Enrolling a Child in School

Scene: The Nguyen family just moved to the district. Mr. Nguyen is at the elementary school office enrolling his 8-year-old daughter, Lily. Ms. Brown, the secretary, is helping him.

Conversation

MS. BROWN: Good morning! Welcome to Riverside Elementary. How can I help you?

MR. NGUYEN: Good morning. We just moved here, and I’d like to enroll my daughter in third grade.

MS. BROWN: We’d love to have her! What’s your daughter’s name and age?

MR. NGUYEN: Her name is Lily Nguyen. She’s eight years old — she’ll be nine in November.

MS. BROWN: Perfect age for third grade. Do you have her birth certificate?

MR. NGUYEN: Yes, I brought the original and a copy.

MS. BROWN: Great. I’ll also need proof of address — a utility bill or your lease agreement.

MR. NGUYEN: I have our lease agreement here. Is that enough?

MS. BROWN: That works perfectly. Now — do you have her immunization records?

MR. NGUYEN: Immunization records… those are the vaccination papers, right?

MS. BROWN: Exactly. The state requires them before a child can start school.

MR. NGUYEN: I have them from her old school. Here they are.

MS. BROWN: Wonderful — you came very prepared! Now let me ask a few questions for her file. What language do you speak at home?

MR. NGUYEN: We speak Vietnamese at home. Lily speaks English too — she learned it at her old school.

MS. BROWN: That’s great. We’ll do a quick English assessment just to make sure she gets the right support — it’s nothing to worry about.

MR. NGUYEN: That sounds fine. When can she start?

MS. BROWN: She can start Monday! I’ll assign her to Mrs. Adams’ class — she’s wonderful with new students.

MR. NGUYEN: Monday — that’s soon! What time does school start, and does she need to bring lunch?

MS. BROWN: School starts at 8:15. She can bring lunch or buy it here — lunch is free for all students this year.

MR. NGUYEN: Free lunch — that’s wonderful. Is there bus transportation?

MS. BROWN: Yes! Since you live more than a mile away, she qualifies for the school bus. I’ll give you the route information.

MR. NGUYEN: Thank you so much, Ms. Brown. Lily was nervous about a new school, but this makes me feel better.

MS. BROWN: Tell Lily we’re excited to meet her. New students fit in quickly here — I promise!

— THE END —

Vocabulary List

Enroll /ɪnˈroʊl/ (v.) to officially register. Example: I’d like to enroll my daughter.
Birth certificate /bɜːrθ sərˈtɪfəkət/ (n.) an official paper showing birth. Example: Do you have her birth certificate?
Proof of address /pruːf ʌv əˈdres/ (n.) a document showing where you live. Example: I need proof of address.
Lease agreement /liːs əˈɡriːmənt/ (n.) a rental contract. Example: I have our lease agreement.
Immunization record /ˌɪmjənəˈzeɪʃən ˈrekərd/ (n.) papers showing vaccinations. Example: Do you have her immunization records?
Require /rɪˈkwaɪər/ (v.) to need or demand officially. Example: The state requires them.
Assessment /əˈsesmənt/ (n.) a test to check level. Example: A quick English assessment.
Assign /əˈsaɪn/ (v.) to place someone in a class. Example: I’ll assign her to Mrs. Adams’ class.
Qualify /ˈkwɑːləfaɪ/ (v.) to meet requirements. Example: She qualifies for the school bus.
Fit in /fɪt ɪn/ (phr v.) to feel comfortable in a group. Example: New students fit in quickly here.

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Vocabulary List