As the school bells call San Diego Unified School District students back to class Tuesday, Sept. 5., administrators has a few reminders.

REGISTRATION AND HEALTH
Some schools in the district are continuing registration until the first day of school. Parents should call schools to verify registration dates and times.
Students must be registered by a parent or guardian and are required to bring proof of residency and immunization records for polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus, or provide a permanent medical exemption or personal beliefs exemption.
First-time California students must also provide proof of immunization against chickenpox or proof of having had the illness.
Parents of kindergartners and first-graders new to the district must also provide proof of age and evidence of vaccination against hepatitis B and chickenpox. Parents of new and continuing first-grade students must provide evidence of the child’s recent physical exam within 91 days of the start of school.
Parents of new and continuing seventh-graders must provide proof of student’s vaccination against hepatitis B and a second MMR vaccination, either at registration (for new students) or on the first day of school (continuing students).
Under the district’s No Shots-No School Policy, students will not be allowed to attend class without all required proofs of immunization.
For more information on immunizations and vaccinations, call the district’s Health Services, (858) 627-7580, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or try the school’s nurse.

FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEAL PROGRAM
San Diego Unified Schools provide free and reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
The price for breakfast is normally $.50 at all schools. Lunch is $1.25 in elementary schools and $1.75 is secondary schools. The district currently does not charge students who qualify for the Reduced-Price Lunch Program.
A parent or guardian must complete a 2006-2007 Household Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals, sent home with students at the start of school, to qualify. Applications are also available in the school office and may be submitted at any time during the school year.
“This is a critical part of our district,” said Ursula Kroemer, spokeswoman for San Diego Unified School District. “The majority of our students are eligible for reduced and free meals. We do have a certain number of students for whom this may be the most significant meal of their day, so it’s important that we have as many eligible children enrolled and participating in this program as possible.”
Students receiving free or reduced-price meals remain anonymous. Every student receives an individual four or five-digit pin number. Students key the number in, which determines whether they owe money or not. Parents can deposit money online to pay for lunches ahead of time, rather than giving the money directly to their child. When a student is passed through the line without paying there is no way to distinguish between those students whose parents have already paid, and those receiving free or reduced-price lunches, explained Pam Kowalksi, business coordinator for food services.
For more information about free and reduced-price meal program, contact Food Services at 627-7301 or visit the district’s Web site at www.sandi.net/food.

STUDENT DISCIPLINE
San Diego Unified Schools practice a zero-tolerance policy requiring the suspension and/or recommendation for expulsion of secondary school students who violate rules regarding weapons, controlled substances and physical violence.
“Primarily this is a safety policy. The idea is to make sure that all of our district schools have a safe and appropriate learning environment for students,” Kroemer said, “We want learning to be at the forefront of what these kids are doing and not have to worry about safety or an insecure environment. They need to know that they can come to school and they are safe and their campus is safe.”
Expulsion from a district school means the loss of student privileges to attend school or extracurricular activities. Expelled students will be placed in an alternative school or educational program for a period of time approved by the Board of Education.
Any offense that takes place on a school campus or at a school activity, whether on campus or off, falls under the zero-tolerance policy. This includes traveling to or from school or a school-sponsored activity.
Students who have violated the state Penal Code may be arrested, charged and taken into juvenile detention facility or county jail.
For more information, call the City Schools Placement and Appeals Office, (619) 725-5660, or visit the district’s Web site, www.sandi.net.
Parents are also encouraged to examine the district’s student discipline policies Web site, www.sandi.net/depts/placement_appeal/discipline_policy/index.html, to be informed of what things can lead to a suspension or expulsion.

EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS PROGRAMS
San Diego Unified School District is committed to identifying, locating and assessing all students within the district from birth to 21 years of age who might have disabilities, including hearing and/or vision impairment, physical handicap, mental retardation, orthopedic impairment, emotional disturbance, learning disability, speech and language impairment and traumatic brain injury.
Special education and other program options and related services are provided based on the individual needs of the student and the recommendation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team.
“We have a fantastic program,” Kroemer said, “I am very pleased at the caliber of service and love and care that our special education team provides.”
Parents who feel that their child is having problems learning in school and suspect that they have a disability should bring their concern to the attention of their child’s teacher or principal, or contact the Special Education Office, (619) 725-7604.
For more information, parents are urged to call their child’s school or visit the district Web site, www.sandi.net/specialed.

WORK PERMITS FOR MINORS
Working minors and their employers are reminded of the state law that requires any employee less than 18 years of age who has not graduated from high school or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam to have a permit to employ and work.
All current work permits expire on Sept. 12, following the start of the new school year.
Students can get application forms, or get information about work permits and child labor laws, at any high school. They can also contact the district’s work permit office, (619) 627-7355.
For more information, visit the School-to-Career Web site, www.sandiegostc.org/cte/workpermits.htm

SAFETY REMINDERS
Schools are stressing that students and the public exercise additional caution on or around school campuses.
“Safety is one of the dominant things we are concerned about,” Kroemer said. “Watch out for those kids walking and watch for the kids on bikes and be aware of the extra traffic in the mornings and afternoons.”
It is important for parents to remember to always set a good example for children, whether walking, riding or driving. Kroemer suggests following your children for the first couple of days, watching from the car to make sure that they are safe and paying attention to traffic.
Many elementary schools in the district conduct a bike rodeo for grades three and up.
“Kids have to demonstrate that they know the safety rules and hand signals,” Kroemer said. “It’s also a fun opportunity for kids to demonstrate their agility on a bike. They show that they know how to maneuver their bike and that they are aware of things in their peripheral vision.”
To ensure maximum safety for all students, the district suggests students and parents abide by National Safe Kids Campaign guidelines for walking, riding and biking to school. The guidelines are available at www.safekids.org/tips/tips.html.