All students required to re-register before fall A Message from the Watchung School District

All parents/ guardians are required to complete a re-registration packet for their child or children who will be attending borough schools this fall, and finalize the process in person before 3 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 6.
Kindergarten students who have registered have already provided this information, according to Superintendent Barbara Resko.
“This summer, the district is conducting a re-registration process to be in compliance with N.J.S.A. 18A:38-1 and N.J.A.C. 6A:22,” said Resko. “In addition, this process aligns with the district’s initiative to increase safety and security measures.”
Resko said re-registration is being done to make sure that all student contact information has the most current information.
The school district wants to be able to reassure taxpayers that only students residing in the district are getting the benefits of attending Watchung public schools, Resko said.
This re-registration process was last conducted four years ago in the summer of 2013.
The process of re-registering all students is both time and labor intensive, Resko said, so it made sense to administrators to conduct the re-registration during the summer, when schedules are lighter.
Plus parents have all summer to re-register. The process opened on Tuesday, June 27.
When parents/guardians have gathered and completed all of the necessary information, they are asked to visit the Main Office at Bayberry Elementary School to finalize the re-registration process.
“Mike Vignola and/or John Primeau will be available from 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday all summer to assist with this process,” said Resko. “For your convenience, we will be open on Wednesdays in August from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. by appointment only. Please call the Main Office at (908) 755-8184 to schedule an evening appointment.”
Needed Information
The following information is required when re-registering: Completed registration form; Original Birth Certificate and/or Passport for each child; and Proof of Residency.
Parents/guardians must use original documents for proof of residence, and only the parent/guardian may register their child and must provide photo identification when registering.
Mandatory documents include one of the following depending on housing:
• Homeowners – provide one of the following items for mortgage proof: current property tax bill, current mortgage statement, HUD US One settlement with buyer and seller;
• Renters – must provide copy of current lease. Parent/Guardian and children’s names must appear on the lease; or
• Affidavit of Residency Form – this form is for parents who do not rent or own property in the Borough of Watchung and are residing in the home of a Borough of Watchung resident.
Three additional forms of residency as described below must be provided:
• Property tax bills, deeds, contracts of sale, leases, mortgages, signed letters from landlords and other evidence of property ownership, tenancy or residency;
• Voter registrations, licenses, permits, financial account information, utility bills, delivery receipts, and other evidence of personal attachment to a particular location;
• Court orders, State agency agreements and other evidence of court or agency placements or directive;
• Receipts, bills, cancelled checks and other evidence of expenditures demonstrating personal attachment to a particular location, or, where applicable, to support of the student;
• Medical reports, counselor or social worker assessments, employment documents, benefit statements, and other evidence of circumstances demonstrating, where applicable, family or economic hardship, or temporary residency;
• Affidavits, certifications and sworn attestations pertaining to statutory criteria for school attendance, from the parent, legal guardian, person keeping an “affidavit student,” adult student, person(s) with whom a family is living, or others as appropriate;
• Documents pertaining to military status and assignment;
• Any business record or document issued by a governmental entity;
• Any other form of documentation relevant to demonstrating entitlement to attend school
Guardianship
The Watchung Borough School District requires the student to be registered by natural parent or legal guardian. Proof of legal guardianship is required at time of registration. The following documents are accepted as legal guardianship:
• State Court Custody Paperwork;
• State Agency Paperwork for the student’s placement with a Watchung Borough resident (e.g. DYFS).
For more information, parents/guardians can contact the main school office at (908) 755-8184 to speak with Mike Vignola with questions or concerns.