have not filled out the affidavits, they should come in right away,” Helms said.

Orientation is another big part of starting the school year off on the right foot.

For Charles Henderson Middle School, parents of incoming sixth-grade students will have an orientation meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the middle school.

“We want all the parents of incoming sixth graders to come to that,” Helms said. “It will be a very informative meeting.”

Locker sales will begin for the CHMS on August 5 for sixth grade from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., seventh grade locker sales will be on August 8 from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and eighth grade, that same day, from 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Helms said at 6:30 p.m. at Charles Henderson High School, that same day, there will be an orientation for parents of high school students for ninth through 12th grade.

“On Wednesday, Aug. 3, the high school will have student orientation. Seniors will come at 9 a.m. and juniors will come at 1 p.m. That’s when they’ll have to make sure they have their affidavit turned in, their immunization forms and any fees they may owe,” Helms said. “On August 4, student orientation for sophomores will be at 9 a.m. and incoming freshmen will have theirs at 1 p.m.”

Helms said the high school will give the students their schedule information at the time of student orientation.

“In order for students to go through orientation, we must have their affidavit and records of immunization,” Helms said. “All this must be done prior to orientation.”

Helms said all school offices will be open from Monday – Friday in the coming week from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Teresa Sims, assistant principal at Troy ElementarySchool, said she is looking forward to the first day of school.

“Registration is on-going and we would like to encourage all returning students to fill out an affidavit and health form, which is something we do every year,” Sims said. “If you’re a new student, new to the system or a kindergarten student, you can look online or call the school either way and we’ll tell you what you need.”

Sims said the current list requires students entering kindergarten or new students entering the system to fill out a registration form, bring a social security card, birth certificate, an Alabama immunization card and two proofs of residence.

“We can make copies if we need to, for them,” Sims said. “Returning students just need to fill out their registration and health form. Those have to be filled out before we give out class assignments on August 8.”

There are no class fees for Troy City Elementary School.

“On August 8, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., parents may pick up class assignments. On Thursday, at 5:30 p.m., we’ll have orientation for parents of kindergarten students, which will be at the kindergarten building. At 6:30 p.m., we will have orientation for students entering the first grade and for students new to TES,” Sims said. “Friday after noon, from 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., grades K-5 can come to see their teachers and can bring school supplies. And then, on Monday, August 15, we have the first day of school.”

Sims said on the first three days of school (Aug. 15-17) kindergarten students will get out at 11:30 a.m.

Helms said that staying on top of the registration process by getting the affidavits turned in prior to registering makes for a “smooth beginning” for students.

“We’re excited about the beginning of school, a lot of preparation has gone into this summer in regards to getting ready for school to start,” Helms said. “We’re excited about our new superintendent and about new hires that we’ve made and are looking forward to a great school year.”