Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Kindergarten registration is underway for area schools. According to Indiana state law, a child must be five years of age on or before August 1 in order to attend kindergarten during the 2008-2009 school year. A birth certificate and immunization record will be necessary in order to complete registration.

The Ripley County Health Department offers immunization by appointment. Parents can call the health department at 689-0506 to schedule an appointment. Margaret Mary Community Hospital, Batesville, offers a walk-in immunization clinic every Tuesday evening from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There is no appointment necessary. For more information, parents can call 934-0699. Immunizations cannot be given without an immunization record at either clinic. Minimum requirement for the state of Indiana are five doses of DPT; four polio vaccines; two doses of MMR; three doses of hepatitis B; and a chicken pox vaccination or record of the chicken pox disease.

Sunman Elementary registration is on March 13. There are two appointment times available, 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. This gives the parents a chance to get paperwork in early. A vision and hearing screening will be given to each child. Also, students will take a ride on a bus in the parking lot to learn about bus safety. For any questions or to make an appointment, parents can call Sunman Elementary at 812-623-2235.

Registration for the Milan schools will be held on Thursday, April 3. Appointments are being accepted now. Appointment times begin at 9:30 a.m. and will run through 5:30 in half hour increments. Children will receive vision and hearing screenings. All 2008 kindergarten classes will be all day. Call 654-2922 to make an appointment or for further questions.

Parents in the Jac-Cen-Del school district can register their child on Thursday, April 10 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Registered children will receive an assessment test by the kindergarten staff and will meet with the speech and hearing therapist. The school nurse will be available to address any health concerns parents may have. The transportation director will be available to discuss bus routes. Parents can call 689-4144 to make appointments or if there are further questions.

South Ripley Elementary will hold kindergarten registration on April 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A tour of the classrooms will be given and the parents and children will meet the teachers. The child’s height and weight will be measured. The children will also meet the speech teacher. Parents can make an appointment by calling 689-5383.

Parents are asked to bring only the child registering for kindergarten. Younger children may get restless during registration times. If a parent is unable to attend the scheduled registration, their child can still be registered for the 2008-2009 school year. Just call the school the child will be attending for more information.