photo by: Nick Krug

Feeling apprehensive, first-grader Olivia Gutierrez pulls back as her mother Karen Roberts leads her into the gym on the first day of school, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014.

As any seasoned parent will tell you, there’s quite a bit more to the annual back-to-school routine than supply lists and spiffy new backpacks. For those new to the process or in need of a little guidance, here’s a basic rundown of what you need to know (and do) before school starts up.

In case you need a reminder, that would be Aug. 17 for grades one through seven — ninth graders also have a half-day orientation that day, and seventh and eighth graders will enjoy a two-hour delayed schedule — and high schools (as well as all others) kick off the year’s regular schedule Aug. 18.

Now, onto the fun stuff:

Enrollment

New to Lawrence schools? Begin your child’s enrollment at www.registration.usd497.org and finish the process at the district Enrollment Center, 110 McDonald Drive, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments are also available. Call 330-1921 for more information.

Immunizations

The Kansas State Department of Health and Environment has issued new regulations for required immunizations. Under state law, all children must be appropriately vaccinated upon entry to school.

Here’s what’s new for the 2016-2017 school year:

• A booster dose of Tdap is required for students in grades seven through 12 for those with no previous history of Tdap vaccination.
• Two doses of varicella are required for kindergartners through 12th-graders.
• Three doses of hepatitis B are required for kindergartners through 12th-graders.

Requirements for DTap (five doses), polio (four doses required; three doses acceptable) and MMR (measles, mumps and rubella, collectively — two doses) remain unchanged.

You can also find a copy of your child’s current immunizations through Skyward Family Access at www.usd497.org or by contacting your school nurse. A complete immunization schedule can be found at www.kdheks.gov/immunize.

Physical exams

A school health assessment is required for all children under the age of 9 who are new to Kansas schools. The exam must be completed by a licensed private practitioner or at a county health department within 12 months of the student’s first day at school.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department at 843-0721. You can also find a list of local clinics that offer physicals and/or immunizations at www.usd497.org.

Bus routes

The state of Kansas provides transportation to students living more than 2.5 miles from school. Those eligible can enroll in the student transportation program through First Student, 1548 E. 23rd St., between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Enrollment forms are available at First Student and online at www.usd497.org, and may be faxed to 841-4388. Transportation-related questions can be directed to First Student at 841-3594.

Because of ongoing construction at Pinckney Elementary School, Pinckney students will be bused (for free) to East Heights School during the 2016-2017 school year.

Student fees and school meals

Student fees cover necessities such as books, bus costs for field trips, technology and instruction materials, though additional course fees may apply depending on student enrollment. Fee waivers are available for students who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.

Student fees and meal payments can be submitted online at www.usd497.org or the old-fashioned way. Checks, cash, cashier’s checks and money orders are all accepted forms of payment at school offices and the district office, 110 McDonald Drive.

If you have any questions about student fees, including your eligibility to have fees waived, contact the administrative assistant at your child’s school or the district business office at 832-5000.

New school hours

Sunset Hill Elementary School has changed its start time to 8:15 a.m. this year. There, school lets out at 3:20 p.m., except for on Wednesdays. (On Wednesdays, elementary schools and middle schools dismiss students for the day 90 minutes early.)

Parent nights

Lawrence middle schools are encouraging parents to attend back-to-school nights in the weeks leading up to and shortly after the first day of school. Parents can find schedules in their schools’ newsletters and websites.

Also in the works are a series of parents’ nights for Lawrence High School and Free State High School in advance of the schools’ 1:1 device pilot project. As part of the program, a limited number of classes will use iPads at Free State High School and MacBooks at Lawrence High School before switching devices in mid-October. The sessions will be held Aug. 8, 11 and 22 at Lawrence High School and Aug. 8, 15 and 22 at Free State High School.

Middle school students will also be issued iPads this year courtesy of the district.