Though September may seem far off, the kindergarten registration process for children in Greater Victoria School District 61 has come again.
Registration began Monday and will run throughout the week until Friday.
And this year, parents of school children in SD61 should note things are a bit different.
“Based on our projections we are optimistic we will be able to accommodate all catchment students at their catchment schools based on last year’s student enrolment numbers,” said SD61 spokesperson Lisa McPhail. “There may be lineups but we believe there shouldn’t be any problems getting a spot [in kindergarten].”
Residents enrolling a child must do so at their catchment school. Those who wish to transfer to another school can apply to do so only after they’ve registered at their neighbourhood catchment school. It’s part of the registration changes made by SD61 as it anticipates a steady growth of 2,000 students across the district over the next decade.
The new priority ranking is now in place and being used to determine who gets the extra spots.
The process is first come, first serve, using the new priorities. Their may still be lineups by eager parents, something the school board can’t control, McPhail said.
SD61 is also reminding those registering about the strict new proof or residency documents. Homeowners need to show two of the following, a purchase agreement of the home, a recent property tax statement, homeowner’s insurance, notice of assessment or a purchase agreement (with subject removal and a deposit receipt if a recent purchase). If you don’t have two of the above-mentioned papers, then please also bring two of the following: Canadian bank or credit card statement, BC vehicle registration, income tax statement, insurance documents.
Renters need the show the rental agreement signed by landlord with landlord’s contact phone number, as well as two of the following: renter insurance documents, income tax statement, Canadian bank or credit card statement, B.C. vehicle registration.
Parents seeking to transfer their children to an out-of-catchment school can apply their own catchment school during registration.
“Even if a sibling is at a different school, parents must still register their kindergarten student at the catchment school, though you can apply for a transfer to the sibling’s school at that time,” said the SD61 release.
English kindergarten registration will be processed based on the new student enrolment priorities: re-enrolling students, a catchment area sibling, a catchment area child, a non-catchment sibling, a non-catchment child, a non-school district child.
Transfers and new-to-district applications for students in Grades 1 to 12 happens Feb. 15 to 23.
– Eric Lee is a Grade 9 student in Claremont secondary’s Pursuit of Excellence program.
