The majority of children and teachers in Mesquite are busy celebrating the last few weeks until a new school year rolls around. For parents, it may be a time of preparation with back-to-school supplies, registration forms and required immunizations.
New students will need to register at the school they will be entering. Documents necessary for registration include personal identification (driver’s license, passport) of the parent or guardian, the child’s identification, such as a passport, original birth certificate or certified birth card issued by a health district, an immunization record and proof of address. The Clark County School District registration form must also be completed.
Schools will accept a rent receipt, recent utility bill or a residence lease or sales contract as proof of residency.
Students returning to Hughes Middle School or coming from Virgin Valley Elementary and Bowler Elementary may register at HMS next week.
Students with last names beginning with the letters A through F are set to register between 8 a.m. and noon on Tuesday, Aug. 14. Students with last names beginning with the letters G through M can register on Wednesday, Aug. 15, from 8 a.m. until noon. On Thursday, Aug. 16, students with last names beginning with the letters N-Z are able to register between 8 a.m. and noon. There is also an evening registration available on Thursday, Aug. 16, 5-7 p.m. This event is open all students. During registration, students and parents will fill out necessary forms, pick up class schedules, get locker assignments and pay school fees.
Virgin Valley High School is undergoing renovations, and definite dates for registration and schedule pick-up are not definite.
“We are shooting for August 21st through 23rd, but things are kind of up in the air with the renovations going on. The school will be having a back to school night on August 23 at 5:30 p.m. though,” explained VVHS registrar Vicki Waite.
Local schools are also in the process of mailing out registration and school information to all students.
An up-to-date vaccination record is also necessary in order to register for schools in the Clark County School District. According to the CCSD, students must have had, or at least begun the following series of immunizations:
•Minimum of four DTap/DTP doses: Final dose must be on or after the fourth birthday.
•Minimum of three polio doses: Final dose must be on or after the fourth birthday.
•Two MMR doses: first dose must be on or after the first birthday. First and second dose must be separated by at least 28 days.
•One Tdap dose: A child enrolling in 7th grade is required to have 1 Tdap (Bordetella Pertussis) regardless of when the last Tetanus (Td) was given.
•Two Hepatitis A doses: second dose must be given at least six months after the first dose. (Required for students new to Nevada or CCSD after July 1, 2002.)
•Three Hepatitis B doses: Must have a minimum of four months between first and third dose and be older than 6 months when the third dose was given. (Required for students new to Nevada or CCSD after July 1, 2002.)
•Two Chicken Pox (Varicella) doses: first dose on or after first birthday. First and second dose must be separated by at least 28 days if age 13 years of age or older. Minimum interval of three months between doses one and two if age is less than 13 years. (Required for students new to Nevada or CCSD after July 2, 2011). Physician verification of past disease required for Varicella vaccine exemption.
Parents can obtain immunization for their children at local pharmacies or at the Mesquite Public Health Center, 830 Hafen Lane. The center is open, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, however it is closed for lunch, noo-1 p.m.