Kindergarten & 1st Grade Registration Underway

In less than a month, it will be time again for early bed times, early wake-up's, number two pencils and catching the school bus. 

Parents with kids about to enter kindergarten or first grade have some homework of their own to do right now.

If you have kids ready to start kindergarten or first grade in September and you haven't registered them yet, you better get on the horn!  Many people put it off to the last minute and that could lead to unnecessary stress for you, your child and even the school district.

Toms River School Assistant Superintendent Joe Pizza says often times, parents forget they need to know an accurate head county so they have enough resources to go around for everyone.

Pizza explains "in addition, their shots and medical records need to be up to date.  We also have certain guidelines that we have to follow.  For example, in Jersey only 25 students are permitted in a kindergarten class.  Any more would require an aide.  Those are the kind of things we need to be ready for and that's why an accurate head count is required weeks before the first day - not at zero hour."

When it comes to a child's education, the districts in the Garden State, especially Toms River, take things very seriously.  They want to make sure they can accommodate everyone.  Pizza says "we have excellent staff to help you with the process.  You can contact us if you have any questions or concerns."

The first day of school for the Toms River District is September 5th.  Many other districts in Ocean County are going back that same day.

Registration is free.  For more information, call 732-505-2600 or visit trschools.com

You can also stop by the Central Registration office at 54 Washington Street in Toms River.  Their hours are 9 a.m. till 2 p.m. this summer.

If you need to register your son or daughter in kindergarten or first grade and they attend a district other than Toms River, call your local district's office to get more information.