5112 5112Students
Ages of Attendance/Admissions/Placement
In accordance with Connecticut General Statute 10-186, the Board of Education shall provide education for all persons, residing in the District, five years of age and over, who reach age five on or before the first day of January (September, effective July 1, 2024) of any school year, and under twenty-one (age twenty-two for special education students) who is not a graduate of a high school or vocational school, except as provided in Connecticut General Statutes 10-233c and 10-233d.
A child under five may be admitted to kindergarten if the parent or guardian makes a written request to the school principal, and the principal and an appropriate staff person conduct an assessment that determines the child is developmentally ready for kindergarten. The chosen assessment shall be administered universally in all district schools. The assessment tool shall produce results that are valid and reliable and shall holistically assess a number of areas, including cognitive, social-emotional, physical development, and health and shall be culturally and linguistically appropriate. The assessment shall also include information from the child's parent or guardian and preschool teacher or early care provider.
Parent requests for a waiver must be sent to the school principal by (add date and other relevant information regarding logistics related to waiver requests, such as email address and parent or guardian contact information). Assessments will be administered the week of (add date, times, and locations).
For children requiring special education services with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), the assessment process shall be aligned with the child's IEP accommodations or a Section 504 accommodation plan and individualized to align with their plan.
A child determined to be developmentally ready for kindergarten may be admitted without a vote of the board of education at a duly called meeting.
Additionally, according to Connecticut General Statute 10-76d (b2), special education will be provided for children who have attained the age of three and who have been identified as being in need of special education, and whose educational potential will be irreparably diminished without special education. If a special education student is being considered for an exception, the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) will make a recommendation to the administrator in charge of special education.
In order to determine a child's eligibility for ELL programs, parents/guardians of all new students enrolling for the first time and all re-enrolling students who have not previously attended a Connecticut public school must complete a Home Language Survey (HLS) at the time of enrollment. A student may also take a screening exam. The student must be enrolled first before the administration of the assessment. Neither the survey nor the exam are conditions of enrollment.
Note: When a student is enrolling in a new school district or new state charter school, written notification of such enrollment shall be provided to the previous school district or charter school not later than two business days after the student enrolls.
Children who apply for initial admission to the District's schools by transfer from nonpublic schools or from schools outside the District will be placed at the grade they would have reached elsewhere pending observation and evaluation by classroom teachers, guidance personnel, and the school Principal. After such observations and evaluations have been completed, the Principal will determine the final grade placement of the children.
Parents and those who have the control of children five years of age and under eighteen years of age, are obligated by Connecticut law to require their children to attend public day school or its equivalent in the District in which such child resides, unless such child is a high school graduate or the parent or person having control of such child is able to show that the child is elsewhere receiving equivalent instruction in the studies taught in the public schools. Students under age eighteen are subject to mandatory attendance laws unless they are at least seventeen and their parent/guardian, or other person having control of the child, consents to such child's removal from school. The parent or person shall exercise this option by personally appearing at the school district office to sign a withdrawal form.
Such withdrawal form shall include an attestation from a guidance counselor, school counselor or school administrator of the school that this District has provided the parent or person with information on the educational opportunities options available in the school system and in the community, and the parent or guardian that the child will be enrolled in an adult education program upon the child's withdrawal from school.
Enrollment
The enrollment process shall be focused on obtaining only the information deemed necessary to establish residency and age. The District shall not request other information as a condition of enrollment or state in its policies or on its websites or otherwise, that other information is required to enroll children. The District shall immediately enroll a homeless child and allow such student to attend school even if the student is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment. Additional data collection may occur, but it must be completed in such a manner that does not interfere with the enrollment of a child in school.
Each child entering the District schools for the first time must present a birth certificate or offer legal evidence of birth data, as well as proof of a recent physical examination and required immunizations. Other documents that may be accepted as proof of a child's age include, but are not limited to, a photocopy of a birth certificate, earlier school records, state-issued identification document, driver's license or passport, parent's affidavit or unsworn statement as to a child's age, physician's certificate verifying a child's age, or immunization records.
If the parents or guardians of any children are unable to pay for such immunizations and/or physicals, the expense of such immunizations and/or physicals shall on the recommendation of the Board, be paid by the Town. Proof of domicile may also be requested by the Building Principal.
The parent or person having control of a child five years of age shall have the option of not sending the child to school until the child is six years of age by December 31st of any school year. The parent or person having control of a child six years of age shall have the option of not sending the child to school until the child is seven years of age by December 31st of any school year.
Any child entering or returning to the District from placement in a juvenile detention school, the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, or any other residential placement, shall have the educational records of such child provided to the Superintendent of Schools by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Judicial Department. Such information will be shared with the Principal of the school to which the student is assigned. The Principal can disclose them to the staff who teach or care for the child.
The District will immediately enroll any student who transfers from Unified District No. 1 or Unified District No 2. A student transferring from the Unified School Districts who had previously attended school in the local District shall be enrolled in the school such student previously attended, provided such school has the appropriate grade level for the student.
Residency
The District, when determining residency, shall not request documentation of citizenship or immigration status of a child or the child's parents/guardians. The Board believes such documentation is not relevant to establishing residency.
In the establishment of residency, the Board will accept such documentation as, but not limited to, a lease agreement, mortgage document, property tax record, rent receipt, home owners insurance, current utility bill, current proof of government benefits, CT driver's license, automobile registration or insurance. An Affidavit of Residence, properly executed, shall also be acceptable.
For purposes of establishing the residency of a child of a member of the armed forces, as defined in C.G.S. 27-103, and who is seeking enrollment in a district school, in which such child is not yet a resident, the Board shall accept the military orders directing such member to Connecticut or any other documents from the armed forces indicating the transfer of such member to Connecticut as proof of residency in the District.
The above requirements are not to serve as barriers to immediate enrollment of students, designated as homeless or foster children as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the McKinney-Vento Act as amended by the ESSA. The District shall work with the local child welfare agency, the school last attended, or other relevant agencies to obtain necessary enrollment documentation. The District shall immediately enroll a homeless student and allow such student to attend school even if the student is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment.
The parent/guardian of any child who is denied admission to the District's schools, or an unaccompanied minor, a student eighteen years of age or older, a homeless child or youth or an unaccompanied youth who is denied schooling on the basis of residency, or an agent or officer charged with the enforcement of the laws concerning attendance at school may request, in writing, a hearing by the Board of Education.
The parent or person shall exercise such option by personally appearing at the school district office and signing an option form. The District shall provide the parent or person with information on the educational opportunities available in the school system.
A child who has attained the age of seventeen and who has voluntarily terminated enrollment with parental consent in the District's schools and subsequently seeks readmission may be denied readmission for up to ninety school days from the date of such termination unless such child seeks readmission to the District not later than ten (10) school days after such termination in which case the Board shall provide school accommodations to such child not later than three school days after such child seeks readmission.
A child who has attained the age of nineteen or older may be placed in an alternative school program or other suitable educational program if he/she cannot acquire a sufficient number of credits for graduation by age twenty-one.
In summary:
• A parent with a child 5 and under 18 is obligated to have that child attend school.
o Unless the child graduated High School
o Unless the parent demonstrates the child is receiving equivalent instruction elsewhere.
• Students under 18 are subject to mandatory attendance laws
o Unless they are at least 17 and the parent consents to the child's removal from school having demonstrated the child is receiving equivalent instruction elsewhere.
o The parent must personally appear at the school district office, and sign a withdrawal form.
(18 year old)
--The form must include an attestation from a guidance counselor, school counselor, or school administrator
--The attestation must indicate that the parent or student received information regarding educational programs or options available in the school or community.
• The parent must personally appear at the school district office, and sign a withdrawal form.
(17 year old)
--The form must include an attestation from a guidance counselor, school counselor, or school administrator
--The attestation must indicate that the parent or student received information regarding educational programs or options available in the school or community.
--The parent or guardian must attest that the 17 year old withdrawing student has enrolled in an adult education program
• The parent with a five year old has the option of not sending a child until 6.
• The parent with a six year old has the option of not sending a child until 7.
(cf. 5118.1 - Homeless Students)
(cf. 5118.3 - Children in Foster Care)
(cf. 6146 - Graduation Requirements)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
4-176e to 4-180a Agency hearings
4-181a Contested cases. Reconsideration. Modifications.
10-15 Towns to maintain schools
10-15c Discrimination in public schools prohibited. School attendance by five-year-olds
10-76a - 10-76g re special education
10-184 Duties of parents (re mandatory schooling for children ages five to sixteen, inclusive) as amended by PA-98-243, PA 00-157, PA 09-6 (September Special Session) and PA 18-15
10-186 Duties of local and regional boards of education re school attendance. Hearings. (as amended by P.A. 19-179)
P.A. 19-179 An Act Concerning Homeless Students; Access to education
Appeals to State Board. Establishment of hearing board
10-233a - 10-233f Inclusive; re: suspend, expel, removal of pupils
10-233c Suspension of pupils
10-233d Expulsion of pupils
State Board of Education Regulations
10-76a-1 General definitions (c) (d) (q) (t)
P.A. 19-179 An Act Concerning Homeless Students' Access to Education
"Guidance for Connecticut School Districts: Enrollment Process and Practice," State Department of Education, December 2019.
P.A. 21-86 An Act Concerning the Enrollment of Children of Members of the Armed Forces in Public Schools and the Establishment of a Purple Star School Program
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (PL 107-110 Sec. 1032) 42 U.S.C. §11431-11435, as amended by the ESSA, P.L. 114-95
Federal Register: McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children & Youths Program, Vol. 81 No. 52, 3/17/2016
Policy adopted:
5112
Form #1
DECLARATION OF LEGAL RESIDENCY Family Members Living with Relatives or Family Friends To be completed by property ownerProperty Owner: ________________________________________________________________
Name of Property Owner - Please print
If the living arrangement of the student should change from what is stated on this form, it is the responsibility of the property owner to notify the Office of the Superintendent within five (5) business days in writing.
____________________________________________________________
Signature of Property Owner - Sign in the Presence of Notary Public
Property Address: _______________________________________________________________
Phone Number: ___________________________________ Email: _______________________
The Property Owner must accompany the parents to the meeting with the Superintendent of Schools to present this document.
Children and Family Member living with Property Owner
Adult #1 __________________________________ Adult # 2 ___________________________
Child #1 __________________________________ Child # 2 ___________________________
Child #3 __________________________________ Child # 4 ___________________________
I am making the above statements as a true and bona fide representations, I fully understand that if I make a statement that is false and which is intended to mislead a public servant in the performance of his/her function, I will be in violation of Section 53-157b of the Connecticut General Statutes. The section of the law refers to making a fraudulent statement is a Class A misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine, not to exceed $1,000 and/or up to one year of incarceration.
I further understand that I may be required to update this information at any time and agree to do so upon request from the ___________ Board of Education. I may be made to pay for services received if such services were delivered under fraudulent statements and/or circumstances.
NOTARIZED SECTION
On this date __________________ _______________________ appeared before me personally
Month/Day/Year Print Name of Property Owner
To be known as the individual described herein, and who executed this foregoing document, and he/she duly acknowledged to me under oath to the truth of his/her statement, before me.
_________________________________ _____________________________ SEAL
Signature of Notary Public Commission Expiration Date
This form is to be completed by the custodial parent, guardian and student (where applicable). Once the forms are completed and notarized, a meeting with the Superintendent should be schedules. Call _____________________.
PLEASE FILL IN ALL BLANKS
School: ___________________________ Grade: _____________________
Student's Name: _______________________________________________ Address: ________________________
Home telephone number: _____________________ Name under which number is listed: _____________________
Name of student's father: _______________________ Father's address: __________________________________
Street, town, zip
Name of student's mother: ______________________ Mother's address: _________________________________
Street, town, zip
Please answer the following questions:
• Is remuneration to be received for housing the student, i.e., room, board, travel, medical? [ ] Yes (please specify) [ ] No
• List major reasons for the child residing in ____________________ :
___________________________________________________________________________________________
• Name of person(s) having direct and primary responsibility/authority of the student's daily affairs:
___________________________________________________________________________________________
• Name of person(s) authorized to act in child's behalf concerning any medical, disciplinary, or administrative matters: ________________
Signature (Parent/Legal Guardian) ____________________________________________ Date : ____________________
I hereby declare under the penalties of perjury that all of the information supplied on this form is correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that if any of the information is incorrect, and the student is not entitled to enroll tuition-free as a _______________ resident, the student shall be discharged from enrollment in the _____________ Public Schools according to the Connecticut General Statutes, Section 10-186, and 10-253, and the prevailing tuition charge for such student will be assessed against me and/or us for each day the student was so enrolled.
NOTARIZED SECTION
On this date ____________________ ____________________________ appeared before me personally
Month/Day/Year Print Name of Property Owner
To be known as the individual described herein, and who executed this foregoing document, and he/she duly acknowledged to me under oath to the truth of his/her statement, before me.
_____________________________ ____________________________ SEAL
Signature of Notary Public Commission Expiration Date
Once this document is completed and notarized, a meeting with the superintendent must be scheduled before enrollment is completed.
Superintendent's Approval: __________________________________________ Date: ________________________
5112
Form #2
________________ PUBLIC SCHOOLS ___________, Connecticut ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF OPTION TO EXEMPT ATTENDANCE OF CHILD FIVE OR SIX YEARS OF AGE FROM SCHOOLPursuant to Section 10-184 of the Connecticut General Statutes,
I ______________________________________________, of ___________________________
Name of Parent, Guardian or Other Address
the parent, guardian or other person charged with the care of the following minor child ________________________________, of ___________________________________ who was
Name of Child Address
born on ____________________________ do hereby choose not to send my child to public
Date
school during the _________________________.
School Year
Furthermore, before signing this form, a representative of the ____________________________
Name of District
school district met with me and provided me with information concerning the educational opportunities and school accommodations available in the school system.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
_________________________________
Signature of Parent, Guardian or Other
_________________________
Date
5112
Form #3
________________ PUBLIC SCHOOLS ___________, Connecticut ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF OPTION TO WITHDRAW CHILD SEVENTEEN YEARS OF AGE FROM SCHOOLPursuant to Section 10-184 of the Connecticut General Statutes,
I ______________________________________________, of ___________________________
Name of Parent, Guardian or Other Address
the parent, guardian or other person charged with the care of the following minor child
________________________________, of __________________________________________
Name Child Address
born on ____________________________ do hereby elect to withdraw from public school.
Date of birth
Furthermore, before signing this form, a representative of the ____________________________
Name of District
school district met with me and provided me with information concerning the educational options available in the school system and the community.
ATTESTMENT BY:
________________________________________ __________________________
Signature of School Counselor Date
OR
________________________________________ __________________________
Signature of School Administrator Date
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
________________________________________ __________________________
Signature of Parent, Guardian or Other Date
A child seventeen years of age or older who voluntarily terminates enrollment in a school district and subsequently seeks readmission, the local or regional board of education for the school district may deny school accommodations to the child for up to ninety school days from the date of such termination. Unless the child seeks readmission to the school district not later than ten school days after the termination in which case the board shall provide school accommodations to the child not later than three school days after the child seeks readmission.
5112
Form #4
________________ PUBLIC SCHOOLS ___________, Connecticut Request for a Waiver To Request an Exemption to Public Act 23-208 Establishing an Age 5 Kindergarten Cutoff Date of September 1Pursuant to Public Act 23-208 of the Connecticut General Statutes,
I, _______________________________, of _________________________________
Name of Parent or Guardian Address
the parent, guardian, or other person charged with the care of the following child,
______________________________, of ______________________________ who was born
Name of Child Address
on ______________________ request that my child attend kindergarten prior to reaching five
Date of Birth
(5) years of age on September 1st. I understand that my child will be subject to an assessment by the principal and a certified staff member, who will determine whether admitting my child is "developmentally appropriate."
Acknowledged by:
____________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian
________________
Date