DODEA Okinawa addresses school registration

OKINAWA, JAPAN

08.01.2012

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - Every summer brings a new wave of families to Okinawa. For those with children, transitioning smoothly into new schools is a top priority.

Registering children for school as early as possible ensures Department of Defense Education Activity Okinawa district schools are properly staffed, supplied and ready to go when doors open for the new school year.

“If parents wait until the last minute to register their children for school, it’s a more stressful process for everyone involved,” said Gary John, district registrar, DODEA Okinawa. “Prompt registration helps students, parents and staff members know what to expect. That makes us all better prepared.”

Lester Middle School principal Altorn Grade oversees 42 classroom teachers in a school of 490 students. He knows that hiring well-qualified teachers and support specialists in an overseas environment is a lengthy process.

“Every child has a unique set of needs,” said Grade. “We depend on parents to share those needs with us as early as possible. That information helps us make sure we have the right professionals on hand at the right time.”

There are important differences between registration, re-registration and withdrawal that parents should be aware of when moving to a new community or preparing for a new school year in the same community.

Registration must be completed at the child’s school. Forms are available online at http://www.okinawa.pac.dodea.edu. Parents must fill out one packet for each child and turn it in to their respective schools. Once the school registrar has received the paperwork, confirmed the child’s eligibility, and entered the new student into the system, parents will be provided a start date for classes.

The first day of school is August 27th for students in first through 12th grades, and September 4th for kindergarten and Sure Start. Families arriving on Okinawa after the start of school can still register their children to start classes as soon as they are able.

If a student will be attending the same school or changing schools due to grade-level advancement, parents must go to their child’s current school during regular office hours to update their child’s paperwork. If parents are requesting a school transfer for any other reason, they must go to their child’s current school and fill out a waiver form for the desired school.

Families who wish to disenroll their children from DODEA schools in Okinawa must bring a copy of their signed permanent change of station orders to the school and fill out a withdrawal form prior to departure.

“Parents have a lot (of information to) navigate (through). Understanding the different processes helps them do what they need as efficiently as possible,” said Grade.

One of the questions parents ask most often pertains to school zones and bus routes. In addition to registration forms, the school district makes the school zone and bus route map available online.

It is important parents have the tools and information they need to plan ahead for a successful school year.

• Date Taken: 08.01.2012
• Date Posted: 08.09.2012 20:48
• Story ID: 92956
• Location: OKINAWA, JP