2024-25 Registration Requirements, Fees and School Supplies

Registration for the 2024-25 school year is scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at Parkside School Gymnasium from 10:00am-6:00pm. 

Required Registration and Optional Fees

Registration fees are $75 for all K-8 students, in addition to a $25 per student technology fee. There are no registration fees or costs associated with the Bright Futures Preschool program. Separate and additional fees are collected for breakfast and lunch, Parkside physical education, 8th grade graduation gowns and for students who will be participating in music activities. Here is a listing of the 2024-25 registration fees.

School Tool Box Online Orders

As a convenience to our parents and families, our PTC organizes the School Tool Box online supply ordering. Orders have to be placed by June 16 to be picked up at registration. Orders can still be placed online with the Ship-to-Home option. School Tool Box allows you to purchase all of your child's school supplies at one time and simply pick them up at registration. Here is the School Tool Box Online Link to order!

School Supply Lists

For parents who choose to not use the School Tool Box orders, here is the 2024-25 school supply list to purchase the items on your own.

Combined Parent & Student Handbook

Please review the 2024-2025 Parent & Student Handbook.

2024-25 Breakfast and Lunch Prices

Student breakfast is $1.65 per meal, student lunch is $2.60 per meal, and extra milk is $.45. All students are given a lunch card at the start of the school year and money must be deposited into their account to purchase meals. Reduced price information based upon family income eligibility guidelines will be available during registration. Also, families will be notified if their children have been directly certified through the State of Illinois to receive free lunch benefits. This notification will be mailed out from the district office in mid-July.

Online Registration Fees and Lunch Payments

Closer to registration day, our online fee payment system will be available. This is being provided as a convenience to parents for paying registration, breakfast, lunch and other fees online. In person registration will still be required, but this will be another way for parents to pay not only at registration, but also throughout the school year. Online payment can be accessed through your TeacherEase account. (Please be aware there are convenience fees associated with online payments.)

Birth Certificates

All students enrolling in the district for the first time are required to present a certified birth certificate, which can be obtained from the county in which the child was born.

Proof of Residency in the District is Required

Illinois statute requires public school students to be residents of the districts they attend. This law is stringently enforced in the district, and we do not take students on a tuition basis from other districts. To enroll a child in Peru ESD 124, permanent residency of the custodial parent or legal guardian, as well as the child, is absolutely required. All custodial parents and legal guardians are REQUIRED to provide TWO FORMS of evidence of CURRENT RESIDENCY within the boundaries of the school district. There are no exceptions to this very important requirement.

IMPORTANT – Two Forms of Identification Required to Register

All parents and guardians are REQUIRED to provide TWO FORMS of evidence of CURRENT RESIDENCY within the boundaries of the school district. Proof of residency must include a driver’s license or other state-issued identification. The second identification must include your name and address, ideally in the form of a current City of Peru utility bill. If the state-issued identification does not have your current Peru address on it, an additional current utility bill must be provided. Registration will not be allowed without absolute proof of residence, regardless of past attendance in the district.

If it is found that a child is illegally registered in the district, the child will immediately be removed from district enrollment and other legal means may be pursued, including the charge of out-of-district tuition for each day the child was illegally enrolled. Permanent residency of the parent or legal guardian, as well as the child, is required. If you have any questions, please contact the Superintendent of Schools, Jamie Craven at (815) 223-1111. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this important matter.

IMPORTANT – Immunization and Physical, Dental and Eye Exam Requirements

According to the Illinois School Code and Board of Education Policy 7.100, all students are required to show evidence of a physical health examination and proper immunizations upon entrance to any Illinois public school for the first time, including preschool, kindergarten, grade 6, grade 9 or when transferring from a school outside of Illinois. Students not in compliance may not attend school until meeting the requirements. Religious and medical exemptions can be made according to the documentation included in the Board policy link above.

All physical exams are due by the FIRST DAY of student attendance. In addition to the physical examination requirements listed above, students in kindergarten, second and sixth grades must provide evidence of a completed dental exam. Students entering kindergarten must provide evidence of a vision exam performed by a licensed Illinois optometrist or ophthalmologist. This is also due on the first day of school. Students new to the district must participate in speech and language screenings.

More health services information is available under Parent Resources: Health Services, or by clicking here.

IESA Sports Physicals  

Students participating in any athletic activities throughout the school year must have a completed physical examination prior to the first day of practice for their season. There is a new required IESA Sports Physical Form that can be printed here. The first four pages must be completed by a parent or guardian prior to the physical.

Transportation

Students who reside more than 1½ miles from the school in which they attend, or who live in an area approved as a hazardous zone by the Illinois Department of Transportation, will be provided free bus transportation to and from school. More information will be available at registration, and bus routes will be announced prior to the start of school.

Opening Day and 2024-25 Calendar

The first day of student attendance is Wednesday, August 21. The first week of school as well as each Friday throughout the school year will run on the Parkside 1:50 p.m. and Northview 2:05 p.m. early dismissal schedule. Please view the 2024-25 calendar. 

Please feel free to contact your child’s school or the Superintendent’s Office at (815) 223-1111 for more information.