MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
Posted: Sunday, August 2, 2009 8:15 am

Erin Brownyard helps her 9-year-old son, Caden, and her 6-year-old daughter, Ashlyn, pick up school supplies at Target. Supplies are just one of the Top 10 things to remember for the start of the school year. TMP/Michelle Willard

Another year of school is just around the corner.

Here are the Top 10 (11, because that school supply list is long) things to remember when setting your children out on the next leg of their educational journey.

1. Orientation and registration.

The first full school day for county and city schools is Wednesday, Aug. 12.

But before the kids hit the books again, Rutherford County Schools will hold a half-day Monday, Aug. 10 and Freshman Orientation for high schools at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6.

Registration for Murfreesboro City Schools is Wednesday, Aug. 5 and students will have a half-day Tuesday, Aug. 11.

2. Vehicle registration.

At its June meeting, the Rutherford County Board of Education approved procedures for verifying vehicle registration.

Parents or guardians must now show proof the county’s wheel tax has been paid when enrolling or re-enrolling a child in Rutherford County Schools.

Also high school students must show the same proof when applying for a parking pass at county high schools.

If proof of registration cannot be provided, the names will be reported to the Rutherford County Wheel Tax Officer.

3. Proof of residence.

Along with vehicle registration, a birth certificate and Social Security card, parents of children entering either school system must prove they live within the county or the city in the case of Murfreesboro City Schools.

A utility bill – for electricity or water – a lease or contract on a house will be accepted.

Students already in the system must make sure their information is up to date.

4. Shots.

Children entering kindergarten and seventh grade are required by state law to be up-to-date on all their shots.

Required immunizations include Hepatitis B, MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), chicken pox, DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), and Polio.

5. Health exam.

All children in the state are required to complete a health examination by a licensed health care professional before being enrolled in school for the first time.

Additional screenings for vision, weight and blood pressure are performed for certain grades in kindergarten through 12th grade.

6. Supplies.

In addition to pencil and paper, elementary students need everything from crayons and scissors to glue and tissues.

Individual teachers and schools have different school supply lists, so before you go shopping, contact your child’s school for a complete list.

7. Emergency contact numbers.

If the school needs to get in touch with you for any reason, like should your child get sick and the administration needs someone to pick him up, the first thing they try is contact information.

“Parents should make sure to give their child(ren)’s school(s) up-to-date contact information, including a valid e-mail address,” RCS spokesman James Evans said.

So remember to keep contact information up to date and, if possible, provide multiple contacts.

8. Lunch.

Growing brains need fuel, so don’t forget to give your children a sack lunch or lunch money in the morning.

RCS allows parents to pre-pay for lunches using a credit or debit card through its Web site or over the phone at 877-237-0946.

9. Transportation.

Have a plan in place to get your child to and from school. Also make sure your child and her teacher knows the plan.

Bus routes can be found at each system’s Web site, www.rcs.k12.tn.us or www.murfreesboro.cityschools.net.

10. Bell times.

All schools in the Murfreesboro City and Rutherford County systems have different bell times varying between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. Release times also vary.

Full lists can be found on each system’s Web site.

11. Tax-free weekend.

This year's tax-free holiday weekend begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 7 and ends Sunday, Aug. 9 at 11:59 p.m.

As in previous years, clothing, school supplies and computers can be purchased without state and local sales tax.

Limits do apply, so be sure and check www.tn.gov/revenue/salestaxholiday or call 800-342-1003 for restrictions.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.